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  • Mark's 150 GX

    G'day folks!

    I've been lurking around this forum for awhile now, and am constantly impressed with the advice which is freely given and the quality of the builds; particularly the DIY ones.

    So, with that said I thought I would add my motor car to the list.
    To start with it's a 2010 diesel GX manual, which I bought in February this year. It is an ex Government vehicle, and already had a tow bar, ARB bulbar and driving lights fitted when I bought it. One of the first things I did was to remove the spare wheel cover, that has since found a new home with someone else.

    The next thing I needed was a roof rack. After a lot of reading and picture looking, I settled on a Rhino-rack pioneer platform.
    Next was an awning, which I went for the ARB 2.5 x2.5m awning.

    While I love my roof rack, I can't justify the cost of the accessories such as the eyebolts and shovel holder. So being pretty handy I made up my own . Where the original eyebolts and plate cost about $23 for a pair, I found the same eyebolts at bunnings for $2.60 each, bought the correct size tap for $9.50 and using some steel plate that I had found, I have made four so far.

    Next was the shovel holder, a couple of right angle brackets, some steel tube and a pair of stainless wingbolts I had laying around worked a treat
    Holders doing there job

    Got out this weekend for an overnight trip and everything worked to plan [/URL]

    There are plenty more goodies on my list, some I will make, some I will buy.

    Catch you next time

  • #2
    Hey Mark,

    Looks like the start of something good. Nice job with the shovel holder brackets. I bought a couple of rubber clamps by the name of quick fist at about $5 ea pretty good value. It is great when you can make something yourself though. Keep it up.
    Looks like you went down south, somewhere around Pemby?
    Keep an eye on the trip planning forum in the "Wilbinga" thread and we might be able to organise to get together for a day in the dunes

    Cheers Gaz
    [B]Cheers Gary[B]
    [I]White 150 V6 GXL: TJM bullbar, ARB Intensity LED spotties, ICOM 440 UHF CB, ARB 2" OME lift kit, Tracklander roof rack, ABR Sidewinder alternator fuse, dual battery system, two 40L Engels, ORS fridge slide, solar regulator, 3rd row seats removed and ORS twin drawers with Autosafe cargo barrier, ARB twin motor air compressor [/I][/B][/B]

    Comment


    • #3
      Hey Mark,
      I have recently purchased a 2011 GX, what size tires are you running did you stay with stock size of 245/70R17 or change rims to get the 265 wide tire to fit?

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks Gaz,

        I enjoy making my own stuff, though I'm not in the same league as some of the guys who are making their own bar work. Some truly skilled people about!

        I was down in Lane Poole Reserve for an overnight trip. Got out yesterday morning just as the rain started.
        Will certainly keep an eye on the "Wilbinga" thread.

        Cheers,
        Mark

        Comment


        • #5
          Hey Redsand,

          I'm running Cooper Discover ATR tires, LT 265/70R17. These wheels were on it when I bought it, so I can only assume the rims were changed, though they do look like standard rims? I am happy with the performance though.

          Cheers,
          Mark

          Comment


          • #6
            The next mod I needed was for a dual battery system to keep the fridge running and the drinks cold!

            Initially I was going to install an AGM deep cycle battery in the back of the vehicle, but I couldn't justify the extra cost so I went with a Century wet cell deep cycle 100 AH.
            Seeing as I was installing it into the space on the front drivers side I needed a battery plate. I made one up out of some right angle and steel plate I had in the shed.[/URL]
            When I bought the battery I also bought a battery clamp, I was disappointed at how flimsy the plastic was, so I made one out of steel while I was at it.[/URL][/URL]

            A lick of paint and mounted into position,[/URL]I moved the aircon pipe as far as needed and re-bolted the aircon bracket under the battery carrier. Because the bolt heads were sitting proud of the plate I used a piece of rubber mat to sit the battery on.[/URL]

            Popped the battery into position and secured with the clamp[/URL]
            The next step is to make up a mounting plate for the Redarc BCDC-1225 unit I bought, will look at that on the weekend

            Cheers,
            Mark

            Comment


            • #7
              Mark,

              Nice work. The government vehicles are very good value and well maintained.

              Wish I had the time to make all the brackets. I just purchased mine.

              I mounted my readarc in front of the brake booster. I also purchased a deep cycle lead acid battery 100AH the same configuration as the main battery so that I can swap them if needed. The dealer told me that they contacted redarc and they recommended setting it up using the AGM setting not lead acid. Its been in the vehicle six months now and the battery is as good as the day I bought it. Tested with my conductance tester.
              Mike

              Comment


              • #8
                Thanks for the tips Mike. I had read about changing the settings on the Redarc if it were under the bonnet, good to hear that it works

                Cheers,
                Mark

                Comment


                • #9
                  The Redarc units are fully sealed is some sort of silisatic stuff with no fan so you can hose down your engine bay if needed which I find is essential to get rid of the dust and salt.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Cuvier100 View Post
                    The Redarc units are fully sealed is some sort of silisatic stuff with no fan so you can hose down your engine bay if needed which I find is essential to get rid of the dust and salt.
                    Ever read the used manual which says hosting the engine bay may cause a fire. Pretty funny. Didn't stop me after the beach.
                    [CENTER][B]-=2014 GXL D4D Auto Graphite, Firestone Airbags, ARB/Optima D34 Dual Battery, ARB UVP, TJM Airtech Snorkel[/B][B]=-[/B]
                    [/CENTER]

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                    • #11
                      Best to keep it away from the electrics. I just give it a light spray to get rid of the dust and salt.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I got around to installing my Redarc charger this weekend and getting it all wired up.
                        First step was to work out where to fit it and make a bracket, I decided on just behind the air filter box.

                        For the bracket I used a piece of 3mm steel plate,
                        Which I cut and bent to suit..
                        After a coat of paint I had in position

                        The next step was fixing the Redarc to the bracket and getting it all wired up. This went pretty much to plan, though finding places to mount the fuse holders took a bit of thinking :-)



                        On a side note, I got away for a mid week overnight trip down south, which gave me a chance to test out my gas cylinder tie down for the roof rack, Basically the same as the Rhino one but a lot less expensive! [URL]

                        Cheers, Mark

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Well, it's been a little while since my last update of what I have been doing with my Prado.

                          My latest addition is a roller draw. I had a look at what is on the market, but my budget won't stretch that far, so it was design and build my own :-)
                          I decided to build it out of aluminium for weight and strength. I used the qubelok system with 25mm tube from Capral aluminium for the frame and drawer frame and 3mm aluminium plate riveted on for the bottom and sides.

                          [URL=http://s1193.photobucket.com/user/deepbluediver1/media/Prado/Roller%20drawer/MG8_9166.jpg.html][/URL
                          Westcoast Mark
                          Member
                          Last edited by Westcoast Mark; 14-04-2015, 10:51 PM.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            I used draw sliders from bunnings, I think they are rated at about 40kg.
                            For the install in the vehicle, first thing was to put in a false floor made out of 9mm marine ply. I workout where I needed to bolt the draw frame to the ply and inserted 8 "T" nuts under the ply. I also welded nuts to 50mm x 50mm x 3mm steel plate and screwed these under the ply where I wanted anchor points for my fridge, glued on some marine carpet, then bolted the ply to the car.

                            While I was at it I also mounted an ARB air compressor to the draw frame, so it would sit near the wheel arch.


                            Once it was all bolted in, I attached a piece upholstered marine ply to the front of the draw and fitted a handle. Added upholstered marine ply to the side and top and put aluminium right angle on the edges.
                            The last thing was to make a box to hold wiring, switches and plugs, as well as somewhere for the compressor accessories. I need to re do the carpet on the lid as I ran out of contact adhesive and what did use didn't hold. To stop the draw from sliding out when it's not meant to, I fitted a sliding door lock to the box on top. Not the most ideal position but but works :-)
                            Westcoast Mark
                            Member
                            Last edited by Westcoast Mark; 14-04-2015, 10:43 PM. Reason: Adjust spelling

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Having recently purchased the HEMA map app for the iPad, I needed to mount the iPad in front of the dash.

                              We wanted the iPad in front of the dash so we can both see it and my wife can swivel it toward her if she wants to watch a movie while we are on the road.
                              I also wanted something that could be removed easily as we only need it for trips away. I decided a a suction mount onto the windscreen and an arm resting on the dash to take the weight would be the answer.

                              With that in mind I bought a RAM double suction mount, two ball fittings, a short arm and an iPad holder and made my own bracket across the dash.

                              The arm welded up.



                              All painted and installed


                              Cheers,

                              Mark

                              Comment

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