NewHilux.net

Little update...

Got another set of Prado wheels the other day.. I set to work straight away sanding and painting them.. They now look something like this


Ordered a set of BFG km2's in a 265/75/16 to go on them. Got to weight a couple weeks for them though..

Finally got a ding fixed in one of the guards so I can hopefully put the flares on tomorrow..

Dono if I said anything earlier but I ordered my alloy jack off canopy the other day.. It will be ready tuesday wednesday to pick up so I can get to work fitting it out.. Ill post up some pics when I get it, pretty excited for that one..

We are heading up to newcastle this weekend for the 4wd & camping show up there.. Probably going to camp somewhere nearby tomorrow night so we can get in early.. Got a big shopping list of goodies to get

Still got to work out the extra diesel tank..

Cheers,

Chris.

Just the call to pick up a present!!! wait for picys...

Well I got a suprise the other day when these arrived a few weeks early..




Really happy with them. They look really good with the black prado wheels and im really happy with the performance as well.. Gave them a little run in some mud over the weekend. They are unbeleivable at speed on muddy roads, I felt very confident in them. I was also suprised at how well they handled on wet sealed roads.. The only down side is the guys at the fitting shop struggled to get them balanced and they still arent right so ill be heading back in there to get it sorted.. I was also suprised at the fuel economy with them. I did 1200km over the weekend and got between 10 and 11L per 100km which is pretty good I thought..


Love the red mud all over it..

You will notice ive got the tent off at the moment.. I just spent a few afternoons polishing and waxing it.. The paint before was stuffed. Stains and scratches all over it, I dont think the guy who had it before me looked after the paint work very well.. Anyways I was amazed at how well it came up. Almost looks new again.. Hopefully with the wax I can keep it that way..

Click the pics to see the whole thing. They got cut off because they are too big..

By the way, check out the up and coming trips and events forum. Im organising a day trip to Zig Zag for anyone who is interested..

Cheers,

Chris.

Mate, you really don't need them stock side steps! Rip them off and get some solid sliders to match your black rims....

Looking good Chris, what size did you end up geting 265'sor 285's?

Jack S wrote:Mate, you really don't need them stock side steps! Rip them off and get some solid sliders to match your black rims....

I would love to but unless you are paying it wont be happening for a while.. Ill leave them on untill I get some sliders, at least they protect the sills a little bit.. I need to make a rubber flap to go between the rear mud guard and the side step because when you got through mud like that the tires fill the step with mud which ends up on your boots and then in the cab. Also SR5 mud flaps would be good at the front for the same reason..

helmut79 wrote:Looking good Chris, what size did you end up geting 265'sor 285's?

They are 265/75s.. Pretty happy with the size now.. At first I thought they were a bit big and would affect my fuel economy too much but once I got used to the different gearing they were fine and as I said fuel economy seems to be pretty good considering.. Cant wait for this trip up to Zig Zag to give them a good test..

Cheers,

Chris..

Looks great, Chris. I like the Prado wheels in shiny black. Better than silver.

I ripped off my side steps and now have to seriously do something about some mud flaps, as the rocks and mud that was going underneath the sidesteps is now going up the side of the car.

Luxative wrote:Looks great, Chris. I like the Prado wheels in shiny black. Better than silver.

I ripped off my side steps and now have to seriously do something about some mud flaps, as the rocks and mud that was going underneath the sidesteps is now going up the side of the car.

I did the same when my sliders were getting made the ammount of stone chips I got in the 2 weeks I had the factory sidesteps off was amazing.

Chris the black and white looks awsome good to see the lux getting dirty

KTM525EXC wrote:

Luxative wrote:Looks great, Chris. I like the Prado wheels in shiny black. Better than silver.

I ripped off my side steps and now have to seriously do something about some mud flaps, as the rocks and mud that was going underneath the sidesteps is now going up the side of the car.

I did the same when my sliders were getting made the ammount of stone chips I got in the 2 weeks I had the factory sidesteps off was amazing.

Yeah the paint on these new hilux's is pretty thin so they chip easily.. Ive just spent ages with touch up paint and polish getting it looking good so im not taking any risks..

KTM525EXC wrote:Chris the black and white looks awsome good to see the lux getting dirty

Yeah mate I like it.. At first it was because im a tight arse and didnt want to pay for colour coding but now I like it. Also doesnt matter when it gets scratched up..

Got to get them dirty mate.. No point spending all this time and money on gear only to use it around town..

pisso01 wrote:

KTM525EXC wrote:Chris the black and white looks awsome good to see the lux getting dirty

Yeah mate I like it.. At first it was because im a tight arse and didnt want to pay for colour coding but now I like it. Also doesnt matter when it gets scratched up..

Got to get them dirty mate.. No point spending all this time and money on gear only to use it around town..

Haha I hear ya brother

Well its been an expencive week.. Got the tires last friday and now the jack off canopy.. Picked it up yesterday.. pretty happy with it, now just got to fit it out.. Ill post some pics when I get a chance.. Its looking pretty good..

Well ive been working on the canopy a fair bit over the last few days. Flexed it up on some rocks the same day that I picked it up. Ive got to work out the cheapest and quickest way to build draws in there.. We are seriously running out of time and money so if anyone has any ideas please let me know..



The legs they supplied me to jack the canopy off were really bulky and ended up being too short. So I told them to keep them and ive found some better ones in Queensland. They have 2 extentions so they pack up to 600mm..



I put the tent on yesterday. Looks a bit wierd with the tent on. Needs the racks on to balance it all.



I also made these tie down bracket things to keep the canopy on the tray..

Lookin' good mate. How many of those little brackets are you using to hold that big canopy down?

Well done on the canopy mate, you've just beaten me too it. I'm hoping to pick mine up this weekend.

Good idea on the brackets too, might have to adopt something similar.

Billy

Bull wrote:Lookin' good mate. How many of those little brackets are you using to hold that big canopy down?

Ive made 2 for the front.. I was going to bolt 2 of those over center catches straight on the back of the canopy but it looks like I might have to make another 2 for the back the same as the front.. You recon it will be strong enough.. Its pretty much the same as they were supplying at the canopy shop but mine are stronger and prittier than theirs, also cheaper..

bill_i_am wrote:Well done on the canopy mate, you've just beaten me too it. I'm hoping to pick mine up this weekend.

Good idea on the brackets too, might have to adopt something similar.

Billy

Thanks mate.. Im loving it so far.. Using it for work and its brilliant.. So easy to access my tools..

So what other plans do you have for the Lux before you head away on your trip?

Fair bit.. Fit out the canopy with draws and fridge slide etc..
Still got to make or buy and modify legs for the canopy
Long range fuel, whether it be long range tank or sub tank dono yet.
Water tank and plumbing etc.
Air compressor
Basket for the roof rack.

Im sure there is plenty more I cant think of at the moment.. If anyone has any ideas or opinions on any of that stuff please let me know..

Hey Chris,
Any idea how much your canopy weighs
Cheers
Tony