Glen's 95 series Prado getting broken in

[Torrie 72 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Torrie 72]

That's an awesome track Glen. Definitely have to put that one on the bucket list!
Great pics too.

Cheers, Ben.

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

Wow that's amazing Glen. It was crazy seeing your 90 climb up South Basalt in high range when mine could only do it in low. That engine and charger certainly as a little bit more grunt. I might hold off putting the charger on till you sort yours out.

Lol it was probably those runs up South Basalt which pushed the mounts over the edge. Keep the diff ratios as standard and you'll be fine ;-)

That's an awesome track Glen. Definitely have to put that one on the bucket list!
Great pics too.

Cheers, Ben.

It's been on my list for a long time and definitely heading back to finish it!

If you guys are ever heading this way let me know, I'll be happy to show you the great tracks around here.

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

Recently my vehicle has felt a bit unstable/wobbly/wavy on high speed corners. I found one of the passenger LCA bushings has movement in it, so took it off for an inspection.

It has some history in it - 14 months ago all LCA lower bushings were replaced with a genuine parts. After that a rubbing/squeaking noise would occur during some stops and take offs. The noise appeared to come from the passenger bushings but I couldn't confirm the exact fault. Based on the result today, it seems that the LCA was damaged during removal of the old bushing, and will never hold a bushing properly again

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

And here's a short clip of the engine/transmission moving under torque. I didn't push it hard though - on the tracks it was moving further.

[Ian Reid Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ian Reid]

Thats a lot of movement Glen. Must be straining all sorts of things attached between motor and chassis


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[Franko78 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Franko78]

Hi Glen, any recommendations for replacement LCA bushes after that experience? By the look of things you test most components in how you use the car, are you looking at standard arms to put back in or aftermarket? I am in the process of doing bushes and was going to use genuine rubber until I saw that
Your Build Thread is a good read thanks

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

Thats a lot of movement Glen. Must be straining all sorts of things attached between motor and chassis

You're telling me - I've been imagining what would have happened if the fuel line ripped while driving! Luckily I haven't found any cable/hose issues yet, but the transfer's rear shaft output is leaking oil now so that must be a result of the angles it's been bouncing into.

Hi Glen, any recommendations for replacement LCA bushes after that experience? By the look of things you test most components in how you use the car, are you looking at standard arms to put back in or aftermarket? I am in the process of doing bushes and was going to use genuine rubber until I saw that
Your Build Thread is a good read thanks

It seems common that LCA's can be stretched/worn/damaged from replacement of the bushes so I don't blame the brand. I'll definitely stay with genuine bushes especially for the LCA and would recommend others to do the same. The important factor for people to consider is whether it's worth replacing the entire LCA to avoid issues, or just have the bushing replacements done at the risk of LCA damage. In my case I had 4 replaced and only 1 was damaged - although 1 is still trouble I guess the risk depends on who's doing the pressing work (need to find someone that will take some care) and whether it's been done before (can only replace so many times before it's damaged).

Another option I've read about is to tack weld replacement bushings to the LCA to prevent the movement from starting. This is probably what I'll do with this arm as a temporary measure, whilst researching LCA replacements. I'm pretty sure there's no aftermarket ones available (apart from long arms) but I'll look around. TBC...

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

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

Glen I reckon you're a prime candidate for something like this:

http://dmzfab.com/product/tacoma-mot...nt-gusset-kit/

I'm not sure if they do these for the 90 but I reckon they would know. The brackets welded to the chassis look as flimsy as those on the 120.

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

Wow! Are you gusseting the old chassis mounts and reinforcing them?

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

Glen I reckon you're a prime candidate for something like this:

http://dmzfab.com/product/tacoma-mot...nt-gusset-kit/

I'm not sure if they do these for the 90 but I reckon they would know. The brackets welded to the chassis look as flimsy as those on the 120.

Hey Beach,
The stock mount brackets in the link are actually quite strong, so the chassis failed instead, OUCH!! Luckily the 90's bracket is weaker so the chassis is okay. I was going to just reinforce the brackets, but now you have me thinking about reinforcing the chassis as well. Thanks, very helpful!

Wow! Are you gusseting the old chassis mounts and reinforcing them?

Yep, but need to work out the best way to reinforce it, and how to deal with the existing face plate (not sure if I should cut it off or weld on top). I definitely want thicker steel on the face plate - and hopefully the rubber will be the next weak link - hopefully. Conveniently I don't have to worry about raising the mount height with thicker material - there's heaps of room above engine due to the body lift.

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

I'm actually considering a super charger on my 120, so I'm watching your progress very closely.

I found the DMZFab site while researching what to do when the left side engine mount chassis bracket, failed on mine. Its slightly different, in that its welded to the chassis differently to the 90 and its the weld that fails, resulting in the bracket dropping inside the chassis. Basically a very poor design.

Anyway, as you know the Prado chassis is common to a bunch of vehicles and is a favourite as the base for desert racing vehicles, especially in the USA. The engine mounts and brackets are a known weak point and one of the first things they modify when building a race truck. I found these people and a bunch of others to be a great source of info when doing any kind of performance mod to these vehicles.

So far you are the only Prado I know of in Australia to be running a super charger.


Also, can I ask how you now go with insurance?

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

I'm actually considering a super charger on my 120, so I'm watching your progress very closely.

I found the DMZFab site while researching what to do when the left side engine mount chassis bracket, failed on mine. Its slightly different, in that its welded to the chassis differently to the 90 and its the weld that fails, resulting in the bracket dropping inside the chassis. Basically a very poor design.

Anyway, as you know the Prado chassis is common to a bunch of vehicles and is a favourite as the base for desert racing vehicles, especially in the USA. The engine mounts and brackets are a known weak point and one of the first things they modify when building a race truck. I found these people and a bunch of others to be a great source of info when doing any kind of performance mod to these vehicles.

So far you are the only Prado I know of in Australia to be running a super charger.


Also, can I ask how you now go with insurance?

Hey Beach,
Do it, you'll love it!!

There's a few SC'd 90's on the forum it's just their builds are not well documented - plus there's a 120 (double_d69) which you'd already know about.

Insurance was is fine with the addition. I had to change companies a couple years back due to the body lift as Allianz wouldn't cover vehicles with lifts greater than 2" (mine is 3.5 total). Some companies to consider are Shannons, DGA & NRMA. If you need any further info on this aspect PM me.