Novice looking for help - 1996 Prado Landcruiser 101

[gazweir Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gazweir]

Hi all,

I have recently moved to Dar Es Salaam and bought a 1996 Automatic Prado Landcruiser TX Limited. This is my first 4x4 (and there is no user manual) so have some pretty basic questions which I would really appreciate your help with:

1. Using 4x4: When (in what circumsatnces?) and how (do I need to be in Park mode to change the gears?) should I be using the different 4x4 gears (LL, Neutral, HL and H)?

2. There are three buttons on the drivers side whichh I am unsure about: Power, 2nd and IDLE UP. Can someone pls explain?

3. On the roof there are an extra 2 ariels besides the one on the bonnet whcih is for the radio - what would these be for and how are they connected in the car?

Many thanks!

Gaz

[Ron.H. Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ron.H.]

Re: Novice looking for help - 1996 Prado Landcruiser 101

I do not own an auto but can answer some of your questions, Stay in H when you are on hard surfaces like concrete or bitumen roads and DO NOT put it in HL or LL while on hard surfaces these are used for 4x4 driving only. HL is used for 4x4 driving with normal to high speed along say a gravel road or forest track in good condition and LL is used in Low speed 4x4 driving like over rough terrain or steep hills where you want to be travelling slowly but in 4x4 and you would probably need to stop to be able to sellect LL and remember to swap back to H when you get back on to bitumen otherwise you could damage the transmission. Aerial could be for a CB radio reception do you have one in the car.
Ron.

[xlr8_87 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close xlr8_87]

Re: Novice looking for help - 1996 Prado Landcruiser 101

Ron. H pretty much explained the 4x4 stick exactly how it is. You can move from H to HL whilst driving, this engages the centre diff lock. To change from H or HL to LL you should be in neutral and stopped, same as changing back from LL.

As for the buttons:

Power = More power, just let's the engine rev out a bit more, good for overtaking people on a freeway for example.
2nd = Pretty sure this just keeps you in 2nd gear or starts the car in 2nd as opposed to 1st, I can't give you a definite answer because I've never used mine. Might be a towing thing?
Idle Up = Well... idle up I presume. Might need this when you want to charge the battery up a bit more? Unsure as mine doesn't have this button.

[perth90s Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close perth90s]

Re: Novice looking for help - 1996 Prado Landcruiser 101

Can add to the 2nd start component: - Locks the gear in 2nd for take off. Used when 1st gear isnt enough, or is producing too much wheel spin..

The ratios have sort of (from memory) been described as follows to me...some of the more mechanical on here can probably confirm/correct my diagram..

----------------------------1H----------------2H----------------3H-----------------------4H
1L--------------2L-------------3L----------4L

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

Re: Novice looking for help - 1996 Prado Landcruiser 101

Things to note.....

The Power Button basically tells the AutoGearbox to hold gears for longer before changing up. It is supposed to give you better acceleration & on a petrol it will do so since the power of a petrol is in the higher revs. On a Diesel it makes it worse! By experimenting you will find that you can gain more speed by letting the car change up a gear when at overtaking speeds (~110-120km/h). This uses the torque of the motor around 2000rpm rather than the lackluster power around 4000rpm which drops off considerably.

2nd start: As stated starts the car in 2nd gear rather than first. Used for sand or perhaps a slippery boat ramp where 1st could case the wheels to spin.

It is also very handy when offroad. With the 2nd start selected you can then use the T-bar to manually force the gearbox into 1st & second. The t-Bar overrides the button so in 1st it will stay in 1st. In 2nd the 2nd start button stops the gearbox going back to 1st. So effectively you have manual control over 1st & second gears.

Idle up is usually used to assist in the warmup of the engine in cold climates. You may find it doesn't do anything unless the temperature is below a certain value.

Enjoy your Prado!

[gazweir Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close gazweir]

Re: Novice looking for help - 1996 Prado Landcruiser 101

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond and advise - much appreciated. 2 more quick things:
1.there is a tiny red button between the T-bar and 4x4 gear stick - any ideas?
2.the jack. I tested the jack for the first time (clearly should have done this earlier) and it seems that when fully extended - it is only justhigh enough to reach the chassis. From asking around Dar - it seems others supplment this with a brick etc but I can't believe the Japanese would design that! Is there another piece of kit in the boot that I should be looking for (or has I been stung somehow!!!)

Thanks

Gaz.

[Lushy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lushy]

Re: Novice looking for help - 1996 Prado Landcruiser 101

Has your car had it's suspension raised? A 50mm lift or some bigger tyres might explain why the jack no longer reaches.

Just don't get tricked into buying one of those hi-lift jacks, they're not so good for jacking up only for getting you out of sand and I don't know what your car is like but unless it has special hi-lift jack points fitted on the rear bar or bullbar there's no where to use it. An exhaust jack would be a far better option, though even those have a warning not to use them for repair work, just recovery.

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

Re: Novice looking for help - 1996 Prado Landcruiser 101

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond and advise - much appreciated. 2 more quick things:
1.there is a tiny red button between the T-bar and 4x4 gear stick - any ideas?
2.the jack. I tested the jack for the first time (clearly should have done this earlier) and it seems that when fully extended - it is only justhigh enough to reach the chassis. From asking around Dar - it seems others supplment this with a brick etc but I can't believe the Japanese would design that! Is there another piece of kit in the boot that I should be looking for (or has I been stung somehow!!!)

Thanks

Gaz.

the jack goes under the axle not the chassis.
If you jack the chassis up the wheel has to drop full length of the suspension befor it comes off the ground, jack up the axle and your only lifting the wheel not the whole car.

as lushy said hi-lift and exhaust jacks are for recovery only