So i have been slowly doing a few mods since i got my Lux 12 months ago, and thought i should get my build thread going.
A 2009 SR5 Dual Cab, Manual, Diesel. Picked her up in Sept 2011with 65000km on the clock.
It already had a colour coded ARB Deluxe Winch Bar, Warn XD9000 winch, X-Ray Vision spotties, black duck seat covers and TJM ladder racks. Also had new cooper ATR's and standard SR5 rims.
The day i picked her up:
Very first thing i did was to get rid of the annoying beeps - seat belt and key in iginition. Peace at last!
Next i cut the hooks off the rear seat and had the folding back seat mod completed and somewhere to keep my rifles out of sight!
Next up, with the help of a mate who is a panel beater, was to install a sarafi knock-off snorkel, picked up cheap.
lining up the template.
the point of no return!
finished product.
Then i set about installing a set of Skogs/amitch888's extended diff breathers.
Diff breather and ADD location
close up of the front diff breather (the larger one) and the ADD breather.
front and ADD joined together
All finished, front and rear.
Not long after,i got a set of Buds Customs Bash plates, they are a bloody tough bit of gear!
Funds on the money tree were down pretty low, so not much got done until june this year, when i'd saved enough to head up to meet Brendan and the boys at Ultimate Suspension at Ingleburn, and got a 2 inch lift installed, along with a Sprint Booster.
Photos from Ultimate:
Out the front of Ultimate, didnt get a before photo unfortunately!
Have only been offroad a couple of times, but the difference is amazing, both on and offroad. It looks heaps better too, as with the bar, winch and bash plates the front end had started to sag pretty badly with only the stock suspension.
The sprint booster is awesome as well, only put it back to the factory setting in the wet and when im offroad!
The after sales service and follow up has been exceptional, and i'd definately recommend Ultimate to anyone thinking about getting a lift installed.
I pulled off the ladder racks and got a hard-lid pretty cheap. I dont think it looks too bad without the roll bar, and i was just after something a bit more secure to throw my snowboard in etc, and not have to worry about it when parked in a car park etc. Sealed up the tail gate with rubber adhesive from clark rubber, which works really well.
have tried to make the front of the lid water tight, but it still lets a bit of water in around the mounting brackets, something i can live with until i get a canopy.
While i was getting the suspension done, i went and got a GME TX3540 UHF and AE4018k Aerial from RYDA communications in Petersham. They price matched an ad id seen online, so was pretty happy with their service.
Then i had a go at my first 12volt install - probably childs play to those who are good at this sort of thing, but new to me. With the help of this forum i got it done in a couple of hours, the hardest part being getting the dash fascia around the cigarette lighter out!
checking i had the right wire
pretty poor photo - but i mounted the box on a piece of angle iron on the passenger side footwell, there was a spare bolt there i just hooked it onto. I did get an extension speaker but havent had to use it yet.
got a cheap $4 bracket from bunnings and spent a good half hour bending it to get the right shape. the bracket needs a coat of black paint to make it fit in a bit better, but pretty happy with it.
Got a Warn full recovery kit from autobarn on special a couple of months ago, but have only used the tree trunk protector so far... came with 3 shackles, winch extension strap, snatch strap, snatch block, tree trunk protector, gloves and a crappy bag! not bad for $199.
The latest addition is a Ridge Ryder air compressor. Havent heard much about them, but with a 2 year warranty and it was on special at supercheap, it'll keep me going until i can afford (one day!) on board air and a locker or two!
anyone have any experience with Ridge Ryder stuff??
i've got a LED reverse light from 4wdsupplies but havent got around to hooking it up yet.
So that it so far. Plans for the future, (but majorly affected by lack of funds) include: sliders, canopy, new tyres and rims, rear bar, dual batteries, fridge, and maybe one day, air lockers!
cant thank this forum enough and several of the members and sponsors i have sent PM's to for all the help i have received along the way.