2002 Prado 3.4ltr - any problems?

Think it was the 96 models that had this problem.
Cheers Pete

They are good solid vehicles - better IMHO than then 2003-2009 model.

I had a 1996 model and a 2001 (the face lift) model.

The vibration of the dash over corrugations on the 1996-build vehicle had to be seen to be believed. After one trip across the Simpson you could stick both hands in the gap between the dash and the firewall. The 2001-build vehicle had the same problem, though not to the same extent.

Both vehicles had OME after market suspension kits fitted.

Suggest you run the vehicle over a few corrugations to check.

George_M

G'day George,
Did the ome suspension fix the shuddering dash or at least lessen it.
Cheers John

Hi john

The suspension kit didn't make any difference to the rattle in the dash, as far as I could see (or hear!).

George_M

Hi Phillip, the guy you met was right, they did have the issue with the wiring loom rubbing on the passengers side of the head write at the back of the motor, not sure as having to pull the intake manifold off ?? I could get to mine (maybe some were harder then others) and I modified it and pulled it away from the motor and held it in place with some good sturdy cable ties, they hardly have any flex in them at all so does require some patience and I had to remove a couple of things to get at it but certainly not the inlet manifold.
Moose I had mine and sold it with just under 180k on it, apart from the recall on the rear axle seals (which Toyota fixed no issues) mine was a great vehicle. bit heavy on the fuel I had 75 profile tyres A/T's instead of 70's, bullbar, 2 inch OME lift, cargo barrier etc and around town would use on average 17.2L per 100, best on road freeway no towing was 12.2.

The dash rattle is in all of the 95 series prados 96 to 02, easy fix (check out pradopoint.com.au) I currently have the 01 but T/D this time. I think they are a great vehicle, flex well off road (if he wants to a bit of that stuff) obviously not like a patrol or 80 series cruiser with solid front ends this is where the IFS lets the prados down a bit but the rear flex's nicely.

(if thinking of coverting to gas this my opinion on it)...I converted to gas to sell it as at the time was when petrol jumped to 1.75 a litre and it sold no probs to first buyer (was an 1997 VX Grande) I would never convert one to LPG biggest mistake I made except for to sell it, I know of three people (good friends ) who have had it done and we all had/have the same issues which is fuel smell/vapour on hot days 30c or more and cant fill the reserve tank more then 3/4 or it will literally drip on the ground outside, you lose the main tank (90L) for the gas tank which if you intend to use for outback use can really restrict your touring range, around town I got about 280 k out of the gas tank which was 59L usable I think the biggest you can get is around 63 ?? usable but if using on the sand forget it, you can see the fuel gauge move and you lose allot of power when you need the grunt for towing of punching through the sand (just my thoughts on LPG for this model if your son was thinking about it) if fuel usage is something he is also thinking about.

Except for the gas conversion I personally think they are a great all rounder, Now I'll wait for Robin to comment on their stability as he always does with the 95 series prado !!!!!! Havent rolled either of mine (yet anyway) no worse then your earlier pajero's, jackaroo's, hilux's (which I also owned), or any of the narrower wheel based 4wd's, obviously they are not like thier wider track cousin the landcruiser, or the patrol's but driver imput (brains) plays a major part on wether you stay upright........Regards Steve M