Vehicle "Build" Thread...

Those new back springs made me so happy I decided to replace the front coils, I had noticed a good bit of understeer that I had been putting down to the somewhat "industrial" nature of this model TLC. Then I started to consider the extra weight I had added out the front (winch/side protection etc) and thought maybe.... so I ordered up a set of springs rated for the bullbar and all the extra hanging out there and had them put in before I went bush a couple of weeks ago...... and yes.....wow....what a difference it made.... like when you have been driving with bad brakes and replace them and realise how much you had been compensating with your driving style.....



Next issue....

On the last few trips away the 12v power for my fridge has been giving me grief.... I KNOW the fridge can run well (if not power thirsty) on 12v when travelling as it was in the old 80Series and worked fine. In that truck I had the switched cable run direct from the battery and out behind the back set with the bespoke end plug fitted. When not in use I just rolled it up behind the seat. In all fairness this is exactly what I should have done again but you know.... the Good Idea Fairy flew through and I decided I wanted an outlet in the back I could use for things other than the fridge. I set it up with a Merritt socket and plug. The first couple of trips this didn't work well as it turned out I had used cable that was too light in the extension from the socket to the fridge. Rectified this and it was OK over a few trips. Then I started noticing it wasn't great and often mid journey I wi=would discover it not powering the heating element in the fridge. Anyway, the last trip was the end of it for me. Stopped a few hours in and checked it wasn't working so I pulled the plug and actually burned myself on the plug. Noticed it was not snapping into place as it had so assumed the heat was from (I think) the resistance built up from the connection being made and lost constantly as the plug jiggles..... once home I pulled it apart......



And realised that I had in fact melted the socket....



Looked at all I could and have decided to replace EVERYTHING with Anderson plugs (car socket, socket end of the cable, fridge end of the cable and the bespoke socket on the fridge) . Only part I had to work out was making the socket in the side of the cargo bay aesthetically pleasing (like me ) as well as safe from damage etc. That precluded just attaching the plug to the end of those protruding wires and calling it good. I could also take it to the local auto electrical place and pay them about $350 to work it out but I have time and I am guessing for a $100 investment I can solve it and have the tools I need left for other work later.

Plugs arrived, filler caps arrived and crimping tool arrived....


.... I did some looking and found a place here that 3D prints covers for Anderson Plug that are actually designed for use on the outside of vehicle canopies. Sits it flat, will cover the hole etc from the old socket and looks the part. It is the only thing I am waiting on or I would knock this over today. Have to go find a new lithium battery for my dirt bike as the one in it has died (11yrs old now - so no complaints !

 

Once more, thanks for the updates/pics!

 

... you are quite welcome !!

As the post didn't cooperate fo the plug cover to arrive so I could finish this I had to satisfy myself yesterday with doing up the car end of the fridge cable - added some insulation take to it after the pic to tidy it a little further.....



And the post did cooperate and the cover was waiting for me today (but it will be next weekend to get it dome...

Cover (you can see the wiring ready for it in the background)....



Underside should how the Anderson Plug is retained....

 

Nice cover !! Where from ??
Sloth m8e

 

Made here in Aus. 3D printed, they have a website I will link tomorrow.

 

k

 

Well with a little time to myself this afternoon I decided to try and knock over the last of the power plug work as I will need it in a few weeks and wanted some time to start again if my plan failed….



Plug on….


Assembled and screwed down…..


…..that makes it sound easier than it was….had to thread my monkey arms up from under the deck inside the quarter panel (laying on my chest under the deck) and fingertip on the washers and nuts, I am sure my forearm will heal eventually .. !

Cable connected….

….hooked up the other end to the fridge and powered it up. No flash, bang or blown fuse. An inexpert opinion is that the fridge is starting to cool (as I can feel the heating element giving off heat at the vent).

Now have to put all that crap back in behind the panel… !!

 

Well out in the TLC on and off today and left the fridge power on. Seems to be working as well as I could have hoped for. Cooling it from “hot” in a manner it has not since I changed vehicles in 2019 !

 

You always do nice work, Carry on.

 

Thank you !!!! More good luck than food management I suspect !

 

Well, looks like I'm joining the Land Cruiser Clan on Saturday.
Fine, it's a Lexus GX470 on the outside but it a Land Cruiser Prado under the sheet metal.
8+ inches of ground clearance, leather heated seats, real wood interior and enough sound deadening to block out the screams of mid street protestors being run over by a 2.5 ton proper SUV with a body on frame setup.

 

Bob the gray man showed up.

 

Excellent !!!!!

 

Remember to remove your roo bar when you smoke the engine.

 

....... it's important to select and buy an accessory for your vehicle that comes with R&D. In this case, as highlighted, I think it is just Isuzu being a##holes about some known or emerging issues (the MUX/DMax had issues 2017-19 as I recall). In my case I have always bought what is either a factory (Toyota Australia) option or from a known company (in my case generally ARB). Toyota actually rebrand a couple of different locally made bars to offer as "factory options" so they would be very hard pressed to deny a claim on with the Toyota branded or original versions. Now if they did I would simply go after the maker of the bar who's R&D should have been to spec. You cant do that generally with a guy making a nice looking but unresearched product in his garage. In my case, ARB (but most of the big brands here) do the airflow, crash and structural testing before releasing a product. On an additional note, my intercooler is top mounted under the bonnet scoop so its getting plenty of air. On my engine dust ingress is more of an issue (and known to Toyota). There are a good number of aftermarket airboxes now available (but they are spendy) for this. As I generally don't run in convoys (where this really is turned up a notch) I added a stiffening bracket and an upgraded filter to mine.

Car companies - Toyota included - will do what they can to ignore an issue !!

 

I know they have much better brush guard options for my 'Buru down under than here in Texas. I can't afford the export/import taxes though.

 

I like how Isuzu aus is exactly like Isuzu usa.

 

MrsVT wasn't very happy with the frame breaking on the Avalanche, So she wanted another truck. This time a Taco with some ground clearance. A/T tires coming soon and it's pretty much a non-discript color that isn't going to attract attention.

It's a good 2 feet shorter than the Avalanche and a foot narrower. Much easier to maneuver around.

 

And probably wont break in the middle...

 

Very true.