PRADO 120 EXTERIOR PANELS

are you talking about plastic trim on the panels, or the actual panels (guards, doors etc)

Dieselonly

I'm on my second 120, and if I was to pick a problem with the Prado, it would be the plastic panels. I have'nt had a problem with the front, apart from scatching.

However, the rear wheel arch and plastic bumper are on their fourth replacement (two cars). Their ripped off and damaged very easily in rough country.

My only answer to this is to get a suspension lift and wait until Kaymar bring out a steel rear bar in the first quarter of 2008. Other wise carry plenty of Gaffa tape.

Regards

Kim

I have a gu patrol and the door panels are coming off. They were applied with double sided tape. A mate at the panel beaters has used some epoxy or similar to glue them on and at this stage all seems to be well. This is my second GU, the first one was alright, and these panels have only started coming off since I have been using the local car wash with the presoak. Maybe just be coincidence but that stuff seems to be very alkaline - to such an extent that one of the carwash places has a sign warning people with some sun damage to paint not to use the presoak???? Go figure....cheers Eric.

I've had a similar issue with the wheel-arch flares coming off in really thick scrub on my 95 Series Prado. They are only held in with plastic push in clips.

They're now "glued" on with a urethane compound called "sikaflex". It's avail from your local bunnings store for about $30 a cartridge - it's in with all the other sellys type stuff in the paint section. It's a flexible urethane that dries tough as. The guys that do all the fibreglass body kits on the go-fast cars use it to attach side skirts, flares, etc.

Since then I've never had one flare come loose, even in scrub thats left scratches that have gone through the paint and deep into the plastic.

Something to think about anyway.

John

I've had the L/H rear wheel arch come off twice now, mostly due to the missus reversing into immovable objects, despite fitting a rear view camera and sensors she still practises the reverse by feel method.
I've since barred her from driving it and all seems to be well.
Last time it was stuck back on the panel beater used a urethane adhesive (probably Sikaflex) and it is on good and proper.
My 120 is now 2 years old and have not noticed any panels coming away, even after bashing around the Flinders recently.
But I agree that the plastic clips are a cheap and flimsy way of securing things.
Cheers,
Dobbo