new prado purchasing querries

[sclater85 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sclater85]

hi all new to the forum and hopefully soon new to the prado owners group as soon as i figure out my direction, currently driving a tj wrangler and looking for something better and have pretty much decided on the d4d 3.0l diesel probly in the 6sp manual and in either gx or gxl specification below i have a series of questions im chasing answers on p.s dpme my best searching forums just need to tweak the questions abit so here they are

1. has the "diff problem" been resurrected in the new 08 prados

2. drive chain, where do i start firstly i would like the option of abs but i beleive to have abs it means i have to have the rear lsd, this brings me to the querry of the lsd am i better getting this if it is needed for the abs and putting a locker in the front or am i better lossing the abs and lsd and putting a locker in the rear axle (even thoe this does not get rid of the diff problem) and then if thier is a locker installed in the rear axle and it fails does this constitute a modification and void any warranty on the axle?, or am i better getting an option pack with hill descent cont, traction control ect (the vx driveline option kit)

-side note car will be used as an all purpose car lets say 60% on road 30% beaches and hard outback trails 10% rock climbing i think the diff lock/locks would be the better option

3. is thier any diffent strenghts between varient models?? i.e the jeep wrangle has a standard diff however if you buy a rubicon model(offroad model) the diffs actually change become thicker and stronger parts

4. i would like to know honestly how the prados go offroad, ive read many reveiws all read well but guys in here are saying they tackle little hills break diffs, drive shafts, cvs,crack chassis, crack panels and alot more which makes me wonder are they really designed for offroad, im not talking bout rock climbing mount everest but surely a standard 4wding expedition and all encounted objects should not be to much of a task for the prado, i feel like its a car that will need alot of work i.e diff locks, suspension lifts, stronger driveline parts and im wondering if all the bits that will need changing and all the warranties they will void on a new car (reason for buying new car generally is for the warranty) is this exercise worth the touble

i have alot more questions but this is the main info im chasing with to start with any help muchly appreciated

-ive done my best to research this info in this forum so please dont get to abusive if i have missed a thread somewere

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

sclater85,

With or without ABS the Prado with have a LSD, unless you get traction control.
Having a LSD does not stop you putting a locker in the rear.
While there have been several cases of rear diffs breaking I have never heard of anyone breaking a diff that has a locker fitted. (wether the locker actually makes the diff stronger or simply reduces the stress on the diff. is discussed in several other threads).

Yes, the rear diff is probably the weakest part of the Prado, there have been cases of wheel arches and fire walls cracking (the jury is still as to wether this is cause by steel bullbars). But I have no doubt if you search you will find examples of issues with most 4WDs. On the other hand, I know plenty of people who reguarly give thier Prado hell and have never broken anything.

leachy.

[sclater85 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sclater85]

"With or without ABS the Prado with have a LSD, unless you get traction control.
Having a LSD does not stop you putting a locker in the rear. "


correct me if im wrong but doesn't getting a rear locker installed mean that the rear lsd (housed in the diff pumpkin) has to be pulled out in order for the locker differential to go in??

and as for searching ive been through over 3/4 of the 120 prado forums and not to mention most of them were last written to like back in august so im not sure if people still read them but i didn't feel my questions were previously answered hence why i started a new forum

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

correct me if im wrong but doesn't getting a rear locker installed mean that the rear lsd (housed in the diff pumpkin) has to be pulled out in order for the locker differential to go in??

exactly why having a LSD or open diff makes no difference to whether your able to install a locker - it gets taken out anyway.

leachy.

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

On the other hand, I know plenty of people who reguarly give thier Prado hell and have never broken anything.

I think we know several of these people ... mostly from WA PP runs. :lol: :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

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

Re: new prado purchasing querries

[quote="sclater85"]

1. has the "diff problem" been resurrected in the new 08 prados

The diffs are exactly the same throughout the year range
Those with traction control lose the LSD and gain an open diff
To my knowledge there has been no breakages with an open diff/TC
Make your own assumptions from that. My view is that TC limits the potential for a wheel to return to earth whilst still spinning hard and therefore limits the pressure on diff's\\

2. drive chain, where do i start firstly i would like the option of abs but i beleive to have abs it means i have to have the rear lsd,

Not true, you can have ABS without LSD, just need to package it up with the correct option packs to achieve it


this brings me to the querry of the lsd am i better getting this if it is needed for the abs and putting a locker in the front or am i better lossing the abs and lsd and putting a locker in the rear axle (even thoe this does not get rid of the diff problem)

Toyota are renowned for LSDs that have a short lifespan

In regard to a rear locker, a good installer will modify the spacer and crush tube to achieve a much more reliable diff on installation

and then if thier is a locker installed in the rear axle and it fails does this constitute a modification and void any warranty on the axle?,

Warranties are well covered here, by law Tojo can exclude the aftermarket equipment and anything it has had a direct adverse affect on. It is Toyota's responsibility to deny the claim and prove the cause/connection, in theory

or am i better getting an option pack with hill descent cont, traction control ect (the vx driveline option kit)

Your call

-

A3. is thier any diffent strenghts between varient models??

NO, just the open diff for TC equipped vehicles


4. i would like to know honestly how the prados go offroad, ive read many reveiws all read well but guys in here are saying they tackle little hills break diffs, drive shafts, cvs,crack chassis, crack panels and alot more which makes me wonder are they really designed for offroad, im not talking bout rock climbing mount everest but surely a standard 4wding expedition and all encounted objects should not be to much of a task for the prado, i feel like its a car that will need alot of work i.e diff locks, suspension lifts, stronger driveline parts and im wondering if all the bits that will need changing and all the warranties they will void on a new car (reason for buying new car generally is for the warranty) is this exercise worth the touble

The two key issues with the 120 has been diff's and firewall/inner guard cracks
The Prado is a way better than average medium off roader that does its job well, you get what you pay for, if ytou want a considerably more serious off roader, buy a solid axle TD like a Patrol, but then you are driving an agriculltural tool around the city/burbs. Its all a compromise

i

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

G'day SCLATER85. Welcome to PP and hope you enjoy it.

As for your decision to ditch the Jeep and go for the Prado ... you've just proved yourself to be a really intelligent bloke :lol: :lol:

I reckon the detail about TC, LSD, Lockers etc has been dealt with brilliantly .. well done Leachy and XVPrado. The only real achilles heal seems to be the occasional diff ... Piggy will tell you its around 0.01% of all Prados ... and then it really only seems to be in certain situations .. hit the loud peddle hard with a wheel off the ground and then slam it back down on the ground (a gross over simplification .. I know)

There's only one thing to add. I have found the Prado to be an extremely capable off roader ... with only two main considerations ... suspension and tyres. Sure .. that extra 10% of gnarly terrain can be tackled for a further 90% of the mod costs. For me that extra 10% is a pissing contest for bragging rights (.. flameproof suit has been donned :lol: )

Probably the greatest factor in a vehicles off road ability is the gap between the driver's ears .... and this is one mod that you can pour endless cash into without seeing any real improvement in ability :shock: :roll: :roll:

Grab your Prado and enjoy the hell out of it. 8)

I have now spent my 2 cents :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

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

[/quote]Probably the greatest factor in a vehicles off road ability is the gap between the driver's ears .... and this is one mod that you can pour endless cash into without seeing any real improvement in ability


I like that one chippy :lol: :lol: :lol:

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

Sclater, mate if you have a jeep currently i would be a lot less worried about breaking the prado, having owned a jeep i have seen more broken jeeps than prado's getting around. First year ownership of the Jeep resulted in about 15 trips to dealer, Prado one trip for a service??
All cars have their week points if you know what they are then you learn to drive to the cars limmits.

[sclater85 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sclater85]

Sclater, mate if you have a jeep currently i would be a lot less worried about breaking the prado, having owned a jeep i have seen more broken jeeps than prado's getting around. First year ownership of the Jeep resulted in about 15 trips to dealer, Prado one trip for a service??
All cars have their week points if you know what they are then you learn to drive to the cars limmits.

some of the places i have seen jeeps people are trying to break them, i dont know of one person (exceptions in the new 4dr model) that bought a jeep for any other purpose but a toy where as prados are more a transport car with a beach dash at the end . i personally cant fault the jeeps on a 4wd basis thier awesome but as to build quality like you said you get what you pay for and the paper thin walls of the car sux on anything longer than an hour hence the need for the prado enough said bout that.


as for every one else i appreciate your input and if what you say in correct then i can buy a gx spec model, option aircon and cruise contol,get the abs fitted, get a standard open diff then replace rear diff and front diff with aftermarket lockers asap, set of new coopers and a ome 50mm lift, steel bar and winch, all that straight out of the bag and i should be about the same cost as a standard gxl, not that its much of an issue but whats really different between gx and gxl(far as i can see aircon,alloys,abs,cruisecontrol) and hows the resale of gxs compare to the gxl

then effectively i would think after all my changes i will void warranties on diffs, tail shafts, prop shafts, cv, suspension , gearbox basically the whole driveline? as they could imply the car wasn;t meant to be driven with the diff locks as that is not how car is sold and they put extra strain on the engine and gearbox and drive line. from my motor to my wheels could be not covered not would an insurance company touch this i wouldn;t think. p.s were i go a standard prado just would cut it and i wouldn't try to make it anyway thoughts?