OK, I think I have this forum thingy sorted? Hope So!
I am new to this forum however have perused threads for the past hour and now have my mind filled with a load of info, and a load of questions... so here goes. If there are existing threads answering my questions, please just tell me to go and check them out.
Here's the deal...
I am new to the world of Prado's and have just picked up an 05 Petrol Grande ... love it so far... but that is basically from the sellers house to my place. Fact is I've spent plenty of time seriously offroad - but mostly with experienced 4x4 crew when photographing for 4x4 magazines etc... Additionally I've crossed the Simpson adventure touring on my motorbike etc so have come across enough 4x4's on the back or trucks or in the birdsville garage to know that preventative measures are a lot cheaper than a huge towing and repair bill. BUT I do not claim at all to be an expert - actually probably the opposite. I have been lucky to see what some of todays 4x4's are capable of whilst basically being a bit of a 4x4-gumby myself.
I simply state the above so you know that when I discuss taking the Prado offroad - I do not mean some well groomed gravel firetrail in a National Park... although I am sure there will be plenty of that. When I discuss 'offroad' I mean 'real offroad', not the Mosman-mum version.
The reality is my Prado will spend 80% of its life on black-stuff, probably around the city (yeah a few of you will hate that comment, but it's reality!) but when I need to get onto the slippery, rocky, sandy, dusty stuff.... usually it is very, very slippery, rocky, sandy and dusty.
Anyway-enough of all that. My first questions in the world of Prodopoint are on fairly simple and well covered topics but I need some more details... so here goes:
1. I am looking to install an ARB deluxe bar (+Warn Winch) in the near future. That's a load of extra weight on the front but my ARB dealer reckons the suspension will handle it fine. Was he just trying to make a sale or telling the truth... my limited knowledge suggests maybe a suspension/spring upgrade would be required to retain on-road comfort and reasonable driving performance- anyone out there able to clarify this for me
2. One of my constant concerns is under car damage. I am no bloody mechanic and so would rather prevent a big nasty bit of sandstone smashing my sump, diff, cooling system, steering... whatever to pieces. so how is the Prado as standard for underbody protection? Are there further skid-plates etc that I should be considering.
3. I understand the rear suspension airbag issue of the Grande so 'where are we at' with correcting the 'popping out' problem these days. What is the best upgrade availabe (I've read a thread on this but is there a widely acknowledged - 'best fix')
4. Tyre upgrade will soon be necessary. Looking at Bridgestone D695 or BFG LT 265/70/17 (does the spare hard cover fit BFG - I presume not? Are the dog-bone spacers for the spare only necessary for the 275's 285's etc
OK...I think thats it for now.
Any feedback would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Watto
I am new to this forum however have perused threads for the past hour and now have my mind filled with a load of info, and a load of questions... so here goes. If there are existing threads answering my questions, please just tell me to go and check them out.
Here's the deal...
I am new to the world of Prado's and have just picked up an 05 Petrol Grande ... love it so far... but that is basically from the sellers house to my place. Fact is I've spent plenty of time seriously offroad - but mostly with experienced 4x4 crew when photographing for 4x4 magazines etc... Additionally I've crossed the Simpson adventure touring on my motorbike etc so have come across enough 4x4's on the back or trucks or in the birdsville garage to know that preventative measures are a lot cheaper than a huge towing and repair bill. BUT I do not claim at all to be an expert - actually probably the opposite. I have been lucky to see what some of todays 4x4's are capable of whilst basically being a bit of a 4x4-gumby myself.
I simply state the above so you know that when I discuss taking the Prado offroad - I do not mean some well groomed gravel firetrail in a National Park... although I am sure there will be plenty of that. When I discuss 'offroad' I mean 'real offroad', not the Mosman-mum version.
The reality is my Prado will spend 80% of its life on black-stuff, probably around the city (yeah a few of you will hate that comment, but it's reality!) but when I need to get onto the slippery, rocky, sandy, dusty stuff.... usually it is very, very slippery, rocky, sandy and dusty.
Anyway-enough of all that. My first questions in the world of Prodopoint are on fairly simple and well covered topics but I need some more details... so here goes:
1. I am looking to install an ARB deluxe bar (+Warn Winch) in the near future. That's a load of extra weight on the front but my ARB dealer reckons the suspension will handle it fine. Was he just trying to make a sale or telling the truth... my limited knowledge suggests maybe a suspension/spring upgrade would be required to retain on-road comfort and reasonable driving performance- anyone out there able to clarify this for me
2. One of my constant concerns is under car damage. I am no bloody mechanic and so would rather prevent a big nasty bit of sandstone smashing my sump, diff, cooling system, steering... whatever to pieces. so how is the Prado as standard for underbody protection? Are there further skid-plates etc that I should be considering.
3. I understand the rear suspension airbag issue of the Grande so 'where are we at' with correcting the 'popping out' problem these days. What is the best upgrade availabe (I've read a thread on this but is there a widely acknowledged - 'best fix')
4. Tyre upgrade will soon be necessary. Looking at Bridgestone D695 or BFG LT 265/70/17 (does the spare hard cover fit BFG - I presume not? Are the dog-bone spacers for the spare only necessary for the 275's 285's etc
OK...I think thats it for now.
Any feedback would be appreciated,
Thanks,
Watto
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