Cheap Prado LJ78 FS

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GTSSportCoupe

GTSSportCoupe

2LTE abuser
10 Year
Joined
Mar 23, 2012
Threads
242
Messages
9,545
Location
Victoria, BC, Canada
NOT MINE!

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/1991-Toyota-Prado_18969898

Looks to have some extras. I'm curious as to what engine has been swapped in and what is wrong with it. If it's a 3L then it is a good solid engine. Same as what ATEB has put in their super Prado.

LJ78's are great vehicles with the exception of the 2LTE which has been removed from this one. Seems like a very good price. Has diff lock too! I'm so tempted....but really don't need another one.
 
I just realized I should have put this in the TLC's on Used Vic thread. Sorry. Mods can move if they want.
 
I emailed the guy. He's not much of a writer, but here is what he had to say:

"Compression issue the vehicle still runs but it is rough so I expect that to be the problem it is the 2.8 l"

So he confirmed it is the 2.8litre 3L engine. It runs rough and he thinks, but has not confirmed, that it is a compression issue. Could be an easy fix...as the 3L is generally known to be a reliable solid engine. I wonder who did the swap for him? Would RADD do this sort thing?
 
The might've...dunno...

Still if I was to look at that truck , I would think of it as having no engine at all.

What's there might be fixable, but I don't think I'd ever be happy with any engine with an "L" in it's name...

I'd probably flog it and put a B or something in it's place, and then I think that if I'm going to go through the hassle of an engine swap again ( I probably will) I don't really want to end up with a rhd powered by a canadian B...

I'll devote more thought to it in a year or so. ( unless something leaps off page screaming "buy me" at the top of its lungs...these things do happen...:hillbilly:)
 
ForealBoreal said:
I sorta want that thing.
Wonder if it would drive up to Rupert without skipping a beat?
Click to expand...

Got BCAA premier memberships for you and a buddy? :flipoff2:

2 Person Method:
4 * 320km = 1280km
8 * 160km = 1280km
Total: 2560km

1 Person Method:
2* 320 = 640km
4* 160 = 640km
Total: 1280 km

Should be plenty... just tell them tow me 320km down the road drive for 10 km then claim that you broke down again... :hillbilly:
 
ForealBoreal said:
Depends what truly needed to be fixed.
Click to expand...

Probably the best thing if you are really serious about it would be to have someone on the Island go look at it for you and evaluate the engine problem. Would not be too much work to do a compression test on site and check the injection system etc if the seller was ok with it.
 
I tried giving him a phone call.

My main concern is the engine itself.
Does it have bad compression?
Potential cracked head or just other engine issues.

A compression test and a leak down test would have to occur.
I'm interested, its just a matter of working a price out and getting down to drive it home.
 
Ok I got ahold of him.

Here is the scoop.
It sounds very well maintained and cared for by the owner.
Radd is the mechanic for the last 7-8 years since he brought it in and has did the work to it.

It has a 3L with a 2L-T turbo set up attached to it. Sweet. Has a pyro on it too.
Auto, meh.
The engine idles rough, white smoke a bunch of it.
Apparently it smooths out a bit when you idle it up but otherwise it stumbles a bunch and you can't take it around the block. This would be a stretch getting it to me. He said it would have to go on a trailer.
Bunch of break work done to it, newer tires 235/85/16s

He told me he could get the compression numbers that last came up when it was at Radd. Good, I am curious if a piston is fxxxed. It does not lose any coolant at all. So I think its either a fxxxed piston or a fuel delivery problem.

Either injectors, pump related or air getting into the system if the compression test checked out good.

High idle, white smoke, stumbles a bunch and the truck has kept running a little bit after its shut off.
He told me to assume I have to put another engine in it.

Engine has 180,000kms on it while the body has 205,000kms on it.

Just my insight and guesses.
 
Very interesting, thanks for getting the full info and sharing here.

Definitely an intriguing vehicle.
 
Last edited:
seapotato said:
So...what you're saying is...its a prado. :flipoff2:
Click to expand...

I would not even want to tell you what this guy put into this thing money wise:eek:

Great guy, prolly a bad motor. We installed the turbo from the 2l onto the 3L..

Never figured out the shifting issue, mechanical engine from electronic, would shift way to early..

:beer:
 
ForealBoreal said:
I had hopes as the 3L is a stronger engine in comparison to the 2LT

Go stick a B in her and call it a day.
Click to expand...

The 3L in factory normally aspirated mode is a good engine. Put a turbo on and you will be dealing with new challenges. Personally I wouldn't do it without an intercooler.


Diesel Cruiserman said:
I would not even want to tell you what this guy put into this thing money wise:eek:

Great guy, prolly a bad motor. We installed the turbo from the 2l onto the 3L..

Never figured out the shifting issue, mechanical engine from electronic, would shift way to early..

:beer:
Click to expand...

Sounds like it would be a great parts Prado. I'm still tempted...
 
Under 14.5 psi you don't truly need an intercooler. It will help but you can tune it accordingly.
But yes an intercooler will help and give you more power.

If you tune a diesel running say 14.5 psi to 1200deg F on a pyro pre turbo without an intercooler in comparison to the exact same setup with an intercooler they are running safe parameters. Obviously the one with the intercooler will have more power though but it will be running just as hot.

Drive by the pyro, or your right foot will kill the engine due to high egts.
 
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