Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Hi cookymonsta,
Some great snaps there. Looks like the headlight ballasts are installed right under the plastic guard. Good to know since I don't wanna rip the whole front end off!

That second battery is indeed a tight fit. Reading on other threads, I hope they didn't over bend the airconditioner pipe!

I'm assuming your next mod is going to be a slide/drawer for the Waeco?

Thanks for your efforts in taking the photos.

Cheers

[vicprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close vicprado]

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

hey cookymonsta nice truck very similar to mine but in graphite would like to know what lift you got out off the tuff dog susp i am interested in putting it on my truck but have mixed stories from retailers about how much lift it would give me people with ome are saying they get 50ml the retailers for tuff dog say 35ml to 40ml thats it are you able to help me out with this at all as i want to go one way or the other asap thanks . will put some photos up when i learn how to use a computer cheers

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Thanks William. No bending of ac pipe. I threw battery in and didn't bend any pipes.

Waeco slide. Not at this stage. Bloody heavy the slide and I want the flexibility. Easy to get drinks out as is and I can lift out if camping. I actually used the 6 seats at Fraser with friends and quick and easy to throw fridge out.
Not sure the $400 is worth it. I might if I decide to put a removable drawer in the left side. Will definitely keep in mind though.

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Mate I don't know what the lift is. I would need to ask. I think it is 50 mm and a bunch of people have said same. I have a tjm xgs 2 inch on my 120 and this looks higher. Frigging hell though am wrapped with the tuff dogs though. Ridiculous ! I ride dirt bikes and this reminds me of well sorted suspension that can hit anything. Seriously I was continually surprised how much more confident I was growing of the suspension. Lot softer than tjm on the 120.

[mickmac_42 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mickmac_42]

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Have you got that fridge secured in there somehow? Just curious how you might have done it.

Love your work champ.

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Gday Cookymonsta
It appears you do a fair bit of sand driving.
Do you have any antirust system?
Or have you ever found the need?
How old is the 120 and does that have any rust or surface rust issues?
cheers

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Firstly I don't live on the beach, but yes I do like to camp on beaches, etc. one of my favourite spots up in north qld is a long beach (40 mins at least to get to camping spot) and of course I also have a boat. I still take my kids up regularly with dog to beaches near Townsville and drive on them (I did that yesterday with the 150 series).

I don't have any anti-rust system. I still have my (own business) Hilux Sr5 dual cab 2002 model, 2004 Prado V6 - I have had both of these since new. So I know what they have done. The Hilux in particular has seen a lot of water (fresh, mud) and been on a lot of beaches and through salt water creek crossings (not too high). From memory I got MING rust protection on the hilux when brand new. It has no rust underneath or anywhere (still has the black crap that they must coat it with underneath).
The Prado has enjoyed a lot of beach driving/camping - no deep salt water crossings, just ankle deep at speed, low tide, high tide - 2 trips to Fraser and NO rust. It has no rust protection. I have had it bogged in the low tide area to the floor though - scary with the tide coming and no mobile reception by myself - fortunately another 4x4 turned up.

If going to a beach for a day trip and not much wet sand - I don't usually do anything - just wash somestage in the future as normal - in the Hilux case every 6 months or so. If I spent a few days camping and driving around exploring - then usually the sprinkler underneath car when home and normal wash. most of the time running through one of those high pressure car washes (not underneath).

I ride dirt bikes and have a boat and am very aware of corrosion (my 4x4 trailer is VERY aware of corrosion - i have just had to put a complete new tub on it due to corrosion). Dirt bikes are hard to control corrosion on both alloy and steel (if you want still looking new) - If I am slack and leave my bike without surface protectants - it is amazing how quickly surfaces will start to corrode. I usually like to spray with silicon based stuff - even tyre shine stuff/wax will help after cleaning - anything that coats the surface.

SO when getting the new 150 a few weeks ago I asked the 4x4 guy about EPRS etc (since they sell them) and he said unless you are on the beach all the time, don't worry, just clean well. don't use the under body high pressure things at car washes as it can jam salt/sand into tough spots. Just use your gurney and I have one of those high pressure wand things that attach to your hose for underneath the car (not as high pressure - bloody good though).
I have taken it up a notch further though with the 150 and used MARINE anti-corrosion spray (clear) and sprayed everywhere before I took car to Fraser. Even the bright steel metal parts like bolts, etc on a brand new car - still look new. I pulled out the length of the winch cable and coated with same stuff. Quite a few parts I thought would immediately start to surface corrode or discolour haven't.
I have used the MARINE stuff on my boat for years (motor, etc) and don't really take much care of the boat, but everything looks like new. So I am just going to keep washing the car and using MARINE grade anti-corrosion spray and everything should be sweet. I even spray heaps of the lanolin type stuff in the chassis rails, underneath the vehicle, etc. So I am more careful than I used to be.

I put a complete new tub, etc on my 4x4 trailer (picked up last week) and it has hammertone paint. even where I used it once and it got a few chips and rub marks - from a few days of rain and overcast weather surface rust started appearing on the floor and in the chips - brand new. So straight away - cleaned it a bit and sprayed anti-corrosion stuff everywhere. there is a great one I use that unfortunately has a rust type colour to it, but damn it lasts - so it's good for all the underneath parts - jockey wheel, etc. Like my boat trailer.

Hope this helps.

[kymandrob Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close kymandrob]

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Hi Cookymonsta,
Nice rig . Can you advise us what brand of marine product that it was you used.

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

just finished a 2700kms trip out west to Mt Isa.

photo of HID upgraded high beams (the best accessory I have made) and 270 Lightforce HID spots. taken with my iphone, so not the best, but good spread. LOW BEAM is CRAP

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

after a few hundred kms of gravel/dirt roads I must say I was a little surprised at the level of damage to the rear quarter panels. permanently looks like they're dirty now. smashed by stones. with the black plastic under the white paint. apart from that it went very well.

interesting that the fuel economy for 2700kms of mainly highway driving was 13l/100kms (yes mine is the diesel). obviously sucks the fuel at higher speeds (above 110km/h).

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Gday Cookymonsta
Your fuel consumption was an interesting read.
I get around town about 10 l/100 and on the highways at about 110kmphr, I can get anything around 8-9l/100.
When I first got the 150 d4d, in June, I had the need to travel to Alice/finke, with a trailer/bike on the back, and averaged around the 11-12l/100.
Even with a 16' van on tow last month I was getting 13-14 at the worst.

Getting back to to the quarter panel damage ( under side ), as mentioned did the trip which involved a few hundred km's on dirt, and the under side of the quarters were destroyed. Stripped of paint ( as was the front of the trailer ). I did not expect this as I had a 120 d4d before this, and never had such an issue.
I had it all repaired, and will look at modified rear flaps before venturing out again!
cheers

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Have you got that fridge secured in there somehow? Just curious how you might have done it.

Love your work champ.

I never answered your question sorry. Just use those green rubber tie down things you get at 4x4 shops. Or a tie down strap

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Gday Cookymonsta
Your fuel consumption was an interesting read.
I get around town about 10 l/100 and on the highways at about 110kmphr, I can get anything around 8-9l/100.
When I first got the 150 d4d, in June, I had the need to travel to Alice/finke, with a trailer/bike on the back, and averaged around the 11-12l/100.
Even with a 16' van on tow last month I was getting 13-14 at the worst.

Getting back to to the quarter panel damage ( under side ), as mentioned did the trip which involved a few hundred km's on dirt, and the under side of the quarters were destroyed. Stripped of paint ( as was the front of the trailer ). I did not expect this as I had a 120 d4d before this, and never had such an issue.
I had it all repaired, and will look at modified rear flaps before venturing out again!
cheers

Wow! There is no way I could get 10 around town even with careful driving. For 5000kms it has averaged 12.8 (screen says). . Includes about 3000 kms of highway driving at least. Sits around 14l with me driving same way I did with my petrol with similar fuel economy figures.

I haven't done anything about rear quarter panels until find better mudflap solution and then getting repainted

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

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

Minor update to Build-up. Added a Tunit chip on Friday night. Prick of a position to fit the connector to. Need small hands. 2 minute job that took 30. :shock:

anyway I set the Tunit to 7 and went for a quick ten minute drive and actually noticed the difference straight away. I thought the chips were a rip off and over $1000 bucks for a $20 box. However I wish I'd done it earlier now. Basically I had been procrastinating getting one spending the cash, but the turbo lag was just giving me the sh*ts big time - especially trying to duck into flowing traffic and getting nothing until turbo kicked in. :evil:

NOw it feels like I have almost no turbo lag and it drives much more like a petrol. :lol: it seems smoother and jumps and holds top gear very quickly and easily just driving around town.

I towed my 4x4 trailer with motorbike up a mountain range on Sat morning and it ate it up. very happy and if I want more, I can always upgrade the exhaust - which I'm now thinking about doing. Probably redback.

no other updates to think of at this stage. except I hear side rock sliders are almost at ARB, so maybe.......

I'm lending the Prado to a mate over Easter to take to Fraser Island while I'm overseas, so will have it set-up before then.

[1stPrado-White150GXL Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close 1stPrado-White150GXL]

Re: Cookymonsta Prado 150 GXL

I'm lending the Prado to a mate over Easter to take to Fraser Island while I'm overseas, so will have it set-up before then.

Wow, that’s unbelievable. I’m obviously frequenting the wrong parts of society – where can I get a mate like you from...?