Hilux 4th gen (RN/LN) inspection checklist

Look for: After 35-40 years, rust is the number-one killer of these Hiluxes. Hotspots include the chassis rails (especially around the rear leaf-spring hangers and shackles), cab mounts, door bottoms, windscreen surround, wheel arches and the tray/tub. Coastal and farm examples are the worst; QLD and coastal trucks need very careful inspection.

Look for: The steering box, idler arm, drag link and tie-rod ends wear with age and off-road use, giving vague, wandering steering and play in the wheel.

Look for: From 1983 the 22R used a single-row timing chain with plastic guides. As the chain stretches, the tensioner runs out of travel and the chain slaps the plastic guide, which cracks and disintegrates. A rattling/chattering noise on start-up is the warning. In the worst case the loose chain saws through the timing-cover water jacket and lets coolant into the sump, killing the engine.

Look for: The cast-iron block with aluminium head expands at different rates; a tired radiator, perished hoses or a failed thermostat can let it overheat and blow the head gasket or warp the head.

Look for: Unlike the chain-driven petrols, the 2L diesel runs a rubber timing belt. A snapped belt on these can cause valve-to-piston damage, and decades-old belts of unknown age are a real risk.

Look for: The 2L head can crack between valve seats if the engine is overheated (blocked radiator, low coolant) - less prone than the turbo 2L-T but still a known indirect-injection diesel weakness.

Look for: The 2L-T is notorious for cracking its cylinder head between the valve seats and pre-combustion chambers - the extra heat and cylinder pressure from the turbo, combined with any cooling-system weakness, causes overheating, coolant loss, white smoke and combustion gases in the coolant. Many enthusiasts steer clear of the 2L-T purely because of this.

Look for: The turbo bearings wear with age and heat; a hot shutdown without idle-down can coke the oil feed, leading to shaft play, smoke and lost boost.

Look for: The mechanical injection pump and injectors wear at very high km, causing hard starting, white/black smoke and lost power.

Look for: At high km the 4Y can burn oil past worn valve guides/seals and rings, showing as blue smoke on start-up and a thirst for oil.