On a limited budget. Where is the best place to spend the $$$

[Aspiring Outback Jack Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Aspiring Outback Jack]

Prado Community, I am seeking assistance in spending what limited funds the wife has agreed to outlay to prepare the 120 series for a strip north.
THE CANVAS : More or less stock, 120 Series - 07 GXL V6.
Only additions to date are a Soverign Bar, Lightforce XGT's, geniune toyota (on rail) racks and a reversing camera.
I have $2500.00 in partner preapproved funds to throw at it and I am trying to prepare for an Autumn trip to Birdsville. Tyres are HT and concern me a little.
Where is the money best spent?
What have others found to be the best 'bang for buck' mod that would suit my application?
I look forward to hearing from you all. Of course, I will post photos of the collective build up!

[Guest Close Guest]

Tyres, lift and Sandgrabba mats
Forgot tyre deflators, air compressor, Maxtrax.

[williade Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close williade]

Tyres, lift and Sandgrabba mats
Forgot tyre deflators, air compressor, Maxtrax.

Ditch the Maxtrax.

My must-have accessories/mods before taking a Prado off road are: tyre pressure gauge/tyre deflator, air compressor, UHF radio and extended rear diff breather (maybe not necessary for a birdsville trip).

$2500 probably wont buy both a lift and tyres, I would say that if there's still life left in HT's, get the suspension done first.

[pjorek Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close pjorek]

$2.5k isn't a lot...tyres + compressor would be my first choice

[don1 Member Find all posts View Profile Close don1]

I would get tyres, compressor and a puncture repair kit.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Do you have cargo barrier ?? I wouldnt leave home with out one when fully loaded, this would be my first thing..Id also wack in a uhf for communication (dont always have phone service), then tyres, you wont go anywhere if you think the tyres are crappy yourself ?? If they have heaps of tread then they would be ok but if they are low your at higher risk of punctures, Suspension I would not wory about depending on klms ?? But if still reasonably new then it will be ok for the trip your talking about. if the bum sags a tad due to weight then maybe a set of airbags for the rear for around $300 will keep your bum in the air and save you roughly $1500 upwards for suspension. My list would be 1st cargo barrier, 2nd first aid kit, 3rd uhf, 4th airbags, 5th tyres, 6th suspension, 1st four things available on ebay, dont need to spend $500 on a new barrier grab one for $100/$200 used off ebay, I have always got from ebay for all 3 prados, the one I have now was $100 as new from ebay, used uhf also from ebay $100 (I got new GME), airbags new for around $250......... this will leave you enough for either tyres or suspension which ever you think you need (Id go tyres first) unless your suspension is totally shagged which I doubt unless your has had a hard time or high klms.Cheers Steve

[4wd Supplies Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd Supplies]

Did the simpson and surronding areas with a mate in a 120 prado, He had his wife and 2 kids with him and the car was pretty loaded up so the bum did sag abit but ground clearance was never a real issue so stock will probably do. As the other guys said First aid kit and UHF is a must. after that I would invest in Tyre related products eg Guage, compressor and a good quality metal handled tyre repair kit. (plastic handles can break and you will end up with a stake coming through your hand, I have seen it). Also a replacement filter and belts are a great idea. Long handled shovel is a godsend if you are in a spot of bother.


I think I read your were buying an awning, they are awesome especially when it drizzles all night.
camp lighting.

[timmay5.7 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close timmay5.7]

Dual batteries, large engel, spend remaining cash on beer.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Interesting to see the different thoughts.

You mentioned tyres, are your in good nick? IMO tyre pressure is far more important then what type of tyre you have, particularly for a trip to Birdsville. If your tyres are getting down a bit then new AT tyres would be first on my list, but don't fit them until just before you leave in order to squeeze the most out of your current set. If your tyres are in pretty good nick then they should be fine, also if you do destroy a tyre on the trip then you simply have to spend the money regardless of what the minister of finance thinks.

A compressor is a must, a tyre gauge is a must, and a tyre deflator is useful. A tyre repair kit is also useful although in all my travels I have never needed to fix a tyre in the bush. (tyre pressures are the key)

If you have bought new tyres you have probably come close to running out of money at this stage, if you didn't then suspension would be next on my list, it will improve the ride and handling both on and off road, any of the good brands should be OK, Old man Emu,TJM, etc etc, suspension can be fitted by anyone thats even slightly handy with spanners saving you a few bob. (a number of Adelaide meembers have borrowed my spring compressors for their suspension installs, so sing out if you go down that path)

Another thought is, do you have a fridge? That would also be pretty high on my list, probably before the suspension if you don't have one. She will really apreciate this one and if she sees the value in it then may approve more mods down the track.

A number of people have mentioned a UHF, if you are in a group this will be useful, travelling on your own I wouldn't be concerned about not having one. Given that you are obviously new to this outback travel caper I wouldn't expect you to venture very far off the main tracks so help is highly likely to be close by. Hiring a sat phone, epirb or spot tracker is always an option if you are concerned about getting stranded off the beaten track.

Lastly, I would suggest that quality is more important than the quantity of your mods, A cheap compressor that isn't up to the job isn't cheap at all, likewise buy a brand name fridge that is likely to last a lifetime rather than a no name Ebay fridge that is an unknown quantity.

Cheers Andrew

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

I'd go with what they said...

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Cargo Barrier,

http://www.ebay.com.au/sch/i.html?_f...+cargo+barrier

There is about 1/2 a dozen for you to have a squiz at if you dont have one. Just picked up a bargain today for my 120 off ebay, genuine safari snorkel unopened box for $122, and was lucky enough for my mates wife to be down in Wagga Wagga this week so she could pick it up for me. (coming home tomorrow) (was a great offer by a member on here to pick up for me while he was down therenext friday if need be). If you keep your eye out and not in a hurry you can get your self a bargain some times...Saves you some $$ for other things.......Cheers Steve

[Curtly Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Curtly]

Hi guys with a bit of luck I'll be picking up my first Prado (2007 KDJ120R GX) in the next couple of weeks and I'm finding this thread particuarly interesting. I'm wanting to do a run out to Birdsville this year for the races via Camerons Corner, Walkers Crossing track (if open) or Haddons Corner as an alternative.

I've been driving a 2002 Challenger for the past 4 years so have the basics ie: air compressor, gauge, deflators and UHF. The Prado I'm considering already has a snorkel, bullbar.

I'm also in the same boat as Aspiring OUtback Jack in terms of funds for extra mods. I flying solo (wifey has no interest in the outback)so I won't be loaded up that much. should a lift be my next move, naturally depending on tyres and is there a particular brand that suits Prados best? I've been considering Ironman kits, they seem reasonably priced (looking at foam cell over nitro) and with a mechanic friend should be reasonably straight forward to fit.

Has anyone had any experience with this brand or should I be considering another. My Challenger was completely stock, I did price a EFS lift for it when I considering fitting it out however the lack of other mods I gave up.

Curtly.

[pete8205 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pete8205]

a standard prado will handle that trip no worries if tyres and suspension are in good condition
for me I would go
1st, dual battery and fridge (my engel is my favourite accesory) keeping things cold can be difficult out there when relying on ice,
2nd, tyre repair kit and compressor.
3rd, cargo barrier

they worked for me have fun chooseing where to spend your coin

[fun45 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fun45]

For me on your budget it would be:

Cargo Barrier
Sand\Dune Flag (Don't go without one)
Compressor and Gauge
UHF
Dual Battery System assuming you will be taking a fridge.

Make absolutely sure you run tyre pressure to the road surface\conditions. That is very important.

There are plenty of nice to haves but like anything you are looking to buy peace of mind with your add-ons. Happy travels.

[fun45 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close fun45]

Don't forget your South Australian Desert Parks pass.

..run out to Birdsville this year for the races via Camerons Corner, Walkers Crossing track (if open) or Haddons Corner as an alternative. .
Curtly.