What did you do to your 150 today?

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

I attempted to fit Roadsafe recovery points to my 2015 Prado GXL with ARB Summit Bullbar (fitted by ARB), and guess what? The 4 simple bolts attaching the ARB Summit bar which required simply removing and then replacing with the longer bolts to account for the Roadsafe Recovery points turned out not to be simple at all. ARB had cross threaded both bolts on one side, (I didnt even get to the other side), not only were they very difficult to remove but once there were off there was no bite for the new bolts anteriorly, and posteriorly the bullbar holes and chassis holes didnt even match up (which why I'm guessing they cross-threaded everything). To make matters worse, the bolts that go through the holes further back were attached with a nut internally within the tubular chassis. Presumably these nuts further back were on metal wire, but ARB had chosen to cut that off, so when the bolt was removed the nut fell deep into the chassis not to be seen again, but fear not I can hear it rattling! So I was doing this at mate's house and promised him it would be an hours job or less. 3 hours later I've had to bodge the bullbar back on and have left the nut wobbling about inside the frame, and the roadsafe recovery points back in the boot where they have been for the last 2 weeks. ARB makes me mad. Last week when I put on Tin175's UVP I discovered they had not even tightened 2 bolts on the underside of the bullbar harder than finger tight. And this fitting of the UVP myself only arose becuase when I went to book in my Prado to have the ARB UVP fitted the services guy spent so much time waxing on about his Hilux that he ordered parts for a Hilux and not a Prado, so an afternoon off work wasted. He then had the cheek to say I told him I had the wrong car. Of course I never mentioned a Hilux. Why would I? He then told me that in any case they didn't have UVP for the latest Prado...which I dont think is true but I could have recovery points fitted front and back at a cost of $375 for each end, because I "should have had it done when I had the bullbar and tow bar fitted" even though this same man had told me previously that I couldn't ARB recovery points because they hadn't made them yet for Prado's built in 2016. You guessed it - he was talking about 2016 Hilux - his own vehicle. ARB.... ARGhhhhh!

Very frustrating, I feel for you. What you have experienced is what I believe is a wider symptom across many trades, and that is inexperience, poor training, poor supervision, lack of care, and simply poor workmanship. Some of us can remember an era when tradesman were trained and educated in larger industries likes the air force, the railways, the mines, powers stations, woolen mills, engineering works, where people had skill and true workmanship, which many folk outside these various trades just never quite understand...its not easy to find a good "tradesman" these days, unfortunately, it must be difficult being an employer, or a dealership, as so many people just don't seem to care.

....but when you find a true tradesman, one who can not only avoid cross threading bolts, but can recognize when it happens, fix it easily, explain what happened, a tradesman who uses anti seize on threads, proper torque wrenches so bolts are done up properly and can be removed in the future, a tradesman who takes care to get the right parts, who knows their product well, and who can problem solve...then we must let others know about them..word of mouth is powerful. Our plumber never advertises and is never out of work...everyone knows his work, and trusts his work, and he has proven to be completely trustworthy...good tradesman are a rare breed unfortunately.

What is has meant is that I am now far more inclined to do my homework, get some of the right tools, and have a go at things myself, because at least if it goes wrong it was my fault, and I will have learned something, because you can pay $ for the uncaring, uneducated and unskilled others only to end up in the same position, and still have to fix it up yourself.
For what its worth to others....I find Bullbars, tow bars and roof platforms just a bit tricky for a one man fitment, so I used the following:
TJM Brendale did a skilled tradesman's job with my bull bar and the fitting of recovery points.
Wynnum towbars did a skilled tradesman's job on the manufacture and fitting of my towbar.
Roofracks Galore at Kedron did a skilled tradesman's job on the fitting of my Rhino rack.
Paul at Jax Quick Fit Aspley knows tyres and ALWAYS provides a competitive price and they do a very good job.
...and as for the skilled and knowledgeable Prado mechanic/diesel fitter I use, I will only tell those who ask by PM because he doesn't need the work as he is too busy ..such is the quality of his workmanship...seriously.


Tradesman, a dying breed it would seem.

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

I got a flat tyre Its was a self tapper on the outer edge about 10mm in. I'll take it to get fixed tomorrow, waiting for the " its in the side wall, we cant fix it) answer!!

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

I got a flat tyre Its was a self tapper on the outer edge about 10mm in. I'll take it to get fixed tomorrow, waiting for the " its in the side wall, we cant fix it) answer!!

The Perils of Urban 4WDing, Kenny
Surely a screw hole shouldn't pose any repair problems for a legitimate tyre shop.
If so try "Stable Suspension" at 92A Research road Pooraka.

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

The Perils of Urban 4WDing, Kenny
Surely a screw hole shouldn't pose any repair problems for a legitimate tyre shop.
If so try "Stable Suspension" at 92A Research road Pooraka.

Cheers Troy, will do!

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

Very frustrating, I feel for you. What you have experienced is what I believe is a wider symptom across many trades, and that is inexperience, poor training, poor supervision, lack of care, and simply poor workmanship. Some of us can remember an era when tradesman were trained and educated in larger industries likes the air force, the railways, the mines, powers stations, woolen mills, engineering works, where people had skill and true workmanship, which many folk outside these various trades just never quite understand...its not easy to find a good "tradesman" these days, unfortunately, it must be difficult being an employer, or a dealership, as so many people just don't seem to care.

....but when you find a true tradesman, one who can not only avoid cross threading bolts, but can recognize when it happens, fix it easily, explain what happened, a tradesman who uses anti seize on threads, proper torque wrenches so bolts are done up properly and can be removed in the future, a tradesman who takes care to get the right parts, who knows their product well, and who can problem solve...then we must let others know about them..word of mouth is powerful. Our plumber never advertises and is never out of work...everyone knows his work, and trusts his work, and he has proven to be completely trustworthy...good tradesman are a rare breed unfortunately.

What is has meant is that I am now far more inclined to do my homework, get some of the right tools, and have a go at things myself, because at least if it goes wrong it was my fault, and I will have learned something, because you can pay $ for the uncaring, uneducated and unskilled others only to end up in the same position, and still have to fix it up yourself.
For what its worth to others....I find Bullbars, tow bars and roof platforms just a bit tricky for a one man fitment, so I used the following:
TJM Brendale did a skilled tradesman's job with my bull bar and the fitting of recovery points.
Wynnum towbars did a skilled tradesman's job on the manufacture and fitting of my towbar.
Roofracks Galore at Kedron did a skilled tradesman's job on the fitting of my Rhino rack.
Paul at Jax Quick Fit Aspley knows tyres and ALWAYS provides a competitive price and they do a very good job.
...and as for the skilled and knowledgeable Prado mechanic/diesel fitter I use, I will only tell those who ask by PM because he doesn't need the work as he is too busy ..such is the quality of his workmanship...seriously.


Tradesman, a dying breed it would seem.

Not everyone is useless...you just have to find someone (or a business) you can trust. I have nothing but praise for the people who have worked on my car thus far - 2 Toyota dealers and an ARB. Im about to try out aonther ARB who was recommended to me by 2 colleagues of mine. They're doing my snorkel...

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

The Perils of Urban 4WDing, Kenny
Surely a screw hole shouldn't pose any repair problems for a legitimate tyre shop.
If so try "Stable Suspension" at 92A Research road Pooraka.

As expected two tyre joints close to home said it was too close to the side wall to fix. One suggested plugging it which I may have to do, I'll then have to use it purely as the second spare. Very frustrating as it still has at least 30,000km left in it.

I will give Stable a call tomorrow Troy.

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

New Mickey T ATZ P3 in 265 70 17 fitted...
Replacement upper control arm ball joints ordered ready for install on Friday

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

As expected two tyre joints close to home said it was too close to the side wall to fix. One suggested plugging it which I may have to do, I'll then have to use it purely as the second spare. Very frustrating as it still has at least 30,000km left in it.

I will give Stable a call tomorrow Troy.

Hi Cory
John is the proprietor of Stable Suspension and by no means do I elude that he would do a dodgey.
He is simply a straight shooter that gets to see and repair a hell of a lot vehicles including tyres, so should be able to give you an unbiased opinion without trying to sell you a new set.
Just remind the guys if they are peeling your tyre off to take Extreme care with your rim.
Had a shitty result from another place when they where doing a job on the Wife's Rav4 wheels a while ago.
So a bit Militant about the care taken.
Good Luck

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

Hi Cory
John is the proprietor of Stable Suspension and by no means do I elude that he would do a dodgey.
He is simply a straight shooter that gets to see and repair a hell of a lot vehicles including tyres, so should be able to give you an unbiased opinion without trying to sell you a new set.
Just remind the guys if they are peeling your tyre off to take Extreme care with your rim.
Had a shitty result from another place when they where doing a job on the Wife's Rav4 wheels a while ago.
So a bit Militant about the care taken.
Good Luck

Cheers mate, all good. A dodgy wouldn't work anyway as it could be a safety issue/drop the patch when I least need it. I will let them have a look, worst is they say the same, I get the feeling they will.

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

Cheers mate, all good. A dodgy wouldn't work anyway as it could be a safety issue/drop the patch when I least need it. I will let them have a look, worst is they say the same, I get the feeling they will.

I grabbed a sidewall puncture when my tyre was bout 10K (I think) km old. That was annoying. it was practically brand new. But, I'd much rather have a safe tyre than oone that could give way in the middle of nowhere.
I did cop a screw in one of my grandtreks, it was about 25mm from the edge of the tyre. There was a lot of googling done by me, and the tyre shop, to see if it could be repaired. In the end, they were happy to repair it.

[Brendos 150 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Brendos 150]

Mounted some new personalised plates to the Prado. Feels like it has gained a couple horsepower.

[DGW Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close DGW]

Did the 110k (66 month) service today at 89k and found a couple of issues while greasing the tail shafts and checking everything underneath. Everything else was OK.

The seal on the rear seal on the transfer case (tail shaft to the rear diff) has a slight leak but no noticeable drop in fluid levels. While this is an easy job to replace, seems like a time to try out a new mechanic and maybe I will find a good one this time.


Also found a crack in the dump pipe where it connects to the turbo. Genie have already agreed to send me a new dump pipe (apparently redesigned and strengthened) which I should have it mid next week and I can fit it before going away for the long weekend. Hopefully it doesn't snap off before then as there's not much left holding it together.

[Carni Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Carni]

Packed it ready to head out early to go camping at Sandy Cape for the WA long weekend

[kenny5000 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close kenny5000]

I grabbed a sidewall puncture when my tyre was bout 10K (I think) km old. That was annoying. it was practically brand new. But, I'd much rather have a safe tyre than oone that could give way in the middle of nowhere.
I did cop a screw in one of my grandtreks, it was about 25mm from the edge of the tyre. There was a lot of googling done by me, and the tyre shop, to see if it could be repaired. In the end, they were happy to repair it.

Yep definitely a pain in the arse, will just plug it I think and only use it in a dire emergency as the second spare. You win some,you loose some and as you say Spilsy, a safe tyre is better than one that will give way!

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

Finished bolting up my new flat rack, mounted my awning from the old bus, and repaired my UHF aerial. Next couple of weeks install catch can, extra fuel filter ARB compressor, Redarc BCDC 1225, Redarc Towpro, and various power outlets, ando plugs etc... Should start a build thread probably...