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  • Buying 120 series. What to look for/ avoid?

    Hi guys, I was looking at buying a 95 series and did all the research etc. and had the go ahead from the financial manager but then after driving in a mates 120 series the wife now has decided she wants one of these.

    Anyhow just doing my research again to see what to avoid or look for in a 120 series.

    She defiantly wants automatic but not sure about wether to go for diesel or petrol in the 120? I know most people,recommend to not get the diesel in the 95.

    Is it worth while shelling out a bit extra for a 2005 model with the 5 speed auto in the petrol?

    Cracked dash issue is it that bad?

    I can't seem to find anything else?

    Any advice greatly appreciated.

    Cheers
    Luke

  • #2
    I would definately go the 5 speed which come out in late 04 (sep/oct). As far as diesel or petrol, matter of choice and $$. Personally (just my opinion) I wouldn't go the 1kz if going diesel, I would either go D4D diesel or the 4L petrol. There are issues with injectors and injector seals on the D4D by what I have been reading on here and the oil pick up in the sump blocking up, which seems if an eye is kept on them it can be maintained. Problem is the price difference with the diesel been dearer over the petrol especially the D4D over the 1kz.

    Personally I think the 1kz is under powered for the size of the 120, I would say though they are pretty trouble free, dont seem to have the cracked head syndrome of the 90's (like myn did) but their fuel economy isnt that great either in the 1kz. Really you cant beat the D4D for economy running around town, loaded, punching them through the sand or fully loaded they give good figures. You wont get the same from the V6 BUT what you will get it some thing that goes like a rat up a drain pipe, if driven steadily you will get good klms from both tanks. If you drive it like a rat bag you will see high fuel usage especially around town. If you intend to have it loaded all the time,(roof racks,mud tyres etc) while running around town it will obviously increase fuel usage more so then the diesel. The diesel will also give you better resale price over the petrol if this is some thing that bothers you but you will also as I mentioned pay less for a petrol over the D4D in the first place.

    Are you doing some real remote travelling ?? or just the general stuff ?? Real remote stuff I would go the diesel as some certain outback communities dont even have unleaded so diesel is the go.

    Water crossings the diesel will always be more user friendly then the petrol but they still these days have a lot more electronic stuff under the bonnet compared to the older diesels and the even the petrol engines now dont have distributer caps etc to worry about as much, and have their own coil packs on the 120 directly on top of the plugs and fairly well out of way of water, have seen petrol with water up over the bonnet and come out the other side not coughing or spluttering like old days but its if you get hung up on some thing you could find your self in trouble over the diesel (snorkel still needed for both in these cases).

    If the 120 has a soverign bullbar (factory toyota alloy) and its a V6 and you intend playing in water then a snorkel is a must as the design of the bar will drive the water straight into the air intake, shitty setup by designers. I would drive both and see what you think and go from there.

    I would have bought the D4D at the time if I had the extra $$$ without borrowing it so went the petrol and to be honest dont regret it one bit. Im extremely happy with it and its performance and fuel usage and Im not sure if all of a sudden I did have the $$$ to say buy a 150 I would go the diesel. I would probably still go the petrol (unless toyota updated their engine) and purchase price between petrol and diesel in the 150 is stuff all compared to say a 200 series cruiser.

    Take both for a good long drive and see what you like and what the $$$ allows you. If getting D4D and can get the extra Toyota warranty then I would get it not some after market warranty, there next to useless and cover you for jack shit. Don't be driven into some thing by a salesman that you don't really like, in other words don't let the heart over rule your head. Also decide what model you may like, GX, GXL, VX Grande, and don't forget the GX can be speced up with option packs one and two, so you may find a GX but has all the gear. Do you want traction control, ABS, duel air ??

    If you have young kids and you will require to use the very rear dickie seate then duel air is some thing you should really consider as it can get pretty hot up in those rear seats on a hot day. When I put cargo barrier in I have a piece of thick plastic I have attached to it to keep the cool air in the front more or though now my air is running at 1d out the vents thanks to Adrian on here I probably dont need it now for our little one to have some cool air in the rear

    Also if looking at a Grande check the sunroof thoroughly for any signs of rust around the rubber at the front of the glass panel. There are a few people on here with grandes and have no issues, I looked at 3 of them all rusted one owners and city cars not near salt water so I deleted the grande from my list and at the time there were minimal VX's as I really wanted traction control. The 03 models and very first of the 04 models with the 4 speed autos in the V6 also had issues with rear door hinges cracking and will probably have been replaced under warranty by now (requires complete new rear door), this was rectified in the 04 update with the 5 speed auto.

    Have fun looking, there are some good ones out there and there are some heaps of shit to, some people have no respect for their motor vehicles, some people let their kids totally trash them so you will have bubble gum stuck to seat trims, gouges up the sides from bike handles, the pockets on the back of the front seats torn, roof trims gouged, the list goes on. Make sure it has total service history if it doesn't then walk. Even its petrol or diesel its important that all these engines have had regular oil and filter changes. Walk and find another if any of the above, there are also plenty of good ones out there used for nothing more then driving to the shops and back or the local cafe.

    In regards to the dash's this is some thing that you will only know when you see the vehicle. Check it totally especially over the instrumentation on the lip is where they start also around the edges of the air vents, just take you time and check it right over 100% as its an expensive repair if Toyota don't want any thing to do with it. So far my'n is ok but like the head on my 90 diesel its probably just a matter of time lol. Dont forget to do a complete history check (available on line) as there are plenty of flood vehicles on the market and the yards don't have to tell you and obviously wont.................................GOOD LUCK...Cheers Steve
    Face lift 150 Prado V6 auto. No mods yet

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Steve for the great info and your time in typing it all up. Your reply could almost be a sticky!

      It will be used as the wifes car during the week- carting the kids around and then we are hoping to get away at least once a month to the beach and hinterland. ie. Double Island, Fraser, Straddie, etc. Planning on twin batteries, tow ball for off road trailer etc.

      So when did the diesels go to the D4D motor?

      Comment


      • #4
        The KDJ (D4D) engine was released in 06 then there was another update in 07 but this had nothing to do with engine, eg duel climate air become standard in the GXL, roof rails, few other changes......Regards Steve
        Face lift 150 Prado V6 auto. No mods yet

        Comment


        • #5
          Depending on what mods you have planned it may be an option to look at a lower spec model to save on $$$. If you plan on upgrading to winch bars draw systems etc you will find your pulling off parts you payed good money for at purchase. Again the 5 speed is very sought after and you will pay the premium for it but its the obvious choice for the best fuel savings if your dead set on an auto. Petrol vs diesel is an age old debate but weigh up the availability of ulp fuel stations around the areas your planning on traveling through, the amount of time you plan to hold onto the vehicle etc. Servicing costs are cheaper on petrols and if your onto the maintenance I don’t think you will have a problem with that option. In any case to re-power the rig further down the track wont be as expensive as a new car with no mods.

          I know we are all avid prado lovers on this forum but imo the 120 series has been the best 4x4 I have had weather its been my own or work. Whatever the spec you choose you can get a great machine.

          Good luck with it all and look forward to seeing you build her up on the forum.
          [B]Prado 120 Series Build; [/B][U][url]http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?24346-Desert-Dueler-120[/url][/U]
          [B]Customline Off Road Deluxe CT Build; [/B][U][url]http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=38826.0[/url][/U]
          [B]WS Tarpon 120 Kayak Build; [/B][U][url]http://www.kfdu.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=40099[/url][/U]

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Steve M View Post
            Are you doing some real remote travelling ?? or just the general stuff ?? Real remote stuff I would go the diesel as some certain outback communities dont even have unleaded so diesel is the go.
            I am not starting a diesel v petrol debate.

            For a start I only own petrol because I couldn't afford a second hand diesel(love the petrol) and my next car will most probably be a diesel(solely to save money at the bowser).

            But on a recent trip from Cairns to Broome with 5 prado's, it was only diesel fuel we had trouble getting as most people use diesel in these remote areas and it was peak time of the year, 2 very remote places ran out of diesel but had plenty of unleaded.

            Anyway just thought I would share our experience.

            One very happy petrol 05, 5 speed auto owner who has done plenty of trips and has had no issue with it in the 80000ks so far.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by robbo792 View Post
              I am not starting a diesel v petrol debate.

              For a start I only own petrol because I couldn't afford a second hand diesel(love the petrol) and my next car will most probably be a diesel(solely to save money at the bowser).

              But on a recent trip from Cairns to Broome with 5 prado's, it was only diesel fuel we had trouble getting as most people use diesel in these remote areas and it was peak time of the year, 2 very remote places ran out of diesel but had plenty of unleaded.

              Anyway just thought I would share our experience.

              One very happy petrol 05, 5 speed auto owner who has done plenty of trips and has had no issue with it in the 80000ks so far.
              Apologies if I'm resurrecting an old thread. I am in the research phase of buying a Prado and so far this site has been the best resource.

              Can I ask what sort of fuel economy you are getting from your petrol model? Around town and loaded on a trip?

              Comment


              • #8
                2004 5 speed Grande
                Around Town 14- 15
                Loaded trip 13 - 14
                2004 V6 Grande, Oppositelock Bull Bar, Safari Snorkel

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Steve M View Post
                  The KDJ (D4D) engine was released in 06 then there was another update in 07 but this had nothing to do with engine, eg duel climate air become standard in the GXL, roof rails, few other changes......Regards Steve
                  The D4-D was introduced towards the end of 2006. All GXL's from this point on came standard with the roof bars (my vehicle is an example). Then in Sep 2007, the GXL had digital heater controls, rear air-controls (& vents), plus steering wheel controls.

                  Correction - Sep 2007 not 2008
                  Fronty
                  Junior Member
                  Last edited by Fronty; 15-02-2013, 08:50 AM.
                  07 White GXL D-4D & 6 Spd Manual. Sovereign Bar with 3 LF 240's. RedArc dual battery system. Icom Pro 440N UHF, Hilux washer upgrade, Ironman 2in lift and 4 new injectors

                  Rig Build Up [URL="http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27854-Fronty-s-07-GXL"]http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27854-Fronty-s-07-GXL[/URL]

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    "" Then in mid 2008, the GXL had digital heater controls, rear air-controls (& vents), plus steering wheel controls. "" Mistake there Fronty, my mate has 07 GXL bought new in 07 which has dual climate aircon. Actually its Bigfella on here who did own it until about a month ago and has since traded it,, http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...light=Bigfella check post number 18 with the specs of his vehicle........Cheers Steve
                    Face lift 150 Prado V6 auto. No mods yet

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      The rear air etc was part of option packs.
                      My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        The rear air was standard in 07 on the gxl, it was an option on the gx.....cheers Steve
                        Face lift 150 Prado V6 auto. No mods yet

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Yes sorry my "etc" should not have included dual zone air which was standard on the GXL post Sept 06. Option packs were for the side and curtain airbags and traction control and stability control on the automatics and the airbags only on the manuals. Dual zone air was part of the GX option pack (with the other electronic fruit) as you have stated.
                          My 150 build - http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27423-A-Random-approach-to-a-Bluestorm-150-GXL-D4D-automatic

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            When you refer to 'rear air' are you referring to the control panel on the back of the centre console for those in the second row to access?
                            07 White GXL D-4D & 6 Spd Manual. Sovereign Bar with 3 LF 240's. RedArc dual battery system. Icom Pro 440N UHF, Hilux washer upgrade, Ironman 2in lift and 4 new injectors

                            Rig Build Up [URL="http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27854-Fronty-s-07-GXL"]http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27854-Fronty-s-07-GXL[/URL]

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Here is a carsales link to a 07/2007 GXL with no rear air controls, it has no steering wheel controls and it has the analogue/manual heater controls on the dash board. (Scroll through all the photos)
                              http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...7&sort=default

                              I can vouch for this - mine is an April 2007 GXL and there is no rear air. All the vents and all the controls are in the front dash board only.

                              Here is a link to another 2007 GXL (i.e. Post the Sep. 2007 upgrade). Note - it has the digital climate control in front, the rear air controls and the steering wheel controls.
                              http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...7&sort=default

                              These pre Sep 2007 and post Sep 2007 models are identified in Redbooks listing. (However their early 07 model lists dual air which is a mistake)
                              07 White GXL D-4D & 6 Spd Manual. Sovereign Bar with 3 LF 240's. RedArc dual battery system. Icom Pro 440N UHF, Hilux washer upgrade, Ironman 2in lift and 4 new injectors

                              Rig Build Up [URL="http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27854-Fronty-s-07-GXL"]http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?27854-Fronty-s-07-GXL[/URL]

                              Comment

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