What did you do with your Grenadier today?

[parb]

Santa Claus has finally arrived.

I must say, however, that the work was more challenging than what i did years ago on my Land 110.

especially the new rubber covers that replace the cut fenders, made me lose a lot of time

I really like the way you used rubber to cover back up what you cut away. Do you have a link to the material you used? Did you use regular sheet metal screws to attach it with or did you drill holes and threaded them from front to rear?

 

[ORSO]

Hi Parb, thank you.

I used some inox m5 u nuts clip with a 3 mm NBR rubber sheet.

 

[Krabby]

Whit. Worth. Love it.

 

[Docmenace]

Visited @parb today and we installed the Agile Aux Lights in the grill. Was straightforward except the tiny bit of wire they give you to splice into. It’s pretty hard when you have thick paws. View attachment 7919041

LOL.. The amount of profanity directed at those short wires when i installed mine was not one of my prouder moments.

 

[parb]

Hi Parb, thank you.

I used some inox m5 u nuts clip with a 3 mm NBR rubber sheet.

Nicely done! I'm going to steal that idea -really great idea

 

[jscherb]

I've only just installed them so I ave no experience on whether they will last or not but they seem well designed and sturdy.

My only negative comment would be a reflection on Ineos (or perhaps Recaro) - the screws that hold the factory clips in place go into aluminum threaded inserts in the plastic seat bottom. The screws are secured with blue thread locker, which is stronger than whatever is holding the threaded insert into the plastic so the inserts came out of the plastic. I reinstalled them with epoxy.

My total bill for all 5 brackets was $106.50. There was no additional cost other than the Fedex shipping to the U.S. that was included in that number. Presumably any tariffs required were included in the Fedex shipping.

Update: just this morning I got an email from Fedex saying I owe $39.15 in "taxes/duties/fees" for the shipment of the seat clips to the U.S. So the total cost of the 5 clips is $106.50 + $39.15 = $145.65. I still would have bought them had I known in advance because they are very useful for how I use my Grenadier.

 

[TheDocAUS]

PROTECTIVE FILM AND SUSPENSION
The Vista RV Crossover and the Grenadier have been booked in for XPEL protective film in early March 2026. Back to Melbourne I go, it is the only place I can get the templates for the Vista RV.

The suspension should be done mid February, the exact date depends on when the damperer arrives. Bilstein shocks all round (I already have Poly Airbags and raised Eibach springs), Bilstein front damperer and a wheel alignment.

Plus spare front and rear shock for the Kimberley trip later in the year.

The video below shows you the protective film, plus gives you a tour of the van, inside and out.

View: https://youtu.be/SEp-D4bKaZ4

 

[LeftCoastOverland]

PROTECTIVE FILM AND SUSPENSION
The Vista RV Crossover and the Grenadier have been booked in for XPEL protective film in early March 2026. Back to Melbourne I go, it is the only place I can get the templates for the Vista RV.

The suspension should be done mid February, the exact date depends on when the damperer arrives. Bilstein shocks all round (I already have Poly Airbags and raised Eibach springs), Bilstein front damperer and a wheel alignment.

Plus spare front and rear shock for the Kimberley trip later in the year.

The video below shows you the protective film, plus gives you a tour of the van, inside and out.

View: https://youtu.be/SEp-D4bKaZ4

Doc,
I've spoken with Rohan there at GrenX recently. I saw he's done your vehicle if I recall correctly, yeah?
He recommended the upgraded springs, and or Airbags in the back to accommodate the BD extended range tank. Having driven it for a while on yours, do you agree it's a necessity? Or would I get by having the stock suspension with the tank installed. Likely now with the newest version of the tank having a separate fill tube I could leave the tank empty for normal day to day, and top it up for long trips out bush. In the future I plan to do a GVM upgrade (2-5 years from now) so I'd prefer to avoid having to put mods in that get binned for a better upgrade in the future.

Also - How are you liking the GrenX aluminum sealed snorkel?
I'm impressed with his engineering, he explained to me the installation, and potential shortcomings of the unit in comparison to the stainless steel version he's got going into the fender. Just wanted your thoughts on the upgrade, given the past drama with water ingress at Cape York.
All up its about $10,000 in upgrades that I'll likely piece mail over a few years. With the extended range tank being my first step.

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Doc,
I've spoken with Rohan there at GrenX recently. I saw he's done your vehicle if I recall correctly, yeah?
He recommended the upgraded springs, and or Airbags in the back to accommodate the BD extended range tank. Having driven it for a while on yours, do you agree it's a necessity? Or would I get by having the stock suspension with the tank installed. Likely now with the newest version of the tank having a separate fill tube I could leave the tank empty for normal day to day, and top it up for long trips out bush. In the future I plan to do a GVM upgrade (2-5 years from now) so I'd prefer to avoid having to put mods in that get binned for a better upgrade in the future.

Also - How are you liking the GrenX aluminum sealed snorkel?
I'm impressed with his engineering, he explained to me the installation, and potential shortcomings of the unit in comparison to the stainless steel version he's got going into the fender. Just wanted your thoughts on the upgrade, given the past drama with water ingress at Cape York.
All up its about $10,000 in upgrades that I'll likely piece mail over a few years. With the extended range tank being my first step.

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Mine is a combination of Expedition HQ, ORS and GrenX.

I do not have the BD tank, but I drove Rohan's car for 4 days which did. Plus, I tow with my car. OEM shocks, raised springs and airbags are minimum you need for towing. I am probably with Rohan on that.

I understand the comment about GVM upgrade, but I work on 100,000km for shock life when I go really remote - corrugations slowly destroy everyting. If I get close to that I would replace the shocks anyway. I had one shock damaged, on the Patrol, at about 25,000km by relentless corrugations.

It would be fine with aux tank empty but when you fill it and the car for a trip - then you will have a sagging problem. I set my car up for optional performance when it is full, it means less comfort around the suburbs. But that is your choice. I use to fill both tanks on the Patrol when fuel was cheaper, even around the suburbs.

The snorkel is great. Still waiting for the diesel airbox, it got delayed due to a serious injury to a worker during fabrication of the batch. So probably next few weeks.

Rohan gives sensible balanced advice in my experience, which sometimes costs him money. That is a plus for me – you can trust the advice.

If you go BD I would get the Eiback raised springs and the Poly Airbags. If you go Poly Airbags some observations are made here:

Thread 'Polyair Suspension Airbags'

Nov 13, 2025

I had Polyair Suspension Airbags fitted to the rear springs recently. The same brand airbag is fitted to my caravan.

My car is an AU Spec Diesel Grenadier, a 2 seater fitted with a RED winch, aux fuel, roof rack and drawers. So the kerb weight is on the higher side, even in everyday use. Factory suspension is fitted with an Eibach lift kit (and now Poly Airbags).

Installer’s suggestions were:

1. Airbags are load assist, not load bearing;
2. Check the airbags PSI setting monthly;
3. Minimum 20 PSI, for my car. He says the bags should fit the springs snugly. If they are under inflated...

• TheDocAUS
• airbags suspension
• Replies: 6
• Forum: Suspension, Chassis, Steering

• 

 

[LeftCoastOverland]

Lovely, Thanks for the advice.
Yeah, Rohan seems very knowledgeable. I just wanted to vett the info before diving in head first.
I too have the Expedition HQ X-spec side carriers - It's a great addition but I want to do the Madigan this coming winter and avoid having to take 20L Jerrys.
I'll budget for the springs and poly bags with the install of the tank, and save my snorkel install for next year before doing the Cape.
Happy trails.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Lovely, Thanks for the advice.
Yeah, Rohan seems very knowledgeable. I just wanted to vett the info before diving in head first.
I too have the Expedition HQ X-spec side carriers - It's a great addition but I want to do the Madigan this coming winter and avoid having to take 20L Jerrys.
I'll budget for the springs and poly bags with the install of the tank, and save my snorkel install for next year before doing the Cape.
Happy trails.

It is a good practice to vet and seek opinions here. It can save you money and mishaps.

If you have the XHQ fuel tanks on each side and the BD aux tank, then springs and airbags are a must have.

I got Poly Airbags on the IG because they are the brand on my Vista RV and I wanted the same brand bags on both. Airbag Man are also good. I think GrenX can do either one.

 

[beefs]

I have the BD tank, 40mm lift and airbags (all done by GrenX). I love the airbags for towing - keeps the whole rig level and stable. I’m with Doc on if you also have the side tanks then the airbags are a must.

 

[KristinaM]

Doc,
I've spoken with Rohan there at GrenX recently. I saw he's done your vehicle if I recall correctly, yeah?
He recommended the upgraded springs, and or Airbags in the back to accommodate the BD extended range tank. Having driven it for a while on yours, do you agree it's a necessity? Or would I get by having the stock suspension with the tank installed. Likely now with the newest version of the tank having a separate fill tube I could leave the tank empty for normal day to day, and top it up for long trips out bush. In the future I plan to do a GVM upgrade (2-5 years from now) so I'd prefer to avoid having to put mods in that get binned for a better upgrade in the future.

As another option -

I’d recommend Ineos “black” OEM springs if you want a closer to OEM configuration when adding the BD ( Long Range America ) Auxiliary fuel tank. We took this route - Stock Sachs ( OEM ) shocks with the stiffest OEM front / rear springs Ineos offers and we haven’t had any issues with sag ( front or rear ) at this point.

We’ve also added the Alu-Cab Silenus RTT + Solar and Goose Gear’s CampKitchen ( stove and refrigerator ) + misc. gear ( per my build thread ) so somewhere around ~150 Kg of mass in the rear of the vehicle. We’re also running an Ineos OEM winch in the front.

Also relevant - We’re not towing significantly at this point. I might reconsider if that changes.

Also - How are you liking the GrenX aluminum sealed snorkel?
I'm impressed with his engineering, he explained to me the installation, and potential shortcomings of the unit in comparison to the stainless steel version he's got going into the fender. Just wanted your thoughts on the upgrade, given the past drama with water ingress at Cape York.
All up its about $10,000 in upgrades that I'll likely piece mail over a few years. With the extended range tank being my first step.

Highly recommended. We’ve just wrapped up the GrenX ( Canna Fabrication ) sealed petrol airbox install with the OEM pod filter swapped out for a Donaldson PowerCore G2. I’ve posted various details in the ongoing snorkel thread we have on the forum.

Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[Nadir5]

Doc - you’ll be happy with the Xpel - mine has performed as advertised.

 

[Nadir5]

Had Owl Offroad (Anaheim) install the GP Factor hidden winch today. It was wired conventionally (direct to starter battery) rather than like the factory winch, so it will still be usable in an emergency even if the engine isn’t running.