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craigm’s 2004 Black 120 V6 Grande

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  • craigm’s 2004 Black 120 V6 Grande

    Thought I’d finally start a build up thread, so here we go!

    I have had a love of the 120 Prado since it came about. I had always admired the 90 series and was impressed by the rave reviews of it’s capabilities, but when I first laid eyes on the 120 which was actually whilst holidaying in New Zealand, I vowed to own a 120 Prado one day. Originally we were to buy a bog standard 2008 GXL D4D with 135K on it through a good friends family business where the lease set to expire and was a very good price. We sold our little soft roader which had served us well and was already to take ownership of the GXL, but after delay after delay, and seeing the Klms rising and the condition of the vehicle deteriorate, we stumbled across the Grande through a Motorama dealership. The Grande ticked all the boxes. It was the same price as the D4D with only just over 100K on it and already fitted out with the colour coded Sahara bar, a Magnum 8K winch and IPF 900’s and a GME TX3400 UHF. It had clearly never been off road as there was “zero” sign of any dust ingress anywhere. We picked the Grande up on the Thursday before Easter 2011, and the next day we were off to Yamba for Easter and had it on the beach the very next day and haven’t looked back since.

    As purchased.
    craigm
    Addicted PP Member
    Last edited by craigm; 13-06-2013, 07:55 AM.
    2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

  • #2
    As Purchased

    Click image for larger version

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    craigm
    Addicted PP Member
    Last edited by craigm; 03-05-2018, 04:27 PM.
    2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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    • #3
      Suspension

      First purchase before even getting the Grande home was a set of SandGrabbers. Following this was to upgrade the recovery gear with a full winch recovery kit from Just Straps and of course, a set of MAXTRAX.
      The front springs had sagged so much over the years that I was getting caught up on anything and everything when offroad. So it was time for a lift for the Grande. The suspension of choice was an easy one for me, King Springs/ Bilstien Combo. My first spring selection was the Kings KTFR-101HD’s. This resulted in the front going from this...

      710mm Rim to Arch


      To this – 830mm Rim to Arch


      Which resulted in the front CV’s looking like this


      So the Springs were returned and changed to KTFR-101's, resulting in the front sitting at a much more sensible height of 795/800 with the circlip set in the middle and the CV’s finally sitting level.
      craigm
      Addicted PP Member
      Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:02 PM.
      2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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      • #4
        Rear Airbags

        What took a little longer and after much discussion in the Grande Airbag Retaing after a Lift thread, was how to deal with the rear Airbags that are known to pop out when over extending. The final decision was to follow 1coolbanana’s original idea and drill the locating Pin and secure/retain with an R Pin



        The rear was lifted by the usual method, packing out the Airbag sensors with some panel washers... resulting in the rear sitting at a healthy 830mm
        craigm
        Addicted PP Member
        Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:03 PM.
        2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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        • #5
          Extended Breathers

          Next job was to extend the Breathers. All four (Front & Rear Diffs, AT & Transfer Case) were extended to a nice high spot on the passenger side of the Firewall.



          Rear diff Extended
          craigm
          Addicted PP Member
          Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:04 PM.
          2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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          • #6
            Optima D27M Battery

            At the 110K service I was advised that my Battery was on its last legs and since I was also in the market for a Fridge for the rear later in the year, so a good battery was required. I chose an Optima D27M which is a 830CCA, 66 Ah battery. This is a dual purpose engine start and deep cycle, sealed lead acid battery.

            craigm
            Addicted PP Member
            Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:06 PM.
            2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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            • #7
              LED Parkers and Indicators

              Another little mod was the front indicator/park light lenses in the Sahara bar that were badly faded, so I replaced them along with replacing the bulbs with the much more reliable LED lamps



              craigm
              Addicted PP Member
              Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:07 PM.
              2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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              • #8
                IPF 900s HID Upgrade

                Next mod was the simplest and probably one of the most popular mods on PradoPoint. Thanks to Matt, I followed his idea with the masses and replaced the windscreen wiper jets with the Hilux Jets. D-I-Y Windscreen Wiper Jets Upgrade

                Following that my IPF’s were upgraded with a 55W HID upgrade kit as per HERE


                with an impressive result


                Also Installed an ARB CKMA12 onboard compressor using THIS THREAD for guidance.
                craigm
                Addicted PP Member
                Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:08 PM.
                2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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                • #9
                  Winch Freespool Toggle & GPS/DVD

                  I'd always had a hard time engaging/disengaging the freespool toggle on my Magnum 9K winch. This winch is a budget winch made by Warn. The toggle is quite pathetic so I replaced it with a Warn XD9000 toggle which fits perfectly and provides greater leverage

                  Old and New


                  Installed






                  The OEM GPS was replaced with a DigOptions AVN11TP with reversing camera which is SWMBO’s favourite mod. Accompanying this was a pair of DVD headrests to keep the kids entertained on long haul trips that I also purchased through Matt from DigOptions. These are identical to the Audio Options units only a lot cheaper


                  craigm
                  Addicted PP Member
                  Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:10 PM.
                  2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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                  • #10
                    SupaPeg Awning

                    Awning of choice was a Supapeg Stand Easy Deluxe. A local made quality product that I would recommend to anyone.


                    Mounted below the Sports Bars to clear the garage door



                    I purchased some LED strip lighting to install under the awning which is controlled by a remote dimmer which works well.


                    craigm
                    Addicted PP Member
                    Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:11 PM.
                    2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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                    • #11
                      Portable Rear LED Worklight

                      After much discussion (again) on rear work lights, I followed Bushbashers lead and made up the following.
                      - 27W 2070 lumen LED Worklight off Ebay - $48
                      - Narva switchable fused Cig Lighter plug with 3m Curly Cord - $20 (RACQ cardholder discount at Repco)
                      - 66mm Dia Rubber Booted Neodymium 25kg pull magnet with M5 thread - $16.00 (+ postage)
                      - Misc plugs from Jaycar - $7
                      All up, around $100



                      Nice strong magnet


                      I can now take it out when needed and mount virtually anywhere within reach of a power outlet

                      craigm
                      Addicted PP Member
                      Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:12 PM.
                      2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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                      • #12
                        TraxRax

                        Following a lot of discussion in the MAXTRAX thread, TraxRax came to fruition with a number of different variants before the current version.

                        Version 1 (too high)


                        Version 2 (We’ll call em TraxRax!)


                        And the current version...Laset Cut and folded.


                        As for sale HERE
                        craigm
                        Addicted PP Member
                        Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:13 PM.
                        2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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                        • #13
                          Mickey Thompson ATZ's

                          First offroad damage compliments of a trip to Pine Creek south of Bundaberg. Ripped the rear bumper clean off together with other minor panel damage. Managed to snap it all back in place and was repaired under insurance.



                          So, all repaired and two weeks later and a quiet trip with the boys up through Ormeau and this happens...
                          More scratches!!! (although only minor this time but still very noticeable on a Black Prado. Slippery, soft clay track with an off camber and a clay wall. (bugger)


                          This was my justification to SWMBO to replace the crappy Nangkangs that I have had on the Prado since buying it. The car yard had put on a brand new set of these Taiwanese budget tyres to get it roadworthy and it was now time to ditch them for some decent shoes. Solution.... Mickey Thompson ATZ’s – 265/70/17’s x 5
                          craigm
                          Addicted PP Member
                          Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:15 PM.
                          2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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                          • #14
                            Rear Wheel Spacer

                            To fit the MT ATZ 265/70 on the rear door, I purchased one of amts rear wheel spacers which Andrew has also cleaverly designed to also accommodate a rear worklight as shown HERE
                            Original Mounting bracket removed and amts bracket bolted up (what a quality product!)


                            Original bracket re-fitted ready for the ATZ to be fitted


                            All done with plenty of room for a rear bag too!
                            craigm
                            Addicted PP Member
                            Last edited by craigm; 27-04-2018, 10:17 PM.
                            2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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                            • #15
                              Transfer Case & Actuator Guard (TG150)

                              Another Bracket to fitup. This time it was Brains Transfer Case & Actuator Guard as seen HERE to provide protection which wasn’t really (at all) provided by the OEM protection plate. The Grande has Traction control, therefore requiring the TG150 which fits up without any fuss. If you haven’t got one of these installed then you should!
                              craigm
                              Addicted PP Member
                              Last edited by craigm; 13-06-2013, 10:24 AM.
                              2004 V6 Grande. BLACK -

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