Introductions

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

Hi all,
I have been looking over this great forum for the last couple of weeks and getting some setup ideas for my 2007 update GRJ120 Prado GX. So far with the driving I have done I love the beast. Hoping to head out to West QLD(Cameron corner etc) in winter for a shake down and winter/ spring 2014 take the family for a trip up to Cape York which I did by Motor bike in 2008.

Cheers Rick

[150D4DNikki Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 150D4DNikki]

Hello, been reading up since I got my little beast.

I dont 4wd but need some grunt for towing. The prado is also my commute car and school pick up one. Its a nice change as I used to drive a dual cab F350 with a bigger trailer for work. We also had a landcruiser ute and I adored that. Hence when the need to update the family car (I had a corolla, well still have, need to pull my finger out and get it ready for sale) and it just wouldnt turn into a tow vehicle, however hard I tried.

Got this from the auctions. Was a police vehicle but from a station that had a good reputation for keeping up with servicing and care(I know a couple of guys at the garage as I used to be in leasing).

Am in SEQld so its been a little damp here lately.



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[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

Welcome one and all... be good to see some others from somewhere other than Qld... not that there's anything wrong with that.

[150D4DNikki Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 150D4DNikki]

I did work out at Ayers Rock when one of the resorts reopened in the 90s and grew up in Mt Isa. :P

[butane8 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close butane8]

welcome to the site boyz

G'Day All,

My name is Adam, but go by Bundy. I am not yet a Prado owner, but am very keen on buying one, a late 120 series V6 (updated version with rear air con) to be exact. I have joined to learn more about the Prado's. Things i have picked up so far: the Prado has a GREAT driving position, the V6 is reasonably good on fuel, the V6 seems to be near on bullet proof, dont seem to be many common faults, the engine set up is much better thought out than my current ride, they have better leg room in the back for long-legged kids, and the list goes on. Lets face it, there is no need for me to tell you guys and girls how good they are.

My current ride is a 2001 Mitsubishi Pajero V6 manual. I love my Pajero, its a fantastic car. It is quite comfortable, its real quiet on the road, and the ride is awesome, better than the AU Falcon it replaced. What will I miss when it goes? Mainly, the storage in it. It has more hidey holes in the front to put things, the dual glove box set up especially, and the massive storage pocket in the rear. When you remove the rear seats in a Paj, it leaves a huge hole in the rear floor. We use this to store stuff that needs to be hidden out of sight, or smaller items when we go away. I might also miss the ride. The Paj supposedly has a better ride than the Prado, but I havent driven a Prado in ages, so I'll make that judgement later.

The engine is the only real thing that lets it down. While it is smooth and quiet, it is also quite fiddley to maintain. Things like the radiator is very susceptible to clogging, the valve stem seals go quite early (compared to other cars), they have (what seems to be) an unnecessarily complex cooling system which is prone to leaking after the system is disturbed, and the list goes on. Never anything major, just a list of little annoying things, which dont appear to happen with the Prado, or at least be as common.

I have looked at a couple of Prados recently and the biggest thing for me aside from the motor, is the comfort behind the wheel. There is more room for my huge frame and the seat is heaps more comfortable. Important thing to be considered given that we tend to do driving holidays.

Anyway, sorry if I have waffled on a bit. I am glad to be here and am looking forward to learning more as time goes on. Thanks for reading all, look forward to speaking to some or all of you soon.

Cheers.

to all you blokes that have introduced ya selve's.
"hi , welcome to the site",

I'm just one of you guyz sucking up and contributing to the info on this site regarding the prado's........... this site is the ducks guts , when it come's to your rig.....
but I do have a soft spot for bundyk's introduction.... another converted "pajero" owner..

because you mentioned the drivers position i must admit, i am 5' 6" and i find that my right elbow gets sore from sitting it on the window sill,( long distance ) but if i put it , on the door arm rest its too low ...
I love my rig, but theres no happy medium for a bloke my size, as far as seat height adjust,,, because i know this fact i just find the dirt and put the right foot down ( V6 .. 6 spd) ,
and it doesnt take long for the elbows to come up,,,, welcome to the site and enjoy the info all!,,, cheers butane

p.s bundy next time you are in the dapto area, come and take my rig for a test drive,,,, p.m for mob. no#

[Stag Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Stag]

Another newbie.

Will be in the market around March for a nice white Prado 120 Petrol GXL and will then do some courses to learn how to 4WD. Finances depending........... Situated in Morley, Perth. A newly single dad with two teenage sons living with me. Need to get out and about for sanity sake. I have a work vehicle therefore Prado will sit in garage other than weekends and holidays.

What a great site. I must say that the PP flame wars on diesel rattles / injectors have spooked me on a diesel due to my light usage balanced against the level of regular maintenance required. Happy to hear contrary viewpoints.

Just leaving to tow my brother-in-law's Sprintcar to speedway racing at Moora WA tonight. I am only learning and will be the equivalent of the sporting orange boy. Bucket and rags to clean it down between races. Ha ha. It is going to be a stinker today - expect around 40 at Moora.

Cheers

[Hoofy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Hoofy]

Hey all,

New to the site and loving all the info that's available. I'm currently driving an 02 Hilux V6 petrol and looking to upgrade to a Prado ASAP so that I can kit it out and do some more exploring. Love the Hilux but want a diesel for economy and performance on the longer trips as I plan to do a Fraser trip and Cape trip in the not too distant future.

Am still relatively new to 4WD so would appreciate any advice you might have about buying a Prado. I'm definitely after a diesel manual in the the under 30K bracket but apart from that don't really know what to look out for when purchasing. Should I be dictated by km's on the clock/added extras/4WD history. I've also seen a couple with gas/diesel duel systems and interested if there is anything negative about this setup?

As I said...appreciate all the advice you might have and looking forward to starting the Prado lifestyle!

[DSS150 Find all posts View Profile Close DSS150]

Yet another Newbie!!

Picked up my new 2012 GXL Turbo Diesel auto 150 in December and loving it to bits.
Relatively new to 4WDs other than Toyota Sales training days, looking to get into easy to moderate 4wding both bush and beach.

The Prado is my wifes daily drive vehicle so upgrades may be a gradual thing :P

So far it has factory towbar, ARB underbody plates and the usual mats, window tint and rustproofing.

Have also fitted some new Cooper AT3s (selling the OEM tyres with 400kms on them if anyone interested)

So far we have only tackled Duck Creek Rd which was extremely mild IMHO, other than a detour track nearing the top.

We have a young bub, little girl just 12 weeks old.

Looking forward to meeting other PPers and finding some nice new spots for a drive.

We are heading over to North Straddie this weekend for a sticky beak and have booked in there for a few days after Xmas aswell.

Cheers!

Dan

[manicmedic Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close manicmedic]

Hi thanks in anticipation for the help that I will get from this site.

Model: TX Diesel Manual
Year:1996
Colour: Silver
Accessories: 3 kids
Wishlist: 0 kids (ha ha no not really - no wish list as yet)

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

Welcome all to the site that will suck your money dry from seeing new and shiny things that you must have, but never knew was available before ready it here.

Have a good read and laugh. I did. Joining this site was the best decision I have made since deciding to buy a Prado.

SOL.

[Garfish Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Garfish]

Hi all
Am yet to take delivery of my prado but am already getting itchy feet have got a date 1st march. Early bday present for me
Auto td
2013 Sandstone Gxl
Tow bar brake controller

As this is initially a leased vehicle didn't get any bar yet due to having to pay a 33% lct on accessories
Wish list
Front, rear, and side bars

[ntp Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close ntp]

2013 Sandstone Gxl

Great colour Garfish - and welcome.

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

Welcome to all the newbies it's a great site not only to receive information but to share, meet and make friends with some great like-minded people.

And yes the ideas for mods are never ending and larger than the wallet can handle but it's nice to dream......diff locks (hope I win the ARB comp).....maxtrax holders (come on Craig)....under body protection (hurry up Andrew)........zzzzzzz

Hazza

[G.Johnno Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close G.Johnno]

Just joined Prado Point. Have a new VX diesel Prado

Hi there.

I live in Dunsborough, WA.

For those of you who are east of me, do I dare say in one of the lesser states, Dunsborough is one of the premier holiday spots offering great surfing, fishing is not too bad, lots of wine growing a little further south in Margaret River.

Busselton is the nearest major centre and offers along walk out on the longest jetty in southern hemisphere.

About three months ago I bought a 2012 VX Prado and so far is completely stock standard.

Looking to get a tow bar for it this week. Will probably get a Toyota one and fit it myself although I don't like having to cut a hole in the plastic rear bumper but can't seem to avoid it having considered other brands.

Strangly, getting a Toyota towbar from the east through Ebay is cheaper than buying the same here.

It seems that here in the west Toyota is on its own and as I understand has no actual affiliation with Toyota Australia as per the eastern states

Generally, Toyota vehicles are more expensive to purchase here.

I did try to get one from the east but the government here makes things very difficult and more expensive as the stamp duty is higher.

They say WA is the richest state. When you look at the costs imposed when purchasing a new vehicle one can understand why.

Cheers all.

Graeme

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

Busselton is the nearest major centre and offers along walk out on the longest jetty in southern hemisphere.



Graeme

Welcome to PP Graeme.

I have heard a few places claim they have the longest jetty, google tells me that Lucinda in QLD at 5.76 kilometers is more than twice as long as Busselton I might have to do a research trip to both places just to check who is correct

Cheers Andrew