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A Modicum of Modifications - how much do you need and how much can you afford?
I find it interesting to see what others do and have done to their vehicles in pursuing the ideal for their preferred mode of four-wheel driving.
My (ex) next-door neighbour runs a small business of four-wheel drive touring so he mixes things up so that his turbo-diesel Prado has a factory bull bar, minor suspension lift, all-terrain tyres and the hard cover for the spare wheel. His priority is weight carrying with extra passengers rather than bouncing over rock ledges in the local forests.
Another mate has his 100 series Landcruiser set up with highway terrain tyres, but with Polyair bags on the rear suspension with a Hayman-Reese weight-equalising hitch for his caravan. He goes either to Queensland for the winter or out to Wyangala Dam for Christmas. No rock-hopping for him either.
Another case – an old school friend who has a 2001 turbo-diesel Prado that he has had from new. He is the one who does the most long distance touring on unsealed roads, mainly central Australia and the Flinders, but also western NSW. What modifications? None.
At the most he would have replaced the tyres with all-terrains. So no bull bar, no driving lights, no winch, no suspension modifications, no UHF or HF radio. He carries a basic recovery kit: puncture repair kit, snatch strap, bow shackles, tow rope and shovel. As he drives no faster than 90km/h anywhere (he is painful to follow in the expressway), and he does not drive at dusk, dawn or at night, he reckons that a bull bar for him would be nothing more than an expensive clothes line.
He is a professional landscape photographer so the times that animal-strike is most likely is also the time that he has already arrived at his next photo opportunity. These are rarely serendipitous as he is usually returning to known places where he will camp overnight. No need for a roof rack or roof-top tent either – he sleeps in the vehicle.
It has been interesting to read the rig build up forum and to note the signature files that different forum members have. There seems to be a range of priorities operating here – some more testosterone-fuelled than others.
I actually sat down and did a bit of a rundown of modifications that could be useful and came up with a total well past $11,000. So I took a step back to consider my alternatives. The first thing you really have to consider is what you intend to do with your vehicle.
I bought my Prado last year to replace my Kluger as a more effective tow vehicle for my small pop-top caravan. However, I also have an opportunity to join my brother and some old school mates (we’re all old farts either near 60 or beyond) in a Simpson Desert crossing later this year.
I have no intention of joining the rock-hoppers in the local 4WD club as, like many old-farts, I like to minimise scratches and dents – some of you may remember Kingswood Country – that was like my father, and the apple did not fall far from the tree.
Long-distance touring with the caravan will need to be mainly confined to bitumen roads – it’s a pretty old van and definitely not meant for off-roading. However, my wife and I do intend to leave the caravan parked in a suitable van park while we go off exploring. The types of roads and tracks we choose will be based on the decision of whether we really need to get there at risk to our vehicle, and whether there is an alternative route, including “chicken” tracks. The Gunshot Bypass is a classic example of the choice we would be likely to make.
So, here is my list of priorities:
1. Dual battery system plus connection to caravan battery, i.e. a triple system. Completed.
2. Highway terrain tyres replaced with all terrains. Completed. $1000
3. UHF radio, mainly for the Boyzone Adventure to the Simpson Desert in September this year. At this stage the radio has been installed but I have removed the aerial and have it turned off – the local chit-chat is pretty puerile and often downright offensive. Completed. $500
4. Electric brake controller for the van. I’m using a Tekonsha Prodigy which can be removed when not needed. Completed. $300
5. Comprehensive first aid kit, current Senior First Aid certificate to be updated to Remote Area First Aid certificate. $300
6. Cargo barrier - completed. $550
7. Fire extinguisher – got one in the caravan (too small – to be replaced) and have fitted one in car near door under rear seat (2nd row).
8. Car fridge – 40L Engel preferred. Haven’t decided about a fridge slide but probable if I put a shelf into the back. I will be using plastic tubs I can take to where I need them rather than a drawer system. $1200-$1500
9. Polyair spring assist airbags to help manage the load in the rear especially when also towing the van. Pending. $500
10. Polaris (or similar) DVD/GPS unit with Navteq and OziExplorer software installed, plus reverse camera on both car and van. Pending. $1500
11. Water tank to fit either between cargo barrier and second-row seats or behind cargo barrier for Simpson Crossing. Possible. $400
12. Bull bar – would look better than the currently fitted nerf bar. Possible. Cost?
My total still comes to about $6000 – a bit of a challenge on a superannuation pension, but I’ll get there eventually.
Some minor modifications already done include sand/mud mats, rubber mat in luggage compartment, Bosch Aerotwin wipers, protector plate between plastic front bumper and front protector plate, rated tow hooks at front and hitch receiver recovery point at rear, Hilux washer jets, seat covers and bug screening of turbo intercooler.
Sand flag will come before Simpson trip, but I’ll have to work out a mounting system other than drill a hole in the plastic bumper. Finally, I’ll have the belts and hoses replaced before the Simpson trip and keep the old ones as spares.
In honour of Kingswood Country I will also keep the engine bay clean and wash underneath.
Other thoughts?
I find it interesting to see what others do and have done to their vehicles in pursuing the ideal for their preferred mode of four-wheel driving.
My (ex) next-door neighbour runs a small business of four-wheel drive touring so he mixes things up so that his turbo-diesel Prado has a factory bull bar, minor suspension lift, all-terrain tyres and the hard cover for the spare wheel. His priority is weight carrying with extra passengers rather than bouncing over rock ledges in the local forests.
Another mate has his 100 series Landcruiser set up with highway terrain tyres, but with Polyair bags on the rear suspension with a Hayman-Reese weight-equalising hitch for his caravan. He goes either to Queensland for the winter or out to Wyangala Dam for Christmas. No rock-hopping for him either.
Another case – an old school friend who has a 2001 turbo-diesel Prado that he has had from new. He is the one who does the most long distance touring on unsealed roads, mainly central Australia and the Flinders, but also western NSW. What modifications? None.
At the most he would have replaced the tyres with all-terrains. So no bull bar, no driving lights, no winch, no suspension modifications, no UHF or HF radio. He carries a basic recovery kit: puncture repair kit, snatch strap, bow shackles, tow rope and shovel. As he drives no faster than 90km/h anywhere (he is painful to follow in the expressway), and he does not drive at dusk, dawn or at night, he reckons that a bull bar for him would be nothing more than an expensive clothes line.
He is a professional landscape photographer so the times that animal-strike is most likely is also the time that he has already arrived at his next photo opportunity. These are rarely serendipitous as he is usually returning to known places where he will camp overnight. No need for a roof rack or roof-top tent either – he sleeps in the vehicle.
It has been interesting to read the rig build up forum and to note the signature files that different forum members have. There seems to be a range of priorities operating here – some more testosterone-fuelled than others.
I actually sat down and did a bit of a rundown of modifications that could be useful and came up with a total well past $11,000. So I took a step back to consider my alternatives. The first thing you really have to consider is what you intend to do with your vehicle.
I bought my Prado last year to replace my Kluger as a more effective tow vehicle for my small pop-top caravan. However, I also have an opportunity to join my brother and some old school mates (we’re all old farts either near 60 or beyond) in a Simpson Desert crossing later this year.
I have no intention of joining the rock-hoppers in the local 4WD club as, like many old-farts, I like to minimise scratches and dents – some of you may remember Kingswood Country – that was like my father, and the apple did not fall far from the tree.
Long-distance touring with the caravan will need to be mainly confined to bitumen roads – it’s a pretty old van and definitely not meant for off-roading. However, my wife and I do intend to leave the caravan parked in a suitable van park while we go off exploring. The types of roads and tracks we choose will be based on the decision of whether we really need to get there at risk to our vehicle, and whether there is an alternative route, including “chicken” tracks. The Gunshot Bypass is a classic example of the choice we would be likely to make.
So, here is my list of priorities:
1. Dual battery system plus connection to caravan battery, i.e. a triple system. Completed.
2. Highway terrain tyres replaced with all terrains. Completed. $1000
3. UHF radio, mainly for the Boyzone Adventure to the Simpson Desert in September this year. At this stage the radio has been installed but I have removed the aerial and have it turned off – the local chit-chat is pretty puerile and often downright offensive. Completed. $500
4. Electric brake controller for the van. I’m using a Tekonsha Prodigy which can be removed when not needed. Completed. $300
5. Comprehensive first aid kit, current Senior First Aid certificate to be updated to Remote Area First Aid certificate. $300
6. Cargo barrier - completed. $550
7. Fire extinguisher – got one in the caravan (too small – to be replaced) and have fitted one in car near door under rear seat (2nd row).
8. Car fridge – 40L Engel preferred. Haven’t decided about a fridge slide but probable if I put a shelf into the back. I will be using plastic tubs I can take to where I need them rather than a drawer system. $1200-$1500
9. Polyair spring assist airbags to help manage the load in the rear especially when also towing the van. Pending. $500
10. Polaris (or similar) DVD/GPS unit with Navteq and OziExplorer software installed, plus reverse camera on both car and van. Pending. $1500
11. Water tank to fit either between cargo barrier and second-row seats or behind cargo barrier for Simpson Crossing. Possible. $400
12. Bull bar – would look better than the currently fitted nerf bar. Possible. Cost?
My total still comes to about $6000 – a bit of a challenge on a superannuation pension, but I’ll get there eventually.
Some minor modifications already done include sand/mud mats, rubber mat in luggage compartment, Bosch Aerotwin wipers, protector plate between plastic front bumper and front protector plate, rated tow hooks at front and hitch receiver recovery point at rear, Hilux washer jets, seat covers and bug screening of turbo intercooler.
Sand flag will come before Simpson trip, but I’ll have to work out a mounting system other than drill a hole in the plastic bumper. Finally, I’ll have the belts and hoses replaced before the Simpson trip and keep the old ones as spares.
In honour of Kingswood Country I will also keep the engine bay clean and wash underneath.
Other thoughts?
Matty80
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