Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

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Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Slacker » Mon Feb 09, 2015 11:29 am

Have been offered a 1991 Landcruiser 2.4litre done 236,000. 7 seater. What should I look out for when viewing it? Thanks
Last edited by Slacker on Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Landcruiser 2.4l

Postby DieselBoy » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:30 pm

Look very carefully at the cooling system, they are well known for cracking cylinder heads. Any sign of over heating, or even just low water in the system could be a sign.

You want to cold start it, as in its sat for 12hrs over night and nobody has touched it. If it starts up lumpy and coughs white smoke for a bit, be worried. Blue or black is ok, and lumpy could just be a crook glow plug or two. White smoke and lumpy cold start is a pretty good cracked head sign.

Also make sure electric hubs work, and that 4WD works at the transfer case, I can't remember what years and exactly what it is, but on a few I have looked at some of the electrics/solenoids and/or vacuum system what ever they have wouldn't make it going into 4WD and was expensive to sort out.

Seen a few of these starting to rust now too :cry: :cry:
Last edited by DieselBoy on Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Looking at a 1991 Landcruiser 2.4l

Postby wopass » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:35 pm

Slacker wrote:Have been offered a 1991 "Prado 2.4litre done 236,000. 7 seater. What should I look out for when viewing it? Thanks
If you already know everything, DON'T ask bloody questions!!

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Slacker » Mon Feb 09, 2015 7:56 pm

Sorry Wopass, will change that. :oops:

Thanks Dieselboy. Hope to view it soon. Overall are they a good vehicle? Main use will be commuting to work and carting family around on weekends. And hopefully a spot of fishing too :lol:

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby derk » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:20 pm

if its got a factory turbo stuck on it run, don't stop running and don't look back :D if its a 2.4 with out a turbo it'll go for ever but don't forget to leave 1/2 an hour early when ever you head out anywhere they aren't known for their top speed :D

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Landcruiser 2.4l

Postby Gyxx » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:23 pm

Hey Slacker. The model you're looking at was known in some markets as the "Landcruiser 2" and was regarded as being a light duty version of a 70 series. They used the same bodies and chassis as a 70 but had different engines, lighter duty axles (pinched from the hilux), softer suspension a few more creature comforts and revised styling and trim. The 2.4 litre turbo diesel engine has a reputation for overheating and cracking heads - their resale value tends to reflect this. 236,000k on the original engine would be regarded as high mileage on one of these. Check all the things DieselBoy said. Having said that apart from the engine issue they're not a bad vehicle as a daily driver - a bit more comfy than a 70 and still pretty capable offroad. You'll probably find it has manual hubs fitted as the electric ones all died years ago as did the electronic suspension (just like it did in all the surfs, celicas etc)... Compare prices on TradeMe to get an idea what they sell for which is usually a fair bit less than the 3 litre models and the other 70s.

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Smurf » Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:31 pm

I have one.
It is slow, under powered, It needs to be kept cool. Off road it is great, still a bit under powered with 33 inch tyres but does what I want of it.
Having a cooling system in better than perfect condition, removing EGR system, larger exhaust, bigger radiator fan and a lower temp/hi flow thermostat.
Don't use over drive on hills, there is a mod to correct the injection timing for a bit more power.
It is a small engine in a heavy vehicle, quite a bit heavier than a Surf, which has the same engine. Look after it and don't expect miracles in terms of speed or power.

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Slacker » Tue Feb 10, 2015 5:17 am

Thanks for all the advice 8) . I've always liked the look of these wagons and wanted one. Now not so sure? :| :lol: . Will they handle a family and towing a small trailer with bikes? Hope to check it out this weekend and test drive.
It couldn't be much slower and heavier than my caR50 Terrano 2.7 diesel could it? :lol:

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Smurf » Tue Feb 10, 2015 7:14 am


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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby wopass » Tue Feb 10, 2015 12:17 pm

well slap me with a fish and call me durr...

they even put a cruiser badge on it!!

:shock:

:roll:
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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Gyxx » Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:09 pm

wopass wrote:well slap me with a fish and call me durr...

they even put a cruiser badge on it!!

:shock:

:roll:


That's because the Prado never became a seperate model until the 95 series model. The "70 series Prado" still had solid axles and a transfer case and was produced to meet consumer demand for a vehicle that still had the same offroad performance as a 70 (and actually the coil-sprung models with their better axle articulation were better offroad) but were less "agricultural" on road. The downside was they lost the heavy duty load carrying ability of the other 70s and they inherited the weaker engines from the Hilux rather than the (aruably) bullet proof engines from the other 70s. It wasn't until the 95 series that Toyota split the Prado off as it's own model line with IFS and center diff and stopped marketing it as a serious off road vehicle. Don't be fooled though the LJ's and KZJ's are 70's and the only thing they have in common with what we call a Prado today is the name.

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby derk » Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:16 pm

Gyxx wrote: The "70 series Prado" still had solid axles and a transfer case and was produced to meet consumer demand for a vehicle that still had the same offroad performance as a 70 (and actually the coil-sprung models with their better axle articulation were better offroad) but were less "agricultural" on road.


haha never seen a standard radius/trailing arm prado that can articulate your lucky to see one that can keep all 4 wheels on the ground at one time you must be getting mixed up with another vehicle :D

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Gyxx » Tue Feb 10, 2015 1:26 pm

I guess it's just been so long since I've seen one still running the standard springs ;-)..

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Slacker » Tue May 05, 2015 8:21 am

So I finally have had the chance to take a look at the Prado. Bit rough on start up but once warm goes ok. Has a big electric fan with switch in cab. Seems to be a oil leak around the throttle body? Is this a major? Also has static belts in the back, are these able to be changed to retractable type from another lj78?
Can anyone recommend where to get a pre purchase inspection out west? Cheers

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Clint » Tue May 05, 2015 3:25 pm

If towing is part of the job description spend the extra $$$$ & get the KZJ78 3 litre version.

When I took the 2.4 turbo out of mine to put in the V8 there was just about a queue forming at the workshop door to get it, there are so many vehicles out there with a blown up one.

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby mudlva » Tue May 05, 2015 8:06 pm

Slacker wrote:Have been offered a 1991 Landcruiser 2.4litre done 236,000. 7 seater. What should I look out for when viewing it? Thanks


buy it,

throw the donkey away.

chuck in a lexus. sorted :twisted: :twisted:

the old lump of iron aint reliable so ditch it asap

you will love it once she has a bit of up and go :D :D 8)

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Slacker » Tue May 05, 2015 8:18 pm

What's a V8 conversion worth?

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby mudlva » Tue May 05, 2015 8:21 pm

Plenty of chaps here on site that have done it so would be better to let them voice costs v me giving estimate

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Clint » Wed May 06, 2015 10:12 am

Slacker wrote:What's a V8 conversion worth?


To do it properly, about 5 grand if you do absolutely everything yourself. You'll probably get $1-2K for a 'good' running 2L-TE which will offset it a bit.

If you want a drive-in drive out deal, I'd guess around $10K.

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby Slacker » Fri May 15, 2015 5:56 am

I've been told there is a lot of blowby? And its breathing hard, out of dipstick. Rings are gone so time for replacement. Love the V8 idea, just not affordable. What's my next best option? Been offered the truck for $3500, guess this is why :lol:. Would fitting anything other than the 2lte require a cert?

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Re: Looking at a 1991 Prado 2.4l

Postby KIWI_TERRANO » Fri May 15, 2015 7:00 am

Find a 2.8 (3l) or 3ltr (5l) and put turbo gear on it like the one floating round here for sale

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