New Hilux mod tips please...

[Drewski]

Thanks mate, I have used your service.

Here is a picture of my Hilux for anyone that wants to see it:




Rich.

Looks the goods, Rich!!

What canopy is that? Carryboy?

Any chance of some front-on, and rear shots? :-)

Also, what is your mod list?

[T.C]

Hi Drewski,

I have a SR5 with a Carryboy canopy if you would like to see pics. They are a great lid and look a part of the car. Dollar wise they are dearer though.

And yes i agree Richs Car is a sweet looking rig.

[T.C]

HLX40 man,

Thanks T.C

About the legal thing, the SR has 16" rims so I'm safe there and the new rims are still the standard offset, the tyres have gone from 255/70/15 to 285/75/16?

I'v also had an engineers report done and it passed easily

I'v been told that this is corecct, Here's a quote from the NATIONAL CODE OF PRACTICE FOR LIGHT VEHICLE CONSTRUCTION AND MODIFICATION (Page 17)

The rolling diameter of any tyre fitted to an off-road passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle must not be more than 50mm larger or 26mm smaller than that of any tyre designated by the vehicle manufacturer for that model.

Speedometer accuracy must be maintained for the selected tyre and rim combination to within the degree of accuracy specified in ADR 18 where applicable.

Hi Dan,

Now you have confused me you say the SR has 16" wheels,,,,,is yours not the SR5 with 15 inch ?

Doesn't matter anyway i was so mind numb when looking at wheels and tyres to put on my DualCab. I just threw my hands in the air and got a set of ATR's so i can launch the boat on Crappy dirt and mud ramps.

And your SR5 looks mean just as it is now without a BullBar on it.

[Drewski]

Hi Drewski,

I have a SR5 with a Carryboy canopy if you would like to see pics. They are a great lid and look a part of the car. Dollar wise they are dearer though.

And yes i agree Richs Car is a sweet looking rig.

Hi T.C

post away!! :-)

Cheers,

Andrew

[Rich]

Hi Andrew,
Its an Alpha canopy. Not that I would highly recommend them. They are Ok I spose. Here are a couple of more pics as requested mate:










and the list:

ARB Lift kit,
ARB Deluxe bar with winch,
Alpha Canopy
Dual Batteries
Reversing Camera.

You got pics?

Cheers,
Rich.

[Mick.H.]

Hey Rich,

Nice looking rig! I agree the Alpha canopy is a good canopy but I wouldn't call it great... I'm about to take it back to bluey's to get them to reseal mine as it has a few water leaks. I was also interested in getting side lift up windows but when i spoke to bluey's the other day they said that they have them but they weren't a very good. Anyway, i'll have a look and see what i think.

Any chance of some pics of your reversing camera and in cab screen. I would like to have this set up but was unsure where to mount both the screen and camera.

Cheers

Mick

[HLX40L]

Hi Andrew,
Its an Alpha canopy. Not that I would highly recommend them. They are Ok I spose. Here are a couple of more pics as requested mate:




and the list:

ARB Lift kit,
ARB Deluxe bar with winch,
Alpha Canopy
Dual Batteries
Reversing Camera.

You got pics?

Cheers,
Rich.

Hey Rich

The dual batteries is that an ARB system? did you install it or have it fitted? if so was it easy?

Cheers, Dan

[Mick.H.]

Hey HLX40L,

Awesome looking truck!!! I think you've made a lot of people jealous with that lift. If only it wasn't so pricey...

Well done.

Mick

[Rich]

Thanks guys for those kind comments about my truck.

Mick,
I will try to take some pics of my reversing camera over the next few days and post them. I installed it myself. It comes on automatically when I select reverse and I have a double throw switch to turn it on manually at anytime (ie if I am towing and want to check my trailer). The kit cost $450, + $20 postage.
Good luck getting anything out of Blueys in Sydney, I found them a bit rude to deal with, that just my opinion / experience though.

Dan,
The dual batteries is an ARB kit. I also installed this myself and found it very easy, as I am an electrical engineer. But even so, I think most people could do it themself as the kit is made specially for the hilux, everything fits in place easily and the instructions are good (not great). The issue I have with the instructions is that they actually tell you to wire an automatic switch into Parrellel from your start ignition wire. This means you will always start from both batteries together in Parrellel. I disagree with this, as you would never know if your main battery was going flat, or was flat. So instead I wired this up for manual switch, so that if the main goes flat, I have to manually switch them into parrelllel to start the car. Its a good system when configured like this, pretty much fool proof as my truck is an Automatic and I could not push start it if the battery dropped a cell in the bush. This method means I am always safe. I have left all the accessories run from the main battery, so the auxilary is always fully charged, and if the main starts to go flat, I am fully aware.

Cheers guys,
Rich.

[HLX40L]

Thanks guys for those kind comments about my truck.

Dan,
The dual batteries is an ARB kit. I also installed this myself and found it very easy, as I am an electrical engineer. But even so, I think most people could do it themself as the kit is made specially for the hilux, everything fits in place easily and the instructions are good (not great). The issue I have with the instructions is that they actually tell you to wire an automatic switch into Parrellel from your start ignition wire. This means you will always start from both batteries together in Parrellel. I disagree with this, as you would never know if your main battery was going flat, or was flat. So instead I wired this up for manual switch, so that if the main goes flat, I have to manually switch them into parrelllel to start the car. Its a good system when configured like this, pretty much fool proof as my truck is an Automatic and I could not push start it if the battery dropped a cell in the bush. This method means I am always safe. I have left all the accessories run from the main battery, so the auxilary is always fully charged, and if the main starts to go flat, I am fully aware.

Cheers guys,
Rich.

Hi Rich thanks for the info, do you think my local ARB store would wire it up like you have, if I ask, I think the way you have done it sounds better, I really don't want to do it myself so hope ARB will be happy to do it your way.

Cheers, Dan

[HLX40L]

Hey HLX40L,

Awesome looking truck!!! I think you've made a lot of people jealous with that lift. If only it wasn't so pricey...

Well done.

Mick

Thanks Mick

Yes the price, don't remind me, but when you see how its made, and the way the Hilux drives now, it's worth it.

Dan

[T.C]

Hey HLX40L,

Awesome looking truck!!! I think you've made a lot of people jealous with that lift. If only it wasn't so pricey...

Well done.

Mick

I will agree with you on that.

That Black Beast looks mean without a Bullbar

[Rich]

Dan,
I reckon that since you are paying, they should wire it up any way you want it !
You are in Sydney and there are heaps of ARB stores, just find one who will do it. Shop around for cheaper prices.
Its actually easier to wire up they way I did it, in that you don't have to run wires through the fire wall into the cabin to connect to the ignition wires, so installation should be cheaper than what they would normally charge. Ask them to put an alligator clip onto the over-ride wire - that way all you have to do is pop the bonnet and clip it onto the positive terminal of the auxilary battery to connect both batteries together manually. (means you can do it yourself if you are on your own - you don't need someone to hold the wire onto the terminal while you start the car).
Your truck looks nice by the way mate, I've always liked the black !
Rich.

[Drewski]

Hi Andrew,
Its an Alpha canopy. Not that I would highly recommend them. They are Ok I spose. Here are a couple of more pics as requested mate:

and the list:

ARB Lift kit,
ARB Deluxe bar with winch,
Alpha Canopy
Dual Batteries
Reversing Camera.

You got pics?

Cheers,
Rich.

Hi Rich,

from what I can tell, there is very little difference between the Alpha and Carryboy canopies... I think from what I've read, all canopies can leak though... The missus and I are currently tossing up between a canopy and Sports Range hard tonneau, as the ability to remove the cover and use the back as a ute is somewhat appealing, although I'm still liking the idea of a canopy and drawer system...

Re the dual battery setup, there are pros and cons to all systems... A mate has a custom built tray, which is an ARB copy, and we built an auto-switching circuit to switch charge... Total cost around $120, and it functions the same as an ARB/TJM system... For my money, I've not yet decided which way I'll go for the dual switching system, as I've not looked into it too far, although the Traxide system looks good...

Am also interested in seeing your reversing camera setup... My mate with the Patrol has an in-dash TV, with infra-red camera at the back... Same deal, with the auto-on with reverse, and manual switch for watching the trailer, etc...

Here's a copule of pics of my current offroad beast...




Cheers,

Andrew

[Rich]

Yeah the features of the Alpha canopy are slightly better (being the front drop-down window for easy access to cab rear window, better rear handle and water drainage) and they are both made in Thailand. Plus the Alpha was about $600 cheaper, but not sure if the quality is a good as the Carry boy.

One advantage of the hard toneau cover is that you keep that mean truck look, that a canopy tends to take away......

I'll try to take some photos of my reversing camera system on the week end.
Cheers,

[alchemist]

Guys

I have one complaint about the SR5 so far, the ABS.

HELP....

Why does it not disengage in high four or low four, it's bloody dangerious!!

I feel a switching mod coming on

PS: That's the 2nd time I've seen Subaru pics on this thread, what's up with that? lol; hope you find a Lux soon Andrew.

[HLX40L]

hers a few shots from the travel ramp on the weekend at BBM Motorsports

[alchemist]

Looks good dude... damn those front ends are tight!!!

[mischief]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone can help me.
I want to install some front recovery points on my d4d & was wondering if anyone had any advice as to where I can put them, & even pictures of em?
Dont know if it makes any difference but I am not intending to replace my bumper with a bull bar.
Thank you in advance.

[HLX40L]

Hi all, just wondering if anyone can help me.
I want to install some front recovery points on my d4d & was wondering if anyone had any advice as to where I can put them, & even pictures of em?
Dont know if it makes any difference but I am not intending to replace my bumper with a bull bar.
Thank you in advance.

I to have looked into this, my short term fix has been use a strap between the 2 factory tow hooks, putting the load across the two of them.


Also looked at cutting them off welding a plate in and bolting on recovery hooks on

[T.C]

Yeah the features of the Alpha canopy are slightly better (being the front drop-down window for easy access to cab rear window, better rear handle and water drainage) and they are both made in Thailand. Plus the Alpha was about $600 cheaper, but not sure if the quality is a good as the Carry boy.

One advantage of the hard toneau cover is that you keep that mean truck look, that a canopy tends to take away......

I'll try to take some photos of my reversing camera system on the week end.
Cheers,

I had to make a choice when i got my Dualcab either a Hard Toneau or a Canopy. The hard top looked cool but was just not what i needed for my work and can stack more stuff inside the canopy when i go camping or work wise. they dam near cost the same also.
My carryboy leaks in only a couple of places but that gap between the tailgate is a hard one to closeand stop leaking. The slam car door hatch at the back is great and have not had a drama in 4 months. carpet inside and a kickarse light also, plus they look like they should be there :-)
But if i had the choice for a drive car i would leave the Alloy roll Bar and get a hardtop.

[Drewski]

Guys

I have one complaint about the SR5 so far, the ABS.

HELP....

Why does it not disengage in high four or low four, it's bloody dangerious!!

I feel a switching mod coming on

That's a reasonably common Subaru mod... The downside of switching the ABS circuit in a lot of vehicles, is that you get annoying bloody alarms, and lights when the ABS is disabled... I'll dig up some info on doing it to a Subaru, as it should apply

PS: That's the 2nd time I've seen Subaru pics on this thread, what's up with that? lol; hope you find a Lux soon Andrew.

Someone asked!! ;-) I'll be ordering a Hilux in January most likely, as my current lease runs out in April...

[alchemist]

Awesome Drew, that'd be great if you could dig something up for us... I will be looking at it sometime very soon before I start taking it properly off road.

Well all my gear I've been waiting for has come into stock, next tuesday & wednesday everything is being fitted out... then some more bits and pieces on the weekend that I have to do myself then July 4th the canopy will be all ready..... geez it's taking too long :(

[Drewski]

Awesome Drew, that'd be great if you could dig something up for us... I will be looking at it sometime very soon before I start taking it properly off road.

Well all my gear I've been waiting for has come into stock, next tuesday & wednesday everything is being fitted out... then some more bits and pieces on the weekend that I have to do myself then July 4th the canopy will be all ready..... geez it's taking too long :(

Looking forward to some pictures!!! ;-)

[HLX40L]

Just thought I would revive our thread as it had sunken into the black hole of page 3

Any ways a few pic (Just posing, at the national 4x4 show)

[alchemist]

well i have a few more things done now

ARB deluxe winch bar (headlight surrounds wern't painted properly, paint flaked off but they're fixing it)
ARB rear step w/tow bar
Safari Snorkel
Warn XD9000 4.6hp winch
40mm Bluemax suspension kit (springs & shocks front and rear)

Pics:

[Cranker]

Looks great dude.

Have been told that lifting the front end a couple of inches really helps when off road.


Heath.

[Drewski]

If it's not a rude question, what's the BlueMax suspension upgrade worth?

[alchemist]

Cheers Heath

Not sure off head but I think it was around $1300 all up fitted but I'd have to check my invoice (which I haven't even got yet)

[MUD000]

heres some pics from anoyher tread
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