Pimping Part 2

[Hoovie]

After Pimping up my RAV4.2 and then selling, I just have to consider Pimping its younger brother, the 2011 SR

Wondering about the following things ....

Headlamps. The Beam does not seem that bright or long compared to my Qashqai (which was fitted with xenon headlamps). Is there a way to improve this? On my RAV4.2, I fitted some Philips Extreme bulbs which made a noticeable difference, but not sure what the deal is with the latest RAV4 and its projector headlamps? Any recommended bulbs?

iPod connectivity. How well does the iPod integrate with the controls on the HDD Sat-Nav? on the last two Sat-Nav units I used (Nissan Connect on QQ and Kenwood on RAV4.2) it was pretty seamless and worked very well. Is the latest incarnation of iPod to Toyota good? I know the Sat Nav HDD can store loads of CDs and I have started to copy a bunch over, but what I like to listen to generally will not be recognised by the Gracenote DB and it is a bit of a faf to have to select stuff via the iPod itself or a Phone screen (if using bluetooth Audio)

PS - seen a couple of iPod to RAV4 2009+ kits on eBay at half the Mr T price - any ideas if they are genuine OEM typically? copies but as good?

Oh, and any more Pimps to suggest?

Cheers, David.

[Davrav]

Oh, and any more Pimps to suggest?

Have they managed to illuminate the glovebox in the latest incarnation?

[Hoovie]

Oh, and any more Pimps to suggest?

Have they managed to illuminate the glovebox in the latest incarnation?

You know, I don't think they have and I was a bit surprised about that! There's one to keep me busy over Xmas

[Davrav]

Oh, and any more Pimps to suggest?

Have they managed to illuminate the glovebox in the latest incarnation?

You know, I don't think they have and I was a bit surprised about that! There's one to keep me busy over Xmas

Here's how I did mine LINK

Then there's Anchs' horn upgrade assuming you've still got the 'Roadrunner' beepers and also Anchs' additional bootlighting if they haven't sorted that either.........

All in the 4.3 section of the pinned Technical info and tips thread

[Hoovie]

Oh, and any more Pimps to suggest?

Have they managed to illuminate the glovebox in the latest incarnation?

You know, I don't think they have and I was a bit surprised about that! There's one to keep me busy over Xmas

Here's how I did mine LINK

Then there's Anchs' horn upgrade assuming you've still got the 'Roadrunner' beepers and also Anchs' additional bootlighting if they haven't sorted that either.........

All in the 4.3 section of the pinned Technical info and tips thread

Cheers Dave,

Not used the Horn as yet, but I do have a pair of MG (I think) twin-tone horns that I bought for the QQ and never got round to fitting. I did do the Air-Horn upgrade to the RAV4.2 that I got from a stall when we had the RAV4 outing to the London MotorShow back in god knows when (seems an age ago!)

I'll check out that thread (still sort of used to the Qashqai Forum that was useless for this kind of thing and useless for just about anything, to be honest!)

[Hoovie]

Have they managed to illuminate the glovebox in the latest incarnation?

......

Here's how I did mine LINK

Dave, just looked at your thread there. Totally excellent stuff . Forget pimping over Christmas - this one is being done this weekend

[dave.m]

Dave, step away from that beautiful Rav.........................................................................now start thinking along the lines of maybe

woodwork, golf, knitting cardigans or anything you like.Just leave it alone

[anchorman]

The first thing I did with mine was the boot illumination. Can't do without it.

[Manxrav]

You lads and your Boot-lights!!!! The urbancruiser as got one,mind it,s so poor I have to use a torch to see properly. Hoovie if I owned your Rav I,d just sit there Drooling!!!! That is one beautiful motor.

Regards Clare

[crofter]

After Pimping up my RAV4.2 and then selling, I just have to consider Pimping its younger brother, the 2011 SR

Wondering about the following things ....

Headlamps. The Beam does not seem that bright or long compared to my Qashqai (which was fitted with Xenon headlamps). Is there a way to improve this? On my RAV4.2, I fitted some Philips Extreme bulbs which made a noticeable difference, but not sure what the deal is with the latest RAV4 and its projector headlamps? Any recommended bulbs?

iPod connectivity. How well does the iPod integrate with the controls on the HDD Sat-Nav? on the last two Sat-Nav units I used (Nissan Connect on QQ and Kenwood on RAV4.2) it was pretty seamless and worked very well. Is the latest incarnation of iPod to Toyota good? I know the Sat Nav HDD can store loads of CDs and I have started to copy a bunch over, but what I like to listen to generally will not be recognised by the Gracenote DB and it is a bit of a faf to have to select stuff via the iPod itself or a Phone screen (if using Bluetooth Audio)

PS - seen a couple of iPod to RAV4 2009+ kits on eBay at half the Mr T price - any ideas if they are genuine OEM typically? copies but as good?

Oh, and any more Pimps to suggest?

Cheers, David.

Hi David, glad to see you back in the fold again

Those bulbs are still shining bright,by the way

Del

[blue monster]

What bhp are the new SR's? I am assuming they are 150bhp diesel?

If you are really pimping then you need to give Kingo a call and chip it then you will have a big smile on your face

[Hoovie]

Hi David, glad to see you back in the fold again

Those bulbs are still shining bright,by the way

Del

Hi Del, good stuff They really do make a difference

PS I still got that cruise control unit available ;) never got round to advertising it anywhere

[Hoovie]

What bhp are the new SR's? I am assuming they are 150bhp diesel?

If you are really pimping then you need to give Kingo a call and chip it then you will have a big smile on your face

Hey Martin. yup, 150BHP.

If I were to get one, I would hold off on the chip for a while as want to see how he is 'out the traps' as it were. Got a 50% increase over the Qashqai anyway, so that is a nice extra to see me ok for a while I think :D

[Hoovie]

You lads and your Boot-lights!!!! The urbancruiser as got one,mind it,s so poor I have to use a torch to see properly. Hoovie if I owned your Rav I,d just sit there Drooling!!!! That is one beautiful motor.

Regards Clare

Hi Clare, while I have not actually drive him since Sunday, I have sat in the RAV for a couple of lunchtimes feeding CDs into the player to load up the HDD ready for the weekend and caressed the leather and alacantra seats

Bit cold to spend too long in this weather without the heater going, though! (below zero mostly today) :o

PS - what do you think of the UC? I really like the looks, but the price seemed a little high

[three5]

Oh, and any more Pimps to suggest?

Hi David,

nice to see you back fella!

I found the headlamps on the XT5 to be pretty poor so initially fitted some HIDs. However, now have some Osram Nightbreakers in main and dip beams. Not such a sharp cut-off as the HIDs but they are legal. Not a bad compromise.

When you had the 4.2 we had a discussion about TPMS. Don't know if you have that as Standard on your motor but the Tyresure one that I fitted is now into its 4th year and still going strong. I reckon it has saved me the cost of two tyres up till now by spotting slow punctures early.

What about heated seats? Are they already fitted ( - my guess is yes )? Best thing since wholemeal bread these mornings!

[Hoovie]

Hi Chris, good to see you

I really rate that Tyresure TPMS and actually started to look around a couple of months ago in fact for another in readiness for the qashqai tyres replacement time, but got the new RAV4 instead.

Not got a TPMS in the new motor and I am definitely considering getting one fitted again

Yup - heated seats as standard (though not as good as the 2 speed ones I fitted to my old RAV ;) )

Cheers,

David

[Manxrav]

Hi Dave, in answer to your question on the U/C, yes it is not cheap to buy.A diesel AWD with sat-nav and leather will set you back £21000. Not cheap!!!! but when you see the prices for these so called Crossovers,it makes the U/C quiet reasonable. The petrol version is a no no, it is a poor motor and is expensive for what you get, your better off buying a Yaris. I think that Toyota have sold themselves short buy not pushing the virtues of the 1.4 AWD version.

A month ago I went across to the UK to Doncaster and the U/C was a dream to drive (just short of a little puff on the Motorways), but when you consider I was getting over 60 mpg, I was well chuffed.

Don,t get me wrong I,d love another Rav and am always on the look out for one, but for now the U/C surfices ( AWD and Winter Tyres a great combination).

Regards Clare

[Hoovie]

....y.A diesel AWD with sat-nav and leather will set you back £21000. Not cheap!!!! ......

Regards Clare

Hi Clare,

Ohh, that is quite pricey for a fairly small, even though very capable, car.

I did consider the UC when I sold my RAV4.2 as didn't need a car the size of a RAV really, but did feel the price was too high for the UC.

I am pleased to be back in the RAV4 driving seat from the Nissan now though. the Qashqai really was a competent car and if you just want to car to got from A to B and then forget it, then it will do the job, but for me - and I suspect most people on this forum - the actual car is part of the journey and it is not just about getting to where you are going, but the journey there are well (god, what a waffle )

[Ferted]

mate your rav in white is the best one i have seen its spot on !!!!!!

[cabcurtains]

I am pleased to be back in the RAV4 driving seat from the Nissan now though. the Qashqai really was a competent car and if you just want to car to got from A to B and then forget it, then it will do the job, but for me - and I suspect most people on this forum - the actual car is part of the journey and it is not just about getting to where you are going, but the journey there are well (god, what a waffle )

My feelings exactly on the IX-35 i gave back the a couple of weeks ago, a washing machine on wheels.

[Hoovie]

Well, the first parts for "Pimp my RAV, Part 2" have been ordered

in Part 1, I pimped my RAV4.2 XT3 and found that a large number of my improvements were due to buying a spec lower then the one I ultimately wanted, so my additions in the RAV4.2 of Leather Seats, Heated Seat Modules, Cruise Control, plus a Full-Screen Sat Nav and Reversing Camera are now all standard on my new RAV4 (as I knew if I didn't start with them in the car, I would end up adding them anyway).

My other Pimped Parts were a TPMS System. I found that very useful and a great reassurance whilst driving and I have ordered the same unit (Badged as "Orange" rather then TyreSure") again, this time from Amazon.com for the new RAV4, saving over £50 on the UK Prices including the postage from the US.

I also had the Philips Extreme upgrade bulbs (H4 fitting) which was a definite improvement from the standard OEM bulbs. I think the current RAV4 lights could do with a boost as well, but there is no Phliips Extreme for the HB3 fitting, so I have ordered the Osram +90% upgrade bulbs From Amazon.co.uk) which have good reviews and I think are probably similar to Three5's (Chris') upgrade. (As an aside, ordered another set of Phlips Extreme H4 bulbs for the Suzuki Swift!)

I have got used to being able to plug in an iPod and listen to stuff like Old TIme Radio programs and Talking Books from Audible.com for the last few years, and the HDD feature of the Radio/Sat-Nav Head Unit, while really nifty, does not really cater for that.

I have played some stuff via my phone connected on the bluetooth and while the quality is fine, still does not give the ability to control via the Steering Wheel controls. So today ordered from Kingo the iPod adapter Price-wise the Toyota retail dealer-fitted price is a bit high for me, but Kingos self-fit price was this side of 'worth having the extra flexibility' :)

Got a few other DIY improvements as well, such as adding a Glove Box light, additional Boot Lighting and centre console compartments as per the good suggestions from fellow RAVers here

Something to stay on the "Might Do in the Future" is a twin-exhaust system. I fitted one to the RAV4.2 and it looked - and sounded - really good, and improved the cars response to a small degree as well I did get lucky by finding a brand new genuine S/S TTE system on eBay for under £100 though, which is unlikely to happen again! But I remember Local Hero (Stu) fitted a very nice looking custom system to his RAV4.3 which is tempting :!Removed!:

[anchorman]

Don't get me started on LH's twin exhaust.

Which Ipod kit have you bought Hoovie? (part No)

I might have one of those interior lights left if you want it. Just fitted 2 to this one;

Might do Dave's glove box light mod soon.

[Hoovie]

Don't get me started on LH's twin exhaust.

For why? good ,bad, problems?

Which Ipod kit have you bought Hoovie? (part No)

I don't know! I just gave Kingo my Reg number and my Credit Card Number, so I am trusting the Toyota Parts Oracle on this one . I will give you full details once arrived (next week some time) and how it works with the latest Head Unit

I might have one of those interior lights left if you want it. Just fitted 2 to this one;

I saw a similar mod (on RAV4 World?), but instead of lower down in the luggage area, the lights were fitted flush on the two plastic covers in the rear 3/4 roof area, which looks perfect - both for the boor area and the general interior- what do you think of lights there compared to yours?

Might do Daves glove box light mod soon

I bought some LED Strips - about 10 lights on an approx 15" strip on eBay a couple of years ago - just £1 each and run off 5V DC. I got them to fit at the back of the TV (bit like the Philips Ambivision sets) and they looked good until the cat pulled them off, so thinking they could look good with just a pull-down resistor to drop the voltage? got a spare one or two if you fancy trying one?  you can shorten the strips by groups of 3 LEDS, so pretty adaptable. 

[anchorman]

I want LH's exhaust but it was circa £300 so will have to wait. I really like this RAV (nearly as much as my last one but that was mine from new so pulls rank) so may spend more as time goes on. The ipod connector will probably get done and I prefer the one Kingo has just found which is a proper ipod interface rather than a USB connector with ipod compatibility. I have just had body coloured reversing sensors off him which ar a must so will let the dust settle after coughing up all of the money I got back off the last one and more. This will cost me a fortune in diesel as I can't get out of it even to go to bed so the engine is running all the time and it has a heater that burns my feet - lovely.

I wouldn't put the lights up at the top as you can see them in the mirror and if I had to run with the Christmas tree sticking out of the back door it would get on my very ample t*ts. You also need the cover back to see in. With them low down you can choose either and still see as long as they are not covered in clutter.

I have just fitted some led's to the front which look especially good with the new light arrangement. They came from that purveyor of fine led's in the Glasgow suburbs where the wheely bins are well away from the kirb. What I can say with reasonable accuracy is that I probably won't ever use led strips for any purpose as they look a bit boy racerish to me but thank you sincerely for the offer. I have a glove box light with switch that is new but just needs wires soldering on so I will probably use that when I get around to it.

[Hoovie]

I want LH's exhaust but it was circa £300 so will have to wait. I really like this RAV (nearly as much as my last one but that was mine from new so pulls rank) so may spend more as time goes on. The ipod connector will probably get done and I prefer the one Kingo has just found which is a proper ipod interface rather than a USB connector with ipod compatibility. I have just had body coloured reversing sensors off him which ar a must so will let the dust settle after coughing up all of the money I got back off the last one and more. This will cost me a fortune in diesel as I can't get out of it even to go to bed so the engine is running all the time and it has a heater that burns my feet - lovely.

I wouldn't put the lights up at the top as you can see them in the mirror and if I had to run with the Christmas tree sticking out of the back door it would get on my very ample t*ts. You also need the cover back to see in. With them low down you can choose either and still see as long as they are not covered in clutter.

I have just fitted some led's to the front which look especially good with the new light arrangement. They came from that purveyor of fine led's in the Glasgow suburbs where the wheely bins are well away from the kirb. What I can say with reasonable accuracy is that I probably won't ever use led strips for any purpose as they look a bit boy racerish to me but thank you sincerely for the offer. I have a glove box light with switch that is new but just needs wires soldering on so I will probably use that when I get around to it.

I recall LHs exhaust was a custom build - think there would be any scope for a multiple order discount? ;)

I am not sure which iPod kit Kingo is sending me - I wll PM him and ask if it is the one you are talking about. On both the Kenwood and the Nissan Connect units, the iPod interface was excellent - the menus on the Head Unit were a replica of the iPod itself.

Ref lights 'up top' - didn't consider the excellent point you make there - I'll have to reconsider that idea I think

Lights in the front? fitted as DRLs? be interested to see a picture of those. I have seen some of the aftermarket ones and most look a bit naff and indeed boy-racerish. It can be quite tricky to fit DRLs AND have them work as the letter of the law prescribes, so be keen to know what wires to tap into to have them working correctly.

I quite like the spread of light you get from LED strips actually, though I do prefer the LEDs to be out of sight so all you get is the benefit of the light, so it seems perfect for something like a glovebox if the fitting can be out the way.

right .... off to PM Kingo now ....