Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Ey guys,

Im looking at getting a Prado 1998 model. Mainly going to use it for beach work and soft 4WD'n. Nothing too hard core as it will be my main car.

I took a 2.7L for a spin this morning and I was surprised at the power it had for the size of the motor...

Any one got any pointers I should be looking for with these models or any experiences witht the 2.7L or the 3.4 V6?

Cheers,

Hi there,

I've got a 3.4L auto Prado myself.

When I was looking to purchase, I found that the 2.7L drove OK on the road, but as soon as I put it in a bit of soft sand, the lack of grunt was dramatic. The 3.4L just powered through the same soft sand patch.

The independent front end doesn't have as much flex as a solid axle truck like an older hilux. That being said, I use mine more for touring type work rather than rock climbing, so it gets me where I want to go.

Actually for a 4WD sold as an all-terrain-shopping-trolley it does remarkably well offroad. I've gotten up some tracks that cruisers and patrols had difficulty with (the slightly smaller size can help occasionally). They still got up, but I could pick an easier line.

If you do get one, I would recommend a small suspension lift (2 inches is good), and some slightly larger all terain tyres. 265/75R16 BFG AT's for example.

Hope this has helped.

cheers.

I am taking some 3.4's for a run during the week.

I just posted an add for one a mate is selling in the Vehicles For Sale section.

It's a Dec 99 model, first rego'd in 2000. And from what I just looked up on carsales it's bloody cheap at $20k.
The bloke owns a transport company so he's just getting rid of it quick at that price. Was his wifes car, never been off road.

Cheers Nemesis, I'll prob have to find one in a dealer unless I sell my car first... dam job wont let me be without a car for a day

Well it was there. Heil the führers!

Anyone know much about the 1996 makes?

Depends on what you mean by the 'types'.

Do you mean the differences between an RV, a GXL, etc or
between the aussie delivered and low volume import prados.

For more (and definitely prado biased) info, it might be worth
checking out the Prado 90 Series group on yahoo.

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/90series

John

thanks john.

Was someone mentioned that the first prados out had bad overheating problems. was not sure it it was the 96 series.

I'll check out the page. thanks