Mark's White D4D GXL

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

Hi all, thought it was about time to start my build. Have been meaning to since I picked up the car in early March but that work thing has been busy.

This is the 8th 4wd I have owned. The Prado replaced a Nissan Navara D40 that was 4 years old, 140,000kms on the clock. It needed it's third clutch, gearbox to be repaired/reconditioned, new fuel pump, it leaked, was as uncomfotable as hell, so it was time for atrade in. I'd bee looking at the Prado for a while and ordered it in December 2011, exactly 3 months from order to delivery.

To say I have noticed the difference is an understatement, much more comfortable, much better build quality and much better on and off road.

Mods done:
OME suspension
Mickey Thompson ATZ 4 rib 265/70 R 17(good but noisy)
Safari snorkel
Redarc BCDC40 dual battery
Genuine Toyota towbar
Time for new UHF, Icom 440n with GME antenna
Sheepskin seatcovers on the front and wetsuit type on the rear
ARB Sahara bar in white
Tigers11 winch (from previous car)
Tigers11 awning
Rhino SXB roof bars


To come soon:
amts bash plates
amts spare wheel holder
Install my ARB compressor from the previous car under bonnet ASAP
Front window tint
Rear drawer, fridge slide setup. Still debating which one, like the look of the Drifta setup, but my ARB fridge slide won't fit apparently, so still thinking about it.
Diff lock, still deciding on front or rear
Full length roof rack of some sort
HID ugrade to the high beam
Probably spotties of some sort, HID, brand to be decided

Here are some pics
Pickup day, old on the right.


Odometer at the dealer


Just back from the tyre shop


New Sheepskins

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

Next came the install of the Icom 440n. From other posts here I decided to put the main unit behind the kick panel on the passengers side. A fairly simple install, remove the glovebox and the various panels, use existing captive nut positions, run antenna through the firewall to bullbar, power direct to second battery, mic to drivers side as per pictures below.

temporarily remove the bracket as indicated


Mount Icom cradle using existing captive nuts in sidewall


Main unit clicks into cradle


Mic holder attached with double sided tape

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

Velcro stuck to the back of the mic extension


Where the connector sits when not in use


This setup works great, when you connect the mic, the velcro releases and you get enough mength on the cable to use freely.

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

A couple of pics in use showing the awning, bar etc





More to come as I get the time, pity about this work thing, a necessary evil to pay for all the mods!

Mark

[120D4D Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 120D4D]

Nice work Mark,

I have a similiar photo with the trade-up from pathfinder!

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Sahara bar looks good on a 150.

[blkd4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close blkd4d]

Mark why won't the drifta set up work with your slide I like the look of the drifta setup have waeco slide but also like fourby fit outs after seeing hibbos

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

Mark why won't the drifta set up work with your slide I like the look of the drifta setup have waeco slide but also like fourby fit outs after seeing hibbos

I contacted Drifta and they say that the ARB slide will not come out far enough. I will follow it up, but I've been too busy the last couple of weeks to follow it up. If it does not work, I could always get a slide from Drifta and sell the ARB one, but I'll avoid that if I can. I only just got the ARB one so don't want to get rid of it if I don't have to.

I am also going to look closer at the Fourby Fitout setup which look good and are on the way home from work too.

Mark

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Thought it was about time I posted some updates to the rig, been way too busy at work lately.


The BCDC40 battery charger location. All going well so far.


ARB compressor mounted on the left side at the back of the engine bay. Will get the door stopper to plug it up when next in Bunnings.


Switch position, a fair bit of filing to be done to fit it and yes I do bump it with my knee getting in and out of the car quite often, am looking around for a smaller switch cover. Maybe the Contura design.

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

I positioned the winch solenoid under the bonnet attached by a bracket to the ARB second battery tray.



Next on the list is for some Drifta drawers and fridge slide. They are ordered and should be ready in the next week or so. I will make a road trip up there from sunny Melbourne to get them fitted with the excuse of visiting some clients in Gosford area. Then I am looking around at some LED reversing lights, I am after something longish and narrow that I can mount on the Toyota towbar.

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

Also, I have received a set of amts bash plates that look great, the plan is to go to a mate's this weekend and use his hoist to put them on. Will post details when done.

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

I positioned the winch solenoid under the bonnet attached by a bracket to the ARB second battery tray.

Out of interest, did you have to cut the bolts down on the battery tray? The ones which hold down the battery clamp.

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

Out of interest, did you have to cut the bolts down on the battery tray? The ones which hold down the battery clamp.

Hi Wooley,

no, I didn't have to cut them back, they have plenty of clearance.

Mark

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

Hi Wooley,

no, I didn't have to cut them back, they have plenty of clearance.

Mark

Ah ok, mine have plenty of clearance but they are a couple of inches longer: will be an absolute pain if i ever have to pull the battery out.

[halfpastfour Member Find all posts View Profile Close halfpastfour]

Went to a mates this morning to fit the amts bash plates. All went well, they are very well made and very easy to fit, all up took about half an hour. here are some pics.

Rear plate


Front plate


The hoist makes life easier


Recessed bolt heads