Spike's 120GXL Build Up

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

Hi all, here is my first attempt at a post. By way of intro, I’m a beancounter with very limited 4WD experience. I bought a white 2008 120 series GXLDiesel a few months back with the intention of getting out and seeing some moreof this great country. I figured if I want to see the good bits of the country,and more than the highways have to offer, I’ll need to learn a lot more about4WDing, and this forum has been a wonderful place to do so.
I’ve been a member for a couple of months now, and have been"lurking", soaking up huge amounts of information from all those people so generous withtheir time and knowledge.
I didn’t get a photo from when I first bought the car, butit was a stock Prado, so no imagination required. My first mod was the easiest possible, the Hilux washer jets – hey gotta start somewhere! But they are somuch better than the originals. Then had a Safari Snorkel and OMEsuspension added…..



Now that there is a huge gap under the wheel arches I'll have to think of a way to fill them up

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

Electric Brake Controller and Anderson Plug

I had also recently purchased a second hand Cub Spacematic OffRoad camper trailer, so next on the list was a Redarc TowPro electric brake controller and Anderson Plug......



In hindsight I would have asked the auto-electrician to mount the remote unit for the brake controller in a different slot, as I've discovered it's difficult to see and operate in the current position. I might see if I can exercise my manual skills (difficult for a desk jockey!) and relocate it before too long...

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

Rear e-locker and diff breathers

The latest additions (this week) were an Eaton Rear e-Locker (my wife only agreed to this outlay as she firmly believes I'm going to get stuck and will need all the assistance I can get! Such faith....



and I bought a breather kit for the diffs gear box and transfer case on the weekend and installed. With much help and advice from the dealer I have to admit ...but getting more used to fiddling around on the car. Who knew it could be so much fun?!?

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

Coming Up

Taking on board my wife's belief (or lack thereof) in my 4WDing abilities, and having the best interests of my doors in mind, I decided to invest in some more solid side steps/rock sliders. The standard Prado steps seem quite flimsy, and having read a few posts on the forum the general consensus was that AJ120 makes the best sliders on the market. So..... he has kindly taken my order I'm waiting eagerly for delivery - I'm sure the installation of those will provide me hours of entertainment .

For the same reasons I have also ordered an ARB winch bar (colour coded white of course!), which should also arrive in the next week or so. More pics of each of these to follow.....

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

AJ120 makes the best sliders on the market. So..... he has kindly taken my order I'm waiting eagerly for delivery - I'm sure the installation of those will provide me hours of entertainment .

Correct there - AJ is the best - bar none.

And don't worry about install - if a numpty like me can do it, you can too.

Oh, and if you don't wish to keep AJ's intimates which he uses to wrap the sliders in so they don't get scratched, please send them to me so I can add to my collection.

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

Correct there - AJ is the best - bar none.

And don't worry about install - if a numpty like me can do it, you can too.

Oh, and if you don't wish to keep AJ's intimates which he uses to wrap the sliders in so they don't get scratched, please send them to me so I can add to my collection.

Thanks Madkore, I aspire to numptiness when it comes to mechanics!

As far as collecting intimates goes, the mind boggles.......still, each unto their own, I say. Live and let live, and all that.

Now I'm wondering what size bloke AJ must be if his intimates can handle rock sliders....hmmm best move on I think.......

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

AJ120 Sliders

Well AJ's sliders arrived last Friday, so I had something to look forward to on the weekend.....



Somehow it didn't seem appropriate that they were wrapped in AJ's "intimates" as Madkore puts it, but the care in packaging certainly served the purpose for protecting in transit. They arrived in pristine condition.

A couple of shots of the "less substantial" plastic steps and light brackets that came stock....



We have a ridiculously steep driveway down to our garage, which makes for a steep approach angle reversing into the garage. Unfortunately since the upgrade to Old Man Emu suspension and the associated lift in height, this means the Prado no longer fits under my garage door! This means all mods have to be performed at the top of my driveway, which is not ideal. Still.....

A couple of empty paint cans and some timber chocks to get the sliders in place...



Bolt them on and job done! Things of great beauty....

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

So that was a fun way to spend half of Sunday morning, and I'm very pleased with the result and the product. Testimony to the build quality and instructions that they were so easy to fit.

I also got notice yesterday that my ARB winch bar is ready, so the car is down getting it fitted up as I type. I'll post some pics of that tomorrow if all goes according to plan......

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

Nice one Spike. Those sliders do look great


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[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

Nice one Spike. Those sliders do look great

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks BM, pretty chuffed with them, and I'm sure they'll repay me when the track gets rough

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

ARB Premium Winch Bar

Well the ARB Premium winch bar went on yesterday but I had to wait for the wheel alignment to be done today before I could pick it up and check it out. I have to say it looks spot on. I know there have been a few on the site who have had dramas with the ARB bar and instals but this one is really a top bit of work. The alignment is perfect, the welds look very neat and the colour is perfectly matched.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Good to see you got the sliders fitted up, nice job for an accountant

With the ARB bar fitted its starting to look the part now, except its a bit clean

Cheers Andrew

[Dakbow Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Dakbow]

Looks good spike I have one on order at the moment

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

Good to see you got the sliders fitted up, nice job for an accountant

With the ARB bar fitted its starting to look the part now, except its a bit clean

Cheers Andrew

Yeah apparently we beanies don't like getting our hands dirty. Made a nice change ;-).

[spike69 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close spike69]

Yeah apparently we beanies don't like getting our hands dirty. Made a nice change .

Speaking of getting it dirty, I'm actually starting the planning process for our first serious trip with the CT, probably around March. Thinking Mungo NP as I've wanted to go there for a while. Might have my first trip report :-) Meanwhile a few weekenders are in order I think....