2000 Prado.V6/gas or trbo diesel? 4wd capabilities?

Hi Rowen

Try this link Pradopoint

PeteS

AFAIK Prado is not LandCruiser, but rather Hilux. But it not bad news either. I have driven one (and I have LC). I found out that Prado suspension a bit softer to my likes and bodyroll a bit more noticeable then LC. But in return it much nicer and easier to live with and drive around. And of course it smaller then LC. As for 4WD ability IMHO it is very capable vehicle and only argument can be aroused about IFS. Thus I would rate it incredibly close to IFS LC in 4WD ability (not exactly matching because more bodyroll). As for engine I would not even touch petrol variant in favor of diesel. But I am biased.
Cheers
Serg.

I have a 98 model Prado GLX. It's an Auto V6 with LPG conversion.
The economy on gas is pretty good and you stilll have a 60 litre unleaded tank for those places you cannot get LPG.
The 4wd abilities are pretty good. We recently did a 15000 klm trip around the north and central Australia and the vehicle performed very well towing a camper trailer.
I have only driven a full size landcruiser once and it felt like a truck compared to the Prado.
When not towing and on the open road I can get about 400k's from the LPG tank (70 litres). I used to get about 50k's more before I put the 265/75 Cooper ATR's on it.
I think they are currently very good value for money as far as 4wd's go.

The turbo diesels only came out in the face-lifted models 2000-2002. Before that it was only the 2.7litre 4cyl petrol, or the 3.4litre v6 petrol.

I've got a 3.4v6 petrol, and wouldn't consider putting it on gas. Mainly because all the gas installations I've seen remove one of the existing fuel tanks to put in the gas tank (most 90 series prados have two fuel tanks. toal 159litres) You end up with a vehicle that will be cheaper to run around town (where gas is available easily), but with less range when out touring. (ie: Only one petrol tank, and limited opportunities for a gas refill). Just be sure what your usage is intended for the vehicle, before going down that gas route.

As for offroad-ability. I'm of course biased, but I think it is one of the more capable IFS based 4WD's doing the rounds. A bit of a suspension lift, decent rubber and an airlocker in the rear has got me everywhere I've wanted to go. A solid axle vehicle will have more atriculation etc, but that all depends on how tought the tracks are you intend on driving. Again, be sure what your inteded use of the vehicle is.

John

Hi Ro

Surprisingly a Prado(120) is on my list of vehicles as
a possible replacement for my Patrol however I have
been over them pretty careful and its important to realise
there weaknesses as well as there strengths.

Consideration of any vehicle should also be done in the light of what aftermarket fixes there are for it. Prado Patrols Cruisers have
much support.

They are essentially not a very stable vehicle and will
fall over on a tilt table at several degrees less than a patrol.
Important in 4wding but not if its a back roads cruiser with the
optional stability pack.
Stability was improved in the current shape version over the 90series which I think you are looking at.

This also means that they are not a good canditate to be raised
which is a problem as they have relatively weak under parts
and are damaged more easily. I have seen one crack a transfer
case in a river crossing as a result.

As well as being generally lower to the ground they are also
higher in the roof line and relatively narrow, and have the worst
rear view angle of any rated 4wd.

On the good side its a pretty complete long range and smooth package, with many happy owners.
The 3lt diesel in the 90/early 120 series is quite underpowered buts it an economical and capable vehicle particularly if not towing and using the manual transmission.

Friends of ours have both TD and Petrol (120 series), and complain about the TDs engine noise.

Neither of them has suffered from the Prado problems of body fractures near where front guard meets the body or from broken CVs and diff but then they don't let me drive them very much.
The petrol is nicer round town but the TD variants use under 10lt/100km.
I couldn't really reccomend the 90 series and think you would be better off to get a 95 3lt petrol GQ/gas , and save the difference.
I feel that the early 120 series TD is also just to slow to be safe.
Whilst your not looking at it the later 120 series diesel would be my choice between the two as a capable long distance tourer.

Our '98 Petrol auto has been a great vehicle. It has an OME 2 inch lift & BFG A/T tyres, which gives us 13L/100KM at 100km/hr highway driving. General dirt road touring/occasional low range doesn't go up much, around 15-16L/100KM. A mid-year trip to the centre towing small camper, big km's each day and really pushing it saw us average 16-17L/100KM for the trip.

Despite the lift I have found the vehicle to be stable as the suspension is probably firmer than the lower & softer factory setting. My old Range Rover didn't have a lift but it rocked and rolled something shocking. However, we do far more touring so it is not as great an issue for us.

We have the Grande too so for a few more bucks you get the added safety of dual air bags and ABS (I'd be happy without), plus rear air con ducts that have been priceless with the kids. I might add that the brakes are great too.

They're a very easy vehicle to live with, after some old hacks I appreciate the tight turning circle, hot heater and cold air con. Small things I know but when you experience the opposite...

That's my 2 bob worth, biased as it may be.

Mark.

Hi RO

No matter what vehicle you ask about I tend to see that those that dont own one will knock it, and those that own one will generally praise it. Saying that I own the 90 series Dec 1999 actually so I got to praise it :) Its petrol auto and I love it. We were going to sell but I cannot bring myself to part with it. If I did it would have to be the latest diesel but I cant wait for one and the early diesel is not powerful enough in my books and in a lot of tests and write ups too.

So I am about to add a LPG conversion to my petrol Prado. Will cost me $2300 and I will get $2000 back courtesy of the lovely government rebate. So I got to think that for an outlay in the end of $300 I got to be happy.

Now I agree you got to think about where you go. But if you start off with a full LPG tank and a full petrol tank, surely you can get around to most parts by using the LPG as a back up when needed rather than as a main tank or supply, and run and top up the petrol. This is obviously demonstrated by the post up above somewhere with the long trip they did on gas/petrol, but we are all different in where we go and how we drive, so we need to work that out for ourselves hey.

Whatever you choose, I am sure you will be more than happy in a Prado. And I do think they are tough enough. I havent broken mine yet (touch wood). Unless of course you plan on running around in some of these serious comp stuff in which case you got to seriously modify whatever you get. Good luck and have fun in the Prado, but make it the Grande if possible - you may as well be comfy. cheers :)

hey mark

can you elaborate on what your definition of older and newer systems means in your opinion.

cheers