[Guderian]

Originally Posted by manmohanmaan

1. May look like a long time but I been keeping an eye on the Togo Channel all the time...
2. I just wanted to say here that the New Fortuner appears to have a more advanced brake booster.

Hi manmohanmaan,
1. Truly been a long time and good to hear from you ! Thank you for the words of appreciation.

2. And thank you for sharing the details of the brake system upgrade. I am sure many other 'older' Fortuner owners will benefit from the information.

Coming to the upgrades - there are three 'levels' of the Fortuner brakes in India. The first ones were the 2009 type which were the ones the Fortuners were introduced with and found quite wanting in their performance. Toyota then upgraded the Fortuner's brake system sometime in mid 2010 - bigger discs etc and then the third upgrade was with the introduction of the '2012 Fortuner'.
I was told of this upgrade of brakes on the older Fortuners way back in Dec 2011 by one of the TKML executives I was in touch with who informed me that the new brake booster had a force of 850NM compared to the 650NM on Admiral (Feb 2011 model and has the IInd version of the brakes), and the hydraulic tubes would be changed as well etc. Later was also informed of the same by a Fortuner owner friend, out of Bangalore, who had got it done on his Fortuner, the same terms you have mentioned.

I had also discussed this upgrade with the ASC chaps here who as usual and as expected hemmed an hawed and muttered something about it being on demand, blah, blah & blah and then mentioning that they'd do it after ordering the parts and so on.
No problems with all that - but then finally I resisted the temptation to get it done for the simple reason that I just wasn't sure about the quality of the work that the chaps would carry out and didn't want to disturb the factory fitted system. And that too a critical system like the brakes. And given the fact that it was intertwined with the ABS etc made me to pause for a while and think hard.
Secondly, the current brake system was working fairly well for me in the sense that I have gotten used to it by now and so arose in the mind the 'why the devil fix something that ain't broken' syndrome.
So that's that as of now. But may be sometime in the future if I feel upto it and gain some confidence in the ASC/s or go to a another ASC in a different state - then who knows may be I'll change it. But right now staying put with the tried and tested one !

[manmohanmaan]

hey, I thought along the same lines as you did and struggled over it for over a month, but then went ahead and changed the system. So far so good I would say.
Manmohan.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by manmohanmaan

hey, I thought along the same lines as you did and struggled over it for over a month, but then went ahead and changed the system. So far so good I would say.
Manmohan.

Thank you Manmohan. Have sent you a PM. Catch it.
Would like some specs like time taken, components changed, trials etc.

[Guderian]

Extract from Ship's Log Book:

Date: April 27, 2013.
Time: 0746Hrs/ 7.46 AM.
Location: Eastern Express Highway a few metres ahead of the EEH JVLink Road junction (Sea lane - Thane to Powai).
Event: Fleet Admiral Togo Heihachiro recorded 40,000KMs/ 21,598.27 Nautical Miles on the odometer.

Days to 40K Clicks: 732: Date of Comissioning - Feb 27, 2011.
Average Run/sailing Per Day: 54.64 KMs/29.50 NMs.

Total Fuel Consumed: 3364.90 Lts.
Overall FE: 11.89 KMPL.
Best Recorded FE Figure till date: 16.2 KMPL (By MID).
Total cost of fuel: Rs. 1,54,171.91


No of Services/Inspections : 9.
Total Service Expenses: Rs. 25039.00 - Inclusive work done outside the ASC - washing & wheel alignment/s.
Cost per Service: Rs 2782.11

Niggles: Nil.

Watchkeeper's Report: Ship running on an even keel.
Always keep a four eyed watch on dock workers' (grease monkeys) activities on the ship during refit and repairs on dry docking. Immediately report if required activities are not completed or activities are not carried out as per SOP.

End of Extract.

And after some delay the old boy touched 40K KMs. And about time too.

Couple of snaps on sailing past marker buoy/milestone.




Aloha !

[getsurya]

Hi Guderian,

Did you finally manage to lay your hands upon the workshop manual for T-Fort? I did not find this on your thread, unless I am missing it.

Also, I would like to ask the gentlemen who owns the blue T-Fort(Rahul?) as to what car model has to be quoted for the rear tow bar? I would like to get one from US along with a rear folding luggage rack that utilizes the tow bar hitch receiver for my long road trips.

Thank you.

[alfredenuemann]

Originally Posted by manmohanmaan

hey, I thought along the same lines as you did and struggled over it for over a month, but then went ahead and changed the system. So far so good I would say.
Manmohan.

Manmohan, I am in Bangalore as well. Did you get it changed through Ravindu Toyota? I am due for my 50k service this Saturday and want to get my fortuner brakes upgraded too. Did they do it straight away or did they dilly dally as is the norm when it comes to upgrades? Appreciate a reply before Saturday, if possible. Thanks for the tip anyway.

[manmohanmaan]

Hey Alfred,

I did get the upgrade at Ravindu Opp ISKCON. No there was no dilly-dallying involved. You just have to tell them that you feel the braking is not up to the mark. Better get this in a day before so that they can have the replacement parts in stock the next day when you leave your vehicle for servicing.

Manmohan.

[Guderian]

And Admiral falls in love at the Heritage Vehicle Owners Club Thane event on May 1, 2013.






Read all about it here !
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintag...ml#post3114953

Spot the Admiral contest:

Originally Posted by getsurya

Hi Guderian,

Did you finally manage to lay your hands upon the workshop manual for T-Fort? I did not find this on your thread, unless I am missing it.

Hi getsurya,
Haven't got the complete workshop manual as yet but have bits & pieces from here and there. Slowly but surely getting there is what I'd say !

[getsurya]

Haven't got the complete workshop manual as yet but have bits & pieces from here and there. Slowly but surely getting there is what I'd say !

Thanks Guderian! That would be invaluable possession from a good ownership perspective. I shall try, as well!

[getsurya]

Hi Guderian,

Two queries to trouble you:

1. What is the size(24"?) of the wiper blade(front & rear) for Admiral
2. Would you please be able to let me know the length of the tyre pressure valve(11.3mm?)

Thank you in advance.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by getsurya

Hi Guderian,

Two queries to trouble you:

1. What is the size(24"?) of the wiper blade(front & rear) for Admiral
2. Would you please be able to let me know the length of the tyre pressure valve(11.3mm?)

Thank you in advance.

Hi getsurya,
Will check out the exact measurements during the Sunday session and get back to you.
I see some heavy purchases for the future from there...Pep Boys is it or Sears ? Nice, if that's so !

[columbus]

General

Thanks for the wonderful update on 40K service. Mine is due this month. Thanks for giving us the ammo.

Just returned from a 3200 km round trip to haridwar-narkanda-kalpa-tirthan valley. Maximus wanted to go to Chitkul also, to fight some battles with the Chineese on tibet border. But road to chitkul was closed due to major landslides and hence changed course to Tirthan from Kalpa.

No hiccups..sailed on everything.

BTW you are sure that central diff. does'nt need any oil change ?

I am seriously thinking of brake booster upgrade. The brakes do feel wanting especially on highways. And the cost appears to be very reasonable. I am just wondering what type of opening up is required.. cause my ASC is

[getsurya]

Will check out the exact measurements during the Sunday session and get back to you.
I see some heavy purchases for the future from there...Pep Boys is it or Sears ? Nice, if that's so !

Hi Guderian,

Thanks for your help!

I plan to get the following goods and hence the ask;

1. A good TPMS kit
2. Aerotwin wiper blades for front and rear
3. LED light bar(for off road use)
4. Tow bar with 2" receiver
5. Foldable hitch luggage rack(some thing like the attached link shows)
http://www.amazon.com/Folding-Carrie...+cargo+carrier

Sorry if I am bothering you for all the information!

[alfredenuemann]

Originally Posted by columbus

General



I am seriously thinking of brake booster upgrade. The brakes do feel wanting especially on highways. And the cost appears to be very reasonable. I am just wondering what type of opening up is required.. cause my ASC is

I am going in for the brakes upgrade. Will be getting it done this week. Am told the total cost we have to shell out is approximately Rs 6k, but would be worth it if we get more bite I guess. Will post here post the upgrade!

[Guderian]

Sunday Shots...

Originally Posted by columbus

1. BTW you are sure that central diff. does'nt need any oil change ?
2. I am just wondering what type of opening up is required.. cause my ASC is

Hi columbus, After a long time. Nice to read of the trip !
1. Yes, as per my current understanding.
2. It will involve some skill - brake boosters and brake lines are changed. Please go to a 'good' ASC ( or is that a contradiction in terms ?!!) and get it done.

Originally Posted by getsurya

I plan to get the following goods and hence the ask;

1. A good TPMS kit
2. Aerotwin wiper blades for front and rear
3. LED light bar(for off road use)
4. Tow bar with 2" receiver
5. Foldable hitch luggage rack...

Originally Posted by getsurya

Hi Guderian,

Two queries to trouble you:

1. What is the size(24"?) of the wiper blade(front & rear) for Admiral
2. Would you please be able to let me know the length of the tyre pressure valve(11.3mm?)

Hi getsurya,
Here are the measurements:
1. Front wipers:
Front right (Driver's side) - 20.5" (inches).
Front left - 18.75". Was actually surprised at the difference in sizes so did remeasure and carry out a visual check too.
2. Rear Wiper - 12".

Frankly if you ask me getting the Bosch Aerotwin is a waste because what Toyota uses as OE is the NWB wipers -

http://www.nwb.co.jp/PDF/Corporate_Profile_e.pdf

- which is an excellent product on the Fortuner.
I have been using the OE wipers for the last 2 years and no problems at all. Despite the age of the wipers (close to 2.5 years), Mumbai heat and debris/grime on the windshield there were no streaks at all until recently when two streaks appreared (1 each on the two wipers), but not impacting the vision, at the bottom portion of the swipe area. So I wouldn't be replacing it in a hurry for some time at least. And replacement would be with the OE NWB wipers nothing else.
No issues at all with the rear wiper.

I wouldn't bother too much with the TPMS kit as it is too much of a pain and never too accurate. Mostly all of them are Chinese stuff (even from/in US when I last checked) which doesn't last too long or give correct reading.
And with my weekly checks TP is never an issue.

Rest of the stuff would be your choice, liking & a function of utility value I guess.

And about the tyre valves.
Out comes the pouch (an US Army M16 Rifle Cleaning Pouch !) where I store 4 Triton spare valves among other knick knacks:


And here is a standard valve:


The measurements:
The length is about 4.5 CMs or 45 MMs.


And the valve mouth is about 6 MMs.


I wouldn't bother getting valves either from the US as you get good stuff here.

Originally Posted by alfredenuemann

I am going in for the brakes upgrade. Will post here post the upgrade!

That would be great AEN !
Would like to know all the parts changed - I know of the brake booster and the lines - but other bits as well, details of which you can get from the SA, and the kind of work they do. I hope you'll be standing around when they are carrying out the upgrade.
In my mind I am still debating the need for the upgrade. But then let's see !

Aloha !