Modifying my Rav4 Gen 1 Awd

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

So back in May 2019 I bought two Rav4 gen1's

A green 3 door awd 2.0L for my son but with it if he buys another car the 3 door comes back to me

And a gray 5 door awd 2.0L

Both didn't look to bad when we bought them
Both had over 300 000km
Tires was bad
Some dents

But this is what we wanted as our little offroaders

Keep in mind for me it was not a daily as my wife had a new fortuner

See below pictures of the day and evening when we bought them 30 May 2019

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

My son used the 3 door as his daily it is a nice little town car

The 5 door I have not driven a lot as I am more abroad than home

[jelo]

Thanks for the thread. The RAV4 Gen1 set the standard for AWD softroaders IMHO. Land Rover's FL1 was supposed to compete but in comparison, was a dismal failure.

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

After some time we added some little stuff to them

Both got new tires 205/80R16 AT

Both got a number plate spotlight bar

I added some usb plugs for the phones

A center console for the gray Rav4

Led roof lights inside

And sparewheel covers made by Rock 4x4

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

But after the bigger tires was fitted I noticed some problems with Rafiki the gray Rav4

The tires was touching everwhere
The wheel alignment could not be sorted correctly

And Rafiki started coughing badly

There was one stage where I was so Peed off with the Rav that I told my wife I am going to sell it

Searching in Bethal ,Middelburg and witbank for somebody that can help met to do a Suspension lift on the Rav was like searching for a needle in a haystack

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

Then a good friend of mine Segal Rieger /Segalmarissa and owner of EFC 4WD on the forum said I must send the Rav down to him he will have a look at it

So got a transporters and send old Rafiki down to Stellenbosch Eikestad fitment center

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

Thanks for the thread. The RAV4 Gen1 set the standard for AWD softroaders IMHO. Land Rover's FL1 was supposed to compete but in comparison, was a dismal failure.

Thanks Jelo

I had some other softroaders before
But I must say the Rav is something else

[jelo]

"Both got new tires 205/80R16 AT"

Is that the biggest you can fit?

Does the 215/85-16 only fit with a lift?

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

"Both got new tires 205/80R16 AT"

Is that the biggest you can fit?

Does the 215/85-16 only fit with a lift?

Yes without a lift that was the biggest we could fit

Which on the green one worked perfect

But on the gray one not

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

It took almost a week for the Rav to be transported from Bethal to Stellenbosch

As soon as Segal had a look at the Rav he noticed some stuff wrong

The shock mounts was loose the wrong bolts for the front shock truts was used

So he jumped in to action

Ordered new front shocks with the correct bolts front coils are new from toyota

And some custom rear coils and spacers for the front

After all was fitted the Rav is now sitting round about 40mm higher

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

So Segal serviced the Rav for me and sorted out the coughing problem

And sorted the exhaust as it had a really crap sound

And he got the drivers door open that one day just decided its not opening any more

With all that I got a picture that said sneak peak

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

With the sneak peak Segal was building a custom front bumper for the Rav with space for a winch

And picked up that the Rav was in a big front end accident

Man I am stoked about this

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

I was not in a hurry to get the Rav back quickly a gave Segal almost 3 months as Rafiki is just my little run around when I am in Sout Africa

So I had lots of questions to Segal about diffrent mags and other stuff I wanted to do and he always was patient and gave me great answers and I trusted his judgement as he as much more experiance than me when it comes to modifying a 4x4

During all the work and fitments he kept me updated with pictures and videos
With whats wrong what needs to be sorted

With Segal I will tell anybody to take his vehicle to him I will send more of my own vehicles to him

He is a magician when it comes to vehicles

After the Actyon disaster I lost faith and did not trust anybody But Segal I trust with any car

So with all that said he send me a picture of how Rafiki is looking now
And boy oh boy does he look good

Bumper with some Led spots
Spacers on the wheels for wider stance
Lifted
Better sounding exhaust


The winch I will fit once I went to fetch Rafiki

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

If all goes well I will go down when I am in SA to Fetch Rafiki

And then have a small tour with him home

I already ordered some parts needed to fit the winch as soon as I have the Rav at home

My boys did not see the Rav for a long time so the youngest one likes to post vehicle picture on whatsapp

I send him a pic of the Rav with the bumper my wife says he went crazy about the look and says we are not allowed to sell it ever

[jelo]

The Little RAV that could..........

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

The Little RAV that could..........

He will be tested proparly
Not build for show

[Gootka]

We used to have a grey 3dr. They are way more capable off road than most people think. We did a couple of proper 4x4 trails as well as many beach trips with it.

Enjoy it, looks great.

[Tall Paul]

Excuse my ignorance, but how old were you when you had your son if he is driving already...

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

Excuse my ignorance, but how old were you when you had your son if he is driving already...

He is actually my wifes son she is older than me
But in our house we don't use the word stepson or stepdaughter

[Haggy4x4Bedinges]

We used to have a grey 3dr. They are way more capable off road than most people think. We did a couple of proper 4x4 trails as well as many beach trips with it.

Enjoy it, looks great.

My son did take the 3 door down to Sodwana for a weekend
They had lots of fun