Media GX460 / Prado150 pic thread

[MeefZah]

Looks good! However, FYI that's a tie-down point, not a recovery point. I wouldn't use it to winch or pull. Could easily bend/snap.

Yeah I know. It's quite beefy though. I would feel comfortable pulling off it - same level of comfort I would feel with any non purpose built point like the hitch pin I also sometimes use.

I used the similar but thinner loops on the front of my former 4Runner to run the winch hook back to the bumper on snatch pulls and never had an issue (no recovery points on my hidden winch bumper).

I appreciate the heads up - but I think for most stuff it'll be safe.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I have only used mine with a kinetic strap since they reduce shockloading.

I dont have a hitch and it will be a minute before my wallet has recovered form this year's mechanics bills.

Long term getting Nguyen Works or Lil Bs rear bumper.

I have a factor 55 hitch reciver point for the 4runner.

 

[Rednexus]

Yeah I know. It's quite beefy though. I would feel comfortable pulling off it - same level of comfort I would feel with any non purpose built point like the hitch pin I also sometimes use.

I used the similar but thinner loops on the front of my former 4Runner to run the winch hook back to the bumper on snatch pulls and never had an issue (no recovery points on my hidden winch bumper).

I appreciate the heads up - but I think for most stuff it'll be safe.

Looks like it ties up into the hitch bolts, which have captive nuts welded inside the frame. I'd be fine with a reasonable recovery from those as well, but the hitch pin from the receiver is probably better as it's not loading just one for the frame rails (GX frames are kind of thin 1/8" steel). When I've done recoveries I usually loop my kinetic strap into the receiver hitch and retain it with the hitch pin, which has worked quite well.

Still, the OEM rear frame on a GX without the 6,500# hitch is not particularly robust. The frame-mounted receiver hitch ties the rear crossmember and both frame rails together with 3/16" or thicker steel, so they function as a single unit. The OEM rear crossmembers on these is a 1/8" steel crash bar with a bunch of holes drilled in it - probably better than pulling the frame from one side, but presumably susceptible to damage if it's pulled hard enough.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Looks like it ties up into the hitch bolts, which have captive nuts welded inside the frame. I'd be fine with a reasonable recovery from those as well, but the hitch pin from the receiver is probably better as it's not loading just one for the frame rails (GX frames are kind of thin 1/8" steel). When I've done recoveries I usually loop my kinetic strap into the receiver hitch and retain it with the hitch pin, which has worked quite well.

Still, the OEM rear frame on a GX without the 6,500# hitch is not particularly robust. The frame-mounted receiver hitch ties the rear crossmember and both frame rails together with 3/16" or thicker steel, so they function as a single unit. The OEM rear crossmembers on these is a 1/8" steel crash bar with a bunch of holes drilled in it - probably better than pulling the frame from one side, but presumably susceptible to damage if it's pulled hard enough.

Have a 2015 and it has the crossmember just no hitch on it.

 

[Rednexus]

Have a 2015 and it has the crossmember just no hitch on it.

That has provisions for the hitch, but they do hang down low when installed. I have an Ascend rear bumper to install that deletes the OEM rear crossmember and the 6,500# hitch while tying everything together. It appears to be plenty robust to actually tow with too. I hit my hitch a lot so hopefully this will really help the departure angle.

 

[Hiluxforever]

That has provisions for the hitch, but they do hang down low when installed. I have an Ascend rear bumper to install that deletes the OEM rear crossmember and the 6,500# hitch while tying everything together. It appears to be plenty robust to actually tow with too. I hit my hitch a lot so hopefully this will really help the departure angle.
View attachment 4153026

Yep. Why I wont put a hitch on it.

With the spring rates it would be awful towing.

I am leaning towards the Nguyen works that deletes that big ass crossmenber

 

[llm]

Yep. Why I wont put a hitch on it.

With the spring rates it would be awful towing.

I am leaning towards the Nguyen works that deletes that big ass crossmenber

Nguyen has a version that retains the crossmember but it looks funny. from what I can gather, the ascent and Nguyen are very similar in design, depends if you want round tubing or plated design. nugyen is local to me so naturally, it's the popular option in my area.

 

[Hiluxforever]

I prefer the west coast esthetic.

I started wheeling when I was stationed at Beale AFB.

 

[MeefZah]

That has provisions for the hitch, but they do hang down low when installed. I have an Ascend rear bumper to install that deletes the OEM rear crossmember and the 6,500# hitch while tying everything together. It appears to be plenty robust to actually tow with too. I hit my hitch a lot so hopefully this will really help the departure angle.
View attachment 4153026

That's sexy

What are you waiting for????????????

 

[Rednexus]

That's sexy

What are you waiting for????????????

I still need to build the swingout, finalize the trailer plug mounting bracket (which has been surprisingly challenging to figure out), get everything out for sandblasting and paint, then relocate the reverse lights and backup camera. Hopefully it's on sometime in July .

 

[r2m]

Looks good! However, FYI that's a tie-down point, not a recovery point. I wouldn't use it to winch or pull. Could easily bend/snap.

I was going to point that out, that it's for when you get towed on a flat bed, they'll use that for securing your rig to the truck bed. Not sure if I'd trust that with a hard yank.

 

[Ol Yeller]

I still need to build the swingout, finalize the trailer plug mounting bracket (which has been surprisingly challenging to figure out), get everything out for sandblasting and paint, then relocate the reverse lights and backup camera. Hopefully it's on sometime in July .

 

[Arailt]

I was going to point that out, that it's for when you get towed on a flat bed, they'll use that for securing your rig to the truck bed. Not sure if I'd trust that with a hard yank.

Haha yep. I figured I'd say something in hopes of saving someone's windshield. Or worse.

 

[Arailt]

Yeah I know. It's quite beefy though. I would feel comfortable pulling off it - same level of comfort I would feel with any non purpose built point like the hitch pin I also sometimes use.

Probably fine to use in a pinch. The one on my 2019 looks very flimsy compared to my hitch/d-ring combo. Maybe the vary from year to year.

 

[Rednexus]

Prado 150 spotted in the wild in Helsinki, near the Czech embassy. It had a hidden winch under the bull bar. Amazing how much different they look and "feel' than a GX460. It was an automatic and I think a 4.0 V6 as it lacked diesel badges. The Finns also have some very unique ideas when it comes to trailer hitches.

 

[TLar25]

Prado 150 spotted in the wild in Helsinki, near the Czech embassy. It had a hidden winch under the bull bar. Amazing how much different they look and "feel' than a GX460. It was an automatic and I think a 4.0 V6 as it lacked diesel badges. The Finns also have some very unique ideas when it comes to trailer hitches.
View attachment 4155156
View attachment 4155157

What in the world is that Hitch haha

 

[Rednexus]

What in the world is that Hitch haha

I think it's a "Finnish-style" bolted on to the OEM rear crossmember. A few "normal" examples I photographed yesterday are below - I crack up every time I come to Finland and see these.

 

[Hiluxforever]

Saw a 550 on the trail Saturday

 

[WhiteRqbbit]

Toyota Lexus Prado - ready for GSMTR this week!

 

[Rednexus]

And another 150 that also appeared to be a 4.0 V6/automatic. My Finnish colleagues are quite interested in Land Cruisers and looked at postings for used ones. It turns out that LHD diesel 100 and 120s are inexpensive here (<10K euros). 150s are 20K euros plus. 200s with the 4.5 V8 turbodiesel are 65K euros plus. Finland could be an interesting source for importing diesel cruisers once they are >25 years old, especially since many have a manual transmission (a diesel, 6MT 120 Prado would be awesome). Unfortunately, the Finnish government heavily taxes new SUVs. MSRP for a base 250 series is 153K euros! I saw zero new cruisers and maybe 2 new Hiluxes the whole time I was here.