looking to buy 97-99 GXL prado and have ?s

[Glennb Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Glennb]

Hi all, new this forum and as said in subject I am looking at buying a 97-99. Im looking at building it up to a capable medium track 4wd and having a SWB pajero I know IFS 4wds are more capable than people think :wink: going to put it on gas. I do have an eye on a 97 with good ks, but black but am interested to know if there were any improvements in the 98/99 series, interior or mechanical? Is it worth saving/waiting for a 98/99?
I am looking at tru-track lockers front and rear or maybe air lockers front and/or rear, are these available?
Also what should I look out for when purchasing this particular 4wd, ie rust, known faults and would I be correct its 150,000k for a timing belt?
Also is around 180,000ks with "ok" service history getting a bit much on the clock? would a rebuild be far away?
Thank for your help and will be looking forward to meeting you guys and enjoying some great camping trips
Cheers
Glenn

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: looking to buy 97-99 GXL prado and have ?s

There's a thread somewhere here where the life line of the 90 series has been broken down into years and improvements... :?

hold off for the 99 model...
keyless entry, split rear seats... etc...

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Re: looking to buy 97-99 GXL prado and have ?s

Here it is...

http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic....=+split#p22166

[Glennb Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Glennb]

Re: looking to buy 97-99 GXL prado and have ?s

Thanks for that, doesnt seem to anything major in changes. Just missed out on a 99 white with safety pack

[cooper276 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close cooper276]

Re: looking to buy 97-99 GXL prado and have ?s

I'm with Snaga on this one - my brother in law with his 98 is always envious when he jumps in my 99.
Whilst a different console, driving lights, split fold rear seat and nicer door trims don't sound like much, I think it just makes a (post Aug) 99 a nicer place to be....

Having said that, don't go buying a later model for these reasons if the earlier one is in better nick of course.

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

Re: looking to buy 97-99 GXL prado and have ?s

My 98 has remote entry. Splitfold rear seats and fancy doortrims do not increase off-road performance. Look at the total package and service history, especially if the vehicle has been in for the various recalls - like rear axles in 2006. My old girl has 180,000km with V6 and 5 speed and still going strong with 2 inch lift and the usual fruit. It's comfortable and capable. Not nearly as smooth or quiet as my 09 t/dsl but still gets there.

[prado4x4 Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado4x4]

Re: looking to buy 97-99 GXL prado and have ?s

Hi all, new this forum and as said in subject I am looking at buying a 97-99. Im looking at building it up to a capable medium track 4wd and having a SWB pajero I know IFS 4wds are more capable than people think :wink: going to put it on gas. I do have an eye on a 97 with good ks, but black but am interested to know if there were any improvements in the 98/99 series, interior or mechanical? Is it worth saving/waiting for a 98/99?
I am looking at tru-track lockers front and rear or maybe air lockers front and/or rear, are these available?
Also what should I look out for when purchasing this particular 4wd, ie rust, known faults and would I be correct its 150,000k for a timing belt?
Also is around 180,000ks with "ok" service history getting a bit much on the clock? would a rebuild be far away?
Thank for your help and will be looking forward to meeting you guys and enjoying some great camping trips
Cheers
Glenn

The post '99 split-fold rear (really middle) seats are usefull if you want to remove only part of the seats. (ie: I removed the '40' seat section and put in a false floor/platform to mount the fridge, whilst still leaving the '60' portion for a passenger.

I'm not sure on how the tru-track lockers operate (I had air lockers in mine), but an auto locker is not good for the front diff on a full time 4WD like the 90 series. Personally I'd save up the dollars and put airlockers in (which are avail for both front and rear).

Assuming it's a 3.4L V6, the timing belt is every 100,000km on the '96-'99 models, and every 150,000km on the '00-02 models. There doesn't appear to have been any updates to the engine, so I don't know why the change in the timing belt replacement interval.

There are no major know faults except for the steering rack getting worn/loose. Something easy enough to check. There were also a few recalls on the '96-'99 models, so worthwhile checking with toyota if any apply to a particular vehicle your looking at, and if they've been done or not.

All 90 series models have an issue with the front dash moving about excessivelly over corrugations. Have a search on the forums though (and lcool - land cruiser online website) for some simple brackets to fix that.

I hope the info helps..............

John