Okay, I'll admit I have a Prado !

Thanks for the help and feedback.

Sorry, but I dispute your description of Prados as being 'soft', they may need a slight lift, but most stock 4x4s do.

Hi Shaker

I think you will many references to Prado's soft underbelly and various weak panels underneath.

Lifting is a problem with Prado's , being already in the higher risk catergory for tipovers raising the Centre of gravity is not a good idea without increasing the track width.
Because of fouling of the guards its hard to increase track width.

Their are a number of strengthing bits you can do to them and I would go down this path and keep their height at least standard.

In this particular case there is not much off road being considered so marginally lower profile AT tyres on offset rims would be my reccomendation.

Robin is there anything that hasn't got a Nissan patrol badge on it that you do like?

Where did you get the information on Prado's being unsafe.

Hi (Think its Richard ) (Olcoolone)

I don't like getting into feelings very much , these things are simply engineering issues to me and going into things with open eyes is most important.

I don't think I have used term "Unsafe" at least not in this post.

In another post somewhere I think I said that current Prado d4d is top of my list for a long range touring Wagon.
Its simply a fact that on Tilt Table tests the early Prado's were well down the list with later versions getting a little better.
Racv was amongst one of those publizing these figures, but if
you wish to look further you will note that on some cruiser and Patrol brochures a figure is stated but is not on any Prado document to my knowledge.

When I come to needing just a touring wagon I may well buy a Prado but knowing its weaknesses I will do what I can to make it better just as I do with my Patrols only real weakness (fuel consumption).

Robin, Marty has a 2006 Prado which is a 120 series. It has the same width axles as an 80 series and being no taller would not have the stability issues you mention. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't you speaking of the earlier & narrower 90 series in relation to the RACV test? Totally irrelevant in this discussion.
Cheers Craig.............

Hi Craig

No , I was specifically reffering to later models , and in my reply above I refer to the early ones and state that later ones are a little better.

To this end the GXL Prado's increased there track width from 1505/1510 to 1575/1575 with the new model hence getter a little better. (there more than just track width to this equation)

The 80 series track widths were 1595/1600 in the same GXL variant.

You have to be a little careful with this stuff as you can get significant variations between models particularly when production runs of a basic chassis can occur over several years.

Wizard,

Fair coments, but having not been around australia before I was wondering if I was missing something in regard to the use of a petrol vehicle for the journey as there seems to be so many diesel fans out there.

I've decided that I'll use the prado for the trip, but if there are any prado people out there, what assesories should I fit, such as bull bar, winch ?, under bosy protection etc ?

Big Marty

Geez Wizard1, give Big Marty a break.

Just because some of us aren't as experienced as you shouldn't mean we can't ask simple questions, I know I've asked a few.

Talk about making someone feel welcome, you must be the life of the party if someone has a differing opinion to you.

Big Marty,

I rather agree with John. If we are to give you a useful answer you first have to give us a bit more info to go on. And you also have to work out what YOU want to do in terms of where you want to go, for how long, with what degree of comfort etc. When you have answered those type of questions then you will have a fair idea of what you really need (as opposed to want). Also have you had a really good look at all the info on this site, or do you just think its easier to ask a minimal question to supply answers for you?
It takes time to set up a rig, and it tends to evolve as you get experience. Start by doing some short trips, as others have suggested.
Petrol is not an issue. We, in our old but very reliable and thirsty Troopy are about to set off on a 17000 km trip, going into some fairly remote areas. The point is to plan carefully, and trip planning is IMHO half the fun of a trip. You are the only one who can do that.
Having said that, OziExplorer is very worthwhile as it allows very detailed trip and route planning to be done very easily.

Val.

Val,

Okay, just wanted to start with the right vehicle, then I'll set it up.

Big Marty,

Have a look at the Pradopoint forum at http://www.pradopoint.com

You will find many enthusiastic Prado owners who are very helpful

John

Also, my mate went around in a 1948 Austin A40 panel van.
Those were the days.
Murray

My father towed a caravan over Mt Hotham behind an Essex during the 1939 bush fires!!! Your trek will be a doddle IMHO....:))....cheers...silverback

Marty
What i was getting at is, use what you have and be happy.All we had in 1965 was a bloody old Holden ,and we drove every river and bull dust road we could.
I now drive a 1992 Patrol and would leave tomorrow if i could get away.

Murray

Hey Mal,

Your just the person I need to talk to, I intend to take the v6 Prado around Oz towing a a tent camper and 3 kids in the boot.

Big Marty

Hi Marty,
If you want to discuss off-line, email me with your questions at

MalcolmdotCdotLewis@Telstradotcom

Just replace the "dot" with a .

Cheers,
Mal

Richard,

Well when i raised the question of Diesel over Petrol I got hammered by the oil burners saying that I should join the Oil burner fraternity. They made me feel like I was sub human owning a V6.

Well bugger them I say, I'm going to do it in a V6 and report back to the clan here on my progress !

Big Marty

Mmmmm, Your Prado will do it very very easily.

Ignore the petrol/diesel debate...sure you will use more petrol, but more then likely the economy of the diesel will be out weighed by the cheaper cost of petrol and the cheaper cost of the V6 Prado over diesel.

Get good tyres.
Maybe look at putting a suspension kit in (for weight and clearance).
Have the vehicle checked and serviced.
Get a UHF.
Use a Next G phone with car kit and external antenna.
Maybe a sat phone (buy/hire).
Fit a steel bull bar.
Fit a set of good driving lights.
Get a GPS (not a $249.00 special).
Fit a cargo barrier.
Fit a fire extinguisher (one in the cargo area and one in the front).
Get a good first aid kit (with stuff like tablets for most sicknesses).
Do a advanced first aid course.
Carry recovery gear and fit recovery points.
Carry 20 to 40 lts of water.
Get a good car fridge (Waeco or Engle)
Fit a auxiliary battery.

And take with you music on CD in MP3 format, only enough food for 2 days more then the longest time to the next town, road maps, 3 good torches.

Regards Richard

I have a 02 Prado petrol and have towed a camper trailer through Kimberley's, NT, SA & outback WA and found it to be generally reliable ,except for a few bits of plastic that fell off, electric Window winder packed up & window supports shook loose & the squeeks & rattles that wont go away. My biggest problem is the fuel economy which has been fairly poor. PoppyG

Mate, I have a 2002 V6 Prado.
I would do the loop in what you have got. Lets just say that I think that my driving ability doesn't extend beyond my cars capabilities. If your question relates to fuel consuptions I cant help you. However, unless you are a experienced 4wder, I would think that the either car would work well until the driver points it in the wrong direction.

Yeah well, I've come to realise that I have a pretty good vehicle. I intend to get a sump guard fitted, snorkle, bull bar, roof cage and cb fitted. Will be towing a 18 Ft Caravan.

Cheers

Big Marty

Oh no one mentioned to you yet, get an EPIRB ! Roof cage? well you have your caravan to load up.
cheers
krausz