Project Prado

[madaz068]

Ok, first time i have really tried to do a build thread here on ORE.

So i need your help. What we want to do is setup a touring vehicle. Something we can do basic river, mud and snow type stuff. Would like to run say 31" Tyres, but dont know if we can.

Rach and I have a standard 96 TX Prado. It has a 1KZ motor and is a manual. Only thing i have done is the Radio (Dual PRS CB).


So who has done work on one of these. What can you suggest

[Jerry]

http://www.pradopoint.com is a good resource also http://www.lcool.org/technical/90_serie ... nical.html

Put too big tah's on them and you will blow the centre diff lock, to fix this you need to convert the fulltime FWD to part time with a surf/prado transfer case. getting an ABS disable switch fitted is a good idea as well. Not sure where the best place to attach hooks on the front is interesting given the airbags. Stinky has built some sidebars and corner bars for a 90 as well.

[Jerry]

also looking at $3k for an OME suspension upgrade and a front ARB winch bar last time I checked

[rokhound]

I have a had a play with my 90 series prado over the last mth and a bit. 50mm suspension + 50mm body lifts. 285/75/16 BFG MT's (33") breathers, bumper lifts, new towing points on rear, homemade snorkel, auto bash plate and side bars. Just basic club truck shit really. But (as much as it pains me to say it) Jerry is right, the drive train is not up to what I consider to be a decent standard. I blew the rear diff and ctr diff all in one go on a nothing cross axle sidling. Had the drive train loaded up a bit with Handbrake pressure, but that was all. On the Hilux we would have twisted a drive shaft before breaking the rear drive train, so I believe this things are not up to the strength of a lux or surf, strange when the rear diff head is an 8" 4 pinion, the same as the stronger lux diff head. You will need to drop at least $1600 on an ABS compliant front bar, and I reckon a decent selectable diff lock is a must with one of these wagons (wish I had put one in earlier)

Truck as it sits now.


3" Steel snorkel


Side steps


Bash plate for auto


Munted diff head from 3 day ago.

[rokhound]

also looking at $3k for an OME suspension upgrade and a front ARB winch bar last time I checked

Maybe, but why would you be silly enough to spend $1500 on OME suspension? I got new 2" lift coil overs and 2" rear lift coils for $500. To save some coin, find some used FRONT std coils and shocks off an 80 series, and bang them on the rear. Then you are only up for the front end. These mods do not affect handling all that much either (although they do affect it).

[coxsy]

was told once that prado's are lite landcruisers

[madaz068]

was told once that prado's are lite landcruisers

Thats why i have the v8 for hard stuff

[coxsy]

a dude in my club did a bundle on his prado when the tranfercase died

[Steve_t647]

Rick from 4wd Accessories has done a few (and fixed someone elses issues) he setup your V8 send him the Prado he will do a similar excelent job on it.

If you have any questions give him a yell, he is a nice guy and will give you a lot of information on what you can do and how to set it up.

[skid]

So reading this and realising they have a weak drivetrain....................

Sell it and buy an 80 series

much easier to mod, etc etc etc

[NJV6]

to fix this you need to convert the fulltime FWD to part time with a surf/prado transfer case.

Wrong side output.....

[LOLYF]

to fix this you need to convert the fulltime FWD to part time with a surf/prado transfer case.

Wrong side output.....

No, 185 series surfs are the same as a prado (passenger side drop) only the early ones are drivers side drop.

[rokhound]

Correct lolyf
http://www.pradopoint.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=5131

[NJV6]

to fix this you need to convert the fulltime FWD to part time with a surf/prado transfer case.

Wrong side output.....

No, 185 series surfs are the same as a prado (passenger side drop) only the early ones are drivers side drop.

Yep I realise this, but are you considering the 185 an upgrade?

A friend has just completed a SAS to a 185, partly because he kept breaking front axles and breaking the transfer case was the last straw. (on 285 BFG's)

[rokhound]

Not an upgrade, as they are exactly the same transfer case. There are some differences, but swap some relay rods etc and they are the same. I know this because I just did it today, and yes I run 285's (33"s) as well. I blew the rear diff though, not the front one

[IcedJohnno]

Rok
Have just replaced my Cw & P in my 71 series. It seems not replacing the compressable spacer a year ago, when I completely rebuilt the whole rear axle was a mistake.
Have just put an older (and very slightly weaker 4.3 into the 'V6 3rd' e-locker. Turns out the pinion had compressed the spacer further in the last year and this caused the tooth to break of the pinion. I hear snatch towing is what is hard on these. I rebuilt this with the help of Don from 'The Machine Shop' and put a solid spacer in it too.
A mate has another 4.3 ratio here in Chch at the right price. If you want to know more ring me on 0273 400 100. Am away for the day but will be in cell contact mostly.
Cheers John

[Jerry]

So reading this and realising they have a weak drivetrain....................

Sell it and buy an 80 series

much easier to mod, etc etc etc

Correct me if I'm wrong SKID but don't a few 80's come with the weaker 8" prado diff?

[turoa]

So reading this and realising they have a weak drivetrain....................

Sell it and buy an 80 series

much easier to mod, etc etc etc

Correct me if I'm wrong SKID but don't a few 80's come with the weaker 8" prado diff?

im not skid but you're wrong anyway

[madaz068]

So reading this and realising they have a weak drivetrain....................

Sell it and buy an 80 series

much easier to mod, etc etc etc

Correct me if I'm wrong SKID but don't a few 80's come with the weaker 8" prado diff?

im not skid but you're wrong anyway

I was told that the 80 series front diff head is the same as the prado front diff head

[turoa]

I was told that the 80 series front diff head is the same as the prado front diff head

well they are basically the same, i was just commenting on jerry saying a few of them did when all of them did. And yes, I am bored

[Jerry]

go and fix your dead pos Tu's

[madaz068]

Ok, so back to this. First thing i really want to do is a snorkel. What do people think is the best for this vehicle? I have a quote from ARB at about $750 This seems really expensive or is this right? What other brands is there?

[rokhound]

I made mine. It gets real tricky inside the guard though, but apart from lots of hours, cost was about $115.

[madaz068]

I made mine. It gets real tricky inside the guard though, but apart from lots of hours, cost was about $115.

Have you got any pics of inside? and what is your pipe made of? and how did you get the rubber for around where the pipe goes in by guard? Sorry alot of questions i know

[Jerry]

Go for a ARB snorkel, badnuz may be able to get it fitted for ya, don't forget to get free stickers off him

[madaz068]

Sounds good

What are Air flow ones like??

[Jerry]

the $100 you save gets you a better one (in theory) and its not ya pos so you want your shiny road warrior poser truck to look good i'll be looking at an arb for my shiny poser truck

[madaz068]

the $100 you save gets you a better one (in theory) and its not ya pos so you want your shiny road warrior poser truck to look good i'll be looking at an arb for my shiny poser truck

Your the poser Jerry

I think i have to agree mate, ARB is better from everything i have read tonight on pradopoint