[JKBKS]

Originally Posted by achyutaghosh

1. The price difference between the Dueler and G015 in 265/65/17 size (Fortuner 2WD) is 1.8-2k per tire.

2. I was also under the impression that the difference in 265/60/18 size is 7-8k as you mentioned. But seems to have been some price revisions recently. I checked tyremarket.com today and it showed the same price for Yoko and Dueler- around 17k per tire. Yoko additionally has unconditional warranty.

We are getting Yokohama AT@4200 per tyre after exchange for 265/60/18 Duellers, Is this an ok deal? OR can we get a better deal somewhere else in Bangalore?

[dhruvmalik]

Originally Posted by JKBKS

We are getting Yokohama AT@4200 per tyre after exchange for 265/60/18 Duellers, Is this an ok deal? OR can we get a better deal somewhere else in Bangalore?

Can you get a better deal. Sure. Maybe? But if you looked and have not, then this is close to being on the average or slightly higher side.

If you ask for all 5, see if you can get it around 3500rs.

[achyutaghosh]

Had been to Uttam Toyota, Noida for a friend's Fortuner booking. Sales folks there were strongly pushing for Hilux. Seems some discounts are already on offer on available stock. And they were speculating a price correction in the offing if Toyota were to sell this long term in India.

Sat in the Hilux and found the rear seat to be very cramped as compared to the Fortuner. It is narrow and erect with no recline function. Best only for kids.

[JKBKS]

Originally Posted by dhruvmalik

Can you get a better deal. Sure. Maybe? But if you looked and have not, then this is close to being on the average or slightly higher side.

If you ask for all 5, see if you can get it around 3500rs.

4.2k is the best rate that we are getting. Others are are asking for 8k per tyre citing fewer clients for the Duelers in that size. So for the moment we have decided to stick to Duelers only and gave the car to the Opti-coat guys for ceramic coating and de-chroming who will take a few days to get this done

[corneliu]

Originally Posted by JKBKS

4.2k is the best rate that we are getting. Others are are asking for 8k per tyre citing fewer clients for the Duelers in that size.

If you do not forsee any hardcore snow/slush offroading trips & will be doing 80-90% highway driving, then sticking to the Duelers is the best thing to do. Duelers will also be able to handle Leh/Spiti kind of trips in the summer pretty decently (heck, locals over there use Altos with stock tyres for their daily commutes!).

However, if your median quote for swapping out is coming to ~8k (which is also what I was also facing), may I suggest spending 3-4 k more, and swapping them out for BF Goodrich KO2s, which are far superior in performance.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlUBsJg74T0

[dhruvmalik]

Originally Posted by corneliu

However, if your median quote for swapping out is coming to ~8k (which is also what I was also facing), may I suggest spending 3-4 k more, and swapping them out for BF Goodrich KO2s, which are far superior in performance.

Do keep in mind that KO2's are much louder on highway terrain and also weigh more.

The duelers are 41 lbs
The g015 and 40.3 lbs
The KO2' are close to 52 lbs

That added weight also impacts fuel economy.

The KO2s are the king of AT tires but to be honest they are beaten by the Yokohama X-ATs which are coming in India within 6 months.

Costs aside, no need to swap tires for the sake of it, buy what's your best use case. For me, the Yokos felt better since I use them all the time.

[TheMonk]

Took Delivery of my Hilux AT High Today. I chose Pearl White colour which I feel is the best.

I got three accessories free of cost - Bed Liner (Looks and feels great Quality), Toyota rear decal - high-quality reflective stickers and the tailgate assist.

Purchased the side mouldings and side visors additionally.

Initial Impressions.

I have driven 300 km immediately from Haldwani to Delhi. No issues with power, road bumps and potholes are handled admirably. Got 7.2 litres/km.
The Aircon is excellent; the sound system could be better. Body roll is noticeable as compared to a monocoque car.

Tomorrow is a tyre swap. Finalised the BF Goodrich KO2.
Cheers guys!

[dhruvmalik]

Originally Posted by TheMonk

I chose Pearl White colour which I feel is the best.
Cheers guys!

Congrats and welcome to the Hilux fam.

[TheMonk]

Originally Posted by dhruvmalik

Congrats and welcome to the Hilux fam.

Thanks! Hope to get some great miles soon!

[dhruvmalik]

Originally Posted by TheMonk

Thanks! Hope to get some great miles soon!

I'm headed to Bhimtal tomorrow for a week. That will rack up some miles.

Any great trails around there?

[JKBKS]

My friend got his truck delivered from Gurgaon last week...And we gave it to Opti-coat guys for ceramic/dechroming. I drove it for some time and found the brakes to be excellent, steering very light and virtually no noise inside the cabin. One doesn't feel that he is driving such a big vehicle. The BH number has been approved and license plates are awaited now. Below are some before and after pix.

But we were disappointed by the dealer attitude. They only gave free Mats- Transparent & Fabric, Window visors, Toyota rear decal and Reflective Stickers.

So we had to buy Bedliner, Over Fender, Tail gate assist, Scuff plate and Back light cover for close to 70k. No discount was given on anything. But the biggest problem is the shoddy work done on bedliner installation. The lame excuse given after we saw the truck here was that its only their 2nd installation of the bedliner!! So they are basically learning on customers' dime.

We are now hunting for a bed cover. Any ideas will be welcome!!

[TheMonk]

Originally Posted by dhruvmalik

I'm headed to Bhimtal tomorrow for a week. That will rack up some miles.

Any great trails around there?

Plenty near Ranikhet where I live!

By the way, I am having difficulty setting up Android Auto wireless. Any suggestions? Thanks

[TheMonk]

Tire Change and a Few Other Things

Day 2 of Hilux ownership. I drove down from the hills specifically to get some good rubber for the ute.

Went to Palika Bhawan, New Delhi to a known tyre dealer and was flooded with choices. The main contenders were Michelin LTX Trail, Yokohama Geolander and the BF Goodrich KO2.
Saw Pirelli and Maxis too.

In the end the BFG won. It looks could kill, then this is a mean looker. All the research I had done pointed to this one tyre. Best of all it has a 5 year manufacturer warranty and is ISI marked. Further where I live, it snows and having a snow rating makes a difference.

I didn't upsize as I didn't want to change ride dynamics. All 5 tyres were eventually changed to BFG.

I was surprised to see that the spare tyre rim is not alloy but steel. However this is OK as the tyre is atleast full size.

Thereafter I replaced the interior lights with some decent LEDs which have made a huge difference in the ambience as well as the amount of lumens inside.

Got 4 door protector strips. Went for the basic rubber tube as these don't need to be stuck on and are removable.

Handling and Ride Quality with the BFGs

The tyres are amazing. Though slow speed steering effort has marginally increased, the lumpy/mushy feel with the OEM tyres has vanished. The grip is excellent - probably due to the bigger contact patch. I didn't feel any increase in road noise. The ute feels taut and more agile. The ride is a few percentage points harsher as the sidewalls are tougher and don't flex as much as HT tyres but this a marginal effect. I feel an immediate improvement in turning and steering crispness.

[MB4DI]

Originally Posted by TheMonk

Took Delivery of my Hilux AT High Today. I chose Pearl White colour which I feel is the best.
I have driven 300 km immediately from Haldwani to Delhi. No issues with power, road bumps and potholes are handled admirably. Got 7.2 litres/km.

Heartly congratulations to you, Sir

The only reason I had to sell my 6 month old Isuzu Vcross was due to the lack of bottom end torque while climbing uphill tarmac roads.

Would love to know about your experience with Hilux in similar scenarios.

Regards,
MB4DI

[TheMonk]

Originally Posted by MB4DI

Heartly congratulations to you, Sir

The only reason I had to sell my 6 month old Isuzu Vcross was due to the lack of bottom end torque while climbing uphill tarmac roads.

Would love to know about your experience with Hilux in similar scenarios.

Regards,
MB4DI

Thanks very much. Though I havent driven much, I haven't seen any lack of power. The Hilux seems eager to go and low end torque is top notch.

I compare this with my other rides - the BMW X1 Diesel and the BMW X1 Petrol (latest and brand new). The torque delivery is linear, the gear shifts are smooth though perceptible as compared to the beemer (in the BMW you hardly feel the shift). In a nutshell, loads of fun.

Driving up to the hills just now and will send a hill drive report later, though I am sure I won't be disappointed!