few questions

[frozenstarz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close frozenstarz]

hey guys,

I'm from the uk and got my 2003 grande prado few months ago, got some questions which I'm bit lost on trying find info through the posts.

1) I have the factory dual battery set up (parallel set up I believe?) so I'm wondering is it easy convert to a main/aux so I can run some accessories off it? I did ask in an auto shop but was told two is needed due to the engine requiring the crank draw? this is false from what I read? if so what is the max size I can place in the trays for the main batt/2nd tray.

2) as I have the grande with sat nav, I have read aftermarket is a no go due to controlling ac etc from the unit.. can I fit a newer unit from other Toyotas? and is it just swap out and plug in?

3) any ideas of where I can place some spotties on a standard bumper? or I was thinking to possibly put two square ones on the base of windscreen.. most posts seem have people using arb bulbar which is illegal for us in the uk.

and lastly good location for a rocker switch panel?

cheers all and thanks
Russell

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

With a custom tray (I cut a Piranha tray and welded in an extra 1" of 3mm plate) I fitted a 13" AGM battery in mine. Not sure how complicated your factory wiring is though. What about putting an AGM battery in the back?

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

In Australia we only have one battery. Our 200 series Land Cruiser has 2 batteries. What some LC200 owners have done is isolated one of the batteries and turned it into an aux battery like you want to do. You may need to increase the capacity of the cranking battery to make up for the loss of the second battery though. Have a search through here
http://www.lcool.org

Sorry can't help on sat Nav.
Is a nudge bar legal in the UK or how about a bracket that uses the front number plate mountings like this
http://www.greatwhites.com.au/product/view/29

[foxclan Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close foxclan]

ARB manufacture an Auxiliary battery tray mount that is positioned in the left rear corner of the engine bay. Its capacity is to hold a 10" battery.
They are specifically suited to the diesel engine models, however like most things in this world it can be modified to suit the V6 engine bay also.
Check out post#4http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread.php?15592-Foxclan-s-2003-GXL-V6
Cheers
Troy

[frozenstarz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close frozenstarz]

ok thanks guys, that number plate holder seems a good idea, for wiring up switches etc.. is it a case of

---battery--fuse box--switches--component

in that order to get set up as I am looking to add few items

[kevdebbi Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close kevdebbi]

I also have a 2003 Grande, I have changed the factory satnav head unit with no problems. In mine the climate control is controlled by the buttons below the head unit. Any standard double DIN size unit should fit although it will need a spacer either side to fill in the small gap on approximately 1cm. There are aftermarket units specifically for Toyota, search eBay for examples.