my 2006 gxl

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

Looks the goods. I'm looking at the OME upgrade with the towing compasity but the price is a lot. I don't mind paying for quality but the ironman seems up to the job too. Was the kit less than 2k?

It came in alot less. I paid under around $850 and fitted myself. I see the kits are on ebay for a little less again. Just like anything you do get what you pay for but having said that I would be more than happy to use the Ironman again. I plan on heading up the cape later in the year so sould be another good test for it aswell.

Cheers
Aaron

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

I have had a bit of spare time so decided to tidy the fuses and wiring under the bonnet. I brought a 8x mini fuse holder (about $20) so the fuses would be the same as the Prado. I fitted it on the lid of the original fuse box as it seemed like the easiest place. I used 4 for the main battery and 4 for the Aux, I ran them down to the Dual Battery Isolator and picked up power on both sides (when Isolated 1 is main battery and 1 is Aux). So far I have the HID headlights and HID spotlights on the main battery side with 2 spare and on the Aux side I have the UHF, Power going to center console, Power going to Fridge/Rear power outlets and 1 spare

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

Now the most important modification to date;



Brand new Pradopoint sticker, thanks to WOZCLEAN.

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Yeah I'm now seriously considering the ironman after doing some searching on eBay. Good price. Do you find the constant load springs too firm? I'm gonna occasionally tow a caravan so unsure whether to get the performance kit or the constant load one. Also how much did it come up in height when it lifted? So 45 mm is true or does it come up more?
Ive seen OME heavy duty springs lift up as much as 65 mm on a 50 mm lift kit. That's the last thing I want

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

Yeah I'm now seriously considering the ironman after doing some searching on eBay. Good price. Do you find the constant load springs too firm? I'm gonna occasionally tow a caravan so unsure whether to get the performance kit or the constant load one. Also how much did it come up in height when it lifted? So 45 mm is true or does it come up more?
Ive seen OME heavy duty springs lift up as much as 65 mm on a 50 mm lift kit. That's the last thing I want

Now the most important modification to date;



Brand new Pradopoint sticker, thanks to WOZCLEAN.

Now you know every prado that passes you with one will be flagging you down! Lol

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

Yeah I'm now seriously considering the ironman after doing some searching on eBay. Good price. Do you find the constant load springs too firm? I'm gonna occasionally tow a caravan so unsure whether to get the performance kit or the constant load one. Also how much did it come up in height when it lifted? So 45 mm is true or does it come up more?
Ive seen OME heavy duty springs lift up as much as 65 mm on a 50 mm lift kit. That's the last thing I want

When I was looking at buying a lift I had pretty much made my mind up on Tough Dog, I had heard good reveiws of their products and my mate runs it in his hilux and was happy. It was going to be around 1200 delivered but in the end I went Ironman, mainly due to availablity when I was ready to fit it. Most of the reveiws of the Ironman I found were pretty good aswell so went with it.
There was a chart somewhere that I cant find now but said the constant load was an extra 50kgs in the front and 300kgs in the rear but my memory isnt good enough to remember the others.
I just been out and measured the lift now: (20000kms+ so well and truely settled)
FL = 795mm
FR = 792mm
RL = 823mm
RR = 820mm
Thats with about 40L of Diesel, my draws in the rear with recovery gear and tools (which stays in there), my 40L engel (which stays in there most of the time too) so a pretty normal lift I thought.
I dont find the set up too hard but I always have a bit of gear in the car to hold it down aswell. In saying that, with all my camping gear I towed a 1T trailer with about 100kgs on the towball from Mount Isa - Cairns - Brissy and hardly noticed it was there.

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

Having brought a wind sheild for my ARB awning a little while back I finially got it out and tested. I do find the awning quick and easy shade but late afternoon I sometimes find I am sitting meters away from the car chasing a square of shade. This will do two jobs for me, 1, give me more shade early morning and late arvo, and 2, work as a wind break. It just clips on to the bar at the top and comes with 3 pegs for the bottom and can obviously be fitted either front or rear.

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

When I was looking at buying a lift I had pretty much made my mind up on Tough Dog, I had heard good reveiws of their products and my mate runs it in his hilux and was happy. It was going to be around 1200 delivered but in the end I went Ironman, mainly due to availablity when I was ready to fit it. Most of the reveiws of the Ironman I found were pretty good aswell so went with it.
There was a chart somewhere that I cant find now but said the constant load was an extra 50kgs in the front and 300kgs in the rear but my memory isnt good enough to remember the others.
I just been out and measured the lift now: (20000kms+ so well and truely settled)
FL = 795mm
FR = 792mm
RL = 823mm
RR = 820mm
Thats with about 40L of Diesel, my draws in the rear with recovery gear and tools (which stays in there), my 40L engel (which stays in there most of the time too) so a pretty normal lift I thought.
I dont find the set up too hard but I always have a bit of gear in the car to hold it down aswell. In saying that, with all my camping gear I towed a 1T trailer with about 100kgs on the towball from Mount Isa - Cairns - Brissy and hardly noticed it was there.
Butane8 runs Ironman aswell so could be worth getting another opinion? If you havent already.
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...-V6-GXL-Butane

thanks heaps for your input, you've helped my make my mind up after a few late weeks of research on the big brands..... ive taken the plunge and ordered the Performance Foam Cell kit. I have a mate who's in the motor industry who's given me a ripper price so i couldnt say no. i didnt go for the constant load as when i do tow a van i will get a weight dist kit as well. after the lift i guess will come the tyre upgrade as my ATR's have around 10k left in them. Looking at 275/65 D697LT's. the law says we shouldnt go much bigger here in SA.. although ive had 33' on my past Cruiser. never thought about it before. cheers. Nigel

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

thanks heaps for your input, you've helped my make my mind up after a few late weeks of research on the big brands..... ive taken the plunge and ordered the Performance Foam Cell kit. I have a mate who's in the motor industry who's given me a ripper price so i couldnt say no. i didnt go for the constant load as when i do tow a van i will get a weight dist kit as well. after the lift i guess will come the tyre upgrade as my ATR's have around 10k left in them. Looking at 275/65 D697LT's. the law says we shouldnt go much bigger here in SA.. although ive had 33' on my past Cruiser. never thought about it before. cheers. Nigel

A lift and new tires always make a huge difference in appearance as well as ability, hope it turns out to be what you are looking for. Im glad any information I have put here has helped you in your decision making, Its good to give some feedback to other PP members as it has definitely helped me at times. Although the more time I spend on here the longer my to-do list seems to get.

Cheers
Aaron

[nigelh Member Find all posts View Profile Close nigelh]

A lift and new tires always make a huge difference in appearance as well as ability, hope it turns out to be what you are looking for. Im glad any information I have put here has helped you in your decision making, Its good to give some feedback to other PP members as it has definitely helped me at times. Although the more time I spend on here the longer my to-do list seems to get.

Cheers
Aaron

i know what you mean. after owning 4 previous 4Wd's that ive modified,i was happy to leave my Prado with just the DP chip, exhaust and awning but after spending a little time on here, and looking ( read drooling) over the My Rig build up feeds, the mod bug kicks in. So yeah, after the suspension will come the tire up grade.......then new spotties........oh boy, here we go again!
hopefully my Prado will be as sweeet as yours and all the other nice rigs on here!

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

I got a couple of flush mounted volt displays in the mail today. Black is -, Red is + to turn display on and Yellow is + meter. I am thinking running a + from 2nd battery to a switch then to both red and a yellow, black obviously earth and last yellow to a acc from cig socket. this means they both read when key is on but only read 2nd batt when key is off (2nd meter will read 0.0). Anyone see any issues with this wiring? Will look at putting them just in front of the cup holders in the center console.

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

I got around to fitting the volt meters yesterday. Changed the red display to a couple of blue meters as I think the colour will be easier on the eyes at night. Ended wiring up the meters as above, through a rocker switch infront of gear stick.

Key off, switch off.


Key off, switch on.


Key on, switch on.


Key on, switch on, engine running.

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

I got 5m of LED strip lights to fit in the awning to add a little more light to the camp site, to save a bit of effort and time I ran some cable to the trim around left rear folding window (under awning) to a 2.1mm panel mount socket.

Then made a short lead to run from there out the window to another panel mount socket on the awning.

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

I debated with myself the best place to run the light strip for the most light, vertical sent light out further but wasnt much close to the car, horizontal but light close to the car but didnt go to far so ended up putting it in both positions to cover all bases. From the power coming in I mounted two rocker switches in the end cap to choose which lights to use.


Close light


Far light


Hopefully lots of light

Its almost dark outside so will take a couple of pics when I test them.

[flying.kiwis Member Find all posts View Profile Close flying.kiwis]

As you can see above I can still use the lights even if the awning is not rolled out. It only take a minute to unzip the bag and just fold awning on to the roof rack. Really happy with the light it puts out in the dark time.


Close light


And both lights