GXL to VX Questions

[Turbz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Turbz]

Hi guys, I've recently been getting quotes together and driving the latest 150 series Prado and have come across a few questions that I thought might be answered here.

First off, I am looking at something that I will be doing a few mods to so that the vehicle is more than capable as something I can do runs through the Simpson Desert, Gibb River Road, Finke, etc etc. So lift and bigger wheels, snorkel, dual battery, compressor, eventually E Lockers.

So, with that in mind I have quotes for the GXL ($62k drive away), and the VX ($73k drive away). Both without extras (to minimise LCT), with the 2.8L Auto. And my main questions are, with the extras that the VX has over the GXL. Is it worth the extra $11k, and is the KDSS worth paying that extra $$$ for? Is there anyone here who has done much with and without to compare the abilities of the system. By all accounts, it sounds like a fantastic system, from all the reviews I've read.

I've also been looking at the AFN bullbar to go onto it, which is the only bar I've been able to find that doesn't require the cutting of the existing bumper panels to fit them. Has anyone else fitted these bars to their vehicles, and what are your thoughts? From the pics I've seen, they look like they fit very nicely given the teardrop headlights, allow great clearance, and don't look too bulky or ungainly on the vehicle.

One final question. Has anyone had the 3rd row seating removed to create more depth in the back at all? Is it possible at all?

Cheers for any answers in advance. Any experiences, advice and suggestions on setup etc are also welcome to help with my considerations.

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

I've got an AFN bar and think it's great! The biggest problem I have is that it doesn't have a flat surface to sit your drink on when you're working in the engine bay!

Factor into the AFN bar cost the fact that you may be able to sell your bumper bar because you don't cut it.

[REN470 Member Find all posts View Profile Close REN470]

Hi,

I've got a GXL and it goes everywhere I want / need it to go. For me I wanted more than a GX but didn't want the fancy trim of a VX, but I didn't consider the suspension etc. I note your comment about not wanting to cut the bumper for the bull bar and see this with tow bars as well, people saying they don't want to cut the rear bumper- my question is why not? Do you expect to remove the bull bar at some point ( and others the tow bar), I just can't imagine why anyone would care if they are cut, when I'm done with the car I just sell it the way it is?

[bing10 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bing10]

hi all
like Turbz, i'd also be interested in hearing opinions from people that have driven KDSS v non KDSS prado's.

Bing

[Turbz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Turbz]

The main reason for the AFN bar is they look good and fit the lights perfectly. Secondly, as mentioned, there is the chance of selling the bumper if someone else, by chance, wants to put one back on theirs for a trade in etc and keep the bar for their new Prado, or to sell separately. Whatever.

As for the KDSS, I have a mate who was an auto engineer and test driver for Toyota awhile back, and he said to get it if I could, because the system is fantastic. But I thought I'd see what some others thought with their own personal experiences.

Another couple of questions. Does anyone think the auto hangs onto 1st too long when taking off briskly? And anyone who has the petrol, what do you think of it?

Cheers
Turbz

[Ian Reid Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Reid]

Mine is a 2014 VX D4D.
Firstly i love the ride of mine from new but even with a2inch lift it is great to drive.
I removed the rear seats on mine and fitted a false floor. This gained me about 4 inches of extra depth which makes the boot a lot more usable.


The only real negative of the VX is the weight, the extra goodies you pay for come with a weight penalty as well


Sent from my iGizmo using Tapatalk

[Turbz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Turbz]

Nice. How difficult was it to remove them and fit that? Did you have to have it made, or is that the floor piece from a 5 seat GX?

[Ian Reid Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Reid]

Removal wasnt hard.
I knocked it up out of 17 mm ply to make it rigid. A couple of strips underneath to make it even. Counter sunk the holes and got new bolts to allow me to use the seat mounting holes. The sides were a bit fiddly making the existing wings fit, it all went in in one piece. Took most of a day by the time i went to hardware a couple of times


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[Kapitan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kapitan]

GXL to VX

Hi Turbz,

I bought a new Prado 150 GXL Petrol automatic in 2009 and now have Prado 150 VX Diesel automatic (bought as new in 2014) therefore I have can share first hand experience with both models.

VX model is a huge leap forward over the GXL in the way it handles on road and off road. KDSS is worth the extra money and the additional goodies VX gets do make life much better and are practical. One needs to live day to day with both cars for a longer period to appreciate the differences.

Still if I would decide to get a Prado 150 with objective to do lots of modifications I would get new GX model. It is lighter, cheaper, and does not have third row seats therefore larger boot. So for me it would be a choice between VX vs. GX and I would not consider GXL.

Re engine if driving mainly around town petrol for me is a better choice as is much nicer, quieter, and a faster drive. In the country diesel seems better choice.

[Turbz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Turbz]

Yea not looking at lots of major mods, or I'd buy an 80 series. Just looking at lift, wheels n tyres, snorkel, dual battery, bullbar n lights. Maybe chip it, and possibly some E lockers down the track.

[Kapitan Member Find all posts View Profile Close Kapitan]

Prado VX Petrol

In this case Prado 150 VX Petrol is my recommendation. VX Petrol is the sweet spot in the Prado model line up. Will give you most enjoyable driving experience, will handle very well, and have plenty of power. It is a bit like choosing between Commodore SS-V Redline 6.2 litre V8 vs. Commodore Evoke 3.0 litre V6. Go for the power, goodies, and handling!!

[Turbz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Turbz]

I have considered that option, Kapitan. I don't usually do more than about 10k km per year, so it's not like it'll cost me a heap to fuel. Problem is, they don't have any petrol models to test drive here in Darwin. No market for them. :/

[Nova Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nova]

I just took my rear seats out last weekend. Took about an hour and I had not done it before. I would think I could do it in 30 - 40 min when I do it again (drawers fit fine, seats going back in next week). Literally 7 bolts and some trim clips hold all the trim in and 4 bolts each for both of the seats.

Personally I would love it if Toyota offered some of the VX/Kakadu suspension and electronic aids as options on the other models. Rear locker, traction control modes, KDSS, rear air springs to name a few I would love to have on a gx/gxl.

Cheers, Nova

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

Nice. How difficult was it to remove them and fit that? Did you have to have it made, or is that the floor piece from a 5 seat GX?

Seat removal (for the GXL at least) is here:
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...To-With-Photos