Offroad-Express

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 869981.htm

Not used to the 1KZ engine, I know they have their issues, its a Toyota, of course it has issues...LOL
But are the leakdown and compression results mentioned in the ad good?

Great truck....Cause I have one !
According to the Toyota Workshop manual..
Compression standard 441 psi or more.
Minimum 284 psi.
Diff between cylinders 71 psi or less.

No mention of leak down

Calvin

Yeah, I 2nd that, GREAT TRUCK (because I'm the one selling it )
No idea if the leakdown etc are good, I'm told they are, but that was from the car dealer I purchased it from, so who knows.

Might keep it yet, depending on how cheap I can find a lift kit for it

Great truck ...im actually thinking of getting rid of my surf & going to one...but ill put my motor in it .

How does everyone find flex one these? I've never seen this setup on the rear diff before (radius arm type, rather than upper/lower control arms).

Pretty hard to find suspension parts compared to the old Safari's(or so I have found).

They seem to have plenty of get up and go on rd (compared to the GQ slugs), but I'm still on the fence when it comes to Toyota's

parts are easier to find for these than the 80 I have now... I love em, just not big enough for a family of 6 otherwise I would have bought another one

Size is the main problem I have atm, used to the width of Safari's for extra passenger room

DaveM wrote:Size is the main problem I have atm, used to the width of Safari's for extra passenger room

They are bigger inside than a Safari...Especially for passengers.
Squarer sides...
Thats why I got one....

Calvin

DaveM wrote:How does everyone find flex one these? I've never seen this setup on the rear diff before (radius arm type, rather than upper/lower control arms).

Pretty hard to find suspension parts compared to the old Safari's(or so I have found).

They seem to have plenty of get up and go on rd (compared to the GQ slugs), but I'm still on the fence when it comes to Toyota's

my lj78 (same chassis) doesnt flex very well but that said with the usual mods it shouild do ok, I put ome susp in a while back made a huge difference

haynzy wrote:my lj78 (same chassis) doesnt flex very well but that said with the usual mods it shouild do ok, I put ome susp in a while back made a huge difference

Mine is pretty good.... Ditch the sway bars.. And soft coils...
I have found after market coil kits just up the stiffness to get a higher ride and don't flex as much.

Calvin

kbushnz wrote:

DaveM wrote:Size is the main problem I have atm, used to the width of Safari's for extra passenger room

They are bigger inside than a Safari...Especially for passengers.
Squarer sides...
Thats why I got one....

Calvin

Yea I looked at a safari and the 80 works better with 3 rows of seats.

Re articulation, it's not just about that, you've got approach and departure angles and diff clearance to think about. The Prado has the same clearance on 33's as a safari on 35's. The approach and departure angles of a Prado compared to an 80 and LWB safari are better.

Flex wise, well mine flexed well. But chamberlains seem to have changed the spring rate since I got my springs from them 6 years ago...

kbushnz wrote:

DaveM wrote:Size is the main problem I have atm, used to the width of Safari's for extra passenger room

They are bigger inside than a Safari...Especially for passengers.
Squarer sides...
Thats why I got one....

Calvin

hmm, all my passengers have found less room compared to my Safari. Oh well, I guess I drive so it doesn't affect me

wjw wrote:
Re articulation, it's not just about that, you've got approach and departure angles and diff clearance to think about. The Prado has the same clearance on 33's as a safari on 35's. The approach and departure angles of a Prado compared to an 80 and LWB safari are better.

Flex wise, well mine flexed well. But chamberlains seem to have changed the spring rate since I got my springs from them 6 years ago...

I wasn't sure how well the rear end work, thought it might binb up and chew through bushings with th rear arm setup, but sounds like it works quite well.
I was hoping to get a reasonable lift, as the tracks we use for the mtbing have some steep drops and the departure angle doesn't look that flash (could look worse than what it is).

I priced some 4" coils, $400ea. How do you get on with castor correction on these? Any mods needed for the rear arms? (used drop boxes on the front of safari's, and needed to lengthen the rear arms for lifts over 3")


Cheers

For the lift I got:

$250 Dropped Panhard mount thing from Paul Delis
$300 Set of 4 4" lift springs from Chamberlains
$600 Set of 4 RS9000 adjustable Rancho Shocks.
Castor Correction bushes for Front Radius Arms (As you are no longer allowed to bend them)

The front rancho's were eventually replaced with RAW shocks as they kept leaking. Rancho don't make the correct Pin/Eye combo for the front of the Prado so had to cut the ends and re-weld.

Needed the adjustables in the rear for towing, but in reality rarely changed them. The great advantage of adjustables is that I could firm the ride up for day to day travel. (Removed the sway bars too)

35's will fit with flipped rims and a small amount of hammer work on the inside of the front gaurds.

My lwb prado flexs really well. Same setup as wjw. The key is what kelvi said - some lift kits springs are just really stiff (for heavier load carrying). You want long and SOFT for off road. (but thats shit for on road - its all a compromise)
I've got dis-connects on the front sway bar. Rear sway bar still in it. Adjustie RS9000 are a pain in the a.. to have to keep changing but really do work for on / off rd - completely different truck from softest to hradest.
Rear overhang is the weakest point on these trucks for off road. You need a good rear bar as they do drag their bums.