Advice for buying a 90 series Prado

[03hilux Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 03hilux]

Good Evening All,

I am looking at replacing my hilux with a 90 series Prado. More so because i no longer have a need for a ute. My hilux has the same 3.4ltr motor, although i assume it would be geared differently.
Im thinking a 90 series because with the $$$ i can get for my hilux, is should be able to buy a Prado and have a small amount of cash left to begin some mods.

What issues have come about with the 90 series, if any, and how many kilometers are too many for them?
What "real world" fuel figures?

Thankyou in advance for you feedback?

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

My 90 series, was a 3.4lt was getting 12.5/100 I sold it with 300,000k on the clock. Only because I always wanted a 120 series. Now I must say I love my 120 but I should have kept the 90series. I owned it outright, and the motor was in great condition aswel as all the running gear were in top order. If I had my time again I would keep the 90 and be laughing.


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

[QUOTE=. If I had my time again I would keep the 90 and be laughing.


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I second that ,i should have kept mine but sold it at 225km sold to a friend who still is going strong with it to get a120s, besides regular servicing and a starter motor no other issues

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

I had the v6 petrol auto, lost the water pump in mine at ~ the 90K mark, replaced the radiator and timing belts at the same time. No other issues with it really, very reliable for the 10 years we owned it. I found it a little easier to drive than my 150, only because it was a bit smaller and I'm not exactly tall.

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

I have a petrol/LPG v6 90 and I wouldn't swap it for a 120 or 150. The biggest drawback would be the fuel economy which for me averages around 18L/100 on gas. If you want the v6 I would suggest looking for one already on gas as its a less worthwhile proposition to pay for a conversion these days but the running cost savings are still there. I've driven the diesel 90 and found it to be a bit of a slug in comparison. Mine has done 240k and still goes great.
I'd just suggest looking for one with the lowest Kay's and good service history.
Cheers, Ben.

[Playdoh96 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Playdoh96]

The v6 is a great engine as you probably know with owning the lux.
I've had mine for nearly 6 years and can't see myself getting rid of it anytime soon. Fuel usage is really not that bad. I use to own a shorty GQ Pootrol. Getting anywhere from low 12 to around 14lt/100, worst ever was mid 18's but that was working hard through sand and low range.
IMO I would stay away from the diesel. From what I seen in car yards lately they are way over priced. I know of one guy that has just bought a diesel auto 90 for $22k with over 250000km on it, CRAZY.
Look for one that has been well maintained and should be a step in the right direction. Mines done 246000km and hasnt given a ounce of trouble. Best thing is you are spoilt for choose as there are a heap out there.
Happy hunting Kris

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

Mines on ~330k and still going strong. The V6 is great engine and if you look after it will serve you well. I'm hoping to get ~400k without any serious trouble because I've got it well setup now with dual lockers, batteries, winch etc. I did replace the clutch at around 290k and it made a massive difference. A good clutch on a manual is a pleasure to drive ;-)

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

I had two 90 series, one diesel one 3.4 petrol. The diesel is a slug even though its turbo'd (better in manual I think) and the head issues in diesel form is common as well like in the hilux's. The only reason I shifted from the petrol to the diesel was I had put the petrol on LPG, for me it was the biggest mistake I personally made, hated it, Had issues from day one and the set up, it was dangerous (another story) in saying that plenty of other people running LPG with no issues. I then went to the diesel which at first I thought great. That feeling left me very quickly. Low klms, very well serviced, top of the range grande (like the petrol) auto in spot on condition but the head went at 103k, set me back 4k, was a dog on the sand compared to my petrol 90, and fuel economy, around town was a tad better then the petrol but on the freeway the petrol was better especially if pushing and holding it to the 110k speed limit. That's when I sold the diesel and was on the border of another grande 90 but decided to get the 120 petrol GXL. Love the 120 for its power and comfort but miss the standard ground clearance the 90's had. The only single issue the petrol 90 had was the alternator in nearly 200 thou which was bought upon from myself screaming through mud with it and it damaged the alternator but I was lucky enough to flush it out and it started working again. The other issue I had with both was the dash rattle the diesel been worse but there is a fairly easy fix for it. The current owner has since wound up nearly another 100thou but has got rid of the LPG, too smaller tank and some continuing issues but other then that the 90's are a great vehicle. The best I got fuel wise on the freeway was 12.2L per 100 but remembering I was running ARB steel winch bullbar, bigger tyres (75 profile for memory) 17.2 around town but this is purely very very short trips, like 9k to work then back, local shops, picking up from kindy etc no freeway/highway in those figures so I thought was pretty good. The 120 is better all round BUT except the bulbar its standard so this will no doubt change in the next couple of months. I also had brown davis plate on both 90's, 2 inch OME lift. I reckon they are pretty bullet proof if looked after and you will find one easily as there are plenty used for the school kid run and never seen a spec of off road. Get one you wont regret it. Do the usual checks, climb around on your back underneath you will soon see if any off roading. The fuel will probably be a tad higher in the prado over the lux due to AWD and obviously been a heavier vehicle, all up a great package...........Cheers Steve

[03hilux Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 03hilux]

Thankyou so far for the respones. Your given fuel figures are all slightly better than my Hilux, both petrol and LPG. I think the hilux is geared slightly differnet so loads can be moved easier, where as the Prado would be geared better for a more responsive start.

My other question is, How stable are they off road? I ask because they are a similar width, but shorter wheel base than my Hilux.

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

There not like a patrol or a 80 series as far as wheel track goes but personally I havnt heard of anyone on here rolling there's and there quit a few on here who do some serious stuff with there's like Glenn who is extremely experienced as well as he has a body lift and suspension lift and he has had it on some pretty scary angles in my opinion and its still upright lol but his knowledge in wheel placement goes a long way as well. Obviously like any vehicle there is a limit and also depends on your driving style, what you plan on having on your roof rack if you put one on it. The 120 is a tad wider which no doubt helps but Im sure in my case that I would be backing off myself before the actual capabilities of the vehicle comes into play, In other words Id be taking the chicken track before I would get to the vehicles limit which is probably the case for a majority of people. Depends on what you intend doing with it at the end of the day. If your going to be hard rock crawling eg grade A on a regular basis then maybe a prado is not for you. Im not saying they are not capable because they are especially with lockers but with any form of rock hopping in A grade stuff then the wider track the better which leads you to the patrols or cruisers with live axle front and back which we all know gives better flex and wheel travel but check out Glenns youtube clips and if you intend doing any harder then he has then you may want to see if the prado is right for you........[IMG][/IMG]This is pretty much full flex on my old petrol........[IMG][/IMG]This may give you an idea of the height after a 2 inch lift, this is the diesel grande I had. Both had OME in the them.....Cheers steve

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

The 90 was a great flexing truck in standard form, actually surprised a mate when we went wheeling, he had a hilux surf and it just wasn't flexing aswel as the prado so was struggling to climb the same places.



Couldn't climb any more lol, but a fully locked pootrol wasn't able to get higher lol




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[03hilux Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 03hilux]

Lots of great info. Thanks Steve and Ghost.
Cheers
Roger

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

Thankyou so far for the respones. Your given fuel figures are all slightly better than my Hilux, both petrol and LPG. I think the hilux is geared slightly differnet so loads can be moved easier, where as the Prado would be geared better for a more responsive start.

My other question is, How stable are they off road? I ask because they are a similar width, but shorter wheel base than my Hilux.

Hey mate,

I don't think stability will be an issue compared to a Hilux. You're already used to the narrow track and I'm pretty certain the Prado's weight would sit lower (due to the Hilux's greater clearance). Incidentally that does point out a significant difference between the older Hilux's and a Prado - the Hilux has much more clearance between the wheels, so that makes for a better ramp over angle.

On road I drive quick and overtake plenty cars on corners. With the 3.5" of lift and 33's it leans over on corners, but the car's handling is very predictable. Whenever I've been at the limits it either under steers, or the the rear/inside tyre looses traction - either situation is easy to recover from if you're on the ball.

Like SteveM said, I've had mine on some scary angles but it's still stays upright even if only on 2 wheels. I've been on trips with Hilux's and couldn't possibly point out who is better off between the two, except to say that Hilux's quite often bounce around more than a Prado due to the leaf suspension. Of course we never performed a specific test to compare rollover points

Some steep stuff in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEoEX11MbVc

Fuel economy with my setup is around 16.5L/100km.

[03hilux Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close 03hilux]

Hey mate,



Of course we never performed a specific test to compare rollover points

I wouldn't expect you to do that for me to show the bennefits of owning a Prado over a Hilux

[RAVXG Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close RAVXG]

I can only support the above comments. I even heard my local 4wd shop assistant mention he was looking at buying a cheaper 4wd and the Prado 95 series seems to tick the boxes. I bought my auto 1999 truck in 2007 with 94K and it now has 195K. Only repair was in the last month...steering rack and the x6 ignition leads (ignition pack). The steering rack issue is known and can happen. Good thing is you can inspect the rack at pre-purchase for some confidence (although there is never a guarantee). They only sell, as a kit, a recon Toyota rack or a copy chinese rack for somewhere around $700-$900. So I took the recon toyota part. The leads was a one of. One of the leads simply broke...so we changed all 6 for reliability...several hundreds of dollars for the part plus labour because they come as two x3 lead packs or something...and the manifold needs to come of to replace etc.
I get about 15-16/l 100km city in auto with Mickey Thompson ATZ (4 rib) and a steel bullbar. When I went from the Duellers 964s to the ATZs my consumption went up 1 litre/100km and my off-roading ability increased as well! On the highway I get around 12l/100km or even lower (90km/h is much better than 110km/hr). The key is not to dump it at the lights/take of!..slow starts and you will notice the extra kms/tank full.
The engine braking is only ordinary and unfortunately you cant get reduction gears on the transfer case as it works of a pulley, but both manual and auto are strong boxes. I can say climbing a hill in an auto is far superior to a manual...no dangerous stalling or changes and total control over gearing and engine speed etc...
The 90 series suffered from its big brother 80 series. It was always compared against. Not apples with apples and I reckon the name Prado is sissy. But underneath there is a bit of 80 series, hilux and its own design. I change the engine oil every 5000km and oil/filter every 10,000km and the thing is perfect and oil is never black or dark brown. Takes GTX oil and the gearbox takes dot3 oil, not the more exy dot4...saving heaps. I'd like to change to a 105 or 100 series, but the 90 series is simply not crap enough or breaking down...so the wife says it stays.
Put it this way...you will be hard up to find a more superior overall package, second hand.