Ok, I'm gonna start Modifying....

[wheelnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wheelnut]

I've had my GX 150 series since March 2014 (new) and so far all I've done to it is to put on some running boards, fitted the roof rail type roof racks, put in some fog lights where those black bungs are in the front bumper and removed the polystyrene cargo floor and made up a decent plywood base, so my tools didn't crush through.

I do a fair bit of Mountain biking, so I bought an ISI bike carrier - 4WD specific, heavy duty, works extremely well!!

I am planning on a trip in March, this year, which will see my missus & I trekking up the East coast, on to Fraser Island and then ..... wherever (got a Month off).

I have had a lot of suggestions as to what I need to do to the Vehicle;
* Duel Batteries
* On board compressor
* 12v Fridge
* Slider for the fridge

I am starting to think the above are probably going to be useful, so I guess I am just after some guidance as to what works well, and what I really need in the wiring to make this work best.

I have looked around in previous threads, so I have got a few ideas already, and I'm off to see an old buddy who now works at ARB to get some suggestions there

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

One thing to consider is what you might get later especially in relation to electrical stuff.

If I knew now what I was going to have years ago I would have run one large cable down the side of the vehicle from the main battery or Aux battery depending on the situation with a fuse block say under the passenger seat or under the middle console and one at the back. Another run of air cable etc.

By doing this it means less cable running everywhere, less holes in the firewall and makes things easier to fault find. You can isolate your whole system from factory if required. I did the above when I started running out of room and had to simplify / neaten things up.

[Dominator Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dominator]

Dual batteries are priceless when camping for running things like fridges and lights. There are plenty to choose from and you can get lost in it all. The main thing is it does the job and has reasonable after service support.

An air compressor is a fantastic piece of equipment. I would have a good think about on board air vs. a portable air compressor. A decent portable compressor can be had for around $200, there is no cost of installation and it is not restricted to the one vehicle. In saying that I will be fitting a on board air setup in my Prado, it really comes down to your situation.

12v fridge, cold beer, nuf said.

In a GX you could possibly get away without the need of a fridge slide. I previously had a GQ Patrol and I could open the fridge without the lid touching the roof of the cargo area so I managed without a slide for years. Unfortunately the GXL Prados have limited height due to the third row seats so I will need to get a slide this time round. Not that I am complaining.

I agree winniliss. My recently acquired Prado is my 3rd touring build and having learnt lessons from my previous 4wds, I will be running two big cables from the engine bay to the cargo. One from my start battery for the stereo equipment and air compressor and another from the secondary battery to supply the fridge, lights, chargers etc. I will also be running a 5 core trailer wire for switching.

[V1SHRNZ Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close V1SHRNZ]

Bull bar, upgrade the tires to ATs, UHF so you can converse with others are pretty nifty upgrades also.

[wheelnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wheelnut]

Was looking around the internet at sliding drawers for the rear cargo area, today. The cost of all this, combined, is starting to look a little scary..

So I had a bit of a fish around in my garage. I have a heap of Aluminium extrusion "mini tech" system stuff, a box full of bearings 608 and a hardware store quantity of grade 8.8 bolts. I think I can knock up a good set of drawers for under a couple of hundred bucks. I'll start working on proper plans this week.

[simonfish Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close simonfish]

Why do people say that a fridge, dual battery system and associated wiring is important ? The cost and weight of the dual batteries is huge. I purchased a really good quality esky ($200+ bucks) and pay $4 for a bag of ice which lasts 3-4 days, and that is that. We go camping a lot, mainly for 3-5 days , and if longer, we are rarely far from town or passing through a town that has ice.
I think you need to look at how you are using your vehicle. I upgraded the tyres to AT, fitted a bulbar and winch (didn't worry about driving lights, as I mainly drive on the east coast, so hilly and bushy, so driving lights are more of a hindrance), then fitted under body protection, then upgraded the suspension, oh yes, and fitted drawers. I did't fit a uhf as we don't drive in convoys with lots of people all the time, and when we do, we don't need to be talking to them on the radio all the time, and uhf are only line of site, so a mobile phone is better for an emergency (again, most of our driving is on the east coast, where there is mobile coverage).
I have a compressor, as we go beach driving, and recovery gear, which lives in the drawers, with the camping gear.
Work out what you are going to use your vehicle for most of the time, and go from there.

[wheelnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wheelnut]

mucked this up, but cant "Delete" for some reason....oh well

[wheelnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wheelnut]

Work out what you are going to use your vehicle for most of the time, and go from there.

Yes, this is what I reckon. I cant see the necessity for a bulbar, winch, snorkel and jacked up suspension for what I'm doing. These would just amount to Cosmetic changes. I'm definitely looking for functionality rather than being fashionable.

[reggie426 Member Find all posts View Profile Close reggie426]

Why do people say that a fridge, dual battery system and associated wiring is important ? The cost and weight of the dual batteries is huge. I purchased a really good quality esky ($200+ bucks) and pay $4 for a bag of ice which lasts 3-4 days, and that is that. We go camping a lot, mainly for 3-5 days , and if longer, we are rarely far from town or passing through a town that has ice.
I think you need to look at how you are using your vehicle. I upgraded the tyres to AT, fitted a bulbar and winch (didn't worry about driving lights, as I mainly drive on the east coast, so hilly and bushy, so driving lights are more of a hindrance), then fitted under body protection, then upgraded the suspension, oh yes, and fitted drawers. I did't fit a uhf as we don't drive in convoys with lots of people all the time, and when we do, we don't need to be talking to them on the radio all the time, and uhf are only line of site, so a mobile phone is better for an emergency (again, most of our driving is on the east coast, where there is mobile coverage).
I have a compressor, as we go beach driving, and recovery gear, which lives in the drawers, with the camping gear.
Work out what you are going to use your vehicle for most of the time, and go from there.

Fridges are great if you don't like wet soggy food by the 3rd day. Plus you have the option of a freezer for long trips. And weight? It's only the weight of a battery, which in the grand scheme of things is nothing. Cost of dual batteries is not worth mentioning either, most people have spent more on seat covers

[slimf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close slimf]

I wouldn't be without our fridges... Ice and camping is crappy.. Especially when your gone for 6 days or more. Can beat the fridge imho

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

Why do people say that a fridge, dual battery system and associated wiring is important ? The cost and weight of the dual batteries is huge. I purchased a really good quality esky ($200+ bucks) and pay $4 for a bag of ice which lasts 3-4 days, and that is that. We go camping a lot, mainly for 3-5 days , and if longer, we are rarely far from town or passing through a town that has ice.
I think you need to look at how you are using your vehicle. I upgraded the tyres to AT, fitted a bulbar and winch (didn't worry about driving lights, as I mainly drive on the east coast, so hilly and bushy, so driving lights are more of a hindrance), then fitted under body protection, then upgraded the suspension, oh yes, and fitted drawers. I did't fit a uhf as we don't drive in convoys with lots of people all the time, and when we do, we don't need to be talking to them on the radio all the time, and uhf are only line of site, so a mobile phone is better for an emergency (again, most of our driving is on the east coast, where there is mobile coverage).
I have a compressor, as we go beach driving, and recovery gear, which lives in the drawers, with the camping gear.
Work out what you are going to use your vehicle for most of the time, and go from there.

I previously thought this, then I bought a fridge and haven't looked back. My dual battery gives me led lights on both sides and rear of my truck, as well as has enough power to run the fridge for days on end and I dont have to worry about starting it, it runs extra aux sockets in the rear for charging phones etc.

It really depends on what you use it for, as said you can definitely live without them. But once you have them you wont want to. Just get out there and enjoy what you have.

[wheelnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wheelnut]

Just accepted a quote at ARB for a 47L Fridge, cover, slide, duel Battery set-up, compressor with hoses & inflator, all fitted & wired.

The guy over at St Peters, ARB was one of my best friends at High School, so he was quite good with the price he offered, though that's not my main focus. He (like me) was always very fastidious with hands on work, and he speaks very highly of the fitting team at this outlet. So I have taken him at his word and given them the work.
Sure, I probably could have shopped around and picked up the components a little cheaper, and done all the fitting myself, but, who has the time? and this way it is all on one receipt (for the taxman) and all covered by warranty (just in case).

Now......I better get started on those drawers. Need that finished, before anything else can get done on the car at ARB

BTW - ARB are running out the current model of fridges. Good deals to be had, if you are in the market for a new one...

[r4ndll Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close r4ndll]

Was looking around the internet at sliding drawers for the rear cargo area, today. The cost of all this, combined, is starting to look a little scary..

So I had a bit of a fish around in my garage. I have a heap of Aluminium extrusion "mini tech" system stuff, a box full of bearings 608 and a hardware store quantity of grade 8.8 bolts. I think I can knock up a good set of drawers for under a couple of hundred bucks. I'll start working on proper plans this week.

Drawers aren't a necessity IMO. Plastic tubs and canvas duffle bags worked well for me for years including a 3 month lap of Oz. Duffle bags are nice and squishy and hold everything including my camping gear, recovery gear etc etc. and it leaves the space very flexible. I've got drawers now and reckon I have lost some space, but they do keep it nice and neat and reduce packing and unpacking.

It all comes down to your needs in the end.

[wheelnut Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wheelnut]

I was actually wanting drawers anyway..... I use the vehicle for work, so it is always packed up with toolboxes all sorts of toolbags, cardboard boxes etc...

This way I can custom make the drawers to suit both needs (work and leisure) and hopefully have it all a bit better organised.

[Nightrod111 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Nightrod111]

Just accepted a quote at ARB for a 47L Fridge, cover, slide, duel Battery set-up, compressor with hoses & inflator, all fitted & wired.

The guy over at St Peters, ARB was one of my best friends at High School, so he was quite good with the price he offered, though that's not my main focus. He (like me) was always very fastidious with hands on work, and he speaks very highly of the fitting team at this outlet. So I have taken him at his word and given them the work.
Sure, I probably could have shopped around and picked up the components a little cheaper, and done all the fitting myself, but, who has the time? and this way it is all on one receipt (for the taxman) and all covered by warranty (just in case).

Now......I better get started on those drawers. Need that finished, before anything else can get done on the car at ARB

BTW - ARB are running out the current model of fridges. Good deals to be had, if you are in the market for a new one...

Great bunch of guys over at St Peters!
I met the manager a few months back, hes a great down to earth guy!