Grungles 2014 GXL TTD Build Project

[Grungle]

Hi All,

After being a Patrol man for 12 odd years, I was recently given the opportunity to buy a new car through work as part of a Novated lease. Didn't like the new Patrols and with so many ex Patrol friends now owning Landcruiser's, started looking at the 76 series wagon. However, after driving a 200 Series at work and having friends stay over a couple of times whispering quietly in my ear, my arm was twisted and the decision made to get a 200 Series.

I did my research first and after plenty of Googling and a few discussions with mates, signed up for a 2014 GXL TTD V8 without KDSS with a bunch of accessories fitted as part of my lease. All up delivery time was about 6 weeks but still waiting on the Kaymar rear bar which is taking its time. Picked him/her (haven't decided yet) up 2 weeks ago with 35km on the clock and have been grinning from ear to ear since.

So as part of the delivery, I had the following fitted:

• ARB colour coded deluxe winch bar;
• Smittybilt 10,000lb winch;
• Safari snorkel;
• Outback Accesories overhead roof console with Icom insert;
• Outback Accessories rear cargo draws;
• Kaymar colour coded rear bar and RHS wheel carrier (to be fitted);
• Long Ranger 180L replacement sub tank;
• BF Goodrich 285/70R17 KM2's; and
• Genuine Toyota tow package.

And what has been fitted post delivery:

• An ELM327 WiFI OBDII dongle with DashCommand on the iPhone and iPad;
• Front drivers and passenger door, dual coloured courtesy lights;
• EGR blanking plate;
• Replaced rear overhead light globe with a LED globe to match the roof console;
• Alternator voltage booster from HKB Electronics (MK3 Electronic Fuse Version); and
• All my ancillary equipment: ground anchor, recovery kits, heavy duty jumper cables, Tyrepliers tyre repair kit, hand and air tools, GME PLB, Icom IC-41s handheld etc etc.

What I have to transfer over from the Patrol:

• Lightforce XGT spotlights;
• Lightforce XGT 75W HID upgrade (never got around to fitting);
• Icom IC-400Pro radio;
• Icom IC-F7000 HF radio;
• Codan or Barrett autotune antenna (haven't decided which yet);
• RFI Quickfit CB and mobile phone antennas;
• Bury iPhone 5 carkit;
• Tyredog tyre monitor and repeater;
• iPhone 4S running iSym dash camera app;
• Redarc BCDC1225 charger;
• Platinum fridge drop slide;
• Waeco 80L fridge / freezer;
• Alloy 9L air tank; and
• ARB roof rack (need new leg kit).

And of course, the obligatory, accessory wish list:

• Custom dash integrated gauge pod (parts ordered);
• Redarc TowPro brake controller (arrived);
• Half height cargo barrier (ordered);
• Tailgate LED downlight;
• ARB leg kit for the roof rack;
• Beaudesert / Redback exhaust (still deciding on which);
• Battery isolation / separation kit;
• Third auxiliary battery kit;
• Fuse / relay / circuit breaker box (arrived);
• Endless air-compressor (will make it my mission to get one fitted);
• Water tank;
• Marks 4WD Adaptors diff drop kit;
• Superior Engineering replacement upper control arms;
• Suspension lift (50mm), probably a GVM upgrade;
• Replacement satnav stereo with off road maps;
• Power upgrade / chip (still deciding on which); and
• A few other things that I cannot disclose just yet as the wife monitors my account

 

[Grungle]

Hoping for some help guys.

I am installing a Redarc Tow-Pro electric brake controller and trying to find out if our RHD models have the factory plug fitted that allows 'plug and play' of the brake controller. Already looked at the various threads on the forum but does anyone know what the Toyota plug number is for the attached pic? If I had that then I can cross reference in the workshop manual.

 

[crazy1323]

Welcome to the forums. You will love the 200.

This should be a great build, would you mind posting some pics?

 

[Grungle]

Thanks Crazy1323.

Absolutely love the 200 and that grunt of the twin turbo diesel V8. Will be a great tow vehicle - just need to get the brake controller sorted so I can get back camping.

Definitely will be posting pics of what I do, have a few already but still waiting on parts to arrive (everything seems to tie in together). I am also a bit anal about the installation so take my time to ensure quality.

Cheers.

 

[Spudman]

Hey Grungle, welcome to mud mate, nice cruiser and looks like you've got it well sorted.

In regards the brake controller have you visited www.lcool.org yet, it's an Aussie web site ideally for late model Toyotas, you need to become a member to read anything, they have excellent stuff on there for the 200

 

[Grungle]

Cheers Spudman. Yep - member of Lcool already and searched the site extensively but no reference to the plug that you guys have. Everyone runs cable to the rear which I would dearly like to avoid as I have cargo draws in so would have to remove them to get to the trim.

 

[Spudman]

I used to be a member of lcool for my 200 series, but with my 60 series I wanted a forum that catered for both. Do you have access to www.toyodiy.com that's the best place to find part numbers

 

[hoser]

I am installing a Redarc Tow-Pro electric brake controller and trying to find out if our RHD models have the factory plug fitted that allows 'plug and play' of the brake controller.

Neither AUS market 100 nor 200 have the plug and play trailer brake wiring as found on the US 100 and 200. Why? I dunno.

Rather than run power and brake cable inside, you can run it outside, along the frame. It eventually has to be routed out of the body anyway.

 

[Grungle]

Thanks guys.

Looks like I will just knuckle down and run the cables. Spent enough time researching the fabled plug that I could have done 10 brake controller installers by now.

Cheers.

 

[Grungle]

Some progress (albeit only a small mod).

Replaced the drivers and passenger door reflectors with courtesy lights. I bought some aftermarket ones from eBay for $39.99 freighted that were dual function and had an always on white LED light shining down as well as a flashing red LED light shining backwards. Easiest mod I have ever done and look funky to boot.

The aftermarket eBay lights.

Close up.

The dummy light.

Popped out and showing the original plug captive in the holder.

New light in and working. The camera caught the red LED just as it came on (blinks about once a second).

 

[Grungle]

Another mod that i wanted to knock over very early on was fitting the EGR blanking plate to minimise the soot buildup in the intake system. There has been plenty posted in other forums of how much soot can accumulate in the air intake pipework of the common rail diesels because of the EGR system. Couple this with atomised oil that circulates with the air (Catch Cans help reduce this) and you can end up with a gluggy black cancer that clogs up the intake pipes and reduces engine efficiency.

So with 295km on the clock, it was time to wield the spanners to get the plate fitted. All up it took about 1.5 hours but I took it very easy to ensure I didn't damage the fins of the intercooler seeing as I was only raising it instead of removing it. Also, the EGR pipe bolts were very tight and I could only get a small socket and ratchet ring spanner in to get them out which took time.

The plate I bought off eBay for $11 shipped. Instructions were for a 70 series but should be similar.

Close up of the plate which is made from 1mm stainless.

Nervous about pulling apart something so new. Had plenty of time so worked through it slowly.

Intercooler lifted (actually lifted it twice as high as shown). EGR pipe shown in the centre of the pic.

EGR pipe that needs to be removed.

Pipe removed and already some soot present.

Not too much contamination but I wasn't expecting any for a motor with only 295km on the clock.

Top gasket removed and plate inserted in its place. Pipe refitted.

I should mention that I went with a plate that has holes for the bolts as opposed to slots because I have seen some instances where the plate with the slots has moved slightly on installation and exhaust gas has escaped leaving soot and crap around the EGR pipe. It actually makes quite a mess and stains the surrounding metal.

 

[Grungle]

Replaced the rear cargo area light globe with a LED festoon to match the Outback Interior overhead console LED lights.

 

[Grungle]

Also moved all the gear in the draws, pockets, console and glovebox of the Patrol over to the Cruiser.

Rear of the Patrol with all our tools, recovery gear, spares, shower gear, first aid kit, solar still

Virgin cargo area of the Cruiser. Draws are narrower and shorter so less space which is a bummer.

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All the gear we cart around. Funny what you find like the solar still from a liferaft that I scored when in the Army.

All in (almost). Toolbox wouldn't fit and neither would a S/S pipe I have as a breaker bar extension. Need to refine the packing a bit.

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And finally all the gear from the front. Patrol had bigger door pockets but Cruiser had bigger centre console so managed to fit it all in.

So after moving all the gear, I found out I could cut back on a few things. Have 4 packs of zip ties in various lengths (plus a million coating around in the back of the Patrol), the solar still (we had for our desert trip in 2009), way too much recovery gear (2 of every strap, 10 D & bow shackles, 2 recovery hitches etc), survival kit (packed in a lunch box with potassium permanganate for sterilising water, Army water filter bags, flints, fishing kit, thumb saw etc), lunch box full of gas bits (fittings, jets, pinch clamps, jet cleaning needles etc).... well I think you get the jist.