Scouter's NT GLS

[NTX]

Getting tired of listening to the standard radio and had noticed a slight crackle in one of the door speakers so decided to upgrade. I had read a number of threads on the topic so was thinking hard about Windows CE based units. However I listened to a few different head units / speakers combinations and finally decided to go with a Kenwood DNX5350DAB & amp, Polk speakers and Kicker under seat subwoofer. I didn't go the whole hog lining the door cavities with Dynamat, just used the speaker kits on the four doors.

Really happy with the sound & performance of the unit which does street and off road navigation (Garmin based GPS & file system) and the digital radio is a real treat around town. Loving the rear camera as well for tight parking spots. I ended up spending a fair bit more than originally budgeted for as quality certainly costs...

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G'day Scouter, mate how do the Kenwood/Garmin maps go offroad? Are they sufficient or better to use HEMA for that purpose?

[Scouter1]

G'day Scouter, mate how do the Kenwood/Garmin maps go offroad? Are they sufficient or better to use HEMA for that purpose?

The Kenwood unit is fine for highways & dirt (gazetted) roads, so I mostly use it as a navigation cross check. It doesn't have same level of map information as HEMA or similar units and the user interface is a little clunky. The screen is a bit low resolution & also washes out a bit in strong sunlight. You can use other Garmin compatible maps in it by swapping micro SD card, I have one from a handheld GPS that has OZTopo maps http://www.oztopo.com.au/garmin.htm on it that shows a fair bit of detail. Overall I am happy with it enough with it but think the HEMA/VMS units & apps are a bit better for off road applications.

I use HEMA app running on an iPad in RAM mount for offroad tracks https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum...1&postcount=14, it is a lot easier to load waypoints & use for general trip planning.

Cheers,
Stephen

[NTX]

The Kenwood unit is fine for highways & dirt (gazetted) roads, so I mostly use it as a navigation cross check. It doesn't have same level of map information as HEMA or similar units and the user interface is a little clunky. The screen is a bit low resolution & also washes out a bit in strong sunlight. You can use other Garmin compatible maps in it by swapping micro SD card, I have one from a handheld GPS that has OZTopo maps http://www.oztopo.com.au/garmin.htm on it that shows a fair bit of detail. Overall I am happy with it enough with it but think the HEMA/VMS units & apps are a bit better for off road applications.

I use HEMA app running on an iPad in RAM mount for offroad tracks https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum...1&postcount=14, it is a lot easier to load waypoints & use for general trip planning.

Cheers,
Stephen

Just a thought, does your model have the app mirror function? I am wondering if that could run the Hema maps from your phone into the Kenwood for a bigger screen? Im probably just dreaming....

[Scouter1]

I think the current versions do that http://www.kenwood.com/au/car/visual_navigation/, mine came out just before manufacturers started offering Apple CarPlay & Android Auto functionality.

[Scouter1]

New boots

Had a good run with the D697s getting about 60,000 kms out them, still a few mm left on the oldest in the set but starting to get a little noisy. I kept the two newer ones (see Marketplace ad) and have put on a full set of Toyo OPAT IIs in standard size with additional spare. Was after a 10ply rating tyre with a bit more aggressive tread pattern, these certainly look the goods. It was a tight squeeze closing the spare wheel cover with this tread profile as I have a wheel lifter kit fitted. I have also added an Inawise TPMS with internal sensors that proved a little tricky to get completely airtight. One quick trip back to the tyre fitters to refit a couple of leaking valves, now should be good to go!

[Scouter1]

Intercooler pt 1

After a recent desert trip I had noticed the inlet temp. reading on my Scangauge was getting pretty high under load (90 - 110 deg C), and staying up there for long periods. When I had the vehicle checked over & serviced after the trip, the mechanic mentioned the factory intercooler was pretty clogged up and needed a decent clean out.

I had the inlet manifold decoked a couple of years ago and had also thought about what state the rest of the inlet pipes & hoses including intercooler were in after a number of years operating with standard EGR in place.

Here is what was found when I removed the old one...

[Scouter1]

Intercooler pt2

After looking at a few options, I decided to replace it with a HPD Front Mount Intercooler kit. Best laid plans, as soon as the unit arrived from SA I ended up having to have to travel for work over a number of weekends... So I ended up biting the bullet & getting it installed by a local tuning shop who also undertook a dyno tune post installation to maximise power & torque gains afforded by having cooler intake air temperature. This involved having a custom ECU remap on top of their standard XB Powerkit.

There were some issues getting a dyno printout, but the tuner assures me there was 15% increase across the rev range in top of std. ECU remap + 3" exhaust. I can certainly feel it spool up from low revs a lot quicker, and a bit faster off the mark & up to cruising speed. There has certainly been a big drop in intake temps, it has gone from 60 to 35 deg C over the last few weeks driving in winter Sydney, and cools down a lot faster after going up a long hill.

I am a lot happier getting the intercooler out in the breeze & out of mud / harm's way at the back of the radiator. I still have a bit of tweaking under the bonnet to find a permanent attachment method for the washer bottle (currently held in with a cable tie), and need to replumb the rear diff compressor to a better spot. All in all pretty happy with this mod.

[Scouter1]

Paddle Shift & PaddleMate kits

Without a doubt one of the best mods added to the Paj, this really does change the way it drives both on & off road https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum...ad.php?t=56625. Little bit of a process to fit them requiring removal of the airbag & steering wheel, but the instructions are very through.

Thoroughly recommended

[nj swb]

Without a doubt one of the best mods added to the Paj, this really does change the way it drives both on & off road https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum...ad.php?t=56625. Little bit of a process to fit them requiring removal of the airbag & steering wheel, but the instructions are very through.

Thoroughly recommended

Thanks for the recommendation Scouter - we always appreciate feedback, good or bad, but we enjoy the good just that little bit more.

Glad to hear you're enjoying your paddles, and your tune. Second good report on a tune I've encountered today - tempting...

[birdd]

How much did the tune set you back?

[Scouter1]

How much did the tune set you back?

I think MRT charge about ca.$1700 for a standard XA tune, this gives you an extra 25kw, increases torque by 50% at peak & shuts off EGR. I chose it for the stealth aspect and that the factory ECU is controlling boost & injection characteristics.

[Scouter1]

Abber water tank

I did a Simpson Desert trip earlier in the year so wanted to add some water carrying capacity. I had heard good reports on the forum about Abber tanks http://www.abbertanks.com.au/ so bought one of Chris' standard 50l tank kits.

This was installed using 6mm nutserts and a brace made from some cheap shelving rail. This picks up the luggage tie-down point holes and gives a bit of extra support when travelling on rough tracks. I put some thin rubber matting underneath to provide some addition protection from the metal tub as the plastic liner needs to be removed to maximise space. I also installed a water pump & cartridge filter in the spare space behind the tank, there is still room for standard & spare mechanical jack, H/D jumper leads and some spare pieces of timber for jacking. I have a simple luggage platform with some long tubs underneath with tools/recovery kit & camping gear so access remains easy with tubs removed.

I put the tap with pump switch in the tailgate cubby hole behind a drop down table. This took a bit of work to fit hose & wiring through the existing cable duct into the door.

Caravan water filler / breather went into the unused third row cup holders, I managed to bodgy up a male/female hose fitting to connect a water hose at filling points, otherwise carefully use a water jerry to top up the tank. All the hoses & fittings used were food grade, after a couple of tank fills & flushes, the water is practically tasteless.

Overall very happy with the set up, just need to add the tank gauge to check capacity.

[NTBenny]

Lots of good work done in this thread. Thanks for sharing and keep the mods coming.

Benny.

[toasta]

Great thread. Interested in how the exhaust goes in terms of noise. On a previous vehicle I went through 4 exhausts that were all 3inch turbo back - yes - very different prices on all but the first three had a real drone... last one was epic.

Also - what area of Sydney are you in - would love to see this for real and see how that tune goes!

[Scouter1]

New main battery

Post in "What do you buy for your Paj this week?" https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum...&postcount=181

I think I got four and a bit years out of the last main battery so a little disappointed the big buck brand replacement Bosch 125D31L died after just over 3 years of steady use. Paj had been off the road for four weeks, but there does seem to be some parasitic current drain going on so further investigation warranted. I have replaced this with a Yuasa NX70ZZLX MF https://www.yuasabatteries.com.au/re...zzlx%20mf/info so 760CCA vs. 810 for the new one, will see how it goes.

I am guessing the Aux battery will be next, so doing a preemptive conditioning/trickle now with external charger as I can't see many long charging runs coming up anytime soon...