Which is better Prado 120 or 150 diesel. Operating experience of Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Exterior interior design

Toyota Land Cruiser The Prado 120 is the dream of many motorists, and the owners of these cars are extremely reluctant to part with them.

The third generation Prado (index 120) was presented to the public in 2002. This car, like its previous versions, is built on the Toyota 4Runner platform. The concept of this SUV is based on “three pillars”: comfort, cross-country ability, reliability. In 2007, the Prado 120 underwent a slight restyling, which slightly changed the headlights and lanterns, the radiator grille and the location of the spare tire.

In 2010, production of the fourth version of Land Cruiser Prado with index 150 began.

So how good is the Prado 120? Let's try to understand this issue.

There are enough Prado 120 offers on the secondary market. As a rule, these are cars imported from Europe and Arab countries. A sufficient number of cars were also sold by Russian dealers. Select really good car not exactly easy. It is also worth keeping in mind that the mileage on most copies will be rewound. As a rule, the owners of these cars drive 30-50 thousand km a year or more. Low mileage Prados are the exception rather than the rule. This car is also very liquid and loses very little value over time, which is what attracts car thieves.

The Prado 120 was equipped with naturally aspirated gasoline engines and one diesel engine (with and without a turbine). Diesel versions without a turbine are quite rare.

Gasoline units are represented by an in-line four-cylinder 2.7-liter engine 2TRFE(163 horsepower) with VVT-i system, 150-horsepower unit 3RZFE with the same volume (but it no longer has VVT-i) and a six-cylinder 4-liter “V-shape” 1GRFE(249 power). For Japanese market Prado 120 could still be equipped with a 3.4-liter engine 5VZFE(185 power).

The bulk of the diesel Prado 120 is equipped with a four-cylinder turbodiesel unit 1KDFTV, whose power was initially 163 forces, after 2004 - 166, and since 2006 already 173 forces. For the Gulf countries there is a turbodiesel version with 131 horsepower and a diesel version without a turbine - 95 horsepower.

Prado 120 petrol engines are highly reliable. Their timing belt is driven by a chain that has a huge resource. Vehicles with high mileage usually do not even need engine overhaul. The valves of these engines are adjusted using washers, but in practice, adjustment is usually not required even after 250 thousand kilometers. If the engine of your gasoline Prado begins to run unstably, fuel consumption increases, and traction decreases, then it’s time to clean the injectors. After cleaning the injectors, the engine will be in order. After 300 thousand km, cleaning the injectors will no longer help; there is no way to do this without replacing them. Similar symptoms may also appear after the fuel pump located in the tank becomes dirty. The fuel pump lasts just over 200 thousand km.

The Prado 120 diesel engines showed less reliability compared to gasoline internal combustion engines. But the whole point here is the low quality of domestic diesel fuel. The timing belt of diesel engines is driven by a toothed belt, the replacement interval of which is 120,000 km. Diesel valves are also adjusted with washers. On models produced in 2003-2005, pistons burned out. The injectors of diesel units last almost 200 thousand km. The turbine actuator may fail due to contamination of the turbocharger air path, which requires periodic cleaning.




Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 5-door

The main radiator may leak closer to 200 thousand km. The water pump lasts about 160-170 thousand km. The service life of the starter can exceed 300 thousand km.

The Prado was equipped with both a five-speed manual transmission and a 4- and 5-speed automatic transmission. It is worth saying that it is quite difficult to find a Prado with a manual transmission for sale. Concerning automatic transmission, then there are no serious complaints about her work. Rare cases of shocks when shifting gears were noted, but, as a rule, the problem was solved by changing the oil in the box. Complete failure of the automatic transmission was recorded in several cases with huge mileage and on cars produced in 2003-2004.




Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 5-door

System all-wheel drive distributes torque in a ratio of 40/60 (front/rear axle). The machine is equipped with a differential lock with reduction gears. At high mileage, the center lock actuator may fail. Gearbox seals begin to leak after 180-200 thousand kilometers.

The boots of the internal CV joints have to be changed closer to 170,000 kilometers. Front wheel bearings last approximately 150,000 kilometers. They are replaced only as an assembly with the hub.

The Prado 120 could be equipped with both conventional and air suspension. Shock absorbers last almost 250,000 km. Ball joints - 180-200 thousand km, but they are changed only together with the levers. The front stabilizer links last 130-150 thousand km. Closer to eight years of service, the car may tilt slightly to the left. Some craftsmen recommend in such cases rearranging the springs (from the left side to the right, and vice versa, respectively).




Pneumatic cylinders last 170-200 thousand km, and a pneumatic compressor lasts 220-250 thousand km, but only if the air cylinders are in good working order. Otherwise, he will not live more than 150 thousand.

The body position sensor in cars with air suspension is no different in reliability. Its service life is 70-100 thousand km. After it fails, the car hangs in the highest possible position. The reason for the excessive rigidity of the air suspension may lie in the constant sport mode, into which the car goes when the wire running along the left shock absorber breaks (the wire is in the corrugation).

With time steering rack The Prado 120 begins to play (usually at 100-120 thousand km). Typically, play appears due to wear of the splined connection of the column, steering cardan or intermediate shaft. If, when driving over bumps at high speeds, there is a powerful kickback in steering wheel, then it's time to change the elastic steering coupling. Steering rods last 230-250 thousand km.




Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 3-door

The Prado's braking system can cause problems. It all starts with the pedal becoming “wobbly”, after which car owners begin to go through all the possible faults, often to no avail. It starts closer to 200 thousand kilometers. First, the owners begin to develop calipers; when this does not help, they begin to repair the hydraulic accumulator, and then the main brake cylinder. Sometimes a brake malfunction lies in the failure of a valve located in the reservoir cap. brake fluid. It is from this valve that it is advisable to start looking for the cause of the brake malfunction.

On cars older than five years, the cables may become soured. parking brake. It is advisable to use the handbrake every day, then this trouble will bypass you.




Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 5-door

The quality of the paintwork does not cause any serious problems. However, after four years, rust may appear on the frame itself. At about the same age, the chrome on the external elements begins to fade. The tailgate sag over time. This can be treated by adjusting the hinges. Hatch cover fuel tank may touch the body when it is fully opened. To treat it, it should be slightly bent.

On the very first versions of the Prado 120, over time, the rear wiper mechanism, the front trapezoid and the mechanism that lowers the spare tire become sour. On cars manufactured before 2005, the headlights may become dim. Treated by polishing.

The roof rail sealant dries out over time, causing water to seep into the interior after rain or washing.

Problems in the air conditioning system are often associated with loss of tightness of the tubes located under the bottom of the car (on cars with a double cooling system circuit).

The heater motor may begin to make noise at a mileage of 100-120 thousand km. This can be treated with lubricant.

After 250 thousand km, the ignition switch may fail. Its fragile core is to blame for this. The only cure is to replace the lock.

The generator stops working after 150-170 thousand kilometers. It can be treated by simply replacing its brushes.

That's it for the list mass failures ends. To summarize, we can conclude that the Prado 120 will not cause any trouble until 5-7 years of operation. All problems that arise later generally do not incur serious costs for the owner, and after they are eliminated, the Prado 120 will delight its owner for a very long time. We can safely recommend this car for purchase.

A selection of reviews, video reviews and test drives of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120:

The authentic off-road conqueror Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 is rightly considered one of the most reliable cars in Russia. Rumors about its “indestructibility” led to the emergence of a huge army of fans of the Japanese car. It is not surprising that it was actively sold both through official networks and by gray dealers who managed to sell even used right-handed copies delivered from the shores of the Sea of ​​Japan.

However, the car is not without its drawbacks, so in this article we will tell you how to avoid disappointment when buying your favorite car. The cost of a used Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 today is quite comparable to the price of a new Vesta. But even seasoned examples will give a hundred points head start to the products of the Russian automobile industry in terms of reliability and comfort. And this despite the fact that the first copies of the 120 Kruzak came off the assembly line in 2002.

This generation was produced for seven years. In Russia you can find modifications with turbodiesel and gasoline engines. The basic turbodiesel is unlikely to please - only a little over 100 Horse power. The flagship four-liter “six” is much more impressive - 250 hp. If desired, you can find options with a five- and seven-seat layout.

Possible body problems

A frame SUV, despite all its advantages, has a big drawback that can cause a lot of trouble for the new owner. As a rule, the frame begins to rust before the body. The first signs of corrosion are often found at frame openings and welding points.

Operation in large cities increases the risk of rust due to the negative effects of chemicals and salts. In the worst case, a crack may be found on the frame. Replacing it is very problematic, since it is numbered. Often the problem can be solved only through a bribe to traffic cops.

The vehicle's VIN code is located on a plate that is secured to the body using regular rivets. This made the car very popular among car thieves, who easily replaced old SUV to a new one, changing the plate with the VIN code. In addition, the PTS often does not indicate the frame number, which also plays into the hands of criminals.

Possible problems in the interior

One of the main problems in the interior is related to the condition of the climate system, in which the mixing damper gearbox often fails. When replacing the part, it will cost 5 thousand rubles. You can often hear a knocking sound in the steering wheel. This is usually due to a damaged steering column or broken cross member.

Fixing the malfunction may require up to 40 thousand rubles. Often in a used SUV you can find two rows of seats instead of three. This former owner, who preferred a large trunk to additional passengers, simply lost the seats in the last row.

Studying the chassis

The Japanese suspension is rightly considered difficult to kill, but only with proper care. Without maintenance, you can run into a broken spring or a torn ball joint. If you have an air suspension, you may need to replace the pump (from 30 thousand rubles) and the air spring (from 8 thousand rubles). Under severe operating conditions, silent blocks and rubber consumables rarely last six months. The braking system is somewhat inadequate for a large and heavy vehicle, so be prepared for frequent replacement brake discs and pads.

Inspection of the condition of the engine and transmission

The machine requires periodic oil changes every 60 thousand km, and its total resource is 300 thousand km. The most popular among car enthusiasts is the 2.7-liter naturally aspirated engine. It, like its diesel counterparts, is considered reliable and fairly problem-free. But do not forget about its timely maintenance. Injection of cardan shafts will significantly increase the service life of the transmission. In this case, they will have to be changed no earlier than after 200 thousand km.

05.11.2016

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado) – legendary, the dream of many car enthusiasts. Potential buyers of this car are attracted not only by its cross-country ability and its brutal appearance, but also, of course, an impeccable reputation. The 120th Prado is the most popular among all modifications of the Land Cruiser, it is even more popular than the new 150th. And all because true connoisseurs of the model consider this car to be the most successful in the entire history of the model. For some it is a faithful friend and assistant, for others it is a confirmation of status, they write about the 120th that it almost does not break, and keyword Here " almost" In addition, many Pradikas already have a mileage well over a hundred, and at this mileage, unpleasant surprises await the new owner, but we’ll figure out what exactly they are.

A little history:

The first generation of Toyota Land Cruiser Prado was introduced in 1987; its important advantages were high cross-country ability with decent comfort. passenger car. This model It was offered in three- and five-door body styles, with gasoline and diesel engines. This generation of cars was produced for nine years and had the index “70”. The second generation, which received the index “90” » , was introduced in 1996, it was the first car of the family equipped with independent front suspension. Prado, with index 120, began to be produced in 2002; the car was built on the same platform as its predecessor, and, traditionally, was offered in two versions - in a three- and five-door body.

At that time, the equipment and comfort were simply revolutionary. It was the world's first car with Hill Assist, which helps you move uphill on slippery roads and prevents sideways slipping. In addition to this system, the car is equipped with a number of electronic systems and assistants responsible for safety and comfort. In 2005, a light restyling was carried out, while the appearance remained almost unchanged, but the list of modifications expanded noticeably. The third generation of the car lasted until 2009. In 2009, at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 150 (fourth generation) debuted. . The car was built on an improved platform of the previous generation.

Problem areas Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120

Paintwork, like most Japanese cars, very soft, and besides, the anti-corrosion treatment of the body is not the best. All this leads to the rapid appearance of corrosion at all welding points of the frame. Outside, special attention require rear doors, sills and wheel arches. Most quickly, the red disease spreads on cars imported from the emirates. If the rear door has a spare tire, check the door for sagging. If you hear a rattling sound in the doors when driving over uneven surfaces, most likely the reason is the plastic lining or play in the hinges. The chrome-plated elements of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado body are very afraid of reagents and become cloudy in the first years of operation, and then begin to peel off.

Power units.

Weaknesses of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 chassis

The front suspension of the SUV is independent, the rear suspension is dependent, spring, continuous axle. This model can be equipped with both conventional and more comfortable air suspension. Depending on operating conditions, pneumatic springs last 120-150 thousand km; a new one will cost from 150 to 300 USD. A pneumatic compressor lasts 180-200 thousand km, for a new one they ask about 300 USD. The body position sensor lives 100-130 thousand km (if the sensor fails, the car will always be in the up position), replacing the sensor will cost 500 USD. Shock absorbers have a very long service life and can last more than 200,000 km.

Ball joints last 150-180 thousand km; replacement is quite expensive, since they are replaced together with the lower arm. Replacement of stabilizer struts is required every 80-100 thousand km. Wheel bearings have to be changed quite often, every 50-80 thousand km. Also, the steering rack requires close attention. On 5-7 year old Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, you may notice that the car is skewed to the left side; to fix the problem, you need to swap the springs or replace them with new ones. I would like to note that the cost of suspension spare parts is no more expensive than that of other manufacturers, but they have a longer service life. After 5-6 years of use they deteriorate braking performance, the so-called “cotton pedal”, unfortunately, this problem cannot be treated using standard methods. Calipers and guides can become sour and jam, therefore, at each maintenance, they must be lubricated.

Result:

Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120, in most cases, is used for slaughter, so it is not recommended to buy a car from hunters, fishermen and fans of off-road driving. It is better to give preference to a car that was used in a metropolis, since cars from the regions, as a rule, are not in the best condition. Purchasing a car used in big city, significantly reduces the risk that previous owner I had my car serviced at an unofficial service center and refueled with low-quality fuel. Pay as much attention as possible to diagnosing the car before purchasing, since unkillable cars attract a special type of owner.

If you are the owner of this car model, please describe the problems that you encountered while using the car. Perhaps your review will help the readers of our site when choosing a car.

Best regards, editor AutoAvenue

And although the price of a used TLC 120 is now comparable to the cost of a new Vesta or Solaris in the “top”, it gives incredibly more prestige and comfort. In addition, there is a choice of gasoline and diesel engines to suit every taste, from the simplest with a hundred horsepower to a four-liter V6 with two and a half hundred horsepower. Short and long wheelbase, a good choice options and even a seven-seater version for a long-wheelbase body. Classic solutions used in dozens of company models, including commercial series. The car “eats” well, in accordance with the engine size, the interior is comfortable, so is the suspension, the cross-country ability is at an excellent level and the highway habits are quite tolerable, there’s nothing to criticize too much for.

But whether the legendary reliability saves you from expenses remains to be seen.

Body and interior

The frame body structure is revered by many as the strongest and most reliable option. But in reality, the frame is not at all something indestructible, and the body design is not very successful: the floors are too high, the center of gravity is high, and the body’s rigidity is poor. Yes and passive safety not as good as it seems: in case of an accident with stationary objects or simply more significant ones, the consequences are the most severe. And only if this is a collision with a lighter car, the frame and weight will play a role.

In the photo: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (120) "2002–09

In operational terms, not everything is fine either. The anti-corrosion treatment of the TLC 120 frame leaves much to be desired; corrosion occurs from all welding points and holes. On vehicles that were operated in Moscow and did not undergo additional anti-corrosion treatment, the frame may even be significantly weakened, even to the point of cracks appearing. The unit is important, but it has to be replaced due to unsuccessful off-road forays.

But with replacement, everything is not so simple: cars with a frame repair number, with the letters R on the edges, simply cannot be registered now. However, even before this was possible only for a “small bribe”, although there was no crime in this - this is how dealers all over Europe filled in the number.

There are many cars with damaged license plates due to corrosion, but there are also plenty of cars with a “dark” past - Toyota SUVs have long been leaders in the number of thefts. “Constructors” are now also classified as crimes - previously TLCs were considered an “eternal” machine not only for their reliability. The VIN was applied to a plate that was attached to the body with rivets, which were possessed not only official dealers– they could easily be bought at a spare parts store. This means that the old LC could always be exchanged for a new one, illegally imported into the cut - the plate could be re-riveted at any service center. This method was especially convenient for those owners whose frame was “numberless” - the PTS stated “number not installed.”

Changes in legislation in recent years have literally pulled the rug out from under the feet of numerous Toyota owners in the Far East, where such “tricks” have been put on the assembly line - their cars can no longer be re-registered. When purchasing, of course, you need to pay the most careful attention to the frame number, documents, and compliance with the VIN stated in the title. It is best if the car is left-hand drive and officially sold in Russia. It’s a little worse if it’s a car from Europe, but with a normal dealer history. All other options are gradually going to Kazakhstan or being cut up, fortunately there is a high demand for spare parts, the car still remains one of the most stolen models.

On Prado, not only the frame corrodes, the body is also susceptible to this scourge. On the outside, everything is often fine, but under the false thresholds, in places under the arches, in the places where the fastening clips are located, corrosion on city cars is already making its way through the metal with might and main. Unfortunately, many owners ignore the first symptoms, and after a few years the damage can become irreversible.

On the outside, everything is not so bad: corrosion is clearly visible only on the rear door, sometimes it crawls out from under the plastic of the sills or trims and arch extensions. No less problems await those who buy cars from the outback, anti-rooted in the old fashioned way, with bitumen and cannon fat, counting on best condition body In fact, such barrier protection does not prevent the development of corrosion that has already begun, and dust may appear under the layer of bitumen. In general, you need to pay close attention to the condition of the body, especially on cars from the Emirates.

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Otherwise there are surprisingly few problems. Rattles in the doors are either linings, or a limiter, or there is play in the hinges. The air conditioner tubes and condenser are actively corroding - the alloy is not very good; by the age of five or six years it often needs to be replaced. The main radiator also corrodes and requires replacement regularly. Moreover, it is dangerous to wash it; the structure is too flimsy and may not withstand the pressure of water from the Karcher. The windshield wiper trapezoid is also far from eternal; it can even fall apart in cars recent years release. Chrome radiator grille, mirror caps and rims can’t stand even a year in Moscow, just leave him with peace of mind in advance.

The windshield on the Prado is a consumable item, it gets scratched easily and breaks easily. Salon problems, in addition to general pollution and poor dry cleaning, can be counted on one hand. Of the little things - the third row of seats is almost always missing, it is very inconvenient to store, it is simply removed and... lost.

The most serious problem, perhaps, is related to the climate system. If it begins to move the drives noisily and jerkily, then pay attention to the condition of the mixing damper gearmotor. It wipes the contact tracks and wears out the brushes due to the lubricant drying out. If you take it apart and lubricate it in time, it can still work for a very long time, but if not, then the price new part approximately 5 thousand rubles. There is no need to remove the panel, but there will be a lot of disassembly involved. The lifespan of the heater motor is moderate, lasting about five to eight years, but replacing the brushes and restoring the bearings often helps.

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Steering noises and knocks are usually associated with a broken steering column; its problems are quite varied, but most often the cardan crosses or elastic bushing are broken. The price of repairs ranges from a couple of thousand rubles to more than fifty, it all depends on the imagination and greed of the service. The laziest and most greedy do not bother with repairs, they offer to exchange for a “contract” one (in fact, the part does not have any contract, it is just from disassembly or from a stolen car), at a cost of 30-40 thousand.

In the photo: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 5-door (J120W) "2007–09

But there are no problems with the multimedia system, except for the fact that it is many times simpler here than on any European classmate, and can do literally nothing. There is a rear view camera, but those who have tried it say that it would be better not to have it. During daylight hours it can still be used, but at night the picture is reminiscent of low-budget horror films. “Non-native” cameras of varying degrees of advancedness are found on TLC Prado almost more often than “native” ones.

Electrical and electronics

The main problem, oddly enough, is the ease of maintenance of this subsystem of the machine. In the most remote village there will be a guy who can deal with breakdowns without scanners and other things. One problem: along the way, he will often create a bunch of other problems due to his low qualifications. Three or four blocks of collective farm xenon, five alarms, four sets of acoustic wiring - this is all the everyday life of the services that restore old Pradikas. People who rode them before didn’t fool themselves: it drives well, it shines – it’s generally excellent. Unfortunately, “collective farm style” is always somewhere next to Prado, you should be prepared for this.

In general, the electrical part is not bad. Unless the voltage regulator here is a consumable, which on average needs to be changed every three years. It is affordable, but if it is half-dead, the battery will fail and the generator can be ruined.

Electrical problems also affect the suspension: if you have adjustable shock absorbers TEMS, then their wiring may fail, and this can even be repaired. The shock absorbers themselves are also repaired, but less often, more often they install non-original ones. Another “consumable item” on cars with rear “pneumatic air” is the compressor, even with air intake from the passenger compartment its resource is very limited, usually it lasts for 150-200 thousand kilometers when driving on asphalt, and if the car drives on the ground, then the resource is lower - once every five. Sometimes the sensors on the rear axle also fail. Bursting cylinders are clearly related to the problems of the suspension itself, but they are also inexpensive, about 8-9 thousand rubles. Yes, this is not for you.

A little electronic problems It also occurs in the engine compartment: mainly this is a “blooming” of connectors and sensors of gasoline engines. But the breakdown of the ignition switch, although not entirely “electric” in reality, is very curious and, moreover, occurs frequently. The shaft between the lock and the contact group of the lock bursts. They are trying to repair it, cook it with argon, seal it with cold welding, or simply replace it - the parts are already on sale. If you come across a non-standard Start button on the panel, you know that someone has already been “farming” with might and main.

Suspension, brakes and steering

All three nodes require increased attention. The suspension is very reliable, as long as you don’t forget that it needs to be properly maintained. You come across torn out ball joints, silent blocks torn into trash, and burst springs...

As you already understood from the last part of the article, you don’t have to be particularly afraid of pneuma: 30 thousand rubles for a pump and 8 thousand rubles for each of the air bags is not too much to pay for the extra 4 cm of rear clearance and comfort. Moreover, with some care, the system lasts quite a long time; if you do not allow dirty air into the compressor and take care of the cylinders, it can last hundreds of thousands, especially if you do not overuse primers with dust. TEMS shock absorbers are expensive, but for such a tall and narrow car it is good way provide decent handling on the highway while maintaining comfort. Again, worth the investment. Often they install a more advanced version of the shock absorber with TLC 150: you just need to install a different support.

In the photo: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 5-door "2007–09

It’s difficult to say about the service life of the suspension in general: on good asphalt it is huge, but such cars are not bought for smooth roads, and often the suspension lasts for six months of good “grip” on broken asphalt. Moreover, the subframes of a passenger car would have fallen off long ago from such speeds and roads, but on the TLC you just need to change the balls and rubber bands of the levers.

From weak points You can highlight the wheel bearings, they are not particularly sealed, after overcoming fords they often begin to whistle, and fine dust penetrates through all the seals. And on good roads and in warm regions the resource is, again, very large.

The brakes are distinguished by their well-thought-out design, ease of replacing pads, and the fact that discs and pads are killed regularly. The car is heavy, the brakes are small - it’s not difficult to draw a conclusion. Discs leak quite often due to their high temperature. It is very rare that the ABS unit fails. But errors in the stabilization system are often associated with errors in the steering wheel position sensor: they forget to set it “to zero” after the procedure for adjusting the wheel camber and toe.

In the photo: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado "2002–09

The steering is very reliable, except that the service life of the rods and ends is short, and the steering column is a bit of a hassle, as I already wrote about above. On vehicles used off-road, you should also pay attention to the fastening of the rack. Often the play of the rack itself is a couple of centimeters - of course, this has a bad effect on both the steering accuracy and the condition of its hydraulics.

Transmission

Rear driveshaft cost

price per original

29,132 rubles

In general, everything was done very, very reliably. Provided that the cardan shafts are injected regularly (if they are injected, of course), the lubricant in the bridges is replaced, and the condition of the CV joint boots is monitored. All these elements still require regular replacement, but with timely maintenance, major replacements can be avoided up to a mileage of 150-200 thousand km. Transfer case also copes well with its tasks.

There are zero complaints about automatic transmissions and manual transmissions. Automatic transmissions only require timely oil changes (every 60 thousand km is optimal) and careful operation, without overheating. The “automatics” here are mainly of the A 750F series, they have five stages and can hardly be called particularly conservative - they even provide good dynamics and fuel consumption. The operating algorithms are very well configured: the gas turbine engine has a long service life, the contamination of the box is low, the thermal conditions are very gentle, and in general the box can travel 200 or 300 thousand kilometers. By the way, this automatic transmission can be found on Mitsubishi Pajero, Suzuki Vitara, and Kia Sorento.

Less common are automatic transmissions of the A 340/341E series, mainly with the 2.7 2TR-FE engine, but they were also installed with diesel engines and rare gasoline 3.0s. This four-step also belongs to the category of “eternal”. Ideally thought out design, good maintenance schedule. Sometimes, even in inhuman conditions, it still walks and walks in hundreds of thousands... And its design is very simple and logical.

Motors

The main engines in our market are gasoline “fours” 2.7 series 2TR–FE, V-shaped “sixes” 4.0 1GR–FE and diesel engines 1KD series, most often 1KD–FTE with a capacity of 163-173 hp. With. Less common are 1KZ diesel engines and gasoline engines of older series, mainly on cars from Asia and “designer” ones.

All engines, we must pay tribute, are distinguished by an enviable service life and viability. Provided that technical regulations are at least approximately followed, Toyotas are capable of “running” hundreds of thousands of kilometers.

The 2.7 inline four, despite its solid displacement, is perhaps the lowest resource engine. In addition, it also has several unpleasant innate features: a tendency to leak in the front oil seal, not very good cooling system pipes... And on a two-ton car, the wear of the piston group is quite large; replace piston rings, and the valve clearance should be constantly monitored. The rest of the motor is surprisingly simple, logical and well laid out.

If the chain life had been higher than the typical 120-150 thousand kilometers, then it could still be in the lead. The price of an “average” repair is relatively low, and boring is rarely required; the quality of the cylinder block is very high. Unfortunately, it is often worn out by driving with oil, overheated many times and barbarously operated on 92 gasoline or . In such cases, the cylinder head is simply dead, with cracked valve seats and large annular wear.

A more respectable 4.0-liter V6 was officially sold here, and this is a really good choice for a car. A resource of 300 thousand for 1GR -FE is quite typical, and then everything is limited by the condition of the attachments and the age of the power and cooling system. With good care, a mileage of half a million kilometers is quite achievable.

Problems? Leaks, unsuccessful crankcase ventilation system, throttle contamination and attachment failures, low life of lambda probes. On the earliest engines, there was also a breakdown of the cylinder head gasket with loss of antifreeze, but now the likelihood of encountering a car with an unresolved problem is small. But with the consequences of overheating - it’s very possible. If you change the oil often, pour good oil, do not overheat, and adjust the valve clearance in time, then the engine will perform excellently.

Diesel engines 3.0 were also sold officially and are also very good, although not for the outback, but only for cities with good quality fuel. 1KD -FTE really does not like sulfur diesel fuel, low sulfur diesel without lubrication, with water and frozen. If the fuel is “not very good”, then the life of the cylinder head, injectors and fuel pump will be too short to recoup the increased purchase costs. And the EGR is also extremely capricious here. On average, injectors last for 120-150 thousand kilometers, in the best case for 200-250, all other components require frequent checking.

The situation is slightly improved by installing a heating system for the tank, fuel line and filters, excess water separator and filter fine cleaning. In general, among traditional Prado buyers, the engine has gained a reputation as not being particularly reliable, although essentially the problem is in the style of service, and not in the engine itself.

The most powerful version of the engine is 173 hp. With. It was also distinguished by cracks in the pistons and a short turbine life, this already looks like an outright overkill in boosting and a miscalculation by the manufacturer. Fortunately, there are very few such cars, these are only European copies from 2007. But it’s worth being vigilant, especially since if the injector is leaking, cracks will also appear on engines with less boost. To begin with, the compression in this cylinder goes away a little - at this moment you can notice the problem in time and fix it before boring and replacing the entire piston group is necessary.

In the photo: under the hood of Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 5-door (J120W) "2002–07

Summary

Overall, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 is really reliable car. It is very resourceful, and at the same time its design is surprisingly logical and simple. Spare parts do not incur “surcharges for second repairs,” as is customary with European brands, no double surcharges for re-sizes and repair kits, and consumables are also cheap.

In the photo: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 5-door (J120W) "2002–07

In addition, the Toyota maintenance regulations are prescribed up to completely unrealistic mileage for European cars of 200-250 thousand km, maintenance is carried out every 10 thousand, and there are no “eternal” oils for Toyota - there are clear indications of the need for periodic replacement. In general, there is a healthy conservatism in everything.

Price front wing

price per original

15,257 rubles

As for corrosion, the car was simply not designed for our conditions - in warm countries, the main consumers of TLC, this is not a problem at all. There, even metal without paint does not rust for years... In our country, Prado is used “for slaughter” in the literal sense, and when buying, first of all, you need to look for a car that has not been used by oil workers, construction workers, or lovers of hunting and fishing. It is better to look for a car from an area where there are good official and not so good Toyota services, because cars “from the regions” are often in such a surprisingly “knocked-out” state that the feasibility of restoration is not always obvious. Nothing can be done, like all simple and “indestructible” (and status!) cars, Prado attracts a very special type of owner.