Interesting post. Might it also be a good idea to list what type of battery tray you have, particularly if it has bracing to the front of the car?
Cheers
White 2012 GXL 150 TD Auto. Work in progress. Aiming to spend less than when I kitted out the 120!
Thanks Brains. I'm wondering if suspension details is required too?
Sorry Rob. I forgot that if I moved your post to the new thread, it will come up as the first post due to the chronological thingymajig. so you'll need to make a post on the new thread.
My 2012 150 D4D VX suffered 4X cracks - 2 each in LH & RH side guards, at 36.5K, noticed upon nearing end of Kimberley trip across Gibb River Road in July this year. The worst damage is evident on the factory battery side, less damage on side with Optima D34 battery. ARB suspension & battery mount, mid to low 20PSI on corrugations during the trip, with large all terrain, close on mud terrain tyres.
After a lot of back & forth, photos etc at local dealer where I purchased the vehicle, I've been given (verbally only at this stage) the suggestion that Toyota have now indeed recognised the issue, and are working on a recall /repair procedure for affected vehicles.
Whilst it's logged on the paperwork at the 40K service as an outstanding issue, Does anyone have any more details / have they heard a similar story? I was somewhat suspect at the recommendation to keep driving the vehicle in the current state, as Toyota didn't want to repair it until a permanent fix is developed.
Would be interested to know how much movement there was in the battery hold-down straps..... Were the battery tie-down strap tight or loose?
I would be adding a extra support strap on top of the battery that also bolts to the front radiator support panel to help prevent any forward/backward movement of the battery.....
I would be surprised that Toyota Australia would admit to a problem... but then again, I know Toyota Japan has been given some Photos of Prados that have had cracked Inner Guards here in Australia, so u never know.... best of luck & I hope they repair it for u.... but I would avoid driving on corrugated roads in the mean time....
My 2012 150 D4D VX suffered 4X cracks - 2 each in LH & RH side guards, at 36.5K, noticed upon nearing end of Kimberley trip across Gibb River Road in July this year. The worst damage is evident on the factory battery side, less damage on side with Optima D34 battery. ARB suspension & battery mount, mid to low 20PSI on corrugations during the trip, with large all terrain, close on mud terrain tyres.
After a lot of back & forth, photos etc at local dealer where I purchased the vehicle, I've been given (verbally only at this stage) the suggestion that Toyota have now indeed recognised the issue, and are working on a recall /repair procedure for affected vehicles.
Whilst it's logged on the paperwork at the 40K service as an outstanding issue, Does anyone have any more details / have they heard a similar story? I was somewhat suspect at the recommendation to keep driving the vehicle in the current state, as Toyota didn't want to repair it until a permanent fix is developed.
Would be interested to know how much movement there was in the battery hold-down straps..... Were the battery tie-down strap tight or loose?
I would be adding a extra support strap on top of the battery that also bolts to the front radiator support panel to help prevent any forward/backward movement of the battery.....
Hi Rob,
No movement at all - both batteries very tightly mounted, and checked virtually every day as part of regular preventative maintenance routine undertaken whilst touring.
As for the additional strap - on one of the FJ sites I visited when researching this issue over the last month, there was commentary to the effect that this once-popular addition of diagonal bracing in 120's and FJ's has actually amplified the occurrence of cracking, as the front panelwork of these vehicles is actually designed to flex on the rubber chassis mounts, and by inserting additional brackets, you can stiffen the structure too far, and the resultant forces have to go somewhere... Unfortunately I've lost the direct link to the forum (US site I think), and I'm certainly not professing to be "in the know", but the theory does make some sense to me.
I'd therefore caution anyone considering these sorts of modifications to make their own additional research before doing so, as the one thing that Toyota were very thorough on when inspecting my car, was for any signs of additional / post factory installations under the bonnet, with many, many detailed photos taken of all after-market mods - down to where wiring ran, fuse-holders were mounted, the lot...
Understand what u are saying, but the TJM Battery Carrier has this extra support on top of the battery that bolts to the radiator support and to my knowledge, there has been no reports from people running the TJM carrier experiencing inner guard cracks.... but there has been people on here who have the ARB carrier who also have inner guard cracks....
No movement at all - both batteries very tightly mounted, and checked virtually every day as part of regular preventative maintenance routine undertaken whilst touring.
As for the additional strap - on one of the FJ sites I visited when researching this issue over the last month, there was commentary to the effect that this once-popular addition of diagonal bracing in 120's and FJ's has actually amplified the occurrence of cracking, as the front panelwork of these vehicles is actually designed to flex on the rubber chassis mounts, and by inserting additional brackets, you can stiffen the structure too far, and the resultant forces have to go somewhere... Unfortunately I've lost the direct link to the forum (US site I think), and I'm certainly not professing to be "in the know", but the theory does make some sense to me.
I'd therefore caution anyone considering these sorts of modifications to make their own additional research before doing so, as the one thing that Toyota were very thorough on when inspecting my car, was for any signs of additional / post factory installations under the bonnet, with many, many detailed photos taken of all after-market mods - down to where wiring ran, fuse-holders were mounted, the lot...
Understand what u are saying, but the TJM Battery Carrier has this extra support on top of the battery that bolts to the radiator support and to my knowledge, there has been no reports from people running the TJM carrier experiencing inner guard cracks.... but there has been people on here who have the ARB carrier who also have inner guard cracks....
Bolting to the radiator support doesn't change the load on the guard where it is cracking as far as I can tell.
[B]Steve[/B]
2010 Silver GXL Prado 150, D4D Auto, with a few non standard bits
Bolting to the radiator support doesn't change the load on the guard where it is cracking as far as I can tell.
Might not change the loading but it must help in the overall flex/support/movement of the battery. When u compare the 2 - ARB vs TJM, one has more supports/mounting holes & no reports of cracks + can handle a larger battery (12in) whereas the other has less mounts/supports & only holds a smaller battery(10in) and there has been reports of inner guard cracking... There's got to be something in the differences that helps.....
Might not change the loading but it must help in the overall flex/support/movement of the battery. When u compare the 2 - ARB vs TJM, one has more supports/mounting holes & no reports of cracks + can handle a larger battery (12in) whereas the other has less mounts/supports & only holds a smaller battery(10in) and there has been reports of inner guard cracking... There's got to be something in the differences that helps.....
Have there been any with the TJM set up that has cracked?
I have the TJM and I check the guards lots and I am very relieved to say, "All good so far!"
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