Post by Deleted on Jan 26, 2015 22:02:52 GMT 10
So what do we have to tow our viscount & pretty much anything else we need to with?
That's right, a 2011 Great Wall X240.
To clarify a few details, because even after being in Australia almost 10yrs, a lot of people still don't know a lot about them (they have actually been in china since the 1970s).
Ours is the series 2 model or face lift model. A lesson we learnt after forking over 45 grand on a brand new fully option "NISSAN" xtrail, never buy the first of anything (3 engines, 5 head units, leaks, bad service, and the next owner blew it up!).
So we watched the GWs, and reviewed them (after being in possession of over 50 cars since being able to drive, half of those 4wds, I'd say I had boxes it had to tick).
The second series came out, much improved, all the gadgets the missus liked, all the mech stuff I liked.
I.E reverse cam and sensors, all the electronic gadgets, petrol, hi and low range transfer case, borg warner drive line, rodeo chassis, as it was also going to be leased the age proved right as well as price (I really wanted a Patrol, but price, age and the missus didn't like the size stopped that). I was happy cause it was pretty much an old school 4wd underneath, with a girly looking body on top. After almost buying a Suzuki vitara, which in hindsight, happy we didn't cause it wouldn't have done anything this car has done (My brother working for Suzuki, blown away by how it's gone and the folks owned 2 of the latest vitaras at the time, served us well for research).
We've now had the car over 3.5yrs, over 70thou ks, and I'll say they haven't been the easiest as you'll soon see. It's only about now I am finally happy with how I've set it up. Only a couple things I want to replace as they get older and need replacing, god knows when that'll be.
So, the deal was done.
The only thing it didn't come with was Cruise control, which didn't phase me at the time as I was Autobarns workshop manager and approved cruise installer, first mod with 24hrs of ownership. 
2nd mod was the UHF, hidden in the center console.
UHF hidden under centre console, Mic feeds from connector in console.
Then off to Woodgate for it's first trip.
Navigation is wired under the dash to a cig plug for a no mess install.
Storage space sucked a little in these, soon rectified with a storage system I cam up with. lighter than your alloy framed units.
It has evolved a bit, but it finally looks like this with the Engel in and running all the time.
So, we need a dual battery in there too. It's hidden in that draw system, with a 120A/h AGM, mounted on it's side, essentially built in the frame of the draw system.
Feeding this was a GSL auto isolator, but I scored a ctek Dc-Dc charger which I wanted to test out in real time instead of just installing them to customers vans all the time. While they are good on long trips, they are useless when your trip is under half an hour. So, after checking the way the ctek dc-dc and the smart pass worked, I now have a manual isolator bypassing the ctek on a flick of a switch, so on the short trips the alt is feeding max power and amps to the battery, which I never had a drama with. On longer trips, the ctek takes over, charging to the 100% mark on the battery.
The ctek, which is mounted along side the 150W pure sine wave inverter, and the fire ext for safety.
Proper midi fuses are used at both batteries and down to the Anderson plug. 10sq/mm cable is also used right from the get go.
Diff and gearbox breathers. Enables one to hit the water crossings and not worry about water being sucked into the gear box or diffs.
I wanted an on board compressor, not happy with having one stashed somewhere. The GW has a huge nose cone with ample space, so off to one side it goes.
It was about this time the Gw needed a wheel alignment. Being torsion bar front end, and these things dip at the front majorly, I had them wind the front up 50mm, the ride was so much nicer, so much more clearance, one of the best, simplest mods done to the car.
So now with the draws and battery adding weight, but on trips at this point a few bags in the back and a passenger made it sit in the rear badly. Not wanting to stiffen up the rear, as it would ride rough when empty, but needing the support while loaded, I went for the Airbag man coil rite bags. Best $300 ever. Took me less than an hour to fit and it then gave me confidence to be able to tow anything and drive anywhere. The picture also shows the Recent addition of the Dobinson off-road shocks. When loaded, it handles brilliantly.
Yes it gets dirty. Yes it has battle scars. It's no good owning a 4wd and never using it.
Undercarriage bash plates, made by myself. EDS rated recovery point.
Spotlight and override switches cleverly mounted in the roofs light console.
Heavy duty nudge bar. 22"light bar. UHF aerial now lives here too.
Awning for solo trips.
Seat mounted dvd screens for the kid.
Dual battery volt meter and temp monitor for the fridge. Great little gadgets these. One reason why I'm able to tell what the ctek and aux battery is up to.
Now I hate these brake controllers with a passion, not because they don't do their job, they actually work quite well, as some of you will testify. But I get in and out of up to 400 cars a year, most with some sort of controller, most with one of these. We all know what it's like to hit one with your knee. I love the new redarc tow pro, love em. The gsl remote head is also great. all hidden away, no sore knees. But, dad gave me this one. If it had to go in, it would not be able to touch me, otherwise it would have been thrown out. Well, it's been in for about 4 months and not yet have I hit it. And not once have I used it yet. Least it's there.
This is something I came up with after seeing many done before, also proving a point that I could actually do it. After checking all engineering and legal sections, I could. So I built the spare wheel carrier which goes into the hayman reese receiver. It's based around the tongue piece which is rated, and it still serves for the tow ball or recovery point. The end aim is to have a water tank with pump under the car, or an extra fuel tank which ever comes first. It also gives me a handy spot to mount my maxx tracks on trips. It actually weights in under 50kg inc wheel. Leaving a good margin of ball weight if I need to tow, obviously something small, like a tiny caravan.
Another very latest mod is the snorkel. After 4 yrs they still don't make one for this model/shape. only the utes and the previous shape.
After months of research, checking and prices. A dmax/rodeo snorkel came up locally. Once home, the nerves settled when I realized the outside part fitted perfect. th inner guard tube, needed shortening, but went back together in itself. and it lined up to the air box perfectly. Then it has also proven to be worth the work, better fuel and better performance.
Along the way there's been touch ups and tickles on the system, like the 15" mags and Hankook Mt tyres, but it has all come together well. To do anything we want, when we want, how we want, and it'll get us back safe.
I'll just put here some pics of what has been towed in the past, all above board mind you 
. They have loads of torque and the more you load them, the better they go. Loaded with a full Cortina with extra engines and gearboxes from Gympie (twice actually, there was 2 cars, 2 trips) on a 44deg day, up and over the Cooroy bypass, passing Prados and Patrols with mere camper trailers, it just puts its head down and goes. Will sit at speed easily. I can't wait to get an exhaust on it as they apparently work quite well for the motor as well.
It's not a big 4wd, so it can't be compared to Patrols or cruisers. But in the world of smaller 4bys, it does bloody well, and hasn't let us down.
Even made the Dirty Down Under Calendar. after helping them with their breast cancer fundraising run. Over 400 4wds attended the noosa north shore run.
Thanks
