Started the whole replacing the current Prado with a 2014 today

[The Goodwins]

What a nightmare......the lease is about up so its time to look at the next model. Cant say I am a fan of the new look but with the luxury vehicle tax projected to increase soon it may make sense to upgrade now. I am looking at a D4D this time to replace the petrol machine with the following extras, starting with removing most of the toys off mine, I even plan to take the BFG's I put on last month on it as I got 100,000km out of the last set.

2014 GXL D4D with...
From Toyota
Towbar
Factory Seat covers front and back

Aftermarket
TJM T13 winch bar
TJM Snorkel
Underbonnet Battey system ?

So the plan is to go from....
This......

To this......

TJM Vehicle but is essentially my setup without the TJM side bars and sidesteps.....and all my roof toys and BFG tyres....I would even go for white actually....Silver or as a favourite Gum Metal Grey....

Still don't like the new nose though.....

 

[bigcol]

I had to drive one the other week - mine site to Pt Hedland and back again - comfy, air con was ok.
but, get anything but white

I am SOOOOOO over white Landcruisers / Hiluxes

 

[The Goodwins]

I work for the Government @bigcol in an area that drives white cars with blue and white check bands (Actually its a tartan...not many people realise this...) so driving a white car is an every day thing so I am VERY adverse to buying one.....LOL.....

 

[BigSkiddy]

When you say factory seat covers are they the neoprene ones? I have them in my Jeep and find them a bit sticky on long trips as they don't breathe. Great though for when your in wet swimmers.

 

[The Goodwins]

Going for the Toyota ones @BigSkiddy they are canvas like the black duck ones.....better than the Wetseats overall I think...

 

[bigcol]

@BigSkiddy - I think thats a Jeep thing................ sticky..........

yeah, I always wanted to know WHO's Tartan (or Tart n') it was supposed to be @The Goodwins

a nice grey, or the Steel Blue (what ever it is supposed to be)........ much better than White.........

 

[The Goodwins]

Yes @BigSkiddy its a tartan...Ours is a blue on black but the original has its links to Sir Robert Peel.....Bobbies....Peelers....etc...Its a variation of the Sillitoe Tartan......used world wide the difference being ours is blue and white......as per all Australian States.....NZ is traditional black and white and as an interesting note City of London is Red and White.....

 

[White knuckles]

Factory tow bar is expensive try wynnum tow bars I have no complaint, love my steel side steps and brush rails one drive of the fishermans track on straddy and my old blastic steps had bent brackets.

 

[achjimmy]

Hi

My FIL had the same issue with white cars.

Have you tried towing your 17:56 with a D4D ? Not looking at Bashing Prados but they are not overtly overpowered. What does the 17:56 go fully loaded? It must be close to the 2500kg?

 

[Antman]

i think its going to be really interesting to see what happens when they are all imported once Toyota pull out of Aus. OS models are rated with a higher tow capacity. I don't know much about their other engine specs though.

 

[achjimmy]

i think its going to be really interesting to see what happens when they are all imported once Toyota pull out of Aus. OS models are rated with a higher tow capacity. I don't know much about their other engine specs though.

All of Toyotas fourbies are fully imported now. The holding yard is not even in the same state as their manufacturing plant. I would think nothing will change

 

[S&P]

Yep, Prado is made in Japan, Hilux in Thailand - have owned both until recently. Not sure about the others though.
IMO the Prado has the most efficient A/C for a large vehicle I've ever used.
Plus they're nice to drive
Cheers,
Paul

 

[navmatt]

Not sure about the new headlights on the prado....:twitch:

 

[Pace]

Go the white, white tug white van looks good (biased of course), I like the new Prado. Pace.

 

[Simon]

Interesting that the shorty Prado (2 door) is rated at 3t and has exactly the same gearbox, drive train and D4D engine. Hilux is rated at 2.2t from memory again same kit I think, with exception of leafs.

I was told by a Toyota rep that this was a marketing thing to make sure they didn't all compete in the same towing market. The reason for the shorty's 3t limit was to encourage people to buy it, but I think they have cancelled that model now. Not sure why you'd want to tow 3t in a car that weighs around the 2t mark. My rule (or perhaps Einsteins) is the thing towing is the boss and should always weigh more and be in control.

Re white, I'm in Gov and know what you mean. I would only get white if I decal everything else black. Looks awesome like pic below (not mine). I have the graphite and plan on doing the same as in this pic when I can afford it!