KDJ120 thoughts? (GX470 with 1KD-FTV diesel) (1 Viewer)

[GTSSportCoupe]

I'm looking at replacing my LJ78. Go through this every year, haha. Really like 200 series cruisers, but they're still pretty pricey. Noticed a number of reasonably priced KDJ120's local to me. The 1KD-FTV is 3.0 common rail direct injection diesel and I think a decent motor; especially compared to earlier 2L-TE and 1KZ-TE.

Honestly, the 200 series with gasser V8 was pretty appealing as I'm tired of maintenance associated with Toyota Diesels (they all seem to need injectors/turbo/injection-pump at some point.). The idea of just paying more for fuel and not having to work on my vehicle as much sat fine with me, haha.

So, anyone actually driven one of these and have any thoughts? How is power, economy, reliability? Can they tow a couple tons okay?

I've been in a couple GX470s, and was really impressed by build quality. Very solid vehicles, and miles ahead of the previous 3rd gen 4runner based prado platform IMHO.

Example of one near me for sale:

 

[Mike NXP]

I'm looking at replacing my LJ78. Go through this every year, haha. Really like 200 series cruisers, but they're still pretty pricey. Noticed a number of reasonably priced KDJ120's local to me. The 1KD-FTV is 3.0 common rail direct injection diesel and I think a decent motor; especially compared to earlier 2L-TE and 1KZ-TE.

Honestly, the 200 series with gasser V8 was pretty appealing as I'm tired of maintenance associated with Toyota Diesels (they all seem to need injectors/turbo/injection-pump at some point.). The idea of just paying more for fuel and not having to work on my vehicle as much sat fine with me, haha.

So, anyone actually driven one of these and have any thoughts? How is power, economy, reliability? Can they tow a couple tons okay?

I've been in a couple GX470s, and was really impressed by build quality. Very solid vehicles, and miles ahead of the previous 3rd gen 4runner based prado platform IMHO.

Example of one near me for sale:

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I can't help chime in on this rig with a diesel motor but I do have the GX470 with the 2UZ-FE as well as a 100 series with the same motor.

The idea that you'll have less maintenance to do on the petrol V8 vs. some of your past experiences with diesels may not necessarily be true . To be fair, I have virtually zero experience with Toyota diesels but I can say the 2UZ needs it's fair share of maintenance to keep it chugging along to 250-350k miles and beyond. However I do feel a well maintained 2UZ motor stands the chance of going for many many miles


What are you hoping to get out of a vehicle? Your current rig ( again I have have zero experience with these older cruisers ) compared to a GX470 are sort of different builds all together . You've been in some 470's so you know how nice they can feel to drive.


The GX is going to provide a much smoother more comfortable ride at highway speeds while still being able to drop into 4low and go wheeling, but it won't compare to the hefty build of your current rig ( 70 series?)

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

That's an engine you want, but it's so unforgivably ugly, I would have to park it out of sight. None of the charm of old Landcruisers/Hiluxes IMO. I've driven a 5L powered version a few times and they are well built and comfortable, but so are Kias. Plastic bumpers, plastic headlights. Plus like all Toyotas, the interoir dashboard/instrument/switching quality declined compared to the rugged, almost Merc quality of the 1990s.

 

[Hulsty]

They are solid, reliable cars, not fast my any stretch, sold heaps of them here in Aus, most a soccer mum cars that tow the caravan on long weekends. Injectors need to be well maintained.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Thanks a lot guys. No real warning bells then. I'll have to drive one.

But of tuning and I imagine these motors can make really good power.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I can't help chime in on this rig with a diesel motor but I do have the GX470 with the 2UZ-FE as well as a 100 series with the same motor.

The idea that you'll have less maintenance to do on the petrol V8 vs. some of your past experiences with diesels may not necessarily be true . To be fair, I have virtually zero experience with Toyota diesels but I can say the 2UZ needs it's fair share of maintenance to keep it chugging along to 250-350k miles and beyond. However I do feel a well maintained 2UZ motor stands the chance of going for many many miles


What are you hoping to get out of a vehicle? Your current rig ( again I have have zero experience with these older cruisers ) compared to a GX470 are sort of different builds all together . You've been in some 470's so you know how nice they can feel to drive.


The GX is going to provide a much smoother more comfortable ride at highway speeds while still being able to drop into 4low and go wheeling, but it won't compare to the hefty build of your current rig ( 70 series?)

It wont be an off road built vehicle like my 70 series. Looking more for well built quality family SUV that can tow our 16' camper trailer without breaking a sweat. Might see gravel roads, but no 'wheeling' per say.

 

[Mike NXP]

It wont be an off road built vehicle like my 70 series. Looking more for well built quality family SUV that can tow our 16' camper trailer without breaking a sweat. Might see gravel roads, but no 'wheeling' per say.

Does thia vehicle have the air ride suspension in the rear ? I noticed in my manual it says don't tow with air ride, but maybe i misread ? Ill need to double check cuz that seems odd.

The 5 speed in this rig compared to the 4 speed in my 100 makes a huge difference too. The GX just rides really nice , good turn radius , and solid feel at highway speeds

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Does thia vehicle have the air ride suspension in the rear ? I noticed in my manual it says don't tow with air ride, but maybe i misread ? Ill need to double check cuz that seems odd.

The 5 speed in this rig compared to the 4 speed in my 100 makes a huge difference too. The GX just rides really nice , good turn radius , and solid feel at highway speeds

Not sure, I'll have to look into the air suspension. I guess it could be swaped for regular if I had to.

Unfortunately the Japanese KDJ120 only came with the A343F (4 speed auto). I'd love to have the A750f (5 speed auto), but it only came in the European KDJ120 afaik. It's a much much better transmission indeed.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Reading more about these 1KD-FTV motors is turning me off. Seems like yet another troublesome diesel. Injector issues which are expensive to get and must be programmed into ECU using special Denso equipment that no one in North America has, etc. The Injector issues if not tended can flood sump with diesel and ruin motor. Apparently frequent oil changes are necessary to prevent issues. Can never guarantee how previous owners took care of the motors. Coupled with expected VNT turbo replacement, etc. No thanks. Had enough of this kinda crap with my 2LTE to last a couple life times.

Thinking gassers again. GX460 or LX570 fits the bill. Prices are coming down these days.

 

[JuanJ]

Hello,

The 120 Series' 1KD engine is a bit slow but it is reliable. But then again, it is impossible to know how caring the PO was.

It is common for 1KD POs to mess with the injectors outside the maintenance schedule's recommendations. They do not need that much care, but both overzealous owners and mechanics looking for extra money from unnecessary work abound.

The GX470 is a good option. The engine is reliable but gas mileage is a bit low, around 11 mpg with suspension lift, tires and other modifications.

Another option is the 1GR-powered 120 Series, the GRJ120. I think it is known as Prado Grande in some markets. Or the 1TR-powered 120 Series. Both are good trucks and some of the ones I see around here are firmly attached to their owners. By the way, the 1TR gets decent gas mileage, provided you use 92+ octane fuel.





Juan

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Hello,

The 120 Series' 1KD engine is a bit slow but it is reliable. But then again, it is impossible to know how caring the PO was.

It is common for 1KD POs to mess with the injectors outside the maintenance schedule's recommendations. They do not need that much care, but both overzealous owners and mechanics looking for extra money from unnecessary work abound.

The GX470 is a good option. The engine is reliable but gas mileage is a bit low, around 11 mpg with suspension lift, tires and other modifications.

Another option is the 1GR-powered 120 Series, the GRJ120. I think it is known as Prado Grande in some markets. Or the 1TR-powered 120 Series. Both are good trucks and some of the ones I see around here are firmly attached to their owners. By the way, the 1TR gets decent gas mileage, provided you use 92+ octane fuel.





Juan

Thanks Juan. LX470 and GX470 here are still pretty expensive (over priced I think). For just a bit more money, it's possible to get GX460 or LX570. Both fantastic vehicles and no timing belts to deal with because they are 1UR or 3UR motor. This is how I'm leaning now. There are some GRJ120's for sale near me; but I think that engine isn't great on gas either, and lacks ~100hp of the UR series, so less capable for towing (and very thirsty when towing).

 

[Eurasiaoverland]

I think the issues with the 1KD may be getting overstated - here in Borneo, where maintenance is typically very minimal, these engines are very common. They are in Hiluxes, Fortuners, Prado, Hiaces, Innovas, Dynas and probably more. I have never heard of any problems with the engine locally, and they have an excellent reputation. That said, it's not an engine I have done a lot of research on.

I've said it before, but it's really a shame Toyota never put a 4 cylinder direct injection pre-common rail turbo diesel in a Landcruiser or Hilux platform. The 14B-T and 15B-T/-FT are those things, but are big, heavy truck engines. V6 and V8 petrols are never going to be efficient IMO, but it's good to see that Toyota still make decent sized 4 cylinder petrols. The 2TR is a 2.7 4 cylinder, basically a VVTi version of the magnificent 3RZ, but I'm not sure how well they would cope with towing, especially if in front of a slushbox which is unfortunately almost mandatory these days. I've driven a 2TR A/T Fortuner and it didn't feel any quicker than my manual 3RZ Hilux Surf (4Runner).

 

[JuanJ]

I think the issues with the 1KD may be getting overstated - here in Borneo, where maintenance is typically very minimal, these engines are very common. They are in Hiluxes, Fortuners, Prado, Hiaces, Innovas, Dynas and probably more. I have never heard of any problems with the engine locally, and they have an excellent reputation. That said, it's not an engine I have done a lot of research on.

I've said it before, but it's really a shame Toyota never put a 4 cylinder direct injection pre-common rail turbo diesel in a Landcruiser or Hilux platform. The 14B-T and 15B-T/-FT are those things, but are big, heavy truck engines. V6 and V8 petrols are never going to be efficient IMO, but it's good to see that Toyota still make decent sized 4 cylinder petrols. The 2TR is a 2.7 4 cylinder, basically a VVTi version of the magnificent 3RZ, but I'm not sure how well they would cope with towing, especially if in front of a slushbox which is unfortunately almost mandatory these days. I've driven a 2TR A/T Fortuner and it didn't feel any quicker than my manual 3RZ Hilux Surf (4Runner).

Hello,

Your impressions on the 1KD are similar to my experience. A while ago I used to drive a 1KD powered Hilux, a company truck that got its maintenance done at the local dealer's shop. The unnecessary maintenance work I mentioned comes from what the mechanics told me. They had their share of 1KD trucks with problems due to dubious maintenance work.

The 1KD's injection system is designed to be serviced every 40k km or 25k mi. Mechanics looking for an extra buck tell owners that it needs service every 20k km, and the latter usually accept. This leads to problems, as the extra disassemble/cleaning/tune up messes with the engine setup.

The 1GR is usually rated at 240 HP in 120/150 Series Prados and 238 HP in 70 Series Land Cruisers. It is not that thirsty if you operate it within the low to mid power range, something that requires being careful with one's right foot.

The 3RZ is indeed a great engine, powerful and not too thirsty.





Juan

 

[Dougal]

I've driven one I think, but they're incredibly common here. They ran from about 1997 to about 2014 which made them an absolute dinosaur by the end.

Toyota made a complete mess of their DPF tuning. If you can get one without that you're good. Otherwise get one of the last ones they made. Do not get an early DPF model.

Huge differences in noise and refinement from the early ones to the later ones.

 

[Tsvigo]

what is the worry about the 1kd? i replace my 1kz with a 1kd. simple budget upgrade doing 230whp- 35" tire - 90liter = 800km distance range now. everyone just read and say, you need the actual answer for a real user. i have hilux KUN26 1KD , i race with it build it, now my KZJ78 are powered by 1KD. previously 2024 sept till december eat 4 transmission, 2 times 5th gear, 1-4th gear , 1- counter gear. the downside of the commonrail diesel is the injectors, they are expensive to replace. but then how often they will be broken?