Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 (GX470) Walk-around - Mods and Gear
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 24 ส.ค. 2021
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 120 (GX470) Walk-around - Mods and Gear
00:01 Intro
01:56 Why I chose this vehicle
05:17 What kind of modifications I wanted (and what I chose not to get done) - explanation, rationale, listing all the mods and gear
WALK-AROUND
16:08 Suspension
17:32 LED lights
17:46 Roof-rack
18:44 Skid plates
19:37 Thoughts on winches
20:23 Interior
22:43 Awning
23:34 DIY table and drawer system, inc. fridge slide
27:04 Recovery gear
28:35 New vehicle
**Please SCROLL down to the bottom for the specs of the drawer system.**
This Toyota Land Cruiser / Prado 120 (Lexus GX470 in some countries) has been to three continents with necessary modifications as featured on the Expedition Portal:
expeditionportal.com/featured...
In this video, I'm going through what kind of modifications have been done to the vehicle, as well as modifications that I chose not to get done. I am explaining the rationale behind the decisions.
You will also see the interior build and mods, various equipment inside, or on the vehicle.
MODIFICATIONS & GEAR
- Engine: no modifications, other than a Bravo Snorkel.
www.overlandsite.com/overland...
- Electrical system: no modifications. The leisure battery has been connected through an ARKPAK 730
- Fuel system: no modifications
- Suspension: 2-3 inch lift, TJM coil springs and shock absorbers. The air suspension at the back has been removed.
- Skid plates under the engine, transmission/transfer case, fuel tank by Asfir
Installation: • Asfir Fuel Tank Skid P...
- Tires: BF Goodrich KO2
www.overlandsite.com/accessor...
- Lazer Lamps T16 LED lightbar
www.overlandsite.com/accessor...
- FrontRunner Slimline roofrack with bottle opener (!)
- DIY drawer system with a sleeping platform (for long term trips)
-DIY Fold down table
- Engel 40L fridge/freezer
www.overlandsite.com/camping-...
- Recovery gear: sand mats, snatch strap, shovel, regular bottle jack only, unfortunately (lately we've got a Hi-Lift Jack), jumper cable
- ARB air compressor
www.overlandsite.com/accessor...
amzn.to/3k7znfg
- Primus Tupike 2-Burner Portable Camping Stove
www.overlandsite.com/camping-...
- Various camp gear from FrontRunner, Euro4x4Parts and Campcover
- Roof-top tent by Euro4x4Parts (now sold)
- Frontrunner 1.4m awning
- Side steps removed for better ground clearance
Please check our website:
www.overlandsite.com/
The drawer system and sleeping platform:
- the bottom, the top, the sides and the middle vertical wall between the drawers and the fridge are 12mm plywood. The unit is 106cm wide and 49cm tall.
- the top with v2.0 (when it served as a sleeping platform) is 106cm wide and 150cm long (very small, my feet were dangling and it was barely wide enough). However, on the right side, it had a foldable flap so that the rear right single seat could be kept.
- side panels of the unit: 87x49cm
- front of the drawers: 59x23 cm
- drawer sides: 20x83cm
- bottom of the drawers: 83x57cm
- drawers are made out of 8mm plywood
- the slides were bolted 8cm from the bottom of the drawer
- fridge slide:
front 37x9.5cm
bottom 39.4x68cm
side: 20x67 (but with a rectangular cut out from the back so that the fridge doesn't overheat)
The panels of the fridge slide were made out of 12mm plywood.
The shelves on the side (rear left door) were made out of 8mm plywood. It was basically a continuation of the drawer and fridge slide unit. It was 63cm long 49cm tall, 40cm deep. - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
![บุษบา - วงชานเมือง [LiveCoverVertion] Original : เมนทอล](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Dm81sKcd9rs/mqdefault.jpg)
Absolutely enjoyed this video. Best one I've seen and I have watched a lot. The Prado 120 is the only vehicle I want. I'm never going to change my mind. I need an everyday driver too. Going to check out your other videos... Well done Brother, Thanks. From - Trinidad & Tobago.
Thanks Saied. A very good friend of mine is from T&T originally and still spends a lot of time there!
Very useful review, ou touched a lot of points I am in doubt for my mods on the same Prado as yours. Thanks for the tie, really useful and clear information.
Thanks very much for your kind words
Good video mate, keep them coming!
Thanks. They’re being edited now 24/7
Great video Ferri. Was Interesting to hear about the upgrades you guys made to the the Prado based on your various trips.
thanks man
Great built, thanks for sharing 👍
Thank you for your comment 👍
Very well explained...
Thanks very much
Lovely expedition vehicle.
Thank you!
When I was looking for a 120 I saw a luxury version with air suspension as well. But I went with a 'base' version without it, less stuff to break :P. Nice walk around!
I think it was a wise decision
Wonderful walk through. We have the American toyota version (4Runner) and have followed your truck for a while and it is always nice to get some additional inspiration/ideas.
Thank you!
4 runner is a completely different model
Gx470 Lexus would be the American version sport
Nice to find more channels about the 120 series. I even have 2, which I am fixing up. Must check out many more of your videos! Started to follow! :)
Thank you! I have a lot more content coming with the 120 driving across the whole of Asia! :)
@@OverlandSite it will be fun to watch!
Thank you for sharing. We also have one of this one here in Brazil. The difference is that mine has the oldest 3.0 turbo diesel engine. It's a 1kzte and not a D4D.
Thanks for your comment. I am not familiar with that engine but I believe it was the one used in the 90-series. It's more reliable than a wood stove
Great video, would love to travel the silk road. Bought a 3.0 td 120 a few years back....hugely underrated. Chose it over a 100 series as theyre too large and slow. The 120 has the same build quality, great power to weight ratio with excellent handling.
Has over 300k miles with just brake pads and normal servicing.
Subbed to your channel 👍
Thanks! Appreciate it. We are travelling with a different vehicle now and surely miss the Prado. I can’t wait to go back to it and work on a better overland platform for the back (fridge slider and sleeping platform).
Videos on the channel will continue from January. We are too busy now teavelling and can’t find the time for editing
Oh well good video very interesting very educational very well put across I like the dues and don’ts hope to see you around I’ll follow you😁🇬🇧👍
Thanks John! I definitely learned a lot through the process of getting the truck modified.
Hi, I was so happy to see a very close neighbor, I am from Nagyvarad RO, is doing serious overlanding in a car like mine. I am really thinking to make some changes on mine as well, thank you for your advices and video. Jo utat Feri és Evelin!
Szia Sebastian! Thank you for your comment. We are on a journey with a totally different vehicle now (Iveco Turbodaily) and I do miss the Toyota sometimes
Great walk around! It looks like it's quite a capable vehicle for such a long trip. A friend of mine has a GX470 but i doubt his range is as long as your Prado's
Thanks! Yes with the diesel engine we have a great range already. We only needed to take a jerry can with us to reach a 600-mile range
I have Prado 150 with 4.0L V6 Petrol...amazing beast in desert and onroad here in UAE
Nice! Must be great to play around in the desert
Hi, i did enjoy your video, good info and more real description that we need for overland trip. In most cases people overbuild they vehicles for such trips. Can you please create one clip about parts/things you needet to change while you where overlanding on this car, that have failed? Thanks.
I’m glad you liked it. Thanks for the great idea for a new video
Well dont for this video. I have the same car. Its amazing what you have done with it
Thank you!
I have the 2005.Prado 3000 1kz and in Australia they all come with 2 tank's 180 litres amazing car
They come with extra tank as standard? 😲
Hi Feri, congratulations on the video and on your English as well.
I was pleasantly surprised by your Prado's undeniably good off-road capabilities you made a reference to when comparing it to other, more rugged Toyota models. I said 'surprised' as this vehicle lacks old school axle difflocks and is reliant on reactive 'brake difflocks' which I thought to be more vulnerable and less efficient on the whole. I wonder whether you could expand on that a bit bearing in mind the context you outlined when you talked about your experience with the technically more refined but less practical automatic gearbox as opposed to a manual one.
Looking forward to your reply and 🤞🤞for your ongoing tour! L. L.
Hi László, thank you for your kind comment.
The Prado is definitely not as rugged or as strong as it’s bigger brothers. In tough off-road situations I am sure it would fall behind. However, I was talking about it from an overlanding perspective where off-roading is not the main goal, it’s just part of it. During a long overland trip (crossing several countries, maybe continents) the Prado could go to 99.5% of the places where the larger Land Cruisers could go.
@@OverlandSite Dear Ferenc, Thanks very much for your prompt reply.
I understand the point you made on the difference between off-roading and overlanding. There is just one more thing I'd like to ask. And that's about your Prado's 'brake difflocks'. One may think they must obviously have functioned fairly well in those tough off-road situations you came across during your Singapore tour, since you eventually came back safe and sound. Does it also mean that this 'brake difflock' system worked so reliably all the way through that it never had any issues that had to be dealt with? Or it did have some problems, but they could be sorted out easily on the spot?
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Anyway, I also follow your current tour in the IVECO. Great adventure! Enjoyed every minute of it I've seen on the net so far. Just keep it up and GOOD LUCK! 🤞 😉
Nice video, it's inspiring me to modify my 120 series more. What about the rear ladder that you currently have mounted? Where did you get it, and are you happy with it? Keep it up!
Thanks Tom! The ladder is from a Polish company called Fabryka4x4. I ordered it from them, it was super fast in 2019.
You can find it here:
www.fabryka4x4.pl/sklep/toyota/land-cruiser/land-cruiser-j120
@@OverlandSite great, thanks for the info!
Great video, inspiring me for a future rig for north and possibly all the Americas. How do you find the rear door ladder? Is impractical to have to close the rear door to access the roof?
I like it. First of all it adds to the look :) Otherwise it’s great for accessing the roof and also possibly a trasharoo or something similar (mine doesn’t have the spare tire mounted on the door so the ladder is the only option for that)
When the door is open, I can use my door latch step to access the roof
Great review mate, do you have any problem with the snorkel by heavy rain?
Thank you! No, nothing at all. It’s designed to work in those conditions as well
Hi Im so glad i came across your video, really appreciate the effort you put into this, for sometime I am looking to get a Land rover which will be a dream come true for me, when i look in auto trader and other places i find LAND ROVER LC4 & LC5, could you give a detailed idea about series and models like you like said, I am from UK so what actually should i look when i buy a 2004 - 2009 land rover, or is there any other cheaper options available. please give me an idea and once again thank you for your video.
I can’t really advise you on a Land Rover. I never owned one
Great video thanks for the useful information . I have the same truck that I am building for my African adventure . Glad a winch is not necessary . I am surprised that you did not install an extra transmission oil cooler.
I think a winch is like an insurance policy. Perhaps it will save you when you're in a big trouble. But I was considering probabilities. In Africa we were travelling in a convoy most of the time, so we could pull each other out (we got stuck several times in Africa). Throughout Asia we got in trouble a few times but could get out without a winch. So I'm not saying it's not necessary, because I don't know how remote areas you're travelling to where a winch could potentially save you. I decided against it due to cost and weight. But we have a winch on our new vehicle now.
I don't think a transmission oil cooler is necessary. But are you doing that kind of a hardcore offroading over long distances where that would be necessary? I don't think there are areas where you're travelling in 1st low gear for hundreds of kilometers.
@@OverlandSite Like you I am thinking more of insurance should I get stuck, not planning to do any real remote travelling with the family will be sticking to main roads. Thanks for the Advice though.
@@OverlandSite My thoughts are that for long distances on corrugated roads in hot weather it would be better to keep the transmission temperature down.
Great video, could you explain auto vs manual in a bit more detail possibly?
Hi, thanks for your comment. I''m glad you liked the video. Regarding auto vs manual, automatic is better for hardcore offroading, when you constantly have to crawl through rocks or sand at a very slow pace --> you can't burn the clutch if you have an automatic. And it's also very comfortable of course. But the cons are that if you're going far, to remote places (and that was our goal, not just offroading) then you have a much more complicated transmission. A manual transmission is easier and cheaper to fix. And if you have a starter motor issue, with a manual the truck can be pulled or pushed in to start. You can't do that with an automatic.
Thank you for the video. It is very usefull. Can you please tell me your experience with the hight above the drawers. How much space do you have? But to use only one row of the drawers will work much better, but then there is a big lack of needed space!
Greetings 👍
It depends on what do you want to use it for. If you want to sleep on the top of the platform then it’s a very small space and can feel claustrophobic.
Otherwise it’s quite good for anything you want to put in the trunk. When it’s not full of camping gear, i use the drawers for anything from groceries to tools etc so that’s useful space too, not just on the top.
But i’m considering building a version that’s lower. I reckon i can win at least 5cm on the top
Great video! How do you ended up with TJM shocks and springs? Hows the driving impression?
Cheers mate.
I was considering a few major brands, without any preference. TJM was on my list, given that it’s an Australian brand and they have a lot of Prados down under. The company where my truck was upgraded also suggested TJM so i just said yes immediately
@@OverlandSite Hows the ride compare to the factory setting?
Kian S it’s harder when the truck is not loaded but otherwise, once all you gear is in the truck the ride is totally fine
Hi. Any chance you can share the dimensions of the drawer system for your 120? In the vid you said you had in the comments, but I might have missed them because I can't see them. Thanks
Full details are in the description. You might need to click on the down arrow to see the full length of the text but it’s there. Let me know if you still can’t find it.
Hi,
I did a 2" Dobinson IMS lift on my Prado 150.
My tires are still stock at 265/65/R17.
I want to upgrade it to all terrain but keep the tire size same as stock 265s.
I go for offroading on deserts.
What do you advise?
Hi! I think that would be totally fine. 90% of the time you’re better off with stock tire sizes in my opinion.
You chose a good machine as they are also used in the Arctic
Yes this Prado is an incredibly good machine
Thanks a lot for the very useful info and sharing with us your experiences! I have three questions:
- How long ccould you run the fridge without starting the car? I guess you did not have a solar, so you charged the battery from the car only, right?
- What pressure do you run the tyres on a highway when empty, and when fully loaded?
- Would you recommend BFG KO2 as a summer but also winter tyre?
Thanks!
Hi, thanks for your comment.
- how long will you be able to run the fridge will depend on the size of your leisure battery. We did not run it from the starter batteries, but we had a separate leisure battery (around 100watt hours). That worked for about 4-5 days, which was perfect for a camp. After that we wanted to move anyway. We did not have solars.
- I run 2.6 and 2.8(rear) bars when empty and a little bit more 2.8/3.0 when loaded. But it will depend on tbe terrain as well. The mentioned pressures is for asphalt. Offroad we can go belpw 2.0bars
- yes i can recommend the K02 for winter use as well. I did, and had no issues. But we aware that they are hard compound tires and don’t perform as good in snow as a dedicated winter tire.
@@OverlandSite thanks a lot for the info!
btw, did you have also air compressor? portable or you installed compressor in the car? thanks!
@@m1ci yes I had (still have) the ARB portable air compressor (this one: amzn.to/3k7znfg) and the advantage of it is that you don't need to hard wire anything, just clamp it to the battery of your car and it's ready to use. I am on a long trip with another vehicle right now and I could just simply take the air compressor from the Toyota and put it into the other vehicle. It's very reliable, and very strong/quick
Have you ever changed the injectors or upgraded the injector washers which are a big problem with these engines resulting in oil starvation due to oil strainer blockage with contaminated oil?
Yes! The injectors have been replaced at 350k kilometers. The engine was running much smoother immediately. It's expensive (€1.5k) but it's worth it.
Do you know of any online store or shops in your country that could ship the LHD center console armrest to the USA? trying to find the pieces for my GX470.
You can try to check a few sites like: Spareto, euro4x4parts (easy to find them in google) or the German ebay (ebay.de), but if i were you, i would go straight to aliexpress.com
Are there enough space on the back for sleep (very tall person is asking)? What is your height / what is back space length for sleeping? All the best!
Our setup would not be good for a very tall person (i’m 1.78m, about 5’9’’) I fit, but if you’re taller, you wouldn’t. But there are build where the bed is arranged length-wise, not across in the back. The Sprinters have extensions on the side in the back because of the same problem, but I haven’t seen that on an Iveco yet
How did you fixed the ladder on the back door?
It's very easy. It latches to the top of the door and at the bottom 3 bolts are holding it. I had to drill through the door though.. It's made by Fabryka in Poland.
Not including Eveln as significant part of the video... oh shame on you bro :D
Great set up. And very important, exactly my thoughts on the weight. Most of the overland vehicles I've seen wer overloaded...
haha Evelin gets to have her own intro video (I don't have one!) - th-cam.com/video/i7nq86GK0HY/w-d-xo.html
and thanks! I would change a few bits on the truck if we were to take it to a long trip again, but now the focus is on the Iveco Daily
Which size for the tires?
265/65 R17
you can start automatic by rolling down the hill, just need more speed, like 40kmh will do
I don't believe that to be correct. Have you ever tried it?
@@OverlandSite not with my LC, but works with my grand cherokee WK and mercedes e230, try turning it off while driving wait a little and put ignition back on
The biggest problem ive had with my GX is range. The 2uz engine is one of the longest lasting engines i know of, but it doesn't sip fuel. Top that with a 83 liter tank, and you not getting very far from a station.
You can sort out the range issue with a couple of jerry cans. But how many miles do you have in the engine? Did you start to have issues with it?
Yeah, Prado has 180L tank. I guess it’s North American regulations.
@@OverlandSite I bought the cheapest GX on craigslist. $4500 235,000 miles. $6k and a ton of hours later, ive managed to sort most everything out and get to 5 Appalachian states and Florida. Ive owned a tundra with that motor for 18 years. They can go as long as you maintain them properly.
@@OverlandSite These need timing belts replaced every 100k miles.(I replace every part in between, water pump, radiator, seals, gaskets, thermostat) After that's done one the GX, id take it just about anywhere.
As far as fuel, i have my eye on a swing out bumper for the spare, and an add on tank in the spare tire space. Its rare, east of the Mississippi river to get too far from fuel.
what is the tire size?
265/65/R17
I wouldn’t say the prado is less hardcore, it’s just as hardcore as the 100,200 and that bunch
It’s just smaller
The 120 chassis introduced kdss, x-reas, DAC, UAC and the 1GR-FE which now the entire Land Cruiser line uses
It’s just a Land Cruiser the size of a 76 series, with the comfort and livability of a 100 or 200 series
And you can definitely go rock crawling in these far better than the 100 and 200, it’s weighs a lot less and it’s much narrower
I want to agree with you a 100%. Nice comparison to the 76
Whats its km/l? In my country, the prado is sadly only common in the 2.7 petrol (3.0 diesel are rare and double the price)...
+whats the total cost for doing an overland from budapest to singapore?
It's about 11L /100km (25 MPG) this is a very long average and only because we never go faster than 100 km/h (60mph)
@@OverlandSite wow, its actually quite efficient (especially for a 4x4). I was told that the 2.7 petrol would do only 5km/l, which i think competes with 105s and the other big petrol LCs😅
I haven't calculated the exact figure, but roughly $20-25k. The largest expenses are crossing China (about $3-4k if you're in a convoy of 3 cars), visas, vehicle repairs and shipping back the truck from Singapore ($3k in 2018)
Andi Satyagir yes it’s very efficient i’d say
fELICITACIONES
👍
Oh, it’s a BOY version of a GX470!!
Perhaps!
@@OverlandSite - If I could buy one over here for 5000 bucks cheaper, I’d be very happy.
Don’t really care for leather interiors and fake wood trim… still the GX rocks.
j freed they are going up in value in Europe. A good one from 2006 is around $15k minimum
@@OverlandSite Yes, I think a good clean 2008-9 GX 470 in Toronto is minimum $26,000 but as you say the resale is getting firm so even these are not such a risky buy. These are super reliable.
Maybe if oil doubled in price, sure values of V8 cars could drop - but as a much bigger concern that price move would also wreck whole economies so I kind of doubt it, I’d expect oil prices may correct or even collapse.
j freed agreed. You’re in Toronto?
We just landed in Canada a week ago. What an awesome country! We’re waiting for our 4x4 Iveco van to be delivered to Halifax, then we’re driving to Alaska, then on to Argentina.
No offense but our off-road builds gear in 🇺🇸 are so advanced compared to EU , either nice setup.
No offence taken. My goal was not to build a rock climber or a truck that’s overweight (like most trucks in the US) but an overland vehicle that I can drive across the world and that can be repaired anywhere. Most builds in the US are simply just an overkill for an overland trip (you don’t need 37s to travel overland) so they are not advanced but just using all gear that available on the market bolted onto them. That’s not a smart way of building a truck for overlanding.