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Top issues
3 known problems · 1 high
high
4D56 timing belt failure
2.5L 4D56 (turbo IDI diesel)
medium
Body and chassis rust
All engines
medium
4M40 injector pump issues
2.8L 4M40 (turbo IDI diesel)
At this odometer
See which of this car's known problems are due at that mileage, which should already have been dealt with, and what's coming up.
Generations
Price (AUD)
$6-15k
Body styles
Single Cab, Extra Cab, Dual Cab
Drivetrain
RWD, 4WD part-time
Origin
Japan
Built in
Thailand
Overview
Long-running mid-90s Triton. The 4M40 (also used in early Pajero) is the tougher engine and is chain-driven — no timing belt service. The 4D56 IDI is gutless and has a 100k km timing belt that bends valves on failure. Both pre-electronic-injection, easy to work on with basic tools. Build quality typical of late-90s Thai-built utes — rust on coastal examples is the main worry.
Engines & variants
2.8L 4M40 (turbo IDI diesel)
Engine
IDI diesel turbo
Engine code
Config
I4
Displacement
2.8L
Power
92kW (unverified)
Torque
294Nm (unverified)
Drivetrain
RWD / Part-time 4WD
0–100
~14s (unverified)
Economy
~9-10 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 4AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven, inspect from 250,000km+
Pros
- Tough 4M40 (Pajero-shared)
- Chain-driven — no timing belt
- Mechanical injection — no electronics
- Easy DIY work
- Decent parts supply still
Cons
- Auto trans weak
- Some rust issues
- Slow by modern standards
- Body cab basic
Known problems
medium
4M40 injector pump issues
Mechanical injection pump can develop timing drift and leaking.
Fix: Pump rebuild or replacement by diesel specialist.
medium
Body and chassis rust
Rust on rear wheel arches, chassis rails.
Fix: Inspect carefully. Coastal examples often unsellable.
2.5L 4D56 (turbo IDI diesel)
Engine
IDI diesel turbo
Engine code
Config
I4
Displacement
2.5L
Power
72kW (unverified)
Torque
240Nm (unverified)
Drivetrain
RWD / Part-time 4WD
0–100
~16s (unverified)
Economy
~9-10 L/100km combined
Tow (braked)
2500kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
5MT, 4AT
Timing chain / belt / gear
Belt-driven, 100,000km / 5-year (mandatory)
Pros
- Cheap to buy
- Simple mechanical injection
- Decent fuel economy
- Common engine — parts everywhere
Cons
- Gutless — 72kW
- Timing belt at 100k = bent valves if missed
- Slow
- Mediocre durability vs 4M40
Known problems
high
4D56 timing belt failure
Timing belt MUST be replaced at 100k. Failure = bent valves on the 4D56.
Fix: Replace on schedule with belt kit. Non-negotiable maintenance item.
medium
Body and chassis rust
Rust on rear wheel arches, chassis rails.
Fix: Inspect carefully. Coastal examples often unsellable.