During the past few years, the demand for overlanding has increased drastically. More and more people seem to feel the urge to get out and explore the beautiful locations this world has to offer. As you may be aware, overlanding usually involves off-road vehicles that can take people to natural locations that are hard to reach due to rough roads. The most famous vehicles to see out on the trails outfitted for overlanding are Toyotas, Jeeps, and Fords. However, there is a problem. New 4x4s are expensive to buy. Not to mention the costs involved in outfitting them for overlanding. So, it is natural to head out looking for a budget rig that can get the job done and, in this instance, we believe we have the perfect solution.
What Are The Requirements Of A Great Overland Vehicle?
An overland vehicle needs to be able to fulfill many different functions. First and foremost, it needs to be capable off-road as the journey will involve tackling obstacles. Then, it needs to be spacious so you can fit all your gear inside it. Since you will be living on the road, you may need anything — from a fridge to a full-on kitchen and drawers. If, however, you are only planning on undertaking weekend trips you can get away with far less gear. Finally, it needs to be comfortable and reliable. You will be spending plenty of hours on and off road. Therefore, a vehicle that is comfortable and dependable is crucial in order to enjoy the journey. The last thing you want is to be rolling around in the mud, cold, or dirt trying to fix mechanical issues.
What Is The 90 Series Prado?
If you live in the US, you probably haven’t heard of the 90 Series Land Cruiser Prado before. In the rest of the world, the Prado is the little brother to the Land Cruiser. It usually features similar looks but in a smaller package that is more manageable – especially in the cramped roads and cities of Europe. Obviously, it is a vehicle that is bearing the Land Cruiser name; therefore, even if it is its smaller brother, it is still a very capable and dependable machine. Now, the 90 series Prado is the second generation in the Prado family (the first one was the 70 series), and it is the first Prado to feature independent front suspension. To briefly explain this, independent front suspension means that the wheels upfront can work independently from each other. When one wheel hits a dip the other one doesn’t move with it. This provides better on-road manners, but it isn’t as capable off-road as a solid axle. A solid axle connects both wheels and offers a lot of wheel travel and strength. From the 100 series onwards, all full-sized Land Cruisers also used independent front suspension.
Engine choices for the Prado include a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel or the 3.4-liter V6 petrol that can be found in many US market Toyota’s. In fact, the 90 is nearly identical underneath to the third-generation 4-Runner. In case you are wondering, the Prado can be imported into the US as it is now more than 25 years old. There are companies that import them or even stock them up as they are becoming more desirable due to their JDM looks.
Which Of The Overland Criteria Does The 90 Series Prado Meet?
It is safe to say that the Prado meets all the overland criteria. First and foremost, it is a capable off-roader. A rear diff locker was optional, and vehicles that didn’t have it still have a rear limited slip diff. The 5-link solid rear axle offers good flex and strength and, in many cases, can make up for the lack of travel up front. Clearance is also good – especially with a mild lift. On road, the Prado is comfortable thanks to a spacious interior (that can seat 8 people) and features good ride quality. The 3.0-liter diesel in manual form is torquey and has no issues through mountain passes. The 3.4 has less torque but can still get the job done. As you would imagine from an 8-seater, the trunk has plenty of space for all the gear you could possibly need. Finally, being a Toyota, it won’t have issues when it comes to reliability. If you keep in mind the age of the vehicle and carry out the necessary preventative maintenance, you won’t have any issues out on the road unless you push the vehicle beyond its limits.
Why Buy A Toyota Prado And Not A Toyota 4Runner?
Since the Prado and 4Runner are essentially the same vehicles underneath, why would you bother getting the Prado which was never sold in the US? The rational reason is that it is a bit more spacious, but the irrational one is purely that it looks cool on US roads. Its design is very 1990s JDM, meaning that it is unlike any other 4x4 on the streets of America. Plus, you get the 1KZ diesel engine which is great when it comes to off-roading. The low-down torque makes driving over obstacles effortless. If you do end up buying one of these unicorns (in the US), make sure there isn’t any rust, as the frames tend to go in salty areas. From there on, all you have to do is pack up your bags and head out on an epic adventure!