2010 GXL 150 have started to modify.......

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

Well I bought the wife "her" Prado December last year, It would seem that we got in at the right time (prior to the Tsunami) and got a really good deal as we (I, lol) paid 59K delivered for our silver 150 D4D manual GXL with factory floor mats. The wife was not too keen to accessorize, (the only add on was Tinted windows at Tint A Car) but with a driving holiday to the NT booked for October/November this year she was keen to get a bullbar fitted. Ended up getting the TJM T15? (steel winch bar) and had it colour coded to the car. Got that supplied painted and fitted by TJM Cairns for $2495, considering we have to pay a substantial amount for freight to get things delivered to the north I was pretty happy with that.

I was dubious about the extra weight, and after having the bar fitted, reckon I cound feel the extra weight hanging off the front. Not excessively, but enough to make me order new springs all round and airbags for the rear from Pedders Cairns. Had these fitted and the handling of the Prado has been transformed for a soft, slightly wallowing vehicle to an extremely confidantly firm ride!!! Mrs is very happy, and has now agreed to the fitting of a chip, so after a substantial amount of research I am going to go for the Chip it Chip. There is also a set of Lightforce 170's on the way and the spare TX3200 I have in the cupboard has been "requisitioned" by the little lady.

Will try and post some pics up soon, I just have to have the Prado in the driveway for time to take pics, damn wife keeps taking off in it.......

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

Here is a few pictures, hope to fit spotties, bonnet and headlight protectors and UHF this weekend.........

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

Giving the car some lift and adding a front bar really makes a difference to how the 150's look. I notice you seem to have gone with a bumper cut rather than the infill panels. Was there any reason for this? Also, has there been any rubbing on the bar (it looks like a tight fit).

Mike

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

Bumper cut was recommended by TJM Cairns (they fitted the front bar) their opinion is it ends up with a neater fit than using the infill panels. Only had the bar on for just over a week now so have not really had time to see if there are any clearance issues. Not that it will see any hard off road use, its the wife's car and she would get a bit cranky at me if it got scratched.... still got my old 60 series for belting around in the bush, the Prado is more of a touring vehicle for us.

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

Hey flyology,

Looks very nice. My draws should be ready in 3 weeks and then hopefully have the TJM T13 bar and suspension done by christmas. Interesting comments on the bumper cut as I was told the opposite but as long as it looks good when its finished, I dont mind.

Dave

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

Well I ordered my "Chip It" chip, (with EGT gauge option), EGR block off plate, and the scan tool on Friday (September 30th) midday, and it all arrived in the post yesterday (Monday October 3rd) I was very pleased to be offered the 10% Prado Point member discount without even asking about it. Fantastic service over the phone. I would have fitted it yesterday afternoon but due to a busy weekend and little sleep Sunday night I was pretty fatigued Monday arvo, and didin't want to risk stuffing something up, so will see if the car cools down enough for a play this afternoon.............

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

Nice mate the TJM bar looks great....my Silver 150 go's in Monday for TJM T13 HiD spotties and snorkel so hope it looks as good as yours.

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

Cheers Kakadaz, I hope to fit my lightforce spotties, headlight protectors (I know they are not really needed but Mrs. wanted them) and UHF in the next few days. Unfortunately I had to work overtime yesterday so didn't get to play with the Chip it. I did get to drop into my local diesel mechanic and showed him the gear from Chip it, and he was more excited than me....... He was particularly interested in the Scan gauge that is optioned with the chip as he had bought a very similar one only a few weeks before hand, paid TWICE as much, and it wont read diesels??!!.

They are that interested they have offered me the use of their workshop and assistance Friday morning to fit the Chip it, EGT gauge, and a second (primary) fuel filter with water trap for FREE. These guys did the pump and injector rebuild on my 60 series 12HT and the service they provided then was fantastic. The pump had a very small weeping oil leak after rebuild, which they fixed for free and it was not even their fault, it ended up being a hairline crack in the pump which they had welded and repaired, stating they should have picked it up initially.

Anyway, I better get ready for work, all going well I will try and make a bracket for the fuel filter this afternoon...........

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

Great to hear someone getting great service, rather than the usual complaints...

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

Chip it fitted today, Started at approx 8.30, all done and over by 12.00 midday. that was fitting wiring loom, EGR blanking plate (this took the most time in the engine bay) EGT probe (easily fitted in approx 20mins) and the gauge inside the car was fitted (temp with velcro at this stage) to the area just above/in front if the left knee near the reversing sensor switch. finding an appropriate ignition switched 12+ feed took the most time in the cab. Am I am happy?? oh hell yes!!! it is smoother, easier to drive, more powerful and has great torque. The Diesel Mech that fitted owns a D4D Hilux and after taking him for a drive in the Prado I think he has probably ordered his allready..................... very very happy......... Oh, and also fitted a Primary fuel filter with water trap.

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

Let me know how high you can go in tunes before you max out the fuel limiter. I have installed the fuel limiter disk and I've had to knock it back to tune 7 since it maxed out the limiter on 8 yesterday after a few weeks.

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

Will do, though I dont think I will go much higher in tune as I am quite happy with it how it performs in Tune 4, and I think the wife will get a bit nervous if it goes any better!!

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

Will do, though I dont think I will go much higher in tune as I am quite happy with it how it performs in Tune 4, and I think the wife will get a bit nervous if it goes any better!!

Ha ha ha, fairy nuff!

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

Fitted Light Force spotties (170 Striker) and UHF antenna last night. Spotties stick out about 2-3 inches from the front of the bull bar which is a bit concerning, but will have to do till I have a chance to make up some spacers/adaptors to move them back. I think I will run power for the lights from the unused relay box at the rear of the main fuse box (behind battery) will be neater and easier I believe. Looking at mounting the spotlight switch in one of the blanking plates in front on drivers right knee, any hints on how these come out?

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

Well just back yesterday after a fishing holiday in Darwin and surrounds. I have done approx 7000 klms since fitting the Chip It and have had NO ISSUES at all. I have left it at the factory setting (number 4 I believe) and I am extremely happy with it. I towed my boat over (a 4.5 metre quintrex barra boat, fitting with 70 hp yammied 4 stroke,) which would weight approx 1000kg when full of fuel, 3 batteries (2 for electric trolling motor) fishing tackle, and bits and pieces (yes its braked, and trailer is very solid construction) Prado towed with no problems what so ever, and on hitting the NT border and good roads (compared to the crap here in Queensland) I was able to cruise comfortably on 125-130kph. Fuel economy did suffer a bit at those speeds but I took 3 extra jerry cans so had an extra 60 litres. filled up at Mount Isa and still had a 1/4 of a tank left at Katherine so used approx 180 litres to do 1300klms.

So if anyone is concerned about Chip It I would say then dont need to be, only issues i have heard of is when people are trying to squeeze all possible HP out of their vehicle, and we all know that when that happens things start to play up.