AnswerID: 213032 Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 at 14:15
Member - Phil G (SA)
replied:
We also had 4 kids. Main problem with the HJ61 is that they are all at least 17 years old.
We went the other way - we owned a HJ61 Sahara before the Prado. Had the HJ61 for about 7 years. Rarely put 3 across the middle seat anyway - usually 2 kids in the middle and two in the back, with some breathing space between them. Not much room behind the 3rd row in either vehicle.
Can't say that the 61 series had any more room than the Prado. It was a little wider maybe in the cab, but about the same everywhere else, and the Prado had a lower rear floor because the spare was on the back instead of underneath. The Sahara had split middle seat for easy rear access, unlike your '96 Prado.
Your maintenance costs will rise with the 61series. Swivel hubs and wheel bearings are regular service items. And you'll need 10.5 litres of oil every 5k, instead of 10k services on your Prado. You can stretch the 12H-T services to 10k, given that its a Direct Injection motor, but thats up to you.
Fuel consumption will be marginally better than your V6 Prado - but not a whole lot different - you might get 12 l/100k out of the HJ61 vs say 14-15 l/100k out of the V6 Prado.
If the leaf springs are saggy on the 61 series, they will cost a bit to fix.
The 12H-T was a brilliant motor in its day but can be costly to repair and the extra power of the TD can take its toll on the gearbox and clutch. These needed repairing on mine before it reached 200k.
Autos were pretty reliable.
Radiators can easily crack top tanks - replacing the tank is cheap, replacing the complete radiator is expensive.
Diffs are very strong.
Brakes - the rear drums brakes can bind when 4wding - reversing back down steep hills may inadvertently adjust up the rear shoes.
Fuel tank is only 90litres, unless you have aftermarket tanks.
Wheels are 15x7 on the GXL and Sahara.
The sunroofs are often dead by now.
The rear airconditioners are very costly to fix. Many people ditch the rear aircond, and just live with the front one.
The front bucket seats on the Sahara are not as good as the Prado.
If you can find a good HJ61 Sahara, then they are a great vehicle. Just be prepared for the extra maintenace a few more repairs than you've probably had with your younger Prado.
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Reply 5 of 11
FollowupID: 473317 Submitted:
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 at 16:59
Member - Phil G (SA) posted:
666,
Glad you've had a great run out of yours. Whats been done to it since new?
I'm just saying what happened to mine - no use doubting it. I owned both vehicles.
Mine was a 1986 model HJ61. I bought it as a one owner local vehicle when it was 7 years old with 100,000k and sold it with 200+k 7 years later.
Over that time it had the following repairs:
Sagged springs replaced @ 100k
Dual Air Conditioner repaired - $1200 - the rear air cond was said to stuff up from corrosion because many owners never use the rear air cond - there were no aftermarket condensers available which is why people dumped them, and why they cost a lot.
Air cond relay 140k
Radiator top tank cracked and replaced 100k and again at 190k
Electric door switches replaced 100k
Oil pressure sender 100k
Temp and fuel gauge regulator 150k
Clutch replaced 140k
Cylinder head repair for minor head gasket leak 160k ($2300) incl injectors 170k
Gearbox overhauled 200k "mainshaft" $2500
Re the seats, I did a lot of 4wding kms in both vehicles - Sahara seats were flatter gave me a pain in the butt, the Prado had better side support and the seat position was better. But thats entirely up to the user.
Cheers
Phil
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FollowUp 3 of 16
FollowupID: 473394 Submitted:
Wednesday, Jan 03, 2007 at 21:53
666toy posted:
G day,
I did not say mine gets over a 1/4 i think that was someone els but mine a 3f pet/gas never gets over 1/3 .But i have had a hj47 with a 2h with aftermarket turbo.
When i put the turbo on i had to adjust the fuel injector pump otherwise it got hot. After i done this i still had a small heat issue with a big load i replaced the radiator with a AUSSIE DESERT COOLER TRIPPLE PASS & never had a problem after that.
The 2 h has a very good oil cooler built onto the donk & a external oil cooler is unnecicary. Check that your A/c condenser is not clogged if fitted & have the fins combed if there burred over.
Have you had your radiator tanks removed & cores cleaned. (i found that 25% of my original rad was blocked so maybe i could have got away with just that but i love those triple pass rad,s & know they work in the worst conditions)
Something often overlooked is the viscous fan if this is not working proper it will get hot. My suggestion for this problem is not to replace the fan but to lock it up permanently you will not notice any difference in power.
You can do this effectively by drilling 2 holes in the caseing one @ 6 o clock & one @ 12 o clock wash out with petrol to remove any oil . blow dry & inject silicon (i use silastic) in one of the holes with caulking gun with nozzle cut so it seals the hole well & keep injecting until it comes out other hole.
Leave set for 24 hrs if possible. you now have a locked up fan that will give no further probs.
Viscous fans often are the problem but are the last thing replaced so i suggest you do this first. hope this helps...........666TOY
FollowUp 6 of 16
