About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Hi all, apologies if my 1st post is to enquire about used Prado.

Basically I've inspected this 1996 Prado. All seems to be good but the AC is not working. Now, the seller advised he will "put gas in it" but I am also aware that refrigerants don't just simply dissapear. There may be potential issue there.

If anyone can share about the cost of fixing Prado Air Conditioner I would be very grateful.

Or else, I will simply find another one in the market with no such problem.

The other question is: Is the Prado an easy car to work with (DIY) considering the one I'm looking at has auto transmission? I have a small Civic and I know my way around changing oil, brake pad, axles, and timing belt.

Thank you!

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ...

Well... the seller agreed to fix the aircon so I put the deposit

Later on he told me there is something wrong with the compressor, so I was relieved that I did not take the chances.

Looking forward to being a 1st time Prado (and 4x4) owner 8)

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ...

One more sleep ...

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ...

I louve that feeling - like a child really :!:
Good luck and don't forget the obligatory photo or 2

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ...

I own a Landcruiser Prado ! Can't believe it

Soooooo smooth compared to my civic or even my 600cc Ninja. Took it to the freeway feels like floating on a brick :mrgreen:

Sitting at the speed limit or below, voila... no harrassment nor tailgating. Or maybe I just don't see them down there :P

Some expected rattles in the cabin will be attended tomorrow.

What it looks like (seller's pic).

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ...

Some of new pics I took... Almost an immaculate car








As part of RWC the seller replaced the tyres. I'm pretty happy with that ! 8)

It still amazes me how smooth this car is, compared to the little Civic. I thought being a Jeep it would have a rough engine!

Can't wait to take it somewhere but full service is in order. I've always wanted to go to secluded places but never had the proper equipment before :P

[Big Fella Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Big Fella]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

Congratulations on your purchase there. They are a great car to drive. We too had issues with the AC compressor bearings being stuffed when we sold it to my sister-inlaw. But she was happy to pay the $900.00 to have it replaced by Toyota. We sold it with 310,000km on the clock. The old girl still goes strong. You'll love it.

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

Thanks !! I really hope we have a lasting relationship together with minimal issues ops:

I noticed that the AC compressor is located reaaaaally low. Even lower than my Civic. Now, if one does river crossing, sand blasting etc. wouldn't they get stuffed really easily ???

Being a 4WD I thought all the mechanically critical components would be high above?

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

I had my first serious "look" at the car since my inspection. I was surprised at some of the stuff that I missed, fortunately nothing major. A scratch here and there, some bent bracket etc. Nothing a good hammer can't fix

Opened the door panels to find rattles. Almost all metric 10 bolts are loose. Toyota should have loctite them! Plenty of dust inside so the vehicle must have done some dusty road.

The rear door sag a bit. I was able to adjust the hinges but not perfect. Did a bit of google and I found this is a common problem (??) my thought was that heavy spare tyre eating the hinges.

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

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

The outer door handles rattle quite a bit. A simple solution is to fix some weather-seal type rubber sponge under the handle. You only need a couple of small pieces at each end of the handle. If you do it properly you won't see the rubber and most of the door rattles will be gone.

[Lushy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Lushy]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

I've had a few problems with door rattles, in all cases it ended up being the latch on the B or C pillar that the door hooks into. You just need one of those fancy hex nut thingos (don't know what they're call but my motorbike came with a set)

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

Yes. Very interesting that they can't just use normal hex bolt :?

I had my first measurement of gas consumption today.

54l LPG used for 238km, very heavy traffic all week (bourke rd. etc.). That comes to 4.4km/l or 22l/100km. Quite thirsty, but hey it's only $32 ....!

Would be interested in highway driving consumption later on.

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

I took the car to Walhalla-Thompson Dam track. It did pretty good although now I have to look for more rattles ! :lol:

LPG consumption including that 30km offroad bit is 237km/46L = 5.2km/L. The round trip cost me less than $60 which is awesome considering that's the amount I'd pay to ride my bike there. Albeit at warp velocity 8)

[two+four Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close two+four]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

I am glad your are enjoying it Javaman

[javaman Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close javaman]

Re: About to buy this Prado but not sure ... (Bought!)

March 2010
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March 2011

Been a year and loving it !