Steve’s D4D150 GXL

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

Current height is 840mm rear and 814mm front.

The back is not normally that high as I have just taken all the equipment and shelving etc. out of the car to put the back (third row) seats back in for taxi duties.

I am not a suspension expert, but I expect that people would define the springs as “hard” although I would not. The way it was explained to me was that Tough Dog had two different types of springs for the rear and three for the front.

For the back it was a choice of a
1. 40mm lift, or
2. 40mm lift with a 300kg load in the back
I took the latter as I normally have a load in the back (not 300kg) and am planning a long range tank soon. It is a bit stiff when empty especially if the fuel tank is low, but that combination is rare. With the recovery gear, some camping gear and some fuel it rides well on the road and off.

For the front it was a choice of
1. 40mm lift,
2. 40mm lift with a steal bulbar fitted,
3. 40mm lift with a steal bulbar, winch and second battery fitted.
I took the third option as I had the bar and knew that within a short period of time I would get the battery and winch. It was “firm” until the battery and winch was fitted but now l would say it is just right both on and off the road.

I know she sits a bit higher than a lot of others I have looked at but I think that is more due to the adjustability of the Bilstein shocks in combination with the springs. Prior to getting the work done I looked at a couple of 150’s that had had a 50mm lift and a bar and they were only 20mm higher than standard, which concerned me due to going out with a lot of Patrols with a lot of clearance. The shop that did the work assured me that this combination would give me the full 40mm lift with the bar and other accessories fitted and I am happy with the results.

Given the recent talk about damage from hard springs on the front I do not know if I would do the same again, but I will not change them now.

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

Cheers stephen

I will go for the basic 40mm lift for rear
Springs and the 40mm with the steel bar and a second battery. Once I do fit a winch, if the front sags I will change to heavier springs.

Thanks for the great reply.

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

No problems. That's what makes pradopoint so good. I could not have built my rig without the help of others at PP.


Steve

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

Latest Mod – The exhaust I could not afford.

I have been looking at a nice 3” exhaust for some time but money is tight and with other things needed I could not justify it. Whilst getting my wife’s car looked at, at a local exhaust shop, I spoke about the issue and I decided that it would be worth trying just modifying the current exhaust and seeing what the advantages would be.

So last Thursday they cut out the main muffler and replaced it with a cheap straight through muffler. Total cost was $130 fitted. Well so far this is what I have found:-

• Turbo lag. There is a large multi-lane roundabout that I pass through twice a day on the way to and from work. Taking off into traffic was a pain with the boost not cutting in until I was well into the intersection. This lag is now reduced by over 50%. Probably closer to 70%. It just feels so much better than before on a standing start.

• Highway towing. On the weekend we took the van (a 16 foot Jayco Expanda) up to Dargo, Vic. This is very hilly going up into the high country. An improvement in towing with it holding speed on hills better but hard to truly assess due to not having driven those roads before.

• Fuel. Consumption has improved by 0.8 l/100km normal driving and I think I got at least that whilst towing.

• Noise. My car is not the quietest around with the tyres and roof rack causing a bit of noise in the cabin. With this, I have noticed a slight increase in noise from the exhaust, but on the trip to Dargo (5 hours each way) neither the kids nor my wife commented. I don’t think they noticed any difference. I notice, but mainly as I am listening for it.

I would love to get a 3” system, but if you don’t want that or like me and don’t have the funds available, this is one mod I recommend. I am very happy with the results.

I am now in two minds, with this improvement, how good would a 3 inch system be AND as this is so much better, do I even bother? The answer will come in a couple of months when I go on a trip with a mate who just got a 3 inch system. I think we will swap vehicle for a spin around the block and compare.

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

Top write up Stephen. I like the way you have described the changes in performance in a tangible way that really makes sense. Sounds like a few local exhaust shops could be getting very busy over the next month !

Thanks !

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

There have been no modifications for a while but Geoff (footoo) inspired me add an oil catch can. I had not heard of them prior to seeing other posts on PP, but after some research I think they are a good idea for any diesel turbo if you are planning on keeping it for a long time.

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

IPad mounted today. Love the screen size and the price (work provided it).

I am still trying to decide what navigation software to use. I have Metroview for street navigation but for off-road I am not sure.

I currently have the cheap version of Memory-Map which has 1:250,000 maps for free and you can then purchase Hema maps for it, or I might go for the VMS software (Mudmaps HD).

I think VMS is winning the argument at this time

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Nice work Steve, for those that I know that have the hema and Vms maps reckon the hema is better.

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

I ended up having concerns about the VMS software. The main one was that their web site showed the map coverage in very little details and it appeared that some of the areas around Rawson, Vic, may not have been covered. As a result I ended up sticking with the Memory-map application (for only $7 it is worth a try) and then downloading the full Vic Topo maps which can be purchased via the Memory-Map web site. It covers every square inch of Victoria and I am very happy with the results. I am heading up into the high country tomorrow morning for its first real test.

I love the details that memory-map gives me, but I must be honest in that I have little to compare it with.

[Hutch Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hutch]

Yes I have mud map with topo maps for all of oz and the hems maps. I do struggle to tell the difference between the two.

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

This should be the last change for a couple of months, but I could not let these go.

Just curious if your front parking sensors are the genuine toyota park assist ones? If they are, did you have any issues fitting them to the bar and are the sensors the same as the ones fitted to the rear? I read in another post that the front Toyota "genuine" sensors are different fom the rear ones and that they didn't fit into steel bars...

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

I am away in the high country at the moment and will give you a better answer when I have not had a hard day on the tracks and a fewwwwww beers around the camp fire. Parking sensors put in by toyota as an option for the GXL and the ARB dealer moved them across when they put on the bar.


Steve.

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

Just done Deep Creek Track No 4. Fun...... Let's say that it was a "winching experience".....


Steve.

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

Great Stuff Steve!

Was there much over growth down the riverbed?
Which End did you come in from? Deep Creek 1 or Binn's Road?

Got any footage?

Bernie

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

Steve what sort of mounting brackets did you use to mount the IPAD i have never seen one that looks so neat as that.

Car looks greeat too and i miss the VIC high country so much.

Cheers