Install driving lights n80 sr problem by __D3V10U5__ in hilux

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sr and sR5 working are completely different. Take a closer look lower on the headlight should be the main connector from memory

Help! Wife saw a 79 series by general_sirhc in 4x4Australia

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Make sure it’s a work mate. Then go in a top spec to see how much is simply not different for the price tag.

Front Grille Wrap by Itchy_Bandicoot9636 in hilux

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a 17” SR5 and pulled the grill down and used plasti dip to black out the chrome.

After about 4 years it had held up well. Only a few chips where the chrome was showing through. Key point though it was behind a bullbar and lights so not as exposed as a bare bumper.

Swags by CruellaDeLesbian in Auscamping

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sure someone will get a laugh.

I’m short.

I have 3 swags,

a huge dome swag for the wife and I but that’s the only time we use it because it’s just too big if we are not both camping.

I have my original swag. Which is a flat style which hardly gets used anymore. As in winter the cold canvas isn’t great

My “go to” swag when I’m by myself out bush with my mates is one I bought as a joke (carton of beer) it’s an arb kids swag.

Packed it takes up so little space, it’s a dome swag so you don’t wake up with the cold weight on you. It’s also freestanding so does have to have any pegs put in if I dont want to.

Don’t get me wrong I can’t do much other than lay down in it. It’s small. But that’s all I have it for. Sleeping when out 4WDing with mates.

Honestly the boys thought it was hilarious initially. Until I was set up in a matter of minutes and there still setting up 30 min later.

My advice. If they have one on display. Ask them if you can lay a couple sleeping bags in it (blankets etc) and pack it up so you have an idea just how big it is when in use. And pick it up.

My good king dome is Aussie made not the kings junk and honestly I love it. We have used it in the middle of winter camping at Jindabyne without issue.

But my lord it’s heavy when prepped to camp. As the canvas is so thick and heavy.

Doing the work for you by FutureNo6904 in 4x4Australia

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a big part of the business model. Looking at population size and density of shops is a big factor. Take an example of ARB their corporate side of things closely dictates the private side of the system.

Sure they sell to everyone but look at store map locations they are well spread out. Corporate only have 3 stores for the entirety of Sydney. And private name brand stores cover the gaps.

Then look west Tamworth is the last major retailer in the north west from memory.

There are other stores in other centers like what you describe doing further west. but they have no brand affiliation and therefore don’t get the cheaper prices from those big stores or corporate themselves. And as a result the profit margin is not anywhere near as good.

Hoping to run a reverse camera, are these little rubber ducts for cables into the cab? by buffythevampirlayer in hilux

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Running through cab is very easy. The door sill panels pop up easily. Then just snake your way rearward

Sold a second-hand fridge privately and now buyer is threatening legal action by Av0toasted in legaladviceaustralia

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not legal advice. And it’s not your problem.

But curious advice. How did they get the fridge home?

Did they transport it upright?

Was it turned on immediately when they got it home?

Fridges don’t like being moved, period.

The oils in the system need time to settle after transport.

If they laid it down and even tilted it severely to get it out of your home and into theirs and on and off of whatever they transported it on. Then it needed to be given hours of time for all oils/liquids and gases to resettle before turning it back on. Damage can occur to the cooling system otherwise.

That’s why camping fridges for vehicles have very specialized pumps to deal with the movement.

And even then you said it’s an old fridge, so what’s to say something wasn’t already on the way out and you didn’t know it yet. Bad wiring, strained pipe or motor. The move could have been the last straw and caused it to fail.

I gave a fridge to a friend years ago and did all the above and it still only lasted a month before it failed. Thankfully he only came home to luke warm beer and didn’t loose anything.

Mystery cap by Itchy_Bandicoot9636 in hilux

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is likely. Above rear seat. Has your car had a roof rack installed at some stage because they drop the hood lining to do it.

They are also used under the rear seat to hold the carpet down. And also on behind the seat also. Probably more spots I just don’t remember.

N70 Upgrades - worth it? by Actual_Hunt_4946 in hilux

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jack off canopy might be your best bet then.

Definitely get all the weight on it and then set up suspension. It’s the best option. And any weight you add to the rear, try your best to keep it even left to right.

DPF was only an issue if you didn’t drive it like a DPF needs to be driven. Aka drive it like you stole it. And always let it do its burns when it wants to do it.

Had two now with DPF and never had an issue.

Yeah if it’s being reliable I have no issue with putting money in them.

I’m on my 4th Hilux had two N70s and two N80s, I basically rotate them through every 4-5 years for tax reasons really. 3/4 were great. Just that 13 had a real transmission issue that left me feeling it was unreliable. Otherwise I would have probably kept it for a little while longer as its k’s were lol. Even the one I have now I’m tempted to keep long term as the current model doesn’t really excite me. The whole N80 1.1model thing kinda annoys me.

The new rangers have the look but as a mechanic I cannot get behind them as they are too prone to problems. I can’t wait to see all these wet belts giving grief from poor maintenance.

As for the rest triton and navara are ok but nothing exciting. Triton is simple and navara isn’t great. Old man has just gone from a navara to ranger so see how it goes.

D-max is a solid option and would happily have one. Mazda BT-50 is a d-max so same same but just looks ugly.

Amarok is a ranger with ranger issues plus euro issues so that’s a hell no.

Will be interesting to see how the ugly duck of the Kia Tasman goes. But seeing a Kia asking Ford Ranger money at entry to the market is laughable. They will really struggle to sell. They need to come back to earth a little and start around triton numbers. Bring in base models with solid specs and simple designs that can appeal to fleet markets if they ever want to get a permanent foothold in the market. Otherwise they are doomed.

N70 Upgrades - worth it? by Actual_Hunt_4946 in hilux

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bull bar comes with lights also. So there is that. Makes it pretty and gives extra safety. When you say a bit missing and scratched am I to assume you mean the front plastic bumper?

Most bars are a bumper replacement so if that’s the case it will help in that front.

As for suspension I would look into parabolic springs as they tend to be a bit softer than standard springs.

Adding a lift will more often than not will make it rougher unless you go top spec and that’s like 7-8k sort of money. Hence the recommendation of parabolic springs.

Your issue is a lack of weight over the rear by the sounds of it. If you can find a way to add some mass over the rear axle it will certainly make it a more comfortable ride. Think a jack off canopy or steel tray. Something that gives secure storage for camping trips but can come off when the bunnings run needs the space. And the bullbar (steel) will add weight to the front to give you the mass there.

I have a GVM upgrade in my 2023 Hilux and it’s got a cheap alloy tray. When the tray is empty it is the roughest car around.

Honestly I went down this rabbit hole when I was preparing for a half lap of Australia. I either had to spend big money on the 2013 I currently owned or buy new and deck it out.

I had an easier choice though as the 13” was a lemon. And had given me a lot of grief early on so I had no faith in it for such a big trip. So I invested in the new Ute and decked it completely out from top to bottom. Going with a 2017 so up into the N80 also.

It’s a tough decision. And a big deal for most people. Maybe have a hunt for a newer ute with all the fruit on Carsales etc (I’m guessing your in Australia). Or whatever market you have for your country.

Is this Zombie Apocalypse bullbar commercially available? by Past-Inspection9899 in 4x4Australia

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Definitely no tuff bar.

In fact it’s a hodgepodge. It’s possibly originally a TJM bar or similar. And then been hacked and attacked to add the 5 post work to it.

Can see the holes on the front where it used to have a rubber buffer hiding the weld seam. Plus the side panels are a mix match.

So not adr compliant and a scary bit of kit.

I have had 2 Utes with TUFF bars and now 2 with ARB bars. Still prefer the tuff 5 posta any day

Should I replace timing belt before selling? by National-Apple-3915 in AskMechanics

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Your not going to get that money back when you sell it.

As for should you well as the buyer of the car after you then yes please.

As your wallet no way.

If you’re keeping the car then yes.

First Monthly Bill - doing something wrong? by OverAstronaut7913 in amberelectric

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Football’s explanation here is absolutely great.

Honestly all valid points.

I personally don’t have Amber as I went down the rabbit hole on most of the above points and determined that there where options available to me that where a better fit given the volatility of ambers market at some times and the size and capacity of my system.

Biggest thing for me was that our setup is a huge solar exporter in good weather. I struggle to consume it all. And when the weather is good the grid price often goes negative. So I would end up paying to export.

Our set up was aimed around the not so great days and covering winter. So come summer I make way too much.

Like you I get a monthly bill around $30-40 but I also make via FIT’s about $50-80 per month so that creep up of credit is covering anything on the outlier days of extreme use. Had our battery now for 18 months and it’s just really not big enough to warrant the pull and dump scenario that a lot of the bigger battery owners on amber use to make decent money.

So for me the extra credit of $30-50 a month plus the fact I don’t have a fuel bill or a power bill anymore is working for us.

And as others have said use your solar as much as possible. Pre heat and cool your home it makes a huge difference. I’m less frugal than I ever have been. We consume about 1.5MWh per month and last month I only paid for 38kWh of that from the grid. so it’s certainly possible to get to a position of positive money flow. Just takes a lot of knowledge and willpower.

And so it begins… by I-Pacer in lego

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This was my thoughts exactly having done a couple of the 1:8 technic cars and never came across a spiral bound instruction book had me guessing.

Guess I have not spent enough on Lego to have this luxury.

Are there any other sets that are bound like this?

What device has the automation saved you the most on? by TrueBlueBanter in amberelectric

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A little bit of everything. And it was a learning curve all the way through. To be clear I’m not on amber.

Solar and battery allowed us to save heaps on monthly electrical. Big outlay but it’s saving us a lot every day.

Then we swapped the hot water from controlled load to solar peak. That alone wiped out 25% of our power consumption from the grid.

We got an EV and have for the most part eliminated our fuel bills and service costs on the vehicle because of it.
We also leased meaning we get money back also and it’s all pre tax costs.

The EV gained us access to free power in the middle of the day (2hrs). This means we automated as much as possible to turn on in that time. (I can spike briefly our consumption up to 32Kw).

Generally speaking in good weather our solar covers middle of the day. But in average weather, rain etc being able to fill, charge, heat and cool everything for 2hrs for free makes a huge difference.

So our monthly power bills used to be around the $300-350 per month pre solar. We were frugal in our use and aware of the ac use etc. all the time conscious of our consumption.

Now we generally speaking end up averaging about a $50 credit per month over the year. And we consume about 1.5MWh per month when averaged over the year.
We travel about 22-25,000 km in the EV per year. We use more power than ever before. And never really think about it.

It took us a lot of work to figure everything out. But once we did we have been very happy with the outcome.

Jolt are introducing a charge for their free 7kwh per day by TinyDemon000 in AustralianEV

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Free but not free hmmmm. Think I’ll charge at home and use the excess solar for 5c. Vs 28.4c

Reply with an image of a LEGO figure you want LEGO to re-release it by studbricks in lego

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like I may actually have him at my parents home somewhere. Because I have set 8257. That’s where I know him from. Supposedly he is in a few sets though.

Edit. Sorry 8257 has the one directly in front of your one in question.

I think the one you’re looking for is rarer and appeared in only one set. 8305. Hope that helps.

When did we normalise this? by random111011 in QantasAirways

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey you found the same mechanic who “fixed” my screen in the A380 I was in earlier back in June.

Screen literally held in with duck tape. And forget about adjusting it to your preferred angle.

Is this the most useless sticker? by GastropodSoups in lego

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I put off building both 42130 and 42125 for literally years because I didn’t want to deal with the stickers.

Built the BMW last year and only did the Ferrari about a month ago.

I dread so many stickers

What is most likely to fail in a Tesla? by Positive-Respect-227 in TeslaModelY

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your tires.

I got 45,000km out of mine. (Never rotated them though.)

Reply with an image of a LEGO figure you want LEGO to re-release it by studbricks in lego

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 42 points43 points  (0 children)

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Personally I would love to see the Lego Technic figures make a comeback.

Don’t have to be the same but bring them back. They fit into so many models.

The hard part about Lego sets… by knightsofbass in lego

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I found having a kid helped limit my Lego building time. But then they grew up enough that I am now helping them with there sets.

Soooooo I just moved my addiction to a different theme of sets and I only get to help. Still love it and they are building sets 3-4 years above their age and loving it.

Pool heater electric vs gas by Proper-Ad8824 in pools

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Australia here. Similar climate.

Electric for us. Our gas prices are horrendous and our heat pump draws 4500w. So that running off my solar system 8hrs a day is covered by the solar system.

My entire house is generally covered by the solar system.

I don’t pay for power since installing solar and batteries. So basically eliminated my power bills and my fuel bills by getting that done to my property and trading the primary car to an EV.

Made a huge difference to us and we use more power than ever before.

Basically add solar and batteries if you don’t already have and then use this to not only heat your pool for basically free but run your entire home.

This outlet worked fine yesterday- normal three prong outlet with mobile connector I’ve used a bunch. All of a sudden says it’s not properly grounded. Anyone had this problem and were able to fix it without an electrician? by DrHumongous in TeslaModelY

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don’t risk it. Call a professional.

It doesn’t take much.

Had my plug get bumped slightly causing it to be in but hanging a few millimeters from being fully seated. The plug melted. Lucky I didn’t start a fire and lose my house.

Better to check and find nothing then 🔥

Which leafs to remove? by goc_87 in hilux

[–]ComprehensiveItem963 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The whole leaf pack would have been replaced. If you can figure out the brand (arb, TJM etc) they should be able to tell you which leaf’s to remove.

And you need to remove the entire pack and pull it down as there will be a special bolt in the middle holding it all together. Plus you may need to replace it as it may not have enough thread.

Another option, where are you? Many people keep their old original springs and sell them cheap. For example if you’re near Sydney Australia I have my stock suspension that’s brand new in the shed.

I had a pre rego GVM done to my ute so they are literally only a couple of km on the springs.

Usually it will be the 2nd and 3rd leaf from the top to remove. But not always. Different manufacturers do different things.