Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

[r8tourer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close r8tourer]

G'day Fellas,

Loving this forum it has some great info and I am hoping you can all help me out here.

I currently own a HSV clubsport Wagon 2009 model and over it. Love the car and its 6.2L 317kw V8 but not practical! I've owned about 8 commodores now and its time for some freedom and a change.

I've just moved out to the country and need something more suitable for the crappy roads and would also love to get into some 4WDing with my mates who have hilux's, jeeps and so on and just the odd firetrail so i can actually get to certain places and do a weekend camp trip, unlike in my HSV.

I'll be doing roughly 500kms a week in highway commuting on the road so I want a reliable & comfortable 4wd for this purpose but also capable of going off road trip and hitting some decent 4wd trails. I think the Prado suits this category nicely.

Since I am a complete newbie with all this, I've noticed the new shape came into play in 2003 and this is what i am after (the newer shape) I always try and steer clear of "new look" models to avoid problems, so I was thinking anything 2004 onwards. Is there any other years I need to steer clear of or look out for faults and so on?

My next question, I want to put bigger tyres on (recommendations?), a lift (recommendations?) & bullbar as some of the first mods and I mean doing this within a week of buying type a deal. With the lift & bigger tyres i dont want the car to sway & handle like a boat, so I assume the shocks would need to be replaced too.

My budget is $30,000 - $35,000 for the Prado and $5000 (more if i get the prado for under 35k) for the first lot of mods, maybe not enough? Let me know your thoughts...

Thanks a lot!

Matt

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

Welcome.
Did you take a look through this section ?
viewforum.php?f=41
It should answer many of your questions - if not come back and ask
Cheers

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

I think around the 04 to 05 model, the petrol models changed its auto from 4-speed to 5-speed. If you are doing plenty of highway, then going for the petrol is still OK. The diesel from that year is still a bit low on power and a bit slow when you stomp on the go pedal. But they are very reliable though.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

Go for the 5 speed auto from 2005 on . Heaps on suspension in the supension section of the 120 forum. I have medium OME and it is terrific.

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

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

there is nothing to worry about with the early models, i have 03 gx turbo diesel 5 speed, its and entry level, but it still has abs, aircon and power windows, i have spend a bit of coin adding a few accessories, the best gains r a good set of tyres wether they be all terrains of mudders when it comes to tyers you wont really be able to go any bigger then a 265 70 17, any wider and you will rub the inside of the sidewall of ya tyre on front suspension components unless you change the offset but that will maybe scrub elsewhere and a suspension lift will change the handling greatly, they tend to wallow abit wih std suspension, with the right choice of suspension it will increase your ride height and greatly improve handling on and off road and give you greater wheel travel which is helpful offroad. toyota got it right unlike holden with the problems they have with series 1 models, ive had a couple of holdens in my time and they all seem to do the steering rack dont get me rong i like me holdens. cheers samo

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

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

As Samo says, you'll be fine with an earlier model 120. In your case I'd go for All terrains in tyres with the highway travel you're doing. Otherwise, if you can be bothered/have the money, get a spare set of rims with mudders (for weekends etc) and keep your road tyres for general use.

A 2" lift is about the max you can go without spending mega bucks. Looks down the road to budget for lockers and you'll have a quite capable vehicle.

[r8tourer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close r8tourer]

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

Thanks for the replies all, much appreciated!

It looks like I have put this in the wrong section - sorry about that.

I am pretty keen on the turbo diesel 3L. When you say a 2" lift is all you can really do without spending mega bucks, what exactly is this amount of mega bucks and whats involved?

Thanks for all your help.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

When you say a 2" lift is all you can really do without spending mega bucks, what exactly is this amount of mega bucks and whats involved?

If you want to go higher than a 2" lift, you then hit some trouble with the angle of the CV joints. You then need to drop the diff and this is where the megabucks start, along with quite a bit of hassle that is not worth doing. Plus the parts are not readily available here and not exactly proven.

Some interesting reading here
3" lift kit
Hello from Hong Kong - 6" lift

[r8tourer Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close r8tourer]

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

Fair enough mate - after looking around a bit I agree with you - not worth it!

[cardinal28 Member Find all posts View Profile Close cardinal28]

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

Hi r8tourer
Before you commit to your purchase please read some of the comments (in this forum) about dashboard cracking issues on 03, 04 and some 05 Prado's and be aware of the total lack of support by Toyota in this matter, and make up your own mind. If you are buying the vehicle privately, no way am I implicating the private seller is even aware of this problem, (the vehicle might not even be affected), it seems to be very random, but if you are buying from a dealer I would advise strongly that you get them to commit to some sort of warranty on the dashboard cracking issues. At the end of the day its your call and dont want to influence your decision. They are a great vehicle, but the lack of support from Toyota Aust. on this issue is very dissapointing.
Good luck and enjoy your Prado (if you buy).
Cardinal28

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Looking @ 04> Prado (newbie coming from the dark side)

I've got and '03 model and no cracking issues. [Touches fake leather]