Rod's Rig - Round 2

[rodw]

Scotty,

Seems so long ago, I had to reread what I said. The problems I had was not with the ones with the wire but the ones at the front. They really needed to be 5mm longer. I just could not get the thread to bite but when I left off the spring washer I had no problems. The only trick I found with the wire ones, was to get a lever in there and bend the wire so it let the nut on the end of the wire to sit flat.

Rich,

David is on the right track. If you read the manual, the factory hooks are described as tow points. That means little rolling resistance on a flat road. If you are stuck, use a tree trunk protector as an equaliser strap, run it through the end of the snatch strap and attach to the bolts using D shackles. tighten the schackles finger tight and then back them off 1/4 turn, so the threads don't bind under the strain.

Rod

[Rich]

David (or anyone) have you got a picture of one of these equaliser straps to share the load between the 2 front tie down points?

Where do you get them and how much?

Rich.

[david allan]

rich

check out my profile pics.
I put some pics of the equaliser strap.
Also included the part no etc.
I bought it from a little 4X4 store, cost around $50.

works really well

[Rich]

I had a look mate, looks like a handy item. What is at the other end...Ie how do you connect it to a tow vehicle or snatch strap?

Rich.

[rodw]

Spent a bit of time tidying up after the winch install. Like refitted the number plate so it sits straight instead of on an angle over the winch hawser as shown in the photo on the previous page. You really got to wonder about some installers.

Also tidied up the winch and fog light wiring. Used heaps of cable ties and encased all of the winch wires in corrugated conduit I had on hand as I was not happy with the live wires rubbing on the radiator etc. I am a bit concerned about the wireless remote going off accidently so one of these days i might fit a battery isolator switch so I can turn power off to the winch unless I am off road.

Also had another look at the transfer case and auto transmission breathers. Did not have what was required to extend the T/Case breather so there is always another day. It looks like it is 1/4" hose so not sure if I can get a reducer to get it up to fuel hose. I could not get the tranny breather end despite having a good go. Not much room down there..

[jcarter]

nice work rodw its certainly coming along .
how much did oplock charge for the ironman bar fitted.

[david allan]

rich

you attach the shackle through the equaliser strap & connect the snatch strap to the shackle
hope it makes sense

[S.W]

No no no no no. Never join straps with shackles. If a strap breaks the shackle is a missile.

You attach one end of you equaliser strap to one recovery point with a shackle, thread the equaliser through the eye of the snatch strap and then attach the equaliser to the second recovery point with a shackle.

[matske]

i was at arb yesterday and they had a nissan in for warranty claim because he used his snorkel as a recovery point hahaha he ripped it straight out! what a dick!

[matske]

yeh how much was ya bullbar mate i like..

[david allan]

SW

you are spot on
thanks for correcting me

[rodw]

The bar was $1,285 plus $195 fitting, so it came in at $1,480. The quote for the ARB commercial bar was $1,450 fitted. Ironman also do a commercial bar which is cheaper again. As Mmaaxx pointed out, the commercial bar has welded hoops so it will be stronger (but not as pretty!). It is pretty hard to pick that my rig is just an SR with this bar now I reckon.

My bar does not have the bash plates underneath that he ARB one has but it has mounting hole everywhere for them.

I rang Ironman yesterday and thay say that they will have a shipment in of these by mid-next month. Have not found out a price yet.

I think these plates are a good idea and will add them if the cost is reasonable becasuse the radiator and washer bottle are exposed without them and the wheel arches look a bit untidy.

Once sorted, I will work out how to get the K&N hooks back on. Had a better look, it does not look like making them fit with a grinder is a good idea...

David, SW right, don't use a shackle at the end of the snatch strap, thread the equaliser strap through the loop on the snatch strap. I saw a recovery point on a 12t snatchstrap let go on a bus bogged in sand on Fraser and it was not a pretty sight! And the towing bus had a few broken windows....

Rod

[rodw]

Don't you love it! How lucky we are to drive Australia's (and maybe the world's) best selling ute!

I made the mistake of checking today where my ARB rear step towbar was I ordered in late February.

The word came back that a new ARB shipment from Thailand was not far away. My no longer required ARB commercial bar was due on the Melbourne docks tomorrow and the tow bar was due mid-May. I pointed out today was the 13th and Mid-May was upon us, but it fell on deaf ears.

Anyway, confirmed my suspicions that the ARB stuff is now made overseas and they have forgotten all about those loyal customers in this country that allowed them to establish their business.

Sorry about the rant Mr ARB!

Rod

[SR53OL]

Hi Rodw,
After speaking the TJM today on getting a quote to lift the lux 2 inches, they recommended that I consider fitting the sump & transmission guards for added protection. What made you fit these to your 4wd? Look forward to hearing from you soon, Peter

[rodw]

Peter,

Found them on this forum and as this car is a big investment, thought I'd protect the truck first before worrying too much about lifts etc. Really would have liked to add rocksliders to ditch the low side steps but my insurance payment did not stretch quite that far... The ARB towbar if it ever arrives will also add some protection to the rear and compensate for the SR's lack of a rear bumper bar.

Also wanted to get all of the weight on the car before worrying too much about lift but my clearance is pathetic with stock springs, so want to lift the front first now 'cos I can't really go anywhere as it now stands.

Rod

[McSumWay]

The bash plates are a great investment because even with my 2" lift they have copped a hiding. The best thing is that they are not too expensive and easy to fit yourself.

[SR53OL]

Thanks Guys,

I'm sold! Will get these fitted also at the same time as getting the 2" lift.

Cheers Peter

[rodw]

Peter, Glad you like guards. They are easy to fit.

As some of you know, I have been doing som eresearch into what to do with lifting the front on this thread:
http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1796

Won't repeat myself, but I have posted up my decision on this thread which is to progressively upgrade the suspension around a set of US manufactured Coilover Fox Racing Shocks from Wizard on the Gold Coast. Now like GHG, I just got to rake up the cash...

Thanks to Mmaaxx and GHG and everyone else who had ideas for your detailed discussions that has led me to this decision.

Rod

[SR53OL]

Rod,

Just been looking at a solution for dust proofing the SR5 tailgate/tub. Was the pinch weld you used easy to find at Clarks? or did they look at you as having two heads? I'll start my hunt today.

Cheers Peter

[rodw]

No mate, Heaps of it there, but you need to make sure the orientation is right. Just have another look of the photo of the rubber above before you go down.

Rod