2.7L Prado - How does it go Off road?

Yahoo 90's series site says its got more torque from start off than the V6. Rather than 4 from the 90 bseries V6 motor it was supposedly the engine from the 4.5L 100 series with two cylinders lopped off. So a great buy apparently if you understand their limits and enjoy their relatively frugal economy and cheaper rego. I have a v6 and can get down to 10.9L on the highway without much load, would have thought you could get better than that with the 2.7L sticking on say 90 - 100km/hr.

Glenn

Thanks. Not likely to tackle Big Red (yet!), but sounds encouraging. My 3 kids are still too small too worry about extra space. After my Rav, a Prado will seem like a mansion !

RD

prado 4x4

Thanks for the local detail. Would like a 3.4, but can't quite convince the boss (and the bank) to part with the $$. RAV did the powerlines really well two weeks ago, but did lose a plastic guard off the engine, rearranged my trailer plugs, and flattened the exhaust pipe just a bit - not a problem as I have more ground clearance now !!!!

Hope to try it again soon in the new toy.

RD

Ditto but in the Extra cab which is lighter again. I've towed a trailer on Hwy or dirt Hwy heaps but not in serious offroad (4th gear).

You're right on the spec's - additionaly max Hp 150@4800.

Rear LSD will be totally gone by 100K. As will all suspension, shocks etc.

Best upgrade I've had is susp etc & Auto diff locker on the front. Not to go hardcore but to make life easier on the engine. Completely impressed by the ability now, can use a lot lower rev's. Found v. soft sand hard going b4. Also climbing ability now easier, I don't have to get any momentum just use the 2.7 like a tractor. I don't go any further just get there a lot easier.

Don't forget RACQ insp etc. They saved me a huge loss. Cruiser I was looking at was just fine by my insp etc but they found lotsa annomilies that weren't pickable. The best of was an extremely thick grade of oil in the engine to stop it smoking....

To slammin

What brand and type (and how much) diff locker you get put in the front and have you found any drawbacks on bitumen ?

Geeze it's a bit cold so I'm not going outside but I'm pretty sure it's a quick lok, 1611, Supplied by TJM Cairns. It cost @$1000+ fitted and I got the carrier bearings done at the same time.

It is only engaged when the front hubs are locked. If the hubs are locked but you are in 2wd you will hear a pretty distinct clicking as you corner, at low speeds. Not being engaged it doesn't affect driving. So no I haven't noticed any drawbacks with bitumin because I don't use 4wd.

As with any diff lock it's not for use at speed. So I only engage it when really 4wding (not dirt roads). The 1st thing you notice is that the steering is kind of heavier and have a mind of it's own. It just uses a bit more muscle. It is easy to get used to and some guys I've spoken to find it annoying but I don't.

The advantage of being able to be in 4wd with the diff locked and being able to corner withou hitting a switch is a real bonus for me over air locks etc. The cost is also much less. It is also has less things to go wrong, no compressor, no air hoses, no connections.

Beware though like any diff lock it's easier to start braking stuff off your driveline. I am extremely cautious of not accidently giving it a bootfull while you're being all shook up over rocks etc I think that is the riskiest time as you have full traction and plenty of torque to snap an axle.