Grande or VX

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

just trying to work out what might be best for me.

That's what it's all about.

If you're interested in a reversing camera, the Toyota Satnav is a good choice for its complete integration - the beauty is that it is available on VX and GXL as an option.

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

If you're interested in a reversing camera, the Toyota Satnav is a good choice for its complete integration - the beauty is that it is available on VX and GXL as an option.

I'm seriously considering getting a VMSCarPC ... http://www.vmscarpc.com.au/content/proj ... do_01.html ... which also supports reversing cameras ... so most likely won't be wanting the SatNav. Still undecided on all that ... would want to check out the screen to see how strong the mount is - wouldn't want it breaking off on a corrugated road.

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

Sim,
I have Grande & have all Acc. on front end.
Depends on what u r giong to do with it. Have done some hard stuff with mine. Bash plates are easily replaced. U can upgrade front susp. but obviously TEMS would be disconnected. I did test with TEMS disconnected & all other systems worked ok. Rear air suspension is self leveling wheras polyair would not be. Also height can be raised & can come in handy in some off road sits. SAtnav & rear camera option are great, best safety feature for 4wd.
I would buy another Grande again.

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

I did test with TEMS disconnected & all other systems worked ok.

I was told there is an electronic box called a Body Control Module that could cause problems if electronic suspension is disconnected. I don't know what the hell it is or where it is located, but it sounded scary enough to put me off... :shock:

I would buy another Grande again.

You bet!!

[Guest Close Guest]

I was told there is an electronic box called a Body Control Module that could cause problems if electronic suspension is disconnected. I don't know what the hell it is or where it is located, but it sounded scary enough to put me off... :shock:

Had mine disconnected the other day for about 8 hours, didnt affect anything.

Darren at ATS changes them to other shocks all the time, the control wiring is just that control, it does not feedback to any body module.
Its simply a switch to the shocks to control valving variance.

Centre console fridge - I wonder if this is available as an aftermarket install ? I know it's not a standard option

Nope because it requires a lot of extra plumbing from A/C and body control module etc.

Airbag rear suspension - does anyone have any idea of how the factory airbags would compare to something like an aftermarket Polyair setup ?

Chalk & Cheese.

Automatic or manual control on the Grande. Polyairs require you to get out to adjust (unless you go to trouble of plumbing on board air).

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

Yeah, agreed Pig.
I paid 61 drive away for my VX two weeks ago, so price is always a consideration

I think the reasons for purchase on the two are distinctly different, I really dislike the TEMS, so I bought the VX, with normal suspension I probably would have bought the grande
There is no right and wrong, just what fits your needs/wants best

One mans poison etc etc etc

xvprado

If you dont mind me asking, what did you get for your "$61 grand drive away?" Were any accessories added for that price? I will be buying a Prado, realistically, by the end of the year. My choice, because of budget constraints, was going to be a GXL but if I could get a driveaway price on a VX like that, I would seriously consider it. Looking at a D4D auto.

Thanks

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

Yeah, agreed Pig.
I paid 61 drive away for my VX two weeks ago, so price is always a consideration

I think the reasons for purchase on the two are distinctly different, I really dislike the TEMS, so I bought the VX, with normal suspension I probably would have bought the grande
There is no right and wrong, just what fits your needs/wants best

One mans poison etc etc etc

xvprado

If you dont mind me asking, what did you get for your "$61 grand drive away?" Were any accessories added for that price? I will be buying a Prado, realistically, by the end of the year. My choice, because of budget constraints, was going to be a GXL but if I could get a driveaway price on a VX like that, I would seriously consider it. Looking at a D4D auto.

Thanks

$61,373 including towbar, windshields, mats and headlight plastic thingy's
Just gotta bargain hard, but use a fleet sales guy, just find a way to qualify for "employee Pack" under fleet pricing. Happy to discuss further via pm when youre ready to go, happy to assist if I can

[Guest Close Guest]

Guys

I too am considering a Grande and keep baulking at the air suspension.

Does it cope OK with a large load? I would be using it as our camping tourer and as such will have cargo barrier, fridge, camping gear, recovery kit, tent, gear on roof racks etc - it will literally be chockers.

Does the air suspension have a "load limit" per se - is there a point where it will go "OK, too much crap in here for me, I'm sagging."

Thanks

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

saw somewhere on the internet saying something about 340KG. Mine was choc a block when I went camping. It seems to be fine. I had full fridge, 2 queen sleeping mat, 3x3M tent, 2 plastic tub with clothes food and recovery gear n a compressor....

[Guest Close Guest]

I'd go the VX purely on suspension. I'm not convinced about the air adjustable on the Grande and would hate to get caught out. If youre not going to venture to far, then the Grande would be fine, but if you want to go remote, eliminate the risk and go VX.

[Guest Close Guest]

I say drive both VX & Grande then make up your mind.
They are a lot more different than just the suspension. (Sound deadening etc).

I have done heaps of offroad stuff and never had an issue with the air suspension. I also tow large boats, and race car trailers reguarly without any issues.

[waitnsee Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close waitnsee]

I have had my Grande for a year and have had the back packed to the roof with camping gear on a couple of occasions and have had no problems with the suspension at all. Even while travelling on rough off road tracks there was no sagging in the back end and the ride was good, but I have never been in another Prado so I could not compare the difference in ride. It does come down to want you want in the car and what you would use. I use all of the features in the Grande and will buy another one when and if I wear this one out.

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

I'd go the VX purely on suspension. I'm not convinced about the air adjustable on the Grande and would hate to get caught out. If youre not going to venture to far, then the Grande would be fine, but if you want to go remote, eliminate the risk and go VX.

Wise words, Blacksheep.

I would give the air suspension a miss as they are known to tear out at the top of the airbags when the axle is fully articulated. This is on unmodified suspension, i.e. no lift. Why the shock absorber doesn't limit the travel to avoid this, I don't know. To avoid this problem, there are aftermarket straps available to limit the droop, but this should not have to be taken into consideration as Mr Toyota should already have designed the suspension system to avoid such a problem from happening in the first place. :roll:

Anyway, I'd only go for the VX simply to avoid the air suspension.

[Guest Close Guest]

I would give the air suspension a miss as they are known to tear out at the top of the airbags when the axle is fully articulated. This is on unmodified suspension, i.e. no lift. Why the shock absorber doesn't limit the travel to avoid this, I don't know. To avoid this problem, there are aftermarket straps available to limit the droop, but this should not have to be taken into consideration as Mr Toyota should already have designed the suspension system to avoid such a problem from happening in the first place. :roll:

Lawrence , what model Prado do you own?

The known instances of the Grande Airbags failing is bugger all, (Like less than 15 Aust wide on Toyota's papers)....And out of all of them, I am yet to hear of ONE that has "torn the tops out"! They simply get over extended and get a bump and they literally "fall out". on the very rare cases it has happened.
Most of the cases however are the bag has popped or been damaged from overloading of the vehicle.
I have articulated mine hundreds of times and never had an issue, I have now fitted straps, as a precaution, but find they dont get used.

It really isn't as big an issue as everyone reports it to be. The factual evidence supports this too. Its certainly a lot less than the old Diff saga. And that is only 0.01% of an issue!

I certainly wouldn't be letting this stop me from Buying a Grande if I had driven it and liked it!
This is what I did, Drove GXL. VX. Grande and bought the one that suited me best.

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

I would have to agree with TP alot is heresy, i too have had mine at full articulation without a problem.

It's a bit like if someone has something negative say about something or someone ten people will hear about it, but people seldom spread good things and one person may hear about it.

Also when i bought the Grande the vx did not have all the good stuff that it does now, would maybe go vx now 50/50

One happy Grande driver :wink: .