Adam and Amy's 200 Series Cruiser

[Adam79]

Well after a few months of looking around at second hand 200 series Cuisers. We finally decided and bought a new GXL today. I now have a blank canvas to start all over with the mods.
Which means have my 2009 GXL diesel 80000km prado for sale. Perfect tourer has everything if anyone is looking
.

 

[ROnEM]

@Adam79

Nice One!

Really comfortable and tows our 17-56.2 OB or the horse float like they are not even there.

We are really happy with our 200 series VX, so hope you have the same pleasure.

As you say - a blank canvas...

Just waiting for our "pimp kit" to arrive at TJM - took advantage of their 40th birthday sale - 20% off everything and a large recovery kit and bash plate thrown in too! They have extended their sale, so you night still be able to pick up a bargain!

• Outback steel bull bar - Colour matched (silver- like your car)
• Front bash plate
• 9,500lb winch - synthetic rope
• 2" lift & heavy springs - front & back
• Polyair air bags - rear
• 200mm 90W HID spread & spot
• Snorkel
• Engel 40lt combi Fridge/Freezer
• Compressor

Cheers,

Ro

 

[Adam79]

@ROnEM
Wow that does sound like a great deal. Make sure you put up some pics when it's all done. We pick ours up January so I have some time to do some shopping, if the wife allows me.

 

[ROnEM]

@Adam79,

Are you looking at getting a GVM upgrade - biggest mistake we made is not getting it done before we had the vehicle registered!

 

[Adam79]

@ROnEM
How did I go about upgrading the GVM.
It hasn't been registered yet as we are waiting for new plates. Do I have to get the suspension done prior to getting it registered? Thanks for your valuable information. Any other ideas/info that I should be aware of?.

 

[ROnEM]

@Adam79,

Here in Victoria the suspension work has to be done and a new (OEM) compliance plate issued before the vehicle is registered.

I am having to look at possibly deregistering my LC200, have the GVM upgrade, new compliance plates issued and then re-register.

I can get a post registration upgrade of 250KG to a GVM of 3550KG, but really want the GVM to be out to 3,800KG.

Other things to think about is the brake controller and wiring to the rear of the vehicle. Attached is what I did with my Auto elec.

 

[Adam79]

Thank you very much Ron. Much appreciated. Have a Safe and happy Christmas.

 

[cruza driver]

Very nice @Adam79 I look forward to following your build.

 

[jdonly1]

Congrats mate,there an awesome bus

 

[GCMASOS]

I also joined that club just befire christmas to tow our 21.64-1 ob.

Our cruiser is sniffing the ground without the van on. I have the airbags already. Would I be able to get the lift kit and keep the air bags. Have a bull bar and winch already so would that make the front sag a little. Novice here so any thiughts would be appreciated.

 

[TTBRIDGE]

You licky bugger, we have our 100 on the market currently. when it sells i will be down to the dealer to sign one up myself. They are an awesome to car, and like you said. Blank canvas, i bet like me you already have the upgrade list well sorted.

Enjoy the ride...

 

[TTBRIDGE]

@Adam79
Incase you are not aware, the LCOOL forum is a great information base for anything 200, or toyota 4wd in fact. There is a host of GVM and other information, i have spent hours researching on that site. Here in QLD however, (to the best of my understanding)you can get any mass GVM upgrade that is on the market done after regeristration. The olny limitation as i understand it is you can only resell the car in QLD. So if you want to sell it interstate latter GVM upgrade after rego become an issue.

@ROnEM
Why do you wish you went the higher GVM? I have been to every suspension specilist in the last 4 weeks looking at options. I am not keen on the Lovell upgrade although it is 3800Kg, the ARB option is good but i am not convinced it is the best (although i have ARB in my current cruiser and cannot falt it). There are pleanlty of suspension upgrades for the 200, but very few that offer the compliace as well.

The whole GVM thing seems to be a mind feild. I have been doing all my research now, because as you said there are / could be benifits before registration. So i need to know what i want before going an dropping a deposit.

Sorry for the Hijack Adam, but this might be helpfull in your purchasing decision. So once again, very jelious that you beat me...

 

[TTBRIDGE]

I also joined that club just befire christmas to tow our 21.64-1 ob.

Our cruiser is sniffing the ground without the van on. I have the airbags already. Would I be able to get the lift kit and keep the air bags. Have a bull bar and winch already so would that make the front sag a little. Novice here so any thiughts would be appreciated.

@GCMASOS
Most likely if you get a lift, you will need new bags. As the tolal length of the bag needs to be longer. Some you can get away with, others you cannot.

As for the lift in general, most lifts for something with a Bar / winch combo is 50mm Front / 20mm rear. This takes the extra weight up front and levels out the stance. As the rear lift is only 20mm, you migth get away with the current bags.

There is a 40mm lft for the front, but not really used if you have a bar.

 

[ROnEM]

@ROnEM
Why do you wish you went the higher GVM? I have been to every suspension specilist in the last 4 weeks looking at options. I am not keen on the Lovell upgrade although it is 3800Kg, the ARB option is good but i am not convinced it is the best (although i have ARB in my current cruiser and cannot falt it). There are pleanlty of suspension upgrades for the 200, but very few that offer the compliace as well.

The whole GVM thing seems to be a mind feild. I have been doing all my research now, because as you said there are / could be benifits before registration. So i need to know what i want before going an dropping a deposit.

Sorry for the Hijack Adam, but this might be helpfull in your purchasing decision. So once again, very jelious that you beat me...

@TTBRIDGE,

I have had a very long discussion with TJM and Lovells. If I look at the weight numbers, I basically have 600KG available payload. 138lt of fuel = 117KG, Expanda ball weight (empty) = 175KG, Family of 4 = 325KG. This added up is 617KG before anything else has been loaded into the van or the car - 17KG over GVM already! I also have a bulbar, winch, lights, polyairs & fridge waiting to be installed into the LC200 - another 135KG.

So as a result of this, I have ordered the Lovells GVM upgrade and it will be put in next week. As the LC is registered, I have to get an engineer's certificate, so all up the GVM upgrade to 3,800KG with certificate is $3,900. Looked into the costs of dereg & rereg of the car, but could not really be bothered.

Cheers,

Rohan

 

[Adam79]

@TTBRIDGE
I have booked the car in to ARB for a suspension upgrade and bullbar next week. I am looking then to get a mod plate to compensate. A good mate does roadworthy and mod plates as his business. Should have done it before it got registered, but the dealer had it done before I had a chance.

 

[achjimmy]

FYI I weighed our 200.

With bull bar, winch (dyneema) rear seats removed (-40kg) ply floor, fridge slide, full tanks (140l)and cargo barrier it is 3000kg ! That leaves 300kg for passengers, luggage, tow ball load!

 

[Adam79]

The build started this week.
Picked up the car today. ARB GVM upgrade to 3580kg done with poly air bags to the rear. Colour coded deluxe winch bar. Very happy. Feels like its 4 inches higher. Next rear bar and draws.

 

[cruza driver]

Very flash mate, time to update your signature

 

[achjimmy]

Great choice, awesome colour

 

[Heath74]

Keep the pics coming, so at least the rest of us can dream!!!