Prado reliability (1 Viewer)

[9180ltd]

Ok since this is the 70's page i figured this would be the place to ask. We own an HDJ81 as a family vehicle but the wifes suzuki sidekick work commuter is starting to suffer from some issues im getting tired of attending to. We were talking about 70 series land cruisers as an option for a replacment. She seems to like the prado as well as the 73? i think it is (extended version of the canadian BJ70 only with the 13BT) So my question is before we look to deep into the prado's is when did they rectify the 2LT-E problems/ change motors?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Ok since this is the 70's page i figured this would be the place to ask. We own an HDJ81 as a family vehicle but the wifes suzuki sidekick work commuter is starting to suffer from some issues im getting tired of attending to. We were talking about 70 series land cruisers as an option for a replacment. She seems to like the prado as well as the 73? i think it is (extended version of the canadian BJ70 only with the 13BT) So my question is before we look to deep into the prado's is when did they rectify the 2LT-E problems/ change motors?

The model with the turbo 13BT is a BJ74,the earlier 73 has a 3B like the BJ70. The 90- on is a HJZ73 with a 1HZ.
These larger models have leaf springs all round and dont have as nicer ride as the coil sprung models.
Not a biggie for some,but women may feel different about it

The 2L TE was replaced with the 1KZ T around 92 but it varies a little depending on the market. This model is a KZJ70 KZJ73 or KZJ78 depending on the length.
There is some debate on this forum about the cyl head reliabilty of the 1KZ T but they have been hugely successful in australia,se asia and europe

A turbo diesel Pajero might also suit the wife

 

[9180ltd]

Wow thanks for all the info! and she loooves the newer (94-95) 2dr pajero's but i know nothing about them. This size of rig is what we are replacing and fuel economy is key as she travels 65KM each way to work 4days a week.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Wow thanks for all the info! and she loooves the newer (94-95) 2dr pajero's but i know nothing about them. This size of rig is what we are replacing and fuel economy is key as she travels 65KM each way to work 4days a week.

I would get the 4 dr Pajero or Prado over a 2 dr. Just makes them more versatile with no big difference in cost and much nicer to ride in.
The Prado and Pajero are probably the main soccer mums car in oz

 

[9180ltd]

Ha well she is defiantly a soccer mum 3x over now. we were thinking the 2dr only for fuel consumption reasons as a work commuter., as when its time to haul the troops she uses my/uhh our 80. Are the 2-4 dr's close in MPG's? and how would the pajeros compare to the prado's?

 

[roscoFJ73]

Ha well she is defiantly a soccer mum 3x over now. we were thinking the 2dr only for fuel consumption reasons as a work commuter., as when its time to haul the troops she uses my/uhh our 80. Are the 2-4 dr's close in MPG's? and how would the pajeros compare to the prado's?

No 1st hand experience,but I imagine around 10l/100klm would be about right for all of them
From my observations,weight doesn't increase the fuel consumption all that much(except if you live in a very hilly area).
Wind resistance seems to affect my diesels.

Crushers might know,he has sold a few of each.

 

[Gun Runner 5]

The ability to carry up to eight is nice at times however you can expect an average fuel economy of 19 to 21 miles per gallon and that figure is based on numerous tanks of fuel. Hope that helps..
......1978HJ45

 

[Radd Cruisers]

The Pajeros with the 2.5 (4D56T) or the 2.8L (4M40) diesels DO NOT get great fuel economy. BOTH engines have problems, but certainly different problems than the Prado (2LTE). The 4D56T is a timing belt pig and the 4M40 has some cylinder head problems.

- Small displacement diesels DO NOT get better fuel economy than larger displacement (more reliable) diesels in the same vehicle.

- Diesel engine size alone does not relate to fuel economy very well, with larger engines often having considerably better performance and equivalent or better fuel consumption numbers in a given vehicle.

I would BY FAR vote for something like the PZJ77 or HZJ77 if that size of vehicle is your thing vs. the Pajeros of the KZ or LJ Prados.

If commuting is all the vehicle is going to be used for, then you're really looking at the wrong type of vehicle altogether. You should really be looking at a high efficiency diesel like the VW offerings (not that I am a fan of the expense of European car maintenance), or a Honda or Toyota car.

~John

 

[Radd Cruisers]

One more note: I would 100% not recommend any vehicle that has the 2LTE engine in it. The heart break and grief will not be worth it in the end. And, your bank account will be very happy if you do not buy one of these vehicles.

If you are going to buy a JDM again, be totally sure to research every aspect of the model and engine you are buying. Many JDMs have expensive cooling system problems.

- Buying from a very reputable dealer who does a full maintenance package is highly recommended.

- A good maintenance package will mean that the dealer invests $2,000 to $5,000 in the vehicle once it's brought over.

- Find out what the dealer's warranty is - warranties from some of the used car warranty companies are not as comprehensive as you might thing (eg: Lubrico). Be sure to read the fine print before you buy, since reading it afterwards (and regretting not reading it beforehand) is not going to be too helpful.

~John

 

[Gun Runner 5]

The gentleman in the previous reply (Radd Cruisers) is giving you some good advice and while I currently own a LJ78 with a slightly modified 2L-TE ( 3L head ) and very much enjoy the vehicle I must admit it is somewhat tiresome having to constantly watch the temp. gauge and pyrometer. I have had good luck with my vehicle but that luck appears to be a rarity with the 2L-TE.
.............1978HJ45

 

[roscoFJ73]

- Small displacement diesels DO NOT get better fuel economy than larger displacement (more reliable) diesels in the same vehicle.

- Diesel engine size alone does not relate to fuel economy very well, with larger engines often having considerably better performance and equivalent or better fuel consumption numbers in a given vehicle.



~John

The BJ7* and other 4 cyl do get better fuel economy than the 6 cyl diesels. You wont get much better than 12/100 from a 1HZ or any other 6 cyl if you take an urban and highway cycle into account.
12/100 is 20% more fuel than 10/100 and it adds up over 25000 klms a year.
On top of that,servicing costs also rise exponentially with 2 extra cyls

Even the BJ60 owners seem to get better fuel economy than the HJ60 owners on this forum

 

[9180ltd]

This is all very interesting. I did not know that the pajero 2.8's had head problems nor did i know that the 2.5's had an actual timing belt "problem" per say, i just thought everyone just did them for good measure once they got here. What model did the 5cyl toyota diesels come out in ..... i have seen pics of the engine and it quite resembles the 1HD-T in my 81 .... just smaller. Was it a winner? dont know how well balanced a 5cly would be.
John,
My decision to go sport ute with my wife came after living on the mainland for the last 6 years (coming from the island....hoping to return soon) having her hit twice in our toyota avalon. Last one being T boned. After that i wanted her in something a little higher off the ground and with a frame so that the other cars that will most likely will hit her will have a better likelihood of going under rather than over the bumper or under the vulnerable mid point of a door. Heck if i could afford it she would drive a crew cab full size truck with sliders and ARB's....... but then i would be like every other poser in vancouver that builds up a truck which never leaves the pavment I hope you can see it from that side. I just want a reliable diesel powered SUV (diesel is umm kinda free for me at work) that is easy for her to commute in that will hold the 3 kids once in a while.

Once again i thank everyone for there comments as this is a decision that requires real world experiences from others so that i can make an educated purchase.
P.S. Who is a reputable dealer now? I heard Outback changed owners and quality went south a bit ..... luxury is no longer nextdoor....?? any suggestions?

 

[Petzel]

I think you will only see a 1PZ in a JDM PZJ77 here in Canada. I think all other JDM 7*'s imported to Canada were either the 3B, 13BT or 1HZ.

 

[ForealBoreal]

The Pajeros with the 2.5 (4D56T) or the 2.8L (4M40) diesels DO NOT get great fuel economy. BOTH engines have problems, but certainly different problems than the Prado (2LTE). The 4D56T is a timing belt pig and the 4M40 has some cylinder head problems.

Yes! I was doing my research on getting a Pajero because I didn't have the money for an 81. (I was still planning on buying an overly inflated landed one)
I was shocked to find out that the landcruiser got the same fuel economy if not better and didn't have the problems of a pajero. I heard the timing belts were just whores to do and the 2.8L that just became eleigable for import had some head issues occasionally. I wanted to avoid that all together.

I would BY FAR vote for something like the PZJ77 or HZJ77 if that size of vehicle is your thing vs. the Pajeros of the KZ or LJ Prados.

HZJ73s or PZJs are really nice. There are a bit of mixed signals from the KZJ series. I would stay away from those just to avoid a headache. The prado thing just scares me.

If commuting is all the vehicle is going to be used for, then you're really looking at the wrong type of vehicle altogether. You should really be looking at a high efficiency diesel like the VW offerings (not that I am a fan of the expense of European car maintenance), or a Honda or Toyota car.

VW TDI. Or if your not worried about fuel economy just get a rally car...

-

Buying from a very reputable dealer who does a full maintenance package is highly recommended.

9180LTD I'm P.M.ing you.

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Find out what the dealer's warranty is - warranties from some of the used car warranty companies are not as comprehensive as you might thing (eg: Lubrico). Be sure to read the fine print before you buy, since reading it afterwards (and regretting not reading it beforehand) is not going to be too helpful.

Import it yourself. Save yourself some money and DO YOUR RESEARCH! I can't stress that enough.