1999 Toyota Prado

Gday Chris,
I have a 1997 Prado V6 that I have had for 3 years. I bought it with 100K and it now has just on 200k. To date the only problem that I have had is a faulty thermostat and the viscous fluid in the clutch fan needed replacing. We tow a camper trailer and found that the original rear springs to sag so I replaced them with Kings springs 30% stiffer and rancho shocks that transfomed the load carrying ability and handlling of the vehicle. The timing belt will be due at 100K , something I am also due to replace. Make sure that it has been recalled by toyota for a modifacation to the front ball joints , this should be shown on a sticker inside the drivers door pillar. I find my standard Prado to be a fairly capable vehicle and I think you will be very happy with your purchase if you proceed.
Regards
Matt

Chris,

Problems - nothing major.

After August 99 they came with split centre seats and foglights.

Most owners who do significant offroading will fit lifted springs and LT265/75R16 tyres.
But they are well set up and very capable.
Both the Prado email groups on Yahoo have heaps of info.

Cheers
Phil

I have a 2000 V6 GXL 5sp model with 130k and had the CD player and Air Flow meter replaced under waranty. Other than those two minor problems I have found the vehicle extremely reliable.

They are a great buy on the secondhand market at mid to high 20's.

You won't regrete the purchase.

Hi Chris have a look here...http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/90series/?yguid=168991254 . This is a Prado group ,lots of info . I have a v6 Prado with double that ks and it still runs good

Hi Chris,

I have a 1997 Prado GXL, brought new. The only major problem was transmission growl at 2750 revs in 4th gear. This was fixed under warranty. Now have 200K on the clock, have towed a Jayco off road Finch along the Strezlecki, Birdsville & oodnadatta tracks, been to Darwin/Kakadu, Flinders ranges, Mt Isa, Cooper Creek and lake Mungo etc. have just had the timing belt replaced prior to setting off to Alice Springs to Halls Creek via the Tanami Road then to Broome, Kunanurra and Wyndam via GRR next week.

Absolutely no problems so far...touch wood. The Prado is a great vehicle. Petrol consumption city cycle around 13l/100k, towing the Jayco around 16-17l/100K.

Cheers

The ball joint recall happened in late 2000 and was to fit a rubber cover to the front lower ball joints. The joints themselves were fine, just potentially exposed to stone damage.

I'm not particularly biased and have owned almost a dozen 4wds over the years.

Pluses with the 90series are that they have 3 great motors, and are pretty reliable in most respects. Being lighter and narrower than the 100series and Patrol, they are great on narrow bush tracks, and float over sand very well.

They have old fashioned gutters; 6 stud rims; will take the common 265/75 and 235/85R16 tyres, standard 159litre fuel, and share a lot of parts with the bigger Landcruisers. GXL models and above get cruise controls. The rear layout is good too with spare easily accessible on the tailgate, making the rear floor lower, with a flat section thru to the centre - very easy to remove seats and build what you like inside.

Heaps of aftermarket stuff is available now.

THeres plenty of V6s around second hand now, so choose one of those city shopping trolleys and get it dirty :-))