Is the 150 showing any signs of cracked inner guards

[Pete t pops]

Lots of interesting points of view in this thread, some I agree with, some I don't, but of everything written in this thread this stands out to me like the dogs proverbials!



With those sorts of pressures on some of the roads you have mentioned, my first thought is WOW, lucky you got away with only cracked inner gaurds!

Like most things that go wrong it is probably a combination of a number of things that have contributed to the problem, but those pressures, especially the off road pressures to me would be one of the major contributing factors.

I continue to evolve my thinking on tyre pressures, and there are many variables, but on a reasonable gravel road I would look at mid 20's, for bad roads low 20's, for horendous roads such as when I went into Mitchell falls, back into the teens and adjust speed accordingly. I have never found handling to be an issue with lower pressures assuming you adjust the speed to suit.

Cheers Andrew

This post is absolutely spot on, especially about Mitchell falls... That is the worst "road" I've ever been on

[rob_macca67]

You might be right.... but with 3 kids, room is at a premium. I'm going to try the battery under the bonnet again. I've done a few mods there and will use a lighter battery and will see how we go..... If it cracks again, then it's back to the drawing board.....

I actually like the battery box installed in the rear. You do need to give that current a bit of a boost. The Ctek 250 Dual, Redarc 1220 and the Redarc 1225 if you like the solar panels.
Jamie has got the best battery boxes already made up. $165.00 each with all the plugs and fuses. JTS. I wouldn't say that unless they are. Outback has one of these in his vehicle. The good advantage of these boxes is they are portable and you can take them out. One of my pet hates is seeing the ARB set up with both batteries being installed on one guard. That's in the 120 models.
Any sniff of the guard cracking thing, brings up images of Gordon's 120 photos. My 2005 120 had the guard cracking thing, but not like Gordon's vehicle.
Battery boxes in the rear I reckon fellas, especially if you are going to do corrugated tracks in the outback. Best to play it safe.
The 95s seem to handle the dual battery set up in the front. Shorter guards and thinker steel panels or something.
Just my thoughts on the subject.
The Roo.

[mjrandom]

I tend to agree O7 but I have to say I was surprised when I saw the crack ob Brains car, the set up seemed spot on, not too stiff or heavy.

[outback7]

Rob M, yes mine is a D34. Know what you mean about the research as there are so many varying opinions about batteries on PP and many other forums. I was more interested in keeping weight off the inner guard than AH, as I generally tow a camper that has its own 100AH AGM when we get away

Got my battery out from under the bonnet and put it in a battery box in the back......so far so good. With all the 150's out there I think it is an isolated problem not the norm.

[hulbyw]

Rob M, yes mine is a D34. Know what you mean about the research as there are so many varying opinions about batteries on PP and many other forums. I was more interested in keeping weight off the inner guard than AH, as I generally tow a camper that has its own 100AH AGM when we get away

[mjrandom]

Pics Of the repair Paul?

[Brains]

I have had the crack in my guard repaired by a local repairer. Toyota's quote was between $800 - $1200 but I ended up getting it welded and braced for less than 10% of that. Mind you I had removed the second battery and tray to give them easy access.

[rob_macca67]

As I understand it, Toyota make the battery mount that we use for an auxillary battery to house a standard wet cell battery , same as the starter battery. These wet cells are far lighter than the average AGM auxillary battery that many of us bolt in there. This is the reason Piranha recommend a maximum weight for even their trays which are braced to the front of the car. I think they recommend a max of around 22kg but not sure. It is for this reason that I have installed a small Optima that only weighs 19kg. Trade off is lower AH however you can get much higher AH with a wet cell, it just takes longer to charge
Cheers.........Wayne

Wayne... That's the reason I'm also going for one of the Optima Batteries... much faster charging time (around 1>2hrs or so depending conditions). I was looking at one of the yellow tops of similar weight....D34 I think from memory @ 19.5kgs.
Still to do more research though

[hulbyw]

As I understand it, Toyota make the battery mount that we use for an auxillary battery to house a standard wet cell battery , same as the starter battery. These wet cells are far lighter than the average AGM auxillary battery that many of us bolt in there. This is the reason Piranha recommend a maximum weight for even their trays which are braced to the front of the car. I think they recommend a max of around 22kg but not sure. It is for this reason that I have installed a small Optima that only weighs 19kg. Trade off is lower AH however you can get much higher AH with a wet cell, it just takes longer to charge
Cheers.........Wayne

[sleeky5]

Thanks Rob. I certainly hope it all works well for you. If so I will look at doing something similar. I haven't really looked too much under the bonnet of a 150 yet so it is difficult to picture how it all hangs together but I am sure your setup must help stabilize the whole thing somewhat.

Regards
Neil

[rob_macca67]

The Panel Beaters once they repaired the guard they welded a plate over the area(see pic below)....

That does mean that the crack might not appear else where.... but hopefully not.

I've added some extra support (Brace up to the front radiator support panel - see pics below) for the ARB Battery carrier & I'll make sure I chose the lighter Optima Spiral Battery to replace the 25>30kg Dep cycle battery I had in there previously

Hi Rob,

How did you reinforce the area. I really don't want to put a battery in the back. It seems incredible that a car maker would include a space for a battery which cannot be used for what is intended. I wonder what Toyota suggests the space should be used for?

[sleeky5]

Hi Rob,

How did you reinforce the area. I really don't want to put a battery in the back. It seems incredible that a car maker would include a space for a battery which cannot be used for what is intended. I wonder what Toyota suggests the space should be used for?

[rob_macca67]

I don't think most people would even know or think to look for cracks and the % of 150s sold would mostly be use by school mums or the like with very little use off road. Probably need to focus on the 150's that are sold where the majority of the owners actually use them for what they are meant for.... offroading/touring/dirt corrugated roads, etc is involved..... Even then it will be a hit and miss where some will crack and others will be fine....

I've had mine repaired and reinforced as well, then fitted a ARB battery carrier and I've also installed extra bracing/support. I plan to install a lighter Optima spiral AGM battery as the 2nd battery. We plan on heading out to the centre again this year across the Plenty Hwy so I reckon it will get a good test then to see if it all holds together.... Hopefully all will be good.

[Hutch]

If u looked at the number issues vs units sold I doubt that u would even rate a % worth talking about...


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

[sleeky5]

Given that there have been no posts on this issue since November, is it possible that this problem may not be as widespread as it first appears. I really got the jitters with reports of the 120 cracking and yet after 140,000km with dual batteries and ARB bar, and several thousand KM's on corrugated outback roads I have no sign of any cracking at all. I am now looking at upgrading to a 150 and the jitters have again come back. I use a Piranha battery tray in the 120 which is very securely mounted. Has anyone with a properly installed piranha tray had cracking problem and is such a tray a good idea for the main battery as well? Just a thought.