Landcruiser GXR modifications

[Ali]

Hello Folks,
I am very glad to join UAE 4x4 clubs, and you guys are doing a fine job over here.
I have a land cruiser GXR 4500 manual transmission. I am searching for some useful modifications for desert safaris, as such turbo, sport air filters, sport exhaust and etc to give more HP to my jeep.
Anyone can give me advise as I am new in safari so don’t know much about desert modifications.
(pls reply also on my mail [e-mail])
Have a nice day

[Jimbo]

Hey Ali
What's your budget for installation AND Maintenance? Performance parts also means that something is meant to break as the more you draw out of the engine, the more it will wear out fast ;D

[Ali]

Hey Jimbo,

Thanks for replying, talking about budjet hmmmmmm!!! like for first time i can invest upto 3000AED on some nice things, and depends further on if i ll get good results sure i ll go more money money, lol.
3000AED <------- ;Dhoping to get a turbo, Sport air exhaust and some other sports utilties.

Hoping for an urgent reply

[DG]

Not allowed by the law. You can get a special gift in case of accident: 1 month in jail!

My advice keep your money!

[Chris]

IMHO don't bother with the turbo, air filter or exhaust.

Turbo - too much time lag before it builds up to pressure, if you want a forced induction unit, go for a supercharger, in the dunes you need the instant "point & squirt" as often you won't have time to build up the RPM so your turbo can kick in.
Air Filter - some of the guys use K&N, they do have an affect, but to get the real beenfit you need the whole K&N Induction system, not just the filter.
Exhaust - wait until you break your existing one before you buy a new one, a sports exhaust will make some difference, but other than sounding great, it won't help you with the sand running.

If you want to spend some money, spend it on suspension and tyres, I know this isn't as sexy as a turbo or a sports exhaust, but look at it this way - what is the point in having a 400bhp engine if your suspension won't keep your wheels on the ground and your tyres just dig a turbocharged hole in the sand ?

BTW, Dhs 3,000 will NOT go very far for modifications, a TRD supercharger for your cruiser will be around Dhs 20,000 and a decent Fox cat back exhaust, CAT back ONLY), will cost you around Dhs 2,500.

[Jimbo]

Ali
Chris has a point, biggest mistake peoplel make around here is to pump up the engine only to start flying in the dunes later on and wonder why they broke a diff!
Upgrade the suspension that's about as much as you will go with AED3K
All the best

[Ali]

Hey folks,
Ty Chris u really opened my eyes now tell me what i can do for suspension and tyres or i have to go for K&N Induction system, well i also need litlle bit more HP, as Cruiser deleivers a 220HP i like to increase it upto 250. Well i can increase my budjet too if its a worth a risk.
Ty fot detail explanation, you can allow me your cell # so i can speak to you directly.
Over and out

[Chris]

Ali said:

Hey folks,
well i also need litlle bit more HP, as Cruiser deleivers a 220HP i like to increase it upto 250. Over and out

Again I would say why ?

What you need for the dunes is not just hp, it's torque and lots of it. You look at some of the guys driving the Defender 90's, only about 100hp, but mountains of torque that will take them anywhere.

Yes having good hp is important, but don't neglect torque as it is the torque of the engine that will pull you up the big dunes, not the hp - stick a K&N filter on it then get used to driving with that before you spend any more money.

Suspension is your key to performance with a stock vehicle, there are loads of companies who make aftermarket stuff for the cruisers, not owning a Japanese Jelly Mould myself you are best asking them, but companies like Dobinsons, Tough Dog, OME all make good stuff - change the shocks and springs/torsion bars and put a 2" lift on it and that will make a huge difference to where you can go.

Tyres - what you need are not big aggressive tyres that dig holes in the sand, get something that will spread out well when you lower the pressure - I think that the Maxxis MA751 is one of the best tyres you can buy, but lots of guys also use Coopers, Toyo, BFG etc - but stuff like BFG/Michelin is all over rated and over priced.

Don't just look at wider tyres than your standard ones, get a bigger diameter, this is where you get the biggest footprint increase when you lower the pressure, with a lifted cruiser you will easily fit a 275/70/16, and maybe a 285/75/16 on it without any problems.

The first thing you damage will be your bumpers, so set some cash aside for them, ARB and TJM both make front and back steel bumpers that will help to cushion the blows, but again, you'll need more than 3K for these.

The best advice is to take the car out into the dunes, learn to drive it in the sand without any modifications, then when you break something, replace it with an uprated version - as I said previously, there's no point in having a 400hp engine that can't go anywhere 'cos you broke your suspension.

Try it, break it, replace it - over time you will replace the standard stuff that breaks with good off-road stuff, that's when you will have a good off-road vehicle and only have spent the cash you need to.

[Ali]

I got your point their Chris, well I already done with the steel bumpers , and sure I ll go for suspension. (*)Do I have to go for full Air Intake System (Air Filter, cylinder, headers & muffler) Thanks for your support in the issue.

Now where I cant find a nice mechanic who can deal with the car nice & professionally with reasonable charges , as I am the 8-)NEW GUY in UAE. And can you give me an idea how much a K&N(*) filter cost. I agree with your advise I will change only the filter now and rest when it ll be needful.

I own a LC Prado(2005) and I want that SUV to do some good in desert ;D, I am writing you the specifications, well I am thinking to give her a AIR INTAKE SYSTEM with some suspension jobs. NEED YOUR ADVISES A LOT IN THIS ONE.

Engine Type
2RE-FE Engine 2694cc
VVT-i
4 Cylinder in line 4 cycles

Bore and Stroke
95.0 x 95.0 (3.74 x 3.74)

Maximum Torque
246 (25.1, 181) @3800rpm

Maximum Output (HP)
120 (161) @5200 rpm

Best Regards

[Prasad]

Hi Ali,
With regards to the GXR, first look for uprated torsion bars and shocks. If your LC is a 100 series, offroading damages the front suspension lower arms, after they have been hitting the bumpstops for a while. The weld where the torsion bar gets mounted breaks off. This will result in having to replace the lower arm. Installing uprated torsion bars and shocks prevents the car from bottoming and hitting the bumpstops.

I got my torsion bars (rockcrawler) from www.4wd1.biz. Its the same place where my 4 shocks came from too, (tough dog). The total package with shipping will cost you around 6k - 7k dhs. You don't have to do it all at once. I've also got OME springs at the rear and with the torsion bars adjusted I get around a 50mm lift all round. The 4.5L petrol engine is more than enough without any mods. My stock exhaust got badly blocked and I was loosing power so I went for a Fox Stainless steel Free flow cat back system which will put you down dhs 2800. The throttle response has increased well after that. But the noise has also which I am not happy about, but you can't have a free flow exhaust without noise it defeats the purpose.

Forget about headers and super charges unless you are into racing. BTW they are illegal to install as well.

To install your stuff you can try AAA or Icon Autos. I believe Sara auto car can do these as well. There are a few more other garages that will do all this stuff I am sure other members will advice on that.

The Prado does very well as it is, the main issue you have to worry about is all the plastic low hanging bumpers and mudflaps which will be the first to suffer damage. It also is a bit wanting in the recovery points area. Have it checked out by a good garage and have them install some rated recovery points.

Like mentioned above first try out the car in the sand before modifying so you can get an idea of what first to start with.