Graphite 150 GXL

[Graphite 150 GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Graphite 150 GXL]

Happily took delivery of my new prado a week or so ago. It seems my waiting time of only 4 weeks after placing the order was quite reasonable.

Stock standard apart from the following mods to date:

Aftermarket Leather interior - came up a treat and handy wipe down with 2 kids under 2
Dunlops traded in for BFG AT 275 65 17 - mob who installed did so with white lettering on wrong side - getting re-done tomorrow
Mats throughout, including genuine rear rubber mat - probably go the sandgraber things soon though - catch kids mess!

On order:
ARB Deluxe winch steel bar, Colour coded
Hayman Reece tow bar
Safari Snorkel
Roof bars/rack - to be decided on, still trying to narrow down what i need
Redark electric brake controller for the camper trailer.
dual battery set up
Driving lights - still to decide on model etc.

looking forward to doing a little more research into a few products before purchasing. This will also allow the bank balance to level out again. I see how easy it is to spend way too much on these things.

Loving the car, certainly looking forward to testing it out in the bush and on the open road towing the camper.

[Disco4 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Disco4]

Leather looks nice.
Who did it?

Cheers

[Graphite 150 GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Graphite 150 GXL]

Hi Disco4
A mob in the big smoke of Melbourne under the name Alphaline: http://www.alphalineauto.com.au/leather.html
just over $2k for the job including transport from my local Toyota dealer and back. Extremely pleased with the result. My wife wanted a lighter interior colour and it has come up well.
cheers

[Wildman Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Wildman]

That leather looks nice as it doesnt look half fake like the seats in my altitude.
Will have to put a pic of it when your bar goes on I have the same colour.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Nice choice in Colour!!!

[Graphite 150 GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Graphite 150 GXL]

Not sure how much the arb bar will weigh and if the frot end will drop much. A lift and suspension upgrade will happen down the track, once again, too many options to choose from. Advice on suspension is welcome.
Cheers

[st77 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close st77]

An idea for you, which I've done to mine is to fit a set of heavy duty coils up front until you decide. A set of Trak Ryder's thru Pedders will set ya back just under $200. It counters the extra weight of my steel TJM Bar nicely and doesnt alter standard ride height.

[Graphite 150 GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Graphite 150 GXL]

Thanks, i'll look into it.
Finally got out in the bush today for a spin. Not sure how much you are meat to do prior to the first service, just some minor mud tracks (couldn't resist). Does it actually matter if you go bush before the first 1000km? Also, had the tyres rotated to have the white lettering visible, much preferred.

[Graphite 150 GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Graphite 150 GXL]

Finally, after a bit of a wait the prado now has some bits added to it:
* Colour coded ARB Delux Winch Bar
* Airtech snorkel
* Hayman Reece tow bar
* Anderson Plug
* Toyota cross bars - bought off ebay
* Redarc remote head electric brake controller

Still to come:
* Suspension upgrade of sorts - as many people have stated, very hard to work out the best options??
* Dual battery set up
* UHF Radio and areial
* Full roof rack - for the longer trips

Heading off on a 2 week road trip towing my '86 Jayco Swan with the wife and 2 boys under 2yrs old. Should be fun, ending up in Ballina for some time before returning to the brilliant weather that is found in Ballarat at the moment. Loving the new rig especially getting out in the bush with the young fella, plenty of mud around my local area at the moment!

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

Great start to the build-up. I am also waiting for the ARB delux bar to arrive, have been told maybe end of July, or mid August. OME lift went in the other day, and dual battery also. Few more mods to happen over the next few days

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

Thanks, i'll look into it.
Finally got out in the bush today for a spin. Not sure how much you are meat to do prior to the first service, just some minor mud tracks (couldn't resist). Does it actually matter if you go bush before the first 1000km? Also, had the tyres rotated to have the white lettering visible, much preferred.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]5628[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5629[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]5630[/ATTACH]

Remember, the better it is "run in", the beter it will serve you in the long term....from the pictures the tracks don't look that bad (as is always the case with pictures), just don't overload or over-rev the engine or let it lug along...its about being careful...but, now is the time to put the manufactures manual on the bedside table and read it, and study it, and then go back and read it, because it is a wealth of info...(some of it I'm not sure how much its worth), but you will be surprised at what you find, including the information about running in!...

[Graphite 150 GXL Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Graphite 150 GXL]

Ok, I need some serious advice on suspension upgrade. Please help. Am after a lift of sorts, airbags for towing in the back, just don't know what brand/package to go for. The Tjm gold setup looks quite good so does ome and kings and the list goes on and on. How do you choose?

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Either TJM or OME would be good, go heavy springs up front, mediums/lights in rear with airbags for towing, otherwise it would be too rough around town.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.

[Kratzy1981 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Kratzy1981]

Can I ask how much the colour coded arb winch bar was. My graphite gxl is arriving soon and I want to put that bar on but have gotten some variable pricing. Any he would be appreciated

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

U should be around the 2k mark, TJM probably a little cheaper and better looking in my opinion.


Hutch- 2012 Prado 150, some TJM Kit.