Prado 150 - Getting it ready for the track

[res_au Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close res_au]

I'm new to the forum and have found the information on here invaluable. I recently purchased a stock 2013 GXL Prado and want to get it ready for 4WDing. I guess I'd just like some more experienced eyes to give it the once over to make sure I'm not making any wrong decisions.

1. Bullbar - ARB Winch Bar 3421750 White (~$2k fitted)
2. Winch - Warn Magnum 8K (~$1k fitted)
3. Dual battery - Redarc SBi12 (with plug for fridge in rear) - ~$800 starting price from ARB
4. OME lift (with shock guards) (~$1.6k fitted) - springs 2887/2889 struts 90010 shocks 60080
5. Safari Snorkle (SS188HF) ($762 fitted)
6. Muffler change - Redback H743MN (~$250 fitted)
7. Steinbauer Diesel Chip - ~$1.5k

How much flexibility have you found with pricing? I'm guessing if I get it all done at one shop I could get a bit of a discount.
One thing I haven't looked into much is air-lockers.... Front/Rear... I'll check the forum out on these first too.

Thanks heaps for any input you can give.

Rich

[tonykarter15 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close tonykarter15]

packaging it all together should warrant a discount from the supplier.
To merely get onto the track, items 6 & 7 isn't totally necessary but a good idea.

For the dual battery, get a plug for your fridge and another general 12V socket for charging ipods, lights etc at camp. I didn't and regret it

[res_au Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close res_au]

Thanks Tony, I'll make sure I do that (general 12v plug as well as fridge plug)

[Guest Close Guest]

Snorkel price looks high considering what the part itself costs. I installed mine with the help of a PP member and it's not that hard.

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

If you are fitting a snorkel look at extending the diff, gearbox and transfer case breathers as well.

[ursos Member Find all posts View Profile Close ursos]

Make sure to get a fridge socket mounted so you can plug in vertically, the socket straight on the panel is a pain as it takes up space and is easily knocked.

Also, what about a compressor (or do you have a portable one)? First thing you'll need for managing tyre pressures on the track.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Is an 8K winch going to be strong enough? I would have thought 9,500lb at the minimum as the Prado is quite a weighty beast.

The snorkel price is about what I was quoted for supply & fit by ARB recently, I have a V6 petrol.

[farmernz Member Find all posts View Profile Close farmernz]

what about tyres?

[advntur2010 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close advntur2010]

Arb in Darwin do the warn magnum 10000 pound for $1010 not fitted safari snorkel from eBay 430 but thats for a diesel and like mjrandon said do your breathers cost of the hose and a few fittings isn't much have a look on here there's a detailed post with everything you need to do the breather extension. Tyers if your doing mostly black top with a little off road just get some at tyers

[res_au Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close res_au]

If you are fitting a snorkel look at extending the diff, gearbox and transfer case breathers as well.

Thanks, I'll definitely make sure I do that.

Make sure to get a fridge socket mounted so you can plug in vertically, the socket straight on the panel is a pain as it takes up space and is easily knocked.

Also, what about a compressor (or do you have a portable one)? First thing you'll need for managing tyre pressures on the track.

I take it you mean still attached to the side wall but with a vertical socket. I have a portable compressor (not a very good one...)

Is an 8K winch going to be strong enough? I would have thought 9,500lb at the minimum as the Prado is quite a weighty beast.

The 10K isn't much more, maybe I'll get that then.. Thanks fido666.

what about tyres?

Yeah I need to look into that, probably get some all terrain. :-)
Thanks for your help guys, I'm adjusting my list!

[ursos Member Find all posts View Profile Close ursos]

I take it you mean still attached to the side wall but with a vertical socket. I have a portable compressor (not a very good one...)

Yes (sorry, my shorthand)

[stevep84 Find all posts View Profile Close stevep84]

Make sure to get a fridge socket mounted so you can plug in vertically, the socket straight on the panel is a pain as it takes up space and is easily knocked.

Another option to this is what I plan on doing put in an Anderson plug and modifying the fridge lead.

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

All of the above will give you a great vehicle, although it won't be cheap. I have a rear locker on my 120 (120 is for sale) however on the 150, I am going to see how well the traction control works before I cough up for a locker. I have a mate who had a winch for 15 years and only ever used it once to save someone else. Great option if you have some play money though.
If you ask ARB for a PP discount, they will usually lower their price a bit. I recently got a quote from an ARB dealer for a snorkel fitted for $690, so I asked for a similar price from ARB headquarters when I had my suspension fitted. They came to the party (probably as they were making a good margin on the suspension).
Cheers............Wayne

[res_au Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close res_au]

All of the above will give you a great vehicle, although it won't be cheap. I have a rear locker on my 120 (120 is for sale) however on the 150, I am going to see how well the traction control works before I cough up for a locker. I have a mate who had a winch for 15 years and only ever used it once to save someone else. Great option if you have some play money though.
If you ask ARB for a PP discount, they will usually lower their price a bit. I recently got a quote from an ARB dealer for a snorkel fitted for $690, so I asked for a similar price from ARB headquarters when I had my suspension fitted. They came to the party (probably as they were making a good margin on the suspension).
Cheers............Wayne

Thanks Wayne, I have a hand turfer that I've used in the past, and to be honest I didn't have to use it much. I'll have a think about forgoing the winch... They are cool though!

I'd be interested to see what your thoughts are down the tract re: lockers. In theory the traction control applies brakes to the spinning wheels, thus giving power to the wheels with traction.. Nice on paper.

[ursos Member Find all posts View Profile Close ursos]

I'd be interested to see what your thoughts are down the tract re: lockers. In theory the traction control applies brakes to the spinning wheels, thus giving power to the wheels with traction.. Nice on paper.

I had plans for a rear diff lock but dropped them after finding the traction control works so well. Of course, there will be situations where a locker will be useful but I haven't found anything that the traction control can't handle so far.