Prado Altitude SE 2014 - care and buying roof rack advice

[Prado4X4_Man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado4X4_Man]

Hi All

Good day everyone ! I am new to this forum feel like I am part of Prado Family here

I am newbie recently purchase Prado Altitude SE 2014 and so far loving it .. (I am new to 4x4)

So getting lots of advice like I need to run engine for 1500 KM, I should not tow boat now.. wait for engine to open up .. or I should do a 4x4 course first.. you guys are experience you I am sure you can help me.

I need some advice and help and tips with car care and buying new roof racks

So far I have done 900 K car, when I start the car and leave the engine running for 5 mins then drive I feel like a knocking sound coming out of engine ? is this normal for diesel engine ? when I drive for a while lets say 30 mins its settle down..

Also need advise on roof racks, my prado has comes with roof rails I need rack attached to original roof rails

We go camping alots so I need some space on the roof.

I really appreciate your feedback and suggestion thank you in advance.

[Mattfunk 120 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mattfunk 120]

Hi mate , welcome I saw one of these yesterday and you have a very nice car indeed. I have always thought you should run your new engine in for a least 1000k before you give it too much right foot or tow anything. A 4x4 course will provide you with valuable information and my wife and I have completed one of these recently however I reckon you should have a look at joining a 4x4 club in your local area. These provide driver awareness courses that will provide you with basic knowledge. You may have to get some aftermarket recovery points bolted to your chassis as well as some basic recovery gear as well such as a snatch strap, bridle,now shackles & damper blanket. I found joining a club invaluable as most of our friends don't 4x4. Talking to different people , soaking up knowledge from those with more experience is a great way to learn and socialise for our kids as well . Good luck and enjoy your vehicle .
Cheers Matt

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

Don't leave the car idleing for too long when cold. You'll get more blow by and fuel dilution. To break it in quickly, engine brake when going down hills. Drive the car normally or slightly harder than normal to bed the piston rings in.

[Prado4X4_Man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado4X4_Man]

When I spoke to dealer he said .. dont worry give it a foot .. it will open up engine and valve .. he said its a brand new car under warranty so don't worry !

I am new so not sure about his advice .. usually for first 1000 KM you dont give too much on the car.. I took m car to Canberra last weekend. Drove on cruise control and without cruise control .. after 30 mins I felt engine was smooth and less noisy ..

What I have noticed when I start and drive even on low speed around 50 - 60 km I can hear knocking sound and engine is bit noisy .. Its DIESEL so may be its normal .. ?? I dont know

Also any on roof racks ?

[Symo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Symo]

I drive all my new cars like I stole them and never had better engines. Modern motors don't need running in. Just follow the user manual and just enjoy.

[Prado4X4_Man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado4X4_Man]

Prado roof racks advice and options

Any advice on the roof racks .. I don't want to remove the original Prado roof rails
We go camping alot so need roof rack

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Look at a Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform if you want a full roof rack, they are low-profile and can mount to your existing roof rails. If you don't already have cross bars you may need to buy some feet to mount the platform to the rails. If you need to buy feet then check pricing from your dealer as the Toyota ones are just re-badged Rhino but are cheaper. Here you can see how I have mounted mine :-



The platform comes with the cross bars cut to the appropriate width, you just need to add the SXB feet as mentioned earlier.

If you just want cross bars then again check with the dealer as their price should be cheaper than the Rhino ones. I have the Toyota ones and they are the same as the Rhino Sportz bars.

[Prado4X4_Man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado4X4_Man]

Hi fido666

Thank you that's looks good .. are they solid build ? is there any weight capacity ? What do you have connected on the side ?

Cost ?

Any other alternate recommendations ?

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Yes they are solid, mine hasn't moved or come loose since the original install. From memory the weight limit is 80kgs when using the SXB feet on the rails but I believe that includes the weight of the platform itself. I have an awning connected on the side using bolts and nuts that slide into the channels on the platform. I also have some TraxRax for holding my Maxtrax recovery boards that attach on the driver's side but have removed them as they prevent parking in most underground carparks (I can still get in with the platform and awning mounted).

Cost was around $700 from memory but I didn't need to buy the feet, they would add around $50 from the dealer or $100 from Rhino.

Others may recommend alternatives, I have only ever had the platform or the cross bars on their own. I like the Pioneer because it is low-profile and you can add side rails and other mounting accessories as needed.

[Prado4X4_Man Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Prado4X4_Man]

So its better to get them from dealer ? or online ?

[Noonan Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Noonan]

Yes they are solid, mine hasn't moved or come loose since the original install. From memory the weight limit is 80kgs when using the SXB feet on the rails but I believe that includes the weight of the platform itself. I have an awning connected on the side using bolts and nuts that slide into the channels on the platform. I also have some TraxRax for holding my Maxtrax recovery boards that attach on the driver's side but have removed them as they prevent parking in most underground carparks (I can still get in with the platform and awning mounted).

Cost was around $700 from memory but I didn't need to buy the feet, they would add around $50 from the dealer or $100 from Rhino.

Others may recommend alternatives, I have only ever had the platform or the cross bars on their own. I like the Pioneer because it is low-profile and you can add side rails and other mounting accessories as needed.

I just paid $130 for the Rhino SX2 feet from Roof Racks Galore here in Brisbane. If it is $50 from the dealer... why wouldn't you? Not often something is better to buy from the dealer...

N

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

I just paid $130 for the Rhino SX2 feet from Roof Racks Galore here in Brisbane. If it is $50 from the dealer... why wouldn't you? Not often something is better to buy from the dealer...

Well $50 is what I was quoted by the Spare Parts department at my local Toyota dealer, I'm assuming the guy gave me the correct price. I was thinking of buying another set of feet so I could leave the original cross-bars assembled to the feet for easier installation when not using the platform. I didn't end up buying any as so far I haven't removed the rack since it was installed and I know I can always swap the feet I have back to the bars if needed.

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

I have used the Rhino Platform on mine but removed the stock rails and used the rhino bracket. The advantage using the rhino brackets its reduces the height and increases the load you can carry. Paid around $950 all up as Auto one had a special on.

[Esquire Member Find all posts View Profile Close Esquire]

Another vote for the Rhino Pioneer platform. Picked it up for $700 but didn't need feet, like Fido. I have just mounted it to the factory rails like Fido and believe that 80kg will be fine with what I want to carry up there. Of more concern to me was the added height between the two mounting options. I was shown the set ups and advised that only slightly more height is added but around $300 if you had to buy the legs as well. Something to think about with suspension lifts etc all on the wish list.

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

I have a Rhino on my 150 and it has just done 16000k's all over Qld and NT with 2x20 lt fuel jerry cans, 2x15lt water cans, Maxtrax, gas bottle (in a Rhino mounting kit that is great) Oztent (26kgs alone) and firewood when I was in the Simpson desert. It is mounted to the standard rails (which have three mounting points each side anyway) and not even a loose bote. The only thing I do is put some of that non slip drawer liner that you buy from Bunnings under and between gear to stop the gear moving about and protect the nice black paint.

See ya on the tracks, Richo