Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

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

I picked up my new 150gxl Prado from Hervey Bay on the Wednesday with 20kms on the clock. at 150kms on the Thursday I headed on the barge for Fraser Island. I proceeded to have fun putting another 200kms over the next few days on Fraser. I love the new Prado.
I also have a 120 series V6 with lift, etc and have taken that to fraser a few times previously. I had no idea what the diesel was like and i hadn't driven or looked at the 150 model (actually I didn't like it). I was pleasantly surprised it had things like a reverse camera and USB stereo jacks.

I learnt a bit from my other prado and my hilux and this forum. So decided to get it set-up fairly well from the start.

- dual battery 100amp with sockets to rear, TUFF dog adjustable suspension, rear airbags, ARB Aircompressor under bonnet (set up for difflocks), diff breather to engine bay, HID upgrade to standard lights on high beam (my favourite upgrade), Lightforce 270 HID, ARB bullbar - colour coded, ironman winch, UHF, sandgrabba mats, rhino roof racks, Hayman reese tow-bar, I can't remember if anything else.

trip from Hervey Bay to Townsville averaged 11lt / 100kms. 1200+ kms

more comments to come when I have time.

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Hi Cookymonsta,
Thanks for the post. Looks awesome!

Just a thought, aren't you supposed to break in the engine before doin' all that?

Cheers

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Hi William

a fair few people noticed it was brand new over the island and asked WTF!. but it's not like I'm absolutely flogging the motor to death. I have heard so many conflicting stories about the best way to break in motors, that I don't care. It sat in torque range easily majority of time - only doing 80km/h in soft sand on main beach that it worked a bit harder.

I bought it because I like 4x4ing - so whether it is 6weeks or 6 hours old makes no difference to me before it is blooded.

suspension is way better in my opinion than the TJM XGS suspension i have on my 120 series - and I thought that was awesome. this is like driving one of those V8 4x4 buggies. extremely happy. haven't tried the front adjusters yet - 9 stage. setting is on 1 (softest dampening).



putting the maxxtrax back on racks after using to get some gumby in an Xtrail out. He had travelled from Kingfisher to Eastern beach in a standard Xtrail with road tyres fully pumped up. we had stopped somewhere in the middle of the island and he flew past us. old bloke with no idea, driving it like he stole it. he must have hit bottom heaps. let his tyres down for him and maxxtrax got him straight out. wanted to use my winch first for fun - but it sounded like it was going to rip the front of his car off so we gave up.

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL



next to my mates Pajero

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Hi Cookymonsta,
I'd have to agree with you there. I've heard conflicting stories too. I've had a fair few new cars myself, never owned them long enough to really see any benefits of breaking in the engine. It's just something I've made a habit out of.

Anyway, thanks for uploading the extra photos. Your setup is somewhat similar to what I have planned for mine. I'm starting to get a liking to the white colour coded bar; a shame that I've already locked in black...

Quick question with the HID upgrade, did you tear apart the whole front end of the car to mount the ballasts like Ryzz did in the tread: viewtopic.php?f=46&t=8483 ? I would have thought it's sufficient to just take off the plastic radiator guard and secure the ballasts in there with cable ties. If you've done it this way could you please take some photos of it?

Cheers

[Bassett Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bassett]

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

G'day Cookymonsta,

Did you pick up your new Prado 150 from the Hervey Bay dealer with all the aftermarket mods allready fitted?

Just curious as that is the dealer I am looking to buy my SX from

Thanks
Bassett

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

The 4x4 store installed for me, so will have a look tomorrow and post pics.

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Hi basset. I did pick up already to go. They used a combination of tjm/arb, etc stuff. The 4x4 shop they use for most of the work is awesome (coastal 4x4). I got some extra little bits and pieces eg. Maxxtraxx the day after.

I can refer you to a mate of mine who sold me vehicle down there (I was there for his wedding).

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

photo I took with Ashley from Coastal 4x4. I was that happy with his service, advice, workmanship. Hervey Bay. the 4x4 stores in Townsville (ARB/TJM) can be a bit too retail (large). Ashley and wife run this shop and are very flexible.

I have taken photos of the headlights, etc. Looks like the ballast just sits behind the headlights - zip tied. Ballast for Lightforce is behind grill to the sides. You could also ring Ashley at Coastal and ask him how he installed. HID High beam upgrade $360 installed from memory.

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

[quote="cookymonsta"]I have taken photos of the headlights, etc. Looks like the ballast just sits behind the headlights - zip tied. Ballast for Lightforce is behind grill to the sides.[quote]
Excellent! Just what I was hoping for. Thanks for taking the photos, looking forward to seeing them.

Cheers

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

very nice

[Bassett Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bassett]

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Thanks for the info Cookymosta. It just so happens that I know Ashley and his wife Michelle at Coastal 4x4.
They did a lot of work for both my Sons on their Patrol Utes to get them ready for a trip to Cape York. They completed the trip in July with no problems or issues with their vehicles.

And Yes, if your mate can help me get a good deal, then by all means email me his details. If his name starts with "G" then I think I have allready spoken to him a couple of times.

Thanks again
Bassett

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

His name is Ricky ward. Just let him know Clayton (cooky) referred you.

[Bassett Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bassett]

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Thanks. Will do.

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

somemore set-up photos

info

second battery. 100amp with REDARC controller.

pretty sure this is where the ballast is for the HID standard headlight upgrade - behind the lights zip tied down bottom.

ballasts for Lightforce 270 - behind grill to each side of grill. preferred this option for some theft protection.

just in case anyone interested. An 80lt Waeco fits nicely with room for a 6th passenger. plus my custom made bin behind the seat