Downsizing 100TD to 120D4D

[Leon H Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Leon H]

Hello,

My situation,
Currently I own a 04 Toyota 100 TD 5 spd auto.
With everything on it... almost.
Nothing wrong with it just keeping an eye on the field.
Now we do 1 big trip per year and the rest of the time is city and highway driving.
Usually no towing but carry some gear which will get less as the kids get older.

I have 2 kids (and no more).... 3yo and 8 month old.

I'm thinking of downsizing to a 09 120D4D auto.
Due to running costs, ie insurance, fuel and a newer car etc.
I'm aware of issues with injectors and the likes.
I don't need to worry about towing much weight.
I understand there is a difference in the internal size (my mate has a 120)

I'm interested in those out there that have come from a 100 series and downsized to a 120...
any pros or cons....
regrets or happy with the change....

Thanks for your time and opinions

Leon Hocking

[FC_Holden Member Find all posts View Profile Close FC_Holden]

Some would say you would be up grading to a 120
We have not changed from a 100 series to a 120 series but we are very happy with our 09 and tow a 20' van with it without any dramas
Hope this gets the others to give you a reply

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

I'd have thought the fuel savings someone minimal. Reliability - the 100 might be just as reliable. And if something goes wrong, then its rebuilt/replaced and will last.

I think its likely whether the 100 is too big for you now ... for shopping convenience I guess.

More internal room is a plus IMO.

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

I think you're mad! There's a good reason 100's with a TD still attract very high $$$ Still plenty around for $40K plus.

Comes down to bells and whistle's and size.

I have a 5yo and 3yo and we struggle with the Prado even on day trips!

Mick

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

Hocko,

If you asked your mate nicely and threw in a carton of Corona's, he might consider a swap. His 120 has done no off-road work and is only driven on Sundays, oh, and I recently upgraded the headlight globes for you. You've got my number. Look forward to hearing from you about this.

I'll provide the limes.

Cheers,
AJ

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

Well I did the opposite, went from a 06 D4D 120 to a 06 TD 100 series and haven't regretted it for a moment. My 120 was load with extras, as is the 100 series, and I get almost identical fuel economy not towing and better fuel economy in the 100 series when towing. Apart from the 100 series requiring wheel bearing servicing I don't see much difference in running costs. Rather than an economic decision I think it really comes down to what are your usage priorities, the Prado was definitely better for running around town, quieter and easier to park but 100 series has significantly more internal room, performs much better towing and the 1HD-FTE engines go for ever.

[YMUS Find all posts View Profile Close YMUS]

Fellas
I went from a 100 series owned it for three years and loved it!
Just this month brought an 09 prado grande and am really happy with the D4D and the downsize.
Must admit I was very sceptical at first (buying a 120 Prado) but now I have it Fantastic!
Economy down, ease around town etc. Putting ALL the new goodies on this one... as it was a very well kept shopping trolley.
We have brought it for touring for the two of us!
The injector issues I have been told were rectified in 07/08.
Its a personal choice Leon - with young kids (and lots of around town stuff is my guess) I'd be looking for a good 120 and trick it up to suit your personal needs... that would be my choice.
Its a nice problem Leon not too many people would realise that!

Larry D
YMUS

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

I went from a 2009 Patrol auto to the my14 150 and don't regret it. Obviously the swap is an upgrade on every department except space and ground clearance, stock vs stock.

I the lC100 is a much better truck than the GU so perhaps the difference is not as great, but I have two girls (plus the wife) so I haven't packed light ever since, and it will only get worse. The little ones are 4 and 2 and I already opted for a trailer on big trips in the Patrol, so that will still be the case with the Prado.

[D4Dforme Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4Dforme]

I went from a 04 100 V8 auto to a 2008 D4D manual...........and have now gone to a 200........The Prado was and still is a good vehicle but they are not a Landcruiser by my reckoning........Sure they are capable but just do not have that sure footedness off or on road IMO.......You have one of the best vehicles going with the TD100 and in auto........sure its getting older but it is still very desirable to own..........I looked for a late model 100 before buying the 200........I did find a 12 month of 2006 with 140k on the clock and could have had it for 45k but it had no extras what so ever so I ended up streaching the budget another 12k and got a 200 with snorkel.ARB bar and a few other extras..........Glad I did as it is the best 4x4 I have had and suits MY needs well.....After having 3 Hilux's a Patrol a Prado 2 80's and a 100 series the 200 is head and shoulders above anything else I've had,

Dan

[rob_macca67 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close rob_macca67]

I'd be keeping your 100 TD or u could sell it to me

I did some external and internal measurements between the 200's & 100's and found that there is only 30mm difference internally and the Cargo area was actually bigger in the 100's due to all the interior plastics in the rear. I took a mates GX for a drive that had a modified exhaust and Yes it did go well, but not that much better than my current 150's. I have the windbooster installed in our 150 & the 200's didn't go that much better..... towing, well, that's a totally different story...... I came away not wanting a 200's but "with a FAMILY of 5" would definitely go back to the 100's TD for sure for the extra room.....

BTW: One thing I was surprised with the 200's is that it says in the owners manual that when doing any "extreme offroading" (what ever that means) that u need to disable this particular button on the RHS of teh steering column. Failure to do so could set off the "A" pillar Airbag when the vehicle is on a sideways incline. What that angle is it didn't say...... This would be easily forgotten about I reckon....

For the type of driving/touring I do.... at this point it time, I still prefer the 100's TD over the 200's, but that may change down the road......


just my thoughts

[Roochard Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Roochard]

I had a 100 series for 9 years from new. Loved it. Sold it and bought a 150 GXL D4D. Its a real surprise package. On the tracks, more manners than my old 100....Everything I asked the 150 to do, its did. Easier to drive, better fuel economy, quieter. Against:? I miss the room of the 100 but that's all. I say buy the 150, you wont be disappointed.

[tassie tiger Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close tassie tiger]

Hello,


I'm interested in those out there that have come from a 100 series and downsized to a 120...
any pros or cons....
regrets or happy with the change....

Thanks for your time and opinions

Leon Hocking

We went from an '02 RV 100 to a 05 GXL TD Prado.

My wife prefers the prado by a long way to drive particularly parking. I think its more psychological than actual but thats how it is.

You will notice the middle row is much narrower in prado. We used to have three kids seats across the 100 and it was fine.

My only advice would be you will miss the wider third row if the stork comes a visiting (if thats a possibility LOL).

Prado seems Quiter.

[Leon H Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Leon H]

Hi Guys!

I appreciate you taking the time to read and reply to my post.
All of your opinions are welcoming.
Please keep them coming.
Just trying to weigh up if we need such a big car for one or two annual trips when the majority of the time it will be a town and highway cruiser.
So your personal experiences are very helpful.

Regards

Leon

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

I have been comparing the 200 to the 150.

The issue with 100s, is that they have quite high mileage now. Turbo diesels cost heaps. And petrol models cost a fair bit for the fuel. Well - more than a fair bit I think.

But my observations about the 200 v 150 (not yet complete) might be relevant to you.

I've recently test driven a 200 and a Prado, both diesels.

There is no connection between the two engines: the Prado engine is always there, always a vibration coming through the steering wheel. On the freeway, I put 150 GXL in neutral, and the vibration went away. At idle, the Prado engine tremors through the body. However, it has better response from stationary - there is no delay at all when you accelerate. It gets along well accelerating, and its very quiet and unfussed when doing so, even from stationary.

In comparison, there is a delay when you plant your foot in the 200 from stationary. Perhaps its the computer system or something? But when moving, its response is instant. At idle, its totally smooth. And driving, its totally smooth. I found the 200 quieter than the 150, but in a different way. There is more cabin echo in the 200, with more glass and volume, sound bounces around. The 150 seems more muffled. Both are quiet.

The 200 is wider, and that is an issue for us, as our driving gates are narrow. The 150 though has big mirrors. But the GXL mirrors are powered - I don't think the 200 GXL's are. The reversing camera in the GXL 150 is very bright at night, and the reverse sensors good. The air conditioning controls are excellent too. There are three zones - left and right in front, and a rear one.

The steering is very light in the 150. It has a very good lock IMO. The 200 steering is much heavier. Obviously its long wheelbase gives it a poorer lock. But its not bad IMO.

The ride is a world apart. With the 150, we felt the freeway road oscillations. With the 200 with KDSS, we thought the freeway was a German autobahn. And with a GXL 200, I would want KDSS fitted - to assist with roll, better off road and a better ride. I have not tried a KDSS 150, or of course, a 150 with a third party suspension. While the 150 is pretty good over speed humps, it bounces and moves around when the road is not perfect. Its ride is far inferior to a KDSS 200.

We found the passenger seat on the 150 not comfortable. I don't know why - the cloth seats are well made. It seems hard, and the angle of the seat base seemed wrong. The 200 seemed excellent, although we had the electric seats. We have not tried the adjustable 150 seats. We drove to Byron Bay and back to Melbourne this Easter and there were no issues with our 1997 Prado GXL's seats as far as comfort goes. Strange one that the 150 GXL seats were not great - not at all expected. I seemed to get used to the drivers one though. I believe your body can get used to seats. But maybe not my wife's body!

As far as room goes, I have yet to put on paper the differences. But the 150 appears a lot smaller on the inside rear, than my 1997 Prado. The fold in 3rd row seats can be removed though by companies - we called into Drifta on the way back from Byron Bay. The 3rd row and its stuff comes out very easily they said.

As far as camping goes, 200 access to the rear is IMO more restricted, due to the lower door. But ... you do not have to worry about where you park your vehicle. With a Prado door, you have to make sure the door opens up allowing tent etc access. That can be quite inconvenient at times.

One thing that worries me about the 200, besides its cost, is its reliability. Issues like poor steering rack and pinions steering and the cost of replacement, scares me a lot about the 200. Also steering hydraulic issues ... of course too, its uses maybe 25% more fuel, unless you tow. When it uses much the same.

I liked too that the 150 has a battery place already in the front. Although I've read the engine bay is much tighter than a 120. Putting in an air compressor is not so easy in a 150 from what I've read.

The AM radio tuning was poor in the 150. The sound system was pretty decent IMO.

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

I moved from a 1HZ turbo 105 GXL to 150GX Prado TD. The cruiser has more width in the cabin (noticeable with three in the back) and with the live front, vastly superior ride in the bush. The cruiser must have close to double the volume of space behind the second row seating. Apart from these items the Prado is vastly better in everything other area. It did take a while to get used to space limitations but it is quiet and strong, like a sports car on the road in comparison. Costs less in annual running costs using the Prado seven days a week than the cruiser as a weekend warrior. My Prado averages 1.5LPH less towing our two tonne van than the Cruiser used not towing anything. If I had a young family and a factory TD100 in the driveway, I would keep it unless I was worried about it costing me megabucks as it ages or if you need a lighter sportier vehicle for day to day running around.