Motoz MN GLX R: Evolution of a Warrior

[motoz]

WOW. So much has happened. In fact I didnt recognise the car. Last time it had steel pipe bar work all over the rear! Then you cooked it, fitted a canopy, (man you are getting old) talking family wagons etc etc

Well I sold my MN years ago and have since had family tourers in a 150 Prado and now an Isuzu MUX to tow our van. Yep. With bunks
How many kids you got now??

Long time since I checked in here...

Here's where I'm adventuring now. Stole a solo weekender from the fam in the new steed. Happy is life... lol
















Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[4wd26]

All the good gearhow are you finding the awning and any reason you went with that brand. It’s on my list just wondering if one of the originals is still best

[motoz]

All the good gearhow are you finding the awning and any reason you went with that brand. It’s on my list just wondering if one of the originals is still best

G'day mate, I'm a huge fan of the Alucab to be honest. What sold me was the ease of setup and not having to use the support poles. Unless it's blowing a gale you just don't need to use the support leg.

Setup is literary 15sec and pack away would be under 30seconds. It's also a smaller package than the "30 sec" and "Ostrich Wing" offerings not to mention slightly cheaper. Having said that $1600 is still a premium to pay for an awning.

Ease of use totally justifies the cost IMO. We have found while touring your a lot more likely to deploy it while stopped for lunch as opposed to a roll out type awning where they are so much of a hassle you just wouldn't bother. Not to forget if the wind is up you have to peg those suckers down else they lift up and flip over the car !!!



The rear hinge bracket is 4mm stainless. You can do chin-ups off the thing !!! I haven't had it in full rain yet to test it so time will tell how it goes in those conditions.

I did check out the new Rhino and the Darche version at the latest off-road show last weekend and the Alucab is a lot more robust and user friendly than the ones mentioned.




At 26kg they're not the lightest but I'm sure it will last for many years due to the build quality.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[4wd26]

Thanks you confirmed my thoughts on the alucab, sort of like snow peak you pay a bit more but get quality. Thanks for the run down on the “newer versions/ copies” as well, I haven’t had a chance to compare side by side as yet

[motoz]

Thanks you confirmed my thoughts on the alucab, sort of like snow peak you pay a bit more but get quality. Thanks for the run down on the “newer versions/ copies” as well, I haven’t had a chance to compare side by side as yet

Don't go down the SP path mate. Building 4WD's is cheaper and less addictive...






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[srb]

Good to see mighty 100 out an about, mate. You enjoying it?
We're still loving ours, we've been doing a few little weekend 4wd trips in it recently and starting to find the limits of the stock suspension.. Similar lack of flex to the Triton. But plenty of other advantages being space and comfort.

You planning on or done any suspension mods to yours?

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[motoz]

Good to see mighty 100 out an about, mate. You enjoying it?
We're still loving ours, we've been doing a few little weekend 4wd trips in it recently and starting to find the limits of the stock suspension.. Similar lack of flex to the Triton. But plenty of other advantages being space and comfort.

You planning on or done any suspension mods to yours?

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

Yes suspension is going in just after rear bar. We've got an ARB twin wheel carrier on order, although there is a 3 month wait on production of these

I've already purchased an Icon 3.5 kit with remote resi shocks, UCA's, HD torsion bars, LCA gussets and dif drop kit. Teaming up with slinky rear coils and airbags for towing the camper. This setup should give a modest 2.5" lift. As we're running 33's already I think this will prove to be a decent all round touring setup.




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[srb]

Ahh nice one, yeah I was looking at the icon kits, you get yours from Darren at 4xoverland? Is that a stage 4 kit? How much extra down travel you get?

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[motoz]

Ahh nice one, yeah I was looking at the icon kits, you get yours from Darren at 4xoverland? Is that a stage 4 kit? How much extra down travel you get?

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

Yes mate from Darren. 70mm down travel.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[srb]

I'll be very interested in what you think of it when you have it installed... From what I've hear it's the ducks nuts.

Unfortunately I'm a little way off getting suspension for ours yet, already has kaymar rear bar and 180lt second tank mounted.. Poor thing drags its arse along ground like a dog with worms.
Also have ARB front bar, tjm winch and front and rear pro lockers sitting in the shed waiting... Just need to find the time to install.

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[4wd26]

Just watch Darren I’ve had some bad dealings with him in the past including suspension for the Triton and now waiting nearly 6 months for some slee off-road bits

[motoz]

Just watch Darren I’ve had some bad dealings with him in the past including suspension for the Triton and now waiting nearly 6 months for some slee off-road bits

PM sent


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[motoz]

Bit of an update of adventures...












Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Jason91]

Bit of an update of adventures...












Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

MATE!!! Did you have to dig her out with the shovel???

[srb]

Yeah wow that's some serious snow, you'd be digging with hands until you found the shovel.
Love that there's a silver Triton parked up next to you.. Makes the photo worthwhile.

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[motoz]

Ha thanks guys. Yes it took about 1.5hrs to dig her out. Was bit of an effort as the grader had pushed snow in front and it had set as ice.
With the winter all over we’ve head back home to S.A.



Still yet to continue with the mods but have done a couple camping trips since being home. Always take the option to head away even if it’s only for a few days...





We took a trip into the hills about an hour from home.




This Bearded Dragon came to say hello while we pulled over for a coffee on the side of the track. Very friendly fellow...





Always a fan of stacked rocks, not sure why but I am...



Camp breakfast of champions...





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[explorer.dave]

That's an excellent shot of the rock pile Dave, the brekkie didn't look too shabby either

[4wd26]

nice one- great to see that you are still getting out and posting here.
lovely photos and awesome that it is so close that you can get away

[motoz]

That's an excellent shot of the rock pile Dave, the brekkie didn't look too shabby either

Thanks mate. Slowly getting better with the happy snaps.

nice one- great to see that you are still getting out and posting here.
lovely photos and awesome that it is so close that you can get away

Cheers, yeah I've cut right back on the screen time these days. I only really do Expedition Portal and here for forums. I have given up posting on Facebook too...

I do still like Instagram for the fact that's it's mostly visual and relatively free of the passive aggressive mind numbing dibble of its sister platform

I'll keep flicking updates through from time to time




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[srb]

Very nice pics.

How's the cruiser mods going? You get that stage 4 kit yet?

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[motoz]

Very nice pics.

How's the cruiser mods going? You get that stage 4 kit yet?

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

Hey mate, no we spent the winter in Falls Creek so there were no mods for the last 5 months. I had big plans to get the suspension done but I'm holding off till the current setup is ready for replacement.

It's funny that in the last few years with the children coming along we've had to change the way we camp so am using the camper trailer more. As a result the car is almost empty for most trips so we don't need HD suspension.

I'm so happy with way the Cruiser performs that the only upcoming mods will be a sound system upgrade and fitting a Redarc Tow Pro Elite.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[srb]

Very nice pics.

How's the cruiser mods going? You get that stage 4 kit yet?

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

Hey mate, no we spent the winter in Falls Creek so there were no mods for the last 5 months. I had big plans to get the suspension done but I'm holding off till the current setup is ready for replacement.

It's funny that in the last few years with the children coming along we've had to change the way we camp so am using the camper trailer more. As a result the car is almost empty for most trips so we don't need HD suspension.

I'm so happy with way the Cruiser performs that the only upcoming mods will be a sound system upgrade and fitting a Redarc Tow Pro Elite.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah fair enough, mate.

Your cruiser looks mint, and it's sitting quite well, they're such lovely touring/ tow wagon, they do the job so effortless, we love ours!

I just finished building in some simple light weight alloy draws, air compressor and a 50l water tank... We really need to upgrade suspension though, it's a tad bum heavy with kaymar rear bar and longrange tank, sort of okay if you don't fill up the full 180l.

We've got a little bub on-board now and two dogs, so things do get a little packed if we don't take camper trailer... I prefer not to take the trailer but it's a bit easier at the moment with a young bub.. We plan to keep both setups, using the camp trailer for those standing camps /staying in one place for long periods, then the simple light weight tent/swag setup for the tougher/rougher trips, I hate towing things when going into real difficult terrain, we feel it limits where you can go.

Anyway keep the photos and updates coming, bud.

Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[motoz]

Too easy mate. I cancelled the suspension and bought a few comfort mods instead.

I cut down our Drifta draws we used in the MN and installed them in the LC. This time I. Just using turnbuckles to secure. Power is via an Anderson plug connection. It takes 10min to disconnect an remove the draws between trips.



I invested in a set of Solarscreens. Man these are fantastic in maintaining cabin temp. Fridge works more efficiently, don’t need the aircon fan on so high, ours has rear aircon too.



Installed an Icon UHF, Safari Snorkel, Rhino Platform, Alucab 270 awning, Redarc 1225D BCDC charger and post separating the batteries replaced one with an 800CCA Century and the house battery a 100 DeepCycle.



Last mods were a 3” Beaudesert exhaust and a set of Toyo RT Open Country tyres in 285 70 x 17 on the standard rims






Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[srb]

Wow, very nice mate.

Did you notice much difference with the larger exhaust? You remove the restrictions in the intake? As in removing intake heater and egr valve? I also added a few psi with a manual boost controller, made such a difference I probably won't bother with the larger exhaust.

Would love some of those solar screens, my wife wants them mainly to keep sun off the bub. We don't need them on the rear pop windows as I've already converted them to aluminium emu wings.





Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

[motoz]

Wow, very nice mate.

Did you notice much difference with the larger exhaust? You remove the restrictions in the intake? As in removing intake heater and egr valve? I also added a few psi with a manual boost controller, made such a difference I probably won't bother with the larger exhaust.

Would love some of those solar screens, my wife wants them mainly to keep sun off the bub. We don't need them on the rear pop windows as I've already converted them to aluminium emu wings.





Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk

Yep the Beaudesert make a noticeable difference. Still running standard boost, I did disconnect the intake heater when I separated the batteries. I left the element in the housing though for now. It spools a lot sooner now it’s got the system. The dump pipe they supply is huge 3.5” and a smother radius bend which would minimise all back pressure. I’ll look into doing the Safari intercooler upgrade before summer. We’ve had a couple times last summer towing the camper where the ECU would detune the motor uphill due to high intake temps. An Armax chip would be nice too...

The Solar screens and the bomb. So good when we’re on a long drive as you can block out the kids windows and they can sleep while we clock up the k’s.

I’m a big fan of the Emu wings. Eventually I’d like one on the passenger side, thinking of a storage shelf there with all the 12v elec stuff there. Easy to access while sitting under the awning.

Just taking our time with this build. Want to get it right the first time as well not over complicate things. I’m pretty conscious of keeping weight down on this build too. That was the whole thought behind getting the 100 to start with as it’s one of the best touring platforms from factory.

Maybe I’m getting old but I’m not interested in ‘testing’ my vehicles off-road anymore... we just getaway and cook good food and relax !!!








Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk