Is the 150 showing any signs of cracked inner guards

[geoffmc1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close geoffmc1]

RWO,

My experience wit Mitsubishi was a brand new top of the line Pajero that ended up having 4 gearboxes and 5 rear diffs in 60,000ks, Mitsubishi's answer was they couldn't find the fault and wouldn't replace the car, they offered a lifetime warranty (to me only not any further owners).

Not good enough as I wasn't game to go anywhere as it broke down in Weipa on a cape trip and I had to wait 10 days for a replacement gearbox, holiday ruined.

Whilst Toyota seem reluctant to charge into repairs they do eventually do the warranty. I wouldn't touch a Mitsubishi ever again.

See ya on the tracks in a Toyota, Richo.

PS: I worked for Mitsubishi at the time I had the Pajero!

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Pajero, however mine is completely the opposite. I have a 09NT VRX DiD with bullbar, winch, dual batts, twin lockers, Bilstien suspension and a host of other performance mods. In 110km including a 10k trip to the Cape via the OTL towing our camper, i havent had a single failure or even the slightest drama. The dash has even remained rattle free. Although the NVH or the ride comfort isnt as good as the Prado, it goes, handles and stops far better than both friends who have 150's.

Dont get me wrong, i was planning on replacing the Paj with a 150 and extensively modify as i have done to the Paj. However, after watching this thread and seeing how Toyota have treated both both friends experiencing cracking to a varying degree, it has totally changed my mind on my next purchase.

From reading many threads here, the 150 is a fantastic vehicle and i was looking forward to building an awesome tourer, but i just cant trust that this will happen to me. Toyota really have let down loyal owners with the disdain they are showing.

Please dont view this as a Paj vs Prado rant, just my personal experience, from a potential 150 owner (not any more)

cheers
Geoff

[Bear63 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear63]

RWO,

My experience wit Mitsubishi was a brand new top of the line Pajero that ended up having 4 gearboxes and 5 rear diffs in 60,000ks, Mitsubishi's answer was they couldn't find the fault and wouldn't replace the car, they offered a lifetime warranty (to me only not any further owners).

Not good enough as I wasn't game to go anywhere as it broke down in Weipa on a cape trip and I had to wait 10 days for a replacement gearbox, holiday ruined.

Whilst Toyota seem reluctant to charge into repairs they do eventually do the warranty. I wouldn't touch a Mitsubishi ever again.

See ya on the tracks in a Toyota, Richo.

PS: I worked for Mitsubishi at the time I had the Pajero!

What model?

[Schniff Member Find all posts View Profile Close Schniff]

Sorry to hear about your experience with the Pajero, however mine is completely the opposite. I have a 09NT VRX DiD with bullbar, winch, dual batts, twin lockers, Bilstien suspension and a host of other performance mods. In 110km including a 10k trip to the Cape via the OTL towing our camper, i havent had a single failure or even the slightest drama. The dash has even remained rattle free. Although the NVH or the ride comfort isnt as good as the Prado, it goes, handles and stops far better than both friends who have 150's.

Dont get me wrong, i was planning on replacing the Paj with a 150 and extensively modify as i have done to the Paj. However, after watching this thread and seeing how Toyota have treated both both friends experiencing cracking to a varying degree, it has totally changed my mind on my next purchase.

From reading many threads here, the 150 is a fantastic vehicle and i was looking forward to building an awesome tourer, but i just cant trust that this will happen to me. Toyota really have let down loyal owners with the disdain they are showing.

Please dont view this as a Paj vs Prado rant, just my personal experience, from a potential 150 owner (not any more)

cheers
Geoff

I owned an Paj before the 150 and they are good honest 4bys. Never had any major issues, apart from NVH which is why I got the 150 (which I now regret). My dash did use to dance on corrugations though!

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

It's a pity Toyota Australia or Toyota Japan for that matter don't read these sorts of forums..... They just view them as a PITA.

I don't even reckon Toyota Japan would even realise that there is a problem with their 150's model..... but I guess when u look at the overall that are sold vs the ones that are actually used for that they are advertised for, then the % that crack or have any issue would probably be bugger all....

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

What model?

1995 and it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Richo.

[Bear63 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bear63]

1995 and it still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Richo.

Yeah i remember those days , had gearbox out everyday of the week i think

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

Are the D4D's the only ones cracking?

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Are the D4D's the only ones cracking?

That's a good question.......

[Prone Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prone]

I realise there are posts that mention cracks on the LHS under the OEM battery but just as a thought I was wondering if maybe the battery carriers that are added to support the auxiliary battery on the RHS may be contributing to the problem. The OEM battery sits on a "pedestal" on the guard without a battery tray (other than the plastic tray). I am assuming the European model with the dual batteries as standard also just have a plastic tray and the battery sits on the standard "pedestal". The battery hold downs are attached to brackets on the "pedestal".
Would this cause the battery mount to stiffen? i.e. become a stressed member?
Does using a battery tray bolted to the "pedestal" with the brackets attached to the pedestal allow the battery tray to rock and cause flexing on the guard?
Why do we use a battery carrier tray if the original battery is not using one?
(Maybe using one on the OEM battery would stop the cracks on the LHS???)

Just a thought

Cheers
Prone

(currently 20K, 2nd ns70 battery on ABR tray, approx 8K outback corrugations including Gibb)

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

Well..... From experience I can tell u having or not having a battery carrier tray makes no real difference imo. Mine cracked and I did not really have a battery carrier like the ARB ones. All I had was a couple of "thin" angle alluminium pieces bolted in place just to prevent the battery from moving around and it cracked. I've since seen that it also cracks with a ARB carrier as well..... I have not heard of any that have TJM ones installed crack so not sure what or if there is any differences between the 2 (ie extra supports, etc)?

I realise there are posts that mention cracks on the LHS under the OEM battery but just as a thought I was wondering if maybe the battery carriers that are added to support the auxiliary battery on the RHS may be contributing to the problem. The OEM battery sits on a "pedestal" on the guard without a battery tray (other than the plastic tray). I am assuming the European model with the dual batteries as standard also just have a plastic tray and the battery sits on the standard "pedestal". The battery hold downs are attached to brackets on the "pedestal".
Would this cause the battery mount to stiffen? i.e. become a stressed member?
Does using a battery tray bolted to the "pedestal" with the brackets attached to the pedestal allow the battery tray to rock and cause flexing on the guard?
Why do we use a battery carrier tray if the original battery is not using one?
(Maybe using one on the OEM battery would stop the cracks on the LHS???)

Just a thought

Cheers
Prone

(currently 20K, 2nd ns70 battery on ABR tray, approx 8K outback corrugations including Gibb)

[sleeky5 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sleeky5]

Given that there have been no posts on this issue since November, is it possible that this problem may not be as widespread as it first appears. I really got the jitters with reports of the 120 cracking and yet after 140,000km with dual batteries and ARB bar, and several thousand KM's on corrugated outback roads I have no sign of any cracking at all. I am now looking at upgrading to a 150 and the jitters have again come back. I use a Piranha battery tray in the 120 which is very securely mounted. Has anyone with a properly installed piranha tray had cracking problem and is such a tray a good idea for the main battery as well? Just a thought.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

If u looked at the number issues vs units sold I doubt that u would even rate a % worth talking about...


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

I don't think most people would even know or think to look for cracks and the % of 150s sold would mostly be use by school mums or the like with very little use off road. Probably need to focus on the 150's that are sold where the majority of the owners actually use them for what they are meant for.... offroading/touring/dirt corrugated roads, etc is involved..... Even then it will be a hit and miss where some will crack and others will be fine....

I've had mine repaired and reinforced as well, then fitted a ARB battery carrier and I've also installed extra bracing/support. I plan to install a lighter Optima spiral AGM battery as the 2nd battery. We plan on heading out to the centre again this year across the Plenty Hwy so I reckon it will get a good test then to see if it all holds together.... Hopefully all will be good.

[sleeky5 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sleeky5]

Hi Rob,

How did you reinforce the area. I really don't want to put a battery in the back. It seems incredible that a car maker would include a space for a battery which cannot be used for what is intended. I wonder what Toyota suggests the space should be used for?

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

The Panel Beaters once they repaired the guard they welded a plate over the area(see pic below)....

That does mean that the crack might not appear else where.... but hopefully not.

I've added some extra support (Brace up to the front radiator support panel - see pics below) for the ARB Battery carrier & I'll make sure I chose the lighter Optima Spiral Battery to replace the 25>30kg Dep cycle battery I had in there previously

Hi Rob,

How did you reinforce the area. I really don't want to put a battery in the back. It seems incredible that a car maker would include a space for a battery which cannot be used for what is intended. I wonder what Toyota suggests the space should be used for?