UHF Extention Speaker

Howdy again all,

I've run into a paradox a while ago with my UHF and its internal speaker. When 4x4ing; nothing gets the blood pumping better than a good Joe Satriani solo, maybe some Steve Vai or Metallica cranked up; problem is you can barely hear your fellow 4x4ers on the radio.... Solution; add an external speaker!

Now I've been meaning to install an extention speaker for my UHF for a while now. In fact I bought the speaker unit about 2 months ago and have been to lazy (and not brave enough to go into the cold shed) to install it. Finally this evening, with a rum in hand, I braved the cold and got it done.

The unit is a GME SPK07 model as shown.

After a bit of scoping around, I found the best place to install it seemed to be in the passanger footwell under the glove box. There is a mount with two screws; I removed the foremost one and used that to mount the speaker bracket. With a bit of trimming of the spreaker bracket, it fits into the groove of the glove box mount snuggly.

After installing the speaker, it was a simple case of running the cable through a pre-existing conduit I had run, to the centre console where the UHF is.

1. GME SPK07

2. Dismantled centre console - access to the UHF radio

3. Speaker bracket installed under glove box
using pre-existing bolt

4. Speaker installed.

Roll Top Console

As part of a group buy at FJCC a while back, I got a 'Panamint' version of the Roll Top Consoles. These things look great, appear solid and in all honesty, look like they are OEM kit. Perhaps Toyota should talk to Industrial Forming?

The only trouble I had, was finding a day that was warm enough to install it, as the instructions dictate that the car interior should be >15 degrees C for installation. Given its winter here in Canberra, that's not such an easy task!

Panamint Roll Top Console installed.

Toolkit & Contents

Plenty of members at FJCC have been asking: "what do I need to carry in a toolkit". So, given I just had a new canvas carry bag made up to fit into my storage drawers for the purpose, it seemed like a good idea to give a rundown of its contents. Here's a couple of things to remember when putting together a toolkit;

1. Make sure the contents match your rig (no point carrying tools which aren't required).
2. Buy the best tools you can afford. This may seem strange for gear you may rarely use, but when you need them, you don't want them to fail!
3. Know how to use all the tools in the kit.

Kit Contents:

• 3/8 Socket Set in Metric and AF sizes
• Combination Spanner set in Metric
• Combination Spanner set in AF
• Metric Hex Keys
• AF Hex Keys
• Screwdriver set
• Hose Clamps (1 Large, 1 Small)
• Circlip Plier Combination Set
• Large Shifter
• Small Shifter
• Folding Knife
• Vice Grips
• Needle Nose Pliers
• Combination Pliers (Linesman)
• MultiGrips
• Dead Blow Hammer
• Cold Chisel (not Jimmy Barnes!)
• Pin Punch
• Wirebrush / Chipping Hammer combo tool
• 250mm Bastard File
• 2.5mm & 3.2mm Welding Rods (20mm PolyPipe capped off works great as a holder)
• Welders Glass (#10 Shade)
• QuikSteel Putty
• Rescue Tape (Self Fusing Silicone Tape)
• Gaffer Tape
• Multimeter
• LocTite 263
• Utility Hacksaw
• Wire: Electrical and Structural
• Soldering Iron & Solder
• Cable Ties
• Permanent Marker & Welders Chalk
• Tape Measure
• Inox / WD40
• Rags
• Surgical Gloves

TyreDog 1300 TPMS

I've had these on my list for a while, but never really got around to dropping the cash for them. Fortunately one of the guys over on FJCC had some he wanted to get rid of as part of a stocktake, which kinda pushed my hand a bit (thanks Daz!).

When I first opened the box I was really surprised at the size of the monitor. Measuring around 70mm x 30mm, I was expecting a lot larger but more than happy about it not taking up a heap of room.

Installation couldn't be easier; drop the batteries (supplied) into the monitor then into the sensors. They come online and beep and complain a bit until they are screwed onto the valves. I didn't bother using the locking collars, since it seems like a PITA when airing down for trail runs. Lets just hope the crackheads don't decide to steal them!

I mounted the monitor next to the Long Ranger tank gauge using the supplied suction mount. Due to the small stature of the monitor and mounting bracket, it seems like a perfect position that won't be intrusive, though time will tell.

1. TyreDog TPMS Boxed

2. Small in size, big on features ;)

3. Mounted up

Nav Light Upgrade

With the dome lights upgraded recently, I was thinking about what to do with the map / nav lights. The white light was going to be too bright for a map light, as the time your eyes take to adjust would be to annoying for night driving / navigation.



Subsequently I thought about military applications; which typically employ a red or green light to reduce glare and loss of natural night vision. With that in mind, I went searching the web for some LED light strips in either red or green. Green seemed to be pretty difficult to find, so I ended up going for red in a small form strip of 2 x 3 LEDs.


2 x 3 Red LED Strip

Both nav lights on.

Cabin with both lights on