DHOUS

Joe What was the secret to removing the steering wheel cover, I have all the hardware to do my wiring jobs this week, I had a quick look at the cover today but poor weather stopped play, the cover looks like it isnt an easy job??

Ricey was right about one thing a tax is to be introduced 2011 but gas will still be cheaper, given the fuel spiralling costs lets hope the gov rethinks this one.

Now thats good positive feedback, thanks Cookie, keep us posted.

Thanks Ricy for the doomsday report, but I am not sure all your facts are in order. I did convert a R16TS myself some years ago and that car completed half a million Kms without a rebuild and the engine was fine when I sold it, the only problems I encountered was on cold mornings on the Geelong road the inlet manifold got too cold and lost power, I had to redirect more heat from the exhaust to overcome it. Yes it does take a lot of Kms to overcome the cost outlay, but the same can be said for diesel, but now both petrol and diesel have started spiralling out of control and there seems to be no chance of that stopping, therefore that cost recovery for gas conversion is going to pull back dramatically. The facts are Petrol is going to be unaffordable for those doing high Kms, Diesel has no real advantage with the current pricing that is why most of us have bought Kluger's. Taxis have proven longevity with extremely high Km's Australia has an abundance of LPG and is self reliant. The gas conversion Engineers claim cleaner and longer life, see LPGAS 1 website as shown in earlier posting and see quote below. Autogas also reduced the build-up of carbon on internal engine components, reducing engine wear and enhancing reliability, he said. Keep an open mind and dont write off the best and maybe the only alternative fuel we have available at the moment. Cheers and start worrying about motor racing it will be next to get the chop. (alternative?? crushed Rice crackers)

Hey Guys with the rumour of Fuel going up to $8-00/ltr over the next ten years, doesn't look good for the pocket, we can talk about fuel economy and we have just about done that to death with numerous postings, but surely now is the time for alternative fuels, LPG is starting to look good to me, does anyone see a danger of gas prices rocketing up in the future??

My towball height also seems to be too high for our box trailer. Is there a reason why the hitch can't be used upside-down? Talking to mates, they all seem to think that using the hitch either way is perfectly normal. I'm not sure my tow bar is genuine toyota. The socket mount looks a bit homemade. PAULG I hope I dont offend you but the plug installation is dreadfull, the worst I have seen, you should insist that the Auto Elec tidy it up for you, the mounting plate is so agricultural and not fit for a billy cart. I tried to attach a photo of mine but it would not let me even though I had compressed it to just a few KB's (I tried everything???) anyway I am sure there are plenty of examples around for you to look at, I prefer the 7 or 9 Pin flat connector as it is much neater. In relation to towball height, there are setups that are adjustable, I have a Hayman Reece one, I am also sure you have seen them as well. Cheers DHOUS

"Rice cracker" strikes again, quite the oracle, In relation to towing caravans there is a Caravan World magazine that came out earlier this year, it featured an article on the Kluger and a 16 foot pop top, they talked about Toyotas criteria for the transmission 1800rpm 100klm/hr that the computer looks at, they experienced irregular in and out of O/D at 90klm/hr, Toyota recommends manually locking out of O/D when towing at this speed. the test gave a 17ltr/100km return. where I am coming from is that my experience with the Kluger on the open road I got consistently better instantaneous readings for fuel consumption at 100Km/hr than at 80-90km/hr (my best run over 50klm was 8.3). Not Towing of course So I am saying to SAMF if he gets out on a quiet open stretch no hills and good weather try it and let me know what your results are. I believe you will do better than their 17ltr/100km. In relation to the speed argument there is also a tachometer installed for your convenience. good luck DONH Was the story about towing with the Kluger referring to the new model or the previous? It's just that if talking about manually locking out O/D, that would mean the older models with the overdrive button on the shifter. That would mean that whatever testing was done for fuel consumption would be irrelevant. If you are on a flat road, 80kmh should be the optimum speed for economy, as 5th gear should have engaged and wind resistance is minimal at 80kmh. As your speed increases above 80, wind resistance will definitely affect fuel economy, and much more so when towing anything, especially a caravan. I never tow anything, so it doesn't apply to me, however I can't see any reason for someone towing not to go slower than the speed limit as long as they are courteous and let people pass when it is possible. As for the speedo inaccuracies in the Kluger, I now generally only trust the GPS, not the speedo. It even gives different inaccuracies depending on whether you accelerated or decelerated to the speed you wanted. Sorry Mikeyboy I dont agree and yes the article was the new model KXS I would give you the details but I dont have access to the magazine at the moment, in a week or so I will quote you the exact details. For those that are interested the magazine was Caravan World Feb 2008 edition. and I quote: Toyota recommends that sport or 4th gear be selected when towing ("In order to maintain efficient engine,braking and electrical charging performance," Toyota say's). While it handles 5th gear on flat gound quite easily, inclines do cause the transmission to shift up and down as it unsuccessfully attempts to settle down to its 1800rpm at 100kph fifth gear cruise. end quote, I have some reservations about these statements particularly the electrical charging, but you make of it what you want. What I have suggested if you want good economy, try to maintain that 1800rpm/100kph and think ahead when 4th is required select it manually dont stab on the juice keep it smooth, put it back to 5th when it feels comfortable and settled on 100kph. maybe some time down the track we can all provide our findings and best technique's. I have also a report from a friend towing a small pop top with Hyundai sante fe who also experienced erratic transmission shifting at 80 - 90kph. Good luck Don

I also have a slight rattle only on cold mornings, drivers side steering column? instrument panel? difficult to pinpoint and goes away after a short time on the road or warmed up. I didnt get any feedback on the cable tunnels (plastic and loose ) RH/LH under the dash where the wiring loom passes through to the doors, they have to be a potential for rattles? Cheers DHOUS

Good one Scott what is the membership total

Well done Joe D I assume you have a wiring diagram, pins 3 and 4 should be colour coded and if you can access them it shouldnt be too difficult, you may want to get professional confirmation or if you are electrical minded you might agree with me that this should produce the right result. I am interstate at the moment and do not have the Kluger with me, so I would be delighted if you mange to get this Aux switch up and running before me. Have you tried taking out the dummy switch and fitting the new one yet. everything else should be in place as Scott pointed out, "Good Luck" Don H Don I have installed the external switch and as you have concluded it is 3 & 4 pins. I cut the two wires from D13 which are separate anyway. Everything is working fine. There is a spare blank hole for the switch beside the instrument dimmer switch. That is the one I have used. Hope yours will work as well. Joe Thats great Joe I am very pleased to hear that, did you take any photos in the region of D13, and how you completed the tie in? Getting access to D13 was easy by removing the steering column cover?? DHOUS

"Rice cracker" strikes again, quite the oracle, In relation to towing caravans there is a Caravan World magazine that came out earlier this year, it featured an article on the Kluger and a 16 foot pop top, they talked about Toyotas criteria for the transmission 1800rpm 100klm/hr that the computer looks at, they experienced irregular in and out of O/D at 90klm/hr, Toyota recommends manually locking out of O/D when towing at this speed. the test gave a 17ltr/100km return. where I am coming from is that my experience with the Kluger on the open road I got consistently better instantaneous readings for fuel consumption at 100Km/hr than at 80-90km/hr (my best run over 50klm was 8.3). Not Towing of course So I am saying to SAMF if he gets out on a quiet open stretch no hills and good weather try it and let me know what your results are. I believe you will do better than their 17ltr/100km. In relation to the speed argument there is also a tachometer installed for your convenience. good luck DONH Was the story about towing with the Kluger referring to the new model or the previous? It's just that if talking about manually locking out O/D, that would mean the older models with the overdrive button on the shifter. That would mean that whatever testing was done for fuel consumption would be irrelevant. If you are on a flat road, 80kmh should be the optimum speed for economy, as 5th gear should have engaged and wind resistance is minimal at 80kmh. As your speed increases above 80, wind resistance will definitely affect fuel economy, and much more so when towing anything, especially a caravan. I never tow anything, so it doesn't apply to me, however I can't see any reason for someone towing not to go slower than the speed limit as long as they are courteous and let people pass when it is possible. As for the speedo inaccuracies in the Kluger, I now generally only trust the GPS, not the speedo. It even gives different inaccuracies depending on whether you accelerated or decelerated to the speed you wanted. Sorry Mikeyboy I dont agree and yes the article was the new model KXS I would give you the details but I dont have access to the magazine at the moment, in a week or so I will quote you the exact details.

"Rice cracker" strikes again, quite the oracle, In relation to towing caravans there is a Caravan World magazine that came out earlier this year, it featured an article on the Kluger and a 16 foot pop top, they talked about Toyotas criteria for the transmission 1800rpm 100klm/hr that the computer looks at, they experienced irregular in and out of O/D at 90klm/hr, Toyota recommends manually locking out of O/D when towing at this speed. the test gave a 17ltr/100km return. where I am coming from is that my experience with the Kluger on the open road I got consistently better instantaneous readings for fuel consumption at 100Km/hr than at 80-90km/hr (my best run over 50klm was 8.3). Not Towing of course So I am saying to SAMF if he gets out on a quiet open stretch no hills and good weather try it and let me know what your results are. I believe you will do better than their 17ltr/100km. In relation to the speed argument there is also a tachometer installed for your convenience. good luck DONH

Well done Joe D I assume you have a wiring diagram, pins 3 and 4 should be colour coded and if you can access them it shouldnt be too difficult, you may want to get professional confirmation or if you are electrical minded you might agree with me that this should produce the right result. I am interstate at the moment and do not have the Kluger with me, so I would be delighted if you mange to get this Aux switch up and running before me. Have you tried taking out the dummy switch and fitting the new one yet. everything else should be in place as Scott pointed out, "Good Luck" Don H

Hi Don, I have static tested it and works, this model Prodigy because it is all electronic, can be mounted up to 70 degrees from the horizontal. The way it is mounted on the Kluger it is about 45 degrees. I have bought a new Jayco Pop-top caravan (17 foot) the GMT is 1365 Kg ATM will be about 1575Kg, so well within the Kluger's specs of 2000 Kg. Have not towed it yet, but am leaving for Queensland for 6-8 weeks in mid July. Have you installed yours under the steering column as yet ? Sorry SAMF I have been sent to northern coast NSW on another project and the Kluger is sitting at home with nowhere to go, I definitely will install it under the steering column, I have three wiring jobs that I would like alldone at the same time. Hot wire to anderson plug on rear end adjacent to the trailer plug. tap into the lightstalk wiring in the steering column for the fog lights I have fitted Wire up the prodigy controller. Then we are good to go, I hope to return back to Geelong in 2-4wks so I will not be able to report back to you until after that. Your Van sounds great, hope it all goes well, the Kluger will pull it easily, be interesting how the fuel goes, smooth tecnique and choice of cruising speed will be the answer, some recommend 90Km/hr I would definitely go for 100Km/hr with your van and I believe the results will be better, use manual shft when starting up hills in preference to applying the accelerator. good luck and have a great break. Did you setup the controller to any procedure? do you intend to fine tune it again with the Van on?

thanks SAMF looks good, does it comply with the angle allowed in the instructions, what are you going to tow and what load, I have a Van which will be all up close to the 2 tonne, but I have no doubt the Kluger will do it easily as I have towed a similiar van with a series 2 Commodore ute 5 sp manual and it was pretty damn good and economical, its a pity that Toyota have put a 2tonne towing limit on the Kluger I believe it could handle 2.5tonne easily.

quote name='RICE RACING' date='Jun 16 2008, 08:38 PM' post='245935'] I was basically out of juice and I put in $20 of 95 BP fuel today, drove like a total c8nt and used 13.5lt per 100km and I mean I drove the ring out of the car today! to find what the absolute worst fuel economy could be short of me flying off the road. Thats pretty impressive I think. And this is not abuse???? its total ****

Ricey is in a State of Excitement, or hadn't you noticed

Good posting PaulG valuable contribution and you appear to have done a good job.

You are certainly on something Ricy I look forward to your report on the engine rebuild after you blow it up.

Cant wait till you get "excited" perhaps you could do the Toe Rag towing test comparison down at Tooradin Airport, hook up to a Tiger Moth I can imagine the photos already.

Settle down Ricy your scareing me, Next thing you will be feeding the Kluger is Rocket Fuel!!!!

KXR with Fog Lights.

KXR with Fog Lights.

I am about to install one and I am mounting mine attached to the bottom of the dashboard panel below the small compartment you are suggesting. Don HoustonThanks for the feedback let me know how it goes, my concern is knocking it with your knee when entering and getting out of the seat, also the manual lever if you ever have to use it will require you to reach and take your eyes off the road, the idea of having it under the steering column if a special standoff bracket is made the units screen can be viewed through the bottom spoke of the steering wheel and the manual lever could be operated without taking your eyes off the road. SAMF how did you go with your installation? have you had it wired up and trialed it for towing settings etc, I mounted mine under the steering column for a trial period and am happy to make it permanent, yet to wire it.

Is the rattles only applicable to the 2007 build? Is anyone having the same problems with the 2008 build.