Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

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

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Beauty... thanks a lot Nick & Mumstruk. That certainly clears it up for me.

Again, much appreciated. I'll let you know how it went. But first we have a visit to Mt.Warning this weekend!

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

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Got round to fitting the OI Recovery Points to both me and a mates Prado this weekend. We removed all 4 radiator bolts to loosen the radiator completely and then moved it (by hand and cardboard wedges) out of the way while drilling the inner (closest to the radiator) top hole larger. Used a 12mm high-speed steel bit and a handheld cordless drill/driver. No issues and quite easy... bit more difficult to get radiator out of the way on the one Prado (see below).

Used compressed air to blow out all the metal shavings and cleaned the surface. Applied some 3M Cold Gal followed by some black matt finish high-temperature paint (doubt that high-temp was needed but it was what we had).

Thanks again to all who have posted their advice and assistance - much appreciated!

A couple of points to note (comment/feedback solicited):

• The space to move around in, seemed quite a bit tighter on the 2005 GXL that didn't have the bull bar (standard bumper was fitted) when compared to the 2003 GXL with the Sovereign Bar.[/*:32ddusus]
• The fitment where the Sovereign Bar was present required spacing washers to "absorb" the 2-4mm gap between the chassis and the recovery point (for the top bolt) due to the mounting bracket of the bull bar that connects to (only) the bottom bolt. See the images below for a visual. I found two washers (for each side) that seemed to take up the spacing and make for a near flush fitting. Is this OK?[/*:32ddusus]
• The gap between the top bolt (once fitted) and the radiator side tank is obviously now reduced. Again, this seemed a bit tighter on the 2005 GXL, than the 2003 GXL but mostly only on the one side. See snaps below. While none of them touch and there is about 3-6mm (guesstimate) clearance, I'm not sure what a rough or corrugated road might do. Does anyone have experience regarding this? Has anyone had the bolt head and the radiator side tank touch / wear through / pierced? [/*:32ddusus]
• I've read somewhere on the forum that someone quoted "Team Piggy" for having put some rubber padding in, but I could not find the original post for the reply. Has anyone done something similar? Could you post some details and photo's to assist? Any other ideas for putting in some safety? Is it really needed?[/*:32ddusus]

Here are some happy snaps!
(Click to enlarge. Ctrl+Click to open directly to new tab)

2005 GXL - Right hand side


2005 GXL - Right hand side


2005 GXL - Left hand side


2003 GXL - Left hand side


2003 GXL - Left hand side


2003 GXL - Right hand side


2003 GXL - Right hand side

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Hi Jaans, i have fitted recovery points similar to what you have only i made my own. i took a different route as to bolting them on though and still have the same clearance to the radiator as standard because mine are only bolted from the outside. Have a look at this viewtopic.php?f=8&t=78&start=160 , this was the first topic that i posted on.

Cheers Andrew

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

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Thanks Andrew
Nice job there... unfortunately I'm not that adept to custom job's like those
Would be nice to see some foto's of it.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Thanks Jaans, Its not that hard to do the job, its just having access to a lathe a 3/4inch drill bit and a powerful cordless drill that is small enough to get between the radiator and the condensor (i used an 18V Hitachi cordless). I dont have any photos of the inside of the chassis but i have another set sitting in the shed waiting for a mate to bring his prado around for me to fit, i might try and get some photos while it is apart.

here is a photo of the recovery points from the outside, not that different to most others except for the hook.


Cheers Andrew

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

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Andrew (AJ120) have a question about your set up. Did you tack weld your piece of tube in place or just made it an interferance fit through your 3/4 inch hole. I have the access to the lathe and drills etc and like the idea of your set up so really trying to get as much info before I undertake my installation.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Hi VK prado,

NO welding it is an interferance fit. what i did to make it easier is put the two pieces of 3/4 shaft in the freezer for half an our before installation in order to shrink them by a couple of thou, they then just lightly tap in about half way, then screw in bolt a few turns to make sure alignment is correct and gently tap through all the way. when it warms up again it expands a couple of thou and is solid as a rock. if you are familiar with fitting bearings, you normally heat the bearing slip it over the shaft and let it cool, ive simply done the opposite.

Cheers Andrew

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

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Thanks for that Andrew.
I understand the whole reverse bearing cooling thing.
I like the whole setup you have done after reading the concerns about the closeness of the bolt heads to the radiator but then again has anyone ever had an issue with the closeness off the heads or the tightness of the bolts or so called lack of due to the crush that might happen.

[Garcia777 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Garcia777]

Re: Moving the radiator to mount recovery points

Hi All,

Just wondering If anyone has tried/ is trying to fit these recovery points on a Prado with an ARB Sahara Bar ?
I had a look underneath to check the clearance between the side & centre bash plates, and found that the centre bash plate extends down to where the side bash plates are bolted to it. Hence, NO gap for the recovery points to be fitted, unless I make a cut-out ( NOT sure If this is such a bright idea, as NOT much material will be left over ) ?
Please look at the attached pics below:




I have been using a dynamica rope bridle recovery kit on the factory welded tie-down points ( to spread the load more evenly ) when i am being snatched out, for the mean time, but am NOT so confident to continue using it.


Thank You,
Noel