Planning a voyage of lifetime - need some input from seasoned travellers

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

Very general question here, where I am trying to leech some experience from long time Prado owners. It might have been asked before.

Planning to do a trip sometimes in future (well I am fairly set on doing it, but one never knows), this will be over very rugged terrain, virtually hundreds of deep water crossings, mud, bogs, sand and rocks. Overall length over 10 000 km on extreme roads, another 10 000 km on half decent gravel/ graded/ paved roads. Getting help and spare parts very difficult for most of the trip (Siberia and Central Asia)

I had had my 2007 120 D4D Prado for 2 years now, and it has 130 000 km on it. I have only changed the injectors on it at the moment, and put in new springs and shockers.

What would you do before such a trip (which parts would you change), what modifications would you do, and what essential spares would you take with you?

Any suggestions mostly welcomed.
Borec

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

... virtually hundreds of deep water crossings, mud, bogs, sand and rocks.
Borec

I would start with a snorkel and mud tyres. A 2" lift wouldn't go astray either.

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

I would start with a snorkel and mud tires. A 2" lift wouldn't go astray either.

Forgot to mention, Prado had a snorkel when I bought it, also has two batteries, and when I change the shockers and springs, I lifted it up 2". And have front and back lockers too with compressor.
As to the tires, cannot make up mi mind, should they be muddies, or all terrain? I do have snow-chains :-), just in case.

[Guest Close Guest]

Replace all fluids - transmission, diffs, transfer case, radiator, engine oil.
Replace rubbers - belts, hoses, bushes
Replace filters - fuel (2 of them), oil

Add trans cooler, underbody protection, drawers, roof racks, awning, Lights (front, rear, side), Maxtrax, winch, recovery gear, rock sliders, trans & diff breathers, oil catch can, secondary fuel filter, bullbar, UHF, seat covers, floor mats (Sand grabber/3D)

Muddies are generally tougher in construction.

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

What about spare parts

Add trans cooler, underbody protection, drawers, roof racks, awning, Lights (front, rear, side), Maxtrax, winch, recovery gear, rock sliders, trans & diff breathers, oil catch can, secondary fuel filter, bullbar, UHF, seat covers, floor mats (Sand grabber/3D)

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Thanks for the tips AMTS,

what about the spare parts that I should be taking with me?

Why would I need to add trans cooler? Is it helpful if not towing? I assume it might be useful for extended low range driving in low speeds?
What is oil catch can?

Cheers

Borec

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Why would I need to add trans cooler? Is it helpful if not towing? I assume it might be useful for extended low range driving in low speeds?

A trans cooler will help with the longevity of the oil. Sure it will be of more benefit for those who tow.

What is oil catch can?

See this Google search results page https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sour...pradopoint.com

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

My brother did a similar trip in 2013, Malaysia through Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, across China into Mongolia then Russia, Kazakhstan, Russia again and on through the Ukraine, Poland and the Czech Republic to Austria. This was done in a Isuzu 4x4 expedition truck and took 7 months. Preparation is the key, for spares at least take filters, drive belts, all fluids (sourcing Lim Slip Diff oil has become a major job in Europe) and don't forget water filtration for drinking water.
Diesel fuel in Asia is not low sulphur and most likely any Toyota support will not be conversant with the Aust. spec Prado engine.
Tyre wise he was/is running truck tyres (duh!) but not an aggressive pattern so LT construction for sure and tyre repair options.

Do a Google search for expedition trips as there are many more people doing these treks than one would expect. The expedition forums have lots of information re issues crossing borders, local regulations (pros & cons) and like any good forum where to go and what to see.

Lee

P.S. His blog is www.beetrax.com this gives a good idea of the terrain they covered.

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

Diesel fuel in Asia is not low sulphur and most likely any Toyota support will not be conversant with the Aust. spec Prado engine.
.

What does that mean?

Interesting trip your brother had, but I am planning to do more hardcore 4x4, trip at least at the Russian part. I was thinking about china, but it seems to be pain in the ... I still need to do some big research on that, as there are plenty of places I would like to see there

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

What make

A trans cooler will help with the longevity of the oil. Sure it will be of more benefit for those who tow.

I do tow now and then my dad's Ultimate camper trailer, however I am bit weary of installing the cooler, as last time I had it done on my Falcon, and the arse who installed it did not do a good job, and half way up NSW in the middle of the night I suddenly lost the transmission. Got out and find out that there was oil all over the place. One of the fitting got loose and all my transmission oil got drained. Not happy. So now I think, that is another extra bit that can go wrong. So probably I would not have it installed again.

See this Google search results page https://www.google.com.au/webhp?sour...pradopoint.com

Interesting, spend a lot of my sleeping time reading some of the threads. Now I recall, that my mechanic mentioned something about cleaning something, when he changed the injectors, must have been the muck created by this. Also I recall reading something about blinding the EGR (or whatever the term is - illegal), but it seems like it is not possible on the D4D engine. So this will be probably my next mod. What did you put in? Was it the Provent 200?

This is motivating me into doing my own build post


Borec