Grenadier build – JOOCLA Single Mounted Ensuite

4X4, Australia, Uncategorised,

The Doc test mounted the JOOCLA Single Mounted Ensuite onto the Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform. The JOOCLA was mounted using KAON Universal Awning Brackets to suit the Pioneer Platform, two or three brackets can be used.

Here is an image of a Single Mounted Ensuite (image from JOOCLA website):

Here is the KAON Universal Awning Bracket used to mount the JOOCLA Single Ensuite:

The spacing between the JOOCLA bolt mountings was 51mm which the KAON bracket can handle without modification. KAON states the bracket spacing is 33mm to 50mm maximum (but it works with 51mm no problems). The JOOCLA supplied mounting brackets did not work to The Doc’s satisfaction. They would have mounted the JOOCLA , but corrugations would have moved and/or damaged the JOOCLA brackets over time, because of the manner in which the brackets fitted to the roofrack. Better to install it right the first time. An added bonus is The Doc can remove the KAON brackets easily if he wishes to remove the JOOCLA in under two minutes.

No image of the Ensuite on the Grenadier, as The Doc is waiting for some Nord-Lock washers for the final mounting. He did not have enough washers for all the mounting bolts. He then pretends the Nord-Lock washers do not cost as much as they do.

Grenadier build – Fire Extinguisher No. 1

4X4, Australia, Uncategorised,

The Doc realised he never posted the install of fire extinguisher No. 1.

Quick Fist make a variety of rubber clamps which can attach items to your cargo barrier or rear roof shelf. The Doc used the 25-45mm version to affix the Firestryker fire extinguisher behind the driver’s seat.

The Doc bought some small metal plates from the hardware (plate size varies depending on the clamp used), covered them in black fabric tape and used it to attach two rubber clamps to the cargo barrier.

The black fabric tape makes the metal plates hard to see and cushions the plates to protect the paint and the fabric stops any rattles with the cargo barrier. The 25-45mm clamp uses a single bolt to attach. However, there is hole in the bottom and the top of the Quick Fist clamp, where The Doc used black zip ties, so the clamp was secured in 3 locations. The plates at the back were covered with black fabric tape to tidy them up, after the image was taken.

Grenadier build – a few mods

4X4, Australia, Uncategorised,

FIRE EXTINGUISHER NO: 2
The Doc fitted the second fire extinguisher today, behind the cargo barrier (extinguisher No. 1 is in front the barrier). The Quick Fist 44-63MM rubber clamp was not big enough to secure the extinguisher, so The Doc had to MacGyver the clamp to make it fit. The advantage of a rubber clamp is that it grips the extinguisher nicely, even when you trim out the internal fins of the clamp. A sharp chisel helped the removal of the rubber fins.

The larger Quick Fist had two bolts, so there was no need to use zip ties this time. One clamp was enough.

UPDATE: This fire extinguisher was removed to allow The Doc to install a DRIFTA Organiser on the cargo barrier (two actually, driver’s and passenger’s side). The fire extinguisher is now stored in the big pocket at the bottom of the organiser on the passenger’s side.

REAR GARBAGE BAG
The Doc also did a test fitting of the Blacksmith trash bag. He worked out how to fit it without securing all the straps, so the bag looks a little loose.

Grenadier build – safety pole mounted

4X4, Aussie made, Australia, Uncategorised, ,


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 – solar panel installed

12 volt, 4X4, Australia, Uncategorised, , ,

The Doc installed the King’s 160W solar panel on the roof rack, it mates well with the CTEK 250SE.

Expedition HQ previously mated the CTEK 250SE with the CTEK 120S, as well as running an Anderson plug up the B pillar to the front passenger power socket. The Doc just had to install the panel on the roof rack and plug it in. The panel was secured like it was on the Nissan Patrol and the old solar panel was undamaged after the crash.

Here is a photo of the solar panel installed, with a bonus image of the other view from the balcony (the view is about twice as broad as what you see). The solar panel was installed during the recent Ballina trip.

Grenadier transfer case cables

Uncategorised, ,

The Doc has a solution to properly secure my transfer case cables (issue identified by @Logsplitter). At this time it is not publicly available and it is not INEOS approved.

It is however a fine piece of engineering, made from aluminium and it does not rely on the tree style plastic plug to hold it in place. The Doc has not installed his bracket yet. (Screws and bolts not shown).


Grenadier build -Expedition HQ – Part 2

12 volt, 4X4, Anderson plug, Aussie made, Australia, battery management system, Uncategorised, ,

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

12 volt, 4X4, Anderson plug, Aussie made, Australia, battery management system, Uncategorised, ,

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

12 volt, 4X4, Anderson plug, Aussie made, Australia, battery management system, Uncategorised, ,

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

12 volt, 4X4, Aussie made, Australia, guide, Uncategorised, ,

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.