Advice on GVM Upgrade - Prado VX 2013

[AntC Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AntC]

Hello all,

First time poster, long time reader (3 years anyway).

Just after some advice on getting a GVM upgrade on the my 2013 Prado VX.

After weighing our Prado and Camper trailer and running all of the calculations to go on an up North adventure or two, it seems we are running short on our vehicle load capacity.
I always want to be under from a safety and insurance point of view and believe when fully loaded I will be over by about 100-150Kgs in the Prado only.

I don't want or need a BTC upgrade as the Camper when fully loaded (which it will never be) is 200KGs under the current rating, which should tare off with the extra weight above. I also believe with the current disagreement between the state and federal governments in WA this is not currently available anyway. I have been led to believe that if this disagreement is resolved the Lovells kit below will include the BTC, but I can see how that wouldn't involve more licensing costs.

I have done a fair bit of reading on the forum already on GVM upgrades and have landed on a choice between two providers in WA:

First supplies their own Jenkins Suspension kits for around $2.5-3K after all licensing costs (not a massive wait time)
Second provides a Lovells upgrade that will come in $3.5-4K after all licensing costs (3 month lead time)

So with all of that I have a few questions I was hoping to get some help with....

What are the views on whether the Lovells kit is worth the extra $1K and 3 months wait time.
Does anyone have any experience with either of these GVM upgrades?
I have read that there is usually a lift associated with a GVM upgrade can anyone confirm that, as this would be handy?

Finally does anyone have any other thoughts or recommendations.

Kind regards and thanks in advance

Anthony

[watsea Member Find all posts View Profile Close watsea]

I had a GVM Upgrade done a couple of weeks ago to my 2019 GXL. I am SE Qld so work was done by a local recommended operator.
10% upgrade, 50mm lift and airbags. All up, including certification by a separate party, just under $3k. I didn't shop around for any further quotes as Zordo's had many Pradopoint recommendations.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Left field suggestion. This will only work if you are travelling 2 up. Take out the 3rd row of seats. Saves about 30 kg. Take out the middle row and save 60ish kg. Replace after trip. As you are so close to getting in underweight take less crap ( this from someone who always takes too much crap which never gets used). Unless you are going very remote you won't need as much as you think. OR move weight onto the camper from the car if the camper is under its maximum weight- only some of this will come back onto the car.

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

Left field suggestion. This will only work if you are travelling 2 up. Take out the 3rd row of seats. Saves about 30 kg. Take out the middle row and save 60ish kg. Replace after trip. As you are so close to getting in underweight take less crap ( this from someone who always takes too much crap which never gets used). Unless you are going very remote you won't need as much as you think. OR move weight onto the camper from the car if the camper is under its maximum weight- only some of this will come back onto the car.

This what Ive done with my 120. 3rd row done, single drawer in rear instead of double ( carry less crap that way) , and the second row removed and a fridge mount in single seat position and another shelf fitted to removed double seat position when needed. Also just had OME 50mm lift fitted which makes towing 2.5T van easier.

[AntC Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AntC]

This what Ive done with my 120. 3rd row done, single drawer in rear instead of double ( carry less crap that way) , and the second row removed and a fridge mount in single seat position and another shelf fitted to removed double seat position when needed. Also just had OME 50mm lift fitted which makes towing 2.5T van easier.

Thanks for the suggestions Gents,
We are a family of four with a dog when travelling so I certainly need the space in the middle.
Considered removing the third row, however the 30Kg gain was not really enough for the effort and as they are electric was not sure how easy that would be.

Loading the Camper up more has its own issues as well due to the build and the wheels being so far back and all the general storage is at the front, bit of a design floor in my opinion but it is a bit late now.

We are looking at loading up for the Gibb River road, Dirk Hartog island and a few other places so the extra weight is going to primarily be for jerry cans of diesel and drinking water.
Normal weekends away or trips to caravan parks we are approaching the limit but are under the required weights.

But my calcs for the fully loaded expeditions will put me over.

What surprised me the most was the GVM of the Prado after you have ~200Kgs on the towball and your passengers which leaves little spare payload.
So it is probably my underestimation when buying the rig that caught me out.
Hence I have come down to the decision of just footing the bill for the extra GVM to get me through and make sure the family is safe and we are on the right side of the weight scale when taking these big trips. Cheaper than buying a full size Landcruiser anyway.

[AntC Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close AntC]

I had a GVM Upgrade done a couple of weeks ago to my 2019 GXL. I am SE Qld so work was done by a local recommended operator.
10% upgrade, 50mm lift and airbags. All up, including certification by a separate party, just under $3k. I didn't shop around for any further quotes as Zordo's had many Pradopoint recommendations.

Cheers Watsea,

Good to hear a similar quote, do you know what kit they installed? Are you happy with the result?
Interesting about the airbags as I had heard any after market airbags put on after market suspension is not road legal, which was then elaborated with however most people do it anyway.
So sounds a little like tinting the windows, there are probably more cars with illegal tint driving around than legal.
I am erring on the side of legal based on a just in case methodology.
No insurance company is going to find a way around paying out if we ever get into an unfortunate situation.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

All good points. Used to travel with 3 kids so difficult to cut down there! Re. the jerry's of diesel, you have 150 l of fuel and will get 14-15 l/100kg towing at say 95-100 kph in 4th gear. This gives you a safe range of 1000 km. Unless you are planning to tow on the CSR there are few places in Australia where you will need more fuel than this. Weight upgrade or not you may be able to save 20kg for each jerry you don't carry. You may pay a bit more for fuel in remote areas but that is what keeps those businesses open for 4 wheel drivers like us. Safe travelling.

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

You probably wouldnt be any better off with a 200 series. 4 people , 200kg ball weight and normal accessories , you would be close to limit as well.

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Or...... carry jerry's empty and only fill at at last fuel stop before remote stuff starts and empty one every 150 km or so

[watsea Member Find all posts View Profile Close watsea]

Cheers Watsea,

Good to hear a similar quote, do you know what kit they installed? Are you happy with the result?
Interesting about the airbags as I had heard any after market airbags put on after market suspension is not road legal, which was then elaborated with however most people do it anyway.
So sounds a little like tinting the windows, there are probably more cars with illegal tint driving around than legal.
I am erring on the side of legal based on a just in case methodology.
No insurance company is going to find a way around paying out if we ever get into an unfortunate situation.

AntC,

To answer some of your questions.
The installed kit is springs and shockies from Dobinsons, with bags from Airbag Man.
Through this forum, I have heard mixed opinions on the longevity of the Dobinson shocks. So I guess time will tell.
The rear end seems to sit higher than a 50mm lift. Perhaps because it is lighter than normal as the 3rd row of seats are removed. Perhaps also, things might settle after a while.
Unloaded, the vehicle handling is OK, now I have reduced the airbag pressure back to 5psi minimum (after 2 weeks of about 25psi to set the airbags into springs). I notice the extra height but everything feels ok now. Handling was a bit dicky with higher bag pressure, vehicle high in the rear and no vehicle load. So far no driving with a load. Maybe soon.
Regarding certification and airbags, I did not ask the Certifier a specific question about that. During his evaluation, he seemed mainly interested in the springs, and shockies. A braking test in an emergency stop situation was also performed. This is for a QLD certification.

[[email protected] Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close [email protected]]

Hi all,

I figured this is probably the closest thread to the question i had (yes i searched first) rather then start a whole new post.

Im looking to buy a 2014/2015 Prado in Victoria and it will be in for a GVM upgrade almost immediately. From what i see this means GXL.

My question is whether the VX comes with air ride in the rear as standard like the Kakadu or is it just an option? as id prefer to get the VX if it has coil and shock setup in the rear.

[mat-with-one-t Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mat-with-one-t]

AntC, how did you go? I’m in really similar position, with a 2015 VX 3.0 diesel 150 likely needing a GVM upgrade and better system to allow for level towing and less sag and wallow.....

[mat-with-one-t Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mat-with-one-t]

Hi all,

I figured this is probably the closest thread to the question i had (yes i searched first) rather then start a whole new post.

Im looking to buy a 2014/2015 Prado in Victoria and it will be in for a GVM upgrade almost immediately. From what i see this means GXL.

My question is whether the VX comes with air ride in the rear as standard like the Kakadu or is it just an option? as id prefer to get the VX if it has coil and shock setup in the rear.

I have a VX and no, no airbags. The VX and Kakadu share the KDSS system, however the Kakadu adds rear adjustable airbags and some more electronics for various 4wd conditions. Also adds from diff lock I think?

[mat-with-one-t Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mat-with-one-t]

I’ll copy this post of mine here. Maybe I can get a bit of help? Sorry it’s a bit long winded......!

Hi all. I’ve been reading with interest re GVM upgrades, and general suspension ideas. We recently completed a 5 week trip up the middle towing an off-road Cub camper, which was great! I noted a few issues, however, and would love some advice!

The setup:
- 2015 150 series VX (KDSS) Prado 3.0l diesel. Standard suspension.
- Toyota towbar
- Cub Escape camper - about 1600kg loaded

As pictured, we have 3 big kids in back seat, and a boot full of bags. We need the rear extra 2 seats back home, so I don’t wanna take them out.
The camper ball weight sits within proper limits - around 150kg.
The camper normally sits quite tall (independent springs/shocks, big wheels).

For the trip, I fitted a Hayman Reece tongue to lift the ball height on the car. This gave much less “head down” on the trailer, but 1)not enough and 2)didn’t allow barn door on Prado to open.

I also noted that we came close to bottoming out on a lot of tracks, and indeed lost an Anderson plug at one point. I really noticed this crossing dry creek beds, even very slowly.

I assume the answer is a GVM upgrade with a bit of lift and stiffer springs and adjustable airbags? I am considering adding a winch and Smartbar (lighter) on front, and maybe a second battery for trips without the trailer (fridge in the back) (which will add weight). I also want to change to a different full roof rack so I can move some items up there. We also plan to add bikes to trailer front (which may add to ball weight).

Have a look at pic. I’d like to:

- have a flat-riding trailer with a standard flat tongue (not a lifted one)

- no or minimal sag in the car rear/lift in the front. Note that the missus still needs to drive it around town! Thus, something easily adjusted for empty city driving vs loaded car only vs loaded car and camper in tow.

- some lift (despite careful lines, I scraped the side rails a few times)

I also noted a fair bit of “porpoising” and “wallow” on undulating roads.....would be great to settle this down.

I am in Melbourne. I’d love some ideas for a relative novice!

Cheers, Mat

[mat-with-one-t Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mat-with-one-t]

I ended up starting a new thread on this. It seems really difficult to get any info regarding a lift/GVM upgrade fitted and certified in Victoria on a VX KDSS car!! Judging by the thread here, lots of others are in same boat. I am happy to get the gear from Zordos in Qld, but still don’t know who can fit it and certify the 10% GVM upgrade in Vic......