Hello all. I am looking for some opinions in relation to the following.
Next year My family and I will be doing a year long around Australia trip. I have a 2007 Prado D4D with the usual modifications, suspension, bash plates, extra fuel filter etc. the engine is stock standard. We will be towing a Tvan. However, here is my conundrum. I bought the car second hand a few years ago with 177000 kms on the clock for the local dealer. The injectors had just been replaced and as I had heard about the issues I thought this car would be great for a good few years yet. About 50000kms later driving up to Mt Hotham in Victoria two pistons let go and cracked. Well, $9000 later I had a rebuilt engine. The car now has 277000kms on it and will probably be close to 300000 by the end of year. I am weighing up whether I can completely trust the car, even though I have done 2 Simpson desert crossings including one last year in the wet. Basically I am trying to decide between keeping the Prado for the trip or going with something old school like a land cruiser 80 or 100 series. I recognise there is always trade offs. My two main concerns are the reliability factor and problems with electrics doing deep water crossings. I had a close call between Dalhousie and Cooper Pedy last year with my dash lights going off like a Christmas tree after a particularly deep creek crossing.
I know this car well and have spent a fair bit of time and money on it. I have the techstream software as well. I would probably replace injectors before leaving for the trip and I want to be able to confidently go anywhere we want.
I would very much appreciate people's opinions and thoughts on this. Thanks.
Next year My family and I will be doing a year long around Australia trip. I have a 2007 Prado D4D with the usual modifications, suspension, bash plates, extra fuel filter etc. the engine is stock standard. We will be towing a Tvan. However, here is my conundrum. I bought the car second hand a few years ago with 177000 kms on the clock for the local dealer. The injectors had just been replaced and as I had heard about the issues I thought this car would be great for a good few years yet. About 50000kms later driving up to Mt Hotham in Victoria two pistons let go and cracked. Well, $9000 later I had a rebuilt engine. The car now has 277000kms on it and will probably be close to 300000 by the end of year. I am weighing up whether I can completely trust the car, even though I have done 2 Simpson desert crossings including one last year in the wet. Basically I am trying to decide between keeping the Prado for the trip or going with something old school like a land cruiser 80 or 100 series. I recognise there is always trade offs. My two main concerns are the reliability factor and problems with electrics doing deep water crossings. I had a close call between Dalhousie and Cooper Pedy last year with my dash lights going off like a Christmas tree after a particularly deep creek crossing.
I know this car well and have spent a fair bit of time and money on it. I have the techstream software as well. I would probably replace injectors before leaving for the trip and I want to be able to confidently go anywhere we want.
I would very much appreciate people's opinions and thoughts on this. Thanks.
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