suggestions for my new prado

[wilko76 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wilko76]

hi All

I will be leasing a new prado for work and want to fit a few things, but i am not sure if i should get them pre delivery or after.

I want an arb deluxe bar, rust protection(electronic), and a duel battery system.

any opinions? also what duel battery system and rust protection are you using?
thanks all and cant wait to get it!!

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

if your going to do any offraod stuff. a lift/suspension would be a great starting point.
dual batteries, i run 2 standard 70's and my own set-up.

[wilko76 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wilko76]

does the lift affect the warranty at all?

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

it shouldn't, but you never can tell with toyota.
when i was doing warranty, i didn't knock back any for this reason.
your engine, gearbox and interior aren't affected.
what could be affected (but i've never heard or seen any) CV shaft/joints.
but this is more locker or driver error faults.
before i did my suspension the CV shafts were 20' below parrallel, and after
they are 10maybe15' above parrallel, so the wear remains pretty well the same.
i know a lot of people wont modify their vehicle before warranty ends, but
are you not going to put a dual battery tray in, in the off chance that it
"could" rust or crack the body work. i don't think so.
as long as your lift isn't heaps, i can't see lift being a problem for anything warranty.
that my 2 cents worth and with the aussie dollar goinf well, thats alot :lol:

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

Standard things from Toyota that I think are worthwhile (and got) are stabiliity control, traction control and all the airbags you can muster. This stuff will be standard across the range in a few years anyway. These goodies are available on every model though what is on offer depends on whether you choose manual or auto. Auto gets the works, manual bits and pieces. Bought the towbar too.

Then assuming you are going bush or beach the minimum aftermarket type things I believe that are needed (in my order of preference) are:

All terrain or mud terrain tyres, unfortunatley in Q we are stuck with 65 profile due to Department against Transport rules which means construction isn't as robust as the LT tyres that you can get with 70 profile or higher but at least the tread patterns available give you a chance at some grip.

Suspension lift (2" or thereabouts) that brings the 120 up to where the 90 was more or less. And you need the articulation and clearance to go bush. Check with your dealer and insurer but should be no problems with a lift of 2".

Snorkel and extended breathers. Just too easy to get caught in deep water after unseasonal rain, trust me I have been there and done that.

Recovery gear, snatch strap, equiliser strap, shackles, tree protector, tirfor and so on. Depends where you are going and whether you can count on others being around.

Barwork and lights are nice and important if you are in heavy bush or well off the beaten track, the bar gives you much better approach angles and is less prone to damage. Battle scars on the bar are 'character' whereas on the bumper damage is simply annoying. Lights need help if you are doing any serious night work or driving.

Dual batteries, roof racks, compressor, cargo barrier, drawers etc depend on what you are planning to do. If you have a fridge then dual batteries are higher on the list, what system depends on what batteries you will use and how much current draw there is without the engine running. Likewise roof racks or a trailer if you need more space. Spend lots of time on the beach and a dedicated compressor is worth its weight in, well, air. Etc etc.

Last on my list would be a winch and/or diff locks. I no longer go places that mean I get that badly stuck. Lots of weight in the case of a winch and lots of $. If I was going this extreme I probably would buy a 79 series (though it is without all the creature comforts and safety gear sadly) and modify it because these are much tougher and robust. You can still buy a tirfor hand winch (winching with one of these is a guarantee you don't ever get stuck again!!!!!!!)

I also wouldn't bother about the electronic rust protection systems. They are about the price of a good compressor. Get the car dusty before a beach run and clean it properly afterwards.

Have fun deciding. Best bet is talk with the three or four main providers of the gear but be aware of their bias to their gear. Get lots of opinions. Once you have an idea of what you want search on this forum I reckon everything has been covered at least once.

Ultimately what you can do is only limited by your budget and where you want to go.

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Re: suggestions for my new prado

hi All

I will be leasing a new prado for work and want to fit a few things, but i am not sure if i should get them pre delivery or after.

I want an arb deluxe bar, rust protection(electronic), and a duel battery system.

any opinions? also what duel battery system and rust protection are you using?
thanks all and cant wait to get it!!

If you are leasing then you want to get it done all predelivery. Otherwise you foot the bill for all the add ons after delivery.

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

I'd go a cargo barrier as an absolute must first up, wouldn't even contemplate any other mods till i had one fitted. :wink:

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

Hey Wilko

If you've got kids you might want to consider two essentials:

1) Sandgrabba floor mats
2) A good set of seat covers

[wilko76 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wilko76]

Mav, do you know if you can specify to the leasing company what brand of things you want fitted ie redark duel battery system etc

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Mav, do you know if you can specify to the leasing company what brand of things you want fitted ie redark duel battery system etc

Yes mate you can tell them exactly what you want and where you want it done and the cost. They will then come back and say they can get it done for so and so at their provider. You just tell them you want it done where you want it done and for the price you have been quoted and they will add it to your quote.

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

Before even contemplating:

GPS & DVD Systems
Suspension Upgrade
Lift Kit
Polyairs
Dual Battery
Front Bar
Mats
Tints
Sheepskins - Custom Front & Back
Rhino Cross Bars
Roof Basket
Cargo Barrier
Shovels
Snatch Strap

And a whole list of Camping Gear...


I'd start at No.1 - Replace the disgraceful factory headlights. And get some spotties while you are at it.

[yetiboy01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close yetiboy01]

Before even contemplating:

GPS & DVD Systems
Suspension Upgrade
Lift Kit
Polyairs
Dual Battery
Front Bar
Mats
Tints
Sheepskins - Custom Front & Back
Rhino Cross Bars
Roof Basket
Cargo Barrier
Shovels
Snatch Strap

And a whole list of Camping Gear...


I'd start at No.1 - Replace the disgraceful factory headlights. And get some spotties while you are at it.

Great list but you have forgotton one of the most important mods for off roading in a Prado, get rid of those horrible Gradtreks for some decent rubber

[Up The Creek Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Up The Creek]

Yeah, I haven't got an Engel Fridge & Petrol Gennie yet either.

The Grandcraps are next on the list.

I couldn't convince the handbrake that I needed to spend $1,400 on better tread, whilst there was 100% still sitting on the car.

Will wait till the tread is gone and then upgrade. Have allready given the missus the bad news. New tread = we lose the hard wheel cover on back.

It's a shopping trolley by day, my weekend warrir once a month. I've had to fight tooth and nail for all my mods and the missus is aghast that it now looks too blokey and like a big mack truck.

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

the missus is aghast that it now looks too blokey and like a big mack truck.

That's the whole idea...

[yetiboy01 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close yetiboy01]

The more mods the better it looks