Getting ready for a big trip

[billdkat Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close billdkat]

Hi there,

I have a 2003 diesel prado that has done a bit of off road stuff all of which has been with little modification and stock tyres. We've been through the High Country, Fraser Island and around Cape York. The biggest problem I've had so far (apart from bits of plastic coming loose and falling off) is clearance, so am seriously considering splashing out on a lift kit. I've also got some issues with towing our 23ft/1800kg trailer sailer but I'll save that for another thread.

We are about to change jobs and move from FNQ to SA. We have acquired an "off-road" campervan (as opposed to campertrailer) and plan to take the long way down to our new home over about 4 months.

Currently we have:

• Snorkel
  Dual battery
  Cargo barrier
  Slideout drawers
  Engel 40L fridge
  Recovery kit
  Portable compressor
  Exhaust bag

I plan to get:
New tyres - seems that BFG ATs and Cooper STs are the choices?
Recovery points
Considering lift kit/new shocks

What other essential bit(s) of kit should I acquire for such a trip. I'm sure there have been a million threads on this very topic, but I can't seem to feed the search engine the right words to make them come up. Advice or links to info would be greatly appreciated.

Regards
Bill

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

Re: Getting ready for a big trip

Currently we have:

• Snorkel
  Dual battery
  Cargo barrier
  Slideout drawers
  Engel 40L fridge
  Recovery kit
  Portable compressor
  Exhaust bag

I plan to get:
New tyres - seems that BFG ATs and Cooper STs are the choices?
Recovery points
Considering lift kit/new shocks

I've heard Coopers STT's are better than the ST's.
Accessories:

- Hella or IPF spotties
- Suspension lift (billys with ridepro, you'll find a few other good setups on here).
- Bullbar (ARB, steel is my preference, it comes with recovery points)
- Steel Sliders (is nice to have 8) )
- GME TX 3440 CB radio
- Winch (maybe ??)

and a money tree to buy more and more...... :lol: :lol: :lol:

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

UHF is priceless on a big trip.

[billdkat Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close billdkat]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I forgot to mention UHF in our "already have" list - was one of the 1st things we had installed!

Speaking of communications:
I was thinking about hiring a Satphone for the time we are away, as opposed to a HF radio (which I'm not sure i would know how to use anyway.) Any comments or suggeestions regarding this?

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

Re: Getting ready for a big trip

- Bullbar (ARB, steel is my preference, it comes with recovery points)

Dustie,

I just had my ARB Bullbar fitted and asked the bloke about the recovery points it comes with. They look huge! He said that they are tow rated only and should not be used as recovery points for snatching. He phoned ARB in front of me and asked this.

I'm confused now :? :? :?

Anybody else out there that can clear this up for me?

Cheers,
AJ

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

AJ,

Out of curiosity I just rang two ARB stores, both confirmed they are recovery points. From memory its made of one large piece of steel and then another piece is welded for added strength.
The stock toyo are tow points, but I have heard on the later cars they can be used as recovery points.

[borgy Member Find all posts View Profile Close borgy]

Hi

Went thru this as well and have an EMAIL from ARB confirm it:

extract: "thanks for the email, as to your question the ARB delux bar for the Prado is rated ,for both winching & snatching. This is not the case for all vehicals, but for the Prado it is."

Cheers
Borgy

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

Hi

Went thru this as well and have an EMAIL from ARB confirm it:

extract: "thanks for the email, as to your question the ARB delux bar for the Prado is rated ,for both winching & snatching. This is not the case for all vehicals, but for the Prado it is."

Cheers
Borgy

This would make sense considering they are bolted right beside the factory tow/tie down points. You would think it'd be a little silly to add another 2 just for good measure.

billdkat,

I can highly recommend the Billy's and Ridepro lift kit, it transforms the car for the better... You don't lose the factory comfort but get better handling and more clearance as a bonus! Also a set of poly airs in the back springs will help you out with the towing... Expect to pay around the $2k mark, but you'll wonder why you didn't do it earlier.

Cheers,

Crammy

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

Excellent. Now I don't have to remove them to just put another couple in their place. Thanks for your help guys.

Cheers,
AJ