VXWesty's 2011 VX D4D

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

Just a quick question, does the plate have to come off for oil changes or is there an access plate for the sump plug?

Cheers,
Dusty

Hi Dusty,

In the middle plate there is a square cut-out for access to the sump plug, well at least I think that's what it is. I've not changed the oil myself yet . But it seems like the plates can stay on.

VXWesty

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

Hi mate, sorry for digging up a lost thread, but I noticed you run a fox wing and the pioneer platform rack, which is the same setup I am looking at. Can you please provide a few up close photos of the fox wing and it's mounting?

From looking at the setup at the last show, the guys explained to me that the fox wing would have to sit up above the height of the rack otherwise there would be clearance issues and the doors would not open. Looking at your photos it shows the awning below the top of the rack which is a much better setup and gives back my precious garage clearance.

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

Hi mate, sorry for digging up a lost thread, but I noticed you run a fox wing and the pioneer platform rack, which is the same setup I am looking at. Can you please provide a few up close photos of the fox wing and it's mounting?

From looking at the setup at the last show, the guys explained to me that the fox wing would have to sit up above the height of the rack otherwise there would be clearance issues and the doors would not open. Looking at your photos it shows the awning below the top of the rack which is a much better setup and gives back my precious garage clearance.

Hi,

Yes, I've made new brackets, here are the pics:



The brackets are simply 5mm galvanised angle bracket from Bunnings with holes drilled for the fixings. The awning sits flush with the roof rack and is rock solid.




It still allows for the doors to be opened with about 12-15mm gap above the top of the door frame. The only downside it the reduced height of the awning when out in the field, but I'm only 5'10" so it doesn't bother me.

Most importantly I can still park in the garage (with only 10mm clearance to the underside of the opened roller door)

VXWesty

[adamr7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close adamr7]

Only thing I dont like on the foxwing/rhino pioneer is the crap bolts you get with the even crappier allen key. Poor quality, easily stripped, soft metal. When I get time Ill swap mine for some hex head stainless ones.

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

I didn't have that problem with any of the bolts supplied with the Foxwing. Bad batch perhaps???

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

We're heading down to Esperance for our New Years holiday and are going to tow a camper trailer so I thought it would be a good idea to fit the Transmission Cooler. I went with the Davies Craig 678 model and found the job to be time consuming but fairly straight forward. Overall it took about 6 hours but I did stuff around a bit.



I mounted the cooler onto a couple of pieces of 20x20x3mm Aluminium angle with stainless steel bolts and nyloc nuts. Routing the new hoses took a bit of planning but worked out ok. I did need to buy an extra 1.5mtrs of hose and a 3/8" joiner to link in with the existing trans hoses.





Once installed I went for a quick drive to heat the fluid and get a correct fluid level reading... interestingly when I removed the "Check" plug, about 300-400mls of fluid drained from the outlet. I was expecting to need to ADD more fluid??? It seems that the fluid level was higher than normal. Most concerning was the colour of the fluid - very brown with slightly burnt smell. That's after 40,000kms! Looks like I'll need a fluid flush asap. Any tips on how to do this as a DIY project would be much appreciated.



Thanks,
VXWesty.

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

That oil is cooked.

Dealer visit, just ask for flush and change transfer oil. Tell them it's because you're about to go on a trip.

Hope for the best and if not, scream warranty..

[APS Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close APS]

Hey VXWesty.
Wondering about your High beam HID upgrade you did. What did you go with? External ballast and what watts. I have been looking for an all-in one ballast not the separate external ones but cant find anything for high beam only the low beams.
Thanks
BTW looking very nice - great build
APS

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

I bought an upgrade kit from Newpro-Tech online. They're 55 Watt HID's with an external ballast. Personally I'd go with external ballasts to keep them away from the heat inside the headlight assembly.

Just looking on their website now, they do a 70 Watt version.

VXWesty

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

Hi All,

I started work on installing the ProVent oil catch can (purchased from Chip-It) over the weekend. The unit actually mounts really easily to the drivers side rear space in the engine bay. There is an M6 nut already on the side of the engine bay that allows the mounting bracket to sit with just enough clearance to the bonnet strut. I simply drilled and tapped the other mounting point for a secure fit.

I picked up 5/8" hose for to run from the PCV and I'm going to use a length of 1/2" hose as a drain from the outlet on the catch can. Maybe put a tap and small holding tank lower down in the engine bay???

Only problem so far is the catch can uses 1" fittings so now I need to find a 1" to 5/8" reducer joiner. Unless anyone has any better ideas?

[Dusty74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dusty74]

Mate thanks for the tip on Newpro-Tech, upgraded the IPF 900 XS spotties on the weekend and couldn't be happier. I went the slimline ballast and fitted them internally. The best part is they simply plug into existing loom and were a much better quality than other units I've seen. Whats more, they come with enough different leads to go external if thats what your after.

Thanks again,
Dusty

[Dusty74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dusty74]

Mate thanks for the tip on Newpro-Tech, upgraded the IPF 900 XS spotties on the weekend and couldn't be happier. I went the slimline ballast and fitted them internally. The best part is they simply plug into existing loom and were a much better quality than other units I've seen. Whats more, they come with enough different leads to go external if thats what your after.

Thanks again,
Dusty

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

You're welcome, glad they worked out for you.

VXWesty

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

Hi All,

I started work on installing the ProVent oil catch can (purchased from Chip-It) over the weekend. The unit actually mounts really easily to the drivers side rear space in the engine bay. There is an M6 nut already on the side of the engine bay that allows the mounting bracket to sit with just enough clearance to the bonnet strut. I simply drilled and tapped the other mounting point for a secure fit.

I picked up 5/8" hose for to run from the PCV and I'm going to use a length of 1/2" hose as a drain from the outlet on the catch can. Maybe put a tap and small holding tank lower down in the engine bay???

Only problem so far is the catch can uses 1" fittings so now I need to find a 1" to 5/8" reducer joiner. Unless anyone has any better ideas?

Just tried to squeeze the 5/8" hose into the 1" inlet on the catch can and its a perfect fit. It takes a fair bit of force to insert but seems to be a tight, solid connection.

Does anyone know if the PCV system is under much pressure? I can't imagine it would be giving that the small OEM connection is only a friction fit and doesn't use hose clamps.

VXWesty

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

Hi All,

The connections are complete!

5/8" hose straight out of the rocker cover outlet. The lower hose connects to the inlet using the existing 5/8 elbow twisted 180 degrees with a 5/8-5/8" brass joiner.


For now I'm going with the friction fit approach, backed up with some sealant and 30mm heatshrink tubing. The 5/8" hose fits very firmly into the 1" fitting on the catch can and I'm betting that the low pressure system won't cause any leaks.


Here is an overview pic showing the entire system with a bit of thick foam tape to protect from rubbing hoses, and cable ties to hold it in place with a bit of conduit for protection.


There is a length of 1/2" hose attached to the lower drain but I think I'll cap it off and simply soak up the oil/water mix straight out of the catch can every few months. There seems to be a reasonable capacity under the filter and it's very easy to access.

In all, I used almost 1 meter of 5/8" oil hose, 1 x 5/8" joiner, 1 meter of 1/2" hose for the drain (not really needed) and a few other bits and pieces for vibration protection.

I went for a full day drive today and have already notice a fine oil build up inside the hose coming into the catch can!

Hope the pics help anyone else tackling the job.

VXWesty