Surf or land cruiser Prado 70 series

[Ginzu8]

Hi guys. I am looking to buy a new truck for hunting n a bit of off roading. Been looking on trade me at the 93-94 hilux surf and Prado 70 series both have the 1kz-te motor in it and I am wondering out of the two, which one would people prefer out of the 2. assumming both are in stock form and around 200XXXkm. and Why..

[Ginzu8]

also is 260000km consider high mileage for a diesel motor???

[smurf182]

The 70s Prado will be miles better offroad with it's coil spung beam front axle.

A Surf you can probably pick up for cheaper and if you do lots of road miles then it is probably the pick.

I'm currently seriously looking at a KZJ71 (SWB) however if you have lots of gear or like to sleep in the truck then there is the LWB KZJ78.

As for the 260000km thing it entirely depends on service history, if it has been serviced religiously then I wouldn't worry about the high kays, personally I'd rather spend more initially on something that hasn't done so much work.

[Ginzu8]

Yeah i think i am leaning towards the Prado 70 series as i really like the shape. See heaps of surfs around but just for the $$$ that i am allow from my financial adviser around $6k. its either the surf or one Prado 70 series off trade me. Still want to hear what people out there things..

[radar21]

Prado in standard form it would run rings around a modified surf and the Prado are still very comfortable hope this helps and we've got a hiace super custom at work with 1kz-te and its got 330,000km and still not showing any signs of giving up .

[Ginzu8]

Thx Radar21, thats wat i want to hear. kinda need reassurance with the high kms motor.. of course any motor will keep ticking if its been maintained properly just that every diesel car on trade me have a common sentences of " always service at 5000km"..

[mudmike]

prado all the way, good off road, if the 1kz does blow up can put a 1uz in its place lol, to be fair I would look at the state of the rad, as over heating is the biggest killer for the 1kz, to hot = head crack and big $ rebuild.
good luck with the buy

[pradon35s]

My kzj78 has done 336,000 plus what the previous owners had disconnected I guess, sounds a little bit rattlier than lower like Under 200,000 models iv heard but still goes good pulls hard and never missed a beat!

[chrome]

definitely go the prado.

[tallsam66]

The 1KZ-TE is a good motor but like all diesels it will have problems if it runs too hot for too long.
You need to do
Make sure the radiator is in good condition.... have it rodded.
Use a good quality & lots of anti freeze.

Consider fitting a lower temp thermostat....(i use a 71 in mine)its out of a late model prado (90916-03121) this also has a larger opening allowing water to flow easier.

Install a larger bore exhaust & a less restrictive muffler....this will increase performance & also help to reduce EGT temps.

Make sure you always have a clean airfilter...this will increase performance , economy and help keep EGT temps down.

If its an auto fit a good quailty large trans cooler.

If doing hill climbing or anything real hard...dont be scared to use low range...this will keep your trans & engine much cooler.

[JR]

go the prado mate. have just brought one, and although still rather standed goes really well. really good on road to if your looking for somthing to go hunting in and do longish trips. have owned a 94 surf to,the prado would dominate of road compared, but the surf certinly nicer for those long drives.

[Ginzu8]

thx everyone. The Prado that i had lined up is sold, a bit too late. I know this is the Toyota forum but now comparing between a 3liter turbo diesel surf to a 2.8 Litre turbo diesel pajero LWB. which one would be better for light off roading . or am i silly asking this question in a Toyota forum area ..

[wjw]

If you've got the money buy the prado. I need cash right now so am selling my prado and will probably be replacing it with a LWB Pajero 2.8TD. The Pajero won't be much good for the grade 5+ stuff I like, but as I now have 3 kids, it should do me for a few years until they can come with me on the grade 5 trips.