Back in the saddle:

Righto so it’s been a couple of years and we are now starting to get back into 4WD mode. The camper trailer was sold some time ago as we found it too much work with the kids so young. On reflection we should have waited until they were around 4 to 5 years old and also bought a type of trailer that suited the kind of trips we like doing, something quick to put up and pull down vs epic effort just to get set up and the hours taken to pack up.

I finally got around to putting some 16x8s on - CSA Raptors and a set of BFG KM2 285/75/16s. The existing KM2s gave me ~80,000kms and were great tyres on and off road so have gone back for seconds just a bit bigger this time.
I have changed over both the starter and deep cycle batteries to be fully sealed AGM and increased the Ah in the deep cycle from 72 to 95. The deep cycle battery install that was done by Toyota (or whoever they contracted to do it in Goulbourn) was so flimsy that it actually wobbled around in the bay which had ended up putting a small split in the wheel guard. Mark from Battery World in Philip pointed it out to me after he had put the batteries in suggesting I get it looked at. He also suggested that using the alternator to charge the deep cycle wasn’t very effective as it didn’t have enough voltage to do much at all. His suggestion was I give it a full charge before and after trips where a fridge was in use or get a proper charger. I didn’t much like the idea of more pre and post trip admin so it was off to my friends up the road at Pride Auto.
The upshot of the trip was a new battery tray properly bolted into the engine bay and also a redarc bcdc 1220 (20A) charger to keep the battery properly charged and topped up while driving. The installation of the changer did mean the isolator switch no longer suited the design and was removed. Since I carrying jumpers anyway it shouldn’t be an issue.
As I have also flattened the start battery twice over the last couple of years by leaving the lights on, I decided that a headlight alarm was also well overdue. It works well, doesn’t have a piercing scream either so hopefully that issue is now done with.
I’d also waited long enough to get an 80 channel UHF so picked up a GME TX4500WS with the remote PTT. On a recent day trip in the Brindabellas I nearly came a cropper reaching up to use the radio to warn the rear vehicle of oncoming traffic while trying also steering around a tight corner (the equivalent of texting and driving in heavy traffic!). I thought the steering wheel mounted PTT was the perfect solution.
Finally a set of three heavy duty rhino bars and some connectors for my thule roof top boxes, foxwing, long handle shovel, and kayaks. I ummed and ahhed over whether to bother with bars and if I should just go straight for a tray but ended up with the bars for two reasons. Firstly, money J and secondly convenience. I sold the ARB touring rack because I wasn’t using it much and also wanted to be able to put our kayaks and bikes up there when not out and about camping and also get into carparks around town.
I think a tray is in the future but not for a while. I might look at a platform type set-up next time. A platform with removable front/side rails might be the go. At least I’ll already have the feet when we finally get there.
Due to the different size of the new wheel/tyre combination the Kaymar locking arm on the rear wheel carrier needed a custom update. Pretty exy but they work.
In the 2012 version of the 76 series they put in longer seat rails. Being tallish, knee room has always been a bit of an issue so Toyota kindly retrofitted the new part into my model, the 2011. It’s not a huge improvement but an improvement none the less.
The car has had over 90k on it now and it’s a bit embarrassing that it hasn’t been out bush any where near as a set-up like this deserves. It has been a reliable and relatively comfortable car for around town and I do enjoy driving it. The local day trips have been fun as is using it’s capabilities for the odd urban shortcut.

Still a few things on the radar. GVM is an issue that needs to be looked at. Radio is still rubbish and an In-dash reverse camera would be better. The rear view mounted display is relatively large and takes up a more bit of the windscrrrn vision realestate than is ideal.

Build so far

-    Factory front and rear electronic diff locks

-    Factory Dual battery system with redarc bcdc 1220 (20A) (Pride Auto – Phillip) and two 12v outlets in the rear and an additional 3 in the cabin.

-    Toyota steel bulbar (winch compatible) and side rails

-    Water Watch – a second fuel filter to protect engine from water (http://www.responsiveengineering.com.au/8263/Water_Watch_System/What_is_Water_Watch?/) Has been updated since installation to include the larger sensor.

-    Old Man Emu heavy duty 2 in lift and Steering dampener (ARB - Fyshwick)

-    166 litre Longranger replacement fuel tank (ARB - Fyshwick)

-    TW12SS 48 Litre Longranger water tank (ARB - Fyshwick)

-    Kaymar Rear Step tow bar with dual wheel carrier, telescopic camp light (upgraded to Narva , 72449 L.E.D Work Lamp (Flood Beam) 850  Lumen output with Current draw: 0.8A at 9-50V ) high-lift jack and HF antenna attachments (ARB - Fyshwick)

-    6 x CSA Raptors Large 5 stud, satin black 16x8

-    285/75/16 BFG KM/2s v all around

-    3 x Rhino Rack heavy duty roof racks with foxwing and shovel holder attachments. (Pride Auto -Phillip)

-    ARB compressor (under the bonnet) with pump points in front and rear bumper (ARB - Fyshwick) Rear has never worked, something that needs following up.

-    IPS XS Driving lights (ARB - Fyshwick)

-    Radiator insect screen (ARB - Fyshwick)

-    4WD Interiors Outback Twin drawers with fridge slide on RHS, Cargo barrier, top shelf and centre divider, 2 x side storage boxes and baby seat anchor points (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    ARB 47lt fridge

-    Outback Front tow/recovery points (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    4WD Interiors Roof Console with 80 channel GME TX4500WS UHF Radio with wireless PTT (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    Dept of the Interiors replacement centre console with additional cup holder and tray (includes 12v power outlet)

-    Reversing Camera (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    3 additional 12v outlets in the cabin (inc one in centre console), one always-on and the others on-ignition (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    Blackduck front and rear seat covers (Loving Wife)

-    TJM front underbody guard (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    tidy up of the accessories wiring and consolidation to reduce individual connections to the deep cycle battery terminals (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    Safari Snorkel  (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    Piranha offroad extended diff breathers (Pride Auto – Phillip)

-    Electronic Brake controller for trailer and Anderson plug mounted on rear bar

-    Stock Bonnet and headlight protectors,

-    Sandgrabba mats front and back,

-    MSA dash organiser

-    RoNo replacement front door pockets that have a bottle holder in them.

Still to go:

-    GVM upgrade

-    Command AP900 Cruise Control

-    DPChip  (DP-31)

-    Winch

-    Front Seat Upgrade - Recaro

-    LED driving lights

-    In dash navigation/multimedia centre with Apple carplay (waiting for wireless carplay)