Boofs Prado

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Well I thought it was about I did a build up on my Prado, its has very few mods at present, that will all change if things go as planned and it ends up as my daily driver 8)

With our growing family and the addition of a 3rd boy, the Hilux had been getting a little too tight for long trips. We did look at selling the Hilux but I really didnt want too. My wife came to the rescue offering to sell her Subaru Liberty and replace it with a Prado. So before she could change her mind I started looking for one. Found a nice one did the deal and bought it home.

Heres a few pics some from the yard, when we first got it.

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Re: Boofs Prado

After it was safely in our garage I spoke to Ryano at Fourbys for a few items. I managed to convince the wife that the tyres and suspension were best replaced as it was a second hand car and I didnt want a failure on a trip :P

So off to Fourbys it went for a 2" lift with Bilstein Struts and King springs. I was surprised at the difference it made and just how poor the standard suspension had been.





I also had a set of Cooper STTs fitted, I originally wanted the MTZs again but being the wifes daily driver I went with the less aggressive STT. They have been a great performing tyre to date and are wearing really well.

Few pics of it with the lift and tyres fitted.

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Re: Boofs Prado

Next on the list was a dual battery system and electronic rust protection, seeing as I had been spending so much time working on my Lux I again got Fourbys to fit this up as I just couldnt be bothered.





As the pic shows it originally had a 2nd starter battery in there I have now swapped that out for the deep cycle I had in the Lux 8)

After these mods were done I managed to get some motivation and while she was on a girls day out stole the keys and wired up some auxillery points for the kids DVD players, DS' and of course the fridge 8)

She doesnt like the idea of her Prado in front of my shed where the grinders and other fun tools are kept :twisted:









I also had Fourbys fit an ARB air compressor for airing up and in preparation for the little blue switches to come down the track.

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Re: Boofs Prado

Not long after this we took it on its first beach run, did a trip to Bribie with some mates and loved the Prados comfort over the old Lux.







Also have done a few other trips in it since owning it including one to LCMP.

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Re: Boofs Prado

It was after the trip to Cruiser that I found the low range of the Prado extremely lacking and just geared too high imo. Since this time I have been extremely reluctant to push it hard as I dont wish to damage the diffs or vehicle. Thats what my Lux is for :twisted:

I also have recently starting using it to tow my Lux around, this will mean a few mods to be made down the track also.



Was surprised at just how well it tows.

The next items on the list are diff and gearbox breathers as I am over having to dump the oils after a trip. Just need to get some motivation to work on it again.


Future plans wont happen until it becomes my daily which will hopefully hapen later this year.
Wish List

33s on aftermarket 17" or 18" rims with more offset
Diff ratios done to accomadate the 33s
Front and rear airlockers
Sliders
Still undecided on front and rear bars
Lightforce 170s
Interior and stereo upgrade
Extractors
Supercharger
And no doubt other items I have forgotten.

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

Re: Boofs Prado

I love that photo with the Lux on the trailer. Best of bloody all worlds. You're makin' me :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

Very nice Boof!

LFaR.

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

Re: Boofs Prado

Good start mate will look forward to it building up...

cheers Joey

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Re: Boofs Prado

Cheers LFaR with the green one always breaking something :x the Playdo is a nice change. :shock:

Joey your rig is one of the reasons I am so keen to mod ours, yours has to be one of the better ones getting around imo. 8)

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

Re: Boofs Prado

Hey Garry,

Have you de-registered the Lux these days?
The Prado looks good. I need to do tyres and suspension to mine, which will hopefully be the end of it,....NOT
I noticed you mentioned the V6 is lacking in towing. The solution is to ditch the V6 for a D4D.
The 4.0Ltr V6 I had in the Hilux was lacking down low aswell, particulary when loaded and crawling though soft sand.
I found I needed to the keep the REVS close to 3000rpm and beyond and all was well. Maybe it is a gearing thing after all???

Regards

Stuart

[WBY 1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WBY 1]

Re: Boofs Prado

whats the towing weight- trailer, lux and all? must be close to the limit.

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Re: Boofs Prado

Hey Garry,

Have you de-registered the Lux these days?
The Prado looks good. I need to do tyres and suspension to mine, which will hopefully be the end of it,....NOT
I noticed you mentioned the V6 is lacking in towing. The solution is to ditch the V6 for a D4D.
The 4.0Ltr V6 I had in the Hilux was lacking down low aswell, particulary when loaded and crawling though soft sand.
I found I needed to the keep the REVS close to 3000rpm and beyond and all was well. Maybe it is a gearing thing after all???

Regards

Stuart

Nah mate the Lux is still registered, needs to be for comps and 4wd parks at least until the organisers wake up and sort it out properly. The wife gets a little annoyed at the V8 rego for a toy ops:

As for towing the V6 is great I cant knock it at all. With the Lux on the back I have to watch my speed as it just gets away from me, the crewman on the other hand is an absolute pos and not even in the same league as the Prado. No way you will get me into a dirty old diesel if I when I want more power I will supercharge it :twisted:

The gearing problem is with the low range in the Prado its first gear low is equivalent if not higher to the Lux on 37s with 4.88s in second/third :shock: Crawler gears will go in the Prado down the track although it is an expensive mod I am looking into ways to do it. Hoping some of the Yank guys I deal with for my Lux will be able to help. Am trying to get a well known supplier to look at doing some import gear for the Prados in the future. Among other things this one will end pretty close to what the Lux was when we first met 8)

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Re: Boofs Prado

whats the towing weight- trailer, lux and all? must be close to the limit.

Yeh mate it is close if not on, trailer is around 500kg and the Lux around 1800-2000kg depending on fuel etc. Thats one of the reasons I am doing the single cab swap as it will be a lot lighter than the current one when complete. :wink:

[WBY 1 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close WBY 1]

Re: Boofs Prado

I say dont bother with reducing the lux's weight. or supercharging the v6. just go all out and drop a lexus or landcruiser v8 into the prado, THEN supercharge it! :twisted:

[boof Member Find all posts View Profile Close boof]

Re: Boofs Prado

I say dont bother with reducing the lux's weight. or supercharging the v6. just go all out and drop a lexus or landcruiser v8 into the prado, THEN supercharge it! :twisted:

To be honest as much as I love the 1UZ the 1GR-FE is a great motor and I definately wouldnt go through the hassles of a conversion to replace it. Supercharging it with aftermarket management and a good amount of boost will see it moving along nicely :twisted:

[kylie88 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kylie88]

Re: Boofs Prado

Hi Boof, must say I like the wheels on your Prado... And love the Lux!!! Definitely best of both worlds.

We've just started a club (HUGE work in progress) to hold 4x4 comps up here in Far North Queensland, we've got onto a few people who are interested to host the events, you should think about bringing it up when we get our stuff together!