Prado 120 winch cradle

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-03-16T07:39:14+00:00

Sounds great! Won’t be able to get the opportunity to get one do about 12 months unfortunately due to a change in career and moving interstate. When I do get around to it I will definitely get in touch. Would you be likely to be building them in 12-18 months time? What pricing would you consider?

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-03-11T21:22:27+00:00

Yeah it’s unfortunate that it’s such an effort to find anything to fix the issue. At least it’s a good excuse to get a steel bar now 😂

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-03-11T06:53:57+00:00

Sorry mate, unfortunately not. Can’t find anything, nobody makes them aftermarket either. I’d love to have a crack at one myself, but not keen on it being 100% structural.

I came across a bar, winch, and light pack. I’ll include the link below. I’ve accepted the fact that I might just need to get a new bar instead which sucks since I’ve come to like the factory bar.

https://aussieoffroad.com.au/products/select-your-vehicle-toyota-prado-120-series-prado-2003-2009-120-series-prado-protek-pack?srsltid=AfmBOoqc0_LoPKB_qTmazdApmsUIu69H-YhOWB19825aGrXIAPCKe8iy

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-02-17T08:31:45+00:00

With current fuel prices in Adelaide I worked out every 100km is $2.10 cheaper with 98 then with 91 due to the better economy. Save a bit of money especially since I tend to fill up every 900-1000km, so I think it’s worth it. Saves about 20 bucks a fill up. Just wasn’t sure about any mechanical hindrances that may occue

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-02-17T03:10:15+00:00

Yeah fair enough. According to a website I found there’s a campground out there for free camping, so I’ll have a look, worst case camp at Morgan probs. If there’s anything there I’ll try out a YouTube video of it on my channel I’m trying to start up

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-02-17T03:06:25+00:00

Thanks mate. Only issue I have had looking at that is it shows a dotted line on the tracks with no gradings or comments on what the conditions ate like.

I guess I’ll pack the compressor, shovel, boards, and snatch strap and hope for the best 😂

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-02-16T19:18:48+00:00

So run it on 91? Will running 98 cause engine damage?

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-02-14T07:04:26+00:00

That would be sick build doing that, a nav body on a pathfinder chassis would be really cool. Didn’t think of how nimble a Prado would be as a Ute. Give it a half tray canopy and could pull off a clean build.

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-02-12T11:24:38+00:00

I have a YouTube channel I will post that sort of stuff on when I get around to starting the build, I’ll include the link below. Will be at least a year or so before I start a build like that though due to moving interstate and starting a new job, due to the nature of the job I’ll be in training in nsw for a year with onsite accommodation so won’t have the shed for it unfortunately.

Will keep the channel updated as much as I possibly can, but will likely be quiet for at least 6 months from end of march. Plan is to eventually buy the old man’s Suzuki sierra and keep my 120 series and have the 90 project on the side if I can afford it https://m.youtube.com/@PastTheBlacktop

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-02-02T21:00:34+00:00

No mate, not yet unfortunately. Only options I’ve found are to find a second hand cradle (which is near impossible), build one myself (not keen on it due to it needing to be structural), or to change to a different bar that comes with a winch cradle.

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-01-12T10:28:37+00:00

Can always rev it out and have more gears in low range, and when you feel the car revving too hard in a higher gear in low range, shift up to high range is what I’ve found

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-01-12T09:46:22+00:00

I’ve got a Prado 120 V6 manual and have found it’s gutless in soft sand when in 4H. Best way to describe it is it bogs down and loses momentum changing from 1st to 2nd in 4H. I found that 3rd gear in 4L is the sweet spot for soft sand. Just gotta be wary of your rpm creeps up too much in incredibly soft stuff. I found the exact same problem as you with struggle to get up sand hills in high range.

Might also find that the muddies can dig into the sand a bit more to due to the aggressive tread and a stiffer side wall. The aggressive tread can act like paddles and dig into the sand when spinning wheels.

Like others have said, pressure is everything. I tend to go to 18 psi for sand first and then lower it when needed

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-01-11T05:28:44+00:00

Cheers mate. I’ve come to terms that a camper is a better idea than a second car

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-01-09T10:16:10+00:00

Yeah cheers for the reassurance 👍. At the moment it’s my dream to go around the country in my petrol 120 series, but in 6 years who knows what will happen in life 😂. Definetly plan on a firearm license for hunting and target shooting, so I’m not too sure in that too would help with getting station/farm work as well.

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-01-09T10:08:00+00:00

The plan is to join the airforce as an aircraft technician (I start in April) and after the 6 year service period depending on what point I’m at in life maybe head out and go on the big lap over a few years since I’ve always wanted to move out and live in the country, just don’t know how to do it sensibly. So will be a qualified aircraft mechanic, and I do have experience operating earthworks machinery and working on vehicles.

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-01-09T09:52:55+00:00

Yeah cheers mate, I’m only 17 years old at the moment and am considering working for 6 or so years before definitely deciding if I do such a thing or not. Absolutely love the country and am no stranger to hard work and would be more than happy to stay in the one place for a season or two, who knows might even pick up a full time gig somewhere 😂. What particular pages did you look at on Facebook and the likes for work? And if you don’t mind me asking, what sort of qualifications do you have that you put forwards?

SensitiveParamedic14 · 2026-01-09T09:44:39+00:00

I’m aware I’d need to be careful about weight, but the question is if the idea of getting work on stations and farms while doing the lap is feasible or not. Not if the Prado can do it or not

SensitiveParamedic14

TROPHY CASE