Thread: Toyota prado budget plan and repair question

Hi guys,
I have a few questions on behalf of my partner regarding a descision she has to make for her prado.
She has bought a few years back a 1997 prado, 3 l turbo diesel, manual.
Around the 300000km mark, she had the engine head cracked and then replaced.
The last warrant in may was a complete power steering rack rebuilt
And now, it is the clutch dual flywheel that need replacement!(at 360000)

She start to be a bit annoyed with all those bills on that car.

So ,first, she has the option of paying a lesser price for a plein flywheel , or pay a bit more for a dual mass flywheel clutch.
The mechanic reckons that the plein flywheel might give trouble to engine in the future and discourages her to go that way.
We are talking 2 k$ versus 3.5 k$.
Her hope was to take that car close to the 450/500000 km mark and sell it in a couple of years.
Of course her budget is very tight at the moment.
Getting another car similar with same kms would be in the 12/15 k$ with potentially the same kind of troubles and money to spend again.
What do you think would be her best decisions options regarding that car? Knowing that she is towing a float with a horse in it from time to time.
I know it is a bit asking how long a piece of string is. But some advice would be welcome specially regarding the mechanical part.
Many thanks in advance.
Friwi

ive never seen it yet but replacing a dual mass flywheel with a solid one can damage the gearbox

i have been a brake and clutch specialist in my own business for 30 yrs, have sold and fitted dozens of solid flywheel conversions to all makes of vehicles, mostly toyota. Have only used new Exedy components and never had a problem. Exedy I believe are one of the biggest clutch manufactures in the world. I have removed all sorts of home made conversions and tossed them in the bin. I would fit an Exedy replacement unit with confidence. They have branches in Auckland and Christchurch.

Fuck the dual mass, gayest piece of shit ever designed
Solid all the way ,fitted lots

Should be able to pick up a LR Discovery 1 or 2 in a Manual diesel for under $8000.
Provided you check the oil level frequently you will be all good!

Seriously though, you would like to think that you should be pretty well on top of things by now, so would hope there are no more surprises down the road.
But of course you can't ever be sure of that. If it's had a hard life you have the likes of the axles, gear box and suspension that can be the next to require attention.
I would do some Google searching on the dual mass/single mass flywheel thing, there are lots of forums out there and especially for Toyotas.
But there is certainly some truth to what the mechanic has said.

Pretty much all diesel 4x4s of that age have real high mileage so are all likely to have similar issues.
How many kms does she do a week/month/year? If she doesn't do too many kms then you could consider a petrol vehicle.
The advantages to a petrol are plentiful:
Lower purchase price
Kms are less likely to have been played with (no cheating on RUCs)
Likely to have been used less as a work vehicle/tow vehicle

Only disadvantage is higher fuel consumption.

The job of a dual mass is to make your noisy diesel quiet when your idling ie takes the rattle from the gears,
Great idea for the first 100ks then not so good as the springs of that return the flywheel to centre start to wear the plate has to take the load of then you get clutch slip or they fall out and rattle
No damage will be done by changing other than a little bit more noise at idle

And at that mileage rear upper arms and front lowers will be on the list

You could try auto clutch in auckland. Not really relevant I know but I have heard good things about them on the modified car pages. They have a reputation for being quite reasonably priced for custom clutches and quality stuff.

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Definitely go with a solid mass.

Thank you guys.

I've got a solid on my 1KZE and yeah it's a bit noisy at idle but otherwise mint.

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

You could try auto clutch in auckland. Not really relevant I know but I have heard good things about them on the modified car pages. They have a reputation for being quite reasonably priced for custom clutches and quality stuff.

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Just have to listen to Neil for 45 minutes though

Originally Posted by Tommy

Just have to listen to Neil for 45 minutes though

Not a bad thing when you're on the clock

Originally Posted by Russian 22.

Not a bad thing when you're on the clock

I'm the foreman, gasbagging ain't on.

:-) thanks
She has decided to go dual mass fly wheel. It was a bit hard descision for her after reading this thread .

Originally Posted by Tommy

I'm the foreman, gasbagging ain't on.

Hahaha