Toyota Hiace. Which model and what problems?

bijapos · 07-03-2011 02:13PM #1

Setting up a small business and looking at buying a diesel Hiace, either the H100 (early 90's one) like this

Or the late 90's - early 2000s version like this

As its a start up I only have about €2000 to spend and I doubt it'll stretch to €3000 for a D4D version.
I'm not worried about the year on the plate or the image associated with them.
I'll be carrying ca 500kg and sometimes pulling a 600kg trailer but doing about 300-500km per week. Whats the economy like, I heard 10l/100km or 28mpg would be normal enough?
I'm fairly mechanical minded so I'd like to know what peoples experiences are of them, especially reliability.
Are there any particular weaknesses associated with either model that i need to look out for when buying such as weak gaskets, bearings, seals etc, (above the usual checks that I'll be doing anyway).

Any help appreciated. I'm well used to driving 1980's merc vans (207, 310 etc) so speed etc is not an issue.

Btw anyone who knows of a pre Sprinter Merc (83-94) for sale I'd be interested.

colm_mcm · 07-03-2011 03:12PM

If you're not pushed on speed then the old 2.4 engine would be fine. Not as complicated as the 2.5 d-4d. Old shape ones aren't safe, the newer ones are front engined.
96-00 can be had for peanuts anyway and i've seen ones with massive mileage. Clunky rear diffs are about as bad as I've seen. They're as tough as old boots and the bodies hold up great.

I Was VB · 07-03-2011 03:28PM

colm_mcm wrote: »

If you're not pushed on speed then the old 2.4 engine would be fine. Not as complicated as the 2.5 d-4d. Old shape ones aren't safe, the newer ones are front engined.
96-00 can be had for peanuts anyway and i've seen ones with massive mileage. Clunky rear diffs are about as bad as I've seen. They're as tough as old boots and the bodies hold up great.

Bodywork hold together better than any Trasit 96-00 seems to be all off the road.

bazz26 · 07-03-2011 03:29PM

You will be doing well finding the old shape one in decent nic these days. Most are probably rotting in a field by now. Current model has been around since 1995. :eek:

CJhaughey · 07-03-2011 03:31PM

You'd be doing well to find anything old at all, most cheapies have been exported by now.

Run_to_da_hills · 07-03-2011 04:37PM

Had second and pre 2002 fifth generation, couldn't fault either except that they were heavy on juice compared to other vans twice their size.

First generation (H10; 1967–1977) Never imported.

Second generation (H20, H30, H40; 1977–1982 Hens teeth. saw one pick up version at a market in Co Clare last year.:p

Third generation (H50; 1982–1989) Very few about, column gear change, best of the earlier models. head lamp relay switches had a habit of popping out from under the dash. Cast Iron cylinder heads were also prone to cracking. Parts are also getting scarce with factors and main dealers no longer supplying.

Fourth generation (H100; 1989–1996) Never liked this model, considered soft and trouble some compared to its predecessor.

Fifth generation 1996 to present. Best Van Toyota ever made, Pre 2002 heavy on diesel. Post 2002 used D4D fuel injected motors with 30% more fuel efficiency.

bijapos · 07-03-2011 04:59PM

Thanks for the replies so far:

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Fourth generation (H100; 1989–1996) Never liked this model, considered soft and trouble some compared to its predecessor.

In what way is it soft and troublesome. Reason I ask is that a colleague of my sister is selling one in a couple of weeks. I've only seen it parked up and it looks fine body wise. Met others who swear by them. Are you aware of any weak points?

Fifth generation 1996 to present. Best Van Toyota ever made, Pre 2002 heavy on diesel.

What kind of mpg were you getting?

coylemj · 07-03-2011 05:46PM

The white models come with radar as standard which can detect a skip at 1,500 metres. :cool:

bijapos · 07-03-2011 08:55PM

coylemj wrote: »

The white models come with radar as standard which can detect a skip at 1,500 metres. :cool:

Yeah thats why I want one, tow hitch for the horse box for Smithfield as well. :cool:

SC024 · 07-03-2011 09:14PM

Know someone with a 95 one, does about 420miles to 55 litre fill, alot of city centre driving just under 300K on it & still going strong, never gave trouble at apart from standard servicing, t belts, pads etc etc

colm_mcm · 07-03-2011 10:41PM

That's 34.7 mpg. Incredible for city centre driving.

Solnskaya · 07-03-2011 11:13PM

Don't bother with the Hiache, just get a mitsubishi L400, plenty around for 1500-2000€ mark and they are bulletproof, I'm on my third, and the first two were sold going perfectly at 240k miles plus, never a mechanical fault experienced, just brakes, belts and servicing. Had Hiaches from 1994 to 2001, had enough with the 01 model, just not hard enough of a van. Have a 00 L400 now, 196K miles up(probably clocked) and it still goes like a train. I have regularly pulled heavy trailers long distances and given it dogs abuse, still just wanted 2 rear shocks for the last DOE. They're a good van for small money. (I've a few other vans on the go as well, the freshest is a 08, but I still pick the L400 as my own everyday wagon. The L400 is no less thirsty than the Toyota though, but you spend on fuel and save on repairs.

bijapos · 07-03-2011 11:18PM

Thought a bit about the L400 but they're not as common as the Hiace. I had an L300 years ago and was very happy with it. You dont know the length of the load bay in the LWB version of them by any chance?

YouTookMyName · 07-03-2011 11:31PM

Run_to_da_hills wrote: »

Fourth generation (H100; 1989–1996) Never liked this model, considered soft and trouble some compared to its predecessor.

No power steering and an absolute pig to maneuver.

96 models are all SWB. LWB came in 97.

D4D came in 2002 facelift, badge in grill.

2.4 badge on bonnet.

What part of the country are you in mate?

bijapos · 07-03-2011 11:38PM

I'm in Dublin 6.

Savman · 07-03-2011 11:39PM

I've a pre-D4D 2001 OP, not fun to drive but not a single mechanical issue in 2yrs. Before that I had a Transit with a dying clutch inside 20k and a Vivaro with a piece of sh*t gearbox that gave up the ghost @ 80k.

If you love spending thousands fixing your van, buy one of the uber comfortable machines on the market. If you want a runner that won't let you down...well, you already know the answer to that one.

dave1982 · 08-03-2011 12:24AM

Have a 00 swb hi-ace a year and a half great van.Put it through the test no problem a new front tyre thats it

Bought it for 1500 best buy ever body work perfect which is hard to find

SC024 · 08-03-2011 12:56AM

YouTookMyName wrote: »

No power steering and an absolute pig to maneuver.

96 models are all SWB. LWB came in 97.

D4D came in 2002 facelift, badge in grill.

2.4 badge on bonnet.

What part of the country are you in mate?

My Fathers was bought new in may 95, has power steering as I said already never gave any bother outside of standard pads, services, t belts etc etc All run of the mill stuff. will take 2.6 * 1.2 metre sheets in the back easy enough

YouTookMyName · 08-03-2011 10:09PM

Forgot to say, set aside a couple of quid and find urself a good upholster to get the drivers seat fixed!

YouTookMyName · 08-03-2011 10:11PM

SC024 wrote: »

My Fathers was bought new in may 95, has power steering as I said already never gave any bother outside of standard pads, services, t belts etc etc All run of the mill stuff. will take 2.6 * 1.2 metre sheets in the back easy enough

Drove an 95,94 and 92 and it had no power steering. Never knew them models had power steering.

Toyota Hiace. Which model and what problems?

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