Newbie -I need you wealth of knowledge - modifications

[ClownCar Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ClownCar]

Hi all.

Super Newbie here. Hope this is the right spot to ask.

We have just bought a 2nd hand 120 VX.

We have had 4x4 's before, but now we have a REAL one!!!

Prados are a great 4x4 but we have yet to experience it ourselves. Soon to be going on a holiday to use it as a 4x4.

Please let us know what modifications (if any needed) we should consider to make the 120 just a bit better at the heavy 4x4ing. Maybe better shocks or to make the car higher, snorkel or whatever. Not real expensive stuff just some small mods that you guys think are going to improve it or make it safer.

Also the engine plate says it is a November 2007 model, but MY08 is what is listed on the rego and search documents. So do we call it an 07 or an 08 model?


Really appreciate any info.

Clown

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

Welcome aboard Clown. Plenty of threads on here about what mods help the most/most cost effective, including those that have just purchased a Prado. Use the search function and plenty will come up.

Since you bought it second hand, does it have anything done to it already? And also, where do you intend on taking it, as this will dictate a lot of mods you might want to consider.

If you intend going off-road, first thing you should have covered is some recovery gear. Plenty to choose from but I would think a snatch strap, shackles, recovery points (read the threads on this!), long-handled shovel and maybe some self-recovery tracks (i.e. Maxtrax) would be a good start. Don't rely on someone else to provide it for you should you get stuck. A compressor and tyre gauge would also be useful.

As for mods to the actual car, a quality set of All Terrain LT tyres is a good place to start.

I would troll through the 'My Rig Build-Up' threads to get the rest of an idea.

Also, make sure you update your location in your profile.

[ClownCar Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close ClownCar]

Welcome aboard Clown. Plenty of threads on here about what mods help the most/most cost effective, including those that have just purchased a Prado. Use the search function and plenty will come up.

Since you bought it second hand, does it have anything done to it already? And also, where do you intend on taking it, as this will dictate a lot of mods you might want to consider.

If you intend going off-road, first thing you should have covered is some recovery gear. Plenty to choose from but I would think a snatch strap, shackles, recovery points (read the threads on this!), long-handled shovel and maybe some self-recovery tracks (i.e. Maxtrax) would be a good start. Don't rely on someone else to provide it for you should you get stuck. A compressor and tyre gauge would also be useful.

As for mods to the actual car, a quality set of All Terrain LT tyres is a good place to start.

I would troll through the 'My Rig Build-Up' threads to get the rest of an idea.

Also, make sure you update your location in your profile.

Thanks for your reply - keep them coming.

I dont think the car has anything added to it - it looks to be just a city car. It has a tow bar, thats about it, everything else is standard VX stuff. Oh and it has one of those electronic rust protector things.

We intend on going to Fraser and up North Qld first.

I didnt know what the lingo was for all the modifications so I wasnt really sure what to search for.

[Pradod Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Pradod]

Recovery points and recovery gear

Good AT tyre

Suspension upgrade and lift

Snorkel if going through deep water

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

cargo barrier
rock sliders
bash plates
dual batteries
roof rack
sand flag
Go into an ARB or TJM store and grab a catalogue... you will be amazed what you can do to your 4b
But not too expensive? I think you may have chosen the wrong hobby
A second mortgage on the house is a requirement
It's taken me over two years to get where i am with the upgrades, so they may not happen overnight but they will happen.

[jprucha Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close jprucha]

Hi all.

Super Newbie here. Hope this is the right spot to ask.

We have just bought a 2nd hand 120 VX.

We have had 4x4 's before, but now we have a REAL one!!!

Prados are a great 4x4 but we have yet to experience it ourselves. Soon to be going on a holiday to use it as a 4x4.

Please let us know what modifications (if any needed) we should consider to make the 120 just a bit better at the heavy 4x4ing. Maybe better shocks or to make the car higher, snorkel or whatever. Not real expensive stuff just some small mods that you guys think are going to improve it or make it safer.

Also the engine plate says it is a November 2007 model, but MY08 is what is listed on the rego and search documents. So do we call it an 07 or an 08 model?


Really appreciate any info.

Clown

Hi Clown,

Some basic things to keep you out of trouble, which won't cost an arm and a leg, but ARE essentials When going 4WD....

1. Recovery gear - Snatch strap, bow shackles, long handled shovel, etc.
2. Tyre gear - Air compressor, tyre deflator/pressure gauge, tyre repair kit, decent jack plate, etc.

A snorkel may come in handy if conducting water crossings and maxtraxs are also pretty handy in sand recovery. If space is tight, a roof rack is a good way to overcome this.

The rest of the modifications will come at a greater cost ie. $500-2000, but is something to work towards...

1. Bullbar and spotlights.
2. Rear drawer system with fridge slide.
3. Dual battery system.
4. UHF radio.
5. Good All Terrain LT Tyres.
6. Suspension upgrade and lift kit.

And the list goes on....

You could buy the 'essentials ' from ARB or TJM, but it is worth checking out http://www.4wdsupplies.com.au for some more realistic prices, getting most of the 'essentials' for under $300!

Happy traveling...

[Jarroid Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jarroid]

After ten years with my Kia Sportage, I had added to it to improve it's 4WD ability- a 2" lift, mud tyres, bull bar, tow bar, numerous cigarette lighter sockets, dual battery set up, driving lights, reversing light, UHF, cruise control and roof racks.

I was very pleased to buy my Prado 2004 VX in Feburary this year and it already had- All terrain tyres, bullbar, snorkel, cruise, lift, UHF and towbar. I have added roof racks, 12v power sockets (for the fridge), driving lights, reversing lights, reversing sensors (a camera would have been much better!).

Tyres would be the number one pick for a must have upgrade, ontop of your own recover kit and compressor!

Cheers.

[geograzza Member Find all posts View Profile Close geograzza]

Ahh yes, if only my desires for modifications and the size of my wallet were compatible!

While there are lots of things that would be nice to have, you can still have an enjoyable time at Fraser and explore most of the island with a standard Prado. The only accessories I would call mandatory, would be a tyre pressure gauge (good to have even on a bitumen-bound car), shovel, snatch strap and a couple of shackles. I'll probably be flamed for saying this, but the standard tow loops are more than adequate for the simple recoveries you might need on Fraser, as long as you don't do something stupid like stop in wave wash or a flowing creekand get bogged in wet sand.

I did find that with my standard suspension I had to take the Waddy Point bypass road a bit slower than my friends who had lifted/upgrade suspension, but I could still go anywhere they could. A UHF is handy if you are travelling with a group (even a handheld will suffice), and of course a roof-rack if you need the extra storage space. Beyond that, any other mod is a creature comfort rather than a necessity.

There are three things I would like to do before I go back to Fraser:
1 - a suspension upgrade. Will hopefully make it more comfortable getting around some of the tracks, especially Waddy Point bypass road.
2 - a shelf / lockdown / slide system for my ice-box. I found that even though my ice-box was bungee corded to the anchor points, it still bounced around a bit and its latches scratched the crap out of the inside of the rear door. Also it was a pain in the neck having to get stuff off the top of the ice-box before it could be opened to get food out, so I'd like to put it on a slide system and have a shelf above it, so its just a simple case of sliding it out.
3 - a roof-rack mounted awning. My friends had one, and it was great to be able to pull up anywhere on the beach, and within a couple of minutes have some shade. Especially handy when you have kids.