GVM upgrade for 120 series

[Ray_Ben_Harry Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ray_Ben_Harry]

Have any Prado 120 series owners out there managed to successfully obtain a Transport Authority approved GVM upgrade for their vehicle? If so, I would really appreciate hearing from you.

I have been investigating my options for a GVM upgrade for my 2005 Prado for months with limited success. Some suppliers are able to provide an approved upgrade kit for the 150 series, but I have not been able to find one for the 120 series. This could be a reflection of the fact that the combined axle rating (rear & front) for the 120 series is 3090kg (if my memory is correct), with a GVM of 2990kg, so not much wriggle room for an upgrade. It seems like axle replacement might be the answer, but I fear it is probably a lot more complicated than that.

When we head out on a long trip, with our vehicle and camper trailer fully loaded, we invariably exceed our vehicle GVM (up around 3.3 to 3.4 tonne). The easy (and trite) answer is to shed load, but with our vehicle mods (under body protection, side rails, shelving etc) plus a full load of fuel, food. water etc it is way easier said than done.

This situation has been a source of angst for me for sometime, so if someone has had success with an upgrade, I'll be the first person since Superman to leap the moon in a single bound.

Ray

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

Hey Ray
i am in the same boat !~

i have heard Tonkins can do it if you already have your lift done
i have had a chance to call them as yet
we need to make a few adjustments as the new van is 2T and has a 180kg ball weight

James

[Ray_Ben_Harry Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ray_Ben_Harry]

GVM upgrade for 120 series

Thanks for your reply James. I don't know Tonkins. Where are they located?

Ray

[Ray_Ben_Harry Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ray_Ben_Harry]

Me again, James. Would that be Tonkin Consulting at Kent Town, engineers recognised by DPTI for approval of vehicle modifications? Ray

[Scruffy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Scruffy]

Have any Prado 120 series owners out there managed to successfully obtain a Transport Authority approved GVM upgrade for their vehicle? If so, I would really appreciate hearing from you.

I have been investigating my options for a GVM upgrade for my 2005 Prado for months with limited success. Some suppliers are able to provide an approved upgrade kit for the 150 series, but I have not been able to find one for the 120 series. This could be a reflection of the fact that the combined axle rating (rear & front) for the 120 series is 3090kg (if my memory is correct), with a GVM of 2990kg, so not much wriggle room for an upgrade. It seems like axle replacement might be the answer, but I fear it is probably a lot more complicated than that.

When we head out on a long trip, with our vehicle and camper trailer fully loaded, we invariably exceed our vehicle GVM (up around 3.3 to 3.4 tonne). The easy (and trite) answer is to shed load, but with our vehicle mods (under body protection, side rails, shelving etc) plus a full load of fuel, food. water etc it is way easier said than done.

This situation has been a source of angst for me for sometime, so if someone has had success with an upgrade, I'll be the first person since Superman to leap the moon in a single bound.

Ray

Please see my thread
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...20-Prado-in-SA

[Ray_Ben_Harry Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Ray_Ben_Harry]

Please see my thread
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...20-Prado-in-SA

Thanks, Scruffy. Finally, I feel like I am on to something. Ray

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

Me again, James. Would that be Tonkin Consulting at Kent Town, engineers recognised by DPTI for approval of vehicle modifications? Ray

yes mate
i need to get hold of them as well !!

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

Please see my thread
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...20-Prado-in-SA

hey Scruffy

was that the max you could get ?
or what you asked for ?

[Guest Close Guest]

Do be careful when the GVM is upgraded by means of maxing out the front and rear axle weights. Insurance may get picky and not cover a claim if any of the axle weights are exceeded unless the engineer's certification says otherwise. How likely will insurance companies check the axle weights is up for debate.

[Scruffy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Scruffy]

hey Scruffy

was that the max you could get ?
or what you asked for ?

The max I could get was the sum of the max of both the axles max weight which is +190kg = 3090kg

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

My GVM upgrade is coming next year and it will have a V8.

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

My GVM upgrade is coming next year and it will have a V8.

Ooh la la!

Which V8?

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

Toyota diesel V8 in a LC ute.

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

Nice. I thought you were going to add a V8 to your Prado

Are you going to do the coil rear end mod, lol.

Leaving Pradopoint?

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

Prado will be 8 years old after next years GTG. I've been looking to upgrade to a vehicle that suits my needs better and I don't need a wagon. A nice capable ute with an ability to go anywhere and carry all my stuff as well as being able to tow beyond the 2500kg limit.