Before I begin, I'd like to thank the moderators and contributing members of PradoPoint.com. You were all very helpful, informative and influential; from the colour of the car to the after market parts that I have on order. This is my first real 4WD (coming from a Rav4) so I'm sure I still have lots to learn and maybe even pioneer on some things that I can share.
9/11/2010
Now let's kick start this off with some shots from the dealer.
Oh what a feeling! If there were 4 words that could be used to express the moment - I think these would be it.
Corner view.
13KMs on the clock. A beautiful 20C day with clear blue skies.
Genuine rubber cargo mat
Genuine rubber floor mats
Hello Grandtreks! :twisted:
Bye Bye Grandtreks!
Hello BFGs! They were covered with some blue stuff and lube.
5minutes later, a wet cloth and half a can of car tyre shine
10/11/2010
Got a tint installed today at Tint-A-Car at Hoppers Crossing. I was referred by a fellow pradopointer Zerosecta (cheers) and fitted by a friendly manager named Steve. I'd definitely recommend them, they did a top job. I got a 35% tint the whole way around, and one-darker than darkest-legal for the 2 rear quarterpanel windows - 25% I believe? I would have done one darker on the 2nd row windows but didn't want to risk voiding an insurance claim.
I also installed a Thule Aerobar, that was supposed to be transferrable to my rav4, but wasnt! so it ended up collecting dust for 3months. Anyway here it is in all it's glory... Ready for my ProAngler fishing kayak
23/11/2010
Maxtrax have arrived. That's one more off the list
24/11/2010
Took the Prado to Western 4x4 this morning to get the bar and lift in. I figured I’d better take some “Before” snaps for comparison once the job is done. Here they are:
I was anxious to see the bar, as I had ordered the bar in gloss black and was worried it would look too bling. Having been denied access to the workshop due to safety reasons, they kindly offered to send me a couple of photos of the bar prior to it being fitted. So here it is, and the Prado in the background - semi prepped for fitment.
25/11/2010
Received another teaser today from the 4x4 shop. The bar has been installed and now they're working on the suspension.
26/11/2010
Picked up the prado today at Western 4x4 with the ARB Sahara bar and OME kit installed. The gloss black colour coded bar looks better than I had imagined and am completely satisfied with it. Here are some snaps:
I can understand why people remove the turtle-shell wheel protector now. It looks a bit funny after the lift. Despite the weird look, I think I’ll keep the lid on, especially since there’s a stock Grandtrek hiding under it lol Maybe it won’t look so weird after I get the tow bar installed and maybe a Kaymar work light hum!… we’ll see what happens.
This is the “After” shot of the front and rear suspension. Scroll up for the “Before” shots.
29/11/2010
Toyota carried out the 1000km service today where I got the remote control window operation option activated. Here's a video of it in action:
Prado GXL Remote Control Window Operation
Thank you Sam (hookedon4wding) for finding it - I wouldn't have thought of it!
2/12/2010
Picked the car up today at Western 4x4 where they completed the installation of the rear airlocker and compressor. The compressor came with a hose kit and I puchased an additional inflator with gauge. Here are some photos:
10/12/2010
Installed a Genuine Toyota towbar today. Was harder than expected but worth the effort in the end. Here are some pics:
Towbar installed
Harness installed
Closeup of Harness
12/2/2011
Back from overseas with some goodies...
Weather shields
D4D badges
Bullbar vinyl
18/2/2011
Fitted some genuine Toyota headlamp protectors.
20/2/2011
Installed a pair of ABR Sidewinder 180mm HID spotlights. See page 5 for photos of the installation. Would like to send out a big thank you to Derek from ABR-S for his awesome aftersales support.
23/3/2011
Bought a recovery hitch from BCF. Thank you Boomslang and Foxclan for the tip on the special.
5/4/2011
Home made drawer system. Check out page 6 of the buildup for more pics and info.
4/22/2011
Dual Battery setup complete. I used an ARB tray, RedArc isolator, Supercharge Amptech D50Z and ARB Sidewinder cabling. The aircon pipe was not bent, but gently held aside using an extension bracket.
I'd like to send out a big thank you to the contributors that made this mod DIYable: Derek (ARB Sidewinder), D4D, Brains, Krypto, Matty&Loz, Samo and anyone else I sort advice from that I have failed to mention.
There are several detailed pics on page 7 and 8 of the installation, but here are a couple of snaps of it installed.
Camp light project was completed approximately 2 weeks ago. It consists of two 24W LED floodlights, each with an output of 1600-1800 lumens. Thus combined they are as bright, if not brighter than a single 35W HID lamp. It has a remote switch with an operating distance of approximately 100m as well as a manual override switch should the remote run out of batteries. The unit has been mounted to the Thule Aerobars using T track adaptors.
I've been a little lazy to take pics of the completed camp light project. Here are some pics of it (just prior to completion), the only difference is that the brackets have been painted black and everying has been bolted/screwed down (no cable ties or tape). Full pics and build up on page 6.
More to come....
.: The Mod List :.
Completed mods:
:arrow: Toyota genuine rubber floor and cargo mats
:arrow: BFG All Terrains
:arrow: Tinted windows: Midnight express (darkest legal)
:arrow: Thule Aerobars
:arrow: Maxtrax
:arrow: ARB Sahara winch bar
:arrow: ARB rear Airlocker
:arrow: ARB Air compressor (large) with hose kit
:arrow: ARB Tyre inflator/deflator w/ pressure guage
:arrow: OME suspension - 2inch lift
:arrow: Toyota genuine tow bar
:arrow: Aftermarket wheather shields
:arrow: D4D badges
:arrow: Scrub plate personalisation
:arrow: Toyota genuine headlight protectors
:arrow: ABR Sidewinder 35W HID spotlights w/ blue covers
:arrow: Recovery hitch - shackle version
:arrow: DIY Drawer system - single drawer with base for fridge slide
:arrow: Dual Battery System
:arrow: DIY Dual 24W LED rear camp light
Possible future mods:
:arrow: Tinted bonnet protector
:arrow: 12V Fridge w/ slide
:arrow: Fire extinguisher
:arrow: Front recovery points
:arrow: Electric winch
:arrow: Rhino Rack Pioneer tray
:arrow: Solar panels
I hope you enjoy the build up!
Cheers,
William
9/11/2010
Now let's kick start this off with some shots from the dealer.
Oh what a feeling! If there were 4 words that could be used to express the moment - I think these would be it.
Corner view.
13KMs on the clock. A beautiful 20C day with clear blue skies.
Genuine rubber cargo mat
Genuine rubber floor mats
Hello Grandtreks! :twisted:
Bye Bye Grandtreks!
Hello BFGs! They were covered with some blue stuff and lube.
5minutes later, a wet cloth and half a can of car tyre shine
10/11/2010
Got a tint installed today at Tint-A-Car at Hoppers Crossing. I was referred by a fellow pradopointer Zerosecta (cheers) and fitted by a friendly manager named Steve. I'd definitely recommend them, they did a top job. I got a 35% tint the whole way around, and one-darker than darkest-legal for the 2 rear quarterpanel windows - 25% I believe? I would have done one darker on the 2nd row windows but didn't want to risk voiding an insurance claim.
I also installed a Thule Aerobar, that was supposed to be transferrable to my rav4, but wasnt! so it ended up collecting dust for 3months. Anyway here it is in all it's glory... Ready for my ProAngler fishing kayak
23/11/2010
Maxtrax have arrived. That's one more off the list
24/11/2010
Took the Prado to Western 4x4 this morning to get the bar and lift in. I figured I’d better take some “Before” snaps for comparison once the job is done. Here they are:
I was anxious to see the bar, as I had ordered the bar in gloss black and was worried it would look too bling. Having been denied access to the workshop due to safety reasons, they kindly offered to send me a couple of photos of the bar prior to it being fitted. So here it is, and the Prado in the background - semi prepped for fitment.
25/11/2010
Received another teaser today from the 4x4 shop. The bar has been installed and now they're working on the suspension.
26/11/2010
Picked up the prado today at Western 4x4 with the ARB Sahara bar and OME kit installed. The gloss black colour coded bar looks better than I had imagined and am completely satisfied with it. Here are some snaps:
I can understand why people remove the turtle-shell wheel protector now. It looks a bit funny after the lift. Despite the weird look, I think I’ll keep the lid on, especially since there’s a stock Grandtrek hiding under it lol Maybe it won’t look so weird after I get the tow bar installed and maybe a Kaymar work light hum!… we’ll see what happens.
This is the “After” shot of the front and rear suspension. Scroll up for the “Before” shots.
29/11/2010
Toyota carried out the 1000km service today where I got the remote control window operation option activated. Here's a video of it in action:
Prado GXL Remote Control Window Operation
Thank you Sam (hookedon4wding) for finding it - I wouldn't have thought of it!
2/12/2010
Picked the car up today at Western 4x4 where they completed the installation of the rear airlocker and compressor. The compressor came with a hose kit and I puchased an additional inflator with gauge. Here are some photos:
10/12/2010
Installed a Genuine Toyota towbar today. Was harder than expected but worth the effort in the end. Here are some pics:
Towbar installed
Harness installed
Closeup of Harness
12/2/2011
Back from overseas with some goodies...
Weather shields
D4D badges
Bullbar vinyl
18/2/2011
Fitted some genuine Toyota headlamp protectors.
20/2/2011
Installed a pair of ABR Sidewinder 180mm HID spotlights. See page 5 for photos of the installation. Would like to send out a big thank you to Derek from ABR-S for his awesome aftersales support.
23/3/2011
Bought a recovery hitch from BCF. Thank you Boomslang and Foxclan for the tip on the special.
5/4/2011
Home made drawer system. Check out page 6 of the buildup for more pics and info.
4/22/2011
Dual Battery setup complete. I used an ARB tray, RedArc isolator, Supercharge Amptech D50Z and ARB Sidewinder cabling. The aircon pipe was not bent, but gently held aside using an extension bracket.
I'd like to send out a big thank you to the contributors that made this mod DIYable: Derek (ARB Sidewinder), D4D, Brains, Krypto, Matty&Loz, Samo and anyone else I sort advice from that I have failed to mention.
There are several detailed pics on page 7 and 8 of the installation, but here are a couple of snaps of it installed.
Camp light project was completed approximately 2 weeks ago. It consists of two 24W LED floodlights, each with an output of 1600-1800 lumens. Thus combined they are as bright, if not brighter than a single 35W HID lamp. It has a remote switch with an operating distance of approximately 100m as well as a manual override switch should the remote run out of batteries. The unit has been mounted to the Thule Aerobars using T track adaptors.
I've been a little lazy to take pics of the completed camp light project. Here are some pics of it (just prior to completion), the only difference is that the brackets have been painted black and everying has been bolted/screwed down (no cable ties or tape). Full pics and build up on page 6.
More to come....
.: The Mod List :.
Completed mods:
:arrow: Toyota genuine rubber floor and cargo mats
:arrow: BFG All Terrains
:arrow: Tinted windows: Midnight express (darkest legal)
:arrow: Thule Aerobars
:arrow: Maxtrax
:arrow: ARB Sahara winch bar
:arrow: ARB rear Airlocker
:arrow: ARB Air compressor (large) with hose kit
:arrow: ARB Tyre inflator/deflator w/ pressure guage
:arrow: OME suspension - 2inch lift
:arrow: Toyota genuine tow bar
:arrow: Aftermarket wheather shields
:arrow: D4D badges
:arrow: Scrub plate personalisation
:arrow: Toyota genuine headlight protectors
:arrow: ABR Sidewinder 35W HID spotlights w/ blue covers
:arrow: Recovery hitch - shackle version
:arrow: DIY Drawer system - single drawer with base for fridge slide
:arrow: Dual Battery System
:arrow: DIY Dual 24W LED rear camp light
Possible future mods:
:arrow: Tinted bonnet protector
:arrow: 12V Fridge w/ slide
:arrow: Fire extinguisher
:arrow: Front recovery points
:arrow: Electric winch
:arrow: Rhino Rack Pioneer tray
:arrow: Solar panels
I hope you enjoy the build up!
Cheers,
William
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