MudRunnerTD's GQ From the Ground Up

[DX grunt]

Not knowing much about roof rack lights, do you get much reflection from your white bonnet when yr on high beam?

[MudRunnerTD]

Nah not at all mate. I set them above the "B" Pillar and they are aimed about 10m to 15m in front of the car. I can imagine that there is a fair bit of reflection on the roof but that is irrelevant. I think the roof actually allows for a shadow over the bonnet if anything.

When i made the rack i intended to mount a side light also and did but the lights i bought were crap and i took them off.

[patch697]

I thinking of doing something similar MR but removable so now you've done it do you think it was worth it? Im already running big drivers like yourself, how must improvement do you get?


Cheers
Paul

[GQ4.2]

see you have the same roof lights as i do (probably same cheapo chinese HID kit aswell) have to say the HID conversions kits are money well spent

[MudRunnerTD]

I thinking of doing something similar MR but removable so now you've done it do you think it was worth it? Im already running big drivers like yourself, how must improvement do you get?


Cheers
Paul

Hey Paul

Mate the roof lights are all about short distance. the light force sort out what is happening out the front, but in the bush the roof lights really light up the surrounds for tight bush work.

Also running them when on a country road they are great for seeing the kangaroos on the side of the road.

Highly recommend them.

[MudRunnerTD]

see you have the same roof lights as i do (probably same cheapo chinese HID kit aswell) have to say the HID conversions kits are money well spent

Hey GQ

No doubt mate, the HID kits work a treat, cheap as and a big step up.

I was out in the GQ on the weekend and had to shuffle the cars in the drive after dark on sunday and couldn't believe how crappy the lights in the GU IV where after sitting behind the HIDs in the GQ all night. Just crap. really yellow and dull.

The HID are so blistering white! awesome.

[MudRunnerTD]

OK next installment.

During the build i was initiated into the world of 12volt and vehicle electrics for the first time, I had always had someone around me that knew there stuff and sorted out that stuff for me....not this time.

I figured it cant be that hard can it??? its only 2 bloody wires! For the kind of stuff i need to do this rule is true, yes it can get far more difficult but not my thing.

So first up, i wanted to fit up some gauges to the GQ, so i asked around and finally settled on mounting them in the centre of the dash. I had a base bent up and i painted it then set about installing a set of gauges from scratch.

They are... Oil Pressure, Water Temp, Exhaust Temp, Turbo Boost. Here is some pics of how they came up.

[MudRunnerTD]

I also was a gluten for punishment and set about converting the centre console into a management hub with allot of stuff happening from there.

7 Switches in all from the centre console.

The first thing i did was install a sub- board under the console with the fuse box inside the console for easy access and with a clear lid.









I used a couple of offcuts of the 8mm air hose to space the fuse box out so it sat right inside the console fitting from underneath





The view inside the console

[MudRunnerTD]

To fit all the switches up i removed the blank on the passenger side where the hand brake would go on a left hand drive vehicle.. you know that stupid pen holder thingy???? what were they thinking??

I then bought some plastic and made a switch panel for that spot. I ran a large power cable from the second battery fused at the battery to the new fuse box and split it across the box then branched to each of the new switches from there. I had to put a couple of relays in there to for the Intercooler pump and the intercooler fans which are switched independently.

I sourced over 18 months online a collection of ARB air solenoids and ARB diff lock switches that i scrapped tech print off and am going to re-label for the new needs. You will se in the pics that i am using Duct tape during the build to keep track but rest assured that the labeler will be in full swing at the end.







It started getting pretty busy but this is not the half of it.....







Getting busy now... Not nearly as scary as it looks though







During the wiring up



Excuse the labels

[patch697]

Hey Paul

Mate the roof lights are all about short distance. the light force sort out what is happening out the front, but in the bush the roof lights really light up the surrounds for tight bush work.

Also running them when on a country road they are great for seeing the kangaroos on the side of the road.

Highly recommend them.

Thanks for that MR I've already started on my set up but thats exactly what I needed to know as alot of the stuff we do is night time bust work (cos we thing it fun of course)

Cheers
Paul

p.s Nice bunch of spaghetti you got going on there....lol