2018 prado build up from scratch

[GrumpyOldDad Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close GrumpyOldDad]

Hi all, new member, taking delivery of new gxl, crystal pearl with leather, due early march. 1st real 4x4, looking forward to joining mates on trips (brother has a monster truck on 35's with 4" lift). Have a $10k budget for mods. Looking for feedback on best bang for buck, but want a quality rig. After ARB summit bar colour coded ($3048 quoted fitted, wow they're pricey!), driving lights (thinking 8.5 stedi's at $599) as intensitys, lightforce etc blow the budget. Don't want side protection bars (won't fit next to the Mrs in the carport), but think rock sliders and underbody protection are needed as brother wants me to test it out in tricky rocky sections at wattagans. Want 2" lift, research tells me dobinson coils with billestin shocks are the go, have tyre fitter telling me to try RAW, but can't find any info on prado with them, what to pay for a quality lift installed. My psycho side tells me to get black alloy rims (csa raptor seems to fit) with 265 70 17 nitto trail grapplers and keep all the original tyres/rims stored in work shed, been quoted 285 each on the nittos, will these still let me keep wheel cover on (may need to deflate a little to do this and will be ok I'm hoping). Anyway, what else? Roof racks, awning, extra battery (have 4 kids, so need 6 seats, temporary fridge for camping trips). Not towing anything. Will post pics if you want on progress

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

With a $10k budget do you need a $3k bar? Otherwise mods depend on use. Stock rims are fine but a tyre upgrade is sensible as is a suspension upgrade. Not sure how well the searvh function works in the new forum but there are threads just like yours. Also have a look through the build threads to give you an idea.

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

There's another thread on this drawn up recently. Have a gander at that - called Basic Aftermarket Essentials in the Engine - Diesel part for the 150.

What I would most definitely suggest is to wait (if you can) for an outdoor expo/ camping/ show thing to come your way - or go to them. I got an ARB Duluxe for $1600 fitted instead of $2300 (non colour-coded), IPF Drivings lights from $800 a pair to $450 a pair, OME suspension for $1800 from $2000 and the like. Everything on your car will have great deals at some point - wait for that. Rhino Backbone system, for example, is $1300 for the 2.2M jobbie, or you can wait for a 25% off day at SuperCheap or AutoBarn and the like. It's the same with tyres and wheels, fridges and awnings... At least, that's if you go down the road of ARB, TJM, Opposite Lock, Iron Man and the multitude of other large and medium size groups. And when you go there, you'll find a multitude of other things that you didn't even realise that are not only on special, but you just have to have!