Prado help- <span class="highlight">Battery</span> and Bull Bar

Alternator output of that model is around 13.6-14V@24C ambient and hot engine bay. Fitting a booster diode will bring the voltage upto normal charge voltages and a DCDC would then not be required.

You could put an Century Marine Pro, Dual force or an Optima. Optima have a Euro type battery that is similar size to the N70Z.

Toyota probably fitted alloy bars as standard, with the steel you would get more droop, alloy bars move around a lot, I would image steel would put more load on the chassis.

I have a 2008 KDJ with battery on the rhs under the bonnet. Century.

Used an old Landcruiser battery box for the second battery, which fits in snugly. Had it for 10 years. Used the diode suggested in the other reply. Get 14.2 v across both batteries from the alternator.

I also have a steel bullbar. Same period of time.

I put standard height Lovell springs under the old girl; same time period. And Levell gas shocks.

Touch wood, everything going well.

bill

Hi Lyndon,

I don't see the need to over complicate things myself.

Whats wrong with the old lead/acid Century or similar for a second battery with an isolator that has the momentary switch so the batteries can be joined together to start the engine if need be?

Cheap to set up and unless you are driving a space shuttle, more than enough power for a fridge and some lights.

No doubt a steel bar will be a bit weighty but not much you can do about that.

A couple of 10mm spacers will give you some height back for not much outlay. Superior Engineering do them for about 80-100 bucks I think?

I have always avoided AGMs under the bonnet of my V8 Troopy.
Century have now produced an AGM for 4WD under bonnet use (2 year Warranty).
I have just fitted two Century Dual Force Dual Purpose Batteries.
I also fitted a HKB Adjustable Alternator Voltage Booster to bump my 13.9 volts to 14.6 volt.

Whatever the starter battery is, just get another one of those? I got away with doing that for years. New battery into the starter slot, old battery into the AUX slot and dead AUX into the recyclers. I'd get around 4-5 years out of each battery.

He could also bend up a heat shield to go around the back side of the battery to keep the temps down a bit. Only needs to be an L shape and it gets some ventilation from the front, but protects from radiant heat from the motor.

I put a steel bar on my ute and it was pretty ordinary to drive, diving under braking and hitting the stops on dips in the road.

A battery and a bar and you're looking at close to 100+kg extra up there. Springs are cheap ($200/pr) and will carry the load better and safer. If on a budget, then he can probably get away with the current shocks, provided they haven't been flogged to death.

It might be worth also looking at the max axle loading for the vehicle before adding all the gear. In my ute with a steel bar, winch and my 100kg in the front seat I have 10kg to spare. The 2nd battery goes in the tray.

Hi Guys

Thanks for all the reply's, Still love to here from someone with bar and stock standard suspension.
As mentioned above though, I'm in agreeance, think the car front end will dip considerably under brakes.
His Dc to DC charger set up will allow for regulation of solar input. Not sure what set up he is planning on that front though.

Cheers

Lyndon

I have an alloy bar on a 2015 so my experience won't help but I recall back in 2015 when I was looking around that some of the earlier models had a problem with the weight of the steel bars.

So much so that there were reinforcing plates available that could be welded on to prevent cracking of the body.

Found it

https://www.exploroz.com/forum/130565/cracked-chassis

With a battery under the bonnet and a steel bar you will have over 100 kg of extra weight on the front wheels.

I would suggest putting the battery in the tray. As far as Bull Bars go, I would fit a SmartBar.

See also these links, there is also a couple of videos on them.Smartbar Bullbar - Ultimate 4WD Equipment - SmartBar | ARB 4x4 Accessories - SmartBar | Total 4x4 - note in the last one, the NSW ambulance service uses them.