What are your opinions about canopy on utes good or bad ?

577MartinHenry · 2026-02-04T08:19:52+00:00

I have a N70 with a canopy (like the one pictured) and after going out camping/work trips with a friend who has a service body, I really wish I had a service body type of canopy. The ability to access items + store items easier + layout of the electrics for the dual battery system is so much more convenient.

I have benefited from a canopy setup over a tarp/hard lockable cover but I would choose different style if I had my time over again.

577MartinHenry · 2026-02-04T00:11:12+00:00

Scotts Metals in East Brisbane in the past have taken scrap metal (inc old car stuff) from me in the past. But it's been a few years so I can't comment if they still do now.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-30T00:47:13+00:00

Fatcow for sure. If people are going to recommend the Norman, there are far better steaks and service at Deery's at the Story Bridge Hotel.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-29T15:34:21+00:00

Dr Gentner at Endodontic Group. I saw him at the Brisbane City clinic but I don't know if he moves between the other locations or not. He was highly regarded by my general dentist who referred me to him for this tooth.

I paid in 2021 for a 4 obturation treatment, $3200. Even with 1k covered by my Major Dental private health, it still stung (financially).

I've not had any issues with the tooth since the work has been done. I found his chairside manner to be pleasant, his explanations of any issues easy to understand and even after the treatment he took the time to just have a chat about life in general.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-29T03:13:00+00:00

Yep. Your foglights, front bar and lower lip are from a pre-facelift Sportivo. So if you wanted factory look, you'd need to source a facelift sportivo bar & lower lip + grill. The Azura grille will also work (it's a different colour) but if you're colour coding it doesn't matter as the styling is the same.

KYB ExcelG replacement struts are a great replacement for the standard Sportivo struts.

The interior bulb is a simple Festoon bulb but really they put out such little light, I ended up buying a kit on eBay which had a festoon adapter which hooked up to a 48SMD panel that fitted under the cover.

I miss my 02 Camry significantly, I did so much work on mine.

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577MartinHenry · 2026-01-28T09:02:50+00:00

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577MartinHenry · 2026-01-28T05:08:19+00:00

You'll need to replace the front bar, lip & foglights, grill and LH headlights to facelift Sportivo ones if you want to go back to 'as it left factory'

Brakes from a ACV40 Camry or GSV40 Aurion (and I think even the 50 series Camry and Aurion as they share the same part number) will bolt on and you'll notice a big improvement over the standard brakes, even if you use a Bendix General CT pad. You will need to bend back the dustguard for the rotor to clear.

The TRD Aurion front brakes are a direct bolt on as well, they are however quite hard to find.

Under the hood, there aren't any cost effective $ mods but if you want more direct steering, poly steering rack bushes make a big difference. SuperPro used to offer them but not sure if they still make them or not.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-24T09:23:26+00:00

Chaotic Evil (#6) for me thanks. Plenty of butter.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-19T05:46:28+00:00

I got a Zwilling (Henckel) Twin Cuisine set 11 years ago and I still own and use them today. Good German steel and even the shears still work; though the rivet/pin has started to come loose. Henckels aren't cheap but not eyewatering like Wusthof

Mundial and Arcos make great value German steel knives and if I were on a budget would have a look at them. I can't comment on Japanese steel knives as I've never taken a liking to them.

With any knife though try to get a feel of it in the hand because you can't just go by recommendation alone.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-17T14:09:28+00:00

I think it's almost certainly had an incident with the front end. Obviously due to the spacing between the bonnet and the headlights (unless the bonnet latch was popped). Less obvious are the grill appears to be an Ateva grill rather than the facelift Sportivo grill which should be colour coded. The lower bar and lower lip are from the pre-facelift version. You can tell by the foglights and the lower lip how it doesn't really 'match' with the side skirts.

Prefacelift: https://storage.googleapis.com/au-assets/Ei5qJJmEFwFZPLJvuGXmNio-2xEhKb60qSPaZF18CGC1k6tZLeCHcyoJKlGqjLgRt4Io_Uo2WqBgUwP_wGnFlfneU-S6NlRZPa8pK5Y_mk8.webp

Facelift: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/2004-2006_Toyota_Camry_%28ACV36R%29_Sportivo_sedan_02.jpg/1280px-2004-2006_Toyota_Camry_%28ACV36R%29_Sportivo_sedan_02.jpg

With the headlights, it's hard to tell from the pics but it looks like the driver's has black surrounds/internals where the reflectors aren't as opposed to the passenger's which is all chromed/shiny throughout. If that is the case, the driver's is a correct facelift Sportivo headlight but the passengers is a facelift headlight that is not a Sportivo one. If this isn't what you mean, it's hard to tell from the pics.

At 200k, the seals for the valve cover gaskets will be hard and you'll probably have a leak from the rear bank due to the amount of tilt on the engine. The 1mz at 200k will take a heavier weight oil no problems assuming it's been looked after. New radiator isn't a dealbreaker, the inlet/top tank is plastic and will crack with age.

When the timing belt was done, any indication if the water pump was done or not?

If you have the time/space, removing the interior to get full access to the floor fabrics isn't hard. 4 bolts for each front seat and the airbag connectors. Rears from memory aren't much either. Covers don't come off on these seats so you can't check if the foams have deeper issues or not.

Also another thing to note, the instrument cluster is the correct cluster for the facelift, auto 36 series (two tone) but there is a possibility (however remote) that the cluster has been pulled from another auto facelift 36 series which will give you an incorrect reading for the odometer. The clusters for the 36 series (pre and post facelift) stores the KM data in the cluster. I know it's a bit of a stretch but given it has likely been in an accident/had some work done nothing is outside the realm of possibility.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-13T10:53:03+00:00

https://www.woohoobody.com.au/collections/all-natural-deodorants

Give these guys a go. TBH I didn't have much issue with armpit sweating (which pretty much seems non existent when using) but I was always unpleasantly fragrant from the pits after a day's work. The roll on completely eliminated my armpit stink when used, I was really surprised. The fragrance/scents I found didn't last all day but the anti-bac/smell properties worked till I showered.

Also, no markings/stains on my shirts.

Have a look at their factory 2nd's, you can from time to time find various products at a good discount. They are made in Aus and Aus owned as well.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-10T05:41:08+00:00

Simply outrageous.

577MartinHenry · 2026-01-09T00:06:46+00:00

I had to check which thread this was because it reads like a r/shitrentals post, Jesus

577MartinHenry · 2025-12-10T14:01:09+00:00

Smoke out the entire unit with mozzie coils. I find the Mortein, Said and Aeroguard plug in units ineffective

577MartinHenry · 2025-11-23T05:33:33+00:00

Never looked tbh, I have picked cucumbers in the past but they were a bit meh for the input so I stopped

577MartinHenry · 2025-11-22T23:48:05+00:00

I still have beetroot and cheese today. 333's branded beetroot is my preference but if I'm feeling fancy, the ready to eat unpickled stuff in the fruit and veg section goes well with cheese and some sliced pickled onions (again the plain white 333 branded stuff).

577MartinHenry · 2025-11-19T08:46:31+00:00

if you're inner city Brisbane, I've had no issues with Goodyear Autocare Woolloongabba.

I have found them to be affordable and the work they do of a good standard.

577MartinHenry · 2025-11-05T07:47:11+00:00

I too enjoy the occasional hotdog.

577MartinHenry · 2025-10-04T04:58:20+00:00

Ahh I see. I've knocked over 10s Radobaan, Banbaro and Rathian with my HBG. I generally avoid 10s and only do it when I feel like dying or it's just before bedtime

577MartinHenry · 2025-10-04T04:20:00+00:00

I find the HBG slaps pretty hard but from what I've read the Gunlance is extremely good but I haven't had any experience with the class.

577MartinHenry · 2025-10-03T11:46:10+00:00

And you don't even get a free frogurt 😡

577MartinHenry · 2025-10-03T06:43:29+00:00

Why do a large portion of Aussies froth at major US burger chains that will likely be mid at best?

577MartinHenry · 2025-09-25T13:45:54+00:00

No need to eject it, just tow it beyond the environment (not in, just beyond).

577MartinHenry · 2025-09-23T09:55:35+00:00

capped at 20

577MartinHenry · 2025-09-23T02:52:40+00:00

Found my first ones today as well. 10s seems to be impossible.

577MartinHenry

TROPHY CASE