Hardyards Ute

[Hardyards]

We wanted a touring vehicle that would allow us to camp most anywhere we liked, and as we tend to go alone, we decided on the 4.2 Patrol for the reliability and simplicity of the engine. This is the ute as bought, with ex-copper rear toolbox(Tactical response?)
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[Hardyards]

Fitted a snorkel (E-bay cheepie $150) made sure I sealed it correctly. Cutting into my new 4by was an experience ......
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[Hardyards]

Upgraded to 3" red back exhaust and blocked the EGR. Fitted Narva 225 spotties for brightness and had the windows tinted
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[Hardyards]

Wheels and suspension – 3” lift and change to 17” rims
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[Hardyards]

Sits better and allows more clearence and departure angle.45871

[rusty_nail]

nice ride mate! have you got a pic of the full car side on? how does it handle with the back all full up? from the pics it sits really far over those wheels, its a monster tray!

[Hardyards]

Had brush bars locally manufactured (beyond my cheap bender and skills) and made side steps. Not quite sliders, but should save the door sills from smaller hits. Fitted an 80w solar panel and some smaller spotties I had in the shed. Big poly pipe holds the beach umbrella.....
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[Hardyards]

Yea Ta Rusty, the overhang is why I raised it, will look at chopping/angling the rear (future job)to help departure angle. Will be posting more pics shortly..

[Hardyards]

High lift jack, maxi tracks, rear work light, camera and mounts for rubbish bin, clothes line
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[Hardyards]

Added awnings to both sides as we go up the Cape a lot and appreciate the shade
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[Hardyards]

In the tunnel have made it so we can mount bikes or outboard or the dog (wire cage)
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[Hardyards]

Now the back...Pantry, spice rack (no excuse to not eat well, even out bush) and cellar (36 cans or mix of wine, sprits, beer)
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[Hardyards]

Slide out fridge, 35 litre Waco, have a 35litre Engle in CT (No favourites here!)
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[Hardyards]

Heat exchanger fitted to engine and pipes routed to side for shower. Butterfly valve fitted so cold water can by-pass heater, allowing temp adjustment at shower (not via the heater controls in the Cab)
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[Hardyards]

Rear cupboard draws for coffee percolator, saucepans, plates, dream pot and other cooking stuff
Right hand side contains 2nd battery and isolator, generator, oz pig, tool box, chain saw and assorted storage items (Sorry, no pictures?)
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[Hardyards]

Rear sliding draw contains all the recovery equipment, 30lts emergency water bladder, compressor, rake, shovel, axe ect
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[Hardyards]

Now the Cabin. Removed instrument panel and fitted blue LED’s. Fitted Boost, EGT, oil pressure and Temp gauges to monitor engine
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[Hardyards]

After success with making the rear sliding drawers, I decided to make my own over- head console to house the UHF and some storage. Incorporated volt gauges, circuit breakers, map lights, speaker , extra 12V outlets and a compass from an Aircraft my wife and I both flew. (Finally thought to take some photos during construction)
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[Hardyards]

Fitted. The volt gauges (start and house battery) can be turned off to save battery when no in use by the little toggle switch on the drivers side. The circuit breakers allow me to isolate any 12v system in the cabin (Shorts, fire ect)
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[Hardyards]

Went the E-locker option as I don’t have to rely on a compressor, no oil blow back, air lines getting snagged ect (broken wires easily fixed out bush) Love diff locker.. Light switches for roof spotties and rear work light
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[Hardyards]

Changed out the 1 and a half seat for a bucket to give us more room.
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[Hardyards]

So this is where I’m at so far, will start to build a centre console next, housing a thermal cooler, before our trip to Kakadu in August. If the Mods haven't banned me for putting up too many boring photo’s of my ute, I will post some more as I build the console. I know this rig may not be suitable for all, but it is turning out nicely for the places and camping we do.
Tomorrow I am booked in for a Dyno, and will get the certification for the seat Friday. Here hoping for more Killer Wasps!!!
Cheers

[jack]

Looking great, we love pics so no chance of getting banned there.

[Hardyards]

Looking great, we love pics so no chance of getting banned there.

Cheers :smile:

[Stropp]

Looking great mate, like your mods the patrol is coming up a treat.

[Clunk]

That's an awesome setup you got mate.... Make sure you keep those pics coming :D

[RubberDuckieGQ]

This is awesome! Some really good ideas. Especially the umbrella holder hehe

[Hardyards]

Thanks for the nice words guys, we try to go away for a month at a time, with our old setup we soon got sick of unloading boxes of food and stuff every time we stopped for the night. We hope this will make camping (Glam-ping?)even more comfortable.
I dropped it off to the Dyno-tuners this morning, can’t wait to see what they can do! I have bought a 6.5Hp 12V electric motor to replace the tired motor on the Warn, so will fit that soon, and then start on the centre console.
Will take Pictures:smiley_thumbs_up:

[Hardyards]

Dyno has worked a treat. You can see by the wiggly lines that I paid to get the red line (first run) moved up. Which it has.
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The bit I worked out, I have about 15 more KW. Truck actually picks up in third gear now – way better than before

[Hardyards]

Built the centre console. Started with researching different building materials, strength (tensional and tensile) verses weight and eventually decided, like most, to use some left over ply sitting around the shed ‘cos its free. Worked out the floor space, around the handbrake, and within the seat’s sides. Marked out the existing anchor nuts from the bench seat and seat belt as didn’t want to add any more holes.
46477 Found that it would suit a thermo heater/cooler, so made the sides to incorporate one we bought. Varnished the ply, as it will hold drinks, and protection from condensation (from the fridge).46478

[Hardyards]

Covered the outside, and marine carpet for the inside. Screwed straps front and rear of fridge for wild tracks, fitted a rubbish bin in the right rear, leaving room for two thermal coffee cup or water bottles in the rear portion. The console doesn’t go fully to the back wall as I will be mounting the rifle there for quick access
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[Hardyards]

I bought a set of Polyair Bellows to keep the vehicle ride height when I tow the Kimberley Kamper. Was supposed to be a quick fit, but as some of you may remember from “what made you angry today”, I had to cut the “U” Bolts as the thread had stretched. Public holiday and shooting trip tomorrow meant I was a little time constrained to complete this.
They seem to work great; I will post an “after” picture on Tuesday.
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This is without bellows 46486

[Hardyards]

Well, shooting trip had to be cancelled. :210: As we were driving up Harvey’s range my revs increased with throttle movement, but the speed stayed the same. Hmmm, not good for a manual.
Wasn’t upset as we leave in three weeks for a 6000km round trip to Kakadu. Very happy this happened close to home and not out the middle of nowhere. I bought an “X-Tream” heavy duty clutch and have just finished fitting. Two weeks to go, and 8 day work trip leaving Monday so all good.
Got great value for money out of the original clutch, as you can see, not much meat left. Flywheel took a while to machine as it has a few “Hotspots” due the wear.
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Hopefully get a photo with the Rig fully packed and trailer attached, to assess the Bellows