Well the old Pathfinder was showing its age with multiple things falling off it so it was time to trade it in. After lots of discussion over Patrol vs Landcruiser and if we really needed a tank we settled on a new 2012 D4D Prado - now known as the Pug.
Below is a history of the modifications as they happen
What it has:
- tow bar: genuine (installed with car)
- ARB winch
compatible bar colour matched (installed
by Mannell Motors)
- Snorkel, Safari
snorkel (installed by Mannell Motors)
- Duel battery +
redarc BCDC 1220 (installed
by Mannell Motors)
- Anderson plug
set up to rear and inside (installed
by Mannell Motors)
- Spotties. IPF
900 XS
- Toyota roof
bars (installed with car)
- Tyres: BFG A/T (traded in the Dunlops)
- Side awning:
ironman 2m (swaped
from old car)
- Floor mats -
moulded plastic (ebay -
Autoall)
- car seat covers (Wetsuit)
- Rubber boot mat
- genuine (installed with car)
- Fire
extinguisher (still to work out where best to attach) (swap from old car)
- Fridge.
40l with bag (swap from
old car)
- Air compressor:
portable bushman maxair (swap from
old car)
- UHF radio - GME
tx3345
- UHF Antenna -
GME 4018k
On the
wish list
- Dash mat -
maybe?
- Under body
protection
- front recover
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8 February 2013
Picked the new car up YAY!
---------------------------------
9 February 2013
Not really a modification but atleast i found somewhere neat to put my emergency bag (contains warning triangles and lights and, gloves to make sure i am highly visable in the event of breaking down)
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12 February 2013
Ended up swaping over the boots today. Traded in the dunlops for some BFG's for $700 which was a great price.
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13 February 2013
Car mats arrived today. I ended up purchasing these from ebay
Fantastic fit
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16 February 2013
Today swaped over the awning on to the new car.
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16 March 2013
A small job today to transfer my fire extinguisher over from the old car. It took a while to work out where best to put it. This was the result.
______________________
April 2013
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April 2013
Now for the real stuff
The prado has a habit of a strange drone noise when it revs low from the air filter (lots of discussions on other forums on this issue). It was great that the new straw fixed this
Looking forward to trying it out in some puddles
---------------------------------
April 2013
Next up was finally getting around to fitting a second battery. While I could have attempted this myself (maybe) i figured the 10 hours of swearing and cursing was not worth it. There is a reason why I do my job and they do theirs!
some extra power to the rear. I was going to install them on the outside lid but decided to have it inside so when not in use it is tucked away. The anderson is for the fridge as I sometimes move it to the CT so didnt want to have to switch plugs.
With all the debate over the need or otherwise for a BCDC charger vs a booster diode I ended up biting the bullet and putting one in
Overall very happy with the work
-------------------------
May 2013
next up was a very simple addition
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October 2013
Finally got around to getting the bar put on. Having thought about the idea of a smart bar i went back and finally decided to go with the ARB - very happy.
While i was at it picked up a set of driving lights. My plan the whole time was for lightforce but got convinced to go with the IPF (halogen). I know everyone has their own personal preference. Yet to give them a work out and may consider HID upgrade later down the track but I am sure they will do for now.
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October 2013
Thanks to some helpful members on Pradopoint i had a crack at the base and fridge slide for the rear of the tug. With three kids we needed to maintain the use of the rear seat so this was a great solution. While i have great admiration for those that have made their slides them selves i resorted to the ORS. While it is not cheap it is built solid and prevented hours of me swearing if i had tried it my self. This is all attached using the existing tie down bolts so it is nice and solid
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