2000 Prado VX 3.4L V6: Few questions

[stephen8512 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close stephen8512]

Hello everyone. First time poster here.

My name is Stephen and im fron sydney. I've joined up with Pradopoint because our family has one and I'm wanting to get some information from everyone regarding our car.

Its mainly my parents car but they do not know anything about cars or maintenance or anything like that, so I thought I'd take it on board myself and see if I can fix whatever needs fixing and maintain whatever needs maintaining

A brief background on the car. Was purchased brand new back in 2000. Since then it has served us well and has clocked up 180,000+ kms on it. For the first few years, we drove it and treated it right, gave it 98 Octane every time we filled up, washed it religiously every 3-4 weeks or so...and so on. But that probably lasted till about 100,000kms...since then, we havent been going evey 10,000kms service intervals and to be honest i have no idea where Dad has been taking the car. I think maybe to just a generic mechanic, which scares the crap out of me to be honest. It has never been off-roaded and has always remained a city runaround

Anyway, regarding the vehicle, I have a few ideas and plans to, how shall we say, "improve' the cars condition by changing bits and pieces and making it feel nice to drive again.

So I'm wondering if I can ask everyone a few questions for those who are knowledgable on prados.




1 ) I'm wanting to change the suspension on the car to make it comfortable for daily driving. What do people recommend? People seem to go for a BIlstein shock and Lovell springs? How much are they?

2 ) Do Prado's have sway bars as well? If so, which one would be a good brand to go with? Price? Where can I buy it from?

3 ) I'm wanting to get the car breathing better so perhaps some headers (I dunno if the prados take a 4-2-1 or a 4-1 design) and a catback. DO these have to be custom made or can one buy these off the shelf? Price? Where from?

4 ) I'm wanting to upgrade the rotors and brake pads as I'm positive they have not been changed for a LONG LONG time. Brakes feel spongey and when I press lightly on the brakes, it doesnt do anything. You really need to step on the brake pedal to get anywhere....What brake pads/rotors are good for daily driving? OEM is nice but maybe looking at slotted. Pads? Bendix? Price/WHere from?

5 ) What engine oil would one recommend? Where can you get the oil filter from? Toyota spare parts I'm assuming but is there a cheaper place?

6 ) Any reputable mechanics that you guys take your prados to apart from the dealer? I'd rather take it to someone who knows their prados than to just the dealership....

7 ) I'm wanting to install HID headlamps. What bulb does the prado take? H4? H7? And are there any kits you guys would recommend? Price/where from?

8 ) Also, I saw a picture from someone on here that had LED tail lights? WHere can I get these from and how much?

9 ) Tires. At the moment, I have some Cooper tires on it. Not sure which brand but they were put on there at 130,000kms I think? The rims are the stock rims so I think theyre 16's....unsure of the specs though. What tires do people recommend for daily driving city use only? price/where from?

10 ) Any other niggling things I should be looking out for since the car is almost hitting 200,000kms? THings that may break or needs an eye on because its getting on with age? I know timing belt for one? anything else?

11 ) With the tank and subtank included, how many kms does everyone get from both tanks? We only get about 550-600kms? Is this right? or is the car running rich? how many kms should I be expecting?


Sorry for the barrage of questions everyone

As you can see, this prado is not really like most on here as it will never be off roaded. So basically I want to sort out the suspension and brakes first and get it handling nice, stopping well and breathing better. If anyone can answer these questiosn for me i'd really appreciate that!

Thanks in advance guys! And I look forward to meeting some of you in future GTG's

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

Re: 2000 Prado VX 3.4L V6: Few questions

Hey Stephen

Yes very long question list.

1. You can go for the brands of suspension that you mentioned, but dont forget about Old Man Emu and EFS, these two brands are the better as they are matched to work together, (spring is set to compliment the shock and vice versa).

2. Yes Prados do have sway bars, but it is best to leave them alone, they do not wear out, just the bushes, and then only replace them with rubber ones.

3. By all means get some headers/extractors, i like the pacemaker ones, you can find them on ebay cheap enough.

4. The brakes may feel spongey because the calipers need to be serviced or the brake master needs to be replaced, or the fluid is stuffed.

5. you can use any good brand of oil, and use ryco filters, they are to the same specs as genuine ones, and infact they make the genuine ones.

6. Go to a specialist 4wd mechanic, just look through your local yellow pages.

7. HID is illeagal in your headlights for this vehicle.

8. LED tail lights can be obtained on many online stores, just do a search on google.

9. With tyres, get whatever suites your needs best, you may be able to keep the tyres currently on it as road tyres and buy some other rims with some good off road tyres to play with.

10. I would get the timing belt replaced, and while that is being done get the water pump done as well as the timing belt runs around the water pump, there are kits out there that will replace everything on the front of the motor. I would also give the engine a good dose of engine flush, and change the oil every 5000k with the use of engine flush for the next 2-3 services then revert back to 10000k intervels. Change the oil in the diffs, gearbox and transfer case too.

11. The range you get out of your tanks will depend on your driving style and what environment you are driving in, but basically can range from 600ks to 1300ks. I have managed to get 1300ks out of one fill in my V6. It could also be wise to give the air flow meter a good clean, and maybe even give the fuel tanks a drain to get any crap out of them.

hope this helps.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: 2000 Prado VX 3.4L V6: Few questions

Hi there croozza, would agree with everything you have said except oil filters.when i had the V6 (have 90 diesel grande now) i used genuine toyota they had jap writing on them but also have you ever cut 1 open, definately different inside,whether if there made in the same place or not I dont no but I doubt it but definately different internally. +f only changing every 10k (I do every 5 with the diesel and use genuine) i would use genuine for the extra few $$ but that also depends on your $$ situation.Regards Steve

Hey Stephen

Yes very long question list.

1. You can go for the brands of suspension that you mentioned, but dont forget about Old Man Emu and EFS, these two brands are the better as they are matched to work together, (spring is set to compliment the shock and vice versa).

2. Yes Prados do have sway bars, but it is best to leave them alone, they do not wear out, just the bushes, and then only replace them with rubber ones.

3. By all means get some headers/extractors, i like the pacemaker ones, you can find them on ebay cheap enough.

4. The brakes may feel spongey because the calipers need to be serviced or the brake master needs to be replaced, or the fluid is stuffed.

5. you can use any good brand of oil, and use ryco filters, they are to the same specs as genuine ones, and infact they make the genuine ones.

6. Go to a specialist 4wd mechanic, just look through your local yellow pages.

7. HID is illeagal in your headlights for this vehicle.

8. LED tail lights can be obtained on many online stores, just do a search on google.

9. With tyres, get whatever suites your needs best, you may be able to keep the tyres currently on it as road tyres and buy some other rims with some good off road tyres to play with.

10. I would get the timing belt replaced, and while that is being done get the water pump done as well as the timing belt runs around the water pump, there are kits out there that will replace everything on the front of the motor. I would also give the engine a good dose of engine flush, and change the oil every 5000k with the use of engine flush for the next 2-3 services then revert back to 10000k intervels. Change the oil in the diffs, gearbox and transfer case too.

11. The range you get out of your tanks will depend on your driving style and what environment you are driving in, but basically can range from 600ks to 1300ks. I have managed to get 1300ks out of one fill in my V6. It could also be wise to give the air flow meter a good clean, and maybe even give the fuel tanks a drain to get any crap out of them.

hope this helps.

[Clarky01 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Clarky01]

Re: 2000 Prado VX 3.4L V6: Few questions

Timing belt SHOULD have been done at the 150,000 service along with the water pump. I have been warned to use the pump supplied by toyota as its better quality and not worth skimping on.
Also check your radiator and see if the plastic on top is going brown. It should be black and they apparantly only have a life of 8-10 years. It may be due for a top tank replacement and cores cleaned.
Icant find if you said its auto or manual. If its auto, then it may be due for an overhaul.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Re: 2000 Prado VX 3.4L V6: Few questions

I would have to agree with Clarky except about transmission. I would definately get a service done on it for sure but overhaul I doubt it. Providing it hasnt done any extreme heavy towing (going by your post it hasnt) I have seen these transmissions do well over 300k on the original box and some that did a fair amount of towing but not to the extreme (2500t). They are an extremely reliable box providing you dont trash it (like any vehicle). I had my old V6 on stockton beach many a time including towing and on hot days and didnt even get a high temp transmission light come on even in quit boggy conditions (soft sand) Not sure where you live but I have a can of spray here that you can use for the air flow meter its one of those things you buy and very rarely you. (i did twice) these can become dusty and drop your performance on the V6. Dont see the need for slotted rotors as the prados have fantastic brakes, you might get a shudder, but if there is enough meat on the disc (21mil I think is the minimum) just give them a slight machine and they will be like new again (roughly $50 if you remove the discs) or on car maching I can get for you for $60 providing you remove the wheels or he charges $100 and comes to your door. You might notice a slight drone around the 2800/3000g mark this is normal from the exhaust. Also infront of the main muffler (actually on it ) is a weird looking valve, some times it pays to remove these and give a good clean out and replace back, You can upgrade the headlight globes to a better quality. ARB sell them and boy do they make a difference heaps brighter same wattage and no wire upgrade needed, I think the brand I used was phillips ?? and legal. Make sure you use genuine coolant, dearer but the best, DONT mix coolants, if you replace it your self make sure you flush the whole system properly including heater core (I removed hoses in engine bay on fire wall) It could gell up and block the radiator if not flushed properly.The oil filter is a pain to get to, I always removed the bash plates as it will drip down onto them and if you dont clean off properly you will have it dropping on your drive. You can go in from the passengers side guard by lifting the rubber flap but I found it easier from under neath.The plugs are not platinum tipped so will need to be done every 40k Prados are a great all rounder little thirsty with the 3.4L but are a great motor. One word of warning if you like playing in mud !!!! DONT, the alternator is down low and the flap on the chassis rail under the guard does little to prevent it from copping a gutfull and costing you for a replacement. Some one on here has made up some larger rubber flaps over the top of the old ones and seems to do the trick. I was probably one of the lucky ones, when I got home I stuck the hose into it flat knackers for about 20mins (had nothing to lose except water) and the light went out and started charging again, my mate always says to me (mud means money) but boy you can have some fun in it like we have !!! Sorry for the long post but trying to think of things to help you along your way. Regards Steve

Timing belt SHOULD have been done at the 150,000 service along with the water pump. I have been warned to use the pump supplied by toyota as its better quality and not worth skimping on.
Also check your radiator and see if the plastic on top is going brown. It should be black and they apparantly only have a life of 8-10 years. It may be due for a top tank replacement and cores cleaned
Icant find if you said its auto or manual. If its auto, then it may be due for an overhaul.