Dirty Patrol replied:

PatNav,
Mate what Year ,model, engine, petrol or Diesel are you looking at? auto's are good off road, as long as you learn to drive thru the brakes down hill so the don't run away on you,muddy up hills are easy in an auto for me any way,Im not having a go just need info so folks can help you.
Cheers

Member - Ian H (NSW) replied:

Good value I reckon and they are very capable of road. Fit a pair of poyair bags for heavy loads. My mate did and Cape York was no problem.

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

The 90series Prado are very underrated.
I had two, and took them over the roughest tracks I could find. Never let me down and never had a serious issue. The last Prado I had did the Anne Beadell highway 3 times, Madigan Line, And umpteen trips to the High Country and Flinders Ranges. Don't be put off by the front IFS - The factory suspension is strong, and rear wheel travel makes up for the limited front wheel travel.

Put the 265/75 tyres on them and a 40mm lift with the suspension and you'll have more clearance than most other 4wds. You'll get 1000k's on the standard 159litre tanks with the V6.

George_M replied:

I had two 90 series Prados - a '96 model and a '99 model. The only modifications I made to each of them was tyres and suspension - they really sag at the bum when you put any weight in them. Polyairs fixed that.

I like these vehicles because they have good offroad (not "off track") capability, a large fuel tank standard combined with relatively good fuel economy, and are easy to drive in a wide variety of situations. They also have my wife's seal of approval....

I used a full length roof rack from TJM, as those were the days when Prados had roof gutters.

The only problem I had related to the dashboards. The dashboards on both my vehicles vibrated like crazy when driving over the slightest corrugation. After one Simpson Desert trip you could stick your hand down the gap where the dashboard on the '99 model had separated from the firewall. Toyota could never really fix this problem. If you have the misfortune to strike it you'll find some solutions on the specialist Prado groups.

It all depends on having a very good idea of what you want the vehicle to do - there are a hell of a lot of options out there, and twice as many opinions:-)

Good luck with your choice!

George_M

George_M

madfisher replied:

Pat ,
That is a very good buy, all the opnes I have checked out have 200000ks on them and they still want $20,000.00
Cheers Pete

Member - Stephen M (NSW) replied:

Just bought one PatNav, vx grande very comfortable, plenty of go, yes the rattly dash but not that bad and have heard of a fix. The rear ends sag big time and will need some bags to keep her up level. I am fitting new shocks and springs but not heavy duty dont want it to ride like a go cart. Havnt done fuel consumption test yet will do one on thursday then another when I get back after easter after going up north and towing camper. They do get a bit of an exhaust rumble at certain rev ranges but nothing too intrusive. I'm use to an old 2.8 D hilux so this things like a bmw, but hey they all have there faults doent matter what the brand. Wouldnt be as robust as your patrol but you will love driving it. Just be carful if you go th vx with the duel air as I have as Milford dont make a cargo barrier for them you have to get one from caddyshack. My's just gone for a big buff up, my mate does this new beaut paint sealing type of thing and is touching up the flares where they had a few scratches and I have 4 little dents getting taken out from shopping trolleys but I'm a fussy pric#. Youll love it. if you want any pics let me know and will send you some of mine if you want to have a look at the vx grande but there is a few on the websites for sale. Regards Steve M