Please talk me out of buying a discovery??? - NOW - new Prado

[cm4x4nut]

Well done, we went through the same thing 12 months ago. D4 or 150? Unfortunately for us Land Rover did not take us seriously so we walked away. Was not overly fussed on the 150 and made the "mistake" of test driving a 200, the rest is history.

On the smart bar, can you now get one and use the winch you were talking about. I didn't think you could get them winch compatable?

Cheers, Craig

[briann532]

We picked it up last night......................

Boss is VERY happy.
Me - happy wife, happy life.

Now to get onto prado point and learn about all the good bad and indifferent mods............. Maybe see some swaggers there???

As far as I've been told the smartbar does come in a winch compatible as did my patrol. Hope I'm not wrong.....

I was going to ring and let a few mates know, but with everyone's wives on spaceoutbook - everybody already knows!!!

I'll get some pics up as soon as it doesn't look like a soccer mum car.........

[misheemee]

Welcome to the club 

[D4D]

As far as I've been told the smartbar does come in a winch compatible as did my patrol. Hope I'm not wrong.....

Ask Jasen on PP, you'll find the thread

[briann532]

Spoke to smartbar today.
It can take a winch.
Size is rated for the standard warn 9000 winch, but assures me it will take most brands of that size.

I had a warn on my patrol and changed it to a generic brand one and it was exactly the same size.
He emailed me a photo of a tigerz winch on one of their bars on a pajero.

First and foremost job is to get the brake controller in so I can tow the hawk.
Then I'll worry about the rest, but getting mobile again is a priority.
Best time for camping coming up as the weather cools off......

I think I could get to like this car. VERY comfortable.

[briann532]

OK - the boss loves the car, but so far I'm banging my head against a wall with mods.

Can't find a spot to mount the P3 brake controller due to the plethora of airbags (not the missus this time, actual inflating ones)

Can't fit the GPS I want cos of the dash size etc.

Cant integrate the camera cos the OEM is 6 volts

Can't do the dual battery system I want due to the ECU controlling the alternator.

Can't fit the battery I want due to the air con pipes in the way ( What a stupid spot for them)

Cant have the UHF radio I want due to airbags again and nowhere to mount it. (dash has buttons everywhere)

Diff, box etc breathers are all about half way up the engine bay (seriously, how much coin did you save??? spend a dollar and run them up another 500mm )

Drain for water trap is in the most akward spot to get to. ( A bit more thought and you could have put it in the guard to make it that little bit harder to get to  )

Now I know it sounds like I'm whinging, but I'm really not 

Its a great car with heaps of potential, I just have to rethink my normal mod practices and work in with them.

Looking forward to getting stuck into it and doing some stuff...............

BUT

I rolled my ankle yesterday and tore a heap of ligament and can't walk on it for 2 - 3 weeks...............
BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER 

Ah well, I'll just self medicate and get on with it.

report back soon
Brian

[BigJules]

Sounds like you need to put a few ads on the Trader section and get down to the show before the deals finish.

Redarc brake controller
GME or ICOM UHF with mic controls and speaker

[Barry G]

OK - the boss loves the car, but so far I'm banging my head against a wall with mods.

Can't find a spot to mount the P3 brake controller due to the plethora of airbags (not the missus this time, actual inflating ones)

Can't fit the GPS I want cos of the dash size etc.

Cant integrate the camera cos the OEM is 6 volts

Can't do the dual battery system I want due to the ECU controlling the alternator.

Can't fit the battery I want due to the air con pipes in the way ( What a stupid spot for them)

Cant have the UHF radio I want due to airbags again and nowhere to mount it. (dash has buttons everywhere)

Diff, box etc breathers are all about half way up the engine bay (seriously, how much coin did you save??? spend a dollar and run them up another 500mm )

Drain for water trap is in the most akward spot to get to. ( A bit more thought and you could have put it in the guard to make it that little bit harder to get to  )

Now I know it sounds like I'm whinging, but I'm really not 

Its a great car with heaps of potential, I just have to rethink my normal mod practices and work in with them.

Looking forward to getting stuck into it and doing some stuff...............

BUT

I rolled my ankle yesterday and tore a heap of ligament and can't walk on it for 2 - 3 weeks...............
BUGGER BUGGER BUGGER 

Ah well, I'll just self medicate and get on with it.

report back soon
Brian

New vehicles are getting just to damn difficult to modify...

[cruisindub]

Its Karma,...

Shoulda gone with the disco?

 

[Barry G]

Its Karma,...

Shoulda gone with the disco?

 

They aren't a lot better. For example, can't fit snow chains IIRC.

[cm4x4nut]

Brian,

Hope I can help with a couple of bits, mine is a 200 but they are similar in a lot of bits.

Dual Batteries and voltages can be fixed with a diode fuse in the ALT-S position. Adds about 0.6V to alternator output









Remote mic UHFs make installations a breeze



Primus IQ brake controller is a proportional controller that should do most of the P3 stuff (except maultiple trailer settings) you just do not get all the pretty displays, and it is the right size to take the place of your ash tray and much cheaper than the P3

Does not help with all your issues, but hopefully will help you get started

[briann532]

Thanks for all the tips guys.

I'm pretty sure I'll get it al sorted, but it just wont be as simple as I thought.
I just need to rethink my way of doing things.

Mods started already. Just picked up my new springs with 50 mm lift.

King springs and Bilstein shocks.
I went for the heavy duty to take the extra weight of the bar, battery and winch in the front and gear and camper in the rear.
I reckon I'm not going to airbag it till I see whether it needs it or not.
The patrol never needed it, but it did have a 5" lift in the rear and sat higher than the front.

I also really like the idea of the UHF with the head being the speaker, buttons and all. I can then remove the mic and keep it in the glove box when not in use.
(My OCD hates clutter in the cabin when driving.)

I realise this should probably go in the leccie section, but I'm not in the mood for an argument so I'll ask here....... 

The voltage boosting diodes???
I have read mixed opinions of them. Having a leccie background I know what they do and how they work, but I am keen to try a more primitive method?

I was planning on just using a VSR that has a 13.2V cut in and a 12.7V cut out. I have tested the playdo and it seems to maintain at least 13.5 while running. This was even after an hour of driving so perhaps my system is as bad as claimed.

What are your thoughts, and does anyone know better / differently???

MODS PLEASE DONT SHOOT ME__________________BUT

I also was reading this morning in the general section some threads that kind of gave the impression we're all a bit bored or grumpy with each other.

I have found this forum to be extremely helpful. Some good, some bad and some indifferent, but always helpful and most people happy to help and give advice.
Lots of tongue in cheek banter and humour, but always friendly and helpful.

Top bunch of people who are happy to help.

Insert love emoticon here.........
 

Insert "lighten up everyone"emoticon here.

Cheers and MANY thanks

Brian

[D4D]

I also really like the idea of the UHF with the head being the speaker, buttons and all. I can then remove the mic and keep it in the glove box when not in use.
(My OCD hates clutter in the cabin when driving.)

I was planning on just using a VSR that has a 13.2V cut in and a 12.7V cut out. I have tested the playdo and it seems to maintain at least 13.5 while running. This was even after an hour of driving so perhaps my system is as bad as claimed.

Hey Brian, that's why I fitted the Icom IC440, all in one handset and you can hide the main unit behind/in the glove box. Although I have fitted a GME with the speaker in the main unit in a mate's 120 in the glovebox and you can still hear it ok.

The diode will give you around 0.5V increase which will get you to 14V so just enough to kick in your VSR and charge the batts. Keep in mind once you turn on some lights etc you'll drop the V more.

[briann532]

Hey Brian, that's why I fitted the Icom IC440, all in one handset and you can hide the main unit behind/in the glove box. Although I have fitted a GME with the speaker in the main unit in a mate's 120 in the glovebox and you can still hear it ok.

The diode will give you around 0.5V increase which will get you to 14V so just enough to kick in your VSR and charge the batts. Keep in mind once you turn on some lights etc you'll drop the V more.

Thanks - good advice.

My only problem now, is as I do it I get so involved I forget to take pics.
Must remember....

Cheers

[nbd73]

Hey Brian, now that you have not bought a Discovery how about renaming the thread? Fair enough to keep the discussion going but it has moved on from the OP. No criticism intended, just a thought. Makes interesting and informative reading.

[gazq]

I know I'm a bit late to the party.  But lets just say I know a Land Rover mechanic.  There is a reason why he drives a Lexus.  Thats all I have got to say.   

[briann532]

Hey Brian, now that you have not bought a Discovery how about renaming the thread? Fair enough to keep the discussion going but it has moved on from the OP. No criticism intended, just a thought. Makes interesting and informative reading.

Good point - thanks

[GeoffA]

I saw a Smart Bar on a new Prado the other day.........looked terrible........IMO

[MarkGU]

I saw a Smart Bar on a new Prado the other day.........looked terrible........IMO

the prado or the bar Geoff 

[GeoffA]

the prado or the bar Geoff 

......was talking about the bar, but the Prado's no GU, that's for sure ........(waiting for the obvious response.....).....

[MIC78C]

My inlaws have a 150 Prado. They love it, and so do I. Comfy, powerful, cheap to run, and very capable.
they have a Bar, rack, 2" lift, airbags. They have done the Simpson, Cape, Fraser and off to the Canning this year and fully confident with their truck.
I have an 80, and love it to bits. But if I had the coin, my Mrs car would be a 150.

[GeoffA]

My inlaws have a 150 Prado. They love it, and so do I. Comfy, powerful, cheap to run, and very capable.
they have a Bar, rack, 2" lift, airbags. They have done the Simpson, Cape, Fraser and off to the Canning this year and fully confident with their truck.
........

They're very nice, and very capable, but they're not a truck.........

[briann532]

Yeah, sadly my patrol is gone.

But it was bought by a young bloke who lives nearby so I'm sure I'll see it around. Its hard to miss............

The prado is the boss's daily driver most of the time.
When it does get me behind the wheel its only going down the odd track to go camping and usually its a couple of hours on blacktop to get there then a short stint off road.
Once a year it goes on a real trip where dirt is predominant.

This usage suits the playdo perfectly.
I'm also loving the 10 litres per 100 and less......
Auto is a big bonus in the city now and the comfort level is miles apart.

While I reckon the big patrol wagon is a great tourer and she'll be sadly missed, the playdo suits our current soccermum needs.

Horses for courses as they say.

Oh and just to add - YES the smartbars are as ugly as Julia, but they are practical and from my personal experience (had 2 before) a lot better for me.
Again horses for courses.
I'm not bulldozing blackberries or pushing trees out the way, just want something that can cop a hiding from the bugs and odd rock or three and provide a bit of safety when communicating with a roo. Also gives me somewhere to mount the antenna and winch of course.
Some would say that its also a guideline for parking - stop when you hit something, but some of my "friends"on here know my wife, so I would never say that.

Just started buying stuff for it like radios, brake controller etc, and I jotted down some expenses..................
When I'm done I reckon it will be around $8,000............
Heart attack material, but I LOVE it.

Can't wait to see how it tows the Hawk.

Planning the maiden voyage now.

[briann532]

Going to move this thread to MY 4WD as it seems appropriate now.............

Cheers
Brian

[Minibloodhound]

I'm a bit disappointed you didn't go with the disco  , but the Prado is a very nice truck and probably what most of the cruiser drivers should be driving - it does everything the cruiser can at a fraction of the price.
As far as the smart bar goes, yes they are not very nice looking, but I had one of my work patrol a few years back and absolutely loved it.  Took uncounted too strikes with no dents and no damage to the truck, they just don't do one for the Disco.
Have fun and just get out there and use it!