Im finally a owner of a panda 17.56.2 OB Sean Parky

seanparky

seanparky

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Well my time finally arrived. After 2yrs of ummming and errring i took the plunge and purchased my first expanda 17.56.2OB.
As a virgin caravaner its totally different towing a van that size. I have a toyota prado 3l turbo diesel and it doesn't really like the hills. Thanks to this wonderful site i have some ideas and now a list for some modifications like the rest of you that will take some time. First is to upgrade my suspension and a WDH system, then the installation of the LED lights. Hope to put up some pics soon as i go with my modifications. cheers
 
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pomtony

pomtony

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seanparky said:
Well my time finally arrived. After 2yrs of ummming and errring i took the plunge and purchased my first expanda 17.56.2OB.
As a virgin caravaner its totally different towing a van that size. I have a toyota prado 3l turbo diesel and it doesn't really like the hills. Thanks to this wonderful site i have some ideas and now a list for some modifications like the rest of you that will take some time. First is to upgrade my suspension and a WDH system, then the installation of the LED lights. Hope to put up some pics soon as i go with my modifications. cheers
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well done mate, we also have a 17.56-2 ob on a diesel prado, yeah its a little slower uphill but not that much of a big deal.
is your 17 new or preloved?
half the fun of having a panda is doing the mods (or is it just me, i look for things to do/add, just need to keep working for the mod funds)
cheers
tony
 
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seanparky

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thanks tony. i really jumped at this one. pre loved was delivered jan 2013 so just over 12 months old. Drove from brisbane to Sarina just out of mackay. So its already done 1000km to bring her home. No radio but i can do that later, has external shower, kakadu external bed ends so i saved $2000 there. Outside table, outside power point, outside tv point, tv booster, roof aircon. Got it for $41,500 so i think its a bargain considering they are still advertised 2012 around the $43-45 mark. Yep i can't wait to start my mods. Led awning strip, led lights in bunks for kids at night, usb charger points for kids, I'm also looking at a small motion sensor to turn on a red step light and red light near toilet so wife and kids aren't stumbling in the dark trying to find light switches waking everyone up when going to the toilet. I will post this up when I'm done. The usual fridge fan, water filtration, going to get new water hoses and tape or paint black to stop algae.
 
seanparky

seanparky

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Cheers Hamish. Once i start having a play and look more thoroughly into the wiring side of things I'm hoping i can help others. There are some great mods and ideas out there
 
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dagree

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Congrats @seanparky ... Another good choice in Expanda and Prado. Only difference is we have a petrol model. Can't comment on pulling the van uphill as we have only towed it approx 40 K's from the dealer to home with no hills.

The Prado felt the old 16.49.3 behind it slightly uphill but once we gained speed it was fine.
 
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DRW

DRW

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Hi @seanparky what is about the northern QLDers, we bought ours from Townsville?? Being in the same trade as you I couldn't help myself either, tore the setek unit out, fitted a Dc-Dc and a new charger, fitted a marine circuit panel board, changed the lights over to COB LED and just cant leave bloody things alone, funny thing is the setek actually works in a funny sort of way, now I have to make up a cupboard to hide the face of the charger and the new panel as all the LED's keep the bride awake at night. Anyway if you enjoy it as much as us you will be doing okay.
 
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dakky68

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hamish22 said:
I have a 100 series Cruiser and with van attached it absolutely hates hills, but I wouldn't swap it for the world!
Nothing a good run off doesn't fix.


Congrats on the van too bud!:)
Click to expand...
We put a chip on ours and can now do the hills at Bulahdelah in fourth gear without losing speed or flooring it. Makes trips north much easier!
 
seanparky

seanparky

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DRW said:
Hi @seanparky what is about the northern QLDers, we bought ours from Townsville?? Being in the same trade as you I couldn't help myself either, tore the setek unit out, fitted a Dc-Dc and a new charger, fitted a marine circuit panel board, changed the lights over to COB LED and just cant leave bloody things alone, funny thing is the setek actually works in a funny sort of way, now I have to make up a cupboard to hide the face of the charger and the new panel as all the LED's keep the bride awake at night. Anyway if you enjoy it as much as us you will be doing okay.
Click to expand...


Hey @DRW some pictures would be nice to see. Ive had nothing to do with the dc-dc. Been in mines now for 5yrs so lost a little touch with the real world as mine is remove replace or repair. Yeh the electrics i can't wait to play with. Tell ya what tho they did a bloody good job hiding the wires. Not very accessible in the cupboards. So where you based mate? Be good to catch up with a fellow sparky. I'll put pics up as soon as i start my mods.
 
Antman

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Hey @seanparky do you happen to know any good auto sparkies near indooroopilly? I need to get a ctek d250s connected in my pajero? I have mounted it and run wiring for Anderson plug etc so basically need a relay fitted and the connections done. Bit too much for me that's all. Let me know if you can recommend one. Thanks mate. Ants
 
seanparky

seanparky

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sounds like your almost finished the job. need a hand with numbers on relay, but in answer i know no one in brisbane. Moved there 12 months ago. Im a bush boy from Alice Springs. old story happy wife happy life. Ive been in the mines for the past 5yrs and only home for 5 days every fortnight so don't get out much.
 
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Antman

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Too easy mate. Yeah jobs nearly done I just don't want to touch the wiring on a 4month old car. If I stuffed up on the old prado we had would be a great deal easier to get it fixed but not on the new pajero. Lol. I took it to an auto sparky last week and he quoted me just shy of $400 to wire which I thought was a bit rich considering I know what needs to be done, how long it would take me and by rights I would think someone in the industry would not take as long as I would. Oh well will keep looking. :)
 
seanparky

seanparky

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Antman said:
Too easy mate. Yeah jobs nearly done I just don't want to touch the wiring on a 4month old car. If I stuffed up on the old prado we had would be a great deal easier to get it fixed but not on the new pajero. Lol. I took it to an auto sparky last week and he quoted me just shy of $400 to wire which I thought was a bit rich considering I know what needs to be done, how long it would take me and by rights I would think someone in the industry would not take as long as I would. Oh well will keep looking. :)
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Sounds a bit steep. i know I've been out of civilisation for 5 years but guessing he's charging $100/hr you've already done most of it. just power and ignition to a relay or solenoid plus a bit of cable and circuit breaker maybe $300. that 1- 1.5hrs plus parts
 
Stan53

Stan53

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Hamish said "I have a 100 series Cruiser and with van attached it absolutely hates hills, but I wouldn't swap it for the world!"
It's a Toyota thing. I have a 80 series, 4.5 petrol. It also hates vans with a vengeance. I have a Swift. Does well till it see a hill. Then it goes into labour!
 
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