Newbie looking for some advice please

[Loomis Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Loomis]

Hey guys looking for some advice, basically ive had a terrible run of luck sold my 80 series turbo diesel bought a ranger having a few issues with that now that im sick of dealing with and looking to get a prado. The predominant use will be a tow vehicle and a daily driver, needs to be able to tow my boat which weighs 1600kg has its own brakes etc etc, A mate has the 90 series petrol very similar boat and tows it fine im a bit torn between the decision of do I want to get the 120 petrol or the diesel. Basically I want a vehicle I can tow my boat with and not have issues going up hills on the high way. Ive done a bit of research and the 1kz engine looks like the best bet for me but the 4.0l petrol engine hasn't been ruled out by any means. Im just not sure whether my fuel consumption will be insane with the petrol or not too bad any info would be great guys my budget is about 20k so I will be getting a diesel with a touch over 200,000 on the clock. What do I need to look for ?? As I said have done some research found that there isn't very many issues with the 1kz if there is please let me know what they are and factors to look out for any help is much appreciated. Is there any issues with the auto gear boxes are they good as a tow vehicle eg do they change gears when going up a hill or wait till they need to change two gears before changing?? Am I better off getting a manual over the manual for a tow vehicle??

Summing up need something to tow my boat not fussy on manual or auto. Boat weighs 1600kg am I going to see a massive loss of speed every time I hit a hill ?? What sort of fuel consumption should I expect out of a diesel vs petrol considering the weight of my boat and what will I get when I drive it as a daily.

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

They are all good.
The v6 will tow a bit better than 1kz, but it will use a lot more fuel doing it. Bullet proof engine.
You have to decide if you want power & pay or economy & be patient up big hills.
1kz, look for full service history 5000k oil changes are a bonus but not req'd. Glow plugs every 5 years or about 100,000klms.

[Loomis Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Loomis]

Cheers mate exactly what I needed I read somewhere else on here that a guy has been towing his boat which is significantly heavier than mine and getting economy around 15L/100 out of a 4l petrol does that seem about right ?? If it is id be happy with that sort of fuel consumption 80 series cruiser used to get 15l/100 towing the boat ranger is a bit better but its just not right

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It's cheaper to service the V6 : oil changes every 10,000km instead of 5,000km and it has a timing chain. No issues with the V6 either.

Fuel consumption is nearly the same when you consider the price difference at the pump.

If you're not towing the boat frequently, then the V6 is the go.

[Loomis Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Loomis]

Tow the boat every weekend haha usually multiple times a week im a tournament angler just trying to get an idea of the difference in fuel economy if its only a couple of litres difference per 100 like 2-3 then im not worried if its like 5-6 ill probably go a diesel instead

[Loomis Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Loomis]

The specifics that I can find on the net show the Diesel use about 12.6 ish compared to the petrols using 13.8 ish. Is this right and does anyone have any figures for towing to compare??

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

It will depend on how you drive the V6.
I drive mine towing a offroad camper but i dont baby it.sit at speed limit. And speed up when approaching hills.
I get around 15-17L /100k

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

The specifics that I can find on the net show the Diesel use about 12.6 ish compared to the petrols using 13.8 ish. Is this right and does anyone have any figures for towing to compare??

That is a good gauge not towing.

With a diesel when you add the load you get an average increase of around 10-30% depends how you drive.
With a big beefy petrol towing 1.5-2t could quite easily be almost double the useage again depends how you drive it.
We have to remember towing campers is much less wind drag & weight than towing boats.
This is one reason why people often go for diesels when towing. Eg; trucks are diesel.
15lt per 100 towing is excellent, if that was genuine he is really a good economy driver, has a small boat or doesn't tow much
Towing 1.6t BOAT, I'd estimate 20+ lp100. Not more than 25lp100.
Ford falcons & territory's do the same thing. 4ltr petrol engine.
10-12l/p100k 20+ towing 1.5-2t.

Don't worry too much about when oil changes are, I recommend every 5000k for any vehicle you want to look after.
I have customers with 1kz, who only bring them every 20-30k for service/oil changes and are still going strong with 300,000+ Klm's. diesel has no plugs to change every 40k but I recommend you do glow plugs every 100-120k.
They both have fuel filters & air filters The timing belt is easy & cheap.
Just compare on what you need, power or economy, the rest is about the same.
The v6 is certainly a good option if you are not 4x4ing & limited towing.
If you are towing hundreds of Klm's you will save a lot with diesel.
As far as price goes, not much difference, where I fill up, caltex premium diesel is $151.7. The crap unleaded is anything from 1.45 to 1.60 depending on where it is on the unleaded competition cycle.
I suggest to run 95 unleaded (premium) they keep it cleaner & in many vehicles it pays for itself in 5-10% in better fuel economy.
So add around 10cents a litre & keep it clean, it will likely pay off in the long run.

Remember the more power you have available, that's capability to use fuel, the petrols as around double the power of the 1kz.
This is where you have the opportunity to drive efficiently if you choose.

[Loomis Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Loomis]

Awesome mate that's the sort of stuff I need to see, now I just have to sell my ranger off or trade it for a dealership prado see how we go really looking forward to the new prado

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http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...rol-120-series
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...towing-queries
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...nsumption-data

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...rol-120-series
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...towing-queries
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...nsumption-data

Some good economy info there.


Not Happy at all with my figures, need help!!! Just done a trip to the Murray on the Hume Hwy, towing a 17 foot Jayco Heritage pop top, 3 adults on board. Started on Gas only got 230 k's on 63 litres!!! Driving between 95 to 100 kph in drive and not using cruise control.Switched to petrol and results the same!!! Just watched the guage dropping as I was driving!!! Have checked if brakes on caravan are sticking and same with the car, everything is fine there, new air filter 4000k's ago, can't explain this at all, it seems incredible that some of you guys are getting brilliant fuel economy on petrol, I have never got anywhere near your figures even without the van, would like to think there is a problem with the car but it seems fine, so can anyone come up with a few ideas before it goes to Toyota?

I think in excess of 25l per 100 on the above post was a bit excessive.

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

Mate of mine has a territory , drives it all day every day as a professional driver and says it uses 17 -19 l / 100 ks not towing , recons it is hideous . .

[Anth120playdo Banned Find all posts View Profile Close Anth120playdo]

Mate of mine has a territory , drives it all day every day as a professional driver and says it uses 17 -19 l / 100 ks not towing , recons it is hideous . .

He must be in a hurry ?
Many out there are.
I've only ever owned one & it got 12 consistent. Bro in law was getting 10's
Customers report 13-14l 100k, 17-19 is really up there.

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

I've had three prados including the current 120 petrol 4L V6. Best one I've owned. The two previous were 90's both grande's one petrol then the turbo diesel. The turbo diesel was not what I expected (gutless) and drank as much fuel as the 3.4v6. While it was a great car to drive it didn't have the go I expected and pulling up hills the 3.4 would leave it for dead. I definately think a manual is the only was to go with the 1kz. The auto in my opinion just isn't geared write. On a long run without towing my v6 3.4 was better at 110k push it any harder or have a hot humid day running aircon and I would be over 15L per 100 in the diesel. V6 was not that bad in the same conditions.
Only 343nm in the 1kz compared to approx 380nm in the 120 v6 which leave the other two for dead. Yes it will drink more (around 18/20L per100) but at least you will keep up the speed which sounds like what you are after. I must say my 120 is the best out of all three prados I've owned. I would drive each at least to see which you like remembering you will also be driving it on a daily basis.
I've always loved the Pajero DID's for their pulling power and always said if I was going to do a lot of towing I would get one. Man I've been driving one for the past week here in Tassie and man they are so friggen noisy inside under throttle. I kid you not I have been taking Panadol daily for headache due to the droning and engine noise. (Not exaggerating either) Prado is soooo much quiter even the D4D.
My choice for what I do the petrol is fine. At the end of the day it is your decision but If going down the 1kz path I would certainly go down the path of driving both the manual and auto.... In this form I would go the manual..... Cheers Steve

[Loomis Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Loomis]

I've had three prados including the current 120 petrol 4L V6. Best one I've owned. The two previous were 90's both grande's one petrol then the turbo diesel. The turbo diesel was not what I expected (gutless) and drank as much fuel as the 3.4v6. While it was a great car to drive it didn't have the go I expected and pulling up hills the 3.4 would leave it for dead. I definately think a manual is the only was to go with the 1kz. The auto in my opinion just isn't geared write. On a long run without towing my v6 3.4 was better at 110k push it any harder or have a hot humid day running aircon and I would be over 15L per 100 in the diesel. V6 was not that bad in the same conditions.
Only 343nm in the 1kz compared to approx 380nm in the 120 v6 which leave the other two for dead. Yes it will drink more (around 18/20L per100) but at least you will keep up the speed which sounds like what you are after. I must say my 120 is the best out of all three prados I've owned. I would drive each at least to see which you like remembering you will also be driving it on a daily basis.
I've always loved the Pajero DID's for their pulling power and always said if I was going to do a lot of towing I would get one. Man I've been driving one for the past week here in Tassie and man they are so friggen noisy inside under throttle. I kid you not I have been taking Panadol daily for headache due to the droning and engine noise. (Not exaggerating either) Prado is soooo much quiter even the D4D.
My choice for what I do the petrol is fine. At the end of the day it is your decision but If going down the 1kz path I would certainly go down the path of driving both the manual and auto.... In this form I would go the manual..... Cheers Steve

Awesome mate thank you so much, basically I don't mind if I slow down but going from 110 down to around 80 I just don't like it but that being said id prefer to get the prado manual 120 1kz I think it all depends on money tho gotta hate that money factor ....... Thanks again for all the helpful replies you guys rock really really helpful and couldn't be happier with the response really helpful bunch thanks fellas