Which one to choose Hilux Surf OR Prado 1996 to 1998

[BlakeNZ]

should keep an eye on this too, closes tomorrow night. would do everything you want. http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =740203968

[imsohi]

the whole point of buying an inter cooled one is that they seldom crack their heads. Keep the cooling system in good order, put a bigger exhaust on it, and enjoy mega km!

Brought one from queenstown a few months ago cracked head @450kms was origional not bad now i have replaced and it get 900 Ext temps

[BlakeNZ]

Wow, 900 is very high! Our KZN185 test truck for the 3" exhaust systems is peaking at 790 degrees(now the exhaust is installed)

[zed]

the whole point of buying an inter cooled one is that they seldom crack their heads. Keep the cooling system in good order, put a bigger exhaust on it, and enjoy mega km!

Brought one from queenstown a few months ago cracked head @450kms was origional not bad now i have replaced and it get 900 Ext temps

What situation are you seeing 900? Is this towing under severe load? The truck doesnt have anything like a squashed exhaust section does it? Looking at the head design and exhaust arrangement, those sort of numbers are definitely going to produce cracking in the exhaust ports if you are regularly doing them. And I was worried about seeing north of 700...

[mramana]

Gone and checked this 96 surf...the Kays one are 180,000 but following are the points noticed
- Has done cambelt at 100,000
- There is this light glowing on when the engine is started ELT PWR on the dashboard
- Oil or diesel dripping underneath

Asking a price $11,500, I dont think I want this truck or isit any worth more than 8k?

[mramana]

Ohh...anyway, I just told him that I ain't takin

[BlakeNZ]

THe "ELT Power" is probably "ECT power" which is just a transmission mode, which holds each gear for longer, to be used when towing or driving a bit harder. You switch it on/off with a switch near the gearlever, so it is NOT a fault.
Can i suggest if you are serious about buying a truck, that you get someone qualified to check it over for you? Money well spent.

[imsohi]

the whole point of buying an inter cooled one is that they seldom crack their heads. Keep the cooling system in good order, put a bigger exhaust on it, and enjoy mega km!

Brought one from queenstown a few months ago cracked head @450kms was origional not bad now i have replaced and it get 900 Ext temps

What situation are you seeing 900? Is this towing under severe load? The truck doesnt have anything like a squashed exhaust section does it? Looking at the head design and exhaust arrangement, those sort of numbers are definitely going to produce cracking in the exhaust ports if you are regularly doing them. And I was worried about seeing north of 700...

yea towing my comp truck usually up hill gets down around 50kms full 2.5 inch exhaust with mandrel off the turbo and 3 inch from muffler back has anyone put a pyro on a std kzn185 and with what results, sorry for the thread jack

[BlakeNZ]

yes, Zed(above) put a pyro on a standard one recently.

[zed]

yea towing my comp truck usually up hill gets down around 50kms full 2.5 inch exhaust with mandrel off the turbo and 3 inch from muffler back has anyone put a pyro on a std kzn185 and with what results, sorry for the thread jack

Ok since fitting the pyro (pre turbo) and not towing I was getting:

Standard truck
100kmh 380ºC, top speed foot flat ~840ºC

After fitting a BlakeNZ 3" Dump & full mandrel exhaust
100kmh 360ºC foot flat top speed 784ºC

What I have also noticed though is if you shift down a gear and let off the jandle a bit the EGTs drop very quickly. I have an Auber gauge and sender fitted to mine. Haven't done any towing yet but am.planning to fit a water/meth injection system triggered to come on at say 750ºC. That should drop the numbers even further

[BlakeNZ]

note the ECT probe is in the manifold on Zed'z truck, BEFORE the turbo, not in the dump pipe or exhaust.

[mramana]

True Blake. Just saw one truck until now with these problems like I said before. Will take a qualified mechanic going forward for viewing any truck

[mramana]

Guys, great news!! I found a 96 Surf Intercooled done 240ks. Am almost done with the deal, and today will be finalizing the deal and picking up the truck. I would like to thank all of you who gave me advises and support, especially to BlakeNZ who gave me lot of insight.
Thanks a lot Blake and I will continue to ask you questions if you don't mind

[floatingkiwi]

Big difference between the surf and the prado - try camping when it's pouring down and sheltering under the rear door of the prado.....!! (it's a bit tricky).

My '99 intercooled 185 EGT's are also 380C-ish @ 100km and about 730C foot flat (but I have a ROM pump) - Pre Turbo. Exhaust is unmolested, however I aim to change that soon.

I have extensive knowledge of the 185 if the OP is needing anything.

Matt