96 diesel SWB Manual Prado

[Heath]

Anyone got a good line on free flow exhausts? Going to do it soon but need to find the sharpest price. Dont need a brand one and am happy to get one made up. Probably do the dump pipe at the same time, just get one made as part of the exhaust system.

Got quoted 800 for a rage system fitted (no dump) but if I can beat this I'll go else where.

Wonder what the rage system costs to buy yourself? or will they only sell to trade?

Emailed performance metalworks in silverdale but havent heard back yet for a whole system.

[wjw]

My custom one down here was $800 in the end, it tucks inside the chassis rail, then runs alongside the auto, over the transfer case and then round to the normal position.

[Jerry]

Bear in mind also that the Rage kit needs to be "cut and paste" ie bits taken out and rewelded for the SWB as they are built for the LWB.

[Heath]

Okay, time for an update on progress / fiddling wth my toy.

Fitted new digital gauges into dash above radio (fit perfectly) and I am having the probe (EGT) and water temp sender fitted tomorrow. Also having a good clean out of inetrcooler, etc while its in bits. Oh and a new lower temp thermostat (may as well as they are taking the cover off anyway to put in the sender). Decided to go with EGT and water temp for now, but will keep an eye on the prices of the other options.

In position above the 1 1/2 din factory radio.

Will wire up the senders etc myself and save a few $$$ where I can. I figure the power will come from the ignition and the earth will be on the radio mount somewhere (or find a body one near by), the dim setting will be from the park lights power. I'll make the wiring loom up for three gauges (future proofing) so later it will be easy as plug in and go...

[Heath]

So I finally got a 3" system fitted yesterday at pitstop (okay not quite yet, have to do the dump pipe yet) with a free flow muffler. Not a bad price and a warrantee to boot, just incase. Immediate impressions are engine spools up quicker/more responsive and has a lower rumble (3" might be too big, but its future proofed ). Exhaust gas temps have dropped about 20 deg C.

Had the injectors and glow plugs done today and Was good to have done them (injectors were just about poked, maybe another couple of thousand k's left in them before failure - maybe). Glow plugs okay but getting poked (not working as well any more on cold mornings). Gas temps down another 20 deg C too.

So "seat of the pants dyno" shows a little better pickup and lower gas temps (about 40 deg C at 100Km/h to boot). Hopefully fuel dependancy is down abit as well.

Cant wait to get the Dump pipe on there for the full effect.

[Heath]

Might have found what the whine around the gearbox was. Will let you know if I am right.

http://www.offroadexpress.co.nz/Forums/ ... 46&t=22237

[philux]

The factory dump pipes off the 1kz hiace vans are less restrictive than the prado's and surfs. Could be a cheaper alternative.

[Heath]

New part in the injector pump return line fitted so hopefully that fixes that issue.

Edit : The return thingee was the noise (go figure - id swear it was a whine noise) and now I have a new noise ( the pulsing of the spring/return line causing the return pipe to vibrate but nothing a piece of rubber cant fix)

Waiting for a turbo flange to be made (still waiting - been months now) before I can finish the exhaust dump etc. Getting pissed at the constant delays. Might just go somewhere else, but cantafford to do it yet so may as well wait.

Front lower wishbone bushes replaced (totally fecked) so the squeaky fron end has now gone and new struts put in also to replace the slightly fecked ones (bush failure led to a groove in the shaft - half way through...).

Wheel alignment done and wheels moved forwards in the wheel wells at the same time. so hopefully no rubbing if I go to a bigger tyre soon .

Windows tinted for summer (cooler and sun protection) and a bit more security when I have stuff in the back (can't see in there with the back seats up now so I can hide stuff)

[Heath]

I've just oredered the last gauge for my Prado to finish off the trio in the dash (temp, EGT and now boost).

The gauge is an Auber instruments one

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_ ... ucts_id=19

And the boost sensor is one of his too specially for a diesel (not sure what difference there is to be honest, but it was only a few bucks extra).

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_ ... 489308664a

Should make tracing issues with the engine a littel easier (and now I can play with the boost settings too - eventually).

[Heath]

As some may have read in the "bubbles in the heater" thread I have had issues with either the head or gasket.

Booked in to get the head replaced on Wed/thur. Decided to do it while it's in bits (save money doing it later maybe...) and give me some measure of security in the head. If the old one is okay (getting it tested anyway) I'll sell it off cheap and if its crap I'll sell it for scrap (maybe buy a beer or two)

1350 for the head (toyota one) and will get the water pump, thermostat (71 degree one perhaps - thought i had one now but my truck sits at about 84-89 degrees, is that right?) and EGR sorted (removed and capped) while they are in there.

[Rog]

Thought I would share my experiences with an identical truck.

Toyota tracked me down for the axle recall - seems the previous owner hadn't bothered to follow up, possibly because he knew it was soon to be sold. Both axles have now been replaced - top marks Toyota!

If you feel up to a bit of wiring, there are a few things you can do to make the truck more livable. Sorry, I don't have the links but if you search the various Prado forums, you will find the details on how to do these mods.
Electric windows only work when ignition is on, what a pain! Convert these to work all the time.
Reverse beeper. I swear this is louder in the cab than any rear facing beeper I've heard. Like, you've just selected reverse but there's a beeper screaching at you to remind you?? Mines an auto (may not be on the manual) but is has to go!!
Chimes when the door's open and the key's in the ignition - major annoyance. This beeper is attached to the ECU motherboard and can't be removed but a large PK screw screwed through the beeper speaker will fix it.
No headlight on warning. Unbelieveable in this day and age, especially when there's warnings on everything else. After leaving the lights on twice (I use them in the daytime) I used the reverse beeper as a warning and it now sounds when the keys out, the doors open and lights on. Can be done with a bit of figuring how the wiring works.
Finally tyres. I went up a size to 75 series from 70 (265/75/16) and they fill the guards nicely and really look the part. Good luck with the mods..

[Jerry]

You can also fit an ABS disable switch as well

[Heath]

Last part of the exhaust going in tomorrow (3 inch dump pipe), then I will shift the EGT probe to pre turbo, fit the boost gauge and then fit the boost Tee and set my boost to where I want it.

And that will be it for this toy.

Gone a bit full circle and what was destined to be my new offroad toy is too good to thrash and so I have made it as reliable as I can while fitting a few toys to keep a better eye on things.

Next set of tyres will probably be AT's as I use this vehicle on road mainly and any offroad stuff will be easy drives. Yeah I know having a winch etc is excessisve for a sunday driver but I have used it more for recoveries since I came down here (snow etc) than I ever did in Auckland in the offroading I did there.

[Heath]

Well the 3" dump pipe is fitted (was bugger to fit I'm told).

First impressions are:

The turbo whistle is more audible than before.

Revs faster and spools up quicker.

The EGT probe is downstream from the dump pipe (will be moved pre turbo one day) and it shows much quicker rise and fall of temps than before. Interestingly the temps are about 20-30 deg higher than before the new pipe. This could just be because it was a hot afternoon, but I am guessing that with the restriction now gone the hot gasses are passing away faster and resulting in higher temps downstream. I got home and put the old heat shield back on (well with one bolt, just for my piece of mind) and the dump is still hot to the touch but not as hot as the old one was before.

I'll keep an eye on things for a few weeks to see how it is over different air temps etc and see how it goes.

I have two std dump pipes for sale now if anyone wants to buy them for templates or as replacements for a damaged one. Apparently they split down the back seam and are hard to get. Having said that the guys who sold me the first one for the template didnt want to pay me what I paid for it when I offered it back to them.

[koma]

How much so you want for a dump pipe? Cheers.

[Heath]

100 for the new looking clean one and 80 for the one from my wagon (the dirty one).

PM me if you are interested and we can "talk prices".

Heath

[Heath]

Sent the toy in for a WoF and get the brakes tickled up (Pads and a skim on the front - stopping with trailer isnt what it should be - hell even without the trailer ) and they have failed it on the steering rack. Tried to adjust it but it is coozed.

The OT I had done recently for my pet 45 project just got diverted - BUGGER!!!

I must admit I thought something was going slightly amiss, but I put it down to a tyre that keeps deflating itself slowly (must pull the valve out and clean it).

[LOLYF]

Check the bushes on the rack heath. Mine are toast on my 185 and it feels like a loose rack.....must get around to fixing them

[Jerry]

Steering rack bushes are a common wear item heath, had to do them on my kzj95

[Heath]

Yep, not the bushes - checked that.

[ClassicCruiserSpares]

They can be adjust to a certain point but most of the time they need replacing Ive done heaps of them at work.

[rokhound]

Have you checked the inner rack ends? I have done 3 sets of these in
250 000 kms (3rd set went in on Monday). And yes, the rack bushes are a common wear out item. Neither of these is a biggie though....

Maintenance is part of owning a vehicle so there is no point crying about it when you have to do it, even if it does bite your arse pocket.

I had 2 vehicles go for WOF this week and both needed new tyres all around. it is part of the deal (still it was an ouch I didn't need right now )

[Heath]

Have you checked the inner rack ends? I have done 3 sets of these in
250 000 kms (3rd set went in on Monday). And yes, the rack bushes are a common wear out item. Neither of these is a biggie though....

Maintenance is part of owning a vehicle so there is no point crying about it when you have to do it, even if it does bite your arse pocket.

I had 2 vehicles go for WOF this week and both needed new tyres all around. it is part of the deal (still it was an ouch I didn't need right now )

LOL yeah I know - not bitching, just frustrated I guess and its good to keep a track of potential issues for anyone buying or looking to buy something similar.

Good to know the WoF picked it up - gotta be safe and sometimes it goning to cost a few $$$. I travel with my familly and friends in this wagon so the price of their safety is not even a consideration.

[skidmark]

I also discovered slop in my 185 rack recently(i was able ti adjust mine tho) i jumped on Google and discovered there's a superseded bush for the rack.

the original is a roller which develops slack and can slop up and down.
the new is a teflon coated guide.(also not available from Toyota new Zealand).. I do however have a new roller type guide sitting on the bench,was going to fit it but had more slop in the new one than the old.as it was ex Japan i had to own it.

[Heath]

Rack was buggered beyond refurbishing/repair or rebuilding.

Basically stuffed.

All done now and wheel align done too.

Seems to drive a bit sharper and responsive (doesnt float around on the road). Hard to believe I didnt notice it but I figured the floating was the result of wind on the slabsided wagon and assumed it was normal. These sort of things dont just go bad overnight so the slow deterioration hid the problem until the WoF picked it up.

[Heath]

I've been having a few issues with cold starts recently (maybe 3 mths if honest), a few more cranks than normal and a puff of unburnt fuel for a second before all is normal. Put it down to the temp dropping and forgot about it. Well the extended warm period has stopped and with my wagon living outside again for a while the cold start issue has reared its ugly head big time. When the temp drops to less than 5 degC it takes ages to fire. Last few really cold nights I have had to jump the battery to get enough power to keep cranking.

Tested the battery today and its fine (like a new one the guy said - which surprised me - its 4 years old at least).

So it looks like I am going to be doing a set of glow plugs this weekend. The old ones were replaced about 4 years ago (50k) so its probably time I guess. Will test them when I get time to pull the intercooler etc off the head to get access. Might take the short rubber hoses in to get new ones too (birthday for the truck - silicon bling ).

Will bung some RUC on too before the price goes up (mine expired 300kms ago )Thanks for reminder thread.

Anyone want to swap a 96 prado for a late model Holden ute (bent 8 engine of course)?

I might be interested in moving onto something more road related as I'm not using this for what its designed.

[kbushnz]

Just double or triple glow it and see what happens.... Save some bucks in the short term... Or hot wire it and glow them via a button....

[Dirtydog]

my terrano gets like that when its cold, all i do is double glow it and she fires up like its a hot summers day

[Heath]

Guess i'll test em first and go from there.

Just the garage is cold and the lounge with the fire going is warm...

Yeah I know soft c##k, but ... no cant think of a decent excuse.

[sig]

mate you need a heat pump in your garage ,doesn't everybody have them

Guess i'll test em first and go from there.

Just the garage is cold and the lounge with the fire going is warm...

Yeah I know soft c##k, but ... no cant think of a decent excuse.