98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

[Mattyh Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mattyh]

HI Guys,
Looking at getting a good deal on a 98 petrol GXL. Only concern is that it has been used as a "shopping trolley" to get to the shops and ferry kids around. So its only done 178k kms.

So why am I concerned:
1. Lots of short trips - Does this result in worn heads (ie from heating and cooling), possible rusty exhaust/cat convertor from not being fully warmed up.
2. Its only been put into 4wd "a handful of times" - Can this lead to any transfer case/CV issues?

Any other ideas / what to look out for?

One mechanic told me to check the 90's autos 4wd Low range as the auto can rev pretty high before changing. I tried this on the test drive down a straight bit of tarmac and it definitely was reving high and then slamming into gear jolting the vehicle forward (slighlty).

Its been a lady driver for the last 12 years, so things are stacking up nicely just wanted to see what the pros thought?

Cheers
-Mattyh

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

Mate my 90 V6 was a shopping trolley as well prior to me getting it, the owner had no idea how to put in 4H let alone put the auto in neutral first before putting in low range, so proved he had never used it off road, didnt have any issues with it at all except when I put on LPG, another story. Yes the auto will hang on a bit and jerk into 2nd, my current 90 with a turbo diesel does exactly the same thing, nothing to worry about they all do it. You will also hear a slight whine (no not from the wife) from the box as well more so in 2nd low again nothing to worry about, Mate these have extremly strong auto boxes and the V6 motors are great to, obviously providing they have been serviced, use to do my oil and filter every 10k on the petrol, do it every 5 on the diesel. I would have no problems going back to the V6 petrol after owning both. Personally I think the V6 is better then the 1kz diesel. If you take into consideration fuel usage (v6 thirstier) but cheaper for unleaded (wouldnt use that E10crap in any of my cars) more frequent oil changes, dearer filters, there is stuff all difference in running costs. I like the petrol heaps better on the sand/beach, can rev them out more, I have found the diesel wont rev as good (which I new) but thought the extra Nm's would help 343 compared to 303. If its the right price and is in great nick then go for it, but if not exactly what you want in terms of condition, klms ,price etc, walk, there are heaps around for sale some with extremely low klms. These motors will do an easy 400k+ if looked after, bet I dont get that out of my diesel before the turbo or some thing will need doing, allready had the head done a month ago $3600 only 103k on the clock of my diesel, never touched the V6 with 175 on it, was getting rid of it next year and going back to petrol but am going to keep it a couple more years now due to head costs. Regards steve

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

* Lots of short trips - check the service history. It should have been serviced every 5k, but to be honest - I'd only be worried if it was a diesel turbo.

* 4wd a handful of times - I wouldn't worry about it. The previous owner of mine had it for 9 years and had never been off road (and I could tell it's true). The 4x4/low range is going fine. It's not as easy to engage as my previous Grand Vitara, but it's consistant - just a matter of rolling into it.

* 90 auto low range - Yes, they do keep the revs up high. I found it a bit strange at first coming from a manual, but it's exactly what you need when doing hard offroading. I haven't noticed any jolting, but like any low range it is aggressive... testing on tarmac would be rough!

* Regardless of gender, 12 years of ownership is fantastic if it's true.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

At 178K it's just past two major services, so make sure they've been done or knock $ off the price. They're around $1K each.

150K - Timing belt, and hopefully water pump
160K - ??? (I haven't been there yet)

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

Yes the auto will hang on a bit and jerk into 2nd, my current 90 with a turbo diesel does exactly the same thing, nothing to worry about they all do it. You will also hear a slight whine (no not from the wife) from the box as well more so in 2nd low again nothing to worry about, Mate these have extremly strong auto boxes and the V6 motors are great to, obviously providing they have been serviced, use to do my oil and filter every 10k on the petrol, do it every 5 on the diesel. I would have no problems going back to the V6 petrol after owning both. . Regards steve

Dont know about the auto jerking into 2nd. Mine doesn't do that, and is infact seamless, you hardly notice the gear change, this is with all the gears either changing up or down, the only time you feel it is if you change manually down to 1st at more than 25kph. Yes the auto is a strong box, as it comes from the Landcruiser, the only time mine hangs onto a gear longer than I think it should is when I use cruise control and it changes down from 4th to 3rd. Mine doesn't have a whine in 2nd low either, You may need to get your box serviced or changed from the person that does it now. It should not be doing any of those things that you say.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

2nd gear jerking: Mine is also beautifully seamless when in high range. Low range is different, given the higher revs it may jump when there's good traction and heavy right foot.

I thought low range whine is normal given that some cogs are spinning faster. I've definitely noticed it on mine, and even seen it reported on road tests of new 4x4's.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

Hi Crooza, both my 90 series had/have done it and my 3 of my mates 90's are exactly the same, Im talking when in low range only, it hangs on in first then when changing to second its a real positive change, and both my 90 s had/have a slight wine (can only just hear it) in 2nd but this is all low range, under normal driving, with or without centre diff lock engaged is as quit and smooth as anything.

Yes the auto will hang on a bit and jerk into 2nd, my current 90 with a turbo diesel does exactly the same thing, nothing to worry about they all do it. You will also hear a slight whine (no not from the wife) from the box as well more so in 2nd low again nothing to worry about, Mate these have extremly strong auto boxes and the V6 motors are great to, obviously providing they have been serviced, use to do my oil and filter every 10k on the petrol, do it every 5 on the diesel. I would have no problems going back to the V6 petrol after owning both. . Regards steve

Dont know about the auto jerking into 2nd. Mine doesn't do that, and is infact seamless, you hardly notice the gear change, this is with all the gears either changing up or down, the only time you feel it is if you change manually down to 1st at more than 25kph. Yes the auto is a strong box, as it comes from the Landcruiser, the only time mine hangs onto a gear longer than I think it should is when I use cruise control and it changes down from 4th to 3rd. Mine doesn't have a whine in 2nd low either, You may need to get your box serviced or changed from the person that does it now. It should not be doing any of those things that you say.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

[quote=Steve M]Hi Crooza, both my 90 series had/have done it and my 3 of my mates 90's are exactly the same, Im talking when in low range only, it hangs on in first then when changing to second its a real positive change, and both my 90 s had/have a slight wine (can only just hear it) in 2nd but this is all low range, under normal driving, with or without centre diff lock engaged is as quit and smooth as anything.

Yes the auto will hang on a bit and jerk into 2nd, my current 90 with a turbo diesel does exactly the same thing, nothing to worry about they all do it. You will also hear a slight whine (no not from the wife) from the box as well more so in 2nd low again nothing to worry about, Mate these have extremly strong auto boxes and the V6 motors are great to, obviously providing they have been serviced, use to do my oil and filter every 10k on the petrol, do it every 5 on the diesel. I would have no problems going back to the V6 petrol after owning both. . Regards steve

Dont know about the auto jerking into 2nd. Mine doesn't do that, and is infact seamless, you hardly notice the gear change, this is with all the gears either changing up or down, the only time you feel it is if you change manually down to 1st at more than 25kph. Yes the auto is a strong box, as it comes from the Landcruiser, the only time mine hangs onto a gear longer than I think it should is when I use cruise control and it changes down from 4th to 3rd. Mine doesn't have a whine in 2nd low either, You may need to get your box serviced or changed from the person that does it now. It should not be doing any of those things that you say.

[/quote:h02qcsz8]

Maybe my auto has had a mod done, I don't know, because in low range I don't get that jerk, it just changes gear and then you get a surge of power again.
Maybe your explaining the whine incorrectly, it is the low range gear wurring slightly, as a whine is a bad noise. All it is, is the Trans fluid under pressure.

On highways does your torque converter lock up, it is like it has changed down from 4th to 3rd, but it hasn't because you can press the OD button and then it changes into 3rd.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

On highways does your torque converter lock up, it is like it has changed down from 4th to 3rd, but it hasn't because you can press the OD button and then it changes into 3rd.

Can you elaborate with speeds and throttle pressure?

I haven't paid much attention to it. The only time I've noticed it at work is in the following situation:
- Cruising around 100-110km/h
- Hill incline starts
- Manually engage OD, gear changes, RPM jumps from ~2400 to ~3200
- Moments later RPM drops from ~3200 to ~3000. Same gear, same speed.

That's obviously a release, followed by an equalisation. Not sure about lock up, it's hard to tell at that speed. I'll have to monitor closely...

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

No you dont have to press anything, (OD Button), just cruising along on the H/Way, and you get an incline or you apply a little more throttle to pass someone, the torque converter (TC) locks up, RPM rise by about 400, so it is basically still in 4th gear just locked TC, but if you press the OD button or apply more throttle, it then changes down to 3rd and of course RPM rise again.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

I haven't noticed how often mine does that, if at all. I'll check it out this weekend.
BTW - From what I've read about TC's in autos, that sounds like a release. If this particular box has a lock, it should be locked whilst cruising flat. When that small incline or throttle increase occurs, the TC may release so the engine-side can spin faster, which generates more torque to spin the trans-side. If you increase the throttle/incline further, it'll drop gear to provide real power.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

I haven't noticed how often mine does that, if at all. I'll check it out this weekend.
BTW - From what I've read about TC's in autos, that sounds like a release. If this particular box has a lock, it should be locked whilst cruising flat. When that small incline or throttle increase occurs, the TC may release so the engine-side can spin faster, which generates more torque to spin the trans-side. If you increase the throttle/incline further, it'll drop gear to provide real power.

This was my understanding of the lockup clutch also.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

Hi Glen mate my'n doesnt rev anywhere near that with the O/D out. At 110k in O/D myn sits on 2350, if I manually click the O/D out it will jump to 3300 at 110, this is diesel, my petrol was virtually the same, definately was no where near 4g. Have you changed diff centres ?? smaller wheels ?? Regards Steve M

On highways does your torque converter lock up, it is like it has changed down from 4th to 3rd, but it hasn't because you can press the OD button and then it changes into 3rd.

Can you elaborate with speeds and throttle pressure?

I haven't paid much attention to it. The only time I've noticed it at work is in the following situation:
- Cruising around 100-110km/h
- Hill incline starts
- Manually engage OD, gear changes, RPM jumps from ~3400 to ~4200
- Moments later RPM drops from ~4200 to ~4000. Same gear, same speed.

That's obviously a release, followed by an equalisation. Not sure about lock up, it's hard to tell at that speed. I'll have to monitor closely...

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

Ummm.. looks like I overshot the RPMS by 1k! I'll edit the post.

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

Re: 98 Petrol VZJ95R GXL "Shopping Trolley" Worthwhile buy?

I haven't noticed how often mine does that, if at all. I'll check it out this weekend.
BTW - From what I've read about TC's in autos, that sounds like a release. If this particular box has a lock, it should be locked whilst cruising flat. When that small incline or throttle increase occurs, the TC may release so the engine-side can spin faster, which generates more torque to spin the trans-side. If you increase the throttle/incline further, it'll drop gear to provide real power.

Are you talking about when you are cruising along the highway and you take your food off of the accellerator the RPM drops by just over 200 RPM.
That is what mine does, at 100kph i'm doing 2250 RPM, take my foot off the accellerator and RPM drop to 2000RPM, but if I am doing the same speed and get a slight incline and accellerate a bit more RPM rise by around 400 RPM, accellerate a bit more and then it kicks down into 3rd.