A 120 with the lot...?

[Hoofy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hoofy]

I'm relatively new to 4WD (mainly beach driving with light off road) and learning as I go but ready to upgrade from a 02 petrol hilux to a Prado.

Given my budget (under 30K) I'm looking for some advice as to what I should look for when making the purchase. I drool over all the photos of the tourers with all the accessories but know that I won't need everything just yet and can have fun adding stuff along the way.

I've got an off road camper trailer to tow and looking to do a Fraser trip before the end of the year. I would also like to head up to the Cape at some stage next year.

Should I look for something pretty standard and start to build or get something that has already been added to a bit?
I would prefer a manual diesel unless I can be convinced otherwise?
I've seen a couple with gas/diesel duel systems...anyone had any troubles with these in the past?

Any advice would be appreciated guys as I've heard plenty of good stuff about the Prados but struggling to decide what to look for when purchasing a vehicle that I can explore more 4WD in.

Cheers!

[Guest Close Guest]

It doesn't sound like you need to modify the future Prado a heap for the type of driving you are doing. For beaches, I find a good awning necessary. Some beaches are quite chopped up, so a lift would be good. However, it is best to put the suspension on last so you know what springs to go for.

If you intend to do a lot of night driving, then you'll need spotties and somewhere to mount them. If you're going where there will be animal strikes, then you will consider a bullbar. If you want to run a fridge, then you'll need a dual battery system.

For the moment, I think a good set of roofracks, awning and all-terrain tyres might be what you want. The standard AT20 tyres would still be good for light 4WDriviing. Just add an air compressor, tyre deflator and a set of Maxtrax and you're good to go.

The less you put on, the less fuel you're going to use.

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

Gday hoofy. Welcome mate.

Well if you want to spend under 30k you might be limited to what you csn get in diesel/manual.
You would definately find a well kitted out 90 series with higher kays and meet your budget.
In a 120 series, manuals are hard to find therefore possibly holding a higher price tag. On that subject, as i own an early 120 diesel (1kzte), i personally think the motor is underpowered for soft sand driving- especially loaded up wiyh a camper.
A later model 120 d4d may be getting out of your price range.

If i had 30k to spend again... I would be getting to lowest kay 120 petrol i could find. Thete are heaps of manuals around too.
Heaps of grunt for the sand and towing and less servicing too...
Chase down some prices mate, you get way better value with a petrol and you might find one with the gear AMTS has suggestedd too!!!

[Guest Close Guest]

+1 Drew. Petrols are the go if you want early models on a tight budget. And great for sand. Maybe even lower maintenance costs...

[Hoofy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hoofy]

Thanks guys for all your help. I'll take a look around and see what's available. Out of interest...what kind of fuel economy do you get with the petrol models? I was really hoping to do better than the hilux that I currently also use for business and get about 14/100 from.

[Guest Close Guest]

My signature shows 14L/100km. I have since added quite a bit of accessories and it has gone up to 15L/100km.
Note that if you buy the diesel, you will need to do 5,000km oil and filter changes, instead of the 10,000km in the V6.

[The Alberto Member Find all posts View Profile Close The Alberto]

These guys have already hit it on the head. ^^

I notice in your original post that you are looking to do sand and a cape trip next year. I suppose, you really need to know what level of tracks you are wanting to do up the cape and how much sand driving you are going to be doing.

My only my 2c worth would be the Manual vs Auto debate. Up until my current ride, I always had manuals - coz that's what you do when you buy a 4x4 right?? Well, I have been converted for a number of reasons.

Being a mad fisherman and living in CQ, I have done heaps of sand driving. One of our local tracks to a place called 5 rocks gets real soft and has quite a few hills. I have found that no matter what vehicle or tyre pressure you are running momentum is key in sand. If you lose it for one second you can be stuck before you realise. In the manual, you select the gear and go for it, if it starts to labour you have to grab a lower gear fast or you're gone. The auto is so much better in this type of situation.

I also did a cape trip June / July last year in my 4x4 ute, which was a manual. We had a convoy of an LC200 V8 Diesel Auto, LC100 V8 Petrol Auto, 05 Hilux V6 Petrol Auto, 120 D4D Prado Auto and me with my Manual Diesel. We did all the tough tracks, Old Coach Road from Maytown to Laura, The Frenchman's Track, The Tele Track and The Creb Track. I can tell you that in 4x4 situations such as these, the Automatics had SO much more control when on hills and over rock steps etc.

Don't get me wrong, manuals obvioulsly have their place, however after this experience, I vowed that as soon as we got home I was selling the Manual and buying an auto. I am so happy I did.

Again just my 2c but something to consider.

Cheers!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Well there was a Prado Deisel with a fair bit of good kit adevertised here http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...933-06-120-gxl for $28k, looks like it might be sold but goes to show they are available.

I was a hard core Manual guy until fate stepped in and I had to get an auto (my first Prado), I wouldn't go back to a manual now, the auto off road will eat the manual for breakfast in every situation except steep down hill, and that can be rectified with a bit of cash for the right mods. So don't pass on a good auto if one comes up.

I take Mackay's point about the 1kz being a bit down on power for towing a camper on sand, but my first Prado was a 2005 1kz diesel and it was like a rocket ship compared to the 2.8TD Rodeo it replaced, I towed my Trailer through some decent soft sand with it and got through without any real issue.

For the Cape you want a snorkel, decent tyres are always high on the list of upgrades and a good 2" lift will see you getting most places without too many problems. After that its just a matter of far you want to go with the mods.

Cheers Andrew

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

My signature shows 14L/100km. I have since added quite a bit of accessories and it has gone up to 15L/100km.
Note that if you buy the diesel, you will need to do 5,000km oil and filter changes, instead of the 10,000km in the V6.

Thats the same kind of fuel economy that im getting out of my kz... Anywhere between 13 & 15 ltrs/100kms...

Pending on the right foot of coarse!!!

Oh yea... Ad some bash plates to your wishlist!

[Guest Close Guest]

Auto shift lever repair kit should be high on the list too!

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

I can only agree here with the comments on the AUTO. From my very first car I drove and up until three and half years ago all my vehicles have been manuals and wouldn't consider an auto for love or money. When I was looking at the Prado's I took the manual six speed out for a test drive and was impressed. Thankfully the sales manager at Toyota whom I knew for many years advised me to take an auto for a test drive. ‘OMG like driving a different vehicle’. Never looked back probably never own a manual again.

If you see a good one within your budget go for it you will not be disappointed.

Hazza

[Chriso57 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chriso57]

Following on from the above - AUTO AUTO AUTO!
Same same - had a manual fourbie for years then stepped into my 95 series TD Auto. Absolutely untouchable on the beach and through the tight stuff.
My mates got a TD Manual 120 and I can see the black smoke when he is changing gears through the tough stuff. Meanwhile I have one hand on the steering wheel and the other wrapped around a cold stubbie enjoying the ride.

Do youself a favour and spend a few weeks tralling through Carsguide/Carsales/Gumtree etc and you will pretty quickly get an idea of whats available for what cost. Theres heaps out there all with varying mods already completed.

Good luck and enjoy when you get it.

Chriso

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

This looks interesting....if you really really like roll bars...

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/oxley...on/1008763170#

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

I've seen a couple with gas/diesel duel systems...anyone had any troubles with these in the past?

Just watch those duel systems - they seem to conflict with each other a lot.

Have you thought about getting one with, or adding, a smartbar bullbar?

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

Who's is this?

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/boond...ic/1013469825#

Very conspicuous PP sticker on the back