Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
tanters wrote:
ronp wrote:
@ Tanters - the other side?????
Was actually thinking in installing a Bosch washing machine and matching tumble dryer.
Wha, no dishwasher? Disappointed
Already sorted that, I’m removing the fridge and it’s going in the cubby box.
...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
Last edited by ronp on 19th Apr 2023 7:58 pm. Edited 1 time in total
19th Apr 2023 7:53 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
Well worst / hardest job of the project just done …… bringing the cabling from rear to front.
Removing the sill & seatbelt trim to channel the cable through was bad enough.
However the biggest issue was taking it through the bulkhead.
Now there is a grommet, easily spotted/accessed on the D3 & early D4s, but just trying to spot it is like getting all the stars in the universe aligned….. so no way of getting your hands/fingers on it.
You spot it, but then when you put a torch or tool deep into the darkness, you’re fishing blindly.
From the cabin, it’s not easy either, there’s a thick firewall foam covering the potential area.
You can get your fingers to it, but you can’t move them….. so it was a stab of a long screwdriver to find the hole.
Then it’s a chisel to try and cut the foam away.
From both the engine bay and the cabin the wiring looms also gets in the way.
Took two afternoons, bruised ribs & shoulders, aching all over from a constant crouched position, cut/grazed hands, bleeding knuckles and nails snagged to the quick ……… but it’s now done !
Made a bracket to mount the busbar unit (busbar won’t be installed until completion).
Tomorrow will look to discreetly channel the cable to the main battery across the bulkhead.
Click image to enlarge
.... and it's another day tomorrow !...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
19th Apr 2023 7:57 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14478
Great effort. Nice job. D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
19th Apr 2023 9:17 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
Thanks Moo, appreciate that.
Spent a couple of hours this afternoon tidying everything up.
Got the cabling going discreetly through under the upper bulkhead and popping out at the main battery.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
Also popped back in all the interior under dash, sill & seatbelt trim.
Greased up all the securing studs/clips with Vaseline (other brands are available).
Hopefully means if I need to get back into it, they’ll pop off ok ( & maybe prevent potential rattling).
.... and it's another day tomorrow !...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
20th Apr 2023 7:01 pm
RogB
Member Since: 15 Jun 2018
Location: Mansfield
Posts: 1738
as always with all your LR ive seen its looking incredible, massively impressed with your skills and results
cant wait to see the finished project and some pics of it being used in anger 2011 D4 XS 305 MY12 - gone but not forgotten
21st Apr 2023 6:13 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
Too kind of you Rog, but really, I have no idea what I’m doing, I’m just “winging it” and hoping for the best.
Well today, finally got the trim & electrics installed, D4 fired up, tested all, and everything is working as it should.
Not got the solar panel fitted on the roof yet, though I have wired it all up.
For now I’ve plugged the + connector on the roof and it’s all weatherproof.
The solar panel will be fitted later, after I’ve completed & fitted the Def side boxes (& had a bit of a holiday).
It’s just great to have the D4 with its seats up & back to normal.
Click image to enlarge
Happy with the installation, it even works out well for passengers in the rearmost seats, as there are no OEM power points in this section (apart from over the shoulder on the N/S rear).
So rearmost passengers now have power sockets, USB’s and a 3 pin household socket…….
….. not that I carry anybody in the rear.
Click image to enlarge
.... and it's another day tomorrow !...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
21st Apr 2023 7:22 pm
beanoir
Member Since: 02 Sep 2021
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 27
really enjoyed reading this thread. If I'd had the space, I'd have kept the D4 and done a similar thing as a project, alas...
22nd Apr 2023 6:31 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 14176
ronp wrote:
Too kind of you Rog, but really, I have no idea what I’m doing, I’m just “winging it” and hoping for the best.
Well today, finally got the trim & electrics installed, D4 fired up, tested all, and everything is working as it should.
Not got the solar panel fitted on the roof yet, though I have wired it all up.
For now I’ve plugged the + connector on the roof and it’s all weatherproof.
The solar panel will be fitted later, after I’ve completed & fitted the Def side boxes (& had a bit of a holiday).
It’s just great to have the D4 with its seats up & back to normal.
Click image to enlarge
Happy with the installation, it even works out well for passengers in the rearmost seats, as there are no OEM power points in this section (apart from over the shoulder on the N/S rear).
So rearmost passengers now have power sockets, USB’s and a 3 pin household socket…….
….. not that I carry anybody in the rear.
Click image to enlarge
.... and it's another day tomorrow !
Take my hat off to u mate as that looks an extremely neat and tidy installation , can clearly see how much care and attention to detail that you’ve done
Bet ur well pleased with it and indeed should be really proud of what you’ve achieved
brilliant thread and thks so much for sharing
24th Apr 2023 2:58 am
DJEwen
Member Since: 19 Apr 2017
Location: Cairn o’ Mount
Posts: 51
Really tidy work there, Ronp. Well done!2005 Discovery 3 HSE Zambezi Silver 56,000mls
25th Apr 2023 12:36 pm
nigethecat
Member Since: 11 Sep 2016
Location: Marnoch
Posts: 4252
Nicely done Ron, love the way the switches are built into the underside of the side panels are you keeping the back seats or removing them for more space?... if that's the case then maybe a Commercial next time
I want to see the sweets before I get into your windowless van... I'm not stupid!
Corris Grey D4 Commercial SE 2016
Zermatt Sliver 2007 D3 SE manual (gone)
Indus Silver D4 HSE 2015 (gone)
Bonatti Grey D3 HSE 2006 (gone)
White D3 S (LHD) 2007 (gone)
Firenze Red D4 HSE 2014 (gone)
Black RRS 3.6TDV8 2008 (gone)
Rusty Green Defender 110 1997 (gone)
Black FL2 HSE 2013 (gone)
25th Apr 2023 2:20 pm
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
Thanks all chaps.
Staying as a 7 seater thanks Nige, don’t reckon there’s any extra space to be gained on the Comm…. or am I wrong?
D4 been at my *local indie for servicing & mot over the last two days, so not been able to progress anything.
(* local = total of 6 hours driving to get this done)
But glad to say, the electronics appear to be working well. …. as the D4 didn’t go up in flames over that period.
And very happy with the installation so far …. but as yet, still to put it to “proper camping” use.
So my next stages are :- finalise the fitment of the two Defender side boxes (hopefully this week), fit the solar roof panel (already having the wiring/regulator now in place), rear wing side table, sort out the awning strip lighting & (home made) side tarps, and finally fit the “old defender” style mudflaps.
It will be done!...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
Cracking job Ron, I'd love to see the mud flaps once fitted, not so many options for rugged ones now TuffRok have gone1978 Series 3 88 Military Green (Gone)
1983 110 V8 Masai Red (Gone)
1997 Discovery 1 XS Cobalt Blue (Gone)
1999 Defender 110 TD5 Safari Epsom Green (Gone)
2001 Freelander Sport Buckingham Blue (Gone)
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark Yulong White "Larry" (Written off)
2015 Discovery 4 HSE Luxury Corris Grey "Sol"
28th Apr 2023 8:07 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
Had them on my bench since Dec and they do look fine, but truth will be when they’re actually fitted....... always on the road less travelled 🚧
< ‘tis but a mere scratch …….. it’ll polish out.
28th Apr 2023 9:07 am
tanters
Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4287
The commercial spec just reduces the weight by taking out the heavier seats. You also hve the bulkhead for safety behind drivers seats. If you do decide to go that route, I have the full kit taking up space in the shed A happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.
28th Apr 2023 10:19 am
ronp
Member Since: 29 Nov 2006
Location: North Yorkshire
Posts: 15269
I’M KEEPING IT AS A 7 SEATER.
Never, ever did I suggest otherwise.
But thanks for the offer. ...... always on the road less travelled 🚧
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