1998 SWB 90 series w/ I4 1KZ turbo diesel questions

[expat42451]

I am a US citizen currently back packing in Peru. I am considering purchase of a 1998 SWB 90 with the 1KZ turbo diesel to continue my trip. The truck has around 180,000 KM (108,000 mi) on the odo and appears in fair condition. Looking under the truck I can not find any oil leaks, checked the front and rear shafts from the transfer case for slack in the U Joints and spline sections. Everything seems pretty tight. Additionally from the inspection under the truck and the given lack of dings, dents and scrapes I am going to guess that this one has mostly seen highway use. There are no service records with this truck. I will know a bit more after the test drive later today.

Given the expertise I find here I wanted to ask what is a general figure to expect for diesel use-- either MPG or L/Km-- and are there any hidden gotchas that are not evident to look out for given the year and mileage? What kind of life, given reasonable care can one expect from the driveline and 1KZ powerplant? Doing a search here I found buying suggestions for other series LC's but did not find anything on the 90. I also think I recall reading somewhere that caution is needed when operating this power plant/ body combination at high speeds on hot days because of engine temps.This one is interesting because it has the cool down timer where after turning the key off, the powerplant continues to run for a couple of minutes. Additionally there are no locking hubs on the front wheels which I would assume if added, would increase mileage and lessen drive train wear.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Regards

Expat42451

 

[expat42451]

Also forgot to add that this version of the I4 1KZ has the intercooler.

Thanks


Expat

 

[Beau]

The main issue with the 1KZT-E colorado/prado that you will need to know is that the cooling can be poor at times. Make sure your rad is not blocked, some get blocked in between the air con rad and main rad. If it's an automatic, the geerbox ads additionaly strain to the main rad so it's good to make sure your main rad is in good condition. The bottom rad pipes that lead to the autobox are prone to corroding and leaking water into the geerbox, this is normally 200k miles + so a rad swap would elliminate that risk.

These engines don't like overheating which can lead to the head cracking or gasket going if you're lucky. So overall just make sure you look after the cooling system and you are fine.

I have known of the engines to last forever, once you look after them. I know someone who has had a original one and has clocked over 500,000 miles on it with little to no faults.

These are permanent 4wd vehicles, with a rear Difflock (some have a LSD diff) and a centre diff/low range box on all. Never known people to have manual front hubs....

On the Highway expect 28 - 34 MPG, town is down to Mid 20's.... Usually around 500 Miles a tank...

 

[expat42451]

Beau

This is really excellent information and just what I was looking for. This one is a 5 speed manual and is the 2 door version. The aluminum fins on both the AC condenser and the main radiator are not in the best shape so I will replace both of them if I buy it. Also being the 2 dr I think it might be a bit lighter and easier on diesel than the 4 dr model.

Didnt know that none of these come without the front hubs. Looks like with hubs and nothing turning in the front the mileage might be a bit better but dunno whether the cost of adding hubs would be worthwhile or not.Or even if it is possible.

Trying to be really aware of mileage here because diesel is between $4 and $6 a gallon depending on what part of Peru. In some other places much the same like Chile and Argentina. In Ecuador depending on where its less than $2 gallon.

Results of the test drive-- the driveline seems tight although there seems to be a little slop in the shifter- not excessive but not as tight as one other that I drove the same day. No grinds when changing gears up or down. Definitely needs shocks given the behavior over bumps. Body rattles but a little attention to that can stop most of the noise. Like the truck but not as much as the 70 series. Going to test drive one of those in the next few days (1987, manual, gasoline, 4L inline) and am going to wait before deciding. The 70 I am told can be converted to LPG which will really lower the cost of operation here and for the additional HP one might want when offroading, there is a switch on the dash to go back to gasoline.

Again thanks for the great information.

Regards, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Expat

 

[expat42451]

Nother couple of questions

Beau

Many thanks for your help earlier by outlining potential problems with cooling and fuel consumption information. Also read your thread about cleaning the filters in the injection pump, good knowledge and a must do on the Prado I am looking at here in Lima if I buy it.On your how to the pic is of the injection pump on a bench. I assume that this is the preferred way to do this rather than trying to do it with the pump still on the truck ?

Couple of other questions --One thing I noticed on this truck after getting back from the test drive. When the clutch was depressed there was a slight noise-thought it might be the throwout bearing. In listening though it seemed to be coming from the top of the engine compartment rather than from the bottom. Have no idea what it might have been but my first suspicion is throwout.Very minor, impossible to hear with the cab closed up but with the door open and stopped, you can hear a change in sound.

I drove another Prado, less miles although 2 years older, gasoline model with other problems(oil seal front of engine or bad pan gasket), Also 5 spd manual. Shifting on the second one seemed more positive than the diesel. The transmission on the diesel shifts fine up and down i.e. no grinding--but curious about whether there are plastic bushings &c in the linkage that would wear causing the sloppy feel or is this indication of other problems in the box itself?

Does the 88 store mileage anywhere other than the speedo head....,i.e. in any onboard computer anywhere? Curious about this because I have been warned that people are bad about turning the mileage back on vehicles here.If so I assume that the service plug on the top of the engine would allow a connection to discover this?

Also want to confirm thaton this diesel the camshaft is a belt drive rather than chain. The "replace belt" light that comes on prior to cranking in the dash cluster I think pretty much answers this as does the front cover on the engine but if the belt were to break does this frag the engine or is this a "non interference" type of engine where nothing is damaged, it just quits?

Many thanks to all of the forum members here for all of the great information.

Expat42451

 

[lugueto]

There are different models, full time 4wd and part time. The part time ones (most of them) dont have locking hubs, they are permanently locked. Locking hub kits are available although theyre somewhat hard to find.

These cars are like any other in the sense that they will last a very, very long time if you take good care of them. Prados are excelent cars on and off road. If you do consider its on a pretty good condition then go for it. I have no experience with the diesels as they are not available in my country but as far as both gasoline offerings go (5VZ 3.4 V6 and the 3RZ 2.7 I4) reliability is astounding.

Hope this helps

 

[Beau]

Beau

Many thanks for your help earlier by outlining potential problems with cooling and fuel consumption information. Also read your thread about cleaning the filters in the injection pump, good knowledge and a must do on the Prado I am looking at here in Lima if I buy it.On your how to the pic is of the injection pump on a bench. I assume that this is the preferred way to do this rather than trying to do it with the pump still on the truck ?

yes, the pump was out in that case as that was the pump off my spare/rebuild in progress engine... It is however possible to do all of that on the vehicle, with the correct tools. The trickiest bit is the spill control valve removal....

Couple of other questions --One thing I noticed on this truck after getting back from the test drive. When the clutch was depressed there was a slight noise-thought it might be the throwout bearing. In listening though it seemed to be coming from the top of the engine compartment rather than from the bottom. Have no idea what it might have been but my first suspicion is throwout.Very minor, impossible to hear with the cab closed up but with the door open and stopped, you can hear a change in sound.

Sorry, but I have little knowledge about the manual gearboxes on these. I have the 4 speed Autobox and it drives beautifully...

I drove another Prado, less miles although 2 years older, gasoline model with other problems(oil seal front of engine or bad pan gasket), Also 5 spd manual. Shifting on the second one seemed more positive than the diesel. The transmission on the diesel shifts fine up and down i.e. no grinding--but curious about whether there are plastic bushings &c in the linkage that would wear causing the sloppy feel or is this indication of other problems in the box itself?

Does the 88 store mileage anywhere other than the speedo head....,i.e. in any onboard computer anywhere? Curious about this because I have been warned that people are bad about turning the mileage back on vehicles here.If so I assume that the service plug on the top of the engine would allow a connection to discover this?

I have no idea, but have not heard of people turning back the clock... if the car has some sort of service history you could have a look through the paper work to find out.

Also want to confirm thaton this diesel the camshaft is a belt drive rather than chain. The "replace belt" light that comes on prior to cranking in the dash cluster I think pretty much answers this as does the front cover on the engine but if the belt were to break does this frag the engine or is this a "non interference" type of engine where nothing is damaged, it just quits?

Yes, the camshaft is belt driven which is recommend to change every 100,000km, about 70,000 miles. This just drives the water pump, and steering pump I believe, so I don't think any damage would be done. I have never heard of belts snapping on these anyway.

Many thanks to all of the forum members here for all of the great information.

Expat42451

I would recommend joining this forum as there are a lot more 90 series people. If you need anything, parts or advice drop me a PM. I've owned mine for the past 17 years so know it practically inside out

www.landcruiserclub.net/forums

 

[expat42451]

Beau

Thanks for the reply, suggestions and offers of help. Looks like the diesel Prado, the 1998 turbo with the intercooler is going to be the one I go after. Having it checked by an excellent Peruvian mechanic--and a fellow overlander and 4 x 4 enthusiast this coming week. He looked at both the gasoline and diesel trucks, drove both and recommended the diesel. Next week compression test &c(he has the tools to do this) and with a clean bill of health this is the one I will buy. Going to have a number of other questions which I will post here.

The 90 with the diesel is a tractor- having driven both the gasoline and the diesel trucks I like the additional torque the diesel provides. The 5 speed manual transmisson seems to give good performance as well--Bear in mind I say this with the fact that this is my first experience with the Prado and will be the first Land Cruiser I have owned. Mechanic says that provided everything is in spec with the engine that we should see close to 38 KM/gallon (weird here in Peru fuel sold by US gallons but distance measured in KM go figure) at between 80 and 100 kph. Not many places to do that here so figuring 60-80KPH fuel economy may be a bit better, a good thing since diesel here is close to $5 a gallon.

I am going to end up adding a roof rack and carrying spares. Will have, as this develops, more questions which I will post here to the forum. Many thanks for the offer of the parts help and providing information.....and for the excellent how-to on cleaning the fuel pump specific filters, which I have book marked.

More to follow

Expat

 

[expat42451]

Finally...a mechanic

This being Peru and things being what they are....lets see we are almost a month after I found the Prado. Today finally (dont own it yet) got a compression test and pretty extensive exam by a mechanic (I can write a book on all this by now) and the Prado had compression well within the specs, and more importantly all of the cylinders were almost equal. Barring any unforeseen difficulties, by this time next week I will be the owner and then well on my way to being out of Lima and in less inhabited parts of this country. Finally.

I really like this truck !!

Expat42451

 

[Man in black]

It seems aftermarket manual locking hubs for the front cant be bought but those with more knowledge than me say its a bad idea because it places far more strain on the "IFS" independent front suspension oem parts . And besides those who have done it say the benefits are for the most part unnoticable .

 

[expat42451]

Well. The saga of the truck(There is no spoon). After the mechanic report, back to the owners (an established business here) gave them $500 to hold the truck pending getting their banking information the following Monday to transfer funds. The funds part is interesting. From what I am told of the new SWIFT regulations, the only way to transfer funds from my account in the US to Peru are 1)to a legitimate business (i.e. the seller); or to someone in your family (and I have no family in Peru) or to your back account and since I am here as a tourist I am not allowed to open a bank account. So Monday I went back to the business and was told that they would not accept a funds transfer, only cash (I assume for not having to report the income on their taxes). So I did manage to get my $500 in cash back. However I am still on foot.

Man in Black many thanks for the info. Did not realize the shortcomings of the manual locking front hubs on this platform. It is great to know this. Thanks for the kindness and interest.....

I however need manual locking hubs on my legs from carrying the pack. I am still truckless and although the search continues I am considering a mule


Regards


Expat42451

 

[Man in black]

Maybe you could get your bank to send you a travellers cheque and cash it at a travel agents ?

 

[expat42451]

Man in Black

Thanks for the idea. Unfortunately the truck this past week sold to someone else. The diesel Prados here in Peru--the older ones (ca 1990's) are rare and many came from an operation in Southern Peru where trucks were imported from Japan and had the steering wheel changed to the other side. Unfortunately this procedure was made illegal by the peruvian govt. as of Dec 31st 2012 so the opportunities arent there any longer. Newer diesel Prados are available but are very expensive- a mid 2000 Prado will be between $15,000 and $25,000, outside of my budget. I never considered the Travellers Check option but I do know sending close to $10K via Western Union is very expensive as well. My problem is that I wont choose to spend a lot more money here to buy a truck for my travels. One of the drawbacks is that any truck purchased in Peru must be sold there and cant be in some other country like Colombia or Ecuador or Chile, selling of a truck not of a national origin is forbidden in that country--the exception to that rule is the Japanese imports and that avenue is apparently closed.

THe only other alternative is a mid 80's model 70 thats here and powered with the 3F engine and a 4 sp manual gearbox. I looked at it and drove it this past week. The truck absolutely looks like it is off the show room floor. I could find no bondo and no signs of rust in the paces that the 70 typically shows that. The engine has been rebuilt within the last 10,000 KM as well. Beautiful truck but unfortunately doesnt get nearly the mileage that the original diesel Prado that I considered. With gasoline and diesel expensive here the diesel would have been perfect. however if it ends up a choice of either doing or not doing the rest of the trip with a truck I may well buy the model 70. Plus its old enough where I might be able to import it to the US when I am finished with the trip although I am not at all certain of this. The Prado was for sale for 6 months and finally sold. The series 70 has been for sale almost that long. Selling a used car or truck here is very different from say the USA, it takes a lot longer.

There is still the idea of a mule.......

 

[Man in black]

I read on here just yesterday that someone wanted to import a 90 to the USA but was finding it very difficult . I'm sure someone said older trucks (25 years maybe) are exempt from the regulations . Given you HAVE to sell in Peru its glaringly obvious to me you will get nothing for your truck when the buyer knows you are leaving and cant take it with you .

I would definately be looking for an older truck so i could sell it in America !

 

[expat42451]

What I was thinking as well. The 70 that is here is very basic compared to the newer 70's I have seen. The truck will need to be shipped for at least part of a possible trip back to the USA-at a minimum, the distance across the Darien Gap- from Colombia to either Panama or elsewhere. From Panama one might drive the remaining distance north to the US. I have a number of years ago, driven in Central America and Mexico. That having been said it would be an adventure.

 

[Man in black]

If its going to be an adventure i'd be inclined to think the more basic the better because theres less to fail . All landcruisers are extremely tough vehicles so major components such as axles and suspension and stuff , if they look ok they shouldn't let you down . Just keep money back when your buying to have the engine fully serviced . Avoid modified trucks because if you do have a problem standard parts will be far easier to find than aftermarket stuff .

Just my thoughts unfortunately i cant say its experienced advice because i've never had the chance to go on your kind of adventure , but look at every army in the world and their vehicles definately support my basic is best theory .

 

[expat42451]

I totally agree with you. The 70 that I am looking at is a much more basic vehicle than was the Prado. I would like to add a front bumper with a winch, which I may do, and dual batteries for electrics for charging various appliances, air compressor & GPS. Also the dual batteries may come in handy if I choose to add a radio installation (I am an amateur radio operator)-- agreed these are mods but not anything much to the basic vehicle. Only thing the 70 doesnt have is air conditioning but I will get over that. Only other addition other than a rack for a few jerry cans on the back will be a large enough roof rack for sand mats.....and for me to pitch my tent on when I dont want to sleep on the ground. Not going to buy one of these expensive roof tents.

I will do the service plus buy basic tools for same. Will be a way for me to get familiar with the truck and what to watch out for as well.

 

[Beau]

I totally agree with you. The 70 that I am looking at is a much more basic vehicle than was the Prado. I would like to add a front bumper with a winch, which I may do, and dual batteries for electrics for charging various appliances, air compressor & GPS. Also the dual batteries may come in handy if I choose to add a radio installation (I am an amateur radio operator)-- agreed these are mods but not anything much to the basic vehicle. Only thing the 70 doesnt have is air conditioning but I will get over that. Only other addition other than a rack for a few jerry cans on the back will be a large enough roof rack for sand mats.....and for me to pitch my tent on when I dont want to sleep on the ground. Not going to buy one of these expensive roof tents.

I will do the service plus buy basic tools for same. Will be a way for me to get familiar with the truck and what to watch out for as well.

Although you say the 70 series is a lot more bassic than the 90 series, the 90 series still remains a very basic 4x4. Unlike the 70 series it does have a electronically controlled fuel pump, which are known for very long life and reliability. There are some models that have the 1kzt engine in them (mechanical pump) so no electronics involved at all. The 90 series is more modern and larger than the 70 series, as well as more powerful.

The only real drawback is that the 90 series has IFS, but thats no real draw back unless you plan on doing some serious off road. For overlanding over bumpy terrain you'll find the IFS is awesome. Loads of aftermarket bits available for them, some come standard with dual batteries as well.

 

[Man in black]

No air conditioning made me think about Jeremy Clarkson drenched in sweat while crossing the Gobi desert without it and i thought surely in this day and age there is an easy solution . There is - just search the web for 12v air conditioner , you can buy one to plug into the lighter socket for less than £20 you just have to change the water every few hours .

 

[Man in black]

The 90 is what he wanted Beau but if you read the whole thread he wouldn't be able to take it out of Peru so he's looking for an older model to get around import export regulations .