what to do after 2nd blown head 1kz

[J_Dub]

my olds have a 97ish i think prado. IFS model
and the head has cracked after replacing it a few years ago for the same problem.

So the old man is sick of it, he knew they had issues but thought problem would be solved after getting aftermarket head fitted.

So he now is weighing up options

1) fix it again then spend money on getting it running cooler, exhaust, radiator intercooler etc, +$4000
2)fit another more bulletproof motor, but what?
3)sell it as is and buy a petrol

If he was to sell it he want a petrol 4wd up to 10k.

needs to be tow capable and not fussed on milage as wont do too much ks.
hes contimplating something like

1)Jeep http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =523522969
2) http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =505701848
3)explorer http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =515206981

any issues with these vehicles

just needs to be powerful and reliable and 4wd

ideas?????

cheers

[keithal]

if hes looking at goin petrol why not look at a lexus v8

*edit* at least then you arent buying into any possible problems that may arise with buying another vehicle

[juz]

1UZ arent economical by any means, although probably similar economy to an Exploder. Family friends have one of the V6 IFS Prados and find it great but also not that economical (be interesting to do cost of running it vs. diesel), hate to say it but they should have done exhaust etc after the 1st head went..
If you know somebody to do new head/exhaust as a cash job be alot cheaper?
Head $900ish? exhaust be done for under $1000, is it auto? auto cooler?
Personally Id keep it if they like the vehicle.

[Ralfie]

That Exploder is the old model. Rather dated now. If I was to consider the Ford Exploder it would be the later model.

Jeep Grand Cherokee good option.

Also consider the Discovery V8. Discovery 2's are down to that sort of money these days. (Stay away from Td5 if towing heavy trailers as will suffer problems with heat to manifolds etc a bit like the Prado).

[kbushnz]

So the old man is sick of it, he knew they had issues but thought problem would be solved after getting aftermarket head fitted.

Sorry to hear that your old man is having issues...
More than likely its because of the aftermarket head.
There are good ones and not so good ones...
I went for a Genuine Toyota head when mine went more than a few years back now... And touch wood still going strong.

[tow99]

dont buy an explorer.they are the biggest heap of crap out.the newer v8 ones are better.that old version have endless problems.

[Jerry]

redo the head, remove egr do the dump pipe and 2.5" exhaust (autobend do an off the shelf system), fit an egr meter, use a genuine head as others have suggested. was the right head / gasket fitted ... have heard there are variations?, was the viscious fan checked when replaced? was the cooling system flushed? the toyota red coolant is good for these.

is the truck doing heavy towing etc?, also don't let it chug up a hill under 2000rpm, shift down a gear,

could look at the 5L (bit of a slug though), this was a factory option apparantly

the 1kz is a great wee motor apart from the head issues, just got to be aware if them and how to cure / and adjust driving styles

[northdude]

stay away from the ford they dont call them exploders for nothing strange that the head has cracked has the motor been cooked proir to this happening if it has youl need to fix the initial problem as said chek the viscous fan its often over looked what do you tow with it

[rangimotors]

redo the head, remove egr do the dump pipe and 2.5" exhaust (autobend do an off the shelf system), fit an egr meter, use a genuine head as others have suggested. was the right head / gasket fitted ... have heard there are variations?, was the viscious fan checked when replaced? was the cooling system flushed? the toyota red coolant is good for these.

is the truck doing heavy towing etc?, also don't let it chug up a hill under 2000rpm, shift down a gear,

could look at the 5L (bit of a slug though), this was a factory option apparantly

the 1kz is a great wee motor apart from the head issues, just got to be aware if them and how to cure / and adjust driving styles

It just sucks when you do a head spend the extra couple of grand as above and still cook a head without any warning and without towing anything. Hand grenade springs to mind, just dont know if the pins been pulled or not..

[J_Dub]

stay away from the ford they dont call them exploders for nothing strange that the head has cracked has the motor been cooked proir to this happening if it has youl need to fix the initial problem as said chek the viscous fan its often over looked what do you tow with it

this has been an option
as rangi said, would hate to do all that work for it to happen again.
it tows a 6mtr alloy boat, not too often though.

pretty sure they want to get rid of it, and get a petrol with a good name, these 1kz are renowned for head probs, theres plenty of trucks out there with no issues.

cheers for the replys

[TJ]

If you do go down the petrol Grand Cherokee route, then try to get a V8 in Laredo trim. Limited trim of that era can develop a blend door problem with dual climate control. Its an easy fix, but still why chance it.

4.0 I6 engine is brilliant at low end torque, but the extra ponies in the V8 just come handy.