Burnsie's Unexpected 17.56-2 Outback
- Thread starter burnsie
- Start date
I know he was real busy last year, wasnt sure when you said "last ones" if he had thrown it in or not
I think I will PM him
I think I will PM him
So checked my previous conversations when I ordered them and he mentioned that he was thinking of stopping the tinted ones as they cost a bit more to make etc, but definitely worth sending the PM to see as there seems to be a bit more people wanting them
Will be good to see what the outcome is
Hey col, thanks for getting in touch.
I'm still plugging away, I've been busy thanks to the boost to the economy down here from Chinese tourism. I would just like to thank everyone that did not listen to me when I banged on about buying Australian made products, without you the Chinese middle class could not afford to holiday in Aua. and stay at our place.:biggrin-26:
I have a front and back tinted left http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/281418659880?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 They have been on ebay now for quite sometime for the same price as normal ones, so if you want to contact me swannie we can do a deal as I'd prefer to sell them cheaper here than on ebay
So hooked up the van this morning to check out the new hitch (DO35) I installed and also to see how the van sits with the new hitch and whether a WDH is required didn't think it would be but thought I better check. Just to confirm I have a 2inch lift with heavy duty suspension with airbags.
All measurements were taken from the bottom of the rim to the middle of the wheel arch
Prado without van attached
Front 790mm
Back 810mm
Prado with van attached no bags
Front 800mm
Back 790mm
Prado with van attached and 25PSI in Bags
Front 800mm
Back 800-810mm
With bags (25psi) the rear goes back up to 800-810mm and the front only increases 10mm from standard (without van)
I think it seems to sit pretty well and the measurements aren't to far out to require a WDH?
All measurements were taken from the bottom of the rim to the middle of the wheel arch
Prado without van attached
Front 790mm
Back 810mm
Prado with van attached no bags
Front 800mm
Back 790mm
Prado with van attached and 25PSI in Bags
Front 800mm
Back 800-810mm
With bags (25psi) the rear goes back up to 800-810mm and the front only increases 10mm from standard (without van)
I think it seems to sit pretty well and the measurements aren't to far out to require a WDH?
Measurements are close to ours (+/- 3 to 5mm) with 26psi in the bags..... Tows great without the WDH and steering on the Prado feels the same as driving unhitched!
My thought on air bags are Air bags keep it all level so it all looks good but none of the vans weight is transfered to the front wheels, So you may still need a Wdh. Is this correct?
your correct in a way @Base23
Yes, it does level the rear end up
No, it does not transfer any weight to the front wheels
but
it does take some of the strain out of the chassis that is transferred to the front by lifting / leveling the rear
as you can see from @burnsie's figures
without airbags - 30mm deflection (20mm rear + 10 mm front)
with airbags - 10mm deflection (10mm front)
also, the strength of the tyres (side wall construction) helps as well
Yes, it does level the rear end up
No, it does not transfer any weight to the front wheels
but
it does take some of the strain out of the chassis that is transferred to the front by lifting / leveling the rear
as you can see from @burnsie's figures
without airbags - 30mm deflection (20mm rear + 10 mm front)
with airbags - 10mm deflection (10mm front)
also, the strength of the tyres (side wall construction) helps as well
Quite possible @Base23 ... Every setup is different!
Had a 100 series with standard suspension towing a 16' tourer and towed better with WDH... Current setup is 120 Prado (With upgraded Heavy Duty suspension and Airbags) and tows just as good.... Can't fit WDH on current setup due to having a Treg Hitch with space restrictions!
I tow with a Jeep and it has air suspension so sits totally level with the van connected as it self adjusts to the load, So to stand back and look at it looks like it should tow great. But it doesn't, with out the wdh the front end feels light and loose. With the WDH on my set up it tows perfect at all speeds.
Finally picked up the bench top this arvo and thank goodness it fit and the lid of the washing machine opens as well (was concerned my measuring was not going to be very accurate 
So now I will have to finish putting it all back together and writing up a "How To" article
So now I will have to finish putting it all back together and writing up a "How To" article
Few additions to the van today
Re-fitted the bench top and associated cables and tested it all out, fits well, also put some thick foam around the washing machine to get it stable and ensure it doesn't move around too much on the unsealed roads
Next was the water filter, even though we have a external filter it seems to play funny games with the pressure to the van so as an added measure I installed a water filter next to the tap at the sink, this way the kids can also fill up their drink bottles when they need to.
Also picked up a couple of bits from Bunnings to be able to fill the tanks a bit quicker.....and did it ever, before I knew it the breathers were getting full.
And finally picked up the second battery and battery box, decisions decisions....two potential spots next to the exisiting one under the seat or at the bottom cupboards under the kitchen sink.
If I install it under the seat it will give me some more storage space (under the sink) but it will sit just in front of the wheel arch, so not sure how much more weight it will put on the towball, don't think it would be much at all but thinking about it.....
Other option is in the cupboards under the sink, will fit well and closer to the other one and will be sitting in the middle of the van and in line with the first set of wheels so shouldn't be any extra weight on the ball.
Also picked up some 2B&S cables to connect them up tomorrow
Leaning towards under the seat as I don't think it would add too much weight to the ball being just in front of the wheels?
Re-fitted the bench top and associated cables and tested it all out, fits well, also put some thick foam around the washing machine to get it stable and ensure it doesn't move around too much on the unsealed roads
Next was the water filter, even though we have a external filter it seems to play funny games with the pressure to the van so as an added measure I installed a water filter next to the tap at the sink, this way the kids can also fill up their drink bottles when they need to.
Also picked up a couple of bits from Bunnings to be able to fill the tanks a bit quicker.....and did it ever, before I knew it the breathers were getting full.
And finally picked up the second battery and battery box, decisions decisions....two potential spots next to the exisiting one under the seat or at the bottom cupboards under the kitchen sink.
If I install it under the seat it will give me some more storage space (under the sink) but it will sit just in front of the wheel arch, so not sure how much more weight it will put on the towball, don't think it would be much at all but thinking about it.....
Other option is in the cupboards under the sink, will fit well and closer to the other one and will be sitting in the middle of the van and in line with the first set of wheels so shouldn't be any extra weight on the ball.
Also picked up some 2B&S cables to connect them up tomorrow
Leaning towards under the seat as I don't think it would add too much weight to the ball being just in front of the wheels?
You're going to need a trip away to relax after all these mods @burnsie
Thats the plan @dagree a big long 5 month trip although you are right, doing heaps of extra work on the van and Prado hopefully so that the trip is as stress free as possible and we can enjoy it.
Will probably need to sell my left kidney as well when we return with all the extra spending at the moment.
although you are right, doing heaps of extra work on the van and Prado hopefully so that the trip is as stress free as possible and we can enjoy it.Will probably need to sell my left kidney as well when we return with all the extra spending at the moment.
I'm not sure on how much, but like you say, it wont be a great amount, considering where it sits at the moment
the plus side of fitting it under the seat - all electrical is in one place............
So installed the second battery, went with the "under seat" location so I don't loose any additional storage as I lost a cupboard to the washing machine. Install was straight forward, used some washes and screws to hold down the battery box then sat the battery in. probably need to clean up the wires a little as the connections now are quite short between the batteries as I made sure the + & - of the connections were on opposite batteries, used 2 B&S cable between them it is bloody thick stuff, connected it all up and hopefully should now have double the capacity for the trip.
Will test out the ball weight once my adaptor for the tow ball scale arrives to see how much it has added.
Will test out the ball weight once my adaptor for the tow ball scale arrives to see how much it has added.
Just ordered the Stone Stomper..........looking forward to receiving this addition