Worried new owner

[bricat Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bricat]

So I have inherited a 120 grande Deisel (family) and reading this forum I have really thought I should get rid of it. Serviced by our great friends at Mr T all its life and just had the injector seals replaced last year. Now has 140 k and I am pretty sure that the injectors were not replaced at 120k due to a family sickness. I would have heard about the cost if this was done.
So there must be thousands of these running without problems.....? I took a trip from Melbourne to BrokenHill return and it ran extremely well. I have done an oil change and thank goodness there was no crud on the pickup.
I have an 80 series Sahara T/D 5 speed manual with just on 200k. Needs a paint and a few other things but it is set up quite nicely.
Sounds like I have got it made but then there is the VT calais V8 nicely set up too.
i guess my point being is the Prado going to be a royal pain in the bum. I won't be able to help myself with an exhaust/lift/bull bar and winch etc and these are going to cause more problems. Is it worth the effort. I am getting on in years now and slowing down so I can't do much of the stuff anymore so will have to pay someone.
I don't think I will get rid of the 80 series or the Calais so I guess is the Prado worth all the worry?...????Cheers Brian

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

hey mate
what year is the Grande?

wouldn't jump to conclusions just yet if the screen is fine there is a good chance it's just going to be maintenance from here on

just remember to put good fuel not cheap fuel in it !! BP or Caltex , i use Ultimate BP as much as i can

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

\ so I guess is the Prado worth all the worry?...????Cheers Brian

Don't stress. I've got 137,000 on mine and I plan on having it for many more years and km.

What year is the Prado? If its 2008 it should have had the updated seals (seats) anyway. If they've been replaced recently, they should be the new ones. They should be replaced every 40,000km when the valve clearances are done - cheaper that way.

Injectors are a disposable item on all diesels and will need replacing eventually, even on your 80 series. Some on here recommend replacing every 120,000. Some Prado owners are happily running the original seals and injectors at 200,000+ and some Hilux's are even higher (same engine). Up to you if you want to get them out, or wait until the next valve clearance check to do it.

Keep up the maintenance, keep an eye (and ear) on the injectors and you'll be fine.

Remember people rarely get on a forum and tell us about the amount of times their engines don't blow up.

[Brett1979 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Brett1979]

You must really be a car enthusiast to own the L'Cruiser, V8 Calais and now the Prado. Good to see.

[cannoballs Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cannoballs]

220000 klm still going strong as said good service and good fuel is all you can do for any vechicle
i may update soon but only as im near or on my limit for towing although the prado tows it great im close to my max limit

[bricat Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bricat]

Thanks for those replies and a vote of confidence for the Prado. This Prado is a 2006 model, always serviced by Toyota and always where available Costco diesel. Go figure. But anything that was required to be done has been done.
I dream of being a car enthusiast and have owned the 80 series for about 20 years and the Calais 16 years. I can't afford to buy a new car today with a L/C Sahara running at $120k and even the common old Calais with a few mods will run into $70k. When I first bought these I had sitting in my front yard (including the boat for fishing) well over $100k and now that won't get you a L/C Sahara. Don't know how the young people manage today.

Cheers for all the replies......

[Stormtrooper Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Stormtrooper]

Our rig has just hit 220 k and we bought this car at 180k BECAUSE , after recently throwing new injectors and an EGR clean we expect to get one MILLION ks out of it. I shit you not. That's what our expectations are. if the interior and structural components don't rust out, we should achieve it. Fellow pp members may not agree and nor do I expect them to, but I believe it is realistic for my 2009 gxl to go the distance with regular maintenance, using the best available fuel( bp or caltex high octane diesel) and treating the old girl with some respect. We are currently n south east nsw on a drive holiday and the rig is running an absolute treat. I sold my ve ss recently and have loved the change from 14 lph to 8s or less. Respect, maintain and give new blood(oil) and good fuel and it WILL pay you back in spades. Also try gumtree for used parts like bullbars for a cheaper option.

Enjoy,
J boy

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

Don't know how the young people manage today.

The simple answer is that many buy them via loans or leasing. Some never actually own their cars, just updating every 3 or 4 years to a new model and continually leasing. And then there are those that buy the car for "the company". Check out all the flash GTSs and Beamers in the auction houses around Perth where all the re-possessed cars from redundant FIFOs go.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

People love their Prados.
They are an awesome vehicle.
But here you can get the heads up on the real preventative maintenance.
Yes you will need to replace tyres, brakes, shockers & injectors.

My 08 is not quite to 300,000 yet but I'm pushing.
Drives really well.

[bricat Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bricat]

Maybe it is time to pick up a Beemer cheap?.... and yes service at the right time and fixing things when they break rather than waiting for a heap of things to fix.
Appreciate all the repliesh

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

My 08 is not quite to 300,000 yet but I'm pushing.

And hell aren't they a heavy car to push especially when you are by yourself.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

And hell aren't they a heavy car to push especially when you are by yourself.

That too