Long life 150...

[Joe Lighty Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lighty]

G'Day, need some advice, if I may ask...
We've had our early 2012 Prado 150 D4D GXL for nearly two years - we were fortunate to pick it up second hand for a very good price, with very low km's. Prior to this car, I was of the mindset of buying a car and turning it over reasonably regularly (3 years or so) to maximise it's second hand value and keep us in a nice, newish car. This works pretty well when you don't add things to it and keep it stock standard. With the Prado, we've added LOTS to it already and intend to keep up the modifications and additions - I don't believe you see much (if any) return in value on the second hand market, for 4x4s with modifications done to them - in fact, I presume like others, I was looking for a stock standard one so I could be the one to make the modifications and know that it hadn't been driven as though it was a submarine to the tip of Cape York in the Wet!
Anyway, I've decided that with this Prado, we'll err on the side of driving it until it dies... I need some advice on some of my plans to maximise its life expectancy!
Note that we occassionally tow a 1200kg Offroad Camper (Camprite)
Already fitted:
ARB Deluxe Winch Bar
Bilsteins front and back with Ridepro springs (50mm lift)
Dual battery (REDARC controller) (note, no special battery tray, as far as I can tell...)
Safari Snorkel
D697 265/65/17 LTs
Redarc Tow Pro
Transfer Case and Actuator Guard (TG150) by Brains
Toyota Tow Bar
Soon to be fitted Parrot Asteroid Smart - can't wait to install that one, though I can't imagine it will impact on the life expectancy.

I change the oil with the stuff Toyota sell every 5000km and replace the oil filter and get the thing serviced with Toyota - so far so good.
Please provide your thoughts on my planned "maximum life" extensions:
Extra RACOR fuel filter prior to Toyota filter?
EGR Blanking plate (with hole/without?)
Provent 200 Catch Can?
Battery tray (minimise risk of cracked inner guards?)
Diff breathers?

Get injectors checked at around 60,000km? Only done about 35,000km at this stage.

Appreciate any other recommendations or your input and thoughts/comments to keep this running until we are getting around like the Jetsons.

[retroenduro Member Find all posts View Profile Close retroenduro]

I have a similar dilemma. I bought my GX with the aim of it being a 10 year car that would be used mostly for holidays/trips etc.

I think what you have suggested is a good place to start but i think the real secret is learn how to do the big ticket items yourself and make friends with diesel mechanics and parts suppliers...

That way when things go wrong at least it wont hurt as much as it could...

Thats my plan anyway, i have a fully kitted out garage incorporated into our house plans and have secretly been amassing an impressive stockpile of tools....

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

My thoughts:
Unless you have altered the fuelling ie a chip then 5000km oil change intervals is a waste of money. I have never seen any evidence that in a stock engine over service provides any benefit other than giving the owner a warm fuzzy feeling. I think you would be better off investing in a Techstream and checking the injector feedback values every 5000km.
Forget the EGR blanking. A solid blanking plate causes issues in a D4D and one with a hole is pointless. Just plan on removing the inlet manifold every 50,000km and cleaning it.
Other than that, the items you list seem like sensible additions.

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

My thoughts:
Unless you have altered the fuelling ie a chip then 5000km oil change intervals is a waste of money. I have never seen any evidence that in a stock engine over service provides any benefit other than giving the owner a warm fuzzy feeling. I think you would be better off investing in a Techstream and checking the injector feedback values every 5000km.
Forget the EGR blanking. A solid blanking plate causes issues in a D4D and one with a hole is pointless. Just plan on removing the inlet manifold every 50,000km and cleaning it.
Other than that, the items you list seem like sensible additions.

Listen to Leachy, I think he is on the money!

Cheers Andrew

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

Agree no blanking plate but do install the catch can. You will still get some carry over so an inlet tract clean every few years is still on the cards. Otherwise as per leachy_8.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999 999

[Joe Lighty Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lighty]

Thanks, guys, advice much appreciated!

[barajak Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close barajak]

Also if an auto, change the trans fluid say every three years or 80k. I had it done with 80k service at a Toyota dealer and only cost $180. Probably better value than 5000 km oil changes unless you do a lot of short trips and towing as I do then 5000 km changes are a good idea and recommended by Toyota as well.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Also if an auto, change the trans fluid say every three years or 80k. I had it done with 80k service at a Toyota dealer and only cost $180.

My local dealer wouldn't even entertain the prospect, said it wasn't necessary and couldn't be done. Now I know that's nonsense but I'm stuck as I have extended warranty with them. If I get someone else to change the fluid they might refuse to honour the warranty if the auto box blows up.

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

Aren't you the customer though? Tell them to change it. They can't refuse surely


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[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Aren't you the customer though? Tell them to change it. They can't refuse surely

I tried but even the Service Manager said "No can do". I can get it done elsewhere but am just concerned how it might impact on a potential warranty claim.

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

Wow. Maybe ask them to sign a waiver in case something goes wrong to show that you asked for it and they said no.


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

I just got my tranny oil flushed and changed at the dealer for 340. I went with them because they've really looked after me on a few big warranty things ; tail shaft, cracked guards and a bunch of trivial stuff.

My tranny oil wasn't burnt but definitely needed changing at 70k. You can check it easily by pulling off the hose that goes to the top of the radiator on the drivers side, and draining a few ml into a glass.

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

5000km oil changes can do more harm than good and this is based on scientific fact. When I was working in equipment maintenance oil samples of the new oil often had more contamination than the older oil. This is due to a bunch of reasons including oil cleanliness and the cleanliness of the equipment being used to do the oil change.

[Joe Lighty Member Find all posts View Profile Close Joe Lighty]

Well, I've learnt something about oil changes - and can save some time and money! Will dispense with the 5000km oil changes!
Appreciate the advice re the transmission fluid.