Off The Track 4x4 4WD 4WDing Camping Travel in Australia
  • About Us
    • Our Bucket List >
      • Travel Map
      • BIG THINGS
      • Silo Art
    • Who we support
    • Essential Oils
  • OUR VEHICLES
    • Project Leia
    • 150 Series Prado
    • Cub Brumby
    • 90 Series Prado (now sold)
  • OUR TRIPS
    • Extended Holidays >
      • Eyre Peninsula (19 Dec 2020 - 9 Jan 2021)
      • Fraser Island (21 Dec 2019 - 3 Jan 2020)
      • Big Red Bash (12 -26 July 2019)
      • Coffin Bay & Flinders Ranges (26 Dec 2018 - 4 Jan 2019)
      • Cape York (11 July 2018 - 4 August 2018)
      • Urunga (26 Dec 2017 - 2 Jan 2018)
      • Fraser Island (30 Sept - 6 Oct 2017)
      • Moreton Island (24-27 April 2017)
      • Fraser Island (14-22 April 2017)
      • Urunga (December 2016 - January 2017)
      • Western Australia (July/August 2016) >
        • Map
        • Itinerary
        • Photos
      • Cameron Corner - New Years Eve 2014 >
        • Map
        • Blog - Cameron Corner NYE 2014
      • Fraser Island (April 2015)
      • Fraser Island (April 2014)
      • Cape York & Northern Territory Honeymoon (August - October 2013) >
        • Blog - Cape York & Beyond
        • Map
        • Itinerary
        • Photos
      • Fraser Island (April 2012)
      • Fraser Island (April 2011)
      • Burke & Wills 150th Anniversary (Aug 2010)
      • Cairns - Cooktown (Jan 2006)
    • Short Holidays >
      • Ulladulla Bushfire Relief (20-22 March 2020)
      • Tumut Easter Break (19.04.19)
      • Percy's Place (26.01.18-28.01.18)
      • Platypus Flat, Nymboi-Binderay National Park (15/16.11.14)
      • Snow Trip (2007)
    • Day Trips >
      • Southern Highlands (19.07.2020)
      • Glen Davis (05.07.2020)
      • Scheyville National Park (28.06.2020)
      • Bowral (13.06.2020)
      • Lithgow Snow Day (10.08.19)
      • Lithgow & Surrounds (29.02.2020)
    • 4WD Days >
      • Lithgow (06.06.21)
      • Lithgow, Powerlines & Spanish Steps (07.11.20)
      • Mt Sugarloaf & surrounds (30.08.20)
      • Lithgow Snow (23.08.2020)
      • Morisset (20.06.20)
      • Watagans (31.05.20)
      • Stockton Beach (14.03.20)
      • Lithgow with Liam (27.10.19)
      • Jellore State Forest with liam (29.09.19)
      • Jellore State Forest (21.09.19)
      • GDT Day (18.08.19)
      • Morisset (15.06.19)
      • Lithgow (10.02.19)
      • Ward 21, Morisset (10.11.18)
      • Ward 21, Morisset Hospital & Watagan Plane Wreck (01.04.18)
      • Lithgow (09.09.2017)
      • Stockton Beach & Watagans (08.07.2017 - 09.07.2017))
      • Stockton Beach (02.04.2016)
      • Watagans (28.12.2015)
      • Lithgow (01.11.2015)
      • Lithgow (19.07.2015)
      • Barrington Tops (16-17.05.2015)
      • Lithgow (25.01.2015)
      • Ourimbah State Forest (28.09.14)
      • Stockton Beach (various)
      • Wheeny Creek, Colo (01.06.14)
      • South Coast Trip (Jan 2012)
      • Toronto Day Trip (Nov 2008)
  • Our Blog
  • OTT 4X4 Shop
    • 2022 Calendar
    • 4WD Parts & Accs
    • Camping Accessories
    • Clothing
    • Digital Downloads
    • Maps
    • Magnets
    • OTT4x4 Merchandise
    • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Media
    • Cub Campers
    • 4WD TV Shoot
    • Online & Media
  • Planning
    • Recommended Services & Products >
      • Discounts
    • Kids Corner
    • Snake Bite First Aid
    • Planning & Helpful Hints
    • Camp Cooking >
      • Recipes
      • How to prepare your Camp Oven
  • Contact Us
    • Social Media
    • Follow us on Spot ...
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What is Project Leia

We (well, more Shelly) gave alot of thought as to what this new 4WD should be named and we went through quite a few ideas.  We knew it was a 'she' as she was always going to be splattered with pink!  So we needed a name that was lady-like, but also tough.  We finally settled on 'Leia Lux', as in Princess Leia.

Project Leia documents the build up of this 2010 Toyota Hilux that we purchased and follow the process as she transformed into the tough little 'Leia Lux'.
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First day picking her up

All the stats

  • Year:  2010
  • Make:  Toyota
  • Model:  Hilux
  • Series:  KUN26R
  • Badge:  SR
  • Body Type:  Dual Cab
  • Engine:  3.0L Turbo Diesel, 4 Cylinder
  • Transmission:  Auto
  • Drive:  4x4
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One Year On

What it looked like when we bought it

Like our 2010 Prado, this Hilux is an ex-mining vehicle and it therefore came with quite a few of the accessories we would have needed to add anyway.  Below is a list of what came on the vehicle when we purchased it: 
  • Roll Cage
  • Dual Battery System
  • ARB Winch Compatible Bull Bar
  • 16 x 7 Black Steel Wheels
  • 265/70x16 Yokohama Tyres
  • Rear Steel Tray and Cage
  • 2" Tough Dog Suspension Lift
  • 3" Ironman Exhaust
  • Trailer Brake Controller
  • Reverse Camera
  • UHF Radio
  • Narva Spotlights
  • 140 litre Long Range Fuel Tank
  • Rhino Roof Racks
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The first mods!

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The first mods didn't take too long to happen, in fact most occurred during the drive home from Newcastle! 
  • The Roof racks were removed
  • We changed the colour on the stereo screen to pink
  • We swapped the UHF mic to a pink one
  • We changed the colour on the UHF screen to pink
  • Once home we swapped the black UHF antenna for a pink one
  • We removed the canvas cover off the rear cage
Next up it was a visit to our mechanic to get the full once over.  Although we had paid for an NRMA inspection prior to purchasing the vehicle, we wanted our mechanic to check it out and give it a full service.

It was then time to give a bit of love to all the fluids with products from our mates at
Cost Effective Maintenance.  When they heard we'd purchased a new 4WD, they even sent us a few products to get it up to scratch, thanks guys!

This was one of the first things we did when we purchased the 150 series Prado and it made a huge difference so we were always going to show the same love to the Hilux.

New Wheels & Tyres

For Shelly's birthday she got some new wheels, tyres and flares for Leia. 
​
17x9 Dirty Life 'Theory' wheels in black with 265/70x17 Dick Cepek Trail Country EXP tyres.
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BEFORE
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AFTER

Side steps removed

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BEFORE
Picture
AFTER

New Flares

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BEFORE
Picture
AFTER

Cage removed, tray shortened & backboard modified

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BEFORE
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AFTER
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AFTER

ARB Side Steps

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ARB Extended Diff Breathers

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ARB Rear Air Locker & Air Compressor

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Safari Snorkel

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ARB Full Underbody Protection & Rated Recovery Point

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Domin8r X Winch fitted

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Upgraded Suspension

We wanted to upgrade the suspension to obtain a more comfortable ride on-road and more flex off-road!  We fitted new front and rear Bilstein shocks and 2” raised springs, complete lower control arms and all new bushes, ball joints and camber pins. 
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Before and After photos
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New Kenwood Stereo

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12 months on .......

Leia The Lux has changed a lot in the 12 months since we purchased her and the major mods have now been done, as well as a few mechanical issues and cosmetic repairs and paint touch-ups. Check out the video below to see how she's transformed.  Few more smaller things still to go, so stay tuned for what happens next .......
...... Making memories one track at a time
  • About Us
    • Our Bucket List >
      • Travel Map
      • BIG THINGS
      • Silo Art
    • Who we support
    • Essential Oils
  • OUR VEHICLES
    • Project Leia
    • 150 Series Prado
    • Cub Brumby
    • 90 Series Prado (now sold)
  • OUR TRIPS
    • Extended Holidays >
      • Eyre Peninsula (19 Dec 2020 - 9 Jan 2021)
      • Fraser Island (21 Dec 2019 - 3 Jan 2020)
      • Big Red Bash (12 -26 July 2019)
      • Coffin Bay & Flinders Ranges (26 Dec 2018 - 4 Jan 2019)
      • Cape York (11 July 2018 - 4 August 2018)
      • Urunga (26 Dec 2017 - 2 Jan 2018)
      • Fraser Island (30 Sept - 6 Oct 2017)
      • Moreton Island (24-27 April 2017)
      • Fraser Island (14-22 April 2017)
      • Urunga (December 2016 - January 2017)
      • Western Australia (July/August 2016) >
        • Map
        • Itinerary
        • Photos
      • Cameron Corner - New Years Eve 2014 >
        • Map
        • Blog - Cameron Corner NYE 2014
      • Fraser Island (April 2015)
      • Fraser Island (April 2014)
      • Cape York & Northern Territory Honeymoon (August - October 2013) >
        • Blog - Cape York & Beyond
        • Map
        • Itinerary
        • Photos
      • Fraser Island (April 2012)
      • Fraser Island (April 2011)
      • Burke & Wills 150th Anniversary (Aug 2010)
      • Cairns - Cooktown (Jan 2006)
    • Short Holidays >
      • Ulladulla Bushfire Relief (20-22 March 2020)
      • Tumut Easter Break (19.04.19)
      • Percy's Place (26.01.18-28.01.18)
      • Platypus Flat, Nymboi-Binderay National Park (15/16.11.14)
      • Snow Trip (2007)
    • Day Trips >
      • Southern Highlands (19.07.2020)
      • Glen Davis (05.07.2020)
      • Scheyville National Park (28.06.2020)
      • Bowral (13.06.2020)
      • Lithgow Snow Day (10.08.19)
      • Lithgow & Surrounds (29.02.2020)
    • 4WD Days >
      • Lithgow (06.06.21)
      • Lithgow, Powerlines & Spanish Steps (07.11.20)
      • Mt Sugarloaf & surrounds (30.08.20)
      • Lithgow Snow (23.08.2020)
      • Morisset (20.06.20)
      • Watagans (31.05.20)
      • Stockton Beach (14.03.20)
      • Lithgow with Liam (27.10.19)
      • Jellore State Forest with liam (29.09.19)
      • Jellore State Forest (21.09.19)
      • GDT Day (18.08.19)
      • Morisset (15.06.19)
      • Lithgow (10.02.19)
      • Ward 21, Morisset (10.11.18)
      • Ward 21, Morisset Hospital & Watagan Plane Wreck (01.04.18)
      • Lithgow (09.09.2017)
      • Stockton Beach & Watagans (08.07.2017 - 09.07.2017))
      • Stockton Beach (02.04.2016)
      • Watagans (28.12.2015)
      • Lithgow (01.11.2015)
      • Lithgow (19.07.2015)
      • Barrington Tops (16-17.05.2015)
      • Lithgow (25.01.2015)
      • Ourimbah State Forest (28.09.14)
      • Stockton Beach (various)
      • Wheeny Creek, Colo (01.06.14)
      • South Coast Trip (Jan 2012)
      • Toronto Day Trip (Nov 2008)
  • Our Blog
  • OTT 4X4 Shop
    • 2022 Calendar
    • 4WD Parts & Accs
    • Camping Accessories
    • Clothing
    • Digital Downloads
    • Maps
    • Magnets
    • OTT4x4 Merchandise
    • Vehicle Maintenance
  • Media
    • Cub Campers
    • 4WD TV Shoot
    • Online & Media
  • Planning
    • Recommended Services & Products >
      • Discounts
    • Kids Corner
    • Snake Bite First Aid
    • Planning & Helpful Hints
    • Camp Cooking >
      • Recipes
      • How to prepare your Camp Oven
  • Contact Us
    • Social Media
    • Follow us on Spot ...