Tips on buying 2nd hand 120 (KZJ120R)

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

My beloved 2000 TX has just been wiped out by another driver cutting across an intersection in front of my wife and regretfully a total loss. (Fortunately my wife is fine)
Without realising it i had it insured for well above market value so am looking into 2003-05 120 Prado diesels and just wondering if there was anything I should look out for?
I feel pretty confident engine wise being the same as i had and mine was over 310,00km without any dramas.
But any thoughts would be most appreciated!
Was there any mid life model cycle upgrade or anything?

I have seen reference to inner guards cracking but can't seem to find any photos showing where this is happening?

Apologies for asking often asked questions if this has all been said.

Thanks in advance!
Cheers
Dave

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

Definitely check the rear door. Check the hinges and the 'seam' of the outer skin and the inner skin alongside the hinges that it isn't coming apart. It's caused by letting the door open of it's own volition with force.

The obvious things like service history. Things like timing belt at 150k have been done? Have a good look underneath to find any signs of off road abuse or beach work. As you know, all in all the 1kz is an reliable engine and easy to maintain. When I was in the market i was looking from 05-09 and decided to go the 1kz just due to the ease of maintenance (service and do minor repairs myself) and the reliability.

AFAIK there was no upgrade of note from 03 to mid-07 (when the 1kd's come in). Perhaps the later models had a better 6 stacker sound system and the earlier ones didn't? Don't quote me on that.

A GXL would be my preference of the models so it has the flares and wider wheels, along with colour coded bumpers. The grande can be a little more complicated with suspension modifications and TBH wood-grain just isn't me.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

The rear door issue was rectified in late 04 when the upgrade was done. This is when the five speed auto come out in the V6. The 1kz is a good motor but in my opinion isn't suited to the auto box especially in the 120 being a bigger vehicle compared to the 95 series with the 1KZ. In manual form there a lot lively (just my thoughts) the D4D is a good motor providing you know the issues and have them checked eg injector seals and oil screen pick up.
Check for rust moisture under the rear cargo door rubber (pull rubber off at the bottom in the middle) dash board cracking is a major concern and happens across the range from 03 to 09 from GX to grande. Even the slightest hairline crack will see it multiply very quickly and only way to repair is a new dash pad ($2000job) Some aircons in them are ok some aren't real cold. The climate airs don't seem to have any issues with coldness.
If it has factory roof rails (depending on model) check roof lining and/or drivers side seat belt for water damage. Vx is a good model with all the safety gear of the grande but without centre fridge, airbag suspension and a few other things. If going the grande check the sunroof for rust under the front seal of the sliding glass panel ($3000 repair by Toyota)... All of the above is not common on every 120.
The rear door rubber my mates is dry as and no sign of moisture or rust, mins had moisture (fixed now) sunroof rust, I looked at 5 grande's all rusted. People here on PP and clean as no issues. My aircon was crap but is good now with the mod ($5 fix from Jcar) my work mates has always been cold ?? One of those things. I would say the most common thing is the dash boards cracking.... All up a great 4wd and out of 3 prados, best one I've had.... Cheers Steve

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

Thanks so much guys!
Really appreciate the tips! I'm only going to be able to afford a GXL which i'm fine with. I did like my TX but leather doesn't really worry me.
Great to know about the dashpad. I fixed the rattle in mine years ago thanks to some tips here but there was never any cracking.

Where should i look for the inner guard cracking?

Also is that Toyota bullbar (Sovereign?) winch compatible?

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

Don't think the inner guard thing is an issue on the 120's. I've go dual batteries - one on each side.

The Sovereign bullbar (as far as I have read) should be winch compatible, the issue will be finding the mounting plate....

[macaroon1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close macaroon1]

Also is that Toyota bullbar (Sovereign?) winch compatible?

Yes. You have to buy a Toyota winch cradle. From Toyota @$200?? They appear hard to find. They're a solid fellow. Currently a few threads on the subject. Can go as heavy as you want but most suffice @9500pounds. The bars are a bugga to keep clean, don't worry about it. Amts sells lots of accessories for the bar....sometimes!! Your going the right way with a GXL just make sure it's got the rear a/c in the back....some packs don't have this.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Rear air was only standard in the later series of GXL's which have the roof rails as well this I think was late 07 ?? or unless you get GXL with option pack, they had option pack one and two. It was standard in all VX's and grande's.... I did have it in my grande 95 series and did use it more for the dog. I dont have it in mine now (05 GXL) and I have been in the back seat and found it ok. I wouldnt like to be write up the back in cargo area seats, I think on a hot day it would still be stuffy write back up there without the rear air. You can still buy the winch cradle new from toyota, they had to replace these when they did the bullbar bracket recall (if you had a cradle already). I also had leather in previous prado. Not a lover to be honest and found it too slippery when off road. All up I think a great every day vehicle to drive around town and with the 180L fuel capacity is great for long trips.....Cheers Steve

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

Thanks again guys!
I do/did love the rear AC in my 95series TX - great for the kids, but don't know if i will be able to be fussy about having it this time. I haven't seen it in any of the ones I've been looking at. Can only afford $17K or so. Good to know that some might have it though - might have to look harder

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I just did a search, couldnt find one in that price range in diesel with dual air. I think you may struggle to get the dual air. Another way of wondering if it has duel air or not on the GXL without asking if it has the option pack is looking at the pictures and having a look at the heater controls. If they have the digital display for the heater controls you know it has climate air and its duel. There not like in the 95's as they had dial controls for the aircon even with duel air. They only come out with electronic control in the 95's in the series 2 in the grande's and even then it was only in 2002 (the last of them) I had 2001 and it was still dial control and not even duel air in the Grande diesel (only the petrol) had to be 2002 in diesel in the grande before you got duel air yet you could get as you know a TX with it. Petrol had it in all grande's. Toyota do some strange things. Shame your not going petrol, have a lot bigger choice with lower klms..... Cheers Steve

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

Thanks Steve!
I see you have a petrol - what do you reckon? What sort of fuel consumption do you get?
I've loved my diesels for a long time so not sure i could go back to a petrol with more thirst. Power doesn't worry me.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

I have had the 1KZ before in my 95 grande. Personally I didnt like it, BUT as I have said before I think they go heaps better in manual form instead of auto like I had. I thought it was thirsty for a turbo diesel more so at freeway speeds. Around town it use to be around the 12/13 for memory, Freeway if you kept it under 100 it was around the 10's/11's L per 100. If I pushed it along 110/115 it would jump up and if it was a hot steamy day running the aircon I would see 15+. The petrol motor personally in the 120 I think is a ripper. Its quit, smooth, heaps of get up and go (V8 performance) But yes if you drive it like that all the time it will drink it. Im using around 16/17 around town. The best on a long run is 11.2L per 100. But to be honest I havnt checked it in a while and I havent checked it with the A/T's and the lift on it so its probably more. Its fantastic on the sand compared to the 1KZ again I think if I my 1KZ was manual I think it would have performed heaps better. I dont think the gearings write with the auto. Petrol is certainly cheaper for repairs (not that they need them lol) but I always wait for the petrol to do its cycle and get it when its 20c a litre cheaper then the diesel unless of course I have no choice. At this stage I have no intentions of going back to ta diesel. IF I WAS TOWING all the time then Im sure you would be better off with a diesel. Better pulling power (only just) but also pulling a heavy load (eg couple of tonne) Im sure you would see the petrol into the low 20's. But at the most I would ever only tow 4 weeks of the year (which I dont) so thats not a concern for me........Dont drive one but cause you will want one lol......Cheers Steve

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

Yes i've loved the manual 1KZ - never been a rocket but i think you're right about being better in manual. I have a petrol Kluger hire car at the moment from the insurance company and its a blast! But not loving the economy around town. I did get 9L/100 on a trip to Deniliquin last weekend though!
You've certainly made me think! But not sure i could cope with 16-18 around town. Most of my km unfortunately are driving to work and back (54km return) in Sydney
I'm going to check out a couple of diesels tomorrow so hoping to find something good!
Cheers
Dave

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

Went to look at a 2003 120 this afternoon - only 197000km and $18K.
Pity the snorkel wasn't actually connected to the intake, the spare wheel was a 16" steel rim that looked like it had come from a wreckers, and there had been a front end accident repair ... and the owner smoked.
Bugger

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

I know it is nice to grab the next model but I would be keeping an eye on early 120s AND late 90s. Especially if you have a few $ left over for upgrades. Just a thought.

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

I know it is nice to grab the next model but I would be keeping an eye on early 120s AND late 90s. Especially if you have a few $ left over for upgrades. Just a thought.

Thanks mjrandom - Yes keeping an eye on some late 90s as well but having driven a 120 today it did feel nicer than my old one
Not sure what i'll do with the OL roof rack from the old girl though - probably not worth much now.