Making the switch from a 105 Landcruiser

[Cruisemaster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Cruisemaster]

Hello all,

I currently have a 105 diesel Landcruiser and I am looking to replace it with a 150 GX. The 105 is lifted, locked and has had everything done to it.

I use the cruiser for everything incl. low range 4wd trips, beach trips and long range touring. I would like to use the 150 for the same reasons.

I am interested to here others experiences of making the switch from similar vehicles to 150's. Do you find them as capable? Did you choose to swap to an auto? Internal space? Improvement in fuel economy? Overall vehicle durability?

Thanks

[Cruisemaster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Cruisemaster]

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[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

I swapped from a diesel 80, lifted 3", locked, all the bar work on "little" 33's for touring.

I haven't done a long trip in the Prado yet, but for weekend camping, day trips, etc. it has been great. Way more comfortable, heaps more power, heaps better fuel consumption. I do notice it has less room, but so far it hasn't been a problem for us. I can't see it being too small either, just have to pack a bit differently.

So far I haven't thrown it at any big hill climbs or massive ruts (areas where my cruiser was awesome), but for all the light 4wd work I have done it has been fine. I figure that it will go 98% of the places my old cruiser would have, but use less fuel doing it, be more comfortable and easyer to drive, not to mention it has the power to overtake up hills.

We chose a manual one, but I wish we would have got an auto most of the time. The Prado consistently uses about 4L/100Km less than the cruiser did in similar conditions. I wouldn't go back to an older cruiser, all my family has cruisers (na diesel 80, factory turbo 80, factory turbo 100, petrol 105) and I can honestly say my prado is just as good if not better in 90% of the work I do with it. Only time I would prefer the turbo 100 is when towing something heavy (big car on trailer, caravan, etc) cause it just owns!

If you are not towing, or towing a camper I would say go for it, the long distance touring will be so much better, as will the daily drive and the beach work. Only place it will suffer will be low range work, and even then it's quite capable.

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

I came from an '91 80 series DX diesel 1HZ that had tough dog suspension dual spare wheel carrier'overlander roof rack and an ARB bar which was great for
touring and offroad but was slow and uncomfortable over long trips and very noisy,the fuel economy dropped a fair bit after the rack was fitted and lead foot didn't help.
I now drive an 150GX D4D and like AussieAndy I wouldn't go back to an older cruiser for the same reasons (I don't tow yet) and also not having wait for a decent lenght of straight road to overtake is a godsend. The Prado is alot more comfortable and quieter to drive than the old 80 and a lot less tiring aswell.

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Hey,

I came from a 60 series, and while I agree with all the comments above, I would add a word of caution: the front IFS in the Prados can be very easily broken compared to a live axle!

While the Prado is obviously much more economical and comfortable, it is nowhere near as tough as an old live axle cruiser.

Best

Mark

[AussieAndy Find all posts View Profile Close AussieAndy]

Hey,

I came from a 60 series, and while I agree with all the comments above, I would add a word of caution: the front IFS in the Prados can be very easily broken compared to a live axle!

While the Prado is obviously much more economical and comfortable, it is nowhere near as tough as an old live axle cruiser.

Best

Mark

Just have to point out the front axle in the 80 & 105 is much easier broken than the 60 too. Drive with mechanical sympathy and you won't have an issue. I never broke anything in my 80, and went a lot of places with it too.

But yes, it isn't as "tough" as a solid truck axle, but really, how many front diff failures do you hear of in Prado's, and how many of those were caused by the driver?

[Goggo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Goggo]

I went from a 105 cruiser in July 2014 to a Prado 150 and I love it. I use it mostly for touring and towing my caravan. I'm currently in Cairns on my first big trip and got 900 km per tank towing my Jayco expanda outback, which I thought was pretty reasonable. Tomorrow going up to Cape Tribulation and the Bloomfield track to Cooktown for a day run. The Prado floats along compared to the Cruiser but depends on what you want it for. Cheers

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

Just have to point out the front axle in the 80 & 105 is much easier broken than the 60 too. Drive with mechanical sympathy and you won't have an issue. I never broke anything in my 80, and went a lot of places with it too.

But yes, it isn't as "tough" as a solid truck axle, but really, how many front diff failures do you hear of in Prado's, and how many of those were caused by the driver?

Good point, I always drive my Prado carefully and watch the front end.

I've heard of Prado front diffs popping pinion gears on recoveries from the front, and I certainly wouldn't snatch anyone from the front of the Prado.

The rear diff is also very troublesome, just check out the diff club here on pradopoint.

I've seen Prado chassis cross members pushed up, sump punctures from the front diff, twisted and buckled body all the way along the car.

Just go to a wreckers and see how they bend and buckle, they are nowhere near as tough as old cruisers.

My advice with the Prado is to drive carefully and drive sensibly to the local conditions, and you'll be fine.

Best

Mark

[Cruisemaster Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Cruisemaster]

Thanks for all of the replies.

Can anyone comment or point to where I might find information regarding the type of tracks people have tackled with their 150's.

I'm not in the business of tackling tracks that may damage the truck however it still needs to be decent. Have many people tackled the Tele track with them? I did it with a vx 120 and it walked it. However it looks like the 150 has less ramp over angle.