LC 250 Retrofits/Modifications for the PRADO owner (5 Viewers)

[doc5339]

I realize most of the modifications discussions have already begun regarding: wheels/tires, lifts, armor, winches, roof racks, etc.

I am a weirdo in that I did not want a sunroof but prefer comfy leather seats with more adjustments. The Premium and First Edition I drove seemed to have weaker ventilated seats than my pleather (Softex?) seats in my Land Cruiser. We do more road tripping than wheeling, though we do road trip to wheel in many cases.

I have something different from the usual mods in mind and after a quick search, I did not see anyone else discussing retrofitting some boujee bits from higher trim LC 250's as well as GX550's:

-Insulated (double-glazed) door windows from the GX550. Wonder if the parts will fit and if they need different window regulators motors?
-Cool Box from Premium (I guess) seems simple enough; could easily live without this feature but it is handy.
-Maybe seats from a First Edition, Premium or GX550. Could use more lumbar adjustment and passenger could use any lumbar support.
-Aftermarket Rear Heated Seat mod or retrofit from GX550 (if it's an option at all?).

I realize these parts will be very expensive new, however, I have a feeling parts vehicles might be popping up more and more on FB Marketplace, Craigslist, etc.

Apologies in advance if I missed a thread where this has been addressed.

 

[MrPiggy]

The Premium and First Edition I drove seemed to have weaker ventilated seats than my pleather (Softex?) seats in my Land Cruiser.

The ventilated seats in the car that I test drove were significantly worse than what I got. But you can change the settings via Carista or similar, I didn't have to change the settings on mine.

Cool Box from Premium (I guess) seems simple enough; could easily live without this feature but it is handy.

AC lines are used for the cool box. And even if you could swap them, given the lack of storage in the car, I'd trade the cool box for a bigger box.

Maybe seats from a First Edition, Premium or GX550. Could use more lumbar adjustment and passenger could use any lumbar support.

The front ventilated seats don't have any air flow in the lumbar area, which is really disappointing and surprising because the rear seats on mine do. Looking at pictures of GX front seats, they're probably much better.

-Aftermarket Rear Heated Seat mod or retrofit from GX550 (if it's an option at all?).

Some trims of the Prado in some markets come with heated and ventilated rear seats. I didn't see any AC vents under the second row like there are for the front seats though, so this might be realistic if you can figure out the electrics.

 

[doc5339]

The ventilated seats in the car that I test drove were significantly worse than what I got. But you can change the settings via Carista or similar, I didn't have to change the settings on mine.

View attachment 3853911




AC lines are used for the cool box. And even if you could swap them, given the lack of storage in the car, I'd trade the cool box for a bigger box.


The front ventilated seats don't have any air flow in the lumbar area, which is really disappointing and surprising because the rear seats on mine do. Looking at pictures of GX front seats, they're probably much better.


Some trims of the Prado in some markets come with heated and ventilated rear seats. I didn't see any AC vents under the second row like there are for the front seats though, so this might be realistic if you can figure out the electrics.

Thanks for the enlightenment! I was totally ignorant about "Carista" and I also noted the lumbar area does not seem to be hated either. Not complaining, I knew what I was purchasing; just want to optimize for our use case which sometimes includes 1,000-mile days driving.

 

[Catching Neutral]

Does the 58 edition have the electrical outlet in the back cargo area?
If so, that is the answer to your cool box. Get a nice plug in cooler .

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G1BBBQW?tag=highlightreviews-123570-20&th=1

 

[SavGACruiser]

I have a first edition. The cool box is a waste. I need storage, not cool drinks. I have coolers for that.

 

[BobJingles]

Does the 58 edition have the electrical outlet in the back cargo area?
If so, that is the answer to your cool box. Get a nice plug in cooler .

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08G1BBBQW?tag=highlightreviews-123570-20&th=1

It does, just have to remember to flip the switch to turn it on.

 

[jay3253]

I have a first edition. The cool box is a waste. I need storage, not cool drinks. I have coolers for that.

Biggest waste of space ever! There is already no storage in the front seat area so let's put a refrigerator there just to remove any doubt there is no storage.

I ask people this... Would you rather have a basement or a refrigerator? Because you can always buy a fridge you can't just add a basement.

When I find a way to block it off it's gone!

 

[doc5339]

Considering adding additional weather strip in the following areas as a first step to improving door thunk and wind noise:

...and possibly also on the doors as well:

If there is no marked improvement the next step will be Dynamite Extreme or similar of the doors.

Anyone have recommendations on high quality adhesive weatherstrip? Thinking the double-bubble stuff many have used on Tesla Model 3's etc.

 

[Catching Neutral]

Regarding the cool box: At first I was bummed that there wasn’t a center console. But then I purchased this Dopp kit which will house my sunglasses, work ID badge, etc. Anything that used to go into the center console. It closely matches the interior.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQQZ63CN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I then realized 2 things. The interior of my 250 will stay cleaner and anytime I drive one of the other cruisers I can grab the Dopp kit and go.
So the cool box forced me to be neater and more efficient.

 

[jay3253]

Regarding the cool box: At first I was bummed that there wasn’t a center console. But then I purchased this Dopp kit which will house my sunglasses, work ID badge, etc. Anything that used to go into the center console. It closely matches the interior.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CQQZ63CN?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

I then realized 2 things. The interior of my 250 will stay cleaner and anytime I drive one of the other cruisers I can grab the Dopp kit and go.
So the cool box forced me to be neater and more efficient.

Are using this as an edc?

 

[Catching Neutral]

@jay3253
no….it is literally a catch all for things that would have gone into a center console.

 

[jay3253]

@jay3253
no….it is literally a catch all for things that would have gone into a center console.

I used mine for my edc but now almost nothing fits. I can't even fit the 40oz bottles in there. Only 20oz will fit.

 

[SavGACruiser]

Stickerfab has a nice cool box insert that functions as a shallow tray for items you want quickly accessible. I’ve added it and helps. A legit console would be better, but this is helps.

 

[Corbet]

I miss not having a center console but took this opportunity to simply not carry as much crap. Reality is that there is very little in my 80’s center console I really need, well in reach while driving. And I do enjoy a cold beverage within reach verse stopping to access my Engle in the back.

 

[joseywales]

So is this thread just for Asia and Mid East spec rigs? Asking for a friend.

 

[doc5339]

Considering adding additional weather strip in the following areas as a first step to improving door thunk and wind noise:

View attachment 3857467
View attachment 3857468

...and possibly also on the doors as well:
View attachment 3857469
View attachment 3857470

If there is no marked improvement the next step will be Dynamite Extreme or similar of the doors.

Anyone have recommendations on high quality adhesive weatherstrip? Thinking the double-bubble stuff many have used on Tesla Model 3's etc.

Made the thunk somewhat better for front doors, noticeably better on rear doors. Tin-like noise still exists at front doors when slammed G-Wagon style. Looks like Dynamat Extreme will be ordered next.

 

[Masbirdies]

@jay3253
no….it is literally a catch all for things that would have gone into a center console.

Where do you store that? Also, you can get similar at Marshall's for like $10.00. I just bought one and have it laying around. Might use it similarly as you suggested. Just don't know where I would keep it.

 

[Catching Neutral]

Where do you store that? Also, you can get similar at Marshall's for like $10.00. I just bought one and have it laying around. Might use it similarly as you suggested. Just don't know where I would keep it.

Passenger seat with no passenger. sUnderneath the fold down rear seat cup holder with a passenger.

 

[Masbirdies]

Passenger seat with no passenger. sUnderneath the fold down rear seat cup holder with a passenger.

If you had a different handle on that thing (not part of the zipper) you could remove the front passenger headrest and hang it there. Just reach over and behind you a bit and you have permanent access. I have a bag there that hangs permanently and it is very handy in that position. Still, I was looking for other solutions as well.

I did the cool box insert and that works well and also did the leather pockets between the seat and center console on each side and that was a BIG help. One other thing....I moved my owner's manual packet from the glove box to the leather bag that hangs off the back of the passenger headrest. That freed up a lot of room in the GB. I'm thinking about storing that thing in the rear somewhere, like in the jack storage area. I need that so rarely. Not even sure I need it in the car as I have the owner's manuals in the app.

 

[Catching Neutral]

I also have a 40 so part of my rational was being to grab the bag, throw it in the 40 and go.