Wagon Boy's 2004 Grande minivan

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

Been a lurker here for a while, but thought with a new car, I would try something different to (my) normal, and do a build thread as I go, rather than retrospectively!

I have been wanting to get another 4wd for a little while now, and decided at the start of last year, it was time to make that happen. I thought I knew what I wanted, so the quest began for a manual, turbo diesel prado, with low kms. It didn't take me long to realise that I wasn't going to get what I wanted for the budget I had allowed, so I settled on an 04 SR5 Hilux. Fast forward twelve months and I had decided that given the opportunity, I would actually rather an auto Petrol!

Late last month, a mate's father mentioned that he wanted to upgrade to a 200, so the decision was made to acquire his 120 Grande. With a very easy life thus far, and virtually no mods, I couldn't be much happier. She has an electric brake controller, rear view camera, and not a great deal else, so a great canvas for me to tinker with!

Here she is, as I picked her up Monday last week. Not a great shot, but I'm sure that you're all aware what a silver 120 looks like



UPDATE!

Back when I got her, I said I wouldn't really change much; I guess that got lost somewhere along the way!

The list so far:
17x8.5" Method Double Standard wheels
265/70-17 Goodyear Wrangler MT/R
Ridepro ROX shocks. 80 series rear shocks.
Dobinsons coils, rear converted from airbags
ARB Deluxe bar
Runva 11XP winch
Aurora driving lights
Rigid Industries led spots in fog location
TJM Underbody plates. From front through to the transfer
ARB compressor
ARB roofrack, butchered to suit my wants better
Harrop E-Locker in the rear
Safari Snorkel
2.5in exhaust, with extractors
Outback drawer system, with leds that light up drawers as they are opened.
2 seater only, level the whole way through from the drawers
Optima Red top D34 Primary battery
Century 100ah secondary battery, on Piranha tray
CTEK D250s charger
MSA DS50 Fridge slide
Primus Mammoth 65L fridge
Pioneer DEH-80PRS head unit
Updated the reversing camera to a Toyota rear view mirror type
Cooper Bussmann 15303 distribution block in engine bay
Baintech 12way distribution in rear

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

I decided that I had to last at least one week without doing any modifications or changes, so the raised front springs weren't ordered until monday this week, should be fitted by the weekend!

I took the 'no mods' week as an opportunity to tidy a couple things up, and replace a lot of the exterior globes with LED versions, only a couple left to do. The LED's have always been a little favourite of mine, I think they add just a little touch of class to the vehicle. I haven't changed any internal globes as I really like the softer colouring on the black leather.

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

As much as I enjoyed to comfort and silence of the stock wheels, it was never going to stay that way. Enter Race Wheels Australia and a set of the Method 'Double Standard' 17x8.5 with 0 offset. I chose the Wrangler MT/R Kevlars in a 265/70-17 based on reviews all over the net, there's not too many negative reports! They are fairly noisy, but that's to be expected when comparing them to a road tyre. I was very happy that the spare fit on the rear door without a drama.

Dobinsons springs arrived today, so will probably fit them on friday afternoon, and just do the airbag sensor trick for now. Tossing up whether to keep the bags or go coils in the rear..

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

She will look a different beast when the springs go in.

Liking the tyre/rim combo!

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Which Dobinson's springs did you go for Wagon Boy?

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

I went for the c59-302, I read a heap of stuff on here and that one was the most recommended by people in the know! I don't have any accessories just yet, but will do dual batt's, winch and steel bar very shortly.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

No probs, was just curious. Don't you have a petrol? Just looking at their catalogue, it says the -302 is for diesel models.

http://www.dobinsonsprings.com/catalogue.php

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

Yes that's 100% correct, but after reading this thread, I figured it was safe to rely on experience.

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...shockies/page2


(particularly check #############'s post, a couple posts down)

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

All good, at least you've done your research. I wasn't having a go at your choice, hope it didn't come across that way.

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

No not at all! Yeh I've tried to do as much research as I can, I can't stand the thought of screwing this one up haha.

[Dueler120 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dueler120]

I say it all the time but silver 120's are the best colour. Nice choice of rim, really goes with the car. Good luck with the build.

Cheers,

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

Thanks, I wasn't sure about how the wheels would look, but they are nice. I think it adds a bit of ruggedness to the car. Can't wait to get the lift in, I get a bit of scrub when turning in to my driveway and I'm just waiting for the missus to snap haha.

Got a set of Thule roof racks on it yesterday, now on the lookout for a decent roof basket/tray thing so I can start working on some lights.

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

So we had a late night last night and got the lift sorted (for now). Much happier, the dobinsons springs are exactly what I wanted, great to drive on. Sitting a little high at the moment but dual batteries should sort that out.

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

...silver 120's are the best colour...

Never a truer word said on PP...

[wagon boy Member Find all posts View Profile Close wagon boy]

So after only a couple of drives at night, I realised that I wasn't completely happy with the orange headlights. Not super keen on HID's, mostly due to legalities, so I decided to throw in some Philips Diamond Vision globes. Much better on low beam, but high beam was still rather lacking. For the time being I've added an Aurora 20" combo beam LED bar, got a few other ideas up my sleeve, but waiting for a couple weeks to replenish the budget.




Sorry for the image quality, got dark real quick!