Glen's 90 series getting 'broken in'
24 Jun 2010, Glen_EP said:
I probably won't go too far with mods, just the essentials - but that's what they all say, right?
I bought my 2001 Toyota Prado 3.4L in early 2010. It came from the first owner, completely original and had never been used offroad. Since then it's been through 3 stages of mods, blown a front diff, several failed CV axles and created a collection of snapped sway bars.
SUSPENSION/LIFT:
- 2-3" suspension lift (custom)
- SPC Light Racing UCAs (Upper Control Arms)
- Custom rear links, 5x links with heim/poly - UNIQUE!
- sway bar disconnects, front, Rhythm Offroad - UNIQUE!
- heavy duty sway bar, 22mm rear, Superpro
DRIVELINE:
- ARB Air Lockers, front & rear
- 4.88 diff ratios
- Custom front diff drop
- Marks Adaptors speedo correction box
- Diff breathers, front & rear
TYRE/WHEELS:
- 33" 255/85R16 BFG MT KM2 (previously; Maxxis Bighorn, Mickey Thompson MTZ)
- 16x7 steel rims with -13 offset
- Modified wheel arch flares
- Custom mud flaps with tie up chains
ENGINE:
- Pacemaker extractors, custom 2.5" exhaust
- TRD Supercharger with 7th injector and standard 2.37" pulley (~6 PSI)
- XEDE computer to manage 7th injector
- Cooler spark plugs & thermostat
- Safari Snorkel
- Auto Transmission Cooler
GENERAL:
- ARB Bull Bar
- GME TX3340 UHF and antenna
- NSW engineering certificate
- Various custom rear storage setups
PROTECTION:
- Re-enforced rear LCA mounts / rock sliders - UNIQUE!
- FMC front bash plate, with slight modifications
BODY LIFT:
- 1.5" body blocks (8x)
- Longer body block bolts
- Steering spacer (inside steering coupling)
- Extended bump stops for body's cargo area - UNIQUE!
- Modified radiator brackets
- Modified bull bar brackets
- Raised rear fuel tank guard
- Extended positive battery terminal
Comments
Completely stock as purchased in 2010:
With 2" lift and 32" tyres:
With additional 1.5" body lift and 33" tyres:
BUILD UP INDEX
...TBA...
...TBA...
...TBA...
...TBA...
FUTURE MODS: (ideas only)
* Custom auxiliary tank with high clearance
* Engine/transmission lift for clearance
* Raise cross members for clearance
* Full under body protection
* Raise rear shock mounts, longer shocks
* Custom rear suspension for more articulation
* Rock sliders
* Custom tow bar and protection bar
VIDEO
Check out my YouTube Channel for heaps of videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/glenep
Diff Breathers
July 2010
Installed diff breathers (custom).
Breather location on rear diff:
New hose and fitting, with old rear breather:
New hoses for both front/rear connected up to a fuel filter for breathing:
Battery Tray
August 2010
The 3.4L's come with a pretty small battery (230mm), so I decided to fit a larger one in the stock position. This meant fitting a larger battery tray. Piranha Offroad make a replacement tray for 305mm batteries, but it comes at a hefty price of $150-$200. Also, I didn't want to go that big, due to the weight. So here's what a friend and I put together for around $15...
Left: Original plastic tray.
Right: New stainless steel tray (260mm).
Two nuts were welded on to keep the tray in place (sizes M10 and M12, with a little grinding). You could use tubing, bolts or anything round.
Added a thin sheet of rubber to absorb shock and reduce slip. I used Neoprene instead of standard rubber, because it's chemical and heat resistant (200mm x 1.5mm from Clark Rubber).
It sits firmly in place place without any need to drill holes or bolt down.
PS: The original mounting bracket can be used (as long as the new tray is centered correctly).
December 2010
First proper 4x4 trip - to Lidsdale S/F near Lithgow. Third image is a video on YouTube!
Video of river crossing:
January 2011
Trip to Snowy Mountains
Tantangara Reservoir
Rocky Plains
UHF
January 2011
I finally bought a UHF last week, and installed it last night. I ended up with the GME TX3340 for it's size and mic control - which allows a very discreet and tidy install.
There's a spot just under the steering which was designed for a speaker, so I've mounted it there with some custom steel brackets:
The mic has all the controls and comes with an extension - which still needs a proper install, once I've decided on the location.
Mic plug / extension location:
January 2011
Grou trip to Lidsdale S/F near Lithgow NSW:
Blown diff & ARB Air Locker
February 2011
After braking my front diff on a PP drive I had an ARB locker installed in the front.
Photos from the scene:
The trip home was on a tray. NRMA roadside was very handy for this, not only for getting the vehicle home, also moving it between workshops.
Front diff damage, vehicle rear side spider gear:
Some damage on the lower gear, which belongs to the driver side wheel. This is clearly where the failure occured (right wheel spinning in the air, then hits ground, and stops = snap).
Replacement diff with Air locker installed (hose on right):
Compressor located on driver side of engine bay:
Switch locations:
Headers
August 2011
I finally decided to spend some coin on some Pacemaker extractors - to get rid of that flat spot at 2,700-3,000 RPM.
First up, the key ingredient to all home mechanics: (did anyone spot this? kav??)
The new and old (the old gear is much heavier):
Some studs need to be removed in order to get the new headers in place:
Driver side done:
Umm, that's all.. I didn't take many photos because it was a hard job.