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  • Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

    Have had the 150 for a few weeks now and thought I would post some notes. Only have 3,000 on the clock and have not had it off road as such. I got a Diesel Auto GXL.

    Visibility: Firstly it feels like a 200. It has much less visibility with smaller glass area and taller panels eg, under the bonnet they fitted a plastic strip between where the guard on the 120 was and the new guard is now about 100mm taller. Plastic strip covers the gap.

    Boot Space: The dickie seats fold under the floor and you lose about 100mm of boot space. When the rear seats (second row) are in their normal position you lose about 250mm of boot space. Move the seats forward and you have about the same room but you have a gap from the end of the dickie seats to the back of the second row seats. Does anyone really use the dickie seats anyway? There is heaps of space to the jack which is located some distance inside the access hole, that is if you can reach it. Only one small storage locker which is about half the size of the one fitted in the previous model. The backdoor storage is a joke. No depth but will probably be able to store a small pump soap bottle.

    Tool Kit: Only the 12/14mm spanner and screwdriver fitted. The smaller 10mm spanner and pliers are not included.

    Fuel Tank: It has only 150 litre tanks. The rear tank is very small and when you look under the car it appears they have jsut fitted a greatly smaller sub tank. Not sure if I am able to bolt in a 120 series tank to give the 180l. THere is plenty of room both in front and behind the sub tank.

    Fuel Economy: This I admit is impressive. Sitting on the highway with 5 people and 110kmh the instant reads under 8 l/100kms. On overage with some city driving and some highway (50/50%) driving I am getting just on 9 l/100kms average over 1000kms travelled. In comparing to the 120 series (GXL Auto) I am getting about 2 l/100kms better fuel economy.

    Under the bonnet: moved the inner cooler to the front of the vehicle giving much easier access to the top of the motor and installing some sound insulation in its place. There is more vertical space as the bonnet is about 100mm taller than theprevious model.

    Dual Battery: There is provision for fitting a dual battery. The second battery mounting looks similar to the factory main battery in that it has a couple of locators for the tie down but some idiot fitted the air-conditioning pipes too close to the aux-battery. May need to get a pipe bender to move them about 50mm closer to the radiator.

    Electronics: Keyless entry / start is impressive. It even knows if you left the second dongle inside the car. There is a cigarette lighter power point fitted in the centre console on the rear (available for the back seat users) but none fitted in the boot. Thumbs up for the blue tooth - the voice recognition works for both male and female voices which is a real plus.

    Reversing Camera: Fitted to GXL but it would have helped if they gave an outline of where the vehicle would occupy a space as does the Pajero.

    Noise on Road: Sounds like they have forgotten to put in noise insulation around the rear wheels. You can hear the wind and when wet, the rain noise emanating from the rear wheels. It is particularly noticeable from the back seats as it is the dominant noise.

    Rear Wheel Cover: Whilst it looks great it is not practical for off road use and I am not sure if you will be able to fit the cover with real off road tyres. The stupid open ended 12mm spanner is not able to undo the retaining bolt from factory and I am worried it will mark the plastic cover.

    Roof Rails: The rails are NOT slotted and are about 15mm wider than the previous model. Will need to redo the old roof rack.

    Accessories: Sorry no bull bar, snorkel or dual battery holder available as yet. Please hurry ARB.

    Overall: Electronics and fuel economy is greatly improved but they have done a few stupid things like reduce the boot space, visibility and fuel tank capacity.

  • #2
    Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

    Great write up

    Good to hear what previous 120 owners think of the upgrade.

    I think it will help alot of us decide whether to go the upgrade or hold on a bit longer to our 120s

    cheers

    J

    Comment


    • #3
      Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

      yeah good write up nifty07, I ordered a diesel vx today. I cannot believe what they've done to the 3rd row seats thus compromising the fuel tank capacity. They seem to have catered for a very small portion of the market and handicapped the rest. Have they targeted the soccer mums in their design instead of the desert dweller. I also believe you can't see the tow ball from the rear camera!! I currently have 2006 vx petrol and have gingerly opted for the diesel, hope I've done the right thing.
      hooroo

      Comment


      • #4
        Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

        Originally posted by one way ticket
        I also believe you can't see the tow ball from the rear camera!!
        They've done what!!

        Are they out of their freaking minds!!

        What is the point of a rear camera if it can't see the tow ball? I love that feature on my 120, it is just so easy to line up the car and then keep an eye on the screen to see when to stop.

        Idjits!!
        2008-12 D4D 5-Spd Auto Grande, Silver Ash, Full Window Tint, H-R Towbar, Cargo Barrier, Rhino-Racks, Rola Vortex Tray, GME TX3340, ARB Deluxe Winch Bar, IPF900XS Spotlights, BFG 275/65R17

        Comment


        • #5
          Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

          Originally posted by one way ticket
          I cannot believe what they've done to the 3rd row seats thus compromising the fuel tank capacity. They seem to have catered for a very small portion of the market and handicapped the rest. Have they targeted the soccer mums in their design instead of the desert dweller.
          OWT,

          I believe they HAVE catered for a large portion of the market. I think you will find that a majority of the market do not take their shiny cars out to the desert to trek hundreds of kilometres between towns Alot use them as glorified people movers. Unfortunately us on this forum are a small majority that take our prados and use them to their limits. We may seem like a big group on this forum but if you look at number of members on this website compared to the numbers of Prados sold you will find us a 'small portion'

          Sad but true

          Maybe they may have an aftermarket auxillary tank for those that are really keen.

          cheers

          J

          Comment


          • #6
            Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

            Roof Rails: The rails are NOT slotted and are about 15mm wider than the previous model. Will need to redo the old roof rack.
            Hey Nifty07,

            I've got a set of rhino sports racks fitted to the roof rails on my 120 Series. Thanks to Kevin's tax incentive I ended up buying a new 150 series but won't take delivery until March. I was wondering whether you know whether these roof racks will transfer across ok (I wasn' sure what sort of roof racks you were talking about). Thanks.
            2009 GXL Prado 150 - Silver Pearl Turbo Diesel Auto........ with a wish list as long as your arm!

            Comment


            • #7
              Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

              Fuel Tank: It has only 150 litre tanks. The rear tank is very small and when you look under the car it appears they have jsut fitted a greatly smaller sub tank. Not sure if I am able to bolt in a 120 series tank to give the 180l. THere is plenty of room both in front and behind the sub tank.
              There does seem to be a lot of wasted space around the rear tank, It looks as if Toyota could have easily fitted a greater capacity tank. On the bright side you could fit a decent sized water tank behind the fuel tank. If you can get 20lts (LongRanger tank) behind the 120 tank, it looks as if you could get double that behind the 150 tank.

              Not sure on the "fuel pump controller" thats hanging on the passenger side next to the rear tank either (v6 petrol)... looks like its asking to be smashed by a flying rock.

              Mick
              [CENTER][B][I][SIZE=1][COLOR=blue]1KZ-TE Turbo Diesel, 5 speed manual, 3.5 inch lift, 265/70/17 Mickey Thompson MTZ, D-Tronic chip, Boost controller, mandrel exhaust, dump pipe, modified intake, ARB steel bar, Magnum winch, Safari snorkel, rear drawers, half cargo barrier, dual batteries, Uniden UHF, Sat Nav, reverse camera, Magellan XL , Tjm bash plates, ARB alloy roof rack, rear telescopic work light and numerous other modifications!!!
              Now with 3BAR MAP sensor & 18PSI Boost![/COLOR][/SIZE][/I][/B][/CENTER]

              Comment


              • #8
                Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

                Jamesy,
                The roof racks on the 150 series are a new part number, so the 120 series racks won't fit. I still have a set I didn't sell with my 120 series and tried them on, but they are much too narrow for the 150 series rail width, i.e. distance between the two rails. As also previously mentioned, they don't have the slot on the inside. I'm afraid you have to buy a new set, and they are $304 from Toyota.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

                  Thanks Chicka. I had been unable to tell from the Rhino website if my old racks would fit as they have not updated it for the new model, but since posting my question I noticed that the equivalent type of rack on the Thule website had a different part number for the rails, but they have the same part number for the foot of the rack (at least for the type that attaches to the factory roof rails). Did the old racks that you tried to fit to the 150 attach to the roof rails. Maybe I can get away with just buying new bars and keep the old feet. Thanks for the advice. Jamesy.

                  PS - By the way, the rrp for the sports rack made by thule for the 150 series is $270 or $244 for the square bar type
                  2009 GXL Prado 150 - Silver Pearl Turbo Diesel Auto........ with a wish list as long as your arm!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

                    Sorry the rails on the 150 are 15mm wider than the 120, and there is no slot. Need to get a new set of roof racks....

                    But there is more: Auto Transmission overheats

                    Watch when you climb a hill as the auto-transmission overheats. The handbook says goto S (select a gear) mode and select a gear but it does not tell you to kepp the engine above 2500rpm. At a lower RPM the box slips, generates heat and will eventually overheat. At least the A/T Temp warning light and buzzer worked. My brother was travelling up the same hill in his Prado 120 and had no problems. Apparently it is to do with the 150 holding the gear for longer to improve fuel economy.

                    My brother used about 12l/100kms (120 series, diesel, auto) and I used 9.2l/100kms (150 series, diesel, auto). There was the bitumen trip Brisbane to Boonah, then the 14 creek crossings over the dirt and the return trip. The hill was similar to Mt Cootha in Brisbane and both are sealed.

                    Dickie seats, they dont impeed under the body or the fuel tanks. Just lose space in the boot. When I pull them out I will give a report.

                    Nifty...

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

                      I have also had an issue with the auto overheating. :shock: It happenned driving in soft sand down Peppi Beach. I found by driving in low range the problem went away. This would correlate with Niftys comments on keeping the revs up to stop converter slippage.

                      I Had similar issues in my Jackaroo in a past ilfe. I fixed it by changing the automatic fluid with a fully synthetic Mobil ATF. Never overheated again. Unfortunately I can't find a synthetic ATF that meets Toyota's specs. So that is not the solution.

                      Any other suggestions.

                      Regards

                      Brendon

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

                        Originally posted by jamesy
                        Roof Rails: The rails are NOT slotted and are about 15mm wider than the previous model. Will need to redo the old roof rack.
                        Hey Nifty07,

                        I've got a set of rhino sports racks fitted to the roof rails on my 120 Series. Thanks to Kevin's tax incentive I ended up buying a new 150 series but won't take delivery until March. I was wondering whether you know whether these roof racks will transfer across ok (I wasn' sure what sort of roof racks you were talking about). Thanks.
                        According to ABR-SIDEWINDER, his Rhino HD racks transferred across fine. viewtopic.php?f=53&t=7422&p=106315#p106315

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

                          I also tested my little A/T warning lamp the other day as I dragged a van through Cunninghams Gap. Bit concerning for a bit and now thinking of a cooler... for the car, I drank mine when i got home.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Re: Prado 150 Diesel GXL Auto general comments

                            Originally posted by Beefa
                            Unfortunately I can't find a synthetic ATF that meets Toyota's specs.
                            Hi Brendon,

                            I think you'll find that the Toyota WS auto trans fluid is indeed a fully synthetic fluid but quite unique so there is currently no substitute product available. If you are doing fluid changes yourself, or keeping some spare for emergencies, you'll need to buy it from your Toyota dealer.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Re: Auto transmission overheating

                              Originally posted by Nifty07
                              But there is more: Auto Transmission overheats
                              Watch when you climb a hill as the auto-transmission overheats. The handbook says goto S (select a gear) mode and select a gear but it does not tell you to kepp the engine above 2500rpm. At a lower RPM the box slips, generates heat and will eventually overheat. At least the A/T Temp warning light and buzzer worked. My brother was travelling up the same hill in his Prado 120 and had no problems. Apparently it is to do with the 150 holding the gear for longer to improve fuel economy.
                              Nifty...
                              YES! I have a 3-month old 150 series, GXL auto, and have exactly the same issue. Admittedly, I was giving the thing a good flogging at the time. Going up the Kuranda Range Road from Cairns to Kuranda (a steep gradient with plenty of turns, so pretty slow climbing and gear changes), and towing a 1-tonne camper-trailer. The transmission held each gear _much_ longer than I would have expected and made the whole engine sound slightly sick. And, about 80% of the way up, on came the "A/T Trans" red warning light. Odd the thing always seemed to wait way too long to change down. I would have expected it would compensate for the extra torque of the hill-climb and weight and known when to drop the gear, but apparently not. Is this a design fault, or am I missing something here?
                              Anyway, it's my local hill, so I will try it in "S" next time as per the manual and see if that solves the problem. For all the swanky smarts of auto transmissions, perhaps sometimes humans are still better at changing gears ;-) Anyone else had any similar experience? Other possible reasons for it?

                              Cheers,
                              Prado 150 TD GXL - Auto, Hayman Reece Electric Brake Controller, BFG 275/65R17 Tyres, Factory Towbar & Bullbar,
                              Yet to get:
                              Airtec Snorkel, Polyair bags, Tinting, GME TX3340 UHF

                              Comment

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