[Guderian]

Since the booster upgrade, on Saturday, have driven about 60 odd KMs including few high speed bursts and braking.
I must say I stick to my old approximation of 30-40% improvement. It was quite delightful and the braking distance has reduced quite a bit. Instead of the earlier slightly soggy (wet 'rag'ish) feeling, though I was quite happy with it, there is quite a bit of crispness at high speed braking. And have noticed that even at slow speed the bite is rather nice and so is the overall responsiveness. All of these perceptions result in a better confidence as far as the brakes are concerned.
So - so far so good. Though the 'so far' distance has come down with new booster ! All thanks to the 200 NM difference in the brake force.

Originally Posted by nilanjanray

Hmm, now I am tempted to do it too. Since you talk about a 30-40% improvement!

Going by my experience as with the rest of the good folks here who have installed the new booster - you should. It is a fairly simple process really. Old booster out, new booster in and Bison would have received a booster shot !

Originally Posted by manmohanmaan

...the actual cost is about 42,000 however Toyota is replacing the same on our older models at a cost of about 4,700 plus labour and a few other tube / gaskets that need to be replaced once opened. Costs about 6K in all...

Wanted to bust this myth that the dealers have been feeding some folks. Checked with couple of chaps and a TKML contact as well. The upgrade is being offered as an add on and so it is not being offered at a discount etc. You pay exactly what you would have paid for a normal part change out of warranty.
The logic ( as informed to me by the TKML contact) being that the existing (2010-11 type) brake system meets the ARAI and SIAM regulations and an enhanced braking system is being offered on the 2012 Fortuner which can be installed on the older Fortuners at a cost. The cost being the cost of parts + labour. I have no arguments with that - as long it is available and does a lot of good for you and the vehicle in terms of safety and confidence. And thank God for small mercies that unlike other manufacturers where newer, improved components cannot be fitted in because of radical design changes, in the Fortuner one can hope to keep adding improved versions of existing components and company offers the same as add ons at least.

Originally Posted by alfredenuemann

1. Unlike the earlier upgrade where they retained the parts replaced, here the original parts were returned to me. My vehicle is out of warranty too.

Originally Posted by alfredenuemann

2. I notice that they have charged you about Rs 1000 less for labour than what I paid. Wonder if thats due to the fact that your vehicle is still under warranty or if its due to a " labour of love" since you are always so involved with the service of your vehicle and the service folks!

Hi AEN,
1. Curious - did you have to pay anything for the brake kit upgrade then ? I think they would have replaced the front brake discs with larger discs and pads.

2. I guess the labour charges are different presumably because you had gone for regular service and along with the change of the booster and components they would have, as a part of the routine service, cleaned up all the brakes and would have lumped the entire cost under one head of brakes R&R. Brake cleaning alone costs about 850 bucks + taxes for both front and rear brakes.


Adios for now and next time I see you folks on the roads - shall 'stop' in time !

[alfredenuemann]

Hi AEN,
1. Curious - did you have to pay anything for the brake kit upgrade then ? I think they would have replaced the front brake discs with larger discs and pads.

Hi Guderian,
I didn't pay anything for the first upgrade of the brakes, and they retained the old parts too. So that upgrade was for free, while this one was paid for. No complaints really as it has just improved the brakes which like you I really didn't have too many complaints about, and yes, the very fact that one has the option to go in for the upgrade and that too for a reasonable amount makes it a sweet deal from Toyota.

My battery packed up a couple of weeks ago. No issues the previous day and wouldn't start the next morning. It had run 3 years and 4 months. Got it replaced by the service centre itself.

Have had a hassle free ownership till date from the time I bought this vehicle. Tough as nails no nonsense ride it is.

[getsurya]

I get this feeling that the Admiral shall be sailing a little faster in the coming days.

Hi Guderian,

It is good to note the upgrade you have given to your Admiral.

The details you have provided, for sure are very informative for other adopters. The joy of able to retro fit into all the product line up, is a good advantage!

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by alfredenuemann

1. I didn't pay anything for the first upgrade of the brakes, and they retained the old parts too. So that upgrade was for free, while this one was paid for.

2. My battery packed up a couple of weeks ago.

3. Tough as nails no nonsense ride it is.

Hi AEN,
1. Yes so that figures that the IInd upgrade (booster change) is indeed an add on.
2. That is indeed a fairly good life for a battery. Which one/make did you get as a replacment and how much did it cost you ?
3. You can say that again !

Originally Posted by getsurya

The joy of able to retro fit into all the product line up, is a good advantage!

Hi getsurya,
I've been checking quite a few items from the new Fortuner - most of them can be fitted on to the Classic Fortuner. Bumpers, interior fixtures and what not. Interesting, to say the least.

[Monaro CV8]

Hi HG,

I checked up the brake booster in my fortuner. After hearing the news of Dkaile's fortune with his fortuner's brake system, I expected to get lucky too!

Sadly, its no better.
It's the old 1st Gen TVS booster.
Here's a pic.



When we meet next, I'd like to TD Admiral and check out the effective braking difference. Then maybe will take a call to upgrade the booster system. Or not.

Currently, over my last 2 years of ownership, I haven't had any issues
with the braking of my fortuner. But again, that's my experience..

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by Monaro CV8

1. ...I expected to get lucky too !

2. When we meet next, I'd like to TD Admiral and check out the effective braking difference...

1. Well, that's some hope you had there Monaro keeping in mind the fact that you have a 2010 Fortuner ! But then what would man be if not for hope...!

2. Believe me when I tell you this - it ain't worth waiting. And the procedure isn't all that terrible or complicated as I thought it would be and it is exactly as described earlier. Nothing more nothing less. Just inform DSK Pune that you want the new booster installed which you are willing to pay for - ask them to organise the parts as described and push ahead. If you run into any issues - let me know - shall tip off the TKML AM -CS (West) here in Mumbai to talk to the dealer or you and take things forward.

[Guderian]

And after a week and few hundred kilometers of running it was time to carry out check for brake oil leaks from the tubes. Which is a good thing to do.
And so it was done today.

The general area of inspection:


The tissue paper test:



Everything looked clean:


All points checked satisfactorily:






All clear.

And then the check of the inner sides of all tyres to spot of there are any tell tale signs of oil drip/wickage:



All clear.
So that's that !

One of the things that I particularly dislike about the Toyota Fortuner is the paint surface strength. Which to me is rather weak. Picks up minor scratches and scuffs rather easily.
And this issue, I hope, will be rectified in the all new Fortuner 2014 !n My wish list for the all new Fortuner is here: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...coming-up.html

This was I think picked up sometime last week - either at the ASC or during routine operations:


And I know every little war scar on the Admiral.

But nothing that the F1 ScratchOut can't shoo away after which a nice rub down of the hide with the F1 polish:



And so all set for further adventures:



Tally ho !

[ACM]

Hi Guderian,

Besides the Brakes Booster et all. What else (that is improved) on the New Fortuner is a direct replacement on the pre face lift one?

The wider intake Scoop?
The New Infotainment System? (w/o) the silver surrounds i.e.
Parking sensors?
Any of the Lights? (seem to be a different size) - What is the bumper too is changed?
The Boot mounted Number Plate Chrome Strip (that is wider).
The Grill?

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by ACM

Besides the Brakes Booster et all. What else (that is improved) on the New Fortuner is a direct replacement on the pre face lift one?

Hi ACM,
As of now what I understand is:

1. The wider intake Scoop ?
Can't be fitted as a one piece item as the aperture below on the bonnet has also widened.

2. The New Infotainment System? (w/o) the silver surrounds i.e.
Parking sensors?
Have been told that it can be installed on the older version.

3. Any of the Lights? (seem to be a different size) - What is the bumper too is changed?
The new front and rear bumpers can be fitted on the pre 2012 Fortuner along with the lights & grill &...bonnet ! The front shape/cut of the bonnet has changed.

4. The Boot mounted Number Plate Chrome Strip (that is wider).
The chrome strip is actually a stick on job. The old one can be ripped off and the new one pasted with minimal fuss as I see it.

The basic dimensions and most steel plates have remained of the same size so I think the other bits can be added on with some effort.

[nilanjanray]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Hi ACM,
As of now what I understand is:

1. The wider intake Scoop ?
Can't be fitted as a one piece item as the aperture below on the bonnet has also widened.

2. The New Infotainment System? (w/o) the silver surrounds i.e.
Parking sensors?
Have been told that it can be installed on the older version.

3. Any of the Lights? (seem to be a different size) - What is the bumper too is changed?
The new front and rear bumpers can be fitted on the pre 2012 Fortuner along with the lights & grill &...bonnet ! The front shape/cut of the bonnet has changed.

4. The Boot mounted Number Plate Chrome Strip (that is wider).
The chrome strip is actually a stick on job. The old one can be ripped off and the new one pasted with minimal fuss as I see it.

The basic dimensions and most steel plates have remained of the same size so I think the other bits can be added on with some effort.

Lights? I have enquired about the HIDs a few times, I have been told that one needs to replace the entire wiring harness in order to get the new lights, apart from the other changes. Not sure whether really true or not, but it seemed an expensive replacement, not worth the delta benefit imo. Even with my 70% VLT windscreen sunfilm, the current lights are adequate for high speed 2 lane highway driving. So haven't done any more research.

[Guderian]

Paus Ala !

Went out the shout late last week.
And in came with a swish the weather that Admiral revels the most in.
Monsoons !






And to certify the ol' boy shipshape for the monsoon.

Firstly the tyres.

Right pressure:



Check treads. Look fine, with plenty of life.



Wiper check - front and rear windshield wipers.
Made by NWB - good quality wipers. Has served on the Admiral for 2 rains and now ready for the the 3rd. Will last out these rains as well I reckon. Rubber is supple. Just one streak each on the two front wipers.





Windshield wash fluid topped up.
Fluid = Tap water + 5 drops of Oneder Drop dish washer liquid in 1.5 litres if water. Has served me well for the past decade. Cuts the windshield muck like magic even when it is dried up. All rubber parts remain safe.



Ol' chap Sparks checked:


Engine oil level checked:


Cool sip level checked:


Baaki sab theek hai !


And all set after the spit and polish:



And after a nice, short drive later.


Happy monsoon folks and drive safe !

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by Guderian

Windshield wash fluid topped up.
Fluid = Tap water

Try using RO water instead of tap water. Tap water has unnecessary dissolved minerals which slowly clog/damage the lines over the years and cause blockages of the nozzles. Anything below TDS of 40~50ppm will suffice. I source pharmaceutical grade distilled water from my factory for all water based fluids which is even better.

[Guderian]

Originally Posted by dkaile

Try using RO water instead of tap water...

Thank you dkaile. Yes, earlier too someone had informed me about (think it was ACM) - never got around to doing it. Perhaps should get a huge tankard of DM water or some such thing and keep it at home and use it. Even 3M has a huge container pack (5 Lts. or so) of windshield water - which I think I can get.

And taking of other kinds of water - in the meantime there's water, water everywhere in amchi Mumbai/Thane. Choppy rivers & canals on roads - Admiral sails on regardless. The coming months should be fun.

[Guderian]

That Mumbai is receiving plenty of rains would be an understatement.
That this is the weather Fortuners were created for would again be an understatement.
That...c'mon forget all the understatements...and have a dekko at the snaps from Admiral's bridge - of this morning's dawn patrol to SoBo.

(Disclaimer - All snaps taken when Admiral was stationary. Dead halt !)

On the way out. Heavens had opened up for quite some time since early morning.
At Chembur:


At Kings Circle. Water had just slowly begun to inch up:


Dadar - Kabutarkhana. Parked to the side. Blinding rain.



Sentinels of the sky...Sorry IAF...couldn't resist it !


After a chukker of the Fort area on the way back - just after a couple of hours or even less. By then what were roads had turned into canals. And we did spot a few red steamboats.

At Dadar TT:


That was kids play.

And then we touched Kings Circle.

Sign of the fun ahead:


Manholes - not draining water but pumping back water on to the roads.
Ye hai Mumbai meri jaan !


Red steamboat ahoy ! Stranded though:


River tug ahoy ! Dead duck in the water though:


Another stranded steamboat. This one with the driver and passengers wondering as to what next:


Admiral ploughs through...dry land dead ahead ahoy !


And soon home and dry.

Frankly I was worried at a few deep spots.
But all through Admiral was fabulous in the water.
Wait - that's an understatement ! Again.

Aloha.

[Monaro CV8]

Sailing the rough seas eh Generale' ?


I agree with you HG, regarding the peace of mind one gets from knowing the fact we are equipped with a car to handle such situations.

How did the brakes fare after the wheels went submerged for those few patches?

My experience in such situations has lead me to be careful of the application of brakes for the next km or so.