REAL WORLD Prado Review - Ten Year Tourer, 3 Years down

[@tbillington]

I'm a huge fan of Kaon and the gear they make for the Prado. It's well designed, well priced, and an Aussie company. Can't go wrong.

[@jaredpursey3791]

Every big company I see always does patrol or cruiser stuff. Kaon does random 4x4s that normal people drive. Prado and pajero to name 2.

[@KAONaust]

Thanks for the support, comments like this mean a lot to our team!

[@andrewwatson235]

@KAONaust I Second this, absolutely love kaon stuff, had full underbody protection on our 120, just purchased a 150 and will definitely be looking at kaon gear when we can afford.

[@kabluwi]

The post facelift Prados look so great, and the aftermarket is insane now. Easily the most underrated 4by out.

[@KAONaust]

It's good to see how the 150 has changed and continues evolving as your needs change Harry. The challenges of what an 'ideal tourer' looks like with a growing family is honestly really relatable. Glad we've been able to come along for the ride.

[@AstroVisualSteve]

Amazing run down on all the mods and accessories on your Prado. What disappointed me however, was the title clearly suggested (to me at least) you were going to tell us how the Prado itself had done over 3 years of use but all we got was about a minute at the end... plus you like the electric steering wheel.

[@tedo1634]

This was review about accessories for prados150 ser.not about Prado. What about DPF opinion from 2020 model it’s excellent?

[@JayWilFo]

Thanks for an awesome 2023 of content mate. Always a great mixed bag of adventures. Looking forward to seeing what 2024 brings for the PRADO, the Cub and the family 🎉🇦🇺❤

[@gspicerack]

Great vid, Harry. My wife also loves the electronically adjustable steering wheel in our Prado. I also have the Kaon drop down door table, such great innovation.

[@perryrhodan1936]

Your keyfob is not lying. It IS a LAND CRUISER; a LAND CRUISER PRADO, aye, but a LAND CRUISER anyway. In some markets, such as in Europe, the thing is even sold as a LAND CRUISER - but that is also because the last larger LAND CRUISER we got was the 200 and we only got it until 2015 due to EURO 6 emission standards, or rather Toyota's lack of will to adapt the 1VD-FTV engine to the new standard. We sadly never got the 100 and 105. Thankfully also not the 300; but we are getting the 250 LC PRADO - sold as LAND CRUISER again of course.

[@4x4Overlanding247]

Love your work harry! Nice honest and thorough walk through. Will be interesting to see the new rear fitout. Kaon sure do some good kit! I got the same 150 rear table in my 90 series PARADO . . . Had a sheet of ally cut to the same size as the rear door card and it makes an awesomely functional strong and good looking splashback

[@dutteridge]

Really enjoy your content Harry. A very honest and informative walkthrough. I love the Kaon gear and agree it’s worth every cent. You inspire to get my Prado fitted out like yours. Great review. I look forward to hearing about your plans for a rear bar. Keep up the great content.

[@Malc664]

What a fantastic job you're doing Harry. Very enjoyable to watch.

[@MichaelKight-m1l]

Thanks Harry, great rundown. Have used some of your tips for my Prado. Also love the Kaon gear.

[@masto6325]

Just got my first Prado, your prado series has been great to get lots of ideas. Can't wait to get out camping and start fire cooking !

[@joshiepoo4]

Great rig mate. I’m keen to get a PRADO for the mrs when she’s ready to upgrade the car. Nice to see all the great mods you’ve gone for

[@benfarmer94]

If you get some electrical conduit and corners and t’s from Bunnings you can make a really cheap and really effective internal frame to hold your pm canvas bag up and open (we call it the “bin bag boob job” 😂) . As an extra bonus we have also found is that the frame also holds open up to two bin bags (we have one of those plastic hessian bags for recycling and a normal bin bag for rubbish) so your not struggling to find the opening every time you want to throw out a tin.

[@firetofork]

Oh I like that!! I use 2 Outback cleanups sacks, one for recycling, one for normal

[@R00RAL]

That was great, a very, very good walk around, run through review done by a bloke standing on the coast. Not a dressed up salesman trying to flog camping & touring gear. Your VX makes my 79 look a bit 1960. As much as I love my cruiser. Anyway, thank you for your time & effort on this video. Happy New Year. Take care Dennis.

[@holyparikrama]

Hats off to your mum! Great video, mate. I bought your book from our local BCF. I can't wait to try your recipes! 😋

[@sf017s4]

I am full in for the rear bar for my Prado mate, sight unseen! My 2018 GXL Prado will love it, and YES it's a Land Cruiser! lol

[@cameronblight]

Thanks for the prado tour. My wife and I have a prado from 1996 still trucking along

[@samh846]

Super keen to see this rear bar your talking about!! In the same boat for our bus

[@cptwiggy44]

Love your work as always Harry PRADO is very underrated, even the older ones.

[@ryanmalyon7379]

Love your cooking and your PRADO. I have an FJ cruiser and got some great ideas from your walkthrough! Keep cooking. Cheers from NZ

[@angeloudy]

I'm using lithium starter battery. And I use an EasyAs alternator sensing relay and another regular relay so that i only charges 2nd battery when engine is running.

[@firetofork]

Yeah I need to add a trigger wire to my system. My manager 30 has the ability to work on a charge trigger, I just haven’t done it yet

[@Okibi5]

Prado. Used your experience for shopping around for our 150 series, so good to hear what has or hasn’t worked.

[@benjim_]

Love the rundown. Love the non biased reviews. Love my Prado. Thanks for the info on your gear. HNY Legend :)

[@troyhillier]

PRADO. Great video Harry. Great to know the ORA bar can handle hitting a roo.

[@baumie461]

Love the fact you actually USE the gear you're talking about! BEST review I've seen in ages! 👌 *Already have your book 👍🍻

[@vidavanderwalt6080]

We have almost every Kaon product they make on our Prado. It’s excellent products. Super service too-our Kaon water tank cracked whilst we were doing the Canning Stock Route. I sent Kaon an email, and when we arrived home, the replacement was already there 👌

[@andrewcoldham]

I love my Prado Kakadu and all the additional features. Keep up the great vids 🤙

[@roryolver1553]

Great setup. I’m very interested in the new Prado, would love to see some of your mods on one of those!

[@unit8881]

Great video - thank you! The bracket you've had custom-made for the Bush Company XT Max - is your friend contactable and open to building more - we're in the same boat. We'd like the XT Max but fall about 200mm short. (using an offroad animal scout rack on a prado 150) :)

[@nkend13]

Awesome job on the Prado .. great hints

[@jcr6548]

Awesome rig and great real world run down mate 👍

[@trackstic85]

Just started getting Kaon gear for my Prado after their products were recommended by a friend. Quality realistic priced products as well. Good video. 👍

[@richardwehipeihana8154]

It will be interesting to see your rear wheel carrier set up. While I'm in no need of a rear wheel carrier i am in need of rear bar protection for the Prado. Hauling a cub around crossing rocky gullies does leave the rear bumber exposed to being ripped off.

[@SHANDEE2]

Be keen to know a time frame for this too,

[@Confidence8595]

This is one beautiful vehicle. Perfect and well thought out. Spectacular..b

[@syc008]

Thanks for the Prado tour, so insightful.

[@dyarod]

Thanks so much for sharing your Prado (pride) and joy!

[@jasonwishart6800]

Thanks Harry. Your earlier reviews helped me in selecting a 2023 gxl which Ive had now for a couple of months. Such a capable vehicle and I’ve not yet modified it in any way. Appreciate the feedback on your experience.

[@stefancremer4615]

Beg to differ on the key fob comment. That car is made in the Land Cruiser factory. Sure, it’s not the 200 or a 70, but it’s the light duty son of the 70. Land Cruiser every day of the year week.

[@SBAus]

Got my Prado around the same time as you. Still love it.

[@Normsport]

Great vid, thanks and Happy New Year

[@darcybettenay_mtb]

i agree with the toyo open country mts being the best mt, they are so much quieter and so incredibly grippy no mater what

[@ShoeysAdventures]

IMHO the perfect tourer, Prado is comfortable and extremely capable whilst being highly modifyable, what more could you ever want really.

[@firetofork]

Totally agree mate, thanks for all your help and inspiration

[@willemrossouw]

That's a good looking Prado! Thanks for sharing!

[@didact917]

Got myself a 120 “Prado” V6 and it’s been the most reliable car I’ve had, with a bunch of second hand parts like ARB bullbar, Kaymar rear bar, factory spare and 2x old Yokohama Geo X-ATs off my bosses Prado, and I liked them so much I put them to spare wheels and got a whole new set (one of the last few tyres still made in Japan) and they’ve been nothing but bloody awesome! Still a lot more things to do!

[@didact917]

Also I’ll look at you fridge slide

[@MrRobinski]

What sort of mileage you get per klm or tank in petrol v6 and what year? Thanks

[@didact917]

⁠​⁠@@MrRobinski03 Prado with 155L I get anywhere from 1,100km out of a tank to 850km if I’m giving it the berries

[@ryanlennon6269]

A possible solution to the camper trailer battery system drawing power when the vehicle is not running is to use victron gear. As you can customise the cut off voltages etc. on their dcdc chargers

[@Ask_Harry]

I got a Scanguage 3 recently in my LC200, I don't know if it's got an aftermarket lock up but I suspect something has been done because it pushes 500+ horsepower. If it does a have lock up kit it has no external controls but it doesn't hunt gears and locks up in 5th when above 90kmph and rarely hits 6th gear. What I do know now with the SG3 is when the torque converter displays lockup is ON the TC temperature drops down to the AT pan temperature within 1 degree C. When it shows lockup OFF the TC temperature raises dramatically above the AT pan temperature, plus TC temp raises massively towing up steep hills when lockup OFF, even at slower speeds. It's taught me to always put the transmission in sports mode 4th until 80kmph because the TC locks up in 4th in city driving whereas when driving around in D the TC is generally 20C higher than the AT pan in the city traffic!

[@firetofork]

The horsepower thing is a setting issue- mine shows 500hp too for some reason

[@allwheelinoz4707]

Ultimate shopping trolley conversion out of the “Prado” Love all the honesty as always 👌🏻

[@jesse199377]

Harry for the headunit the i data link maestro kits will give u all the factory settings and certain gauges aswell all displayed on the headunit and it works with brand name headunits like kenwood pioneer

[@bonezed]

another great vid mate, I might have to look at the Prado when I replace my Hilux

[@R_Polly]

I got the same volume issues on my head unit. I feel you. Trick is to not touch the volume for the first 30 seconds after starting the car.

[@stephencollins8359]

Thanks for all your videos and info it's so helpful 🎉

[@seanliddy6462]

Awesome video mate! You come across very open and honest- got a sub from me!

[@tnargs57]

My 2022 GXL Prado has the SmartBar, no regrets. Warn synth-rope winch. Winch + bar 65kg, unbeatable. Worth mentioning your extended towbar hitch legally reduces your max towball weight and gross towing weight by a lot…25% if shorter than 12” like yours, or 50% if longer.

[@firetofork]

mine is only 4" extended which doesn't legally reduce it

[@nicoleminney5447]

Prado we are loving all the videos harry

[@jamielappen4181]

Love the PRADO Harry! Very well setup

[@DK90VR]

Try the nittos

[@evancashman7614]

Great vid! Thanks for the prado review

[@johndelezio3455]

Can’t wait to see what you come up with regarding the rear bar, happy to test fit one if you need on east coast😂

[@rhyanwayne]

Cheers for the update on the PRADO & Fruit. Gear looks to be holding up well. On the fence personally to grab one of last 150's or hold out for the new 250 series 😂.

[@habibi6910]

Great review of the *PRADO* 👌

[@biggles333999]

Have you looked at an Ultra Gauge for your Prado? I had a Scangauge 2 just to keep an eye on my trans temps when towing. The gauge read 88 deg all the time. But when I towed up a BIG hill, all the warnings came up on my dash. Scangauge...88 deg. I even swapped it for a Scangauge 3...same result. I now own a different vehicle (for towing) and an Ultra Gauge. It has SO MANY parameters its ridiculous. I would NEVER trust a Scangauge again after the issues I had with it. Luckily I never damaged anything due to false readings.

[@firetofork]

Interesting. My scangauge 3 is working perfectly, all the temps vary as expected with driving conditions

[@lukefisher328]

Keen to see the rear system you choose. I’m in the market and also have a 40kg dog to ferry around and 2 young children.

[@rich9903]

Hey Harry. I think you forgot to mention your Dobinsons Suspension 3.5T GVM upgrade tested, approved and installed by Malaga Suspensions in your video. I installed the exact same system in my 2022 VX Prado (pre-rego) along with the AirBag Man high pressure airbags entirely based on your install at the time 👍

[@firetofork]

You’re right, I totally forgot. But it’s performing like new. Love it

[@seanchristie7150]

Fantastic honest review, Love the gear you have used on the Prado. Would be interested to see what the paint looks like under the wrap n what you do next. Would the trailer be better with the snowmaster

[@firetofork]

Unfortunately the snomaster doesn’t fit, but also the MyCoolman is brilliant and much bigger and more efficient

[@seanchristie7150]

@@firetofork cool, just a thought

[@louisesavery6816]

I’m keen to see the rear bar design you’ve mentioned. Aesthetically, the Prados’s rear tyre door mould is so unattractive with current rear bar versions-> functional yes, bloody ugly, yes!

[@PhillipMcCallum]

Happy new year

[@shaungallagher9025]

Thanks for the vid. Love the Prado Review 👍😀

[@luanstrijdom4929]

Highlight for me is the “biltong” hanging from the awning😂

[@jimbozen88]

Just bought a PRADO 😊 so this video is perfect !

[@MegaWilderness]

Is it wise to put a lithium battery in the engine bay? Aren't you worried about thermal runaway?

[@gregfriske6609]

PRADO - great vid Harry

[@noholesbarred]

Just to add a point about the battery in the engine bay and life expectancy of it I have a 1999 Defender TD5 in Sydney the cranking battery on mine is on its 3rd battery since new approximately 8 years each which is pretty incredible I put this down to them being in the box in the cab under the passenger seat Has a compressor my winch is a pro hydraulic so basic stuff run from it

[@Degekoify]

No surprise about the entertainment system. I had a 2014 Kakadu and had never ending issues, was part of the reason I got rid of it. Will be interesting to see if the 250 series is any good.

[@cyclemoto8744]

Thanks for sharing. Cheers

[@user-bsg075ast]

Your PRADO looks great envious atm , looks like you thought it out well .

[@deanwoodbridge6851]

Good evening harry. Bud can you share more info on the recall for the quiet Bluetooth you mentioned. I too have the same issue and my local store cannot help. Cheers Deano

[@firetofork]

It was a an amplifier issue in the VX and Kakadu. They had to replace one of the amps, that’s all I know

[@daniel-ll5zr]

Only seven more years left in your 10-year build. Directing your hoops on the bull bar. Saved your car after hitting those roos 1:08

[@destination4wd788]

i like the fairy lights on the awning!

[@firetofork]

They don’t put out much light, but they go bloody well with a tin, Raffa

[@destination4wd788]

i have no doubts hahaha @@firetofork

[@curlcurllocal]

The main problem is that you can’t be a hilux legend, whilst driving a Prado

[@JRCadventures]

Yeah they are a nice car. Good video 4k for the fridge and the drawers. Did you get it for free?

[@ex.perdition]

Interesting about the Blackhawk antenna, mine has gone really ratty, and the paint has come off, almost like it was chewed away by acid.

[@mungbean84]

Surprised about the noise comments on the Yokos. Worn yeah they get noisy, but I went from Cooper ATs to Yoko muds and the Yokos were quieter than the ATs. Weird that Toyo just skip the 285 in the 17. Interested to hear who says the Toyos are quiet as the pattern doesn't look any different to various other MTs...

[@firetofork]

I’ve run both and the maxxis and I found the Yoko the loudest, but also easily as grippy as the Toyo

[@marklaurendet1861]

Thanks for the great content over the. last year, and your Prado update. When you get the scan gauge 3, could you do an update if the gauge shows what gear you are via the custom gauges ? How did your SupaFit seat covers fit ? We have a 2023 PRADO VX and SupaFit seat covers, Denim. I had a bit of trouble fitting the covers around the wiring at the back of the front seats, and the back seat covers were very tight and some of the cutouts were wrong. The centre rear headrest was too small and would have creased the leather so we did not fit that. Having said that we no longer have any of the head rests in the car as non one uses those seats in normal use. Hope the swing out bar for the rear works, something. I would be interested in.

[@Brody-hj6me]

I've had volume issues in my Hilux, I thought it was the head unit but it turns out the problem was actually the Apple Iphone. After asking around the Apple Iphone being the issue is very common.

[@danjohno638]

You should be able to get the covers for the airbags on your Prado replaced under warranty. That’s what I did when mine tore 👍

[@alexlavertyau]

4:45 is that jerky hanging on the rope?

[@jayd3931]

Unfortunately I can't find anyone in Australia that sells Snomaster fridges anymore.

[@firetofork]

Oh mate they are like rockinghorse turds these days. Such a shame you can’t get them

[@mathewbowman259]

Prado is a Land Cruiser, says it on the back door as well as the fob!

[@markpatrick558]

The new Prado is on my shortlist, especially if they bring out a GR model with a power upgrade, or a petrol hybrid with a battery that can be drawn down on to power a camper trailer.

[@firetofork]

The new one is hybrid with a 2200w inverter built in, very cool feature

[@shaunmoller2997]

Epic setup

[@Jer0tube]

Prado, the massive underdog best built 4x4 in the world!

[@DamienRynja]

Hey mate have you checked put GPS Made To Fit for your head unit? They're made in Perth.

[@OnCountryWithMick]

Always good to hear what people think of their vehicles and what they have done. As much as I love my Pajero there are problems, even with my latest rebuild. Check out BC Coatings and their Predator coatings if you are going to spray the bullbar. Aussie designed, owned & made, I have recently sprayed my whole Pajero in it. Much like Raptor but as mentioned, all Aussie. In my latest make over I put in the GME XRS-390C, damn best radio, I love the thing. I noticed you also had the BT1 in there, how is that going? They do look like it could be handy.

[@firetofork]

Cheers mate. I haven’t finished wiring in the BT1 yet but I’ll let you know when I’ve tried it

[@OnCountryWithMick]

@@firetofork Looks like it could be handy especially in convoy with someone that talks a lot lol

[@perkypat2214]

What's wrong with your Pajero?

[@darrennorth7987]

I'd love a Prado. Got to win the lotto first.

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

3 years already, wow time sure flies. For whatever reason they do still call them Landcruiser Prados so I guess your keys aren't lying :)

[@243WW]

Uga Dugga, for those who don't know, the sound an impact wrench makes... The Prado nuts where tightened too much.

[@stuartkcalvin]

I don't what you imply by saying that keeping the camper DC-DC charger connected to the Prado (when off) will discharge the starter. The solar input will take over and disconnect the DC-DC input.

[@firetofork]

That was the case with a normal battery, but not with a lithium starter battery- lithiums stay at 13.5v with no charge current (where a normal battery would drop down to 12.8v), so the Manager 30 in my trailer thinks the alternator is charging the starter and continues to suck power from it when the car is turned off. I’ve tested it and it keeps charging the trailer once the engine is off.

[@stuartkcalvin]

@@firetofork the 12V system in the camper is not doing its job. I have a Lithium under bonnet and it is disconnected by the 12V system in my van, and then recharges via solar or shore power. There is a connection not being made, or made incorrectly in the campers 12V system.

[@firetofork]

Oh yeah I know that. What I said was that if you have a voltage sensing dcdc charger it will keep charging. The solution is to wire in a trigger wire to the ignition circuit of the car and change the settings of the charger, but most people wouldn’t realise that, so I was just saying what happens if you have the most common type of wiring in a dcdc setup, which is a voltage sensor. (I had to wire in a trigger wire in my car to stop it happening with the dcdc charger in my boot)

[@stuartkcalvin]

@@firetofork Harry, I'm an Electrical Engineer - I know 12V, circuit boards and high voltage up to 300KVA.

[@firetofork]

Ok, so where does the 30amps come from when I turn the car off? (remember, I have no solar). I should be clear, what I am saying has been confirmed by an electrical engineer, the battery supplier and Redarc themselves.

[@mickusms700]

I'm surprised you still have a wife after your comments about how short she is! Look forward to 2024 and watching the Prado continue to do what it does best which is everything, because Toyota!

[@allanpower8041]

Remember with lithium batteries hold there voltage at full capacity unlike agm.