Prado or 80 series??

[dazbrook]

I know this may have been asked before ,but..
I have owned a 97 GXL Prado for a year now and its been great.(2 inch OME , snorkel , BFG A/T s etc)
We do a lot of camping( 2 kids) and i like to go the 4wd parks etc.
Im thinking of selling my Prado and getting an 80 series , due to the fact its bigger , more cabin space , and also has the options to lift it higher than my Prado (which is limiting sometimes), and put bigger tyres on.

Would this be the way to go or should i keep the Prado.
Selling for 12000 and hopefully getting an 80 series for around 13000 to 15000 , not too worried about which fuel (TD would be ideal but out of my range) as its not a daily drive.

Just wanted to put the question out there as some of my mates have said keep the Prado.

Thanx in advance for any opinions.

Dazza

[MJ80]

Well, the GXL 80 is just as, if not more comfortable than the prado inside imo, and like you said its bigger inside more space and more practicle in general having the coils all round and the larger ammount of modifications that you can do.

Do you do much 'serious' 4x4ing or more camping and touring ?

[Gib009]

Mate if its not a daily driver get the 80. You will love the solid axles at both ends at the 4wd parks. You will also love its toughness over the prado and the ability to lift it skywards as much as you want. And also much more flex and stabilty on the tracks... It is a much better 4wd and a much better tourer. The only downsides over the prado is its ride and its physical size would get annoying if you daily drive it.

[dazbrook]

Well, the GXL 80 is just as, if not more comfortable than the prado inside imo, and like you said its bigger inside more space and more practicle in general having the coils all round and the larger ammount of modifications that you can do.

Do you do much 'serious' 4x4ing or more camping and touring ?

A bit of both really..

Lots of camping (mainly at 4wd parks ) just got back from Rover Park and done Landcruiser park ...Moreton , Fraser , Straddie , etc

Its NOT a daily driver , i have a ute , and she has a Barina..Only use the car once a week at the most unless we go away anywhere.

Off to the Cape next Sept.

I also love going to Glasshouse Mts for a `play`..Went a few weeks ago with guys from this forum....Brilliant .. but feel restricted..

I want to do more `serious` 4wd ing but feel restricted at the moment even tho its been lifted.

Thanx for your replies

Daz

[MJ80]

Its NOT a daily driver

I want to do more `serious` 4wd ing


Daz

Get the 80 =]

[GU'NIT-Patrol!]

Check around in trading post or carsales dot com in NSW's. My mate picked up a 80series for 3grand no joke! Only thing wrong was the interior, ripped seats which could be easly fixed.

Shop around for the best buy's you can get, I'll look out for some and give you a shout. Not a problem of the cargo or freight because I know alot of people that would help me out....

[JCAS24]

It is a much better 4wd and a much better tourer.

I dont agree with this comment in regards to the 80 > prado , they both have a toyota badge, so you can't go wrong.

Not your daily, wanna do more hardcore wheeling? get an 80, no question about it. I would be trying for a diesel, but each to their own.

[taresk]

Yeah, I agree with what's been said, while you could mod the Prado up, it would be easier to mod an 80, and not being the daily driver, you don't need to be concerned with the size of it around town.

Go the 80!

[andy_beachbum]

boys check out the prado thread, hard core? some of these rigs wil put an 80 ser to shame

[MJ80]

ha !

[LowLux00]

Do what your finances say you can do, both are very good rigs.

[dazbrook]

boys check out the prado thread, hard core? some of these rigs wil put an 80 ser to shame

lol.
I agree too , but there seems to be more mods you can do to an 80.
And lift it to the sky.
Been looking at the old GQ`s too.

Theres nothing wrong with the car i have , it is my first 4wd , and ive fitted ARB bullbar , OME lift all round , BFG A/T`s , free flow exhaust , custom drawers , dual batts , cargo barrier , custom sliders , snorkel ,

Now i know more about 4wd ing and the cars, i would like to make more mods to a car that is capable of more mods (does that make sense??) ,
and sat next to other 80`s , GQ`s , GU`s , etc my car seems really small!!

Daz

[GU'NIT-Patrol!]

Who really cares about the hight here, If you get a super big hummer h2 and then ran out of money because what its stupidly overly worth, and I had a suzuki seara(spelling) and spent a few grand on tyres, twin locks, real good suspension and few more bits and pieces...the suzuki will go wherever the H2 will go and who knows maybe further..

Size doesn't matter, but the way your thinking of just putting a bit of a lift on a LC and makes it a monster it very true..

Hardcore=LC
Touring comphort, daily driving=Prado
best 4wd and owns them all=PATROL hehehehe...

but keep thinking, spend where your money can go....
cyas

[taresk]

It's quite common to see Prado's these days with 3" lift and 33" tyres (I should know, I own one), there is even one getting around down south with 36" tyres.

But the thing is, mods for an 80 will be off the shelf, mods for a prado are either custom or imported, so like I said, it'll be cheaper to mod an 80, and they are roomier.

[Moshe]

Prado or 80? mm , limp kerp or hard hmmm let me think????:D

[Andy_b]

Daz get some lockers, eighty series rear shocks (or 120series then you don't need to modify the rear bump stops). They'll give you heaps of rear articulation (I'm still running 90series shockies though).

Plus with the prado you don't have to worry about castor corrections of anything like that. I don't really see where the 80 series aftermarket parts are cheaper. And prados are pretty easy to give a body lift too.

I was in the prado out the glasshouse mountains the other week. And I kept up with the double locked 80 series without a problem. I have also kept up with double locked 5'' lifted defenders and 75 series.

Daz your prado is very well setup and very clean, be a little different and keep the prado.

Andy

[GU'NIT-Patrol!]

I must agree Daz's Prado was very well set up, The ARB bar looked so damn nice...well all the best for Dazza and his Prado:D

[JCAS24]

Daz, I don't think I have seen your prado, but it sure sounds nice. I recently did a bodylift on my prado, including raising the arb bar, 16x8" 80series wheels and soon fitting 33's. Often thought of getting something else (80 or GQ) but I like to be a little different. I just need some sliders and a front locker and it will go just about anywhere.

Since you have put a fair bit into the prado maybe you should keep it. idk :p

[judge]

hello my mate just picked up a GU wagon for $14500 and it is clean as low kms no dents etc. have you though about maybe buying a nissan because you can build up a tuff nissan on the cheap and they last for ever,cheers Rick.

[dazbrook]

Daz get some lockers, eighty series rear shocks (or 120series then you don't need to modify the rear bump stops). They'll give you heaps of rear articulation (I'm still running 90series shockies though).

Plus with the prado you don't have to worry about castor corrections of anything like that. I don't really see where the 80 series aftermarket parts are cheaper. And prados are pretty easy to give a body lift too.

I was in the prado out the glasshouse mountains the other week. And I kept up with the double locked 80 series without a problem. I have also kept up with double locked 5'' lifted defenders and 75 series.

Daz your prado is very well setup and very clean, be a little different and keep the prado.

Andy

Cheers Andy,

I am now swaying towards keeping it ,

I have enough money now for a locker (ARB recommended rear 1st)

Also looking at getting black sunraisers (?)and set of BFG muddies.

Deffo want the lockers , especially after seeing yours the other week ` walking` up that hill.

Thanx for all replies..

Ill prob keep it for a couple of years then get a GU 4.2TD.

Daz

[dazbrook]

I must agree Daz's Prado was very well set up, The ARB bar looked so damn nice...well all the best for Dazza and his Prado:D

Cheers mate.

Hope to see you out there again sometime!!

Daz

[Trojan]

I have enough money now for a locker (ARB recommended rear 1st)

There standard wiring loom for lockers requires the rear to be switched on first before the front can. It's fairly simple to modify so they can be locked indiviually from each other. That's if you go their standard wiring loom and not just do the wiring yourself.

In saying that, on an IFS vehicle, especially a 7.5" front Toyota IFS vehicle you'd be mad not to lock the front first, that's the end that let's you down the most and generally will stop you first from a lifted wheel.

It's also the weaker end. Slowing any lifted wheel down so it's at the same speed as forward motion is a good thing, it will go a long way in stopping CV's and front diffs going bang.

If i ever lock my Prado it will be front first, i've done it in previous similiar 4WD's (4Runner for example) and it made a far greater difference then the rear which basically was never used. I can't recall the amount of times i had both rears spinning and a lifted front in that thing, engage the front and it would normally just idle through the problem.

[dazbrook]

If i ever lock my Prado it will be front first, i've done it in previous similiar 4WD's (4Runner for example) and it made a far greater difference then the rear which basically was never used. I can't recall the amount of times i had both rears spinning and a lifted front in that thing, engage the front and it would normally just idle through the problem.[/quote]

Yeah , i was thinking of going front first , but there is a poll on here somewhere asking whether front or rear on an IFS car.-Most said rear i think??

As soon as i went to ARB to enquire , once i said ` Prado` they all said " Rear" as the toyota LSD is Shit..

I will be getting both done but the other wont be for another 6 months or so.

I have never been `stuck `in a situation yet , but hoping it would be easier to crawl out of situations rather than flooring it.

[MJ80]

no no no no no, dont listen to ARB silly noobs they are

get it in the front, and get some mad coils n shocks for the rear you will not regret it.

[JCAS24]

i would go the front 1st also.

[dazbrook]

no no no no no, dont listen to ARB silly noobs they are

get it in the front, and get some mad coils n shocks for the rear you will not regret it.

What sort of coils would you go in the back???

My OME shocks and coils are only 6 months old.
I could replace the springs easy enough ( either HD or another series car??)

[MJ80]

well you might not need new gear in the rear, i was just saying that if you have good travel in the rear and can flex well there and your front is locked you will go great. if you already have after market lifted coils your half way there =]

[dazbrook]

I know this may have been asked before ,but..
I have owned a 97 GXL Prado for a year now and its been great.(2 inch OME , snorkel , BFG A/T s etc)
We do a lot of camping( 2 kids) and i like to go the 4wd parks etc.
Im thinking of selling my Prado and getting an 80 series , due to the fact its bigger , more cabin space , and also has the options to lift it higher than my Prado (which is limiting sometimes), and put bigger tyres on.

Would this be the way to go or should i keep the Prado.
Selling for 12000 and hopefully getting an 80 series for around 13000 to 15000 , not too worried about which fuel (TD would be ideal but out of my range) as its not a daily drive.

Just wanted to put the question out there as some of my mates have said keep the Prado.

Thanx in advance for any opinions.

Dazza


Well i ended up going out and buying a 98 GU 4.5 petrol/LPG patrol.
Its had 1 owner from new and only 16000k`s on it.
3 inch lift with airbags in the back and a factory alloy bull bar.

So i can mod this into my ultimate car....

Thanx everyone for all replies..

Darren