Images from the Offroad Systems fitout. Description of the fitout here.
Grenadier build – drawers, wind and water
Category Archives: Aussie made
Grenadier build – safety pole mounted
The Doc has mounted the Bushranger Safety Flag onto the Grenadier’s roof rack. You can vary the flags height, using 1, 2 or 3 fibreglass poles.
The Doc used a Razed antenna mounting bracket and attached the bottom of the flag pole onto the bracket (these 2 images are from the Razed website).
The nuts were torqued to 7Nm, and The Doc used Nord-Lock washers, instead of the supplied split washers, as Nord-Lock washers will not come loose due to corrugations. The Doc placed the bracket in a corner near the solar panel to minimise its drag profile. Final fit looks like this:
Grenadier build -Expedition HQ – Part 2
The Expedition HQ package replaces the 13 pin Euro plug with a 7/12 pin flat pin plug and 2 Anderson plugs (one for the caravan/trailer and one for the solar blanket). This is what the rear now looks like:
The XHQ package is not spliced into the INEOS electrics, but uses its own control box, shown here:
The fuse labelled Anderson, bottom centre, is for the two Anderson plugs for the fridge running off the AUX battery (see more below). The small circuit breaker top right (just below the AUX Battery label) is for the REDARC TowPro and the large 50 amp circuit breaker, to the left, is for the XHQ Control Unit.
The REDARC TowPro head unit is up under the dash near the steering wheel.
In a 5 seater Grenadier the XHQ Control Unit fits next to the CTEK 120S. The CTEK 250SE then fits on top of the XHQ Control Unit. There is not enough vertical room in the 2 seater for the CTEK 250SE to be mounted on top, so an alternate place was found, near the aux battery. The metal lid in the 2 seater leaves less room above the XHQ Control Box for the CTEK 25OSE than the seats in the 5 seater model.
In The Doc’s 2 seater the CTEK 250SE was mounted on a Black Sheep charger bracket he already had (the two solar Anderson plugs are attached the CTEK 250SE’s solar inputs. (The solar input LED is not on as no solar panel was attached when the photo was taken):
In addition, Anderson plugs were installed into the side of the battery box and into the area near the jack. Here is the passenger side of the battery box, just below the lid hinge:
The Anderson plug near the jack will have this plugged into it, which will be mounted next to the drawers:
Out of picture is the Anderson plug that will fit into the jack area Anderson plug.
Grenadier build – Expedition HQ – Part 1
Now a detailed breakdown of the Expedition HQ work.
When the REDARC TowPro was installed yesterday, at Expedition HQ, The Doc had the REDARC controller installed on a Lightforce Switch Fascia. You can see the steering column in the second image.
I will be installing a USB charging port in the LF Fascia powered by the driver’s side power socket.
The Doc may also install a REDARC Boost and EGT Gauge and its dimmer switch can be installed in the LF Fascia as well. A picture of the gauge, not the boring dimmer switch.
The LF Fascia can be used for other purposes, like a UHF pass through, compressor switch, etc. The Doc thought it best to have a fascia for future needs and not mess up the INEOS any more and The Doc has a neat and tidy solution for nay more switches.
Grenadier build – Expedition HQ install
The Doc had Expedition HQ, on the Gold Coast, fit the Redarc TowPro Kit, the 13 pin Euro plug was replaced by a 12/7 pin flat pin on its own wiring loom, various Anderson plugs were fitted (5 in total). Two for solar input, 2 for fridges and the last for towing, A CTEK 250SE was mated to the 120S and lastly the Clevershade 270 Awning was fitted. A long day and most of the changes are hidden.
The same Clevershade awning fitted to a LC300.
Grenadier build – UHF install
AERIALS FITTED
The aerial on the left of screen is the RFI CD63 Black 6.5dbi removable aerial. It is very thin, so the driver’s vision is barely impacted. The twists you see 1/2 down the whip is there to absorb vibrations/corrugations. When travelling across corrugations The Doc calls it the hula girl.
This aerial is fitted to a GME TX3520S.
The aerial on right of screen is the RFI CD961-71-75. It has interchangeable antenna whips which operate at 6.5dBi and 3dbi. The 3dbi whip is tiny at about 10cm long. The larger 6.5dBi antenna is fitted in the picture. This aerial is fitted to a GME XRS390C. I have a GME XRS-BT1 hands free kit to install on the GMEXRS390.
The handsets are mounted on the passenger’s side of the centre console, using the Brodit bracket.
The basic cable feed is shown in the second image.
Grenadier build – the fit-out continues
Dashcam (Blackvue DR970X), Cellink NEO Plus dashcam battery and CAT III Rust Reduction system now installed, thanks to Adam’s Auto Accessories. Email: adams_auto_accessories@hotmail.com, Mobile: 0405 221 994. Contact Adam Rando. Quality work at a competitive rate.
Fire Extinguisher also mounted behind the driver’s headrest. It is a Firestryker fitted on Quick Fist Rubber Brackets, attached to the cargo barrier, with a few mods.
Spare 17 inch steel rim bought and picked up in Brisbane, way cheaper than buying from INEOS.
In a few days the Redarc TowPro and Anderson plugs are fitted. The Clevershade 270 Awning gets fitted the same day, the next day The Doc installs the 160W Kings solar panel.
The Grenadier fit-out has started
Installed two UHF aerials and head-units inside the car. Plus a restyled number plate. Full write up above.
Aussie made 16 to 20
4X4 Equipment
Aussie Made No 16: Hayman Reese are best known for their towbars, but they also make brake controllers, stability equipment for caravans and trucks. The Patrol has a Hayman Reese towbar and trailer brake controller fitted: http://www.haymanreese.com.au/products
Aussie Made No 17: ARB is one of the most respected names in off-road equipment. Many of their vast range of products are made in Australia. Bullbars, canopies, suspension systems, air lockers, compressors and the list goes on. The Patrol has an ARB Twin Compressor fitted under the passenger’s seat: https://www.arb.com.au
Aussie Made No 18: Long Ranger make long range fuel and waters tanks for many vehicles. The tanks are distributed by ARB: http://thelongranger.com.au/
Aussie Made No 19: Brown Davis makes long range fuel tanks (including various tanks for the Bushmaster armoured vehicle). Brown Davis made the auxiliary fuel tank fitted to the Nissan Patrol, increasing the auxiliary fuel tank capacity from 40 to 80 litres. The main tank has 97 litres giving a total of 173 litres. The auxiliary was updated as the added weight was not directly over the rear axle but placed further forward: https://www.browndavis.com.au/
Aussie Made No 20: Safari Snorkels make snorkels for off road vehicles, allowing deeper water crossings by moving the air intake high in the vehicle. Buy a quality snorkel as the cheap Chinese crap around just deteriorates under the hot Australian sun. In my more recent years Safari have branched out to performance upgrades for select Toyota models under the name Armax. After 8 years the Safari snorkel on the Patrol looks brand-new: https://www.safari4x4.com.au/
Aussie made 11 to 15
4X4 Equipment
Aussie Made No 11: Enerdive are based in Queensland. While some products are sourced from overseas, Enerdrive does manufacture its own range of ePOWER AC battery chargers & DC2DC battery chargers along with their Lithium battery systems: https://enerdrive.com.au/
Aussie Made No 12: Austech Wire & Cable make copper cables for automotive, marine, speakers, irrigation, etc. Automotive cables are sold at retail under the name Owl or Wise Owl on eBay: https://austechwire.com.au/#about
Aussie Made No 13: Tycab Australia’s cable products are used across a broad range of industries, from Automotive, Irrigation, Building, Data & Instrumentation to Security, Marine, Welding, Speaker & Audio and Switchboards. I have used their automotive cables and they are world class: https://www.tycab.com.au/
Aussie Made No 14: SmartBar was the original lightweight plastic bullbar built to absorb an impact and bounce back into shape. They are much more pedestrian friendly in an accident. I have one installed on the Patrol. There is a variety of bars now called SmartBar, StealthBar and SpartanBar: https://smartbar.com.au/
Aussie Made No 15: Rhino Rack makes a vast array of roof racks and accessories right here in Australia. The Patrol has a Pioneer Platform fitted with jerry can holder and spare tyre carrier: https://www.rhinorack.com.au/en-au
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