landcruiser vs prado

Submitted: Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:08
ThreadID: 46674 Views:26181 Replies:8 FollowUps:11
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We are looking at travelling around Oz for 9-12 months with 2 young kids, with camper trailer. We won't be doing anything too hairy with offroad work.Considering diesel 80 series landcruiser or around 2002 diesel Prado- what do you reckon would best suit
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Reply By: Hairy - Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:12

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:12
Gday,
There is a lot more room in a Landcruiser??
AnswerID: 246910

Reply By: Markymark - Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:20

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:20
A standard diesel landcruiser will be a lot slower than a turbo diesel Prado, if that's what you're comparing. I have a 3.4 petrol Prado and have driven a turbo diesel 80 series and that thing had some serious go and as mentioned the 80 series has more room.

Mark.
AnswerID: 246911

Follow Up By: everydoghasitsday - Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:25

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:25
Hi
Go the cruiser over the prado,more room,more ground clearance you will go further in a cruiser,but if you want a soft off roader then look a a prado,if you want strength and reliability then go a PATROL
hope that helps...
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Follow Up By: Skippy In The GU - Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 23:56

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 23:56
The Prado will go further than a cruiser,
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Follow Up By: Wizard1 - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:11

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:11
everydoghasitsday,

what do you mean the Prado is a "soft roader". Our 95 series can go most places an 80 series has gone. It is a very capable 4WD in most types of challenging terrain. I think you need to get your hands on the latest 4 WD Monthly DVD on the Tassie trip and see how capable a bog standard 95 series really is, albeit a petrol.

My wife couldn't even bog our Prado!

Yes the 80 series is bigger.

Yes it is probably more robust and bullet proof

It is also a bigger user of fuel and slower as well.

Even the factory TD, which I have driven, is like a lumbering giant next to a nimble Prado TD.

Mind you, you can get a Turbo 80 series for much less than a 2002 Prado TD.
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Follow Up By: Markymark - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:11

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:11
Softroader? Full chassis, great low range, reliability, suspension flex & so on.

Mark.
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 21:20

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 21:20
I reckon you will find their aint much difference in size betweeen an 80 and a prado
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Reply By: Crackles - Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:56

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 22:56
Both vehicles will do the job well so your decision probably just comes down to space & with a camper trailer you will have plenty in both. Despite previous wrong comments describing the Prado as a soft roader they are more than capable off road so trips like Cape York or the Simpson are no worries. The 80 series was arguably Toyota's best offroad Cruiser but with the 1HZ engine it's a bit slow when towing & as they haven't been built for 9 years finding a low kilometer one in good condition will be harder.
Cheers Craig............
AnswerID: 246925

Follow Up By: Member - Ian H (NSW) - Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 23:20

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 23:20
I agree with Crackles completely. The Prado is a more than capable off roader even without a lift although Poly Airs would stop the tail dropping with a load. If you decide on a 80 series then make sure it is turboed. Makes a huge difference.
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Reply By: MichaelR - Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 23:19

Thursday, Jun 14, 2007 at 23:19
A Prado might be Ok if you don't load it up too much. If you plan to carry a reasonable load then you will find the distance between the top of the rear axle and the bumpstops approaches a few centimetres. This will result in frequent bottoming out. Yes you can upgrade the suspension and I reckon it would be advisable on either vehicle but if you plan to do a moderate amount of off-bitumen work the 80 series will be a much more comfortable ride.
As for those who think that the 1HZ is slow-your dead right there, but on a tour around Australia who's in a hurry. And the 80 is significantly bigger.
AnswerID: 246930

Follow Up By: Markymark - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:09

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 11:09
My Prado has OME suspension and it's really comfortable off road (I've had a Rangie & 60 Series Cruiser so good comparisons). Would love a 80 series turbo diesel for the pulling power & range, but the Prado's are one of the most under rated 4wd's out there. They may have been advertised towards city slickers but they hold their own everywhere, towing, off roading, general touring etc. Yep they're smaller than my old 60 series (and 80 series) but with the camper in tow, I've never been short of room and my kids are still small.

By the time I update my Prado I'll be looking for a turbo diesel one, perfect all-rounder (for me).

Cheers,

Mark.
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Reply By: rod2101 - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 18:33

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 18:33
I think the prado 95 may carry MORE weight than 80 series in standard form !

Regards Rod
AnswerID: 247112

Follow Up By: MichaelR - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 20:33

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 20:33
Rod
You may well be correct in saying that the Prado can carry more load in standard form. Frankly I doubt that either vehicle would cope well with standard suspension at maximum load on a trip around Oz particularly if a few 'bumpy' roads are to be traversed. The problem with the Prado's suspension as is common with other midsized 4WD's like the Pajero is that it is virtually impossible to maintain reasonable levels of wheel travel even with aftermarket suspension when the vehicle is loaded up. The Prado's problem is also aggravated by the massive fuel tank behind the rear axle. It would no doubt be quite OK if the loads were smaller such as when towing a trailer/van (load in trailer).
This issue is rarely covered by the 4WD reviewers who generally load a vehicle with a couple of people with their camping equipment and food. It's a significantly bigger load when the whole family, food for a week or 2, extensive spare parts/tools plus camping equipment, fuel and water are included, all in the one vehicle without a trailer.
So a Prado would no doubt get you there but if the load is great an 80 series would do it all easier (with aftermarket suspension). Mind you I would rather drive a Prado around town.
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Follow Up By: Member - Davoe (Nullagine) - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 21:27

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 21:27
No Michael a loaded prado is quite cpable with ease (aftermarker suspension of course but then you would be well advised in an 80 as well)
My Sister and BIL with 2 teenage kids towing a camper joined up with another Family sme deal except they had a 90 and the kids were younger.
Both full loads camper ETC and had noworries for the fortnight cruising over to WA via the AB.
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Reply By: getmethehelloutahere - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 19:48

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 19:48
Thanks for all the comments, as usual a mix of opinions but certainly some food for thought.
AnswerID: 247128

Reply By: Kumunara (NT) - Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 22:22

Friday, Jun 15, 2007 at 22:22
getmethehelloutahere

I have driven both Prados and Landcruisers. I am not impressed with either of them. They are uncomfortable. I hit my head on the roof and grab handle less in the landcruiser then the prado.

One of my in-laws bought a prado and was most unimpressed when bits started falling off of it. Yes it is a soft roader and useful for someone who drives off the bitumen occasionally but not good for someone who lives in the Kimberley.

Tjilpi

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AnswerID: 247165

Follow Up By: getmethehelloutahere - Saturday, Jun 16, 2007 at 18:58

Saturday, Jun 16, 2007 at 18:58
So what do you drive in the Kimberley Tjilpi?
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Follow Up By: Kumunara (NT) - Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 09:47

Sunday, Jun 17, 2007 at 09:47
getmethehelloutahere

GQ Nissan Patrol 4.2 Dual Fuel

GQ Nissan patrol 2.8 TD

GU Nissan Patrol 4.2 TD - Current Vehicle.

Tjilpi

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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Saturday, Jun 16, 2007 at 19:12

Saturday, Jun 16, 2007 at 19:12
I had Prado TD for 4 years. Had zero problems. That vehicle did some of the roughest tracks in Aus - Madigan Line, High Country, many remote desert trips. My only suggestion is to upgrade the springs (I give the same advice for any 4wd).

Normally aspirated 80series is a very good vehicle too, but they are now a fair bit older than the Prado, so its harder to get one in good nick. Rigid front end is as strong as they come, but you'll have to spend a few more dollars on maintenance of the wheel bearings and swivel hubs.

Prado has greater fuel capacity, greater payload (on paper), and is easier around town because of smaller turning circle and good over bonnet vision. Prado has a single hinged tailgate, which lends itself to as fold-down table. Both have roof gutters. Both easily take a second battery.

80series is a little bigger, and about 250kgs heavier. 80series is wider, but Prado is a little taller. Space behind the rear seat is similar.

Depends on how much you're willing to spend. It will cost you $25k for a TD Prado. For the same money, you can easily get a good 90-94 TD 80series, or may even get a multivalve TD 80series (95-98).

And if you want to buy a lifestyle, rather than a car, get a troopie!
AnswerID: 247281

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