prado 95 series better off road than 120??

95series was good offroad - 245mm clearance was standard. If you add the 265/75R16 tyres and the usual suspension lift, then you're set. Front diff wasn't as strong as the 120 series.

Dan and Leah
If you are serious about the off road abilities, have you thought about a diesel? When we head away to real remote locations, you can always obtain diesel, but not the same with petrol. Also many places in remote areas in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory you can only get Opal unleaded.

Just a thought.

Cheers

Stephen

Not a chance Dan

The 120 is at the lower end of 4wd vehicle stability as it is , and it has significantly wider track than the 90's.

There is little you can do about this as raising it makes the problem worse.

They are to much of a rollover risk for me.

The petrol v6 (auto) you are thinking about uses only marginally less fuel than the earlier manual petrol patrols and is well down on space, 4wd capability, stability and suspension articulation.
Indeed its hard to make out a case for them.

I had a 120 with lovell and bilstein lift and it went everywhere the big trucks went in our club.
The interior space is a huge let down.
The dust inside was absolutely dreadful as well as the fuel economy was dreadfull and thats why I got rid of it and went back to the 80 series.
As for cruising comfort it was great, smooth and quiet. It did suffer from understeer but that is a sign of going to quick. You soon learn to live with it. Watch the dash doesn't rattle out of the 95 series.
Try my site here for Prado info It may be of some useful info.
Scott

Guys,

most of this is the Holden vs Ford issue.

I have a 2002 Prado and it took me twice accross the Simpson and up and down this fantastic country as well as every year to numerous places in the Vic high country.

Add some extra suspension aids to it and a Loacker or two and bingo , show me someone that can do a better job.

In any case , i can assure you i can roll ANY vehicle , in the high country or the Simpson.
Why dont you guys watch the accident investigation shows on TV , it is almost ALWAYS the DRIVER that caused the accident , hardly ever the vehicle.

Go for the Prado or the cruiser but just drive sensibly.

Hi Dan and Leah,

I had a 95TD for 6 years and 180,000k. The only repair was a front diff bearing plus usual servicing. I put OME suspension on as I had B/bar,winch duel batteries etc. I currently have a 08 120 D4D with OME suspension fitted as well as bar winch and duel batteries fitted + other extras. It is a much better car both on and offroad than the 90. We have just returned from 3 weeks to the centre with no problems.

If you can come up with the money go with the 120.

Cheers

Kevin

We have a grande 95 series (a per pic) We have now taken off road a few times and did some fairly resonable hard stuff last weekend. Now its not up there will the patrols/cruisers in standard form (IFS compared to solid front end) lets you down straight away but depends on what your needs are (lockers if needed). Personally if you are going for the 95 series I would look at the diesel. Alot more economical compared to the petrol. The 120 series petrol even having heaps more power they are actually more economical then the 95 petrol. My mate just come back from been away in his and averaged 11 per 100 running aircon and had 6 people on board. The 95's do have alot more clearance standard than the 120 but nothing a lift wont fix. Depends on your $$$ situation. You can pick up a 95 series Grande quit cheap and probably by a guess 95% never been off road. We have fitted OME suspension, bullbar, BFG's A/T tyres,cargo barrier and have fitted LPG, only issue with LPG is it can limit your touring range depending on where you intend going with it but halves your running cost. The rear air is great for kids up the back or your family pet/s. The series two gives you traction control and climate air, split fold rear seats, button on the dash for centre diff lock. The grande in the 95 series does not have rear air bag suspension like some people say that they DO HAVE, they dont, the 120 grande has them. I know Robin above has issues with the 95's with rollovers. Yes they are taller then a patrol, and narrower BUT as has been said, driver error would be the most reasons for this. I have seen patrols,cruisers on there side as well, obviously you can put on more of an angle then prado but most people wouldnt push them to that limit (vehicle probably more capable then the driver in most cases). I dont know who told you suspension in the grande is no good off road obviously dont know what there talking about. The only difference was the springs were set a bit softer to give you that plush/floaty ride which I hate but nothing a lift and new shocks/struts wont fix and airbags if you intend carrying a lot of weight. Welcome to have a look at mine if you live local. Regards Steve M

Hi Guys

I am noticing that several people seem to be going down the line of blaming the driver not the vehicle for rollovers.

Do not kid yourself, if you want real Australian based information go to this link and download the full investigation into police vehicle rollovers near the top of the page.

It specifically identifies the obvious i.e. high centre of gravity is the prime risk factor.

This shows how some vehicles are much more prone to rollovers than others and that specific action like adding ballast and lowering to police divisional vans has dramtically reduced the rollover risk.


You can either believe that the engineering changes made a difference or that overnight all the drivers of a specific vehicle somehow just got better.

Toyota were at the cusp of a hiding to nowhere, understood the issue, and lowered the Prado and increased its track width.

33% of people only ever get to have 1 rollover, so do not be under any illusions.


http://www.monash.edu.au/muarc/reports/muarc184.html