Newbie help - V6 towing queries

[GetNready Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close GetNready]

Hey Folks, I'm hopefully a a few days away from joining the Prado owners fraternity but am stuck in decision making and hopefully you can help.

Have been tossing up between a 100series cruiser and a Prado. Selling the curent vehicle as it will not tow our new Van around the country next year ... yep .... 4 kids, a wife, no cares, an off road van, tell work to shove it (temporarily at least). You get the picture.

I have settled on the Prado more because the good wife has decided she's more comfortable with the Prado than the cruiser when we return to normal life. My Questions are these

1. Will the V6 petrol just kill me in fuel economy stakes towing a van (loaded pushing up to the 2.3T). I know it will be rated as towing up to 2.5T but am weary of running it at the max capacity.

2. Secondly - once back in suburbia we put very few K's on our cars so cost of servicing of the diesel v diesel better fuel economy has me erring to the Petrol version. I would love to save the extra money on the petrol and spend it on the trip. Thoughts ?

3. Finally, back to towing capacity. Will an auto towing up near the limits of the car's towing capacity require mods (transmission) ? We are already carrying a bit of weight inside obviously as a family of 6.

We are probably looking at a 2003-2005 GXL at this stage as budget (kitted for trip) is around the $35k mark.

I'd be looking to option it up with Rack, Roof Bag, Compressor, Dual Battery, CB.

Thanks in advance guys.

Chris

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

Prior to purchasing my 150 petrol, I owned an 80 series landcruiser for 17 years with no real problems. Several mechanics, auto electricians and other vehicle repairmen told me to keep the 80 series and steer clear of the 100 series, because of various problems they found in repairing, servicing, etc. Having said that, I have never driven a 100 series or know anyone who owns one.

I am happy with my petrol 150 auto, however, many members on this site own diesel Prados and would amputate their left nut rather than own a petrol version.

1. I own an off road full van, weighing 2T unloaded, but filled up pushes the weight limit. It is expensive to tow the van in hilly areas, as it chews the juice, however, on reasonably flat areas it cruises at 90 to 100. Going slower would improve fuel economy - I don't like slow drivers. When I am not towing the van, the Prado flies along. I have passed many diesel Prados on the Hume Highway (see if this comment upsets anyone!)

2. With the 150, I have fixed price servicing for a few years, so I cannot comment on the expenses for a 120 series. Mine is used on more shorter trips than longer trips, some times not being refilled with juice for a month, though it does get a few country runs. Use the wife's Corolla at times.

3. I have not made any transmission mods to my Prado, though a few have had overheating lights flash on with their diesels. I towed the van from Sydney to outback S.A. during June and July, so far no problems. Hotter summer weather will be the next test. I am looking for a better exhaust system for mine in Sydney: there is a diesel system available but not for petrol yet, so I might have to purchase a custom version to improve economy a bit.

You probably will receive a few comments suggesting you purchase a diesel version.

Yowie.

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

You probably will receive a few comments suggesting you purchase a diesel version.

because its the superior choice...

You'll probably be fine, but the little bit of extra room, towing capacity, etc of the 100 series might come in handy with the kids and van.

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Uneducated suggestion here... But will extractors give it a bit more torque down low for the hills?? Is it worth the expense?

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

Uneducated suggestion here... But will extractors give it a bit more torque down low for the hills?? Is it worth the expense?

Yes and no. Removing kinks and sharp bends will improve torque across the rev range. But changing the diameter of the pipes to improve low down torque will come at the expense of higher back pressure at higher rpms and less power. Like wise changing the pipe diameter to improve high rmp power will negatively affect low down torque.

The 120 Petrol already has pretty good low down torque for a Petrol motor so I imagine any after market headers would be aimed at increasing high end power at the expense of low down torque.

I think the fuel savings will be significant with a diesel, but whether it is enough to offset the higher purchase price and higher servicing cost once normal life resumes needs to be considered. While this comes down to the individual I think the petrol will be more tolerable for city driving.

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

Uneducated suggestion here... But will extractors give it a bit more torque down low for the hills?? Is it worth the expense?

Uneducated suggestion? I'm only looking at changing the muffler and pipe anyway, not the extractors, and it will not cost much.

[grande1810 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close grande1810]

Mate. I have just towed a fully loaded trailer, with the V6 version, from Coffs Harbour to Mackay & returned fuel usage of approx 14ltrs/100klm , the rig was full to the gunnels as wel as a roof rack with heavy suitcases on so I am pleased I bought the V6 version. Others will argue but as previously said the V6 is better around town when not on towing duties & better price for servicing, b ut saying that it is all a matter of personal choice.

[GetNready Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close GetNready]

Thanks all for the responses. Will trawl the sales yards online and literall and try to find that bargain.

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

Whichever you go with try and get the 5 speed auto [from about 2005]. With my VX V6 I find that roof racks with a spare tyre on knock the economy around by about 2-3 l/100km at 100kph +. 90-100 gives much better economy than 110 with the racks on- may not be an issue when you have a van on. Around town I get abot 14 l/100k doing shortish trips but like you the Corolla or one of the other cars here do most of the around town stuff so petrol not an issue. Neil

[Guest Close Guest]

Diesels is for towing but it sounds like it may not totally fit into your usage. If fuel economy is an issue and you are set on a V6, then knock the cruising speed back. Looking at the year models you listed, it looks like a choice between the V6 and a 1KZ. The 1KZ is a bit of a slug. Depending on how far you are going around the country, the difference in fuel costs might not be that great. An oil change every 5,000km is not that expensive and is pretty easy to do yourself. You just might have to do it every month while you're doing a lap of the country (depending on how far you travel each day).

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Uneducated suggestion? I'm only looking at changing the muffler and pipe anyway, not the extractors, and it will not cost much.

I was just referring to a conversation I had with my mechanic... nothing to do with your post. I'm the uneducated one

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

Personally I would go the V6, it only has slightly less torque, but if your cruising allong at 80-100kph your in the rev range for the most torque for the V6, then if you let it rev a bit more for going up hills your getting into the power of the motor. If your in the Diesel, your nearly out of the rev range for the most torque, and if its an auto, it would most likely kick down a gear and put you out of the best torque range.

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

Go the V6 I pulled our Jayco across the paddock with 3 kids and the other half all loaded up with roof pod on top of the Prado fuel economy was not the greatest but as mentioned sticking between 90 - 100 km/hr makes a difference,the thing I like about it is when approaching the grey namads travelling at 80km/hr there is no problems overtaking it responds straight away with ease.