Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

[sleekr Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sleekr]

We have a 2006 Prado GX (not the D4D model) that is our daily drive, and we occasionally go off-road.

However, we'd like to do more in the bush. With standard suspension & GX rims, even though we have Cooper AT's that give us a small amount of lift, the Prado just wont do quite what we want.

Whilst we'd love to get an old, cheap 4x4 to use as a bush basher, we cant justify the extra rego and insurance (seeing as we also have 2 motorbikes). So, we're considering building up the Prado a bit to allow us to have more fun off-road.

Unfortunately, we dont have too much money to spend, so we're looking for ideas and suggestions for wheels, tyres, lift/suspension, & anything else that may help.

Wheels & Tires: I've read here that GXL rims will fit on the GX, we just may need to add flares (probably will get the Bushranger Flexy flares). What rims & tires would people recommend (cheap or secondhand would be good). Note that we'd probably keep the current GX/Coopers to use for city driving, and swap them over for weekend fun stuff.

Suspension: Does anyone recommend any value-for-money lift/suspension kits or parts that will help with off-road, but wont be horrible for city driving?

Anything else anyone can recommend?

If we do happen to find a great deal on a cheap 4x4 (only willing to spend a couple or few thousand), we'd still look into that. Sierra, 4Runner, etc. Anyone have any suggestions for a good cheap basher?

Thanks all

Jeff

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

Hi Jeff
Not trying to offend, but when you say it won't "do" what you want, what do you mean exactly ?
Have you tested it out and found it wanting in some situations, or is this just people telling you it can't do it ?
If you have tried and failed, what's the issue exactly ( bottoming out, getting bogged, not making climbs ?)

The Prado GX even in stock mode is a fairly capable vehicle. I'm sure a lot of GX owners will be amazed where they've taken their stock cars.

Not knowing your background of offroading driving, ( once again being sensitive to offending ) maybe a 4WD driving course might also be beneficial.

Cheers, give us some more info.


PS oh and if you want a good cheap and capable 4X4 for fun plus comfort I'd go for an 1994-98 V8 Discovery, already tricked up with lift, lockers, suspension you can pick them up for a few thousand. I'd love one but don't have room.

[Peter07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Peter07]

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

Hi Jeff,
I have GX Prado with D4D engine and in standard trim. I have invested only in another set of wheels, Coopers STs and air compressor. We have traveled through Kimberly, Kakadu, Central Aust., Flinders Ranges, did some of Victoria’s high country etc. Even in Vic high country, which I find it quite challenging, only by adjusting air pressure in the tyres and carefully placing wheels we could go to many places without drama. If your off-road fun is more demanding I would start from upgrading the suspension and tyres (browse through suspension and tyres threads and you will start to build some knowledge and be able to make some choices). Start with small mods. Go experience how capable your car is off-road and see if these mods are enough, then build on it towards a set up that will suit you. I would not invest in another car unless you want to really BUSH BASH.
Good luck and happy off-roading.
Peter

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

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

Hi Jeff, following on from ozwapet2, its hard to make suggestions without specifically knowing what your prado cant do. I have taken a standard GXL into some pretty difficult spots before without to many problems. the one thing i would suggest that is cheap, is to make sure you are running the correct tyre pressure for the situation. The diference this makes can be huge, for example, recently while doing a bit of FWDriving i tried to tackle a very steep and rutted hill, being that it was 45 degrees that day i was a bit slack and hadn't dropped tyre pressures. (i normally run 36PSI cold for day to day driving) as i said being lazy i just put it in low range turned on both air lockers and started up the hill, i couldnt get up! :shock: i then let tyres down to 26PSI and drove up the same hill with out the lockers turned on. tyre pressures are a difficult one due to the huge variation in tyres, cars, loads being carried but a good starting point is to drop 10PSI when going off road and around 15 - 20 PSI for sand.

Cheers Andrew

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

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

Wheels on Ebay (not mine )Item number: 120537050916 The wheels are 17 Prado 120 series rims not 95 series. ( Square holes,, the 16 " 95 series has triangle shaped holes ) Probably why they are still cheap

[sleekr Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sleekr]

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

Hmm, I had posted a reply yesterday, but it hasnt appeared...

Anyway, what we want to do with the Prado is turn it up a notch. We have done a 4x4 course, and we've done Glasshouse Mountains, Mt Mee, Ripley, beach driving, etc, and have had fun getting through some great tracks.

However, we find that we just cant keep up with the guys we go out offroading with, mainly because they have lift kits, bigger tires, air-lockers in some cases. There are some spots in Ripley (behind Ipswich) that the Prado just cant handle - not enough clearance or grip or both. Also, we went out in a 'heavy mist' down in Levuca, and got stuck getting up a couple of particularly nasty, muddy inclines (that the others, except one, were able to manage).

So, the Prado as it is is fun, but holding everyone else up for over an hour on a recovery, and then riding shotgun in someone elses 4x4 rather than take yours out, isnt as much fun.

Basically, we're looking for recommendations for value for money suspension/lift kits, ideas on best rims/tires (cheaper rather than dearer), and anything else you may suggest.

raydes, thanks for the headsup on those wheels - i take it even though they come from the 95 series, they'll still fit the 120 (as they are 6 stud)?

Jeff

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

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

hey sleeker, i also have a gx and mine has a few goodies, if you r after a bang for bucks lift kit i went with an ironman 2 inch constant load kit, $1100 in newcastle, i went the heavy duty because i have winch, bar and dual battery over the front, but if you dont intend buying a winch/bar etc i would probably just get medium springs as it rides a bit smoother, as well as giving you a nice lift, there a lot of other lift kits out there, like OME, or bilsteins or tuff dog jusst ti name a few, and also 1 thing to watch with rims off the 90 series they were 16 inch and when put on a 120 they will foul on the front brake caliper, this can be fixed up with a little tickle from the grinder but you wont be covered by insurance because of inch smaller wheels if you have a prang. some wheel and tyre places also do look alike GLX wheels, i have them on mine and really you cant tell the different until ya right close up, mine cost $200 each and they r 17x7.5, or you could always do the sunrasias wheels from about $100 each, as for tyres you could always get a set of all terrains tyres like BFGs or Cooper ST or bridgestone 694, and flog the skinnies off, they have a slightly more agressive tread pattern and will provide a bit more grip in the slippery stuff, ive got STs on mine and when it comes to sticking out the guards the edge of the tread sits level with the edge of my guards, its on the border line, i havent had any trouble yet, so im not going to worry about flares at the moment, cheers samo

[sleekr Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close sleekr]

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

Thanks samo, some great info there.

I have been reading up on the ironman lift kit, may go for them, with the diesel/medium setup, they seem to be pretty good.

I'll probably keep an eye out on ebay or similar sites for a set of 17x7.5 rims, hopefully with some good tires still on them ! Found these http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....#ht_500wt_1182, would have been great but only 16"

[leachy_9 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close leachy_9]

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

My suggestions in order of priority would be

* Aftermarket steelies with MT tyres

* Lift - for slow offroad work I don't think there is a lot of difference between the half doezn or so main packages available. The difference is in on-road and higher speed off road handling and durability.

* If you are going fairly hard offroad I would definately suggest a rear air locker. This will not only greatly improve the offroad ability but give the fragile rear diff a better chance of surviving.

* Front air locker.

Thats pretty much it before you start looking a expensive mods like aftermarket control arms.

Leachy

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

A second set of rims with mud tyres of a larger size, plus a suspension upgrade is going to greatly improve things for you.
After that you start looking at lockers.

But you sound like you may keep upping the ante, so you could get a "bush basher" to have your fun in for much the same money. ( GQ Patrol, Disco or Rangie )
The Prados are a great outback touring vehicle, and medium duty 4WD, but hard core bush bashers they are not meant to be ( this is just my opinion of course i'm sure many would disagree).

[Kickenback Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Kickenback]

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

Hi Jeff
I had a RV 95 2.7ltr Petrol Manual and we also go to luevuka often, It was pretty standard and never had any problems apart from the odd bump here and there, ( on the test track after heavy rain ). I went everywhere the Big Nissans and Cruisers went just a bit slower ( need more power ) and a bit more right foot.
Once i got the 2" lift and a Set of 694 Duelers it was even better, the ride and the grip was great and it was a shame to sell the car recently, to upgrade to a 05 GX TD manual, stock at the moment, even with the stupid road tyres on it, i'm hoping it'll go harder and better than the old one.

Cheers

Al

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

Re: Ideas / Suggestions - GX Offroad improvements

Thanks samo, some great info there.

I have been reading up on the ironman lift kit, may go for them, with the diesel/medium setup, they seem to be pretty good.

I'll probably keep an eye out on ebay or similar sites for a set of 17x7.5 rims, hopefully with some good tires still on them ! Found these http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....#ht_500wt_1182, would have been great but only 16"

I have the same lift you have metioned above however went for performance in the rear (but will probably upgrade now i have the camper) improved walking over things ability out of sight and actually handles better on the road this is still with the ATR,s on. If you want to go further a compressor is your best friend cause stock tyres at the right pressure will beat a modified vehicle with the wrong pressures (usually to high) every time.

So to sum up (and this is only my opinion based on experience)

All Terrain Tyres
Middle of the road lift kit (e.g iron man)
Compressor and start experimenting with pressures

1 and 3 above will get you much further working together than number 2 (suspension) ever will