Vehicle Suggestions

For $15.5k less you could have intercooled 4.2TD Patrol... Must it be a Toyota???

Have you looked at the Prado, there is a model that sits between the GXL and the Grande.

Its advantage is that it has lots of the goodies of the Grande, without the air suspension which may not suit, if you tow alot.

If you can wait till later in the year, the Prado will be released with the common rail engine, which will greatly improve power and fuel economy. It will also have a new transmission to handle the added HP.

Having towed with both petrol and diesel, the diesel particularly on long trips does it with less effort. With the current Prado, we are using about 15 litres of fuel per 100 kms, when towing, I believe the petrol will use closer to 20 litres.

However you really need to do your sums, because of not only fuel cost, but because of resale value, and the cost of servicing, as at least on the Prado you are up for increased oil changes, which the Nissan has too.

Also the AUW of the van, you may be too close to the maximum towing weight on the Prado, which is 2500 Kgs.

All in all, it is horses for courses, and you need to establish what your needs are compared to what is available.

Regards

Col Tigwell

Service charges..Fuel tanks..My wife has a diesel Prado,pulls loaded car trailer easy..Also,you get realitive economy with the std wheels and long range with the huge fuel tank/s..Service..She had a Tdi then a TD5 Disco..She & I drove to Rockhampton to get 80Thou service..Disco cost $680 with no parts,my Jeep Cherokee T/Diesel cost $125..You will have noted the wise post to wait for Common Rail motor..The new Jeeps of course used that injection system for years and I understand the Hyuandi 4x4 wagon getting rave reports also uses a common rail system..I understand that donk comes from or mfg under licence from Diamler/Chrysler also..Decisions Decisions!.Rgs R-1

blackmax am not sure where you are in Oz but Redback is in Sydney area with a chipped Disco TD5 and tows a camper. He may be able to give you a bit of an idea on how it would go...

Where are you Sootie? Thats the name we gave his Disco.

BM
We have been through same dilemma.
I think you'll definitely struggle once loaded up. We found chipping alone didn't make too much difference but with an upgrade to the intercooler you really get a boost. Total cost would be around $2000. Brings power and torque up to a 100 series. We tow a 1.2t camper, if I had a van I would go the 100s.
Towing that length of van I think would be tricky with the TD5 being that it has a relatively short wheel base, that's where the 100s comes into its own. Under hard braking you will be thankful. Far outweighs the economy of the TD5.
Still would go diesel, just somehow comforting that reliable tick tick tick.
Cheers
John

Ok, just below is a list of the specs for both the landcruiser and patrol. Both in 6cyl diesel. The landcruiser specs are left, then patrol right.
You can see that as far as power and torque go the patrol is left WAY behind. The patrol also has no automatic gearbox option. IMHO that also leaves it behind as far as being a towing vehicle goes.
But in the patrols deffence the landcruisers have had front diff and suspension problems when being driven off road, and don't have the live front axel. Having IFS for long distance caravan towing, however IMHO is a bonus not a hinderance as you will have a smoother ride and better handling.
The patrol is cheaper.

The prado is an excellent vehicle but why would you bother, the TD5 has got a better tow rating and is probally about the same power.

But to actually answer your origional question:
V8. Nah. Give me the diesel for towing anyday.

TOYOTA LANDCRUISER HDJ100R KAKADU Limited Ed NISSAN PATROL GU II ST 4.2
Block material Cast-iron Cast-iron
Bore (mm) 94.0 96.0
Capacity (cm3) 4164 4169
Compression ratio 18.8:1 22.7:1
Configuration In-line In-line
Cylinders 6 6
Engine code 1HD-FTE TD42T
Engine description 6cyl/SOHC/4v 6cyl/OHV/2v
Engine location Front Front
Engine orientation Longitudinal Longitudinal
Head material Cast-iron Aluminium alloy
Maximum power 151kW @ 3400rpm 114kW @ 3600rpm
Maximum torque 430Nm @ 1800rpm 360Nm @ 2000rpm
Stroke (mm) 100.0 96.0
Valve train SOHC OHV
Valves per cylinder 4 2

Thank you to all who took the time to give me their thoughts and experience on this issue.
I have considered the new series 3 Disco also but am concerned about all the electronics and the fact it is all new.
I will probebly end up with a LC 100 T/D.
Regards and thanks again.