Big trip things to do…

[Smaguire93 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Smaguire93]

Any advice/ opinions appreciated.

planning on doing a big lap in a 2004 automatic Prado 3l diesel. 295000kms. Patchy service history owned for 7 months. I know the timing belt was done in 2018 at 240000k

few things I’m doing already
Slotted disks and good quality pads all round
full service etc.

few things I’m debating doing
-changing glow plugs
-replacing injectors with refurbished ones
-manifold clean
-egr blank

I also have no idea if valve clearance was ever checked. Currently in Perth and any mechanic I ask if they can do this, essentially give me “ahh it doesn’t need done, or wouldn’t be something we would do” answers.

Thanks I’m advance folks. Can upload some running videos/ cold starts to YouTube if it helps

[amts Ninja Poster. Find all posts View Profile Close amts]

Can't help with the items listed as I don't have a diesel but I'd be adding checking the hoses, boots and bushes.

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

1-KZ…….viscous hub on the fan and cylinder head.
They’ll go forever but not with the factory head. It will let you down.
Cooling is essential. Radiator is not such an issue as the fan which simply won’t work unless the viscous hub is in top order.

[Smaguire93 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Smaguire93]

I could justify a viscous hub… but would find it very hard to justify a new cylinder head at the moment.

[Smaguire93 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Smaguire93]

Any tips to try and minimise change of cylinder head failure?

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

Hi mate, good luck with the big lap!! Should be awesome.
Given the age and km, any maintenance will be good.
Personally I’d save the money on slotted discs, waste of money, standard are fine.
Also the egr blank is a waste of time at those k’s, the intake is already gunked up if it’s going to be, but hey I still put one on my cruiser at 220k!

Things I’d look at doing in no particular order or budget in mind, but some as a precaution if you are looking at travelling remotely.
Transimssion FLUSH with filter, not just sump change
All pulleys and accessory belts
Good quality radiator, with a full hose kit and coolant flush (my experience is 250000 is the life of even the best radiators)
New water pump while replacing above. Dayco are my preference for pumps, pulleys and belts.
Primary fuel filter install
Oil, fuel, air filters
Brake fluid flush
Diff, transfer case fluids
Battery if older than 3-4 yrs
Injectors, more urgent if there’s obvious signs of failure
Maf sensor clean
Possibly get cvs repackaged and new boots installed.
Drive shaft removal, clean and repack.
Alternators tend to go around 250k. I’ve used oex brand before with good results.

Things like bushes etc can be replaced if time/money allows but they are not likely to leave you completely stranded all of a sudden. They tend to show signs before completely failing and even then, most likely you’ll still get to the next town.

I’ll add more as I think of them, but that would be my basic service I give most cars I buy at that age. I’m not a hypochondriac, but nothing ruins a trip like being stuck in the middle of nowhere in 45 degrees cause a heater hose blew!

All the best!!!

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

Also, with tyres make sure the spare is the same size as the other 4. Full time 4x4 don’t like a mismatched tyre, it can boil the diff.
I always get a grin when I see guys running 33’s with a standard grantrek as the spare.
also, leave the tyre cover at home, if you get a blow out, you’ll never get the old rim and tyre back in it!

[Smaguire93 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Smaguire93]

Daniel thank you very much! This is exactly the kind of thing I am looking for!

good to know about the transmission filter!

when you say primary fuel filter is that the same as a pre fuel filter?

I may get saving!

[Daniel150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Daniel150]

Yep, same thing. If going remote, take a spare filter for both the factory and after market one.

[Some bloke Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Some bloke]

Replace the connecting hose between the two fuel tanks.

Check out the Cost Effective Maintenance products online.

Replace all hoses, fluids and belts.

[xliney Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close xliney]

Towing ? If so check the airbag suspension. Mine failed in outback WA , the rubber had deteriorated but no obvious leak even when soap solution liberally applied. Just old age. 363000 km. When I got to a dealer Toyota supplied and fitted replacements for a reasonable price. I took 2spares all tyres same same. The Prado was a dream drive with 17’ ft Jayco rolling behind. I just carried the usual belts, filters, hoses etc even though they were new at the start of the trip. Enjoy.