Roadblock's 2011 GXL D4D Build up

[Case Member Find all posts View Profile Close Case]

Looks good mate, I think i have seen it on the road and i seen it in at TJM on a hoist getting its bulbar installed

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

Been off the forum for a while now... Just about to start doing some work on the rig again. We've finally been getting out in the camper trailer a bit more and I think its time for some 12V for the car and the trailer. Looking at dual battery set ups for the prado and a battery for the trailer as well.

Need to be able to run the fridge in the car whilst parked and send some 12V out the back for the trailer whilst travelling. I'll be looking at a few other builds for ideas.

[dermie75 Member Find all posts View Profile Close dermie75]

Finally finished installing the UHF this morning after a couple of very frustrating nights trying to run power for the radio. The radio I have is a GME TX3600 that I have had for a number of years but only recently swapped the remote face / head for a LCD microphone. The intent being that I wouldn't need to drill any holes and could unplug and put the mic out of sight when not in use. To clean up the installation I used a RJ45 pass-through (F-F) connector with a face plate (light blue) that fits quite neatly in to the hole beside the 2nd start button. The power ended up coming from a wire soldered to the +ve of the 12V outlet in the middle row. This was the easiest place to get at by simply removing the whole rear fascia of the console box. The aerial was fitted with the bullbar and is a Laser UHF - 2 EL Collinear - Rugged Fibreglass



Roadblock

Looking sweet there Roadblock. What's the 2nd start for?

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

I think all the auto prados have a 2nd start feature so they take off in 2nd gear instead of 1st. I'm not really sure what it is good for. Maybe saves some fuel? Come to think of it... would probably be handy in low range so it isn't so jerky on the first gear change??? I really don't know though...

Anyone???

Cheers,
Roadblock.

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

How I miss the Grande... I had the same machine as you about 2 years ago for a work car. The missus reckons shes never driven anything nicer... including our 150 series... I think she just really liked the fridge and electric leather seats. She loves the pearl too! I couldn;t bring myself to part with the $$$s for the Kakadu when I bought this one though. Not for what I use it for...

Looks good mate, I think i have seen it on the road and i seen it in at TJM on a hoist getting its bulbar installed

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

Yep, spot on Roadblock. For auto, it means you can have it in second gear and you can take off in it and hold it with the power on up a dune rather than using D (which will change gear if revs get too high) or using L, which you may max out.

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

Just ordered a Projecta 150 dual battery kit. The research is complete, now on to which battery, tray, cable for rear fridge outlet, etc. Anyone got hot tips on batteries? I've been looking at a Century MarinePro 720. Gives me 100Ah deep cycle + 720CCA for cranking if needed. BCF have them for $219. What about trays? Is there any reason not to use a $20 plastic tray as opposed to ABR ~$140 steel tray?

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

Hey Roadblock

Not sure about the diesel but you may be limited in battery size by the available space in the engine bay. I bought my tray from Opposite Lock and it is a ripper well made and fitted all the existing mounting points, $120.00 if I remember correctly.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

I think all the auto prados have a 2nd start feature so they take off in 2nd gear instead of 1st. I'm not really sure what it is good for. Maybe saves some fuel? Come to think of it... would probably be handy in low range so it isn't so jerky on the first gear change??? I really don't know though...

Anyone???

Cheers,
Roadblock.

I had been told it's main use was for places like boat ramps, not applying too much power, when starting to move up the ramp with boat on the trailer.

Comments anyone?

Cheers
REV

[Chewbacca Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chewbacca]

I was told by the dealer when I picked up mine it is also useful in sand, instead of digging holes it helps u get out by moving off in second gear.

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

Roadblock

Mainly used for low grip situations such as sand mud and snow. Was originally designed for snow but we don't see much of that here in Queensland, beautiful one day perfect the next Richo.

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

I use 2nd start often and it makes a big difference in situations where wheel spin is the enemy.

Whenever your are getting started in situations where the grip is compromised, you steadily apply the right foot and "2nd Start" will help to deliver the power in a way which is less likely going to result in wheel spin.

The Diesel engine has ample low-down torque to use it in every crazy-steep-and-slippery situation. I expect the Petrol to also benefit, but perhaps to a lesser extent?

If you owned a manual, this is equivalent to starting in 2nd gear. Since you can't normally do that in an Auto, they give you a "2nd Start" button. Quite a useful feature if you know how to use it, and practice makes perfect.

BTW, during a MAXTRAX recovery the "2nd Start" button should be used (or start in 2nd gear if you have a manual). Once again, this is to minimise wheel spin.

Cheers,
LFaR.

[REV Find all posts View Profile Close REV]

I use 2nd start often and it makes a big difference in situations where wheel spin is the enemy.

Whenever your are getting started in situations where the grip is compromised, you steadily apply the right foot and "2nd Start" will help to deliver the power in a way which is less likely going to result in wheel spin.

The Diesel engine has ample low-down torque to use it in every crazy-steep-and-slippery situation. I expect the Petrol to also benefit, but perhaps to a lesser extent?

If you owned a manual, this is equivalent to starting in 2nd gear. Since you can't normally do that in an Auto, they give you a "2nd Start" button. Quite a useful feature if you know how to use it, and practice makes perfect.

BTW, during a MAXTRAX recovery the "2nd Start" button should be used (or start in 2nd gear if you have a manual). Once again, this is to minimise wheel spin.

Cheers,
LFaR.

Hi LFaR,

That's about my understanding of it.
To lessen the power applied to the wheels on starting off ie: less spinning of wheels.

Cheers
REV

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

Hey Roadblock

Not sure about the diesel but you may be limited in battery size by the available space in the engine bay. I bought my tray from Opposite Lock and it is a ripper well made and fitted all the existing mounting points, $120.00 if I remember correctly.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

Thanks Richo. Being as tight fisted as I am I couldn't see the value. Mind you I didn't go to Opp Lock but had a look at them on the net. So anyway I went to Supercheap on Friday and bought a $20 battery tray. Spent an hour or so with the grinder, hammer and drill and made myself what I think is a very respectable battery tray. Relocating the aircon pipes was a snap. I sliced and bashed a section of the side of the battery tray down and drilled a hole for the anti-vibe mount to bolt to and gently pushed the pipe away and pushed the top across as well. I haven't got the battery yet but if my tape measure and the century batteries website are correct, the big 100Ah / 720CCA should slide in well. Got the projecta kit on Friday as well as it happened... it was like an early Chirstmas. I will post some photos of the whole set up once I get it all together.

[connels Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close connels]

Went in for window tint today. Tintmaster "Black Ice" darkest legal. Will post some photos once the sun comes out for long enough to take some.

Roadblock, as above do you have any pictures of your tint and what did you think of the quality and business as a whole? Do you know what film was used?
As the wife will be in town for a couple of weeks, will be looking to this done. Any info you can give would be great.

Cheers,

Simon