Kakadu vs GXL - KDSS & CRAWL Benefits

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

fido, I presume that you do not have the radar cruise control? If you do, with a 2009 Kakadu, you would not have Crawl and locking rear diff. features. Kakadus that have the extra cost radar cruise package, had the Crawl etc off road package removed. They also lost the right side camera.

Now, I presume that your has the Crawl etc. So it has the right side camera. (Prado Kakadus from some time in 2011 got both features as standard).

You will not get the right side mirror working from the camera button on the wheel, or via the touch screen, in normal driving. The right camera will only work in multi-terrain mode. So select your mode (mud etc etc), and then, when you have done that, scroll down to cam position, and then select a mode. And bingo, you'll get the right camera working in various modes.

Of the four multi terrain modes available, only mud allows high range to be used.

The cameras seem orientated for looking at the ground rather than for rear parking issues ... but
there are several modes. But if you want to use it for parking, then it would take a 5 seconds to select multi-terrain mode, mud (no need for low ratio) and then scroll down to your mirror modes.

There is front mode, wing mirror mode and rear mode ... maybe more. The touchscreen also can change the modes ... there does not seem to be a mode that shows just the right side of the vehicle from the right mirror camera, as the left side one does. But both left and right wing mirrors can be quickly selected which shows both the left and right sides of the vehicle from a looking downwards perspective (if you get proficient). Their view is weird at first view, but if you used it frequently, might be awesome.

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

After owning the petrol kakadu for 6 mths that is a great summary.

In hindsight I should have got diesel GX or GXL with front and rear diff locks.

Putting in $200 petrol to get 900kms isn't great.

For highway work, the petrol is quieter, uses little more fuel, has much greater power, needs less oil changes and does not have any mechanical threats such as turbos, injector and fuel filter issues. No need to keep your fuel receipts in case your get dirty or contaminated or wet diesel, no need to worry about fungus in the tanks ...

You should be able to change over though ... GXLs are cheap at the moment, hence used have fallen, many would prefer the Kakadu luxury / family friendly features plus much greater power / acceleration, and the fuss free, super smooth, quiet and clean running of that gorgeous V6 petrol.

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

I might get flamed for this but in you scenario above, for (c), I bet if you drop you tyre pressure enough and use a set of maxtraxx for $300. IMHO it would be a lot more effective than CRAWL and save you $9700..... Even if you had to buy 2 sets of Maxtraxx.

But in the end it is what you are happy with.
I suggest you try going for a drive in both if you can.
Cheers

Or winch yourself out.

Both require someone young and fit.

I got stuck in a simple slightly downhill pieces of land ... after driving on deep sand for an hour or so.

We got back to near out camping area ... which looked out onto the dry lake, Lake Albacutya, which is a national park.

The incline was quite shallow - but I couldn't get the V6 90 series auto out of there. Incredibly alone came the Ranger ... in a Toyota of course. He said that people often get stuck down there where I was, due he said to the fine sand.

He suggested 2nd gear in high range I think ... and give it heaps. I managed to get out.

But ... with Crawl, I'd have just pushed a button, and waited ... and driven out. My wife would not even have got worried, except for the noise of the crawl.

Worth every cent if one makes a mistake, is alone, is ignorant too and is not a superb athlete.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Of the four multi terrain modes available, only mud allows high range to be used.

Thanks for that. I had a bit of a play this morning before I read your post. I worked out it has to be in MTS to get the right side camera working. I tried Rock I think so had to have it in L4 or something.

Yes I have the crawl and 2 diff locks but no radar cruise.

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

Yes I have the crawl and 2 diff locks but no radar cruise.

I feel sorry for those that paid extra to get radar cruise and lost crawl and off road modes I think, and the rear diff lock ...

The radar cruise is neat and fun - but far from essential. The safety benefit in a crash is academic IMO!!!! The off road tech may be essential. It should have been included IMO ... and so should more adjustable seats for the passenger IMO.

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

200 with crawl, figured its way out of this sand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRWBX-YxFfg

Took a while though but no spades were used.

Fine sand can be a bitch but IMO Fraser is a very easy place to get traction. But maybe I missed the hard places.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Interesting demonstration, that 200 series was pretty bogged. When I bought my Kakadu I didn't even know about the Radar Cruise until the salesman mentioned it while going over the vehicle at delivery, I'm happy mine had the "off road pack" instead (although having both would have been nice).

Have only used crawl control a couple of times on steep ascents to test it out. It makes horrible noises but seems to work well with the adjustable speed, it does heat your brakes up though.

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

I have noted when checking on raising mine, that better rotor / pad packages are around - ie higher performance ones. I guess when its rotor time, go fit higher performance ones that hopefully last longer. I do think the 150's brakes are awesome though.

[Morgasshk Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Morgasshk]

CRAWL control is one of those things, that an experienced 4WDer with friends, and maybe a snatch strap and other vehicles won't need. For a city boy like me with minimal off road experience, it lets me go into nowhere and get back out.

Like the video melbournepark posted above - the number of times where people shake their head and get ready to get the wood, spades and elbow grease out, and CRAWL will just get you out of there. :P Give me easy any day

[matt12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close matt12]

For highway work, the petrol is quieter, uses little more fuel, has much greater power, needs less oil changes and does not have any mechanical threats such as turbos, injector and fuel filter issues. No need to keep your fuel receipts in case your get dirty or contaminated or wet diesel, no need to worry about fungus in the tanks ... You should be able to change over though ... GXLs are cheap at the moment, hence used have fallen, many would prefer the Kakadu luxury / family friendly features plus much greater power / acceleration, and the fuss free, super smooth, quiet and clean running of that gorgeous V6 petrol.

Yep, I have changed my mind and agree now .. I'm actually a pretty happy with the 150 Kakadu V6

[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

200 with crawl, figured its way out of this sand:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRWBX-YxFfg

Took a while though but no spades were used.

Fine sand can be a bitch but IMO Fraser is a very easy place to get traction. But maybe I missed the hard places.

My brother owns a FJ cruiser with crawl control. He purposely got stuck in the sand at Stockton beach and crawl control made it worse. I ended up pulling him out.

[matt12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close matt12]

My brother owns a FJ cruiser with crawl control. He purposely got stuck in the sand at Stockton beach and crawl control made it worse. I ended up pulling him out.

If you are stuck, how can things get worse? Surely it is worth a try and better than not having the option? Clearly it works in some circumstances.

[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

Yes it does work in some circumstances. Its got its good and bad points to it.

Just like Lockers. Good for some things, bad for others.