Time for a transplant?

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

So with the 5vz starting to get a little on in the life and as our family grows , and us wanting more power out of the old girl and better fuel economy to be able to go further we have been discussing the options of what we do with Our 90 . Although she is still chugging allong she is definitely lacking allot of the power it had 7yrs ago, and it’s deffently noticeable towing a tonne and a half camper up some on the sand dunes when we go camping.

One of the 1st things we spoke about was getting rid of it and buying a duel cab (probably the bt50 or dmax), but we quickly turned off to this one as we are quite the attached to the Prado, and the price of fantastic plastic these days is a little exorbitant. We looked at a few second hand cars also but for the trade ins we would get for the Prado (5-6k) I’m at a point where I would rather keep it and run her out, already 7yrs in and another 7 would be awesome.

Then we we spoke about going a 1uz conversion for the extra power and torque as we use it allot for towing the camper in and out of remote beach locations, then we stoped talking about this due to the fuel economy thing and engine bay space, potential overheating issues, ect ect. Just too much to argue about lol.

In short we decided we would want something with a good amount of room for a growing family, plenty of reliable grunt, more toleratable fuel consumption, without the $45k+ price tag of a new car/ 25000 for a second hand hilux with similar accessories as the Prado.

so the latest thing we have discussed is the option to buy a kun26 hilux (maybe something rear ended or that’s been on its side, not major damaged but body unsalvageable)possibly look at the later 5speed auto models and swap out the entire engine-trans-diffs and attempt a d4d open centre front diff conversion. There are 2 main reasons I would look at the lux over say a 120 series,
1) the open diff in the front.
2) hilux parts in general are easier to move on if I decide to part it out after taking what I want before sending to scrap.

What are are people’s thoughts on this? And what issues should I prepare myself for? I have done plenty of conversions and swaps in the past but this feels like it’s going to test us on the technical side of things.

If this is the route we end up heading I will be sure to start a build thread as it may be worth to others.


On our side the Prado has everything, arb winch bar, arb roof rack, cargo cage, duel zone aircon, cruse controle, towbar, 2”lift, snorkel, uhf, decent stereo, the std duel tanks (that most utes don’t get) and she is a nice straight 0 rust shell.

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

It’s also worth noting,
whilst on the hoist last at work we did notice the transfer unit has a rough bearing in it and was getting a beeping out of the dash when it’s under stress off road (I think there’s 3-5k for a reconditioned electronic transfer case).
And whilst highway driving after getting up to temp the auto box occasionally won’t kick down gears when required and will lock its self in 4th until I kick it down manually, so there’s a good chance it’s on it’s way out prob another 4-6k after valvebody upgrade to take torque converter lockup add on. I have however had some advise on a possible fix for this but may still be worth noting

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

$12-13k on a $7k car which will be still a $7k car after you spend $12k and will still have 18-20 year old electrics. Hmm. $15-20K will get you into a very nice late model 120 V6. This is line ball with what you are about to spend. Look for a late 120 V6 VX.

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

$12-13k on a $7k car which will be still a $7k car after you spend $12k and will still have 18-20 year old electrics. Hmm. $15-20K will get you into a very nice late model 120 V6. This is line ball with what you are about to spend. Look for a late 120 V6 VX.

Want to get away from the petrol. Never been a fan on the 120 body shape either.

[t303 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close t303]

.....and of course you could spend that $20k on your new second hand Prado and have the 1KD grenade on you, in which case you will need another $15k to replace THAT problem. Then you also have to option up the new one to your same spec.
What I am trying to say is that you are going to spend that money (and maybe more) somehow to perhaps buy someone else's problems. In all likelihood you will spend a similar amount of money no matter which way you go. Is it better the devil (Prado) you know or the devil you don't?
I'm hanging on to my KZJ95 as long as I can, it will need a big hole, but it will save me the price of a coffin

[Tonz Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tonz]

I think its not about the money with what you are saying . it would be interesting to see where you go with it but a full rebuild would get you back your compression and your horse power , maybe things like exhaust and new injectors may also beef up back to its former glory days . it shouldn't cost too much .

perhaps for economy a used dmax in good shape would also do the trick ,

the prado will never be economical with a petrol , maybe a change to a diesel engine for the fuel issue and manual gearbox would help towing the camper.it will still cost you some dollars but you may have both things you want . economy and better towing capacity.

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

I think its not about the money with what you are saying . it would be interesting to see where you go with it but a full rebuild would get you back your compression and your horse power , maybe things like exhaust and new injectors may also beef up back to its former glory days . it shouldn't cost too much .

perhaps for economy a used dmax in good shape would also do the trick ,

the prado will never be economical with a petrol , maybe a change to a diesel engine for the fuel issue and manual gearbox would help towing the camper.it will still cost you some dollars but you may have both things you want . economy and better towing capacity.

Very true, have extractors on at current and made a slight difference with power.

I did find a thread or 2 by a member posted some years ago (pradofreak) who put the d4d motor in his diesel 90 and seemed wrapped with the results both in performance and economy. I think what sets his and mine apart (aside from the petrol too diesel and his being manual) is I am looking into open front diff options from a lux which will be interesting to see the daily consumption Results, even if it’s only for general info.

anyways will need to see what happens. Need to get settled into our house 1st and get the back yard sorted so I can have room to take on a project like this. Then I can move forward with it all

[Albertho0555 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Albertho0555]

Since the Prado's fetch nothing much these days, might as well try something different and make it a keeper ! My 5VZ has just run 182,000km, but looking out for swap options !! Good luck with your settling down, some extra room for the project wont go to waste :-)