Darren's GXL TD 150

[Darren253 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Thanks Mike,
I'm really pleased with the setup. The fronts are a little harsh going over rail crossing or things like that, but the handling is dramatically improved. I don't think i would go back. I would say the front is now equivalent to a standard road car compared to the previous armchair feel of the Std Prado springs. When i add a winch i'm sure thing might soften up a bit more. When it was lifted with the STD springs it just felt so marsh mellow like it seem dangerous to be honest. (Maybe just a shock factor?)
I do need to install poly bags in the back. When loaded with all of the camping gear the back did drop majorly. Photo below.
I paid $1700 installed and aligned. They didn't charge me anything for the second change out (tho this was what i asked for in the first place). I did want to fit it myself (If done a Wrangler and Jeep KJ Cherokee before) but for $250 including alignment my weekend time to too valuable at the moment.

Roof rack was a standard Rola rack on special from Repco. $200 or $300 i think. I chopped the rear bar out of it to better suit the Oztent RV5. No mode number sorry...

[Matty80 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Matty80]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Looking pretty good there mate!!! What's next on the list of mods?

Matt

[Darren253 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Thanks Matt,

The financial controller is getting a bit itchy at the moment so i may need to slow down a bit!
I have plenty of DIY jobs to complete.

1) Finish the draw systems wings (on hinges) to create the complete false floor
2) Mount, wire and plumb compressor in the rear after above
3) Build fold down table for rear door.
4) build/install shelf to go above the engel for extra storage. We use this space but have to hold the camping table in the air whilst accessing the Engel when fully loaded.
5) Mount Hi-lift jack to existing roof rack. I have some Rola clamps/lock that bolt onto the crossbars but need to work out how and to keep it safe from failure and gouged paintwork! maybe mount on the inside edge?
6) $100 DIY poly bag installation using USA link on 120 pages.

I've fitted a 3mm TJM sump bash plate this week. Photo's to follow but won't really show much but I’ll try...

Big ticket items on hold include: Winch (probably Tigerz with Dyn), Rear locker (ARB), in dash Sat-Nav & DVD, Snorkel (wife hates the look of them :-( )

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

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

The cover looked like a giant marsh mellow stuck on the back to me (some colors do look better)

Classic!!


Exactly like a marshmellow, and look ALOT better without, I will definitely do the same.


Good job nice rig, will be similar to what I would like mine to be like


Cheers

Brett

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Darren,

Are you able to give some more details about which HID kit you used for the 225s? I have the 225s and find them pretty good as they are, but obviously would have liked to get HID for even better performance (but was put off by the price of the units coming as HIDs), so might have to look into an upgrade kit.

I'm assuming it is this one? Did you go for the 4300k or the 6000k?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/HID-KIT-IPF-8...item1c0e41d910

Regards,

Steve

[Darren253 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Steve,

That is the kit. It has transformed the lights. I was very underwhelmed with the stock Narva performance.
My only gripe with the kit is that it is fairly slow to start up... It's probably a 5-6 second delay to get full light power. This could be normal for HID spotties (?) but my Wife drives a Honda Accord Euro with HID's and these are on full power within 1 second.
I went for the 6oook and it is a noticeable bluer/whiter light than the headlights.

Worth every cent...

Darren

[Way2go Member Find all posts View Profile Close Way2go]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Darren,

Is it only the slow start up the first time you switch them on after a period of non-use - if you have them on, switch them off then back on fairly quickly (e.g. for oncoming traffic) I would expect that they would get to full brightness much quicker the second time?

Steve

[Darren253 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Correct, only the first start-up of the day or for several hours at least...

[Darren253 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

OK so it's been a while since i updated but summer is nearly over here in WA and camping/4x4 season is about to liven up!

DIY Safari Snorkel... See the thread in accessories section for those interested. I think it has increased the performance which i wasn't expecting.



Updated rear storage. Upright aluminum frame using 25mm Ally square tube. Bunnings garage shelf for soft storage and to gain a bit of from on top of the Engel.


Fold down rear table. Top mod... This is the best camping mod i've mad so far. We use it everywhere.



LED strip light. The power of this is amazing. The internal wiring in the rear door and rear quarter panel was tricky but i'm happy with the result.
Be careful not to lose the square clips from the rear door window side panels. these push through very easily and are $5.70 each from Toyota!

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

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

The truck is looking great, keep the pics coming Darren.

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Great work Darren. Love the table and light above it. Are you happy with the $20 battery tray? I've always wondered if the cheaper ones could be used? and not the $180 ones?
Cheers
Geoff

[Darren253 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Installed a firestone air bag kit this evening. Very simple installation. I used the upside down bottle jack method to remove the springs. 1.5hrs start to finish.
I used the USA website per the suspension forum. $142 delivered. They arrived in 8 days. 4107 kit for a 50mm lift.

Additional projects this week included the installation of a GME TX3340 and I've built a 3 price sand flag from electrical conduit and a high-vis jacket ready for our Easter trip.

I'm in the process of negotiating a tracklander alloy roof rack. They are bloody expensive but I need a full length one to fit our Oz tent RV5. The majority of the ones on the market for the 150 are either 1800mm long or the 2100mm all seem to be 6" from the roof. I'm really after a low profile unit.

[Guest Close Guest]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

I'm really after a low profile unit.

Rhino Pioneer Platform rack?

[DARREN Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close DARREN]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Hello Darren, (great name! )

I'm just having trouble chasing up one of those rear Led strip lights that you have installed above your back door. Would you please be able to tell me where you got the light from and maybe even how much you payed?

I have a few meters of the 5050 led sticky back strip lights but It hasnt quite worked out how I planned so I'm looking for pretty much what you have. Any ideas as to where you got it?

Thanks for any help.

Sorry for going off topic.

Nice prado by the way.

[Darren253 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Darren253]

Re: Darren's GXL TD 150

Hello Darren, (great name! )

I'm just having trouble chasing up one of those rear Led strip lights that you have installed above your back door. Would you please be able to tell me where you got the light from and maybe even how much you payed?

No worries Darren...
eBay! $78 for a packet of 4 delivered from Hong Kong. They come with IP65 connectors to solder to what ever you want. You do need to solder them as the wire gauge used is very thin. Delivery took about 2 weeks. I've ordered two sets now as a mate rigged up his boat after seeing mine.