lights and springs

[Mongolman]

Hi Guys,

I have a couple of questions I would like your opinions on. First where should I mount some after market driving lights on my RJ77 (same suspension and body as the Prado)? I can choose low down on the bumper or up on the roof rack. I want a brighter longer range for off road expedition driving to find the trails etc in the open spaces here. The roof rack mount is harder to run the wiring (ideas please) but would the bumper mount be to low to shine beyond the regular head lights?

Regarding springs: The car sits pretty level front to back but with 3 people in the back and a moderate amount of luggage it drops about an inch and 1/2. On the rough road it bottoms out too often. Is this only because of the shocks or could the original coil springs be getting tired? The shocks are quite new but not the most expensive brand.

A friend went with the ARB 10cm lift springs but when loaded says they are too soft (I have seen it with a big load and the rear was really dragging). Also my rig is high enough for what I need and I only clear the garage door by 3cms as it is.

I am wondering what different new stock springs would be likely to make on the bottoming out?

Marlow

 

[brownbear]

you answered your own question about the lights. On the top for you.


for springs maybe you could fit airbags in there for extra loading?

 

[roscoFJ73]

If you put the lights up top will you be able to get inside the garage?
Some places sell those frames you bolt to the bumper for the extra lights. Gets them up a bit higher.

New springs would definitely help. The originals were never highly regarded anyway. See Dobinsons Springs site,they carry springs for all Prado models.
Also the 80 series springs are reputed to fit into your model.
They ride a bit hard but fully loaded they maybe ok.

You cant blame the shocks,they are not load supporting regardless of quality

 

[Mongolman]

Thanks Rosco,

I have an email in to them now.

Regarding wiring in the lights. Does everyone run the wires down the windshield piller and under the hood? Or is there a better way?

Marlow

 

[brownbear]

Drill a hole in the roof. Install a grommet and seal it up after. Then run your wires were ever you choose to get power.

Remember lights big enough to see anything are going to require using relays to activate them....

 

[Mongolman]

Springs

Well I did not do anything about the lights yet, but I got my rear springs from Dobinsons in the mail (that takes a while to Mongolia) and put them on today. I ordered the 4.5mm taller than normal, but in reality it raised it 6cm because my old ones were sagging. They seem to work well around town and when I loaded it up with three people in the back and 125kg in the back it sat nice and level (a big improvement). Dobinsons were good to deal with too.

On the down side, the new height meant I could not get in my garage with the roof rack on, but I realized that the bottom of the roof rack was sitting about five cm off the roof of the Prado so I found some shorter brackets that brought it down to about one cm off the roof and made the overall height just a couple higher than before. No nasty noises when I parked tonight so I am feeling good.

Thanks for pointing me towards Dobinsons Rosco.