NewHilux.net

by **Glenn k** on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 6:05 +0000

rod,
thanks for the photos and write up you have done on your mods so far, they have come in handy for me as diff breathers and fugs are next on the list for my car.
i will follow the progress of your truck with intrest, i like watching a step by step build up over time, there should be more of it on this site i reckon
Glenn

by **rodw** on Wed, 16 Apr 2008 7:20 +0000

Thanks mate, there is some great ideas coming forward on this forum to help me out.

I only wish this ute was not so darn popular as i have so much stuff on order but most won't be in until the and of next month.

Sketched out the drawer unit that follows the canopy today....

by **rodw** on Fri, 02 May 2008 7:10 +0000

Well the rig is starting to take shape slowly. I realised that I did not get arond to posting some pics of the flares I promised, but I did to a tech Article and a thread about how to install the Utemart Flares. Th article has a link to the How to thread.

Here's what they look like:

But this is probably a better picture which also shows off the New 2 day old Canopy:

by **rodw** on Fri, 02 May 2008 7:16 +0000

I think the Canopy is pretty cool. All 3 lift up windows have slam catches like a station wagon and single handle lockable catches. It opens up to give fantastic access to the tub.

Looks pretty cool from the back too, the tinted glass matches the Charcoal paintwork nicely.

Bit hard to see in the pics, but there is a set of rhino Racks on top and the roof is rated for 100kg, more than enough for what i want to put up there.

by **WTF** on Fri, 02 May 2008 7:17 +0000

Looking really good now Rod. Keep the info and pics coming as the project progresses. 8-)

by **rodw** on Fri, 02 May 2008 7:18 +0000

Because threads can be hard to find on this forum, here is my thread on the Caddy Workmate Canopy: http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1756

by **rodw** on Sun, 04 May 2008 4:40 +0000

OK, time to dustproof the tail gate (well slow it down anyway...

I updated this thread to explain what I did:

http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1735

This is what it looks like now:

Got my car booked in on Tuesday after the long weekend to get the bull bar fitted at last!]

by **rodw** on Wed, 07 May 2008 10:47 +0000

Will try and get some pictures but did not get a chance today. I just put on an Ironman bullbar and winch courtesy of Opposite Lock Springwood today.

Had a 4wd club meeting tonight so had a bit of a drive (80-100km) after it was fitted and the suspension has dropped 15mm on stock springs, so not as bad as I thought.

They took off my K&N recovery points which is a bit annoying. I have to figure out how to get them back on.

The Ironman bar is a copy of the ARB one and for the same money as a commercial bar, you can get an equivalent to the ARB Deluxe bar. The good news for SR owners like me is that the bar come complete with foglights and the dash switch is a Toyota factory one so it looks nice and nea tinthe dash.

The Ironman winch costs $800 but have seen it mail order for $750. Comes complete with Winch Recovery Blanket, wireless remote, corded remote and 3 year warranty. Searched on Google lastnight could not find any bad reports on the winch, so hope it does what I want to do.

Now just got to sort out the lift. Mmaaxx has given me some ideas, so stay tuned.

Rod

by **Hilux Max** on Wed, 07 May 2008 10:57 +0000

stayin tuned Rod......LOL 8-)

by **rodw** on Thu, 08 May 2008 7:37 +0000

As promised, I am posting some photos of my Ironman bullbar which was installed by Opposite Lock at Springwood yesterday. As you can see, I could not stop myself and added an Ironman winch with remote control as well. Not much point having a winchbar without a winch I reckon!

So this bar looks pretty neat. I only got it becasue I thought 3 months wait for an ARB commercial bar was just too long to wait (another month to go before it was due). So for an extra $30 above the price of the commercial bar, I got this one which included the foglights in the bar. was very impressed to see that they had used a Toyota switch in the dash so the dash still looks factory!

The top of the bar is stainless steel and there is a UHF arial mount out on the left hand corner.

I am quite impressed with the Ironman winch. Because it has a wireless remote, they tucked the solenoid in behind the grill out of sight. The winch came with the wireless remote, a wired remote, a recovery blanket and a 3 year warranty for just $800.

Unlike the ARB bar, there are no protection plates underneath but there are mounting holes for them. One day, I might add some of the plates which will tidy it up nicely.

Unfortunately, the K&N recovery hooks came off because of the bullbar mounts. I have not had a good look, but I don't think they will be hard to get them back on. There is a piece of angle iron in the road that is held on by one of the bolts that the hook uses. The threaded holes that hold the K&N hooks on are arrowed.

I don't think this angle iron is part of the mounts for the bar but is simply there to hold the presumably optional plates on, so it won't be hard to fix with the grinder.

Cheers

Rod

by **McSumWay** on Thu, 08 May 2008 7:44 +0000

I'd be wary Rod, that angle looks like it stiffens the bar mounts to prevent lateral sway. However on the positive they look to have included a large hole at the front of the mount that could be used with a shackle. Check with them if they believe it is rated.

by **Hilux Max** on Thu, 08 May 2008 8:09 +0000

Good stuff Rod, did you know that the top part of that bullbar is bolted onto the bar and not welded like the commercial Ironman bullbar?

Just thought Id mention that in case you were thinking of "nudging" anything?

also looks like they squashed those plastic mouldings abit under the headlights. anyway, it'll do the job, looks good and if your happy, Im happy too.

by **rodw** on Thu, 08 May 2008 9:09 +0000

mcsumway, I hear what you are saying. The holes at the front are in very thin steel. Definitely not rated. The stock ones are a lot stronger. Not rushing into anything.

Max, I assumed the bar would be bolted together with the stainless loops. Not too worried about that now I live in the big smoke. I grew up and learnt to drive in roo country, one thing I learnt is not to depend the bull bar. It was always my third option. eg. 1. go behind, 2. go in front, 3. take em head on.

The number of times I saw roo's bums come thorugh the loops and take out headlights and bend panels on any number of different bars was amazing; but you had to have good driving technique to avoid damage if you went in front of them.

I agree, the plastic mouldings are soft plastic and a bit deformed. but the finish is a lot neater than the Toyota Factory bar I think!

Rod

by **GregSR** on Fri, 09 May 2008 7:40 +0000

Rod,

Great post, really enjoying watching your build. Great idea on the fuse block, simple, cost effective and looks good.
Could you post a photo of your foglight switch please, I'm fitting lights to mine and so far not happy with what I've seen in switches.
Who supplied the switch, Ironman or Opposite Lock?

Thanks,

Greg

by **rodw** on Fri, 09 May 2008 10:28 +0000

Greg,

The switch came with the Ironman bull bar and looks like the ones in this thread:

http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1502

There is a link somewhere on this forum to a place in the US that sells a Genuine Toyota switch kit. UI'll see if I can dig it up.

Rod

by **Rich** on Sat, 10 May 2008 6:15 +0000

Rod, good thread mate.
I have the ARb bar and I have been looking out for recovery points that will fit easy and not interfere with the Bar. I might go and start a new thread and ask the question....
thanks for sharing all your progress.

Rich.

by **rodw** on Sat, 10 May 2008 9:27 +0000

Rich, This has been covered in another thread. That's how I found the K&N hooks. Search for it Mate!

Never mind saved you the trouble look on Page 2 here:

http://www.newhilux.net/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=596

Rod

by **Rich** on Sat, 10 May 2008 10:55 +0000

I had a quick look at that thread (there is a lot in there) but it doesn't seem like a recovery hook exists that fits onto the truck with the ARB Bullbar where you don't need to gring or modify something.

I noticed a comment in there where someone asked ARB and their answer was to use the existing loops (tie down points) which is what ARB also told me.

Rich.

by **david allan** on Sun, 11 May 2008 7:32 +0000

same what ARB told me.
But make sure you use an equaliser strap so you use both existing loops

by **Scottyt** on Sun, 11 May 2008 8:03 +0000

G'Day Rodw,

I just hada look at your TJM underbody guard fit and was curious to know why your tranny bolt didn't fit as I put a set on yesterday and had no troubles! Sure you've got the plate with the wire up the right way? Just a thought mate. Like what you've posted so far, keen to installl the diff breathers!

Cheers

Scotty

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