Did you make any progress on this one? I'm possibly wanting to do the same thing. However, I suspect we're both going to be out of luck, firstly due the rear air suspension and secondly as we've already installed the Dobinson front springs (in my case have installed Bilstein shocks all round and Air Bag Man extended bags at rear as well) - all equipment that would likely need to be discarded and replaced with gear from a certified GVM upgrade kit. Unless someone can correct me and this is not the case?
Cheers,
David.
[SIZE=2][U]2012 150 Series D4D Kakadu[/U][/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Wynnum Towbar, Narva Merit/USB/lighter sockets, Pirahna dual battery tray, Redarc BCDC1240, Xantrex LinkPro battery monitor, 600W inverter, ARB onboard air & WaterWatch on AMTS bracket, Phillips 35W HID high beams, UHF, Roadsafe front recovery points, Offroad Systems drawers with integrated water storage with tap concealed in rear tailgate, ARB 47L fridge.[/SIZE]
Yes made some phone calls around the country. GVM doesn't help what I'm after anyway. I thought it would allow me to tow more.
I was wrong.
GVM upgrades only allow the vehicle a higher payload.
It doesn't alter the Vehicle's GCM or Tow Capacity.
How ever i came across a company by the name of Kimberley Cruisers. There Newcastle dealer can upgrade a GXL or GX to a 3000kg tow capacity.
So no good for us.
Statwwide 4x4 who do GVM upgrades advised tow capacity upgrades are not legal anywhere in the country. But that kimberley cruisers states they can do it.
Anyway I went a voice a Golf Savannah Caravan and the weights are alot lower than other manufacturers due to a material they make and use here in Melbourne to build their caravans.
Good luck mate.
P.s. how are the rear airbags ? Much modification required ?
Yes I was aware that a GVM upgrade doesn't increase your tow capacity. In my case though that is fine - The trailer I want tow has an ATM of less than 2000kg, so a reasonable margin below the Prado's 2500kg limit. My problem is simply that with the Kakadu having more equipment on board from the factory (yet with still only a 2990 GVM), and the addition of my other mods (see sig - not a massive list compared to some!) I have little left for payload (inc tow ball down force). As I've got plenty of margin in terms of maximum towing capacity, a GVM upgrade without an increase in GCM or towing capacity would definitely help me.
Yep, I've seen the Kimberly Kruiser and Statewide 4 x 4 pages. I had a chat to Statewide to ask if they could do anything for the Kadaku with it's rear air suspension and the answer was no. They only do the 4 coil setups. I guess there is just not the market for them to develop a kit for the Kakadu. Out of interest, what makes you say their kits are not legal anywhere in Oz?
I've been looking at the Golf units as well - as you say, considerably lighter than some other brands.
The replacement rear airbags have been OK. They have much thicker wall material than the factory units, though don't have the separate 'concertina' like covers protecting the bag like the factory ones do. Mine have been on for 2 years with no issues, but the jury is still out on their long term durability I guess. I had to trick the rear sensors much further than the supplier or most other members on here in order to achieve the advertised 50mm lift. I worry a little about them being borderline over extended when in 'high' mode (advertised as still being possible), but with the 50mm lift I very rarely use high mode now and if I do only for very short periods to crawl over a particular obstacle. There's a small mod to make in the upper seat during installation - basically just cutting out 1-2 sq cm to allow for the slightly different air line arrangement. I was not to happy at the time regarding the idea of taking to my 12 month old Kakadu's chassis with an angle grinder, but it was pretty easy in the end - touched up the steel with a couple of coats of red oxide anti-rust paint and dropped in the new bags.
There's little to be gained adding to the subjective opinions on forums of whether the ride's better or otherwise after a lift of a certain brand etc. Suffice to say I wanted a lift and the Bilsteins's were installed to give correspondingly longer travel and thus maintain articulation. They have done this and have the added benefit of the front shocks having an adjustable spring seat (3 different circlip positions) which is handy for adjusting out the infamous KDSS lean problem (RHF strut is set one slot higher than the LHF) or if more accessories are added later. I was happy with the ride of my vehicle before the lift and am happy after it.
I had a chat to an automotive engineer yesterday who's prepared to take a look at my vehicle chat about the possibility of a GVM upgrade. I'll post back here and let everyone know how it goes.
Cheers,
David.
[SIZE=2][U]2012 150 Series D4D Kakadu[/U][/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Wynnum Towbar, Narva Merit/USB/lighter sockets, Pirahna dual battery tray, Redarc BCDC1240, Xantrex LinkPro battery monitor, 600W inverter, ARB onboard air & WaterWatch on AMTS bracket, Phillips 35W HID high beams, UHF, Roadsafe front recovery points, Offroad Systems drawers with integrated water storage with tap concealed in rear tailgate, ARB 47L fridge.[/SIZE]
That's because they expect Kaka owners to want their 5 star accommodation in suites with room service, spas, in-house movies, complimentary dressing gowns and foot pedicure and not to be seen towing trailers or vans. Sorry, you should have stuck with the GXL.
Dave
Views expressed are mine alone and are not intended to compromise the integrity of my employer nor offend those who may read such views.
Bugger Bali, get out and see Australia before we sell it all to China.
That's because they expect Kaka owners to want their 5 star accommodation in suites with room service, spas, in-house movies, complimentary dressing gowns and foot pedicure and not to be seen towing trailers or vans. Sorry, you should have stuck with the GXL.
Lol the worst comment I've seen on this forum yet!
I've now successfully achieved a GVM upgrade from 2990kg to 3300kg. Achieving this appears to really depend upon the certifier.
I initially called Terry Toomey who specifically mentions GVM upgrades at http://www.terrytoomey.com.au/services.php. However he was unable to help me unless had I fitted a pre-certified GVM Upgrade suspension kit. As we know these don't exist for the Kakadu.
However AKZ Engineering (http://www.vehicleengineering.com.au/) were an entirely different story. A target GVM of 3300kg was set on the basis of the already upgraded suspension (2" lift kit supplied by Cal Off Road including Dobinson front springs, Air Bag Man rear airbags and Biltstein shocks all round). The vehicle was loaded to 3300kg with sand bags and steel dumbbells in the rear seat footwells and boot. It underwent brake testing (de-acceleration and fade testing over several consecutive hard stops) and swerve & avoidance testing on a test track. Passed without any problems at all. The certificate increased the GVM to 3300kg, reduced the seating capacity to 5 (drawer system fitted) and slightly increased the tare weight (still the same tare weight bracket for rego $$$ purposes fortunately). Note that the certificate (NSW RMS) specifies axle group ratings as well as GVM, so as well as achieving the desired GVM you need to achieve appropriate axle group ratings (and stay within them when loading) or else you could still end up with an issue with insurance etc.
Cheers,
David.
[SIZE=2][U]2012 150 Series D4D Kakadu[/U][/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Wynnum Towbar, Narva Merit/USB/lighter sockets, Pirahna dual battery tray, Redarc BCDC1240, Xantrex LinkPro battery monitor, 600W inverter, ARB onboard air & WaterWatch on AMTS bracket, Phillips 35W HID high beams, UHF, Roadsafe front recovery points, Offroad Systems drawers with integrated water storage with tap concealed in rear tailgate, ARB 47L fridge.[/SIZE]
I've now successfully achieved a GVM upgrade from 2990kg to 3300kg. Achieving this appears to really depend upon the certifier.
I initially called Terry Toomey who specifically mentions GVM upgrades at http://www.terrytoomey.com.au/services.php. However he was unable to help me unless had I fitted a pre-certified GVM Upgrade suspension kit. As we know these don't exist for the Kakadu.
However AKZ Engineering (http://www.vehicleengineering.com.au/) were an entirely different story. A target GVM of 3300kg was set on the basis of the already upgraded suspension (2" lift kit supplied by Cal Off Road including Dobinson front springs, Air Bag Man rear airbags and Biltstein shocks all round). The vehicle was loaded to 3300kg with sand bags and steel dumbbells in the rear seat footwells and boot. It underwent brake testing (de-acceleration and fade testing over several consecutive hard stops) and swerve & avoidance testing on a test track. Passed without any problems at all. The certificate increased the GVM to 3300kg, reduced the seating capacity to 5 (drawer system fitted) and slightly increased the tare weight (still the same tare weight bracket for rego $$$ purposes fortunately). Note that the certificate (NSW RMS) specifies axle group ratings as well as GVM, so as well as achieving the desired GVM you need to achieve appropriate axle group ratings (and stay within them when loading) or else you could still end up with an issue with insurance etc.
if you don't mind asking, how much did it end up costing you for the upgrade?
Do you have any contact name from AKZ engineering?
Thanks
Kams
Kams,
I did ask about posting my experience on the forum and said I wouldn't post the cost or the certificate itself.
I'm in the Canberra region (though registered in NSW) so worked with John Wilson in Queanbeyan. I note there's a local Sydney contact as well. See http://www.vehicleengineering.com.au/
Cheers,
David.
[SIZE=2][U]2012 150 Series D4D Kakadu[/U][/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Wynnum Towbar, Narva Merit/USB/lighter sockets, Pirahna dual battery tray, Redarc BCDC1240, Xantrex LinkPro battery monitor, 600W inverter, ARB onboard air & WaterWatch on AMTS bracket, Phillips 35W HID high beams, UHF, Roadsafe front recovery points, Offroad Systems drawers with integrated water storage with tap concealed in rear tailgate, ARB 47L fridge.[/SIZE]
do you have a list of what parts came with the 2" lift kit supplied by Cal Off Road just so i can look at ordering the same thing
Buts,
My kit comprised Dobinson C59-724 front springs (the KDSS specific parts), Air Bag Man OA6013 rear pneumatic cylinders and long travel Biltstein shocks all round. I'm reasonably happy with the kit however, I did have a couple of issues. The OA6013 kit is advertised as having 2" lift capable pneumatic cylinders whilst still maintaining functionality of the low-normal-high height control from the dash. However, I found that the spacers provided to trick the height sensors into the 2" lift provided nowhere near 2" of lift, so I added additional spacers (washers) under the sensor mount brackets. Having done this, a 2" lift was achieved, but the cylinders appeared borderline over extended if 'high' mode is selected. Numerous correspondence back and forth to Cal off Road and Air Bag Man didn't yield a great result - Air Bag Man recommended maximum target heights (rim to guard) in normal height mode which only equated to about 25-30mm lift compared to what I measured in its OEM configuration, rather than 50mm. Anyhow, I've got it set to give a 50mm lift (in normal mode) and just rarely use the high mode (don't really need it with the lift anyhow). The reason I mention this is that since the replacement cylinders alone cost ~$1000, I'd research further to determine if there are better options if I had my time again.
I also experienced the KDSS lean problem as many on here have. From memory I set my front springs on the bottom circlip on the LHS and middle circlip on RHS and the result is pretty good.
If you're running a bar + winch you'd probably want to go the heavier duty front springs.
If you haven't already done your lift my recommendation would be to engage the engineer first and develop a plan on what will be required to achieve the GVM Upgrade before you do the lift.
Cheers,
David.
[SIZE=2][U]2012 150 Series D4D Kakadu[/U][/SIZE]
[SIZE=1]Wynnum Towbar, Narva Merit/USB/lighter sockets, Pirahna dual battery tray, Redarc BCDC1240, Xantrex LinkPro battery monitor, 600W inverter, ARB onboard air & WaterWatch on AMTS bracket, Phillips 35W HID high beams, UHF, Roadsafe front recovery points, Offroad Systems drawers with integrated water storage with tap concealed in rear tailgate, ARB 47L fridge.[/SIZE]
And what's wrong with "5 star accommodation in suites with room service, spas, in-house movies, complimentary dressing gowns and foot pedicure". My wife wouldn 't even step foot in the Prado for anything less!!!!!
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