Firstly thanks to all you guys for al the realy good, usefull info on the site. Made buying my UTE heaps easier!!
Bought my first hilux just over 1 month ago. 2007 SR Dual cab Trayback. So far fully impressed with it. I've come over from owning an 88 Pootrol (which I still love but which has passed on to new owners!) which handled just about everything. It got a bit too uncomfortable and way too slow and uneconomical for my liking so after mch debate, we (missus and I) decided to get the hulix. This is it the first day!
We had a trip planned to Exmouth within a week and had Lou's mum and little bro over so had to get a few things set up real quick. First up was a canopy and rack. This was a fairly standard design from Dutchy's in Gero but in a new canvas which I am well pleased with. I've had fly screens put into the sides too for when we get a pup. At the same time I fitted a Featherlight awning to the underside of the rack.
Next up was an aux battery and tray. The ARB tray was a cinch to fit and I've gone the Redarc DC-DC charger which I've mounted to the side of the battery tray. From this I've run a Pos and Neg to a fuse/distribution block in the tray. The mounting is temporary at the moment untill I build my drawer/rack system. From this I've got my Waeco 50 fridge temp wired and a compressor.
Here's a couple of pics of our first camp set ups. Amazed at how much stuff you can fit in the tray. We were all in 4 adults in the cab and enough camping gear for all of us in the back with heaps of room to spare. AWESOME!
I think we averaged about 13-14lt/100km at about 120kph. Does this sound about right to you's? Next thing on the agenda is now the 110,000k service first and probably an ultima yellow top as my aux is stuffed!
So, MY plans are as follows (in rough order...)'
3" lift
265x75x16's
Flares
Diff breathers
XROX "style" bar
Sliders
3" exhaust
Chip
Spotties
CB
LED tray and work/camp lights
Custom drawer/rack in tray
Rewire all ancilleries to come off Aux. batt inc stereo and int lights
Long range tank
Under tray water storeage
I would love to get out and about so any others of you on here in Gero say hi and if you fancy a wheel let me know. I'm not very experienced at this (besides beach driving) so would love some teaching. That said, the lux has been in 4wd EVERY weekend since I got her!
I'd love to have other peoples input into the mods I carry out so if there are things that you guys think I should do to help witht the running and longevity of my truck PLEASE chip in. Feel free to add to my list to give me guidance.
Couple of questions...
After this service am I good to do my own?
What fuel/oil precautions/mods do you guys recommend i should do as a must?
I'm keen on the Xrox bar, i think it looks the dogs on the ones I've seen in town but...I'd like a bit of protection around my lights. Guys with these bars, how do you reckon you'll go with protection from the prolific wildlife? I run up to Exmouth on a semi regular basis!
Any and all feedback greatly appreciated. I love some of the builds you guys have done. Hopefully I'll be up there with some of you at some point!