William's 150 GXL D4D

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Just arrived back from a long trip overseas and have found the time to slap on a few things I bought whilst away.

Weather shields... these aren't the genuine ones but I figured I'd give them a go. Worse case scenario is that I remove them or the wind does it for me. They came with 3M double sided tape, but I'm concerned that it may not be enough. The fit was good, but it could have been better. I've yet to take it out for a test run to see how it handles on the freeway. Though the plastic is quite thick, the quality of the plastic itself doesn't seem that strong as there are visible dimples and ripples along where the 3M tape was applied. Overall, still happy as they were cheap as chips and do block a lot of sun out of the cabin. Here are some pics.






Also picked up some D4D badges...




and some vinyl to contast the bottom plate of the bar - not sure it did a damn thing though. So much for choosing a subtle colour, oh well.


Next up... some HID driving lights...

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Picked up a pair of genuine Toyota headlamp protectors today.







Not at all satisfied with the design. The screw that can be seen on the third photo is the only thing holding them on. Even with the bonnet closed, anybody with a screw driver could take them. It’s happened before with my Rav4.


Next up are a set of 180mm spotties that arrived today in the mail from our friend Derek from ABR Sidewinder. He was excellent to deal with as the item took a mere 4 days to arrive in Victoria and he responded promptly to all my enquiries. Here are a couple pics of what I ordered:





I got it with the blue covers and two sets of lock nuts. Currently awaiting installation as I need to:
- Clear up some uncertainties I have with the wiring diagram
- Obtain some longer cross bolts so that I can get a spot weld on (for extra anti-theft security)
- Thinking of engraving my rego on the back of the light units too
- Decide where to mount the ballasts
Call me paranoid, but with the amount of stories I hear of spotties going missing, I'll do everything I can to prevent it from happening - especially since it's our everyday car that gets parked where these thieving scum patrol (shopping mall carparks etc)... So before I keep them on permantently, I also need to figure out a way to prevent the reflector housing and lens cap from being screwed off. Any idea’s from people who own these lights or those who have lightforce spotties with a similar design? I’ve read on other forums where people have run a self tapping screw through the threading and finished it by covering the screw with a compound so that it can’t be unscrewed and remains waterproof. This would probably void warranty though. What a dilemma!

I will post more photos once the install is complete.

Cheers

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

I think u would find it hard to get to the bolts without lifting the bonnet with the ARB bar or u would have to take off the bottom plates. Pretty secure to me, if not, that's why we have insurance??

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

I think u would find it hard to get to the bolts without lifting the bonnet with the ARB bar or u would have to take off the bottom plates. Pretty secure to me, if not, that's why we have insurance??

Hi Hutch,
I'm not concerned with the bolts that attach the mounts to the bar, as you've said, those bolts are pretty hard to get to. The bolts I'm referring to are the cross bolts - the ones that connect the reflector housings to the mount. Those are pretty easy to undo, even with locknuts.

As for your comment on insurance.... I reserve my claims for more serious things such as accidents... No point paying the excess and higher future premiums for a low value claim - especially for something that could be avoided altogether.

Cheers

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Completed the spottie install today. Just a few comments on the problems I encountered during the installation that others may find helpful if they were to purchase these lights. The wiring for the negative switched headlights was a complete nightmare but with some guidance from Derek, all went well. I found the universal harness that was supplied to be a little too universal. There's a wire that runs from the switch to the relay that is just too short. However, if the install was carried out on a battery that was located on the drivers side, this would no longer be a problem. I also had trouble with the in-cabin switch... it didn't fit in the slot properly, so I had to file it down a little.

Aside from the little problems I ran into... I'm very happy that the lights are working, they look great and feel sturdy. I've yet to focus and align them but I will doing that this evening once the sun sets. I'll be going on a trip soon and can't wait to see how they perform. Anyway, here are some pics of the installation.

Ballasts that were cable tied to a bar behind the grill. Before anyone asks, those lingering cables have been tied down.




Prepping the lights for the bolts to get spot welded. Note, the longer bolt I'm using doesn't accommodate the threading of the locknut supplied!


A bolt after being welded. Good luck unscrewing the nut off!


Installation complete.




I still haven't figured out how to prevent the reflector housing from being screwed off. Tempted to glue the threading!

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Tinted bonnet protector might look pretty cool..

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Just took it out to a dark closed road and aligned the lights. Not too sure I like the pattern of the spread beam, I will have to test it on a freeway and not a dirt road. If I had unscrewed it anymore, the whole reflector housing might have come off on a bump. The pencil beam however, was awesome! Lit up the back of a house, that I didn't know was there, about a kilometer down the road. Also thinking of changing back to the clear lenses, the blue covers don't seem very practical. Anyway, so far so good. Can't wait to take it out on the night run up to the Murray

Tinted bonnet protector might look pretty cool..

My exact thought! Though, I plan to get the genuine one and paint the back black..

Cheers

[MartyK Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close MartyK]

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

William,
With regard to the screws on the reflector (Lens) part of the lights, get some anti tamper screws.
I did the same to my Rallye 4000 lights as i was paranoid about them getting stolen also.

MartyK

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

William,
With regard to the screws on the reflector (Lens) part of the lights, get some anti tamper screws.
I did the same to my Rallye 4000 lights as i was paranoid about them getting stolen also.

MartyK

Hi MartyK, I had thought of that too, but wouldn't it compromise the water resistance of the light? There are two rubber O rings on the threading of the light mount where the reflector housing screws onto. That section of the light is quite small, not only that, the high voltage cable from the ballast runs through it. Last thing I want to do is run a screw through those cables!

Cheers

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

I've noticed a lot of my recovery gear and tools are starting to clog up the cargo area. I also found it difficult to get to my recovery gear on a recent trip. So after reading the drawer threads, I've finally completed a design and run the numbers for the primary component of my rear drawers (excluding wings for side access)... It will be:
- a simple two drawer system. However, I'm thinking of adding a small pull-out table.
- 90x90x22.4 in size, using 12mm marine ply for both the frame and drawers.
- made so that I can remove it easily by unbolting it from the 3rd row seat mounts
- using a ball bearing system, rather than drawer slides. I'll upgrade if I find it necessary after trialing them. Also open to suggestions as to a cheap place to source slides
- a simple lock and handle drawer. However, I'm going to trial some cupboard clips, so that I don't have to constantly unlock/lock the drawers when using them frequently in a parked position.

Went to bunnings and got some prices to get an idea of how much I'd need to spend. I've also went and bought some stuff at the local market. I’d appreciate it if anyone could recommend a cheaper source for materials. Anyway, here's a list of prices for the materials required for this project:
1. Plywood 6 sheets of 1200x600x12mm @ $27ea: $162 (Bunnings)
2. 4x 2x2cm Aluminum square rails 1.2m @ $12ea: $48 (Bunnings)
3. 2 Locks and 2 Handles: $15 (acquired - local market)
4. 28 Ball Bearings: $50 (acquired - local market)
5. Cupboard clips: $6 (pending delivery - Ebay)
6. 1x2m Car carpet $19/m: $38 (Bunnings)
7. Screws, nuts & bolts, liquid nails and L brackets (Bunnings/local market)
Total: $319 plus misc items in 7.

I'll post a rough plan soon so that people can learn from it, or perhaps teach me a thing or two. After all, it's my first drawer build! I'll have some free time in about 2 weeks, so it'll give me some time to finalise the design as well as collect the required materials.

Can't wait to get started!

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

William's 150 GXL D4D

Can't wait to see the finished product William. Have been thinking about the same sort if thing. Good luck

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Can't wait to see the finished product William. Have been thinking about the same sort if thing. Good luck

Thanks Ages. Hopefully with lots of planning I wont need luck (fingers crossed!)

So I went to the market today and picked up some 40mm M10 nuts and bolts to suit the ball bearings I'm using. Went to bunnings and picked up a box of M10 nuts to bring the bearing out a little more. I couldn't find spacers or appropriate washers. Total cost: $18. I also went and checked out Clark Rubber for car carpet. Its cheaper than bunnings at $33 for two metres instead of $38 at bunnings.

Here are the plans thus far. Only rough sketches at the moment. Haven't yet drawn up the plans for the inner boxes, but I've got it done on paper. I'm going to modify it a little to incorporate a small pull out table. I'll upload them anyway as to benefit anyone who's planning their own builds. It's mostly drawn to scale.

Front:


Top View: (excludes handles and locks)


Left Panel: (excludes handles and locks) ... this is basically the same for the middle and RHS panel


Oh! I just watched the Black Widow drawer installation on youtube. Surprisingly enough, their sliding system and bearing placement is very similar to my own design - so I guess I'm not doing too bad so far.

[D4D Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close D4D]

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Have you thought of building it Drifta style with no bearings?

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Have you thought of building it Drifta style with no bearings?

I haven't actually seen Drifta drawers. How do the drawers work with their system?
I don't think I'll be changing my design unless this one fails. I'm already committed to the ball bearing system since I've already bought them :lol:

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

Re: William's 150 GXL D4D

Drawer parts update:
The cupboard clips have arrived. The label says ROMAK Double Roller Catch. They are surprisingly strong and I'm beginning to think I wont need a lock because just one clip alone could probably hold a drawer in without any problems. I may very well need a stronger handle, especially if I'm to put two or three of these on each drawer.