Scott_C

Im going to upgrade the headunit in the Kluger. I was chatting to a rep from a car audio store in the US (Crutchfield) - and their site was not listing any of the stereo's as being compatible with the 08 Kluger/Highlander. I went to an online chat to ask why, and this is what they said; Agent (x.): "The passenger air bag light is integrated into the radio faceplate. No kit is available at this time and radio replacement is not recommended." Agent (x.): "That is why we list it as not fitting." Agent (x.): "No kits, harnesses, etc. are made for the vehicle currently." Some guys in the US tell me they HAVE done an aftermarket install. I was wondering if anyone here has? Cheers, Scott. Im thinking of putting this unit in Pioneer FH-P8000BT;

Do you like to take off from the lights kind of fast? :P

Hi Ren, thanks, I ended up doing it myself. Wife was happy. :D

I wont tell you that I play all my games using the onboard AC97 sound and a $20 pair of headphones then.... :) Haha, lol man. :) Funny thing is, when im just playing my setup is much the same. For audio creation though, its a different story.

Hi, I work in computer game audio, so Im not an expert in the best models of car audio units etc. Having said that, here's a couple of considerations for sat nav, depending on what you want to spend; Pioneer Avic HD3 is the ducks nuts but very pricey; http://www.cnet.com.au/cartech/gps/0,20004...39277688,00.htm The cheaper Pioneer D3 is cool - but it only has one disc slot. So if you want to change your GPS route, you'll have to eject your audio disc and pop the map disc back in; http://www.pioneer.eu/eur/products/10/20/2...C-D3/index.html I cant really vouch for the speakers yet, as first I want to improve the head unit. If it still sounds like *******, there are plenty of aftermarket speakers at the same dimension of whats already in the Toyota. http://www.ryda.com.au/Car-Speakers-Store-s/11.htm

Garry - no worries about post re-direction. Its all good. ;) Taka - I think the side steps would look VERY good on your vehicle. ;) Lol.

Hi Don, steps were $638. I already have Camry fog lights on order along with the Toyota factory bezels. (The Camry fogs fit perfectly into the bezels on the bumper)

Hi Faruke, we have a sandy coloured leather interior in our Lexus, and we love it. You will see the odd scuff, but just get some good leather upholstery cleaner to wipe it off. In some ways black shows up just as much or more, any white spots of fabric or tissue for example. Cheers, Scott.

Thanks man, and LOL, here I am explaining the colour to you, and I could've just looked at your sig. :P I agree, there aren't many in 'our' colour, my wife and I really like it.

I read recently, that a properly installed nudge bar or side step should make the whole vehicle move if you shake it. In other words, the step or bar shouldn't flex independently, the whole car rocks. My side steps have zero flex in them, if I stand on them, the car dips. My bro-in-law has the Toyota step tubes, and I noticed they have a little movement in them. Honestly, I would think the Toyota step tubes are stronger, but i cant say the Bladerunners are flimsy by any stretch.

Hi, there was a deal to purchase them before the end of Feb and you got free installation. First 4WD place I went to wanted $700, the second $638. I had to tell the 4WD place about the free install, and they get a rebate back from Bushranger or something. But the Bladerunner steps have been available for the Kluger II, at least since late Feb.

Hi Leeder, thanks, the colour (according to the Toyota website) is Sage. But when we bought the vehicle, the dealer entered it onto the system as Olive Mica Metallic. Either way, its the only green available for the new generation Kluger. Garry, lol, yeah I was pleasantly surprised as to how good the side steps came out. After I bought them (I had the side steps a month before I got the vehicle) I was thinking that I should've gone the Toyota genuine chrome step tubes. But now, I have no doubt I made the right decision in getting the Blade Runners. They really complement the wheels I feel. -Scott.

I have to say, Im pleasantly surprised as to how the side steps really seem to 'bring out' the wheels. Considering they're the standard 17" rims, they seem to look more beefy now with the side steps. (at least I think so)

Hey mrbishi, I think so... (runs off to check website) Ah.. yes! "Blade Runner steps have a matt-anodised aluminium step with molded individual non slip step pads." :)

Hey Aarvark, to be honest - no. Especially since the side steps are down so low. One option might be to get these for your doors; http://www.trdparts4u.com/MC-DCIG-I.aspx

Hi, another option is to go to someone like Colour Dent (or whatever they're called) I have a guy who has detailed my last 4 cars; everything from polishing to painting and filling stone chips etc. Usually, what he does comes to less than $100 I was amazed, the first time I went there, he had a brand new Subura Outback and was spraying the bumper. He said that dealers back into poles, truck drivers bottom out the cars getting them off the truck and so on. So, even a car on the showroom floor can already have some painting and filling done.

Hi Guys, here's our KXR, just got the Bladerunner side steps put on, I know some were interested to see them; Despite the steps being 15cms wide, they really dont stick out too much; Next on the list is to install the fog lights and roof rails.

LOL!!

Actually, Cookie had that one. But thats ok ;)

oops

Sorry missed.

Hi, Im making investigations now. Im 90% sure the roof rails will bolt straight on. If you look on the roof of the KXR, you see the black channel strips, with 4 tabs that can be lifted up. These four tabs have a bolted bracket underneath. The tabs are in the exact position of where the roof rails go in other models. Added to that, check out the base model Highlander on the New Zealand Toyota website, its a KXR with roof rails. (note the 17" rims, abscence of fog lights etc) http://www.toyota.co.nz/NewVehicles/Models.../Auto/Overview/ I have two leads on where to buy the rails currently; Toyota of Dallas are renowned for being price competitive with Toyota auto parts. The rails are $281 USD each. The catch currently is that shipping to Australia is $400 Another option is an OEM rail. This ebay seller is already doing roof rails for Prado's, Rav 4s and more; http://stores.ebay.com.au/newGENERATIONimports Ive spoken to the guy and he tells that 08 Kluger roof rails should be coming in around 5 weeks from now. Perhaps you can contact him too and register your interest. It might motivate him to get them in sooner. :) I have the Toyota workshop manuals on how to install and remove the rails, PM me if you like a copy of them. Cheers, Scott.

I can confirm that there's a discrepancy with my vehicle too. My GPS and Lexus agree 100% about the speed being travelled. Today, the Kluger speedo would say 70kmh and the GPS would say roughly 63kkmh. I also had some people tailgating me a bit, until i decided to go OVER the speed limit. (according to the Kluger reading)

A couple of small gripes; we're coming from a Lexus to the base model Kluger, so that might have a bearing. :) - the stereo sucks. It sounds like its in mono and coming through a mobile phone speaker. (actually some phones sound better!) - the plastic is well... plastic! Bit hard to get used to after a Lexus interior. The steering wheel feels sticky in my hands. - I can hear stones being thrown up under the vehicle a lot more (and Im even higher off the road now) when i first heard it I thought stones were hitting the door. To be fair though, my Lexus weighs heaps due to all the sound deadening. - no roof rails on the base model. They were taken out by the looks of things. every other kluger/highlander in the world has roof rails Must be a decision from the Toyota Australia marketing department. But there's plenty to like; the cloth seats are amazingly comfortable and plush - even more so than the Lexus which surprised me. The engine and gearbox rocks! The visibility is very good for such a big vehicle. The inclusions for a base model vehicle are generally very good (cruise control for example) Overall, we're very happy with the car. Im adding fog lights, side steps, tow bar and roof rails in myself over the next few weeks. The other little gripes Im sure Ill get used to. Probably will replace the stereo, I work in audio for a living, and just cant bear it! B)

Not on the centre console; to the right of the steering wheel, there's a switch to adjust the brightness of the dash board lights. Next to that switch, is a blank. Whats a IPF wiring harness?