Tin175's White GXL 150 build

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

1st camping trip with Prado

About a month ago we did an overnight camp at Thunderbird Park in Mount Tamborine.
No 4WD, just a dry run to see how our new setup would go.

We had aquired many new toys and wanted to try them out. ie
Prado (no lift yet)
Roof rack
Dual battery with wiring to fridge in the back
Oztent Rv5
Cobb Cooker

Tent, fridge and Cobb worked brilliantly.

We loaded up the Prado with most stuff we would normally take to see how everything would work. Decided to get rid or change some stuff but overall pretty happy with the setup.

Rear is soft and was main reason for wanting a lift and airbags.

Me standing on the back doesn't help, but it was dragging its bum. This photo is pre-lift.



Also tested out a strap on rear step I made. Kids really like it. Makes it much easier to get up.

[Westcoast Mark Member Find all posts View Profile Close Westcoast Mark]

I was about to ask where you bought the rear step until I saw you had made it!
Looks good, do you have any other pics of how it is mounted? I wouldn't mind making one myself. :-)

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Rear Step

The rear step is strapped on using a 25mm ratchet strap. The ratchet is below the lower step to keep things neat. Hooks just attach to some slots in the rear step.

Tyre grips the steel pretty well and I didn't have any problems with slippage.

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Daytime Running Lights

I had factory Daytime Running Lamps/LEDs in my previous car (KIA Sportage). They make the car so much more visible during the day and I think that is a good thing.

I bought some DRLs off the net and just stuck them to the bumper with some good double sided tape.

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

New boots on a budget

My rear tyres didn't have much rubber left and was only good for the road. I wanted to get some slightly larger tyres to get the extra diff clearance.

I ended up going for a budget set of tyres in a 265 70 R17. I went for 5 Roadstone (Nexen) Roadian AT's in a LT construction. Tread pattern is not overly aggressive and shoulders aren't as square as others. They are very quiet tyres, don't rub on anything and still fit under the rear cover.

I got 5 tyres fitted for $1000 neat. Not too bad considering the LT construction.

I don't plan to do any big tough remote trips in the next year or so. Mostly black stuff and the monthly camping trip out bush or beach. Its early days but have done some rocky tracks which were pretty sharp and loose and the tyres held up well.

I'll get a set of name brand tyres when I plan on doing some big trips.

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Maxtrax and shovel holder

I made up some brackets for the Maxtrax and a shovel. Would have been quicker and cheaper for me to buy some traxrax but they weren't available at the time.

I learnt that you need to do up the quick fists pretty tight to stop the shovel from rotating on the rough dirt tracks.

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Rear Step painted

Got the strap on rear step powder coated to match the car.

The kids love climbing on it.

[mtb4x4mad Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close mtb4x4mad]

The front suspension struts look impressive. You mentioned that the suspension now seems more controlled than standard - rear springs aside, has it improved the ride?

Also, the C spanner that you made up to adjust the spring seat, would a shifter/large spanner work or does it need to be custom made?

Do you have any pics at full flex with the new suspension setup?

Nice work

[M_clinchy Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close M_clinchy]

Love the step Tin. You should go into production...

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Flex

The front suspension struts look impressive. You mentioned that the suspension now seems more controlled than standard - rear springs aside, has it improved the ride?

Also, the C spanner that you made up to adjust the spring seat, would a shifter/large spanner work or does it need to be custom made?

Do you have any pics at full flex with the new suspension setup?

Nice work

The ride is firmer. More so in the back. Its a little harsh over the small speed bumps but is still very comfortable offroad on the tracks and corrugations. No more complaints from the wife about motion sickness.

Large spanner would not be able to adjust the spring collar. Its 90mm in diameter. You might be able to use a 6mm shaft in the hole.

Some pics at full flex across a slope.
Front left wheel and rear right wheel are off the ground with no traction. Much more travel in the rear.
The front right wheel is about 10mm from hitting the bump stop, so could probably get a bit more flex.





The traction control on the 150's is excellent. With two wheels off the ground, I crawled up this without any fuss.

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Removable half cargo barrier

Fitted up my first attempt at a removable cargo barrier.

I didn't want something too chunky and I wanted to be able to remove it easily if needed. I have to tweak some of the brackets to make it fit nicer but otherwise pretty stoked that it fit. I allowed plenty of holes to mount fist grips for mounting tools or extinguisher.

Designed to be removed by undoing 4 knobs.

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Rear Table

Fitted up my rear table.

Its made from folded stainless. All cords and hinges are out of sight when folded up. It more of a tray than a table which should stop stuff rolling off. I used para cord to support the table. It allows easy adjustment if the table isn't quite level.

Its wide enough to fit a portable stove and clears the floor when closed. A couple of bungee cords keep it closed.

[Westcoast Mark Member Find all posts View Profile Close Westcoast Mark]

I think you need to go to the top of the class with the tray you made! I like the cut outs on the tray for the cord, very neat. Your cargo barrier looks very well thought out as well.

Cheers,

Mark

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Diff Breathers

Installed a Hard Candy diff breather kit. Its not the cheapest but has all metal fittings and high quality flexible hose.

Front and rear diffs were easy. Tranny and transfer were a bit more difficult but got there in the end after reading a few threads on Pradopoint.

[Tin175 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tin175]

Cargo Barrier Revision 2

I made up another cargo barrier as the first one didn't fit too well and I wanted to make it easier to remove. I also need to give more clearance around the air vents.

The barrier is now a bit thicker and stiffer and can be removed easily without playing with the head rests. I also made cutouts in the top brackets so that the handles could be re-fitted properly.

I installed an extinguisher. I'll probably look for a smaller one.

Pretty happy with it now. Thinking to get it powder coated in a grey tone similar to the trim so that it blends in.