Guidance For First Time Buying a 4x4

[dayrider]

Lets begin with a different approach to this, what will be the utility of said vehicle, how frequently will it be used? What city are you located in? How much do you know about cars? Have you ever been off roading?
Define Off roading, do you plan to go katcha areas or proper river crossing and mud bashing?
Lots of things need to be known in order to provide a detailed suggestion.
As for the money bit, 500k in reserve in is a must.
100k for fluids, belts filters etc
100k for tires
300k for back up

[tintin1]

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[sinnan]

You have asked the important aspects that I should have shared earlier.

This will certainly help who are trying their best to guide me. It will also help others in future who are willing to buy to compare their situation with mine.

》 My job is online and I have flexible hours to work. I can adjust my work in a way that I spend my day in workshops. But of course not all life

》I am based in Islamabad (DHA) and am a born Islamabadi so thats my only home town. I don't have to travel to any off road long distant areas for a need. Whatever trips I will be planning will be limited (weekends) and for only leasure & outing. Every year would like to visit some northern destinations. Rest it will remain parked.

》 My current ride is Suzuki Swift Automatic it has done 60000 KMs in last 6+ years. 3 trips to Lahore. So you guys can have idea of my running.

》But don't forget that purpose of buying 4x4 is specially to be able to went nothern areas and be able to go to areas where I cannot go if visiting in any good sedan. I am kind of a person who will be having camping / inflatable boats etc. Loaded on my 4x4 and I will be willing to go to that side of a jheel where there is no rush. Hope you got my point.

》Never planned to do any hardcore off roading stunts which we see on youtube.

》I can spend half million to bring it to nice appreciating condition... no issues! and I can spend easily on high end expensive liquids and filters for on going maintenance. But important thing is that I do not wanted to get robbed in intial purchase. Or by Mechanics.

So in short I have time and money to spend gradually. And intentions to do normal off road trips with absolutely no need for daily running.

[sinnan]

Lolz... I will be reading it ... though its a very long long thread.

[mshoaib432722]

Then go for either 90 series Prado with 1kz-te inter-cooled / 90 series with 5vz (3400cc) petrol engine
OR
Hilux model 2012 on-wards with D4D engine.

Good luck.

[dayrider]

keeping all this in mind, you need not to look any further than a second generation prado. You can get a decent tz, diesel, 1kz, for around 2 mil. get the regular maintenance done. and Use it.
If you leave this out, the things you are talking about, can be achieved with anything with all wheel drive and high ground clearance, may not even need all wheel drive,
If that is to be considered, you can look into a 4x2 hilux, more room, less maintenance, less head ache.

[sinnan]

Tell me are all 2nd generation version onwards 96 to 2002 are full time 4x4.. dont we hav option to engage 4x4 when needed and rest of the time keep it in 4x2?

[sinnan]

D4D engine.

1KD and D4D are different??

and one more thing that there is much said about failure or unpredictability of 1KD, and as per my understanding our deisel was not good for this technology.. does the situation persists in year 2019 or it is better in urban cities but not good in Northern / ruler areas. Will highly appreciate your response.

[dayrider]

in manual ones, the option is there, not in automatic vehicles. My point was for you to not have a transfer box, decreases maintenance cost, complications and increases fuel efficiency. something like a crossover would suit your need, even a brv can comfortably do what you are asking from it

[mshoaib432722]

They are same 1kd-ftv is also known as 3.0 D4D.
Later d4d engines (2011 onwards) are better in performance.

[sinnan]

Today I narrowed my search to Toyota Prado between 1997 to 2002.

I am dropping Land Cruiser and Surf from the list. LC for sure is King of the Road and it is x3 times expensive for any maintenance / wear & tear . Surf if not comfortable so I will prefer comfort and extra seating capacity. I can still load stuff by foalding seats whenever necessary but I wont be able to invite 6th & 7th fellow in Surf.

Now in Prado im seeing 3.0D and 3.4 Petrol. Just wondering, Can 3.4 Petrol have same power as 3.0 Diesal?? I am finding 3.4 quite few as compare to 3.0D options.

Benefits of having 3.4 petrol would be what?

¤ less noise
¤ easy on maintenance or forgiving
¤ less expensive fuel
Anything else?

And can someone please confirm all these 3.0D from 97 to 2002 are old 1kz or the smoke free upgrade came in this duration. Which one is better?

[mshoaib432722]

Not much difference in power of 3.0 diesel and 3.4 petrol. When 4x4 is engaged and even L4 gear, then you won't feel any tiniest difference even.
At high altitudes, petrol engines are bit better. Diesel needs lots of air and due to lower air pressure it gets a bit heavier. But again, at off-road altitudes, the vehicle speeds are in range of 5 to 10 km/hr so this thing doesn't matter.
Whichever type you find in best condition, buy it (after getting it thoroughly checked many times :-P)

[consigliori]

Yes 3.4 are very rare as the ones who have them dont sell.

[sinnan]

Yes 3.4 are very rare as the ones who have them dont sell.

What made them so precious?

[consigliori]

People like me who dont want to get into the hassle of maintaining a 25 year old diesel vehicle...

[consigliori]

I suggest you go through the entire thread posted by @tintin1 and then decide. What lengths he has gone to in terms of both money and time in fixing his jeep is amazing rather shocking. That is why I gave you a brotherly advise at the onset in 3 lines to get yourself a post 2010 thai or English vigo and enjoy life with full support from Toyota dealership rather than wasting your life in workshops. I have great respect for the senior members recommending a 97 parado and know they are sincere and mean well but I atleast wont buy it if I have 3million cause I can get the d4d engine which smokes your local sedan in the first 3 gears, is good for offroading, lugging and touring

[tintin1]

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[waqasch1]

Old Trouble Free vehicles are usually not available below or at market price, pay the premium to enjoy. Too many of us have learned it the hard way.

Do not buy without a detailed Pre Purchase inspection from a Suv/4x4 expert workshop

80 Series Discussions

I have stated this before and am repeating it again. There are 2 types of jeeps;
1. You buy it for less, spend money on it, stay in workshops for days at an end and then keep praying that it doesn't break down on the road while your family is all dressed up and travelling with you for an outing.
2. You buy it at market value and even at a premium, spend an additional 200k to bring it upto specs and then uses it like a jeep should be used.

[sinnan]

I received call from TinTin1 / Arshad bahi very well explained me. No doubt it needs strong nerves and sooper patience.

@consigliori I am hesitant about hilux..just because of comfort and seating. Can you say some thing about first version of fortuner TRD..? But I know for Hilux or Fortuner... I see budget is going above 4M and seems for that I will need to wait little more.

[consigliori]

My brother Fortuner rocks but the diesel one​