Monday 28 January 2013

2012 Prado - The Pug

Well the old Pathfinder was showing its age with multiple things falling off it so it was time to trade it in.  After lots of discussion over Patrol vs Landcruiser and if we really needed a tank we settled on a new 2012 D4D Prado - now known as the Pug.

Below is a history of the modifications as they happen



What it has:

- tow bar: genuine (installed with car)
- ARB winch compatible bar colour matched (installed by Mannell Motors)
- Snorkel, Safari snorkel (installed by Mannell Motors)
- Duel battery + redarc BCDC 1220 (installed by Mannell Motors)
- Anderson plug set up to rear and inside (installed by Mannell Motors)
- Spotties. IPF 900 XS
- Toyota roof bars (installed with car)
- Tyres: BFG A/T (traded in the Dunlops)
- Side awning: ironman 2m (swaped from old car)
- Floor mats - moulded plastic (ebay - Autoall)
- car seat covers (Wetsuit)
- Rubber boot mat - genuine (installed with car)
- Fire extinguisher (still to work out where best to attach) (swap from old car)
- Fridge. 40l  with bag (swap from old car)
- Air compressor: portable bushman maxair (swap from old car)
- UHF radio - GME tx3345
- UHF Antenna - GME 4018k


On the wish list

- Dash mat - maybe?
- Under body protection
- front recover

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8 February 2013

Picked the new car up YAY!






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9 February 2013

Not really a modification but atleast i found somewhere neat to put my emergency bag (contains warning triangles and lights and, gloves to make sure i am highly visable in the event of breaking down)



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 12 February 2013

 Ended up swaping over the boots today. Traded in the dunlops for some BFG's for $700 which was a great price.

Day 43 of 365: new boots

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 13 February 2013

Car mats arrived today.  I ended up purchasing these from ebay

Fantastic fit


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16 February 2013

Today swaped over the awning on to the new car.



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16 March 2013

A small job today to transfer my fire extinguisher over from the old car. It took a while to work out where best to put it. This was the result.



______________________

April 2013 

 I purchased some 'wetseat' car seat covers http://www.thewetseat.com/

I must say I am super impressed.  ;D



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April 2013

Now for the real stuff

The prado has a habit of a strange drone noise when it revs low from the air filter  (lots of discussions on other forums on this issue).  It was great that the new straw fixed this


Looking forward to trying it out in some puddles

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April 2013

Next up was finally getting around to fitting a second battery.  While I could have attempted this myself (maybe) i figured the 10 hours of swearing and cursing was not worth it.  There is a reason why I do my job and they do theirs!



some extra power to the rear.  I was going to install them on the outside lid but decided to have it inside so when not in use it is tucked away.  The anderson is for the fridge as I sometimes move it to the CT so didnt want to have to switch plugs.



With all the debate over the need or otherwise for a BCDC charger vs a booster diode I ended up biting the bullet and putting one in



Overall very happy with the work





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May 2013

next up was a very simple addition



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October 2013


Finally got around to getting the bar put on.  Having thought about the idea of a smart bar i went back and finally decided to go with the ARB - very happy.

new bar photo iphone-1132_zps8f19056a.jpg

While i was at it picked up a set of driving lights.  My plan the whole time was for lightforce but got convinced to go with the IPF (halogen).  I know everyone has their own personal preference.  Yet to give them a work out and may consider HID upgrade later down the track but I am sure they will do for now.

 photo iphone-1130_zpsa3e5a9bc.jpg


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October 2013



Thanks to some helpful members on Pradopoint i had a crack at the base and fridge slide for the rear of the tug. With three kids we needed to maintain the use of the rear seat so this was a great solution. While i have great admiration for those that have made their slides them selves i resorted to the ORS. While it is not cheap it is built solid and prevented hours of me swearing if i had tried it my self. This is all attached using the existing tie down bolts so it is nice and solid

step 1 photo iphone-1187_zps634ef7e7.jpg

step 3 photo iphone-1239_zps236ed43b.jpg

 photo IMG_3984_zpsbc39c0b7.jpg




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