Bear's GU ST build-up

Hi peoples,
I've been meaning to do this for a while and now is the time!
I enjoy having a look at other peoples rigs so hopefully you see some stuff you like here.

I've had a couple of 4WD's in the past and decided a GU was a pretty good way to go, I went to the auctions and picked up this ol' girl at the right price (around half what similar Land Cruisers were going for!)

[IMG]http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/IMG_0608.jpg[/IMG]

It's a late 2002 GU3 ST, ZD30, 5 spd Manual.

I wanted something good for touring but with plenty of ability, but keep it fairly low key.
First stop was some tyres, I decided 285/75 R16 BFG A/T's were the way to go. I'd never really heard a bad word about them, I want to stick to proven stuff so I hopefully don't get let down in the middle of nowhere.

Since then I've added:
OME 2" lift with Front Sway Bar Disconnects
Safari Snorkel
AVM High Performance Free Wheeling Hubs
ARB Winch Bar - no winch yet...
GME TX4500 UHF - I liked that you can change the backlight colour to match the rest of the dash :bananarock:
Roof Rack - to be modified for rooftop tent
Rear Draws with fridge slide
3" Exhaust
Dtronic Chip

As well as a few maintenance items:
Front wheel bearings and swivel hub kit
Front rotors and pads
Oils changed
Drive belt and pulley, though it still squeaks a bit but will be sorted soon!

Things on the go are:
Intercooler upgrade - ordered today
Catch can - ordered today
Second Battery - tray fitted, solenoid ordered today
Reverse Camera - partially fitted

I'll dig up some pics and keep you posted.

[IMG]http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSCN0145.jpg[/IMG]

G'day mate. Nice truck and build up. Few members are going for the rooftop tents with plenty of posts/buildups to give you ideas.

Take care out there.

Rossco

Thanks mate, I'm enjoying it as I go. I can't believe I don't have any pics of it with lift and snorkel fitted, I'll sort that out very soon!


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-38.003300,145.247054

how do you find th ome lift a good rid or stiff

I'm happy with it, I didn't want it to be too firm so I went the medium load springs.
It is still definitely not soft but seems to be a good compromise, handles pretty well all things considered.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BearGUST

I'm happy with it, I didn't want it to be too firm so I went the medium load springs.
It is still definitely not soft but seems to be a good compromise, handles pretty well all things considered.

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thanks for that was considering OME my self

Quote:

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thanks for that was considering OME my self

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If I was buy another Patrol I'd go the OME again, ARB stuff can be a bit dearer but you get what you pay for...

I've picked up the Intercooler so will hopefully be fitting it this week, I'll actually stop to take some pics for this mod!

So here's a couple of the pics from last night, finished up at about 12:15 after fitting the intercooler, catch can & drive belt tensioner (which I picked up for a steal on ebay :clapping: )

Before:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC01624.jpg

I got this at Bunnings for $6 to mount the catch can:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC01629.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC01630.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC01632.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC01631.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/DSC01633.jpg

So far it seems to pull better down low with the intercooler, I'm hoping that will be the case when I test it out in the bush this weekend...

where did you get the catch can from?

I ordered it thru ebay. It came as a kit with the hoses, clamps & reducers etc.
No ABS made the install really easy.
I have noticed that it has a pressure regulator - does anyone know how these should be adjusted?

So I went out today, first time since the lift, hubs and intercooler have been fitted.
Happy with the results...

Very nice mate, where about's is this?

Near Warburton, surprisingly it wasn't too slippery after all the rain. Some good tracks!

The car seemed to be a lot stronger low in the rev range with the intercooler & fan fitted, I reckon the fan helps plenty when out in the bush - climbing a hill after idling for a while must cause plenty of heatsoak so thats definitely a worthwhile improvement!
I'd be more confident now to climb a hill in low 2nd that I would have previously done in low 1st.

looks good...

neat install. even looks the goods. can you tell me what the ebay store name was or the seller is.

For the catch can?
Not sure if this link will work:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI....m=250614450857
If not, their user id is:
westernfilters
I've since fitted a hose with tap to drain it.

It's been a while since an update, seeing as I'm stuck at home after having my wisdom teeth out I thought I'd get onto it.
I've since:
- Completed dual battery install
- Fitted EGT and boost gauges

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/74ccefed.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/039f1648.jpg

- I fitted LED elements to the interior lights which are good for low power consumption but not as good light quality.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/c875d491.jpg

So I've added another LED light to the front overhead console

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/862750bb.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/c5f4add4.jpg

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Also, here's the rear draws:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/2b67b507.jpg

I've run power to a fuse box in the rear trim with first job being some power sockets.

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/f30b3422.jpg

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I didn't really like the idea of the intercooler fan coming on as soon as ignition is switched on (as the fan plus glow plugs etc on a cold morning can't be good for a battery). So I ran a switch inside the cabin:

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/d15ec841.jpg

A deal came up on a winch which was too good to miss...
It's a chinese one (which I was not keen on the idea) but I got the 12,000lb winch with rope for approx the normal price of the rope on its own...

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/75d2aaaa.jpg

http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t...d/2b94b2c0.jpg

Does anyone have the ARB winch Bar fitted with a winch with rope?
I'm not sure if the steel section above the fair lead could cut into the rope???
Anyone's thoughts???

I've also just realised that there are provisions for mounting the solenoid box behind the bullbar, I might look at doing that. Then there's room for a nice LED light bar in the middle of the bullbar!

After running the power from the second battery to the rear I installed a fuse box. I decided on the spot in the tail light cavity, it's still fairly easy to access:
Attachment 16015
I've powered up the merit socket and cigarette lighter socket on separate fuses (so if one circuit has a problem I will still have cold beers!)
The other fuse is for the reverse light/work light. I fitted an on/off/on switch. One position it works as a reverse light, and the opposite position it is on constantly powered by the second battery. Here's the switch:
Attachment 16016