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I have a 1999 3 l Turbo diesel RV Prado that I want to gear up for some offroading, just camping, fishing etc nothing too serious. I have started with a decent roof rack, but struggling with what to do next, snorkel? DEcent tyres ? Winch? Thoughts please!
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All at once! But only when you're done swimming in the pile of cash it's gonna cost... sigh...
MikeMy build [url]http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?25816-Mikes-150VX-Yes-it-s-another-silver-Prado[/url] -
Sounds from what you have said, that you don't plan on any thing hard core. In my mind that rules out needing a snorkel or winch, but if getting your camping of fishing spots requires rivers and muddy sections you may find the right recovery equipment more useful than a winch to start off with, and if you get the right gear it can always compliment a winch down the track e.g extension strap, tree trunk protector, d shackles and pulley block.
Some decent All Terrain tyres first off might work well, especially if what you have on the Prado look a bit old and worn and your not sure of their life.
Once you work out what you will really use your 4WD for you can plan and mod your Prado/4WD to best suite your needs without wasting bulk coin.[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="2"]09 D4D Prado - Toyota issue White
Wrench, Wheel, Wreck, Repeat... [/SIZE][/FONT]Comment
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Probably a better post to put up in a different section, however having said my 'moderators' piece, I would be thinking a decent set of rubber would be the first place to start. A bullbar is normally near the top of my list too, not only for animal strikes, but also to mount a set of spotties. From there, you world is your oyster!NOW FOR SALE!!! - 2004 Silver GXL 3lt 4spd Auto - ARB Bullbar, Safari Snorkel, Redarc Dual Battery System, Cooper ST MAXX, Dark Tint, IPF900XS spots, Raised Bilstein/Kings Suspension/Firestone Airbags, Autosafe Cargo Barrier, Sandgrabbers, Rola Roof Rack Stuff, Insect Screen, Dust/Wind Deflectors, Sheepskin/Black Duck Seatcovers, GME TX3510, ARB underbonnet compressor, Allied Hammer Rims, ARB UVP, [url="http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?18043-Rock-sliders-steel-side-steps"]AJ Sliders[/url]Comment
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If you're only doing mild offroading, i.e. fire trail/unsealed road, there isn't really a lot you need to do it. High on my list would be to extend the rear diff breather. You don't need to drive through much of a puddle to have the diff sucking water in.
A UHF radio, either hand held or car-mounted is a must have for traveling with other 4wds.
An air compressor and tyre pressure gauge would also be on my must have list. If you go only go offroad infrequently, a cheap compressor is fine. If you're offroad every 2 weeks (like me) a good quality compressor such as ARB and maybe a tyre deflator are recommend.
A bull bar and/or driving lights may be a good investment if you are doing remote/night time travel.
A lot of unsealed roads and 4wd tracks have sharp rocks that can puncture road tyres, so some all terrain tyres (preferably LT construction) are also recommended.[B]Declan[/B]: [SIZE=1]1997 GXL 4.5 Auto 80 series on [B][COLOR="#FF0000"]LPG[/COLOR][/B], ARB bullbar, 2" OME lift, 32" MTZ, GME UHF, rear ARB locker, Kaymar spare wheel carrier[/SIZE]
[B]PLANNED[/B]: [SIZE=1]3 or 4" suspension lift, 2" body lift (maybe), winch, 35" MTZ + roadies, front locker, sliders, cylinder head rebuilt for [B][COLOR="#FF0000"]LPG[/COLOR][/B], Garret [COLOR="#4499ff"][B]Turbocharger[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]Comment
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Cheers Guys,
My rig build up has now started. Got the roof rack, but will have to check with management to my budget. From the sound of it the following order makes sense:
1. New tyres (need replacing soon), will be looking for a combination road/offroad set.
2. Bull bar and lights
3. winch etc.
I am also keen to get a hilift jack but am a bit stumped on lift points without a bullbar etc.
Thanks for the pointers guysComment
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I would be uprating the suspension before getting a winch. The weight of a steel bull bar plus a Winch will have the front end sagging almost to the bump stops. It will handle terribly too.
I had a steel bull bar with stock suspension and it would dive quite savagely on heavy braking.
Start with the basics before getting winches and hi-lift jacks. (BTW, very few people I know own a hi-lift and I have never been on a trip where anyone needed to use one. By the sounds of it you are unlikely to ever need a Hi-lift)
In my books the essentials you should have before going off road are (as I said in my previous post)
- Extended rear diff breather (the stock diff breather can almost be considered a design fault)
- UHF radio
- Tyre pressure gauge
- Air compressor
Once you have these things you should start looking at tyres and recovery gear then maybe look at suspension upgrades/Winch + bull bar.
Here is an easy How-to for extending the diff breathers (you don't really need to worry so much about the front breather).
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...o&daysprune=-1[B]Declan[/B]: [SIZE=1]1997 GXL 4.5 Auto 80 series on [B][COLOR="#FF0000"]LPG[/COLOR][/B], ARB bullbar, 2" OME lift, 32" MTZ, GME UHF, rear ARB locker, Kaymar spare wheel carrier[/SIZE]
[B]PLANNED[/B]: [SIZE=1]3 or 4" suspension lift, 2" body lift (maybe), winch, 35" MTZ + roadies, front locker, sliders, cylinder head rebuilt for [B][COLOR="#FF0000"]LPG[/COLOR][/B], Garret [COLOR="#4499ff"][B]Turbocharger[/B][/COLOR][/SIZE]Comment
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