All,
Hoping to learn from others before I contact any shops & start pricing out this potential build to help budget/plan as I begin collecting parts,
What is everyone's thoughts & advice on this broad plan so far?
Model:
As you can see, it's quite an ambitious list, so I'm looking for candid takes, gut-checks, and/or any warnings before budgeting for and/or buying parts.
Thanks all!
Hoping to learn from others before I contact any shops & start pricing out this potential build to help budget/plan as I begin collecting parts,
What is everyone's thoughts & advice on this broad plan so far?
Model:
- RAV4 Prime 2023
- Why?
- Handling Off-Road (low-end torque), see (not news to anyone here):
- TFLoffroad YT: The New Electric Toyota RAV4 Prime Is Surprisingly Good Off-Road!
- TFLoffroad YT: The 2022 Toyota RAV4 Prime Could Be A Great Off-Road Crossover But... (I blame the tires, see below)
- James Klafehn YT: Toyota Rav4 Prime Off-Roading in the Snow!
- Driving Sports TV YT: The 302HP Crossover On and Offroad Review
- Car Question YT: RAV4 Prime Diagonal Test
- Sarah -n- Tuned YT: A Fast, Off-Road Capable EV?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDlGhZTr0tE
- Engine Adventures YT: 2021 Rav 4 Prime Off Road
- Strong daily driver (comfortable, high-MPGs, not too big, not too small)
- Can charge easily anytime at many free EVs stations in Bay Area, plus most of my regular driving is w/in 42mi.
- Long total trip range + spare battery capacity for electronics
- Future-proof (low impact on engine w/ PHEV, I expect it to perform long-term like the Prius Prime as far as reliability)
- I expect demand to fall-off next near vs. BZ4x, Lexus PHEVs, no more tax-cut, & more competitive EVs
- Handling Off-Road (low-end torque), see (not news to anyone here):
- Why?
- Panoroof, premium package
- MVP: 2.5" Rough Country Lift Kit(risk: "wobble," at low speeds and/or poor handling)
- Cusco Strut bar
- Disconnect the sway bars w/ Jeep disconnects?
- 1.0 / 2.0: Flatoutsuspension Coilovers
See below (yes, its a bit much, but point is, these do improve the handling):
- Falken AT3W Tires (why anything else?)
- MVP: Haven't yet selected, perhaps TRD wheels, something smaller than those massive 19s
- 1.0: Fuel Off-Road Zephyr
- Swap for adventure / TRD grille?
- I much prefer the Taco grille and/or Adventure Grille
- No aftermarket bumpers, though I do admire what some folks have installed, like Caleb Spase did w/ his RAV4:
- Instead, opting for a "nudge bar" (Has anyone had any experience importing Yota parts from Australia?)
Still haven't figured out what those corner cut-outs are
- upTOP Overland (can still use the sunroof) Bravo Roof Rack
- Keep it light up here, at most an awning, maxtrax, & one 83L ROAM box, tops
- MVP: bare, no additions, rack-only
- 1.0: Lightbar, side lights, rear-facing lights
- Targeting rear spare tire well for the electronics (Redarc)
- 100Ah Spare battery installed above 12V in empty cavity on right-hand side
- Sinewave inverter, DCDC + Redarc 30 controller in spaces around the spare tire
- Roof Solar panel on rack
- Sunflare Xplor (126W or 180W, whatever I can fit on rack w/out too much pano roof coverage)
- Hood solar panel in series - Cascadia 4x4
- Additional Lights on Tailgate (too few lights on stock IMO):
- I don't want anything that looks too cheap, opinions on this?
- Sides of upper tailgate lights, would these create excessive glare on the rear glass and/or rear-view camera?
- Lower bumper reflector swap w/ lights
- Blackout side-mirror turn-signal swap
- anything else I'm missing?
- Searching for custom after-market back bumpers
- Likely will opt for the DirtCom Trail Swing - Product page here
- Rear Bumper Protector Plate
As you can see, it's quite an ambitious list, so I'm looking for candid takes, gut-checks, and/or any warnings before budgeting for and/or buying parts.
Thanks all!