Which Accessories In What Order

[D4Dazz Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4Dazz]

Guys

After some opinions on which accessories and in what order given limited funds. I am about to start setting up a new Prado 150 and would be interested in what others thoughts are. Main uses for the Prado will be towing our Expanda Outback and 4wd touring. The accessories I wish to add are AT tyres, a bull bar, snorkel, suspension upgrade and draw system.

How would you prioritize these in order of importantance? I have my ideas but would be interested to hear what others think.

Thanks in advance
Dazz

[SOL Find all posts View Profile Close SOL]

Mate what I did was make a list of what I wanted and the cost of it. Then waited till the items were on special. Their is three things on my prado I have paid list price for they are the bar, fuel tank and E-locker. I have saved about $2500 on just waiting for the item to be on special. My sudjestion would be to save the cash and when you can get a special or package deal buy then.


SOL.

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

bull bar, suspension, snorkel, tyres

Winston

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

Suspension would be high on my list, but you really need to get your heavy accessories on first in order to get the correct suspension to match. So I would look at Bullbar first, then drawers and suspension. A snorkel is a luxury unless you are doing water crossings, if deep crossings are likely well then put more prioritory to the snorkel.

AT tyres are also a good move, however even HT if run at the correct pressures will do a good job for touring, I ran my Grandtreks on my first Prado for 55K before upgrading to BFG AT's, we did a lot of outback touring in that time and the only flat we got was a week before we upgraded, the tyre was almost worn out and never went back on the Prado. So depending on how much tread is left on the HT tyres i would leave them till last.

Its a bit of an individual thing though, everyone will have slightly different needs and wants.

Cheers Andrew

[vxcruiser08 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close vxcruiser08]

1 - AT tyres, for grip and less chance of flats off road!
2 - Snorkel, a must for water crossings.
3 - bullbar, for protection.
4 - suspension, now the accessories are on you'll have a better idea of what springs to run. Just remember you'll have drawers eventually which I'd leave to last!

[stevep84 Find all posts View Profile Close stevep84]

I agree with Andrew heavy stuff first then suspension to suit the load.
Snorkel last unless water crossings will be done.

[Phil_T Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Phil_T]

Snorkels are also very useful for getting clean air in the dust. This will greatly help fuel consumption.
Water? I'd rather not dilute the whisky!

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

Guys

After some opinions on which accessories and in what order given limited funds. I am about to start setting up a new Prado 150 and would be interested in what others thoughts are. Main uses for the Prado will be towing our Expanda Outback and 4wd touring. The accessories I wish to add are AT tyres, a bull bar, snorkel, suspension upgrade and draw system.

How would you prioritize these in order of importantance? I have my ideas but would be interested to hear what others think.

Thanks in advance
Dazz

Based on what u want I would say in the order u have listed them would be good.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

[devsadv Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close devsadv]

I've just had the same dilamma and approached it as follows:

1. Bar - Protection for the family is #1 IMO. We hit a roo 2 days before we got the bar, but fortunately only glanced the big bugger. could have been MUCH worse! (Note: I got under body kit put on at the same time as the bar, although if you're getting suspension done, this may be less of a priority for you)
1.a. I'd get draws done with the bar. I went for a tray on the roof as I wanted to retain the back 2 seats.
2. Snorkel - While it may seem a luxury, if you're planning to go anywhere near a creek or watercourse, it's a must. Much better to have the snorkel and flexibility of being able to go deep than having to potentially backtrack for hours.
3. Suspension - as noted above, after you've got the heavy stuff in, go for suspension. Personally, I couldn't justify the $2k minimum to replace brand new suspension when by truck has good clearance anyway. After 8,000kms, I've done some relatively tricky stuff and had no major clearance issues. IMO, after 50-80,000kms is when I'd go for the lift.
4. Tyres - similar arguement to the suspension. The Dunlops have been through a pretty tough introduction to life and I've had no dramas whatsoever. I ran them at 10psi between Robe and Beachport in SA in the soft sand and they were great. If you're going into mud perhaps upgrade, but otherwise squeeze the life out of the Dunnys.

Whatever way you look at it, the 150 is a money pit, but the smile each time you're on a track is worth every penny!

[Idrive Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Idrive]

Devsadv,

I'm in exactly the same position as you, however 'initially' all i'm looking to mod is the bar and suspension (no drawers, battery, winch in the foreseeable future). I note that you've put a bar on but left the suspension stock? What bar did you fit? From all the reading i've done at a minimum you'd want to update the springs, however general stance is if changing springs may as well upgrade the lot

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

I bought my 150 new, and changed the Tyres to BFG's the afternoon it was delivered, got a reasonable changeover ($200 per Tyre) trade in, so I was out of pocket about $1000. Never had a problem with BFG's and in fact this week put 4 more new ones on for my next big trip (CSR in July). I have done 70,000 ks of mostly offroad stuff and in some of the most extreme parts of our country and they have never let me down once, correct pressures of course are the key.

Bar, if you do a lot of off roading it's a must have (and add some drivng lights although I try and avoid Kanga Hour)

Heavy Duty Roof Bars and basket (not listed) but bloody worthwhile, my second spare goes up there along with spare fuel and my Gas Bottle, I couldn't do what I do without this.

Drawers, bloody handy when you have them, and add a fridge slide as well...those, with three string plastic tubs and a 20 litre water Jerry go in the back...perfect for long distance and off road touring.

Suspension (lift) and Air bags, if all you are ever doing is just long distance touring without a lot of off roading maybe not worth the $2K, BUT what a difference 2 inches makes, the extra height over Dunes and roads like the OTT is well worth the expense. Air Bags are bloody brilliant especially if towing. I changed everythings, shocks, springs and added the bags...so far worked like a charm.

I agree they are "money pits" these bloody 4WD's but I must say I have stopped spending money now (apart from new Tyres and we all need those from time to time), and am just enjoying going to places now, although you can keep going and going and going but the back pocket put a stop to that for me!

I would love to have a Chip and Exhaust package, and probably will when I start towing a Van, until then what I have will just have to do!!

Good luck and happy touring