Here at TJM Hunter Valley, we quite often get asked the question “why do I need a GVM upgrade?” And there’s a few good answers to that question. The GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle including its load and passengers. There are quite a few 4WDs floating round on the market at the moment that make great tow vehicles or workhorses with the exception that they already have a tare weight (weight of the unloaded vehicle) that is close to the maximum allowable GVM.
The 200 Series Landcruiser is one of the worst culprits. Loads of power, plenty of space and a tonne of after-market accessories available make it one of the most sought- after touring vehicles in the country. But here lies the problem – the tare weight of a diesel 200 series is 2630kg and the maximum allowable GVM is 3300kg. The tare weight doesn’t include any after-market accessories, so you start to add the weight of a bull bar and winch, a good set of side steps, a long-range fuel tank full of fuel, a rear bar and roof racks, a couple of passengers and all of sudden you have no room left for any luggage.
It’s not a stand-alone example, if you research most modern 4WDs vehicles the story will be quite similar across the board. This doesn’t mean you should steer clear of these particular vehicles though – in fact, quite the opposite. A GVM upgrade can legally increase the load carrying capacity and there are a few different options available depending on the vehicle you have.
The good news – in particular for 200 series owners – is that not only can we upgrade the GVM but we can also increase the BTC (Braked Towing Capacity) of the vehicle making it an even more capable tug boat than ever before. We are approved installers of Lovells GVM and BCT Upgrade and our kits certify the vehicle Australia wide.
We have recently encountered a big run of GVM Upgrades on 70 Series LandCruisers using both the Lovells upgraded conventional suspension or the Jmacx rear coil spring converted suspension. The benefits of either really come into play when the 70 series is set up for long distance touring, heavy duty towing or loaded up with toolboxes for work applications.
Authorities have been cracking down hard of late on recreational and passenger vehicles that are towing caravans, boats and loaded up with work or touring gear in an effort to kerb road damage and protect road users from potentially dangerous, overloaded vehicles. Armed with mobile scales – they are quite prepared to have you leave your caravan, camping gear and even passengers on the side of the road until you find a suitable vehicle to return with.
Don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere and risk your vehicle or your life with an overloaded 4WD. Give us a call to discuss the options for your vehicle or click on our GVM & BTC Upgrade page for more information.
We’re proud to announce that we are now official stockists for the Outback Armour range of suspension and recovery products. Here at TJM Hunter Valley, we know quality when we see it and we’ve been eyeing off the Outback Armour range of products for a while now. This Australian designed and engineered product is built and tested to handle our harsh Aussie conditions and comes with a 3 year/ unlimited km warranty on suspension products and 3 year warranty on recovery gear. We can also take all of the hassle out of it by supplying a full fitting service for this awesome gear by our fully qualified fitters. It doesn’t get any better than that, so drop us a line or enquire online to get a quote.
We’ve finally completed work one of our biggest build’s yet, this beaut single cab 79 Series Landcruiser. Those that have been following the build will be familiar with the work we’ve already done with the 2017 single cab including the stainless steel airbox, snorkel, and that awesome Jmacx rear coil spring conversion.
But that’s just the start of a long build list and we’ve since complemented the Jmacx setup with a Fox suspension kit using the Performance 2.0 series with remote canisters, Kings springs, and a set of Polyair airbags to assist with the towing duties. We went up to a ride height of 3”of lift which posed a little bit of a issue on the new 2017 single cab as Toyota has thrown in an extra cross member between the chassis that fouled on the front drive shaft at that height. However after a bit of consultation with our engineer we were able to come up with a solution around it keeping everything safe and legal. Jmacx also supplied an upgraded brake booster and braided brake lines to improve the stopping power with the added weight and bigger wheels.
The boys at Jmacx also supplied an exhaust upgrade with custom 3.5”stainless steel system to suit the new rear end and give the Landcruiser more punch and a much better exhaust note. Whilst we we’re underneath a Brown Davis 180L replacement long range fuel tank was installed to handle the big ranges that will be required for towing on some of those long outback stints.
Power gains are complements of a Torqit power module and pedal torque which work in well with the exhaust and air intake mods to give a power increases of up to 218kW and 628Nm of torque. Keeping it clean under the engine bay is a HPD billet alloy catch can and a Diesel Care secondary fuel filter to give the engine that much needed protection against foreign contaminates.
Power is put to the ground via a set of TJM Pro Locker air-lockers front and rear and running a set of Pirahna diff breathers. Those bad-boys are turning a set of Dynamic steel wheels wrapped in 285/75R16 Mickey Thompson MTZP3s for when the conditions get really ugly.
A dual battery system was installed using the Redarc 25A dual charge battery charging unit which is capable of charging solar and from the vehicle’s alternator simultaneously and looks after all of owner Alex’s power needs whilst on the road. It supplies power to an Ultimate Extreme red-top battery offering 110amp/hrs of power and battery voltage is monitored by a VDO volt gauge.
Recovery equipment includes a TJM 12,000lbs Torque Winch with synthetic rope and a Prolink shackle assembly, and it’s housed in the Sherman Tank of the bar work world- the Tuff Bullbars 4-post bull bar with 60mm double rail brush bars and quite possibly the biggest set of side steps you will ever come across. Owner Alex spends a lot of time in the Top End so this truck doesn’t just need to be roo proof, it needs to be buffalo proof and there is no stronger bar work on the market than Tuff Bullbars.
As the tray will typically be full with touring and work gear, more storage space was utilised by fitting a Rhino Pioneer platform on the roof with a Rhino spare wheel carrier. There’s also an X-Ray Vision 900mm Quad-optic light bar mounted to the platform which works in unison with 2 Lightforce HTX LED/HID combo lights to turn night into day. We also fitted the Landcruiser specific light switches by Lightforce to retain that neat factory look.
Communications are taken care of by way of GME’s top-of-the-line XRS 370C hide-away unit receiving signals through a GME AE4700 6.6DBi gain antenna. Inside the single cab, we’ve fitted an overhead console as well as a full length centre floor console by Department of the Interior and a set of tailored Wetseat neoprene seat covers.
We had our mates from Ox Enterprises come in and fit a Pioneer sound system with reverse camera, speaker door pods, amp and subwoolfer that leaves the factory Toyota unit for dead. We also added a set of Clearview towing mirrors for extra vision when towing.
With one of the biggest jobs we’ve completed at the TJM Hunter Valley workshop now done and all the hard work put in by the boys in the workshop has finally paid off. It was the first time a lot of our suppliers had seen their products go into the new 2017 model single cab so everybody was keen to see the end result and everyone including the customer was more than pleased with the finished product. That’s how you turn a humble single cab workhorse into the ultimate touring machine!
https://www.tjmhuntervalley.com.au/files/2017/05/DSC_4243l.jpg12281840tjm_webhttps://www.tjmhuntervalley.com.au/files/2021/07/Landscape-on-Dark-1030x176.pngtjm_web2017-05-09 17:20:582017-05-09 17:39:0779 Single Cab Build Complete
How do you make an unbreakable Hilux even more unbreakable? You back it in to the TJM Hunter Valley works shop and ask for a Hilux with the lot, that’s how. Our latest build involves taking an ordinary stock standard SR5 Hilux and transforming it into something unique and special.
The new Hilux is a pretty good looking truck to begin with and serves its purpose well, but the owner wasn’t content with pretty good, he was looking for some out of the ordinary and something to meet the demands of some serious off-roading and touring.
We started with the full bar work treatment including a colour coded T13 Outback bull bar housing a TJM Torq 9,500lbs winch with synthetic rope to handle all the recovery duties when the conditions turn bad. A set of TJM side steps and brush bars look after the front quarters and sills, and the rear is protected by the TJM RB6 rear bar. The RB6 bar has a built- in tow hitch as well, so there’s no need to buy a separate tow bar to tow the camper trailer or caravan around and there’s provisions for those pesky but essential rear parking sensors.
A suspension upgrade was taken care of by fitting a combination of the Fox 2.0 Performance Series coil-overs up front, fox 2.0 shock absorbers and TJM leaf springs in the rear. We went with 2”in the rear and bought the front up close to level with the rear using the ample height adjustment available from the Fox coil-overs. Ride quality has improved 100 percent as well as travel and axle articulation.
Under the guards, traction is delivered by a set of 265/70R17 Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 all-terrain tyres wrapping the 17×9 Mickey Thompson Deegan 38 alloy wheels which provide plenty of functionality as well as style.
With touring and weekend trips high on the agenda for this Hilux, a canopy and Outback Interiors rear storage draw system was essential for the dual cab to keep all the gear secure, dry and well organised for trips away. The Aeroklas canopy is a double skinned ABS construction offering a tough shell with a low roof line that keeps the same profile as the vehicle’s roof.
A Rhino Pioneer Tray was also fitted over the canopy to allow for extra storage up top as well as providing a mounting platform for the TJM 2 metre awning and a pair of Lightforce ROK 20W floodlights to light up the campsites. A set of Rhino cross bars where also fitted to the cab of the Hilux because… well, you can never have too much storage space now can you?
Power needs for touring include a dual battery set-up using a Century 100 A/hr deep cycle battery and the TJM 25A BC-DC charger which is a dual charge unit capable of charging alternator and solar at the same time. There’s power to the rear via an Anderson plug and a Redarc Tow Pro Elite for taking care of all the trailer breaking applications with full automatic, set-and-forget settings.
Turning night into day up-front is a set of Lightforce HTX driving lights which use both HID and LED technology to bring you the best of both worlds in one light. These are controlled using a dual stage switch meaning that either LED or HID can be operated and with both lit up you can grab over 1800m of light down the track and almost 100m of spread from the one set of driving lights.
The interior has had the once over, fitting a set of Wetseat neoprene seat covers and a centre console by Outback Interiors with the UHF console mounted. The Wetseat covers will keep the Hilux looking pristine and the centre console is again adding more of that needed storage space and getting the UHF up of the dash.
We’ve taken some inspiration for our own Hilux that we’ve recently taken delivery of so stay tuned to this channel to see that build take place in the coming weeks.
Well this is exciting! We’ve just completed the Jmacx coil conversion that we are doing to our latest customer’s 79 build.
Anyone that’s driven the 79 series will be all too familiar with its stiff rear ride attributes that give it such a great load carrying capacity, but on the rough stuff can be a little unsettling to say the least. The leaf spring rear suspension on the 79 series is definitely built for work but we’ve always wondered why Toyota (I’m risking my life by saying this) didn’t follow Nissan’s path and released a rear coil sprung ute, which offers superior ride quality and rear axle articulation.
Fortunately, Jmacx came up with a solution to this issue by developing a rear coil spring conversion and upgraded rear axle housing. This conversion improves the ride quality of the 79 Series, increases axle articulation and wheel travel while still retaining the Cruiser’s legendary load carrying capacity. This is all achieved by fitting the Jmacx fabricated frame which is a complete bolt-in system requiring no welding, to do away with the leaf springs and house the new coil springs, adjustable control arms and panhard rods.
The kit also comes with a complete newly fabricated, heavy duty diff housing and chrome moly axles that are 200 times stronger than the standard axles. No that’s not a misprint, I said 200 times stronger! While Jmacx was at it they thought they would fix another Toyota design idiosyncrasy by widening the rear wheel track to bring it back in to line with the front with the new axle housing. This assists the cruiser to navigate ruts and sand much easier as the rear wheels don’t have to push a second track through the soft stuff. It also gets rid of that crab walk look when you see one drive towards you.
It’s not the first time that we have fitted a Jmacx kit to a 79 Series and those familiar with our own 79 Series would have no doubt had their heads under the rear end checking out the conversion that we have fitted to ours. However, it is the first time this kit has gone into the new model single cab that has had the upgraded 5 star Ancap safety rating so everyone is keen to see the end results. Stay tuned as we’re getting closer to completing this build.
https://www.tjmhuntervalley.com.au/files/2017/04/DSC_4252l.jpg12281840tjm_webhttps://www.tjmhuntervalley.com.au/files/2021/07/Landscape-on-Dark-1030x176.pngtjm_web2017-04-26 17:22:562017-04-27 08:24:42J to the Macx
The battle for best-selling 4WD ute is currently a neck and neck battle between the Ranger and the Hilux at the moment, and this week the TJM Hunter Valley workshop has had the pleasure of putting together a big build on both. We’d have to say the amount of Rangers coming through our doors at the moment topples the scales on the debate and this black beauty is one of the nicer examples we’ve put together.
Owner Richard was after a functional all-rounder that was comfortable to drive but also eye catching as it was having to display his company logo. The result was spot on the money and this is one Ranger that can do the hard yards in the rough stuff and look great doing it.
We started with fitting a Fox suspension kit using the 2.5 Factory Series coil-overs with dual speed compression. This is one of Fox’s best performing shocks running a 63.5mm alloy shock body, remote oil canisters and the ability to be able to fine tune the shock settings (both high and low speed compression) simply by turning the adjuster dial with no tools needed. Shock fade will be absolutely non-existent on this ranger, even in the toughest of conditions.
For those times when Richard needs to tow the work gear around, we’ve fitted a set of Polyair air bags with an Airbag Man onboard dual air control unit and in-vehicle monitoring. This will allow him to adjust the pressure to each bag individually to cater for any uneven or obscure loads from the comfort of the cabin, whilst still retaining a comfort ride when being used for the daily shopping trolley duties.
The Redarc Tow Pro Elite brake controller was also installed to handle the towing duties as well as a dual battery set-up using the TJM 25A BC-DC battery charger and a Century 100A/hr deep cycle battery for those weekend trips away for power supplies.
We fitted up the Rhino bull bar and under body protection that Richard supplied with some cool looking camo vinyl wrap which really set the look of the Ranger and we supplied a set of Mickey Thompson MM-245 in a 17x 9 with Mickey Thompson ATZP3s in a 295/70R17 giving the Ranger the ultimate all-round traction and a look that certainly turns some heads.
Owner Richard couldn’t be happier with the results and even all the boys in the workshop were impressed with the end result with the guys putting in 110% to get the job done. Stay tunned to eyeball the Hilux build that this Ranger shared the workshop with.
While the dispute rages over what’s the best 4WD on the market, there are few people that can argue that the 200 series LandCruiser is one of the best tow vehicles on the market. Space, comfort, and an undisputedly powerful twin turbo diesel V8 motor that is capable of pulling the back side out of the sun. Like all standard 4WDs however, there is always room for improvement and you don’t necessarily have to go over the top to get your 4WD well set up for touring and towing.
When towing or touring, the first step we always recommend to our customers is to upgrade the standard suspension. Although like most standard 4WDs they are designed with off-road driving and towing in mind, they are first and foremost a passenger car and built for optimum handling with a few passengers and no load. Once you load them up and stick a big van or camper trailer on the back, you are now pushing the suspension to its limits, and that’s not where you really want to be!
We went with premium quality Fox suspension using the 2.0 Performance Series front struts and rear shock absorbers. This 200 series will eventually be getting a set of rear storage draws, so we also opted for heavy duty spring rates in the rear. For those trips where owner Brian will be loading up the camper trailer, we’ve also fitted a set of Polyair airbags to the rear to give it that extra bit of support when the back is under load whilst still retaining a comfortable ride when there’s nothing in tow.
For a good power supply on those extended trips we’ve installed the ultra-reliable Redarc DC-DC 25A charger and replaced the twin cranking batteries that come out standard on the 200 with a bigger single Century crank battery and 100A/h deep cycle battery to handle all the accessories.
While under the bonnet, we installed a Diesel Care pre- filter kit running 30 micron filter cartridges. This traps most particles before the factory fuel filter keeping the expensive genuine Toyota gear clean and potentially saving the life of the engine from damaged caused by dirty fuel or water.
The front sports the TJM T13 Outback bar, colour coded for that factory finished look. The first question we get asked a lot by our customers when it comes bull bars for the 200 Series is “do we do a bull bar that doesn’t involve a bumper cut?” The answer is… yes we do. For the earlier model 200 Series, our Outback bar is a full bumper replacement and for the newer facelift 200 Series, we have the option of either a bumper replacement or a bumper cut bull bar.
Brian’s 200 series is now well equipped to handle the towing duties that he has install for it and for us, well we are just happy to see yet another satisfied 200 Series owner drive out the door.
We’ve just completed work on yet another 200 Series and we are pleased to say that it’s come up as well as we’ve learned to expect. Here at TJM Hunter Valley we are turning over 200 Series LandCruisers like they are going out of fashion, and we mean turning over in a good way of course!
This one received the works as well including complete barwork using a combination of the TJM front and side protection and the Kaymar rear bar. The bull bar is the T13 Outback back which is a winch compatible premium bar that features 63mm tubing, LED indicators, park lights and fog lights. We’ve also mounted a set of TJM brush rails and side steps which also run 63mm tubing and offer plenty in the way of protection when it comes to pushing the 200 Series to it’s limits in the scrub. Handling the rear protection duties is the Kaymar rear bar with spare wheel and jerry can holder.
Suspension is bought to you courtesy of Fox and this particular 200 is running the 2.0 Performance Series, with a diff drop kit and upper control arms by Roadsafe. With this particular combination we’ve been able to raise the rear by 2 inches and level the front up to get rid of that nose-down stance. The Performance Series runs a 2″shock body with plenty of height adjustment and those Roadsafe products keep the CV joints at the right angle to allow for full articulation and travel without damage or premature wear.
There’s a TJM Airtec snorkel which has the streamlined wedge-tailed style head keeping it tucked down out of harm’s way and looking neat and tidy, while still retaining the same amount of air-flow, functionality and quality as all the other big-name snorkels on the market.
The standard traction aids in the 200 Series are Ok but for the ultimate traction control Harrop E-lockers have been installed, front and rear on this 200. Alleviating the need for on-board air and fewer parts make the Harrop units an easer option than the air-activated diff locks and the Harrop brand is well known for its durability. Of course there’s no point running traction aids if youre tyres can’t get the power to the ground in the soft stuff, so a set of Mickey Thompson ATZ P3s have been fitted to the standard rims.
Owner Peter will be well equipped for some serious touring and will be hitting the tracks with full confidence and for us it’s another happy 200 Series owner rolling out of the TJM Hunter Valley workshop.
Let’s face it… the factory Toyota snorkel on the 79 series LandCrusier is not the prettiest bit of kit on the shelf, nor is it the most functional. When you pay big coin for a truck you definitely want it looking and performing its best. The first part of our latest 79 Series build up involves replacing the standard Toyota snorkel, airbox and intake piping with some sexy looking stainless items.
There’s always been mixed reviews around performance with stainless steel vs plastic air-intake components but there’s no disputing the fact that stainless is more durable than plastic and it looks a hell of a lot better than plastic too.
Anyone that’s been doing some research on stainless air intake gear would have come across the name Thorburns at some stage. These guys are absolute pros at what they do and they specialise in fabricating gear for the 70 Series. When the owner of our latest 79 Series build up specified that he wanted only the best gear on his truck when we were planning the build, there was no dispute we’d be making a call to the guys at Thorburns to fab us some gear for this job.
For this job we went with the 4” black powder coated stainless steel snorkel opening up airflow by half an inch over the standard unit. It’s plumbed in through the guard into the stainless steel air box and carries right through the intake piping at 3.5” before dropping to 3” just before the turbo. The whole system is designed to give better airflow, be bucket loads stronger and of course look far better than the OE items. This is where we get the performance gains.
This 79 Series will be spending a lot of time touring and towing heavy loads on the heavily corrugated, dusty and often flooded tracks of the Pilbara and Northern Territory so questionable durability and functionality is not an option. The gear has got to be fit for the job and here is where premium quality materials, workmanship and fitting is paramount – so this is where the Thorburn’s products really shine, so to speak. The 316 grade stainless is used from the snorkel right through the intake tract to the turbo and that sexy finish on the Thorburns products is just a testament to the workmanship that goes into their stuff.
GVM Upgrade
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webHere at TJM Hunter Valley, we quite often get asked the question “why do I need a GVM upgrade?” And there’s a few good answers to that question. The GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) is the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle including its load and passengers. There are quite a few 4WDs floating round on the market at the moment that make great tow vehicles or workhorses with the exception that they already have a tare weight (weight of the unloaded vehicle) that is close to the maximum allowable GVM.
The 200 Series Landcruiser is one of the worst culprits. Loads of power, plenty of space and a tonne of after-market accessories available make it one of the most sought- after touring vehicles in the country. But here lies the problem – the tare weight of a diesel 200 series is 2630kg and the maximum allowable GVM is 3300kg. The tare weight doesn’t include any after-market accessories, so you start to add the weight of a bull bar and winch, a good set of side steps, a long-range fuel tank full of fuel, a rear bar and roof racks, a couple of passengers and all of sudden you have no room left for any luggage.
It’s not a stand-alone example, if you research most modern 4WDs vehicles the story will be quite similar across the board. This doesn’t mean you should steer clear of these particular vehicles though – in fact, quite the opposite. A GVM upgrade can legally increase the load carrying capacity and there are a few different options available depending on the vehicle you have.
We have recently encountered a big run of GVM Upgrades on 70 Series LandCruisers using both the Lovells upgraded conventional suspension or the Jmacx rear coil spring converted suspension. The benefits of either really come into play when the 70 series is set up for long distance touring, heavy duty towing or loaded up with toolboxes for work applications.
Authorities have been cracking down hard of late on recreational and passenger vehicles that are towing caravans, boats and loaded up with work or touring gear in an effort to kerb road damage and protect road users from potentially dangerous, overloaded vehicles. Armed with mobile scales – they are quite prepared to have you leave your caravan, camping gear and even passengers on the side of the road until you find a suitable vehicle to return with.
Don’t get stranded in the middle of nowhere and risk your vehicle or your life with an overloaded 4WD. Give us a call to discuss the options for your vehicle or click on our GVM & BTC Upgrade page for more information.
Outback Armour Suspension
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webWe’re proud to announce that we are now official stockists for the Outback Armour range of suspension and recovery products. Here at TJM Hunter Valley, we know quality when we see it and we’ve been eyeing off the Outback Armour range of products for a while now. This Australian designed and engineered product is built and tested to handle our harsh Aussie conditions and comes with a 3 year/ unlimited km warranty on suspension products and 3 year warranty on recovery gear. We can also take all of the hassle out of it by supplying a full fitting service for this awesome gear by our fully qualified fitters. It doesn’t get any better than that, so drop us a line or enquire online to get a quote.
All-terrain Triton
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_web79 Single Cab Build Complete
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webBut that’s just the start of a long build list and we’ve since complemented the Jmacx setup with a Fox suspension kit using the Performance 2.0 series with remote canisters, Kings springs, and a set of Polyair airbags to assist with the towing duties. We went up to a ride height of 3”of lift which posed a little bit of a issue on the new 2017 single cab as Toyota has thrown in an extra cross member between the chassis that fouled on the front drive shaft at that height. However after a bit of consultation with our engineer we were able to come up with a solution around it keeping everything safe and legal. Jmacx also supplied an upgraded brake booster and braided brake lines to improve the stopping power with the added weight and bigger wheels.
The boys at Jmacx also supplied an exhaust upgrade with custom 3.5”stainless steel system to suit the new rear end and give the Landcruiser more punch and a much better exhaust note. Whilst we we’re underneath a Brown Davis 180L replacement long range fuel tank was installed to handle the big ranges that will be required for towing on some of those long outback stints.
Power gains are complements of a Torqit power module and pedal torque which work in well with the exhaust and air intake mods to give a power increases of up to 218kW and 628Nm of torque. Keeping it clean under the engine bay is a HPD billet alloy catch can and a Diesel Care secondary fuel filter to give the engine that much needed protection against foreign contaminates.
Power is put to the ground via a set of TJM Pro Locker air-lockers front and rear and running a set of Pirahna diff breathers. Those bad-boys are turning a set of Dynamic steel wheels wrapped in 285/75R16 Mickey Thompson MTZP3s for when the conditions get really ugly.
A dual battery system was installed using the Redarc 25A dual charge battery charging unit which is capable of charging solar and from the vehicle’s alternator simultaneously and looks after all of owner Alex’s power needs whilst on the road. It supplies power to an Ultimate Extreme red-top battery offering 110amp/hrs of power and battery voltage is monitored by a VDO volt gauge.
Recovery equipment includes a TJM 12,000lbs Torque Winch with synthetic rope and a Prolink shackle assembly, and it’s housed in the Sherman Tank of the bar work world- the Tuff Bullbars 4-post bull bar with 60mm double rail brush bars and quite possibly the biggest set of side steps you will ever come across. Owner Alex spends a lot of time in the Top End so this truck doesn’t just need to be roo proof, it needs to be buffalo proof and there is no stronger bar work on the market than Tuff Bullbars.
As the tray will typically be full with touring and work gear, more storage space was utilised by fitting a Rhino Pioneer platform on the roof with a Rhino spare wheel carrier. There’s also an X-Ray Vision 900mm Quad-optic light bar mounted to the platform which works in unison with 2 Lightforce HTX LED/HID combo lights to turn night into day. We also fitted the Landcruiser specific light switches by Lightforce to retain that neat factory look.
Communications are taken care of by way of GME’s top-of-the-line XRS 370C hide-away unit receiving signals through a GME AE4700 6.6DBi gain antenna. Inside the single cab, we’ve fitted an overhead console as well as a full length centre floor console by Department of the Interior and a set of tailored Wetseat neoprene seat covers.
We had our mates from Ox Enterprises come in and fit a Pioneer sound system with reverse camera, speaker door pods, amp and subwoolfer that leaves the factory Toyota unit for dead. We also added a set of Clearview towing mirrors for extra vision when towing.
With one of the biggest jobs we’ve completed at the TJM Hunter Valley workshop now done and all the hard work put in by the boys in the workshop has finally paid off. It was the first time a lot of our suppliers had seen their products go into the new 2017 model single cab so everybody was keen to see the end result and everyone including the customer was more than pleased with the finished product. That’s how you turn a humble single cab workhorse into the ultimate touring machine!
Tuff Lux
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webThe new Hilux is a pretty good looking truck to begin with and serves its purpose well, but the owner wasn’t content with pretty good, he was looking for some out of the ordinary and something to meet the demands of some serious off-roading and touring.
We started with the full bar work treatment including a colour coded T13 Outback bull bar housing a TJM Torq 9,500lbs winch with synthetic rope to handle all the recovery duties when the conditions turn bad. A set of TJM side steps and brush bars look after the front quarters and sills, and the rear is protected by the TJM RB6 rear bar. The RB6 bar has a built- in tow hitch as well, so there’s no need to buy a separate tow bar to tow the camper trailer or caravan around and there’s provisions for those pesky but essential rear parking sensors.
Under the guards, traction is delivered by a set of 265/70R17 Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 all-terrain tyres wrapping the 17×9 Mickey Thompson Deegan 38 alloy wheels which provide plenty of functionality as well as style.
With touring and weekend trips high on the agenda for this Hilux, a canopy and Outback Interiors rear storage draw system was essential for the dual cab to keep all the gear secure, dry and well organised for trips away. The Aeroklas canopy is a double skinned ABS construction offering a tough shell with a low roof line that keeps the same profile as the vehicle’s roof.
A Rhino Pioneer Tray was also fitted over the canopy to allow for extra storage up top as well as providing a mounting platform for the TJM 2 metre awning and a pair of Lightforce ROK 20W floodlights to light up the campsites. A set of Rhino cross bars where also fitted to the cab of the Hilux because… well, you can never have too much storage space now can you?
Power needs for touring include a dual battery set-up using a Century 100 A/hr deep cycle battery and the TJM 25A BC-DC charger which is a dual charge unit capable of charging alternator and solar at the same time. There’s power to the rear via an Anderson plug and a Redarc Tow Pro Elite for taking care of all the trailer breaking applications with full automatic, set-and-forget settings.
Turning night into day up-front is a set of Lightforce HTX driving lights which use both HID and LED technology to bring you the best of both worlds in one light. These are controlled using a dual stage switch meaning that either LED or HID can be operated and with both lit up you can grab over 1800m of light down the track and almost 100m of spread from the one set of driving lights.
The interior has had the once over, fitting a set of Wetseat neoprene seat covers and a centre console by Outback Interiors with the UHF console mounted. The Wetseat covers will keep the Hilux looking pristine and the centre console is again adding more of that needed storage space and getting the UHF up of the dash.
We’ve taken some inspiration for our own Hilux that we’ve recently taken delivery of so stay tuned to this channel to see that build take place in the coming weeks.
J to the Macx
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webAnyone that’s driven the 79 series will be all too familiar with its stiff rear ride attributes that give it such a great load carrying capacity, but on the rough stuff can be a little unsettling to say the least. The leaf spring rear suspension on the 79 series is definitely built for work but we’ve always wondered why Toyota (I’m risking my life by saying this) didn’t follow Nissan’s path and released a rear coil sprung ute, which offers superior ride quality and rear axle articulation.
Fortunately, Jmacx came up with a solution to this issue by developing a rear coil spring conversion and upgraded rear axle housing. This conversion improves the ride quality of the 79 Series, increases axle articulation and wheel travel while still retaining the Cruiser’s legendary load carrying capacity. This is all achieved by fitting the Jmacx fabricated frame which is a complete bolt-in system requiring no welding, to do away with the leaf springs and house the new coil springs, adjustable control arms and panhard rods.
It’s not the first time that we have fitted a Jmacx kit to a 79 Series and those familiar with our own 79 Series would have no doubt had their heads under the rear end checking out the conversion that we have fitted to ours. However, it is the first time this kit has gone into the new model single cab that has had the upgraded 5 star Ancap safety rating so everyone is keen to see the end results. Stay tuned as we’re getting closer to completing this build.
Lone Ranger
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webOwner Richard was after a functional all-rounder that was comfortable to drive but also eye catching as it was having to display his company logo. The result was spot on the money and this is one Ranger that can do the hard yards in the rough stuff and look great doing it.
We started with fitting a Fox suspension kit using the 2.5 Factory Series coil-overs with dual speed compression. This is one of Fox’s best performing shocks running a 63.5mm alloy shock body, remote oil canisters and the ability to be able to fine tune the shock settings (both high and low speed compression) simply by turning the adjuster dial with no tools needed. Shock fade will be absolutely non-existent on this ranger, even in the toughest of conditions.
The Redarc Tow Pro Elite brake controller was also installed to handle the towing duties as well as a dual battery set-up using the TJM 25A BC-DC battery charger and a Century 100A/hr deep cycle battery for those weekend trips away for power supplies.
Tow & Touring 200
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webWhen towing or touring, the first step we always recommend to our customers is to upgrade the standard suspension. Although like most standard 4WDs they are designed with off-road driving and towing in mind, they are first and foremost a passenger car and built for optimum handling with a few passengers and no load. Once you load them up and stick a big van or camper trailer on the back, you are now pushing the suspension to its limits, and that’s not where you really want to be!
We went with premium quality Fox suspension using the 2.0 Performance Series front struts and rear shock absorbers. This 200 series will eventually be getting a set of rear storage draws, so we also opted for heavy duty spring rates in the rear. For those trips where owner Brian will be loading up the camper trailer, we’ve also fitted a set of Polyair airbags to the rear to give it that extra bit of support when the back is under load whilst still retaining a comfortable ride when there’s nothing in tow.
For a good power supply on those extended trips we’ve installed the ultra-reliable Redarc DC-DC 25A charger and replaced the twin cranking batteries that come out standard on the 200 with a bigger single Century crank battery and 100A/h deep cycle battery to handle all the accessories.
While under the bonnet, we installed a Diesel Care pre- filter kit running 30 micron filter cartridges. This traps most particles before the factory fuel filter keeping the expensive genuine Toyota gear clean and potentially saving the life of the engine from damaged caused by dirty fuel or water.
The front sports the TJM T13 Outback bar, colour coded for that factory finished look. The first question we get asked a lot by our customers when it comes bull bars for the 200 Series is “do we do a bull bar that doesn’t involve a bumper cut?” The answer is… yes we do. For the earlier model 200 Series, our Outback bar is a full bumper replacement and for the newer facelift 200 Series, we have the option of either a bumper replacement or a bumper cut bull bar.
Brian’s 200 series is now well equipped to handle the towing duties that he has install for it and for us, well we are just happy to see yet another satisfied 200 Series owner drive out the door.
Off-road Equipped
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webThis one received the works as well including complete barwork using a combination of the TJM front and side protection and the Kaymar rear bar. The bull bar is the T13 Outback back which is a winch compatible premium bar that features 63mm tubing, LED indicators, park lights and fog lights. We’ve also mounted a set of TJM brush rails and side steps which also run 63mm tubing and offer plenty in the way of protection when it comes to pushing the 200 Series to it’s limits in the scrub. Handling the rear protection duties is the Kaymar rear bar with spare wheel and jerry can holder.
Suspension is bought to you courtesy of Fox and this particular 200 is running the 2.0 Performance Series, with a diff drop kit and upper control arms by Roadsafe. With this particular combination we’ve been able to raise the rear by 2 inches and level the front up to get rid of that nose-down stance. The Performance Series runs a 2″shock body with plenty of height adjustment and those Roadsafe products keep the CV joints at the right angle to allow for full articulation and travel without damage or premature wear.
There’s a TJM Airtec snorkel which has the streamlined wedge-tailed style head keeping it tucked down out of harm’s way and looking neat and tidy, while still retaining the same amount of air-flow, functionality and quality as all the other big-name snorkels on the market.
The standard traction aids in the 200 Series are Ok but for the ultimate traction control Harrop E-lockers have been installed, front and rear on this 200. Alleviating the need for on-board air and fewer parts make the Harrop units an easer option than the air-activated diff locks and the Harrop brand is well known for its durability. Of course there’s no point running traction aids if youre tyres can’t get the power to the ground in the soft stuff, so a set of Mickey Thompson ATZ P3s have been fitted to the standard rims.
Owner Peter will be well equipped for some serious touring and will be hitting the tracks with full confidence and for us it’s another happy 200 Series owner rolling out of the TJM Hunter Valley workshop.
Breathe Easy
/0 Comments/in News /by tjm_webThere’s always been mixed reviews around performance with stainless steel vs plastic air-intake components but there’s no disputing the fact that stainless is more durable than plastic and it looks a hell of a lot better than plastic too.
Anyone that’s been doing some research on stainless air intake gear would have come across the name Thorburns at some stage. These guys are absolute pros at what they do and they specialise in fabricating gear for the 70 Series. When the owner of our latest 79 Series build up specified that he wanted only the best gear on his truck when we were planning the build, there was no dispute we’d be making a call to the guys at Thorburns to fab us some gear for this job.
For this job we went with the 4” black powder coated stainless steel snorkel opening up airflow by half an inch over the standard unit. It’s plumbed in through the guard into the stainless steel air box and carries right through the intake piping at 3.5” before dropping to 3” just before the turbo. The whole system is designed to give better airflow, be bucket loads stronger and of course look far better than the OE items. This is where we get the performance gains.
This 79 Series will be spending a lot of time touring and towing heavy loads on the heavily corrugated, dusty and often flooded tracks of the Pilbara and Northern Territory so questionable durability and functionality is not an option. The gear has got to be fit for the job and here is where premium quality materials, workmanship and fitting is paramount – so this is where the Thorburn’s products really shine, so to speak. The 316 grade stainless is used from the snorkel right through the intake tract to the turbo and that sexy finish on the Thorburns products is just a testament to the workmanship that goes into their stuff.