Help out a Canadian?!

[CDNPRADO Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close CDNPRADO]

Hey Aussies!

Im in Canada, thinking of ordering a 90 from Japan, this will be my second import, I brought a 1994 Suzuki Jimny Sierra over a few years ago, but need a bigger hauler for the fam now!!

There is hardly any Prado's here in Vancouver at the mo' Ill be hopefully there first with a 3L diesel and a 5spd.
What can you tell me about this truck as far as:

Diesel thirst
reliability
Off road capability
Popular mods
Anyone tow a camper?
after market parts
compare it to the surf??


Any fun info would be appreciated !

Thanks

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

90's Prado use a few different diesel engines around the world so better clarify which engine you're asking about.

[CDNPRADO Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close CDNPRADO]

90's Prado use a few different diesel engines around the world so better clarify which engine you're asking about.

The 3.0lt turbo diesel around the year 2000.

Sorry, I said 90 as in the land cruiser 90, that is a Prado correct?

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

Designation, configurations and model ryns are different the world over.

You need to provide specifics to get the answers you're looking for. Pictures would also be helpful.

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Land_Cruiser_Prado

I'd shy away from Diesel - even though you are in Vancouver (how's those Canuck's, eh? ), the fact is that (based on the Aussie spec'd Prado), the Prado doesn't have block heaters. I doubt that would be an issue in Vancouver, but something to consider.

The other thing to consider is the Cetane Number in Diesel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetane_number

I'm not trying to put you off a diesel, but I'd go petrol.

Also, why not look at the Lexus GX470 - it is a Prado 120, but comes with fun time V8!

And what about the right-hand drive aspect? That has me confused as why you would want a Jap import.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Technically the Aussie Prado's are the 95 series

Understand our issue: Diesel engines available for the J90 were the 2.8Litre (2776 cc) 3L engine, the 3.0Litre (2986 cc) 5L engine and the 3.0Litre (2982 cc) 1KZ-TE Turbocharged engine. In July 2000 some regions got the D4D - (2982 cc) 1KD-FTV Turbocharged engine. Australia didn't get the 1KD until mid 2000's.

Most Aussie Prado's have the diesel 1KZ or 1KD engine. The 1KZ is a pretty good engine. The early D4D's like to detonate. We call the D4D the: D4Detonation.

To answer your other questions:
Off road capability - Very good. More than most Patrol and Lancruiser owners will care to admit. Check out Glenep's Youtube channel - though his is a supercharged petrol https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8ExrIa7iXw
Popular mods - lots - get a beer and put aside a weekend to look through the build threads on this site.
Anyone tow a camper? - Lots of us
after market parts - many
compare it to the surf?? Early pre 1995 Surf's aka 4Runner, were just a hilux with a fibre glass shell on the truck bed. The N180 share's the same chassis as the Prado. Don't think Australia got the N180 or later versions so we can't really compare

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Land_Cruiser_Prado

And what about the right-hand drive aspect? That has me confused as why you would want a Jap import.

Probably because Canada doesn't have arcane and stupid laws requiring them to convert to left hand drive unlike straya

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

Go for a prado ! I have a 1kz-te great engine very reliable i tow a camper trailer a lot and get about 13-14lt per 100 klms
Very capable car . Just this weekend on the beach i drove straight past a bogged to the body brand new land Rover discovery with every traction aid you can get mine has nothing
The chassis is the same as a 96-03 forerunner and tacoma so lots of parts are easy to get

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

Probably because Canada doesn't have arcane and stupid laws requiring them to convert to left hand drive unlike straya

It varies province to province, from memory....But a quick Google has said that vehicles over the age of 15, do not have to comply with current regulations.

So make sense that he is after a 90 Series Prado, pre 2000.

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

I miss the UK - EU rules mean they have to allow them. Just get a 'Left hand drive' insurance policy, slap on a pair of headlight adaptors and maybe a LHD sticker and away you go.

[CDNPRADO Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close CDNPRADO]

Thanks very much everyone for your input,

Cfry, You are correct about Vancouver, Ive never plugged in a Block heater here... we grow palm trees outside year round! Allthough I would take it on ski trips so Id prob get a cheap magnet type just to be safe.

JDM RHD's are somewhat popular here, mostly because they stand out and we don't have many of what you in Oz or what the JDM gets.
I drive around in my '94 RHD jimny all the time, its a head turner. And its true, it must be 15 years and older.


I like the diesel, we don't have many here unless you go for a big ol 'Merica truck or a VW golf... No thanks!

Do you guys get 'em with a factory E-locker??

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

Do you guys get 'em with a factory E-locker??

My 120 GX doesn't have factory lockers, I don't want to speak out of turn - but I am quite sure that none of the line comes with lockers.

You might get a better deal than use on E-Locker from Eaton - if not, you're only what 1/2 hour to the USofA?

[Shangus Find all posts View Profile Close Shangus]

The uk got a diff lock option in their landcruiser colorado's(aka prado) you could also get the d4d in the last of what we call the 95 series. Here's a link that might come in handy CDNPRADO for referencing the different jap spec models.http://www.cars-directory.net/specs/..._prado/2000_7/

[chrismontez Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close chrismontez]

Did you buy one? I bought a 1996 Prado 90 TK in Vancouver.

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

Old thread but I had a 4runner over there and just bought a Block heater and had it installed on the drain plugs. Worked a treat.