VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

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

Sold the White 2006 GXL Wagon, 4.0 Litre V6 with 6 Speed Manual, Toyota Alloy Bar, Tow Bar, Tinted Windows, 240 Lightforce Spotlights & Custom Leather Interior & Cooper 265/65R17 ATR's today.

BUT... I did come home with a new April 09 build Silver GXL Wagon, 3.0 Litre D4D with 6 Speed Manual, Toyota 2.5T Tow Bar, Colour Coded Wheel Cover, Tinted Windows, Toyota mats & Custom Line Trimming Leather Interior.



Drove out of the showroom and straight down to Bob Jane and had a set of Pirelli ATR's fitted (265/65R17).


The new Pirelli's are very quiet, and feel great on the road at all speeds. (a lot quieter than the Cooper ATR's). Got a great deal on the Grandcraps (I guess they only had 4kms on them).

I ordered a P&P Newpro-Tech Turbo Timer (& a switch for the spotties) last week, so fitted it as soon as I came home (10 min job) - works a treat 8)



I must say, I am very surprised how well the new D4D goes !


Here is a photo of the interior with the leather seats & door trims...(I had these in the last Prado and are fantastic !)

They are almost black but look very "grey" in this picture for some reason. I had white stitching done again as it stayed white in the last car without too much work.

Currently shopping around for a 2" lift and some more 240 lightforce spotties to mount on the Nudge Bar that will be fitted next week. Also going to get the tinted windows done (oh...and a PP sticker !)

I will post some pictures tomorrow night once I can take some good shots of it tomorrow in the daylight.

Here is another one I took this weekend...


Sorry for the ramble... just very excited after a 4 week wait

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

No need to apologise on the ramble mate - excellent news. So what was the reason for upgrading? On a lease?

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Madkore,

The 06 was my first 4WD. I wanted the diesel, but at the time it was at least a 4 month wait and an $8K premium for the new (at the time) D4D.

I took the petrol with 6 speed manual model knowing that I would turn it over before I hit 100,000kms. When I mentioned to a mate that I was going to start looking around at another Prado, he was very keen to take my white one for his wife.

I am planning on hanging onto this one a little longer now I have the engine and gearbox I wanted 2 1/2 years ago.

I loved the V6, but I could turn it over for a new D4D with $0 outlay. I ended up with cheaper repayments due to the lower interest rates, fixed price servicing ($260/service) for the next 60Kms and another 3 year/100,000kms warranty. I will also get an extra 500kms to a tank of fuel... the maths all swayed my way.

After clocking up 400kms this weekend in it, I am wrapped with the new one. (and how slow the fuel gauge drops ).

JR

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Got the windows tinted yesterday... car looks great now.



Filled up the car the day I got it, and had to fill it again yesterday. It took 165 litres and travelled 1650kms since last fill -

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Lovely.

Couple of questions:
1. what nudge did you decide on? I'm considering the TJM high loop as it mounts through the lower radiator grille area rather than under the bumper therefore doesn't remove any approach angle or clearance
2. The spotlight switch, does the icon/pictogram light up with your dash lights? & is the bright white thing above illuminate either at all or when the switch is engaged?

Cheers
Craig

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Craig,

I ended up with an AMA low loop bar (as I scored it on fleabay for $50). I have had it re-polished and hope to fit it this weekend.

I haven't yet wired up the switch for the spotlights, so I am not sure what it will look like until I have the nudge bar fitted to mount the new lights on (looking at a set of XGT 240 Lightforce). As soon as I get it hooked up, I will post some pictures for you.

JR.

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Received my Ample Outdoors Scan Gauge yesterday...

Took 2 minutes to hook up... now I just need to program in all the x-gauges...

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Thanks JR - Pics always good.

I have the XGT240's ready to go, just gotta sort out something to put them on, and a cool switch of course. Good deal on the low loop bar.

I had those lights on my Surf - you won't be disappointed. I went with the blue lens covers though as it gives a nice white beam.

Cheers

Craig

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Got the nudge bar fitted today.

This is an AMA-Brisbane bar. 76mm dia. Front bolt holes lined up perfectly with threaded holes in chassis ... Rear holes had to be drilled :?

I called AMA during the week, and they confirmed holed had to be drilled :?

Here is a few photo's of it being installed. (measure 3 times and only drill once !!)

All measured and centre punched, then drilled -

Here is the hole -

Here are the HT bolts used (short ones for the threaded holes and long ones for the newly drilled holes-

All bolted up-

Finally finshed-




Overall... took around 30 min from start to finish... now I can go out and buy the spotties this week !

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Far out VeeZee - doesn't take you long to start racking up the mods! Keep em comin!

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Went shopping today and came home with some Lightforce 240 XGT's and some Philips Crystal Vision's for the headlights.




Wont get these all fitted until next week...but I might sit the spotties on the nudge bar over the weekend and post some pics of what they look like...

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Ok... couldn't wait till the weekend... so I have sat them on the bar to see what it will look like... 8)





So far... the bonnet still opens with around 1" of clearance when the bonnet is lifted...

The only issue I have is working out how to run the wiring under the bonnet in the neatest way.

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Fitted up the "Crystal Vision" headlights and parkers today... the lights look very blue even with the lights turned off - 8)
You can really notice the "whiter" light compared to the "yellow" looking for lights...




Fitted the 4 x T10-2-4LEDBLU bulbs in the doors (maybe a little too blue)...and 1 x T5LEDW2P for the glovebox (from Brightlightautoparts.com)
These things are bright...and very blue... maybe a little too blue...




After a read on the forum here I have also purchased a "flip" style key for the Prado off Fleabay...



I have also had these door sill guards fitted...



Hopefully the XGT's will get fitted this week and I will go and get some "Crystal Blue" covers for them too...

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

A few mates helped me wire up the XGT's and a carkit for the BlackBerry this afternoon...



Got the switch wired up - (shame it is orange and not green)



Wired the relay in a factory relay box...(normally used for Grande air suspension)



Will post some pix of the final product...

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

Re: VeeZeeSS - 09 D4D M6

Final result of the XGT's fitted up...





Out in the fog last night- (photo taken with the phone)



Overall... very happy with the lights.
Going to get some Crystal Blue covers so they don't look so yellow next to the new Philips Crystal Vision globes in the headlights.