Tag Archives: 12 volt

Grenadier build – Outback Shakedown changes – Round 2

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ABNTR4X4 Rock sliders refined
A metallic noise/rattle/squeak developed about one week after the installation of the rock sliders. Luckily before The Doc went on his Outback trip.

The sliders were attached using plates secured by bolts; some bolts were fitted through a drill hole, others through a slot in the metal plate (to allow adjustments). The bolts through the slots were trying to pull the washers through the slot, so the washer became cupped letting the rock slider move.

After the initial install the mechanic had commented the bolts should be longer. After discussing the noise problem with the mechanic, The Doc bought longer high tensile bolts (replacing the OEM galvanized bolts) and large square washers that were also thicker than the OEM washers. After jumping up and down on the sliders after the refit, the mechanic found there was still some noise. On closer inspection there were screws in the body work exposed after the trim was removed to fit the sliders. So metal was still rubbing on metal. The mechanic adjusted the position of the sliders away from the exposed screw heads.

Everything has worked well since the changes and no more issues arose in the Outback trip.

ABNTR4X4 rock sliders are great, but they needed some refinement for Australia (at least for my purposes). First, longer 50mm high tensile bolts. Second, larger and thicker square washers and lastly adjusting the sliders to avoid touching the screws exposed after the trim was removed (you could cut these screws off, but that was not my preferred option).

XHQ Molle Panels refinements – when fitted with 30l diesel tanks
When travelling on intense corrugations the XHQ Molle Panels were being vibrated, creating an annoying noise when the tanks were filled with diesel. The corrugations created a wave vibration in the Molle panel you could see in the rearview mirror. It looked like Rolf Harris was using it as a wobble board!

Additionally, two of the four washers down on the L track attachment points were not sitting flat over the Molle panel slot (sound familiar?). One washer had dug into the side of the slot on the Molle panel. I upgraded the L track bolts from M8 bolts to M10 bolts. I also used bigger and thicker washers. The upgrade has fixed the noise around the city, but no testing on corrugations so far.

Rear Bracket – passenger’s side
My dual air compressor was attached to an ORS custom bracket on the driver’s side. I decided to get a matching bracket on the passenger’s side. ORS made the bracket and covered it in marine carpet. This allows me to use canvas bags with a carpet grabber to configure what to store on the bracket.

The bracket also creates a storage area between the bracket and the rear window for storage.

Below are images of the new bracket and the carpet grabber bags I have on order. These can be easily reconfigured depending on my needs.

I also reconfigured the driver’s side storage area with my AED device, new First Aid Kit and a storage bag. The distance between the windows and brackets is slightly different between the two sides – because the plastic wheel arch trim on each side. The AED and First Aid Kit were a better fit on the driver’s side (RHD).

Grenadier build – more build details

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

Things done recently:

1. The Doc and his brother installed the rear roof shelf over the weekend and The Doc has been experimenting how to pack the shelf. At present, he is using it to store the Solar Screens, air compressor equipment, Nakatanenga rear Door Air Vents and the Blacksmith Camping firewood carrier. Minimal loss of rear vision due to the shelf.

Here is a photo – the Travel Buddy Oven will be installed on the left side under the shelf after The Doc fits the Anderson plug to the oven.

2. The bed extension is removed while ORS makes some refinements to the design. It did allow me to easily fit the BLE Battery Monitor to the main battery today.

3. The Bushman Fridge arrived for the Grenadier and The Doc gave the courier a guided tour of the car. 🙂

4. The Doc installed the rear Firestryker extinguisher next to the air compressor cylinder. Brian from ORS suggested the location; and I thought it was a good suggestion, so I used it. You can see the air compressor bracket created a little space between it and the window that I can use for storage. Still working out what to put there. In the image there is a red Drifta Power Towel Dispenser and the other canvas bag has a 240 volt extension cable. When camping I can hang the Drifta towel dispenser from the roof shelf. That worked out nicely! Finally, the tie down rings will be re-installed where you see the bolt and washer on the bracket, so I can use the raised tie down points on both sides of the car.

Image from Drifta website.

Grenadier build – drawers, wind and water

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Images from the Offroad Systems fitout. Description of the fitout here.

Grenadier build – Nakatanenga stuff

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The Doc’s Grenadier build continues. The Doc installed the Nakatanenga Sun Visor Organiser today on the passenger’s side visor. He was running out of room in the lockable centre console. He also bought an emergency mirror that he mounted on the organiser killing two birds with one stone – a vanity mirror on the passenger’s side and an emergency mirror if needed. The mirror is visible when the visor is down. Image from Nakatanenga website.

The Doc also installed the Nakatanenga rear Door Air Vents on both sides. Driver’s side shown here (RHD car). As he will sleep in the car, The Doc needed air circulation throughout the night. Previously he used a window sock and put down the window. This is a better solution.

ORS rear drawers, water tank, bed extension and dual ARB air compressor go into the car over the next 2 days.

Grenadier build – solar panel installed

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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.