Steven

Best method for chasing stereo rattles is to make yourself a test tone cd (google it), play the frequency that induces the most rattles and then try to locate the rattle with it playing.

ITT - People who pull out at the last minute <_<

I'll be updating the first post with the final details in a moment

Soft

I think my schedule allows for a few hours of standing around talking sh it tonight

The Loop is where the Thursday night meets are held. Start time will be about 9am at the Loop - once again I'll be heading straight to the BBQ location (Jolly's lookout) to secure a spot etc.

New Plan! The cruise will now commence at the Loop and proceed up towards Mt Nebo where the BBQ will be. Cruise will then continue right up through Esk and return via the Warrego Highway. Photoshoot location yet to be determined by will be decided prior to Friday.

Sneak peak at mod in progress (or rather, alteration to existing mod)

I did do Andrew's a bit differently and used a different spray when applying it. We also used 3M vinyl which seemed much better quality then this other stuff. Andrew told me just the other day that his is bubble free so the proof is in the pudding.

The more cameras the merrier. Meeting spots will be the Loop for northsiders and BP Yatala for southsiders. Cruise details are still being worked on and I might not have a proper plan put together for a few more days but it will basically go along the lines of: Meetup -> Cruise to BBQ spot, eat chat etc -> cruise to photoshoot -> finish DJKOR has agreed to lead the cruise to the BBQ spot where I'll be arriving earlier to set everything up. BBQ will be simple BYO drinks, snags on bread for $1. BBQ will be about 10am so once the location is decided the meeting times will be arranged around that. If anyone is aware of any good BBQ spots and/or photoshoot locations around Mt Tamborine or the G/Coast hinterlands drop me a PM

I'm still in. And I can get wifey to bring her camera gear. Jadegreen.com.au Greatly appreciated

Try hitting the air con button with the fan on multiple settings

Does anyone coming have a good camera they can bring? Thinking of adding a photoshoot to the morning for those interested as the mountains should offer a fantastic backdrop

For starters, finding a decent TRD for sale is often hard enough, but considering the Satnav was an optional extra then you're going to be much harder pressed to find a TRD with the sunroof/Satnav option. I wouldn't bother if I were you. My car came with the factory Satnav unit and it was a piece of rubbish - no Aux or Ipod (without the use of a very expensive external module), complicated GPS, and generally useless. Although my current aftermarket Satnav has some small issues I prefer it any day of the week over the factory rubbish. Further having to pay roughly $300 for every map update meant the unit wasn't economical either. It would have been considered fancy pre-2005, but for a 2007+ onwards vehicle it is incredibly behind the times.

You might have wheel bearing issues then. It would be very rare considering the age of the car but it's certainly something worth investigating. There isn't any back axle on the Aurion just the hub assembly, which eliminates a variety of possible speed related knocks. Try jacking the rear corner of the car off the ground and try spinning the wheel listening for noises. Further grab the top/bottom of the wheel and try to shake it to check for any movement. For such a new car though obviously your best option is to take it to Toyota and let them handle it under warranty.

Welcome to the club. The water sounds like it's from your air con system, simple condensation and nothing to worry about, but use a tissue to absorb some of the liquid and see if it's transparent. If so then it's from the air con and nothing to be concerned about. If it's red or green then it's coolant and the system needs to be inspected for a leak. As for the rear knock, 2 things to check are rear wheel nuts and the factory rear sway bar mounting nuts. If the sway bar nuts are even slightly loose it can cause a very audible knocking sound. For an idea of what it looks like, do a search in the Aurion section for the "whiteline sway bar" - it's an aftermarket upgraded version but is the same shape as the factory version only white in colour instead of black.

18x8 Petrol Octanes

Taillights and side windows done, roof vinyl removed. Pretty happy with how she looks now, except of course needing a wash badly.

Vinyl came off the roof this morning - I lifted a small section to investigate why it was bubbling and found it was due to my method of using a soapy solution when applying it so I can move it as necessary. As a result it had dozens of mini 'splotches' where the soap has removed the vinyl's sticking backing. It could be redone and have a really good result if soap wasn't used, but that would make it virtually impossible to install solo. Still got the door chrome strips and the taillights done

Whoops, seems when I did the driver's side tail light I put the vinyl on the wrong way around, meaning the sticky side was facing out. Didn't realise it had a plastic protector on both sides. Redid the driver's side and found it actually came out alright. Not perfect still a few bubbles but with some more experience I tackled the passenger side and got a much better result. I've decided to leave the tail lights tinted with this film for a bit longer due to how they now look. Sorry for the dodgy pic but I couldn't be stuffed driving the car out again. Also I've started on the chrome strips that follow the roof line. Driver's side done and I'm very happy with the result.

And here is the driver's side taillights tinted as opposed to the untinted passenger side. As you can see I've only tinted the reverse light section in a 2-tone effect to keep things legal. I'm very happy with the look of both the roof and the tail lights, however the up close appearance due to imperfect fitment on the vinyl and tiny air bubbles (which I cant get out for some reason) has me thinking the vinyl will be coming off VERY soon, but at least I know now exactly how I want it when presented to the panel shop. I'm going to give the roof a few days to see if the air bubbles work there way out but frankly I don't see how they can. Further the vinyl isn't sticky enough to stay down around the edges without something holding it down (seals etc). Disappointing, but the exercise was worth it and was relatively cheap enough.

Been experimenting with some matt black vinyl today. Pretty happy with the appearance but not when viewed up close. To this end I think I will remove the vinyl at a later date and get the roof professionally resprayed in that color. Have also decided the wheels need a respray in a matt black as well, but that will have to wait until I get the back brakes replaced. Also tinting the taillights this weekend, pics up when finished.

Numbers have fallen below 7 attending total (of those confirmed) PLEASE SEE THE ORIGINAL LIST AND IF YOU'RE NAME IS NOT IN BOLD PLEASE CONFIRM ATTENDANCE BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON If the number of confirmed attendees does not hit 7 cars total then I will be calling this cruise off tomorrow evening

Okay everyone I'll be putting the route together this weekend and also organising the food for the BBQ, it's very important if you haven't confirmed or need to change your attendance to inform me before end of Saturday.

Re: "Premium" fuels having cleaning agents. It's true that in addition to having a higher average octane rating these fuels are marketed as having special additives that will clean your engine and remove deposits, but in many ways it's actually just a case of selective marketing. All fuels are required by law to have a cleaning additive amongst other "premium only" agents, and while the more expensive fuels do actually include a bit more it isn't really necessary. Despite what the advertising would have you believe, running your engine for 50k on Premium compared to that "dirty" 91 regular will have it working no better or any cleaner. Obviously this doesn't include cars that require a higher octane fuel or can use alternate mapping to increase power when premium is used, but the "clean inside" stuff is basically BS. Running the correct oil, doing your services at the proper intervals, and replacing items as is recommended (fuel filters, spark plugs etc) is what WILL actually have an effect on your engine. I'm not saying the cleaning agents in the premium aren't better, but what I am saying is that difference is so marginal that if you don't need (or can use) the higher octane rating then you aren't really getting any benefit out of it.