Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1133
Wireless Phone Charger
Whilst the D4 has been with us for years, the fact that it's now 'mine' is quite exciting and to celebrate I've treated myself to a few trinkets, one of which is a wireless mobile phone charging pad. This is a kit supplied by Powerful UK comprising an off-the-shelf charging pad and two 3D printed parts that together form a tray that fits in the top of the cubby box:
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They offer different versions of the kit and this one is specifically for use with the 'late' fridge that I have fitted.
It's quite a nice kit but I think it's fair to say that it's not 100%. The fit of the parts in the top of the cubby wasn't that great and resulted in my sanding down the side edges in an attempt to make them sit flat in the recess:
Click image to enlarge
It's still not perfect, but better than out of the box. I was concerned about weakening the whole thing if I took too much off.
Because the charge pad is a generic one, it too, is not ideal, particularly the cable. Quite near to the pad is a thickened section that includes a charging LED. Unfortunately, the cable between the two parts isn't long enough to have it above and visible, nor short enough for it to not foul the rear edge of the tray. I opted for sticking it to the underside with some Black Tack and will see how it goes. I also did the same with the cable itself to try and keep it contained:
Click image to enlarge
The fitting instruction video suggests that the cable is threaded under the lid hinge to the power socket on the rear of the centre console. I wasn't keen on that idea though, and opted to keep it all within the cubby lid. It does mean that the excess cable needs to be coiled up but that was resolved with a stick-on cable tie mount. All fully removable if it doesn't work out:
Click image to enlarge
(Didn't have any black cable ties to hand )
Once in place, it works very well and my phone sits neatly on the pad. The tray is hinged in the middle so that it's still possible to access the fridge. Overall, I'd give it an 8 out of 10.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1133
Door Threshold Protection
Another minor addition is some protection in the form of thick, sticky back vinyl to the door thresholds:
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
These come in the form of a pre-cut kit from Powerful UK and seem pretty good for the money. However, I did trim the ends to remove spaces for faintly ridiculous 'Supercharged' badges
I did something similar to my old D3 years ago and it seemed to hold up well, so I've got high hopes for these.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1133
Ooh look, a shiny thing!
Click image to enlarge
I may even fit it if it ever stops raining.
The plan is to fit a Dixon Bate adjustable set up to this. I just need to work out which flavour of DB will give me the height that I want for a NATO hitch.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1133
'Dixon Bate' Tow Bar
Hello folks,
It's been a while. I've been pootling around in my 'new' D4 for the last couple of months but the combination of lack of time and the perpetually awful weather has stopped me doing anything meaningful to it. Until today
Back in 2016 I fitted a new tow bar to tow the trailer and caravan of the day and it's been absolutely fine. However, I now find that I need to use a NATO hitch so something altogether different is required. As pictured above, I've invested in a Motorradical 'recovery hitch' from A.P.B Trading and paired it with a Dixon Bate-style adjustable tow bar. This, in turn, will allow me to fit a NATO hitch on a slider. Yes, I know that none of this is type-approved but I'm comfortable with my choices.
The recovery hitch is a substantial bit of kit that mounts to both the standard tow bar mount below the crossmember and to the recovery eye at bumper level. In combination with the DB tow bar, this will allow the NATO hitch to be mounted as high as possible without fouling the tailgate:
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
I've ordered a replacement towing eye cover, which I hope to trim around the new hitch to tidy that area up.
The reason I need a NATO hitch is because I'm the current custodian of this camping trailer, which some of you will probably recognise:
Click image to enlarge
It's undergoing something of a refurbishment at the moment but plan to be out in it over the summer. If you're really keen, you can read all about what I've been doing to it over on Defender2.net HERE.Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Last edited by LandRoverAnorak on 13th May 2024 10:43 pm. Edited 1 time in total
13th May 2024 10:30 pm
LandRoverAnorak
Member Since: 06 Mar 2014
Location: Surrey
Posts: 1133
Side Steps
The other significant job that I completed today was to remove the completely rusted side steps
Click image to enlarge
I wasn't going to faff about with trying to get the steps out of the sill covers so I've ordered some new ones. In the meantime though, I'm much happier with the look without the steps:
Click image to enlarge
Darren
"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
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