Prado to LC Stories

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

Around $3k engineered for all of AU (can only be done before first reg)
Nope

I was told $2k and they can only get a 200kg upgrade
by a caravan dealer
and the Rangers + other utes that have 3.5t can only do 3t if you follow the 10% rules

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

I can't tell if that is true from the Lovells site's information, as rego is a state based system; do you have a link to a federal site or something to read about state versus country?

No link, just info from a mate who had it done by ARB. As I understand doing it pre reg is done by Canberra and provides a federal compliance plate which covers it as a second stage re manufactured vehicle. If you do it after reg then it is only stated based.

I was told $2k and they can only get a 200kg upgrade by a caravan dealer

Well they're wrong on both counts. I believe the Lovells is around 500Kg and the ARB is around 300Kg.

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

I went for a ride In my mates 200 for about ten minutes on a dirt rd . Mud tires , lift , OME shocks . It was like riding in a bulldozer . Noisey rough , needed to find a paddock to turn it around .

[drew_1 Find all posts View Profile Close drew_1]

thanks guys, appreciate the feedback. Any experience with reliability issues in the 200? Oil consumption, dust ingress or are these all early model issues? (Bushbasher, would greatly appreciate your views here!)

You can see where I'm going with this - have done a 75% build on a 2013 150 and having increasing bouts of LC200 buyer's remorse but a little wary from some 200 owners' horror stories i've come across. The new, post Japanese FTA, 200 pricing is noticeably sharper so the cost thing isn't so much a consideration anymore.

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

My LC 200 has just turned 2 and I love the thing, the grunt in that TTD motor is awesome. Over Christmas we dragged the van up into the Barrington tops for a stay and do some tracks in the area. Even with the Grand craps on it performed better than I expected on the wet tracks. The old 120 didn’t have traction control but it works well on the LC, it was enough to get me through a couple of spots without having to use the locker. Fuel has been OK considering the size and weight of the car. When it was new it got 11’s on a trip but this blew out to 14’s once I started adding all the bar work and other bits ,3.3t fully fuelled (215 lt long range tank & 55lt water tank under the car) with fridge and draws loaded . When I put the new exhaust on it I got it down to 10.5 on a trip to the sunshine coast at 100- 110kph.With the van on it goes to 20-22 and that’s at the posted speed limits and the LC will tow the new van, 3.4t loaded, at the limits, and that is better than the 1KZ with our old 2.5t van in tow at less than the speed limit. The 20k/100t was on a run up the coast and the 22 was over the Lindsay Range and another trip over the Barrington Tops, and I talking 1st and 2nd gear pulls for a long time over the tops. But I think I will get better when I start touring in April and am able to take my time. The LC also has plenty of room, in the back seat as well as the rear storage area. You would also be surprised at what room you can find under the bonnet for accessories. The car has been a good performer so far with no warranty issues.

[drew_1 Find all posts View Profile Close drew_1]

thanks quicky, that's helpful info. have you done the rear bar and spare carrier with the additional tanks? any suspension upgrade too?

cheers drew

[dugite57 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close dugite57]

I went from 200 to 150. The 200's came with my old job. Had a 200 GXL TTD (with KDSS) from 2010 till Sept 2014 then a VX TTD from September to December, when I scored a redundancy . My Daughter and SIL bought the "old" 2010 from my employer. I miss the room and the grunt. Every time I "acclimatise" to the 150 D4D I end up having to use the kid's 200 and I'm back to square one. I've noticed the lack of room when loaded up with passengers. fitting in my Engel 60 and my large evercool ice box is going to take some creativity. However, the Prado does what I want it to do and the 3 litres per100km fuel consumption saving over the TTD V8 also lessens the pain. My main reason for the 150 D4D was it's $25-30k cheaper and it's mainly just me and the Mrs these days. So, if money's not too big an issue go the 200, but do get KDSS. Best to haggle a good deal on a VX as that includes KDSS. BTW, I never had any issue with the oil consumption or the other issues you read on forums. If I got one and wanted to keep it "forever" I'd put on a pre-fuel filter (or water watch), a PCV catch can like say a ProVent and an EGR blanking plate. Since the 2012 update they seemed to have sorted all the niggles. Do remember you'll have twice the number of injectors etc to replace come the day, but hey....

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

thanks quicky, that's helpful info. have you done the rear bar and spare carrier with the additional tanks? any suspension upgrade too?

cheers drew

Quicky has a build thread for 200 here http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...y-s-double-d4d

Cheers Andrew

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

thanks quicky, that's helpful info. have you done the rear bar and spare carrier with the additional tanks? any suspension upgrade too?

cheers drew

Hi drew-1
It has a Kaymar twin wheel carrier fitted. You don't have much choice when you fit a long range tank. It is fitted wit OME suspension with GVM upgrade, I had constant 400kg springs fitted but changed these to 600kg ones just before Christmas as I pull a van that weights 3.400kg loaded and the big springs help hold the back end up. I may still put some airbags in as I am trying to avoid using load equalizer bars as it is an off road van. Even with the big springs in it still gives a good ride as the fridge is always in and the rear drawers loaded, but I used to a rough ride as I drive a KW every day.

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

Quicky has a build thread for 200 here http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...y-s-double-d4d

Cheers Andrew

Hi AJ
I should find some time and do a bit of an update on the build, It does need a set a your steps though. Maybe I should wheel around your way on the way back from WA later in the year and you can knock me up a set. I had an argument with a rock up in the Barringtons and the rock won.

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

We traded up from 2006 120 Gxl TD to a 2011 200 petrol (so has KDSS standard). 200 is stock except for D697's. The 200 is way more than what we need it for but I wouldn't give it up for anything, it is too good. Fuel use doesn't bother me, I run 98 through it all the time. The 120 was a great truck but the 200 is just better, and much more room. Every now and then I have a look at new Prado's and I test drove one recently and the wife couldn't believe how slow and noisy it was, compared to the 200 (the 200 is her car). I don't mind the lumbering ride and handling, I will upgrade the suspension soon, it has just done 60,000 klms and might be due for a freshen up. I have a Golf Gti as my daily drive so I have something fun to drive.

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

Hi AJ
I should find some time and do a bit of an update on the build, It does need a set a your steps though. Maybe I should wheel around your way on the way back from WA later in the year and you can knock me up a set. I had an argument with a rock up in the Barringtons and the rock won.

Sounds like a plan, so long as we aren't off galavanting around the countryside ourselves. You and Roz can spend a bit of time telling Trish how good the 200 is

Cheers Andrew

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

Sounds like a plan, so long as we aren't off galavanting around the countryside ourselves. You and Roz can spend a bit of time telling Trish how good the 200 is

Cheers Andrew

Rev had the same issue telling Marion how good the 200 is after he had a drive of mine when he stayed before Christmas. if I'm in your area on the way home I will give you a call.

[drew_1 Find all posts View Profile Close drew_1]

thanks guys, again I really appreciate the feedback. I'm going to salary package the thing and will be fitting most of the big ticket mods before delivery (hence the all the questions) so keen to get it right.

Quicky, your rear bar work looks great - so box ticked there thanks as I'll be fitting a LR tank. My local ARB guys are pricing up the suspension upgrade with the new OME BP51 coil-overs - trying to find owner reviews and not 100% sold on it. I want ride comfort over handling as my daily is rock-hard - not quite a KW though!

The only thing holding the 200 back now is offloading the 150