Offroad-Express

Had the std towbar on my prado modified to hayman reese type with a removable tongue. Cost me $150 (was 180 but bit of a delay so he dropped the price - excellent).

Quoted approx $380 to build from scratch incl wiring and fitting.

A1 towbars and exhausts on hillside drive (28A I think) glenfield Auckland.

Got the draw bar bit mad to the height I wanted (to suit normal trailer with my lift).

It has been strengthened to use for towing and snatch towing too.

Good to see this, have spoken to a couple of towbar dealers and they only wanted to supply there own. Did that price include the towball insert. Also what rating did they give.
cheers

Yep included everything. To be honest I didnt ask for the rating and I didnt see a sticker on the bar. I'll have to check.

For me the tow bar is just for light trailers around town, but the mount was reinforced to allow snatch towing, etc.

He isnt the most time critical manufacturer in town (have heard differing reports of his time management and my experience wasnt great) but his work looks good and is well priced.

thanks Heath
Tracked them down today under A1 Exhaust and Towbars, mentioned your good report which was appreciated. They are booked to do my towbar for similar deal, wouldnt want to do myself for that price as a bit of mucking around involved so cant complain about price and willingness to do job. They also going to fit 2 1/2'' exhaust to my non turbo safari then drop across the road at motortech to have snorkle fitted, should help the asthma. The convinience is big for me as stuck on ship while this lot being done so no rush. Will place feedback when all done.
cheers

corosafari wrote: They also going to fit 2 1/2'' exhaust to my non turbo safari

How much that costing you if you don't mind my asking?
Are they making extractors for you as well?
Looking at doing this next year.
Cheers.

Hey Coro, you in uniform or merchant? Ex navy myself.

The guys at Motortech (Stuart and Marcel - and the boys) will look after you well. I go there for all my maintenance (even with my non 4wd vehicle) and have never had an issue with them. They even answered all my dumb questions about which vehicle to buy or avoid without rolling their eyes at me (may have done it when I left though ).

I was quoted $800 for a 3" rage exhaust for my 3litre prado (from dump pipe back) fitted. So I am saving up for that (and a new dump pipe too).

Get the dude to add extra gussets to firm the whole thing up too if he can for those lateral loads.

Taz- quoted 650 for exhaust, dropped off today and asked about extractors, he was on to it straight away and came back with 550 for rage extractors. Im not one to stress about a few dollars here or there, good workmanship and looking after my property is more important to me, the cost of being fussy bugger suppose.
He has done a few safaris and seems to have the right idea.

Heath- yep merchant, Im Engineer on Golden Bay Cement ship. In port for a week for main engine overhaul and other bits and pieces. Have been dealing with stu at motortech and seems knowledgable and helpful. After talking to him decided to purchase safari type snorkle so my airflow type is surplus to requirements, there going to do castor correction bushes for me also.
Should be finished thurs or friday so will keep yah posted.
cheers

Heath wrote:Had the std towbar on my prado modified to hayman reese type with a removable tongue. Cost me $150 (was 180 but bit of a delay so he dropped the price - excellent).

Quoted approx $380 to build from scratch incl wiring and fitting.

A1 towbars and exhausts on hillside drive (28A I think) glenfield Auckland.

Got the draw bar bit mad to the height I wanted (to suit normal trailer with my lift).

It has been strengthened to use for towing and snatch towing too.

post some pics up showing us what they did

will do when I get the camera charged and off the missus.

pics as promised.






the tow bar section is hollow steel but should be okay for the light stuff I intend using it for. The frame has been re-enfrced with extra gussets and a metal strap underneath. Haven't asked for weight limit yet.

looks good know what I need to update my tow bar i changed in the middle of the year

Got safari back today. Exhaust, headers and safari snorkle done. Didn't think the old rattler would sound so good, nice deep groan just like the misses. Wont know about power improve for sure until I hit the coromandel hills on the way home but definately feels better,should be more economical too.He even threw in another box section and a couple of used recovery hooks so I can make recovery hitch, not shiny like Heaths though.So got to say excellent service from Dave at A1 Exhaust and Towbars.

Likewise for the guys at Motortech, nice install of snorkle and castor bushes with no suprises when the bill came.

Thanks for the lead Heath

Bloody hand them being so close together too.