Thanks Melbo, just picked the car up a couple hours ago and took it for a drive to the airport lol. Here are some more photos as promised....
The stiffer suspension makes for a MUCH better ride. Going over speed humps doesn't make the car rock back and forth and cornering also feels a lot better. Can't wait to take it offroad and see how its like there Oh and like what others were saying, the 50mm lift doesn't sound like much, but you'll definitely notice it as its harder to climb in and out of the car.
As for the bar, it looks AWESOME. The gloss black contrasts against the white body very well and I no longer regret not getting it color coded satin black or super white. Time can only tell how well it will look after taking it to the bush a few times. Expecting lots of bug and stone impacts and what not... As for the ride, I can feel the car is a little more front heavy.
One thing I am concerned about is the gap between the bumper and the bullbar. In some places, it is only 5mm wide, according to other threads this may lead to rubbing, causing the paint on the bar to scratch off as well as the trim on the bumper to wear as the bar vibrates. I'll be keeping a close eye on it... Here are a couple not-so-clear pictures of the gap.
Would like to send out a big thank you to Brian and the team at Western 4x4, excellent service and worksmanship. I'd definitely be returning to them for any future work.
I've updated my first post HERE for more comments and photos of the bar and lift ... I just realised I'm missing a side-on shot, so I'll add it to the post later. Enjoy
Cheers
[COLOR="black"][b]William[/b][/COLOR]
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="gray"]Prado 150 GXL D4D Auto in White![/COLOR][/SIZE]
[url=http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?18483-William-s-150-GXL-D4D][U][COLOR="blue"][SIZE="1"]My Rig Build-up[/SIZE][/COLOR][/U][/url]
Looks nice but aggressive, I dunno! maybe if it had a snorkel, a winch, antenna and spotties lol, most of which I don't need. Brian at the 4x4 shop recommended I get a pair of HID Lightforce Genesis'. He uses them himself and reckons they're perfect for this bar.
Interesting Dobbo. In that case, you shall call me Capt. Cook :lol:
[COLOR="black"][b]William[/b][/COLOR]
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="gray"]Prado 150 GXL D4D Auto in White![/COLOR][/SIZE]
[url=http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?18483-William-s-150-GXL-D4D][U][COLOR="blue"][SIZE="1"]My Rig Build-up[/SIZE][/COLOR][/U][/url]
Just got my Silver 150 GXL and looking at a better set of tyres.
How do you find the BFG AT's on main roads? Are they noisy and how do they handle wet bitumen?
More importantly how do they go off road as I am thinking of trading in my dunlops?
Thanks.
Alright mudeye, I think I'm now in the position of commenting on how the BFGs handle on wet bitumen. As we Melbournians know, today is a very very wet day. So I was driving around a roundabout today and some moron in a magna didn't give way (I'm always very cautious of these fools) and drove right through and stopped in the middle of the roundabout. Why he stopped, knowing he had gone too far out is beyond me. So I slammed my brakes on and the car let loose a small but audible screech. I could feel there was PLENTY of traction. The feeling was quite distinct from HT tyres, having felt the tread of the ATs working with the ABS when applying the brakes heavily. Definitely not good for the tyres, but very lucky for the driver of the magna who had my brand spanking new bullbar literally centimeters from his drivers side door/window. I gave him the "WTF%$& are you doing" look with the accompanying hand gesture and he gave me the "OH $HI7 I'm an idiot" look and that was that...
[COLOR="black"][b]William[/b][/COLOR]
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="gray"]Prado 150 GXL D4D Auto in White![/COLOR][/SIZE]
[url=http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?18483-William-s-150-GXL-D4D][U][COLOR="blue"][SIZE="1"]My Rig Build-up[/SIZE][/COLOR][/U][/url]
So I was driving around a roundabout today and some moron in a magna didn't give way (I'm always very cautious of these fools) and drove right through and stopped in the middle of the roundabout. Why he stopped, knowing he had gone too far out is beyond me. So I slammed my brakes on and the car let loose a small but audible screech. I could feel there was PLENTY of traction. The feeling was quite distinct from HT tyres, having felt the tread of the ATs working with the ABS when applying the brakes heavily. Definitely not good for the tyres, but very lucky for the driver of the magna who had my brand spanking new bullbar literally centimeters from his drivers side door/window. I gave him the "WTF%$& are you doing" look with the accompanying hand gesture and he gave me the "OH $HI7 I'm an idiot" look and that was that...
Sounds like a very close call there mate, glad the tyres held the road (can't say that mine would do the same)... However, you've got me a little curious - so I have to ask!!! Is it the magnas or the morons and fools that you are cautious of?
Sounds like a very close call there mate, glad the tyres held the road (can't say that mine would do the same)... However, you've got me a little curious - so I have to ask!!! Is it the magnas or the morons and fools that you are cautious of?
Hi Matty & Loz,
Indeed a very close call. The answer to your question would be BOTH lol :lol:
1. My 2 week old 2009 camry sportivo was reversed into by a magna. Mentally scarred there haha.
2. It's not the first time someone has cut me off at a roundabout. Some people seem to think the road rules don't apply to them, either that or they're just simply moronic fools. It's only a matter of time till metal meets metal and somebody gets hurt.
Cheers
[COLOR="black"][b]William[/b][/COLOR]
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="gray"]Prado 150 GXL D4D Auto in White![/COLOR][/SIZE]
[url=http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?18483-William-s-150-GXL-D4D][U][COLOR="blue"][SIZE="1"]My Rig Build-up[/SIZE][/COLOR][/U][/url]
Just got my Silver 150 GXL and looking at a better set of tyres.
How do you find the BFG AT's on main roads? Are they noisy and how do they handle wet bitumen?
More importantly how do they go off road as I am thinking of trading in my dunlops?
Thanks.
Alright mudeye, I think I'm now in the position of commenting on how the BFGs handle on wet bitumen. As we Melbournians know, today is a very very wet day. So I was driving around a roundabout today and some moron in a magna didn't give way (I'm always very cautious of these fools) and drove right through and stopped in the middle of the roundabout. Why he stopped, knowing he had gone too far out is beyond me. So I slammed my brakes on and the car let loose a small but audible screech. I could feel there was PLENTY of traction. The feeling was quite distinct from HT tyres, having felt the tread of the ATs working with the ABS when applying the brakes heavily. Definitely not good for the tyres, but very lucky for the driver of the magna who had my brand spanking new bullbar literally centimeters from his drivers side door/window. I gave him the "WTF%$& are you doing" look with the accompanying hand gesture and he gave me the "OH $HI7 I'm an idiot" look and that was that...
Hi William
Thanks for the update. Sounds like the BFGs saved that new bullbar from seeing its first few scratches. Gotta love the combination of Melbourne weather and nut jobs on the road, keeps driving around here exciting. The rig is starting to look good. I am liking the look of the white Prado and latest shiny new black bits. The Prado has definitely taken on a new personality, looks like it belongs on the Murray.
How did you go coping with the idea of them cutting up the front bumper to fit the sahara as I am about to have my ARB Deluxe Winch bar fitted and wondering what the finish is like? Bit hard to tell from the photos but it looks like a nice clean cut and finish.
Cheers
Silver Prado 150 GXL D4D Auto ARB Winch Bar, ARB Tow Bar, Safari Snorkel, WetSeat waterproof seat covers, Cooper ST MAXX
How did you go coping with the idea of them cutting up the front bumper to fit the sahara as I am about to have my ARB Deluxe Winch bar fitted and wondering what the finish is like? Bit hard to tell from the photos but it looks like a nice clean cut and finish.
Thanks mudeye. Well, I had my doubts at first, but Brian at Western 4x4 had assured me all would be well as they fit bullbars on almost a daily basis. The finish is excellent, like i said before I'm only concerned with the gap that was left between the bumper and the bar. It is very difficult to see where they cut the bumper as it is hidden behind the bar. For your reference I stuck the camera inbetween the two horizontal bars and took some snaps of where they cut it.
Drivers side, top view
Drivers side, top view - close up
Drivers side, front view between two front bars
Passenger side, front view between two front bars
[COLOR="black"][b]William[/b][/COLOR]
[SIZE="1"][COLOR="gray"]Prado 150 GXL D4D Auto in White![/COLOR][/SIZE]
[url=http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?18483-William-s-150-GXL-D4D][U][COLOR="blue"][SIZE="1"]My Rig Build-up[/SIZE][/COLOR][/U][/url]
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