What If ?

[stephen61 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stephen61]

Hi Guys

Watched the DVD on the 4wd ute of the year trip to central Aussie this week which is were i am going in 7 weeks time (in company with two well equiped patrols - family so i cant bag them :lol: ).

One of the question asked of the ARB reprentive was "What would you buy, in order of necessity, if you had a new rig and a budget of $5,000.00.

Well i would like to ask you all that question. Having modified you rigs already what would you do differently (or the same) in order of priority and in consideration of were i am going on this my first major trip.

Looking forward to your input and advice.

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

1)Tyres and suspension
2)recovery gear as you see fit
3)anything that takes your fancy to suit what you want to do

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

Front end protection.
Suspension.
Duel Battery's.
Lights.

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

Dual batteries
fridge
Decent tyres
Spares/recovery gear
Emergency communication / beacon

That would allow you to go bush and not die if you got seperated from your mates ? ! :shock: hopefully.

I know lots of people will say Bullbar and snorkel first but hey a standard factory Prado with decent tyres and dual batteries with spares and emergency stuff would quite happily tackle an outback trip, Biggest problem here is if your mates have a snorkel and plan on doing water crossings etc you could come unstuck.



Then I reakon after that, Bullbar, snorkel, better suspension, sump guard, aux lights, toilet paper, beer, food...........

Only my 2 cents worth

[Treane Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Treane]

Hi,

My first post

Having just bought a D4D Prado (had a GU dual fuel Patrol previously) I plan on getting (and if I was going where you are Stephen I would get)

Tyres
Dual Battery
Fridge
Bullbar & winch
suspension

[AJs Prado Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AJs Prado]

As well as nearly all the above, if you are heading out there, then also look at air compressor and tyre plugs/repair kit to keep you on the road if not possibly a second spare. You saw what happened to the ripped sidewall.

[lc120_man Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close lc120_man]

OK Let's see:

Tyres - $1500K
Suspension - $2000k
Join 4wd Club/Do 4wd Driver Training $200
Recovery Gear Set $400
Air Compressor $300
Did't noticed you alrady had a fridge....
Spares $400
In-car UHF $600
Whatever else you might think required....

[stephen61 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stephen61]

Hi Guys

Well have taken a lot on board regarding this topic. went for a drive down to ATS geelong after getting quotes from ARB and TJM distributors to compare with.

Have booked the car in at ATS for:
1\ Bilstien/ridepro 2 inch lift
2\ ARB delux winch bar
3\Safari snorkel.


Hip pocket is going to feel it but by this friday afternoon the job will be done and i am very excited about that. The guys at ATS have been great, explained and answered all my questions and gave me a good discount once i mentioned this site

Pricing was better than all the rest and whilst the bilstiens/ridepro are dearer than say OME i just figured so many guys here recommend them that the extra will be worth it :idea:

Once again thanks to a very informative site - really is great to read up on everyones input on various stuff before laying out the dollars.....

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

Well done stephen61.

I know youll be feeling like a little kid and smileing like one when you walk up to your car, I mean TRUCK, to pick it up.

Youll love the ride as well. And the ARB looks great. and the snorkle is worth it for a cleaner filter in the dust and safety in the water.
Just dont freak out when you go over the first couple of potholes and the bar shakes.
Trust me, its normal. Chassi flex + rubber body mounts = shake.

We want pictures.

Congrats,
Jeff.

[stephen61 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stephen61]

Thanks Jeff

Just got back to Ballarat after dropping the prado off and i have to say the next two days are going to be very very long ones. Just cant wait :P

Well i have just about emptied the bank or need to rob one :?: :?: Have added a cb radio to the list getting done by ATS - well i figured what the hell at this piont. Campers getting a new set of tyres in the next few weeks so that is were my $have gone re this topic.

One expensive hobby but i think i am getting there..... problem is there is always more to add to the wish list :?

Toughest call was leaving the tyres standard but i had to forego something due to $$ just couldnt quite come to replacing tyres that have only done 7000k's (should have done it when i bought the car - oh well) just hope there good to me till there bald :!:

My trip is around 6 weeks off now so starting to get excited about that but nothing beats just waiting to see the rig after the updates.

Jeff thought about your request for a few pictures whilst driving to Geelong to drop the "truck" off and i have taken it a bit further.

Got chatting to the guys at ATS and there going to take a few shots for me whilst doing the jobs. Must admit if i had the time off i would have stayed there and watched (if i only could) but i reckon this is the next best thing. So hopefully not only a finished job shot to post but a few "job being done ones" to have a look at. Cant fault ATS customer service so far thats for sure.

Bit worried about having a whole cut into the car re the snorkel but they have assured me they paint the exposed metal as part of the job.

Will remember to accept the bullbar wobbling as the norm :!:

Well sorry everyone if i have gone on a bit but i am a bit high at the moment .

Cheers Stephen

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

Well sorry everyone if i have gone on a bit but i am a bit high at the moment

There's nothing like buying stacks of accessories for the truck to give you a high. :lol: But I reckon a cocaine habit would probably be a bit cheaper! :lol: And less of a health hazard (given the health warning in my signature)! :lol:

Well done on it all coming together, it sure is fun!

Drew.

[Andy_B Member Find all posts View Profile Close Andy_B]

For $5000 you might be able to do:

fridge
uhf
snorkle
lift
tires

Andy

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

Well sorry everyone if i have gone on a bit but i am a bit high at the moment .

Cheers Stephen

No problem from me for that.
Ive been there and I hope to go there again.

The ARB bar was put on ours when I was in a different state, On a different Island actually, It was in tas I was in WA. Saw a few grainy phone camera pics whilst sitting in a bar having a coldy, Didnt see it for 2 weeks and I loved it when I saw it.

Enjoy it Stephen61.

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

Thought I might throw my 2 bob's worth in as I am in he same boat at the moment. Had the D4D for 3 months and its going to the Cape in September. I ordered the car with bullbar, then had radio and spotties fitted. Snorkels been done. Had dual power fitted. Bought an Engel. Just ordered new tyres plus extra spare. They were my first priorities. Budget is now stretched so the suspension upgrade is on hold. As is the roof racks. They will have to wait for next year and the Canning.

[Blokeman Member Find all posts View Profile Close Blokeman]

Given that you already have:
"06 D4D 5 speed Auto. Dual battery,Engel 40ltr fridge, Bilstien/Ridpro 2" lift, ARB deluxe bullbar, Safari snorkle, Icom CB , 04 Bushranger camper."

$5000 I would go;
Good tyres? You probably already have them.

A winch, I like to be self reliant, cheap at about a grand.
A cheap steel rim second spare (and steel wheel nuts in the console!)
Perhaps a locker or 2? Not needed for ordinary stuff, but good insurance against Prado diff failure.

Going away you need cash in reserve. A friend at work cracked a head in her Jeep at Billabong, a tow to Carnarvon, $7000 and 7 weeks later picked her car up!!! OMG it's worth considering that spending a couple of thousand trucking a broken down car to the city for repair may be cheaper than a thousand dollar tow to the next town plus repairs. Scary Huh?