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Hello
I reside in India, and have been on the lookout for a "reliable" offroader.
My current vehicle, the Tata Safari 4x4 is not aging very gracefully. Well Tata's never age gracefully, and after 100,000kms on the odo, it becomes a pain to maintain. If it was just additional financial burden, it would still be okay, but the fact is even brand new Tata parts are poor quality, and often fail quickly.
So then, one option is to buy a brand new Toyota Fortuner. Which is frightfully expensive at 2.8 million INR. Totally out of budget.
The other option is to look for old landcruisers.
So to cut the long story short. about 1.5 years back, a friend, who was into hard core offroading decided to buy one. The car had done 90,000+ kms, and was on okay shape. He went ahead and brought it to good shape, with all belts changed, steering(power) oil seals done, all bushes as well as suspension bushes changed... The list goes on.
Vehicle is Toyota Landcruiser Prado SWB Normally Aspirated Diesel Manual tranny 5 speed Diesel (2.8L engine diesel)
However, he is more of an offroader and not much of an expedition guy, so he is thinking of selling it.
He tells me I can face two problems
1. The vehicle has done 98000kms, and sometimes smokes. He took it to Toyota fearing fuel pump recalibration needed (400$ cost!). But workshop says, no issues, just get injectors cleaned. Putting in additive(fuel conditioner) takes care of this issue. There is no black smoke on idle, but when you floor the pedal, esp in higher gears, it does give some black soot. Again, using fuel additive fixes problem to a large extent
2. Between 2000-3000rpm there is lot of "boom" from the engine. Engine is okay sounding upto 2000 and above 3000
2000-3000 is problematic. He suspects the Tuned Mass Damper(400$ part!) may be on its last legs.
If he presses clutch while revving to 2500rpm, the boom almost goes away. Clutch has been changed. So it could be the TMD
Apart from that he has changed suspension, wheel bearings and stuff.
Now I am turning to this forum for help.
I need some answers
I do high altitude driving (15000 feet and sometimes 18000 feet). Temperatures often fall to -6 to -7 degree C. . Any problems with high altitude use. Its 2.8 NA diesel engine. So I know there will be power loss due to no turbo charger. That I am aware off. But short gearing should compensate for lack of power climbing inclines.
How long do these engines last. Is 250,000kms without overhaul realistic expectation. I am worried because this engine is 3000rpm at 100kmph. This means it must have spent lot of its life at higher rpm
Price is good.
He has done work on it to get into shape
He is also willing to throw in an Ironman 2" lift kit. Car is currently on 275/70/16 without any lift kit.
He also has a snorkel with him he has not fitted.
I am not sure I want 2" lift as I worry it will put additional stress. I am not into hard core offroading, just snow driving, and Himalayan trails.
What could be the cause of resonance boom between 2000-3000rpm. Can it be a big expense later?
Any other things I need to be careful about?
Another thing I am worried about is the 70A alternator this came with. With 300W of aux lighting I am using 30A or so for lights + headlights are another 10A. I presume being a completely manual engine this does not require much current.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.
I reside in India, and have been on the lookout for a "reliable" offroader.
My current vehicle, the Tata Safari 4x4 is not aging very gracefully. Well Tata's never age gracefully, and after 100,000kms on the odo, it becomes a pain to maintain. If it was just additional financial burden, it would still be okay, but the fact is even brand new Tata parts are poor quality, and often fail quickly.
So then, one option is to buy a brand new Toyota Fortuner. Which is frightfully expensive at 2.8 million INR. Totally out of budget.
The other option is to look for old landcruisers.
So to cut the long story short. about 1.5 years back, a friend, who was into hard core offroading decided to buy one. The car had done 90,000+ kms, and was on okay shape. He went ahead and brought it to good shape, with all belts changed, steering(power) oil seals done, all bushes as well as suspension bushes changed... The list goes on.
Vehicle is Toyota Landcruiser Prado SWB Normally Aspirated Diesel Manual tranny 5 speed Diesel (2.8L engine diesel)
However, he is more of an offroader and not much of an expedition guy, so he is thinking of selling it.
He tells me I can face two problems
1. The vehicle has done 98000kms, and sometimes smokes. He took it to Toyota fearing fuel pump recalibration needed (400$ cost!). But workshop says, no issues, just get injectors cleaned. Putting in additive(fuel conditioner) takes care of this issue. There is no black smoke on idle, but when you floor the pedal, esp in higher gears, it does give some black soot. Again, using fuel additive fixes problem to a large extent
2. Between 2000-3000rpm there is lot of "boom" from the engine. Engine is okay sounding upto 2000 and above 3000
2000-3000 is problematic. He suspects the Tuned Mass Damper(400$ part!) may be on its last legs.
If he presses clutch while revving to 2500rpm, the boom almost goes away. Clutch has been changed. So it could be the TMD
Apart from that he has changed suspension, wheel bearings and stuff.
Now I am turning to this forum for help.
I need some answers
I do high altitude driving (15000 feet and sometimes 18000 feet). Temperatures often fall to -6 to -7 degree C. . Any problems with high altitude use. Its 2.8 NA diesel engine. So I know there will be power loss due to no turbo charger. That I am aware off. But short gearing should compensate for lack of power climbing inclines.
How long do these engines last. Is 250,000kms without overhaul realistic expectation. I am worried because this engine is 3000rpm at 100kmph. This means it must have spent lot of its life at higher rpm
Price is good.
He has done work on it to get into shape
He is also willing to throw in an Ironman 2" lift kit. Car is currently on 275/70/16 without any lift kit.
He also has a snorkel with him he has not fitted.
I am not sure I want 2" lift as I worry it will put additional stress. I am not into hard core offroading, just snow driving, and Himalayan trails.
What could be the cause of resonance boom between 2000-3000rpm. Can it be a big expense later?
Any other things I need to be careful about?
Another thing I am worried about is the 70A alternator this came with. With 300W of aux lighting I am using 30A or so for lights + headlights are another 10A. I presume being a completely manual engine this does not require much current.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.
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