NewHilux.net

Hi Fellas!

Long time reader, first time poster!

12 months ago i purchased a 2016 SR5 graphite dual cab with leather and 45000km. I paid 42k.

Since then I've spent a lot of time and money building my dream ute. I thought it was time to finally document it here.

Cheers!

The first weekend i had it I removed the hard lid, installed Phat Bars Rock Sliders, stainless snorkel, Rhino pioneer rack & a buds customs tub rack. Kelpies make great apprentices! We had a trip to Kakadu planned so there was no time to muck around!




Pictures of the setup on our trip.

Running a kings roof top tent, Darche awning, Waeco 95L fridge. We had a great time!

Back from Kakadu was time to sort out my front bar.

Ended up with the Rhino Evolution Winch Bar. Love the look and lines of this thing. Changed my grill out as well.

Installed Runva 11XP Winch.

ARB Frontier Long Range Fuel Tank installed around this time as well



Installed Kenwood DDX918WS Head unit & upgraded the stock speakers with Focal kit. Sounds unreal now.

Then was time for wheels, tyres & lift.

17" Method NV 305 Rims
285/70/17 Falken Wildpeak MT

Quick comparison on the lawn -



King 2.5 Remote Res with compression adjusters set at 2.5" front / 2" rear
Black Hawk UCAS
Phat Bars Diff Drop
150kg EFS Leaf Springs



Delivered to shop ready to install.

Lift & wheels on. What a makeover!




Added a pair of STEDI 8.5" spots to the front bar.

Had to trim the rear fender to fit tyres so had a new plate made up and fresh mud guard put back in place. Looks tidy.

Installed ARB compressor under bonnet on Drivers side and ran a hose and outlet down to the front bar. Wired the controls back in to the cabin.

March 2019 we had a trip to Ireland for the month planned, and i'd been looking at tray/canopy set-ups for the last 6 months, they were starting to do my head in so i just bit the bullet and put a deposit down on a build before we left. Full alloy custom built to my specs.

The shop told me it would be ready for my return!

Here were some progress shots i received whilst we were away.

Returned from overseas and was told my ute was ready to be picked up. Was very excited. Went down there the day we landed to pick it up...









TRAY SPECS
50L Water Tank in Headboard
2 x Departure angle toolboxes
1 x Full Length sealed under tray drawer

CANOPY SPECS
Full alloy reinforced jack off canopy
Roof Rack
Rear Ladder
Rear Tyre Holder
Rear Jerry Can Holder
Full internal fit out
2 x 12v panels ready to be wired.

UHF installed - GME XRS370 with adjustable mounting arm + 1 x 6dbi & 3dbi whip. Unit installed behind glovebox and jack put with the dash switches so hand piece can stay in glovebox until needed.




Scrapped the light mounting bar that previously had my spotties mounted to, and just direct bolted them to the bar. Looks so much better.

Relocated the winch control plug to front of bar so that the control box can stay hidden behind grill.

Changed my grill again!



Went for a quick run out bush for the day and took the missus and dogs for a swim.

The last 5 weeks i've been off work so just been working on my ute & canopy getting it ready for the Cape in July. There's been a bit going on!

Installed Dual Battery under bonnet:

Optima yellowtop d27
Projecta 25a dcdc charger
ARB Battery tray
Got rid of the wiring harness for the spots/compressor & winch and rewired to hide the relays and fuses. Has come up a treat.
Wired in cab controls for the winch

CANOPY FIT OUT:

First time doing this so was a steep learning curve. Pretty happy with the outcome though. I have loads of pictures from this but full list below with photos now that it's complete.

170ah Kickass slimline battery
Enerdrive 40a AC Charger
Enerdrive 40a DCDC Charger
Enerdrive Shunt ePro battery monitor
Narva fuse block
Andersons/cig sockets/usb outlets

Photo of the panels with the gear bolted on before i wired it.




Hard Korr Lighting - Orange/White Dimmable
50L Fresh Water Poly Tank from Abbertanks plumbed to tap next to fridge
Joolca Gas Hot Water System on swing out TV Bracket
MSA Drop slide to suit 95L fridge
Built a custom shelving unit out of ply to house the weber / kitchen table / gas burner & some kitchen gear.

Mounted carbon filter in toolbox so we can fill the fresh water tank in canopy when we are on the road.

Mounted the pump for the shower & plumbed it to the water tank in the headboard.

Made some plates for the underside of my bar to fill the holes. I feel this was an oversight from Rhino. It allows dirt/mud/sticks to get up in to the engine bay.

I'll get these powder coated shortly.

What a well thought out rig mate, congrats on the work to date. I'm guessing you have a few more tricks up your sleeve.

Have you had issues getting good alignment with the Blackhawk UCAs?

ggreenie wrote:Have you had issues getting good alignment with the Blackhawk UCAs?

No issues mate. There was more adjustment to be had to give me more clearance for the tyres but the alignment would have gone way out. So we just kept cutting and bashing until there was no more issues!

Thats a ton of work in what appears to be a short amount of time!!! Well done
That canopy looks quality. Custom Concepts Toupein Rd?

How's the drive with that shiny suspension?

DeadlyBeast wrote:Thats a ton of work in what appears to be a short amount of time!!! Well done
That canopy looks quality. Custom Concepts Toupein Rd?

Yeah that's the one mate.

12 months on Sunday since i bought it. I've had a busy & expensive year. I'm stoked with it.