Bare minimum mods for new 150 series Prado

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Been in hiatus for a while now since I sold my decked out 120 and now am in the planning stages of my 150 purchase. Must admit I've been tempted with other rigs (76, 200 and the FJ) but nothing beats the Prado in terms of capability and mod cons that it now comes with not to mention the price. The 120 I use to own was the first run of D4Ds in the country that didn't come with traction control or rear air vents!

Anyway, question for you all; what would be the bare minimum mods you would do on a 150 GXL straight from the showroom floor? For starters I think a bull bar is mandatory, but does that mean I need to get the suspension sorted out as well?

Your input would be greatly appreciated!

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

Really need more information about its intended use. No modification is necessary if you're just after a Toorak tractor. But if you want to be able to drive over any obstacle in your way, you'll have to spend a bit of money.

Our first stop was to give it a decent window tint. We also tow a lot, so if you do too, get a tow bar. Possibly new tyres. I can't speak to the quality of the tyres on a GXL, but i got over 80k from the VX tyres, which were fine for sand and gravel (hopeless in mud). If you're going to put on a bull bar, it think it's definitely worthwhile considering suspension upgrade.



Mike

[ursos Member Find all posts View Profile Close ursos]

Hi Fungi,
My usual answer is "Depends on what you're wanting to do with it" but my first thing would always be an air compressor because no matter what tyres, suspension etc I have, I want to be able to manage tyre pressures.
Good luck with the new baby :-)

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

What are you going to be doing? The standard car is pretty good these days. Work out where you will drive and that will dictate what mods if any you need. For example are you going to run a fridge? In that case a second battery is pretty much a given. Do you scrub bash or just want to mount lights? Maybe a nudge bar or nothing up front instead of a bullbar. And so on. Factory tyres are pretty much good for the road or sand, any other work and you should look at some all terrain or dedicated off road tyres.

For me it was (in no particular order) lift, bar, lights, snorkel, recovery points, aux battery, side steps, towbar, breathers, driving lights, roof rack, tyres and compressor. That adds up to a fair amount of $ especially when diff locks are on the next wave of mods. You can do big chunks of this yourself as well. I'm happy though, it does everything I want. Mind you that is on top of a GXL so it depends a bit on the model you choose too.

[Fungi2003 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fungi2003]

Ahh yes, intended use!

In the short term I would only be doing hunting, fishing and camping trips with mates and family:
* Typical terrain I intend to tackle would one could expect driving around the Brindabellas, Vic and NSW High Country,
* There will be a lot of highway and driving on tracks during the night; no technical obstacles, just the typical interstate commute and trip to a campsite after work on Fridays,
* Trips will be short term (a few days) so esky will do for now.

One of the things I loved about the previous rig was I did all of the above with the car in stock form. I would like to get started on the mods a little bit earlier this time around!

[Est_1982 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Est_1982]

From what you have said I would go bullbar and lights straight up.