Toyota Prado: An active field SUV

Toyota Prado

The second generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado J90 was launched in 1996 and ran till 2002. It came as a sharp contrast or extreme makeover compared to the J70. It came with a longer body and frame and five-door as well as three-door versions. The Prado J90 was launched with the more comfortable independent double wish bone front suspension, semi struts and coil springs on front and rear axle.

Specifications
The J90 Prado was kitted with full time 4WD and a choice of two petrol engines the 2.7 litre 4 cylinder 3RZ-FE and 3.4 litre V6 5VZ-FE. Diesel engines offered were the 2.8 L 3L engine, the 3.0 L 5L engine and the 3.0 L 1KZ-TE.

Safety and interior
The J90 came with better safety features such as Anti locking brakes (ABS) and driver air bag. Comfort was improved as well as the rear fold away seats.
Some limited editions for the Gulf, Australia and United States were built with walnut impression trim and leather seats.

Driving dynamics
While driving dynamics improved because of the more aero dynamic design, J90’s narrow wheel base and high profile on the ladder frame chassis requires that it is driven slowly and sensibly around sharp bends.
The two speed transfer boxes, rear beam axles contributed to the high ground clearance.
All 4WD vehicles built on a ladder frame chassis for heavy duty off road activity should not be driven fast through corners like a performance car or SUV built with a mono coque or unibody chassis (frame in body) design.

Remodelling the brand
In 1999 a revised J90 came with a more attractive front grille, fog lights, walnut wood impression interior and split foldable second row seats.
Other names of the J90 Toyota Prado in other markets included: Amazon and Colorado while different trim levels included TX, TZ, TS and TJ for the five door and RX, RZ, RS and RJ for the three door series.

Toyota Prado

2009 todate
Fourth generation Prado J150
Toyota continued the journey of refining the Prado bringing on board a bigger ladder frame platform with better mitigation of off road torsional forces. The J150 looks bolder with the bigger front grille and crystal clear tear drop head lights underline the modern package it offers.
2003-2010
Third generation Prado J120
The J120 is bigger and more stylish than its predecessor the J90. The sharper and more aerodynamic look has generated more interest with NGOs and Government who bought it brand new back in time as well as from motorists who still buy the J120 as a used car in Uganda today. The J120 was designed with more pleasant and comfortable interior upholstery fabrics. 1990-1996
First generation Prado J70
The J70 Prado was built with an improvement of the comfort and handling by altering suspension design to shock absorber through spring. To maintain the off-road ability of its predecessors Toyota Prado was mounted on a separate ladder frame chassis such as that under a Hilux pickup. This made it a robust and strong four-wheel drive and towing vehicle.