Project 150 Prado | Modificaions / Mods list for a personal build

Overview

I have created this site as a project to keep track of research and mods I plan to undertake on my Prado. In my twenties, I owned a battered old Daihatsu Rocky. It was a bit of fun, but could not keep up with the coin my tradie mates were putting in to their rigs so for the next 15 or so years had Commodore station wagons. Having our second child was the kick in the bum to make the move to do more camping and in recent years’ experience, I now really need to get of the beaten track.

Deciding which car to purchase was a bit of a no brainer for me as:

  • I had a budget of 40k with allowance of an additional 15K to put into mods within 6 months.
  • Time poor and will use the car 95% suburban driving and work-related road trips.
  • Wanted something that looks half decent and drives nice.
  • Wanted something that was reasonable on the juice.

After a few months of searching I found my 2009 Kakadu at a dealership on the Sunshine Coast. It had done 105,000 and was very tidy in and out. Although I was originally looking for one with the crawl pack, I could not look past the cream leather interior. The only mods looked to be towing related (controller and plug for caravan etc).

After a little haggling I was off to the bank to get a bank cheque.
The vehicle was purchased December 2018 for $38,000.

Towing

The idea was to get a caravan or camper trailer to get out and spend more quality time with the kids (in the small window that they will actually want to spend with us).
Budget considered, weighing up the difference of an older Land Cruiser compared with the smaller towing capacity of the Prado, we decided on the Prado.
The thing is, the payloads etc can be a little confusing – especially when comparing to other manufactures advertised towing capacities…

It really all comes down to the Gross Combination Mass (GCM) . This is the maximum weight allowed for your vehicle and trailer combined.
The 2009 150 Prado has a of 2,420 kg, a of 2,990 kg and a of 5,490 kg.

At its Kerb Weight of 2,420 kg Toyota says it can tow another 3,070 kg, but that towing weight decreases in direct proportion to how much the tow vehicle's weight increases.

So if you loaded up the towing vehicle to its GVM of 2,990 kg (or a payload of 570 kg), that would only leave a towing capacity of 2,500 kg to meet the GCM of 5,490 kg.

Another reason that the Prado is so much more straight forward than other manufactures boasting bigger tow capacity.. when if fact.. most can tow less..'

Mods Overview

Here is a list of what I have purchased in no specific order. Click on the links to see further detail and link where it was purchased. Again this info is purely a record of this build. Probably had a good and bad deal here and there. No stress.

Headunit & Cameras
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
Headunit
Best option to retain ALL OEM features
GPS Made To Fit $1390
Fitting Headunit
Wiring + Fitting
Pine Rivers Car Electrics $300
Rerverse Camera
Upgraded 1080p AHD camera for better resolution
Vhedia $50
Front Camera
Upgraded 1080p AHD camera for better resolution
Vhedia $34
Camera Selector
4 to 1 vehicle camera selector with wireless remote
Vhedia $74
Gadgets
   Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
Rear View Camera
Gator GRV90MKT | 9" Mirror Mounted
Super Cheap Auto $179
Motrex HUD
The best HUD you will find.
Amazon $135
OBD2 Tool
For Engine and Car date + scan tool
OBD2 Australia $45
OBD2 3 Way Splitter
To be able to leave 3 devices pluggeed in and remotely select
OBD2 Australia $48
Quadlock wireless charger
Air vent mount | wireless charging | phone case included
Quad Lock $119
General Cabin
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
Car Sear Back Organiser
2 pcs | Molle style | 3 x bags
Ali Express $84
Fridge Compartment Tray
Quick installation to existing holes (10 minutes)
Ali Express $30
Front Mats
Genuine Toyota | PZQ2060271 | Rubber Floormat Pair
Ebay $56
Rear Mats
Genuine Toyota | PZQ2060261 | Rubber Floormat Pair
Ebay $44
Cargo Protection
Cargo Boot Liner Auto WaterProof | Mat Cargo Boot Liner Auto WaterProof | Velcro
Ebay $107
Front Window Shade
46-80cm | Alumimun foil | Retractable
Ali Express $40
Rear Cargo Barrier, Shelf & Door Table
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
Cargo Barrier
Quick installation to existing holes (10 minutes)
Kaon $302
Cargo Shelf
Quick installation to existing holes (10 minutes)
Kaon $315
Side Molle
Quick installation to existing holes (30 minutes)
Kaon $350
Door Table
Quick installation to rear door (30 min)
Kaon $298
Rear Door Cage
Quick installation to rear door (10 min)
Kaon $125
Rear Door Caddy
Quick installation to rear door (15 min)
Kaon $95
Rear Door Caddy
Quick installation to rear door (10 min)
Kaon $95
Magnetic Tool Bar
Tool Pro | Set of 3
Super Cheap Auto $20
Fridge & Slide
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
Fridge
Engel MT−V45F 40L | Transit Cover bag
Snowy's $1,449
Fridge Slide
XTM 4WD Modular Draw
BCF $349
Marine Ply
1220 x 610 x 9mm
Bunnings $28
Roof Rack & Storage
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
Roof Rack
Backbone + Pioneer Platform | 4 plank | 1240W x 2100L
Autobarn $2,580
Roof Top Box
Rhino Toolbox | Slimline | 1200 H:310 L:550
Bunnings $319
Roof Top Bag
Adventure Kings | Length – 1600mm / Width – 1000mm / Height – 300mm - 500l
4WD Supa Centre $129
Awning
Adventure Kings | 2.5 x 2.5m
4WD Supa Centre $99
Shower Tent
Kickass | Closed Size: 112 x 16.5 x 12cm
Kickass $149
Eeziawn K9 Mounting Slide Kit
Under rack mounted slide + lock hinge
4WD Industries $130
K9 Medium Table
Camp table (510 x 870mm)
Dollium $305
Maxtrax Mounting
Flush mount | Mounting Pin Set
Kaon $145
Shovel/Axe Holder
For Pioneer Platform 43218
Roof Rack Store $99
Height rails
TBA
Chief Manufacturing $TBA
Miscellaneous
Strut nuts x 6
Brisbane Fastners $12
Lighting
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
LED Reverse Lights
Stedi T10 / T15 | 1,000 Lumen
Stedi $70
Light Bar
Stedi ST3K + Pioneer bracket | 41.5"| 40 LED |
Stedi $390
Work Lights x 3
Stedi Micro ST3520 | 13.4" | 36W |CREE LED |
Stedi $195
Interior Switches x 2
In Cab Switch for lightbar & work lights
Ebay $52
Interior Cargo Door Light
XTM 4 Bar Light Kit | with Power & Dimmer
Super Cheap Auto $50
Interior Light
Teralume | Diimmable | Dual Colour | X-Strip Light
Teralume $101
Exterior Switches x 3
Individually switched work lights
Autobarn $30
Harnesses x 2 & Fitting
Fitting of roof rack, light bar and work lights (Left and right)
Autobarn $536
Fitting Rear Worklight
Extending wiring to rear worklight
Pine Rivers Car Electrics $100
Bull bar / UVP / Winch
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
Bull Bar
ARB Deluxe Bar: Colour coded | ARB Fog Light Kit | Winch Spacer Kit | Flip Up Licence Plate
UV 4x4 $2,580
UVP
ARB Under Vehicle Protection: 3mm Steel | Zinc plated
UV 4x4 Brendale $555
Recovery Point
ARB Vehicle specific mounting
UV 4x4 Brendale $280
Winch
Dominat8r X | 12,000lb | 7.2hp motor | Synthetic Rope| Wired or wireless controll
4WD Supa Centre $339
Fitting
Fitting Bar | Fitting Recovery Point | Fitting Supplied Winch|
UV 4x4 $1,080
Performance / Capability / Damage Prevention
Item Supplier Price
Snorkle
Safari Snorkle | Installation
UV 4x4 $747
Catch Can
Flashlube Catch Can Pro | Installation
A1 Mechanical $580
Transmission Cooler Kit
Davies Craig / PWR 678 Cooler kit | Bracket
Kaon $295
Transmission Cooler Installation
Install of bracket & cooler
A1 Mechanical $200
Lift Kit, Wheels & Tyres
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
2" Lift Kit
KDSS compatable | Airbagman
Dobinsons Brendale $3,300
Wheels
Hussla Ambush Bronze 17x8 (x5)
Ozzy Tyres $1,700
Tyres
Falken Wild Peak AT3W (x5)
275 x 70 R 17
Falken $1,950
Power: Dual Battery / DCDC / Power Distribution / Solar
    Click here for the purchase, install and usability notes
Item Supplier Price
DC/DC
Projecta IDC25 | Anderson Plug for solar | Relocation kit | Anderson Plug | Lamp Plug| Cable (6mm) | Conduit
Autobarn $399
DC/DC Mount
Redarc BCDC Mounting Bracket to Suit Toyota Prado 150 | BCDCMB-003
Autobarn $90
Fitting
Fitting of kit + cable to back for fridge
Autobarn Lawnton $220
Second Battery
90AH | 27X MF CENTURY | AGM | sealed lead acid
Battery World $479
Battery Monitor (front)
Projecta DBM100 | 12V Dual Battery Volt Meter
Ebay $129
Battery Monitor (rear)
Projecta DBM320 | 12V Dual Battery Volt Meter
Ebay $274
Battery Monitors Install
Install of battery monitor
Pine Rivers Car Electrics $180
Distribution Box
Thunder TDR06013 | Anderson In | Anderson out | USB out x2 | 12v out x 2
4WD Industries $200
160w Solar Panel
160w Fixed panel + brackets
4WD Supa Center $109
Miscellaneous
Strut nuts x 3
Brisbane Fastners $6
Fitting Solar Panel
Anderson Plugs / Connectors
Pine Rivers Car Electrics $230
150 prado kakadu stock standard

From the factory, the 2009 Prado Kakadu rocks the following:

Engine / Power (Stock)
Engine: 4cyl 3.0L Turbo Diesel
Power: 127kW @ 3400rpm
Torque: 410Nm @ 1600-2800rpm
Power to Weight Ratio: 54.7 kW/t
General (stock)
Transmission 5 speed Sports Automatic
Fuel Capacity 150 L
Rims: 18 x 7.5
Tyres: 265/60 R18
Seats: 7
Body (stock)
Length: 4,930 mm
Width: 1,885 mm
Height: 1,845 mm
Ground Clearance (unladen): 205 mm
Brow Height (center of wheel to edge of guard) - FRONT: 475 mm
Brow Height (center of wheel to edge of guard) - REAR: 500 - 555 mm
Wheelbase: 2,790 mm
Track Front: 1,585 mm
Track Rear: 1,585 mm
Weights (stock)
Tare Mass / Weight: 2,320 kg
Kerb Weight / Mass: 2,420 kg
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): 2,990 kg
Gross Combination Mass (GCM): 5,490 kg
Payload: 570 kg
Towing Capacity (braked): 2,500 kg
Towing Capacity (Unbraked): 750 kg
150 prado kakadu stock modified - modded

To date, current build specs. (only displaying changed items).

GREEN = better | RED = worse:
Engine / Power (modified)
Power to Weight Ratio: TBA kW/t
General (modified)
Rims: 17 x 8
Tyres: 275/70 R17
Seats: 6
Body (modified)
Length: 5,160 mm (inc Bullbar)
Height: 2,032 mm
Ground Clearance (laden): 235mm
(+35 +)
Brow Height (center of wheel to edge of guard) - FRONT: 525 mm
Brow Height (center of wheel to edge of guard) - REAR: 550 - 605 mm
Track Front: 1,585 mm
Track Rear: 1,585 mm
Weights (mofified)
Tare Mass / Weight: TBA kg
Kerb Weight / Mass: TBA kg
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM): 2,990 kg
Gross Combination Mass (GCM): TBA kg
Payload: TBA kg
Towing Capacity (braked): 2,500 kg
Towing Capacity (Unbraked): 750 kg