Mike's MY14 GXL

[El Poids Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close El Poids]

G'day guys been lurking around the forums for a while and thought I'd throw up my prado. As it stands it's a stock as a rock 2014 GXL in gunmetal grey, it's my first 4wd and I've been loving every minute of it. I took it through the power line track in Perth (Only receiving minor panel damage and pin striping haha) and I recently moved to the South West for work which has opened up even more oppurtunities for 4wding, it's now common practice for me to stop by the local mudhole on my way to work.

Everyone loves pictures!
Conquering the powerlines>



Pinstriping>


And a quick morning shot>


After owning it for almost 6 months I decided it was time to treat it to an upgrade, yesterday I stopped into the lads at Bunbury 4x4 and put down a deposit for a Ironman commerical deluxe bullbar, full complement of bash plates and a full set of foam cell pro shocks, they're also throwing in a UHF I've had laying around. Best thing about it was there was a sale going so not only did I get a great price I also got a free flomax compressor and a 2.5mx2m awning. Can't wait until it gets its upgrades.

Future plans are pretty standard, stick on some extra lighting, replace the original tyres with some all terrains when they give out, get myself a fridge, the list is never ending haha.

[V1SHRNZ Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close V1SHRNZ]

Mike this thing is awesome. I have the same in Glacier White so didn't have the pinstripe problem but mate has a Gunmetal and he had the same problem when we went to Julimar.

Ironman Foam Cell Pro are awesome. Can't wait to see more pics after the install!!

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

Nice looking bus mate! Looking forward to seeing her with the upgrades;-)

Cheers,
Mark

[El Poids Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close El Poids]

Cheers guys,

Parts are in stock and the Prado is booked in for next Wednesday, I'll have it back on Thursday just in time for a few days off from work. Will have to break the new suspension in I think haha.

[bazzam Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bazzam]

on'ya Mike

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

Mike, whereabouts have you moved too.

[El Poids Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close El Poids]

I moved down to Bunbury from Perth.

Also in other news I received my waeco CF40+cover in the mail today. Great bit of kit, will have to step up plans for the dual battery install.

[El Poids Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close El Poids]

Prado is back from the shop (Bunbury 4x4) in all of its upgraded glory, got it back Thursday night and had to drive straight up to Perth to catch up with the missus, so only got to test the new suspension on speed bumps haha.

Upgrades are an Ironman commercial deluxe bullbar, Ironman foamcell pro suspension kit, full underbody protection plates (including fuel tank). Bunbury 4x4 was having a sale so they threw in a flomax compressor and an awning. The awning has been installed on the passenger side factory roof rail. Also had a Uniden UH8060NB fitted.

Got back to my place today and gave it a wash> (Gotta love a backyard you can drive a prado around)


Nice and shiny in the driveway>




Love the look of the Ironman bullbar, very solid, it only covers about 2cm of the tear drop headlights. Also there is a large gap (big enough to stick my fingers through) where the bullbar ends at the quarter panels. Bunbury 4x4 did mention this was the first 150 facelift model they had done.

Teardrop headlights>


Quarter panel gap>

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

Mate can you throw up a pic of the fuel tank bash plates? Cheers

[Early Member Find all posts View Profile Close Early]

Will be following your build with interest
The quarter panel gap seems a bit big but when you see the bullbar jiggle when going over rough roads, you'll be glad to have that gap rather than cracked and bent panels.

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

Gap looks about normal to me, fair bit of body movement on the 150 Prados.

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

Can you put a couple of pictures of the awning, as it appears you haven't put any cross bars on, just used the side rails which is what I want to do

[El Poids Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close El Poids]

Ok heres some quick pics of the awning installed on passenger side factory rail>




Dodgy pics in a carpark unfortunately, basically the top bracket is the standard L bracket that comes with the awning, then the shop just made a bottom bracket and stuck a couple of bolts through. It's been fine so far, doesn't rattle around and hasn't fallen off yet. Great little way to mount it without shelling out for crossbars (although I do eventually plan to go to a platform setup).

Kenny I will try to remember to take a photo of the fuel bash plate for you.

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

Kenny I will try to remember to take a photo of the fuel bash plate for you.

Cheers mate, whenever you get the chance!

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

Nice rig mike, I'll be watching with interest.