White GXL

[Gerard9977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerard9977]

Whilst I haven’t been a real contributor to PP I have found a lot of useful information from PP which helped me chose the accessories I put on my Prado. So I thought I should at least put something back on here that may help others.
GXL Prado – White / Diesel / Manual (5 week delivery, 1.5 weeks to get accessories fitted)
TJM T13 Bar (colour coded) - $1700
Red Arc Duel Batt system - $663
ARB Alloy Rack - $1148
Tag Tow Bar - $500
Fyrlyt Spot Lights (24v) - $630
(note: all prices are fitted)
Total Drive Away Price -$66,500

Things I leant along the way. 1. Get an idea of what the recommended retail price is (ask about prevoise deals they have done), decide on what accessories you want 2. Get prices for the accessories you want. 3. Decide on what you think is a slightly unrealistic price. 4. Then ring around till you get someone who will do it (took me 4 dealers) (ask for trade prices from the dealer for accessories). I’m sure people have gotten better deals then me but I was happy considering the amount of accessories etc.
I’ve had the car 3 weeks and have done 4000km. First impressions are all pretty good, very nice to drive (smooth power, nice low 1st gear, quite ride, good on fuel, love the large tank!, comfy seats, plenty of room). I have come from a Pathfinder and have found the Prado isn’t / doesn’t have the same pull in higher gears for overtaking. The only negatives I have so far 1. Storage / space in boot. The Pathy has amazing seat configuration that lets it have a really usable storage space. The seats folded flat (2nd row) all the way through which made it really usable for trips etc. and when all seven seats were up you still had a little room behind for bags. The Prado seats (2nd row) don’t fold flat (it also has gaps which stuff can fall down) and when it is in normal 5 seater setup the boot / back space is notably smaller. 2. The plastic on the doors and in boot area etc. seems to be very soft and scratches easily. 3. The seat material also seems a little soft (I had a wear mark from the kids seat after just one trip) I do plan to get covers but I would expect the media to be harder wearing.
I knew the room was going to a little smaller compared to the Nissan but I thought the other benefits out weighted this negative. But it isn’t now till I have used it for a few weeks they I’m realising how disappointing the space aspect is. Also the car is a lot larger in size? So I think Toyota could get a lot smarter with seat design etc. to make the space available usable.
Other than that I’m super happy and would recommend one to anyone.
A few pictures below
G.

[Gerard9977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerard9977]

This what happens to a Ford Festiva when it runs up the back of a Prado

This is what happen to the Prado.

[Gerard9977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerard9977]

I really wanted one of these but they are about $2200. I don't keep my cars for that long so couldn't see me getting the use to warrant the cost. Only if I can talk the panel guys into doing something doggy

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

looks good mate.
how are the fyrlyt's? did you have to step up to 24V outside the light or does the light do it internally?

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

X2. Yes I do like the Fyrlyts... Pretty awesome light when hooked up to 24V

[downunder Find all posts View Profile Close downunder]

Yeah I thought the kaymar was good value. I like the T13 bull bar first white one in TJM, you just made my decision easier

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[Gerard9977 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Gerard9977]

looks good mate.
how are the fyrlyt's? did you have to step up to 24V outside the light or does the light do it internally?

I have a step up converter 12 – 24v. But I think they have just brought out an 12v light with the same performance as the 24v one. I spoke with Fyrlyt to get wiring diagrams etc. and he said I must have gotten some old stock cause this other sort is now out.
The lights have a bit of a story.
I didn’t ask the dealer to fit the lights, the $130 bucks was a little much I thought and I enjoy doing this sort of stuff myself. But any way I turn up to pick up the car and they are fitted., I said gee thanks for doing that and the guy said “what wasn’t that part of deal” I said no, and he was like well you did well there didn’t you. But anyway I get home, drive into my driveway flick them on and they work for about 5 sec’s and stop.
I ring Toyota the next day and said the spotties and one head light doesn’t work. They are really apologetic and say you can take it straight away to the guy that fitted them and get it sorted. I spend 2 hours at the place and he gets the head light working but not the spotties (well not properly they are only getting 12v to the light) he gives up says I don’t know what else to do (he replaced relays, 12 – 24v converter etc.)he had the hind to try and tell me that is how they are supposed to be…. Any way my father in law is an auto electrician he goes through it with me on the phone and we get them going properly (the other guy had the wiring wrong in the relay and all the power was going through the switch in the dash!) But it turns out the wires he used aren’t heavy enough and I’m getting a little v drop (22v) to the lights. So I’m going to rewire the lights properly and make sure it is all done right.
But anyway even as is they soooooooo bright!! The finish and look of the light is second to none. I love that they aren’t this massive light that is just for show, they are smaller, very well made and brighter than the HID’s.