What DON'T you like about your Prado?

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

Very interesting to see the responses to this thread. There are some common themes, and some individual bugbears.

I should have mentioned the rear door stay on my list. It is a bit of a let down. I am so worried about the heavy door swinging shut and injuring someone that I always try to engage the silly lock mechanism. I wonder if retro-fitting a gas strut would be feasible.

I find the driving position in my 120 excellent. I must have the body type they considered when designing it! It's more comfortable than my "sporty" Turbo Subaru Forester that was my previous vehicle.

As for the cruise control issue. Yes the 1GR-FE engine has electronic throttle. I feel the shortcoming is in it's programming, it's almost like its programmed for a manual engine. In a manual, if you are climbing a hill in 6th and you open the throttle to 80%, all that happens is you suck back in your seat a bit and you gradually accelerate up the hill (obviously depending on the grade). Doing the same thing in an auto engages the kick-down function of the automatic transmission, as it should, that's what autos do. But to maintain ±5km/h an application of 80% throttle may not have been necessary, 58% might have been sufficient. I wish I had the skill to re-engineer the software.

Drew.

[borgy Member Find all posts View Profile Close borgy]

I am so worried about the heavy door swinging shut and injuring someone that I always try to engage the silly lock mechanism. I wonder if retro-fitting a gas strut would be feasible.
Drew.

On this point, has anyone looked at or replaced the current mechanism with a better alternative (eg gas strut, etc)

Cheers
Borgy

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

What i dislike about the 120:

1. Is the IFS, this limits the amount of lift you can have and the amount of wheel travel the IFS has. Should be like the 100 series landcruiser where you can get a live axle or IFS depending on what model you chose.

2. The front calipers are too big, which makes you use 17" rims and the selection of tyres for 17" rims are poor.

3. like everyone else the cruise control (enough said on that).

4. fuel consumption - drinks like a fish

5. the shuddering sound when the rear windows are down

Still it is a great car and glad I bought it

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

4. fuel consumption - drinks like a fish

:?: :?: :?:

I'm fairly happy with the consumption of my V6 120. I average about 13.4l/100km (which is the ADR claimed figure) and that's quite acceptable in my book. It wasn't all that long ago and an average Australian family sedan or wagon would easily use around this amount on it's official figures.

Maybe I have a different driving style? :?

Drew.

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

I have to agree Drew, for the size/weight of the 120 and comparing to other similar size 4wd's they are one of the better ones around on economy. I'm pretty happy with the drinking rate of mine. I can average around the 13.5-14 around town and have had it as low as 11.8 on the highway. I'm also running a K&N airfilter which I'm convinced has improved it.
Across the big paddock (Nullabor) before the filter replacement I averaged 12.7 sittin on cruise at a constant 120. 8) I was fairly happy with that, considering a guy I was travelling with was getting 11.3 in a XR8 ute. :shock: However heavy towing or sand work makes it have a good drink. :roll:

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

I think toyota missed to opportunity to put some smart storage ideas into the vehicle & I don't mean to hold shopping, I mean to put things that 4wds carry all the time, snatch strap and other equipment.

The fuel usage is great at 11.5 l/100klm when I drive it to 13 when the missus get behind the wheel, she normally drive her RAV4.

Not being able to fit snow chains to the front is also an issue toyots need to adress.

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

Not being able to fit snow chains to the front is also an issue toyots need to adress.

My snow chains fit, albeit requiring a bit of a fiddle, but I can eventually get them to fit.

What brand chains do you have? Mine are Autotechnica (I think, it's too damn late and too damn cold to go out to the workshop and check!) :lol:

Drew.

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

I think toyota missed to opportunity to put some smart storage ideas into the vehicle & I don't mean to hold shopping, I mean to put things that 4wds carry all the time, snatch strap and other equipment.

I had the opposite in my 1998 Subaru Forester, it had so many storage compartments and nooks and crannies, I could never remember which compartment I put stuff in. ops: The other snag with factory fitted compartments is that they are invariably in the floor, under the cargo mat and under the tons of junk packed in there. :roll:

:lol:

Drew.

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

Drew, the chains I have are the Piranha offroad ones. While they will fit on, there are suspension components in very close proximity that will interfere with the wheel rotation if very minor tyre flexing occurs.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ionDiamond.jpg


As for all of the hiding holes, at least when your in the bush you know what you want is in your vehicle somewhere, it just a matter of finding it

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

Drew, the chains I have are the Piranha offroad ones. While they will fit on, there are suspension components in very close proximity that will interfere with the wheel rotation if very minor tyre flexing occurs.

Ah, I see. Mine have a hoop that keeps them a bit tidier on the sidewall. I will admit they are a bit of a bitch to get on without them hitting the top of the kingpin.

Drew.

[Dieselman Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dieselman]

Hey guys,

My main gripe would have to be that bloody cruise that forgets its setting once you go below 40kph. That and to many Prado's get used for shoppin trolleys!

Dieselman

[Ian Rogers Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Rogers]

I've got a VX D4D 2007 and love it. Setas are superb, fuel range and economy is wonderful, road noise is zero compared to my Pajero, blue tooth phone is brilliant etc.

Cruise control works fine by me but I admit I flick it on and off on hills and in traffic. I use engine braking a lot - moving the auto from D to 4, 3 or even 2 on the Toowoomba Range.

I have minor issues with wind noise from the genuine aero bars and more so the Rhino wire basket. I also can't yet get a Milford or other brand cargo barrier because of the side curtain airbags so made my own with my plywood shelf setup (pictures posted elsewhere here)

I'd like an overspeed alert. I found it easy to install a dual battery system, UHF radio even though I don't have a bull bar yet and a wireless reversing camera (used the number plate light for the camera power and the cigarette lighter for the monitor).

I have the UHF radio on the dash though as there is no good location I can see without defacing with screw holes. I'm wondering where I will install my HF radio in the future.

Saw a neat idea on this forum for mounting a fire extinguisher- rear door step under side of seat. Unfortunately only a little one will fit there so I have to carry mine loose in the back at this stage.

Ian R

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

Hi Guys,
The biggest problem I have is No Low range without the centre diff being locked :!: Another problem which has been well covered on our site is "Low Beam" it is as good as the 6Volt VW system, but I can fix that problem.

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

Yeah the stock headlights suck.

I recommend the bi-xenon system from ebay - there's a great thread on this.

If you're still dissatisfied, you can load up on IPF HID lighting - f***ing fantastic - I can't get enough...

I'd love to have a set up like Chippy's with lights across the roof as well. To do that with HID's, I'd need to sell a couple of kids...

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

Re the fuel economy, 13s aren't bad but when you compare a VY commodore can get down to 7.8l/100km @ 100km & 8l/100 or so @ 110.....those extra 5l/100km start to add up.

I was supprised after a trip to melbourne recently the fuel economy of the work car. Even my Diesel couldn't match that, close but not quite there.

I know its not an oranges & oranges comparision but still.

Cheers
Richard