Christofurry and his 2013 "Altitude"

[christofurry Member Find all posts View Profile Close christofurry]

Great thread, like your idea on the Corri tubing for the shocks, I'll be doing the same. The install pics of your UHF look interesting, where is it?

Gday heath, the uhf is under the cup holders in the centre console.

The tubing has been working well. No stone chips!

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Gday heath, the uhf is under the cup holders in the centre console.

Did you attach the UHF bracket to the underside of the console? I've tied my UHF to the (I presume) computer module under the console with cable ties, yours looks to be more secure.

[christofurry Member Find all posts View Profile Close christofurry]

It's just double sided sticky taped in there under the cup holders. It was a pretty tight fit and took some wiggling to get the cables in the right spot.

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

OK, I'm not sure I could mount mine that far forward due to the existing aerial lead but will look into it. It's quite the task getting all the console apart to get under there, I'm still sporting bruises LOL. My only concern with using double sided tape is that it will dry up from the heat under there and loose adhesion.

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

Nice looking truck mate, I would love a bit more clearance for my uca's so I could go bigger in tyres as well.

[christofurry Member Find all posts View Profile Close christofurry]

Gday Guys,

Just thought I would check and what do you know the work internet filter has changed and I can now get back onto Pradopoint in my "break" at work.


So a bit of an update.

Prado has been going great and now has roughly 35,000kms. Averages an actual fuel usage of about 11.5lts/100kms of around town/highway driving which I cant complain about as its on 285's and is an auto.

Tyres are wearing really well with no high spots and the edges haven't been taken off. That said I rotate front to back every 10,000km.

Provent is doing its job and Toyota even empty it during each service for me.

The only small issue I have had was with Toyota regarding the suspension. Obviously Toyota Coffs kicked up a stink about it and started hassling that the CV joints wont be covered under warranty. They "claimed" that the CV's have been damaged are are making noises, yet couldn't show me or prove that they were damaged or in anyway making noise. I argued that the diff drop brings them back into standard tolerances (which it does - I've checked) and they wouldn't comment. In summary, I don't shop there any more, and never will, and now its on my service history....Overall I'm not happy about it, but the simple answer is that I don't deal with them any more, plus if there were any risks, I knew them before I fitted the kit and accepted that. There are way more IFS front ends with bigger lifts and bigger tyres getting around without problems, so I'm not overly concerned.

One issue was the switch for my flashing light for work keeps breaking. Have replaced it twice with the "standard" Toyota driving light switch from an eBay seller. Still haven't fixed it for a third time, but will get to it when it annoys me enough, for now I just have to hold it in when onsite.

The list of the "still to do" is kinda long, but I'm in no rush and currently happy. Plus we added a second kid to the family so mums not working at the moment.

Current list of things to fix/do

Add a AMTS rear wheel spacer and light
Plumb the heat exchanger and shower
Add a roof rack with LED bars
Replace the Switches with some labelled ones.
Wire the reverse camera to a switch so I can toggle when driving to/from the camera/Sat nav
Underbody protection
Diff/Gearbox breathers

Thats about it as far as I can remember. Photobucket is still blocked so I cant add any photos right now.

Cheers
Chris

[christofurry Member Find all posts View Profile Close christofurry]

*EDIT* Winner figured out how to attached pictures! Have been doing a fair bit of spearfishing lately and here are a few pics from a recent mission out to the Coffs FAD in about 80-90mts of water 10km's off the coast. This is my PB Mahi Mahi (Dolphin fish)

[Whitey Shockie Maker of the Month Award Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey]

G'day Chris,

That is an awesome looking Prado!

I'm hoping you won't mind to provide the closed/open length of your front strut, and what your front droop is like with that big ride height?

Best

Mark

[christofurry Member Find all posts View Profile Close christofurry]

Gday Mark,

I dont have the open/closed lengths as I ordered the strut fully assembled from CalOffroad.

Jump onto their website and have a read then give Cal a call, Cal is a good bloke and generally happy to help. I wouldn't waste your time having Bilstiens made to your specs, CalOffroad have already done all the hard work for you.

Cheers
Chris

http://www.caloffroad.com.au/product...llmodels2.html

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

Chris, checked out the Cal site and noted that they have a different much stronger CV joint. I guess that with more wheel travel, there might be more stress, hence the Coffs Harbour dealer's carry on might not be off the mark? Just thinking ...

I have a non update 2013 Kakadu, so I looked at the Cal site. I am unsure whether to improve the suspension. I suspect I don't need extra height ... and I want to toe a camper of some sort (not bought yet).

Not sure too whether a snorkel is a good idea for me ... I intend having it painted to match the same paint as yours.

I suspect the downside of a snorkel on a Kakadu is that people will think the vehicle's been thrashed.

[christofurry Member Find all posts View Profile Close christofurry]

Yep, they have stronger CV's available. Technically, the greater the range of movement (wheel travel) is still within the manufacturers tolerances. So I feel their argument is null and void.

[MelbournePark Member Find all posts View Profile Close MelbournePark]

Yep, they have stronger CV's available. Technically, the greater the range of movement (wheel travel) is still within the manufacturers tolerances. So I feel their argument is null and void.

i doubt it. Because the Cal site makes quite a carry on about how their CVs are many times stronger. They say, Quote:
" These axles and CV joints are designed to eliminate the weaker 3 wheel inboard joint with a chromoly 6 ball joint and super strong chromo axle. "

Why would they go to the trouble and expense? I'm not sure how much such CVs cost extra, but when a Toyota dealer questions your CVs, its not impossible that they have seen failures in them before. And since Cal seem to think stronger ones are a good idea - perhaps they are?

I think most Prados don't do much real work. But your's will I think. So ... I wouldn't discount putting in the stronger ones! Big tyres, going up tough terrain, no slippage in the wheels due to sticky tyres and those little pieces of CV metal taking it all .... Just putting a counter view!!! Certainly I am not having a go at you!!!

[christofurry Member Find all posts View Profile Close christofurry]

Thanks. I have considered fitting the stronger CV's but for $2,000 I will wait until something breaks.

Cal's CV are defiantly stronger, and have a greater range of movement without binding.

The argument I had with Toyota was that with my current setup, the range of movement is still within manufacturers recommendations. They were saying that due to the lift kit, the CV's have been damaged, which is complete BS.

Anyway Black Toyota Grafton now service my car.

[brock05 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close brock05]

Chris, now you have had your setup for sometime what are your thoughts. Looks like i'll be changing over cars at the end of my lease and looking at going to a similar suspension/wheel & tyre setup you have. Have you had any CV joint issues etc

Cheers
Brad

[christofurry Member Find all posts View Profile Close christofurry]

Wow it's been nearly two years since I last updated.

Prado is about to click over 100,000km and is having a birthday.

The coopers stretched to a good 95,000km comfortably and a new set went on today, again in the 285/70R17. To get the best out of them rotating every 10,000 is critical.

The caloffroad syspension I can't fault. The front had sagged about 30mm over time but that's to be expected. So I replaced a strut top bush and adjusted the spring mount by moving the circlip up 17mm to the second last notch to level it out.

Still 830mm rim to guard in the front and 850mm in the rear.

No CV issues even though "Toyota" said they were damaged back at 35,000km...