Trying to decide on a Prado

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

Yep mine is going in a couple of weeks to get the rear Elocker fitted. Going in the back. I probably wont even get a front one anyway. Booked in on the 9th for suspension.......long last....And agree 100% with above comments on the Toyota LSD totally crap from day one, one hilux, 3 Prado's all shit LSD.....The reason most fit a locker to the front of a patrol is for the exact reasons above, a good LSD in the rear of a Nissan Patrol is nearly as good as a locker.......Cheers Steve

[AUTO.. Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AUTO..]

But why the rear first over the front?

Also for those of you with OME lifts what height were you getting out of the system? It says estimated 30-40mm over standard so not a true 2in lift.

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

But why the rear first over the front?

Also for those of you with OME lifts what height were you getting out of the system? It says estimated 30-40mm over standard so not a true 2in lift.

As stated the LSD Is crap, also the rear diff is a known weak spot and a rear locker helps avoid damage. A front locker makes it harder to steer where as the rear is hardly noticeable when engaged. With the centre diff locked and the rear locker in that will get you past most obstacles.

If you search a few of the threads on lockers this has been discussed many times.

Yes the OME is generally less than 50mm, it seems to vary a fair bit depending on your setup. With the addition of air bags in the rear of mine I get the full 50mm no worries, I also run 80 series rear shocks for more down travel. Have a look at post 315 in my rig build to see how I got the full lift out of the front, I make and sell the strut top spacers I used if you are ever interested.

The few pages before that has some info on my rear suspension setup and the 80 series shocks.

Cheers Andrew

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

I've had my previous two Prado's (90series) lifted by OME and both were very close in regards to the same height, both I got a full 50mm lift on the rear, the front was slightly different between the two approx 37mm lift for memory. I have the 120 booked in on the 9th of july but this time Im going to give Ironman a go, they state approx the same ?? We'll see. Ive always been happy with OME so Im hoping the ironman will ride ok. My theory with rear locker and only what Im thinking is if your climbing uphill the back is what is going to try and dig down to get traction, the front will be lighter, think of a car on a drag strip when they plant it the front lifts up, but your also (most of the time) going up a slope so you want the traction on the arse end. This is my theory anyway lol, and as AJ has said your steering becomes extremely hard to turn and you don't want to be off and on the pedal when climbing you want a nice steady rpm to try and stop any wheel spin if possible........Cheers Steve

[AUTO.. Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AUTO..]

Lol I was talking to a guy today and he reckons his 1kz gets 10L/100 towing a camper at 110km/h.... Reckons around town is 9L/100kms.
He reckons he has a mate who was getting 20L/100kms towing a camper 300kg heavier than his at 110km/h.... Says around 15L/100kms around town on a good day...

I think he's a bit biased though...

Any more fuel figures?

I will be driving like a granny on the road but off road I do want a bit more power if I need it. But being locked it will be idling most of the time.

[outback7 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close outback7]

Gidday mate.....I know this not what you are looking for, but I have a 150 D4D, auto. Done the Simo, hay river track, flinders. (Very steep tracks). The 3 litre D motor is outstanding. Plenty of grunt, great fuel economy, so forget the petrol go the diesel.

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

To be honest Auto, if idling around off road diesel or petrol the diesel will give better economy as most of the time your in low range and taking it easy. I bought mine based on the fact I use it 90% on road as a daily driver so the 10% I use it off road Ill put up with it not having the engine braking the diesels do have over the petrol on steep down hill stuff. I never got cought out off road due to lack of power EXCEPT in the sand, even running 16psi both my petrols would eat the 1KZ but again you have to look at how often you would use it off road, city driving, sand etc. I think if you really want the 1KZ drive an auto then a manual. I personally think the manual behind the 1KZ is a lot better in response, economy, then the auto (I have driven both). 10L per 100k at 110k towing a camper ??? I certainly never got anywhere near that with my 1kz more like 13/15L per 100 and if I pushed it to 110 with air on and loaded over 15's.........It may be possible with a manual I'm not sure may be AJ could answer that, I think his is a manual 1KZ.........Cheers Steve

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

The money I could save on buying a Petrol...

This is what summed it up for me.

I was all set to buy a diesel 120, but I kept getting advice from people to be careful and do some homework. Really think about your budget and how you will use the vehicle. I found that in the second hand market, diesel 120's always have a much higher asking price, sometimes as much as double against an equivalent petrol with similar mileage.

No matter how I ran the numbers, the petrol always came out on top. I also opted for an auto.

Another example - A colleague has a 90 series petrol, lightly used with about 180k kms. Its very well looked after. He does about six to ten trips a year (with wife and two boys). They tow a camper that has regularly been added to as they find more comforts, must haves, etc. As part of my buying process we ran some numbers as he was looking at upgrading to a 120 diesel. No matter how we crunched the figures and various scenarios such as selling price, maintenance, failures, etc, it always worked out that he was better off sticky with his "old petrol".

The idea that you are instantly saving money by driving a diesel is quite bunk, IMHO. The critical thing is to be honest in how you are going to use it. Having said that, there is no accounting for personal taste and preference. You may simply prefer a diesel vehicle. If so, find one you like and we will meet on the track one sunny weekend.