Will a prado fit in my garage?

[malloc Member Find all posts View Profile Close malloc]

Hi all,

I have a swing-door garage that opens to 1870mm. I've adjusted it as far as I can, and even taken to it with an angle grinder to remove the handles - the only way I can increase the opening further would be re-roofing, and I don't want to go there

I'm looking at older models (e.g. 2005-2008ish). Specs suggest GXs are 1850mm, GXLs are 1865mm. I'd prefer the GXL, but 5mm just isn't enough clearance.

I'm wondering whether those numbers would be significantly lower by the time you add the weight of a bullbar, towbar, extra battery etc?

Any creative suggestions for shaving a few cm off would be appreciated e.g. smaller tyres?

Thanks!

[pradosteve97 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradosteve97]

Everyone else is trying to pickup extra height with lift kits and bigger wheels if you want to go wheeling. can you get your door up to 1950

[Guest Close Guest]

The height difference in the GXL is due to the roof rails. So you may still fit if the lowest point is in the middle.

King springs make a lowered set of springs. Adding weight will also lower the Prado.

Smaller tyres is probably not a good idea due possibly to reduced load rating.

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

Dig some wheel ruts.

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

My "german Grande" measures 1.895mm with roof rails - that's what the spec says. Without rails it's about 6-7cm lower i think. So the Prado should fit your garage, but reverse parked only. Otherwise the swing door might crash the roof when closing it.

Adding weight will get the Prado down a bit - but driving the Prado with additional weight every day without adapting the suspension is not really nice...can you find a heavy duty suspension at stock height? Smaller tires I wouldn't do in any case, as Andrew mentioned before too.

BTW: Could 1865mm be right for the 120 GXL? In Germany, the long/wide body without airbag suspension at the rear officially measures 1.905mm (incl roof rails), with the 265/65R17 wheels. 1.865mm seems quite low to me?

However you won't have any space left for bigger tires and a lift kit - if you want to get those nice little things. Tires only could maybe work...

[malloc Member Find all posts View Profile Close malloc]

Thanks for the suggestions, especially the heads up about reverse parking to avoid the door as it swings.

I bit the bullet and bought a 2011 GXL yesterday. A nice one came up with low k's for the right price.

Bad news is it doesn't quite fit Good news is it will with the roof rails removed

I had a better look at the garage and I can get an extra ~10cm by removing a beam and raising the door, without touching anything load bearing. Should fit comfortably after that, even with roof rails attached + fatter tires. Lift kit is probably out of the question without major changes to the garage, but it's better than nothing.

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

Worst case it gets to live out the front with the 2 inch lift and decent muddies ;-).

Doug

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

Congratz @malloc!

Glad to hear that your garage can offer another few cm without tearing it down :-D Have a good time with your Prado - I bet you will!

Pics? :-)