Post expedition report and pics - Page 2

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 01:24 AM

So what did and didn't work?

My flash laptop mount was a complete waste of time.

It took up way too much room in the cab, vibrated everywhere (even on the bitumen) and squeaked. We took it off and swapped the balls on the mount over so I still had somewhere to mount the GPS. The laptop if I needed it for the OziExplorer software was placed on top of the centre console when not being used and on the

's lap when needed.

The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx was awesome BTW especially with the external antenna and the remote power source.

The water tank was even better than we thought. So easy to use where it was mounted but still out of the way.

The rear sliding drawers were great too. The slide out table was the best bit about them. Every day on the trip while traveling meal stops were so easy. Open the tailgate, slide out the fridge and the table and start preparing the meal. The fridge bag on the Engel has a pocket on the front and we kept a set of cutlery in there to save digging out the rest of the car just to find a teaspoon.

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e9999

is HF pretty common then for folks going in the Outback?
what band are you using mostly?

It isn't as common as it has been in the past. The advent of satphones and the internet has had a huge impact on their popularity.

The main use of HF radios was for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and The School of the Air. The School of the Air now use the internet for remote area schooling. The RFDS still monitor the HF frequencies but receive about 80% of their calls via satphone now.

Now the main users of HFs are outback travellers. There are groups like http://www.vks737.on.net/ who provide a monitoring service of the HF frequencies and can arrange communications with the emergency services if need be.

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 01:42 AM

The underbonnet shower didn't get used for the entire trip as we didn't want to waste any water in the desert. It may get used for coastal trips but was a waste of space in the desert. Most of the more popular campgrounds had good showers even if they were cold. While in the desert we just went without.

Before this trip the

's wanted a shower and a toilet taken along so I rigged up the underbonnet shower and took along our Porta-Potti. Now they have seen what it is like out there they agree with me that they are unnecessary luxuries that take up too much room and weight.

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 01:55 AM

The on board air system was great for running the lockers and airing the tyres back up. It also saw duty when the carby on the Mav had some dramas and I had to blow out the crud from the orifices. The large air tank is great but you need to think ahead for when you need the lockers and make sure it is charged up and ready to go.

The OBA system wasn't without its dramas too. It had a very slight leak and the mount on the air tank broke on the corrugations. I repaired the mount by using the good ol' zip ties.

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 02:11 AM

I took way too much camping gear.

We took my two burner gas stove and gas bottle but we ended up just using one of the small gas stoves that use disposable bottles. They were heaps lighter, smaller and more convenient then the conventional stove and bottle. For the times we wanted two burners a second small stove would still have been better than the one big two burner.

We have a set of heavy duty very comfortable camp chairs but we decided that we would look for a lighter alternative next time. The same with our camp table.

We took a big tarp for extra shelter but I think I'll fit a roll out awning next time.

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 02:17 AM

The roof rack I took on the trip was a loaner from a HZJ80 owning mate. I was talking to him during the week and he said I could keep the rack if I repack his birfs and replace the steering knuckle bearings.

Too easy.

I'll be able to mount an awning, axe, shovel and a set of roof lights up there now. I'm even thinking about a small solar panel to keep the aux battery topped up on extended stays.

cruiserdan · 07-21-07, 09:32 AM

Wow, simply wow.

What an adventure.

e9999 · 07-21-07, 09:52 AM

this debriefing info is great! thanks!

Was this Patrol / Mav an odd more unreliable specimen or are they all like that? I thought the Patrols were very good, equivalent to cruisers...

hoser · 07-21-07, 01:31 PM

Great trip report, Mick! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope to visit Oz again soon!

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruiserdan

Wow, simply wow.

What an adventure.

Thanks CDan

I can't wait till I can take my next annual leave and go on another adventure.

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e9999

this debriefing info is great! thanks!

Was this Patrol / Mav an odd more unreliable specimen or are they all like that? I thought the Patrols were very good, equivalent to cruisers...

The Patrols are similar to Cruisers in there construction but they lack the refinement and quality of a Cruiser. IMHO Cruisers make better touring trucks and Patrols make better competition trucks.

This particular Maverick is very highly modified and has done a heap of hard miles. It competed in the 2001 OBC in the touring class when it was owned by the previous owner.

Most of the dramas they had on the trip stemmed from the fact that it was a carby petrol rather than a turbo diesel. They had big problems with the ignition system and with the carby.

They have since bought a turbo diesel Nissan motor to swap into it.

I have no problems doing another trip with them in remote areas if it has the turbo diesel in it. Until they do the swap we will stay closer to civilisation.

Mickldo · 07-21-07, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoser

Great trip report, Mick! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope to visit Oz again soon!

Thanks Hoser.

Make sure you visit Fraser Island again. I'll try to get some time off work to show the better spots that most of the tourists don't get to see.

Mickldo · 07-23-07, 02:05 AM

Here are a couple of pics of the rig of one of the other spectators. He travels around by himself and has it set up to suit just him. It has a single bed inside on the right hand side and the cooking gear on the left hand side. Very

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Mickldo · 07-23-07, 02:07 AM

One more pic

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roscoFJ73 · 07-23-07, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickldo

Here are a couple of pics of the rig of one of the other spectators. He travels around by himself and has it set up to suit just him. It has a single bed inside on the right hand side and the cooking gear on the left hand side. Very

These things are becoming very popular for those who dont want to tow a trailer or sleep on the ground.
I been thinking about making one out of those tradesman aluminium canopies and fitting a lift up canvas roof.
I like the idea of having a bed ready with no fuss

Mick ,wouldnt your mate find it cheaper to buy a turbo diesel shorty and transfer all the goodies over?
I would have thought a LWB would be more practical for long trips.

Mickldo · 07-23-07, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

These things are becoming very popular for those who dont want to tow a trailer or sleep on the ground.
I been thinking about making one out of those tradesman aluminium canopies and fitting a lift up canvas roof.
I like the idea of having a bed ready with no fuss

Mick ,wouldnt your mate find it cheaper to buy a turbo diesel shorty and transfer all the goodies over?
I would have thought a LWB would be more practical for long trips.

I like the idea of the ute with a canopy too but they only work for one or two people. I have an extra one on the way I have to accommodate.

The couple that own the Shorty are GQ nuts. Between them they own about four GQs. The petrol shorty, a TD Ute and a diesel wagon. They bought a TD shorty as a donor car and are swapping the motors over. I tried talking them into putting the lift etc into the TD but they have sentimental connections to this shorty and don't want to get rid of it. Their other GQs are all set up for hardcore use and don't have things like the dual batteries and drawer slides.

fj40z · 07-26-07, 07:53 PM

Awesome trip+Awesome pics=AWESOME THREAD, thanks for posting this up for everyone to see.

84yota4x4 · 07-26-07, 09:04 PM

Great report, I'd love to go to the down under some day. Great pics and looks like you guys had a really good trip.

Mickldo · 07-26-07, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fj40z

Awesome trip+Awesome pics=AWESOME THREAD, thanks for posting this up for everyone to see.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84yota4x4

Great report, I'd love to go to the down under some day. Great pics and looks like you guys had a really good trip.

Thanks guys

I might post up some more pics later after I resize some more.

alia176 · 08-01-07, 09:56 AM

Need more input......!

roscoFJ73 · 08-02-07, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mickldo

The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx was awesome BTW especially with the external antenna and the remote power source.

.

So you liked these? It was the one I was thinking of buying if its the one that can be removed and used as a handheld away from the vehicle.
Whats it good and not so good points?

Moody · 08-02-07, 07:54 PM

Fantastic writeup, thanks for sharing! I have a dream of doing something along these lines one day...

Mickldo · 08-05-07, 02:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alia176

Need more input......!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moody

Fantastic writeup, thanks for sharing! I have a dream of doing something along these lines one day...

Thanks guys for the kind words

Resizing some pics now

Mickldo · 08-05-07, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roscoFJ73

So you liked these? It was the one I was thinking of buying if its the one that can be removed and used as a handheld away from the vehicle.
Whats it good and not so good points?

The 60CSx is a handheld and can be used away from the vehicle.

I reckon it has all of the features of the fullsize GPS models yet it is still a handheld.

The colour screen, SD card slot, USB port, external antenna, and remote power source are features that set it apart from the other handhelds. Garmins are also very user friendly. You don't need a degree to use the unit.

I quite often use it in the boat and when hiking as well as in the car.

It doesn't need the external antenna as it is far better than most GPS units but it makes satellite acquisition almost instantaneous and keeps the hold on the satellites in deep gorges, tree cover, tunnels, etc longer than without.

I use the external power source cable to save the AA batteries for use away from the vehicle. On my trip I was able to have the GPS on for all the trip whereas my mate had a Magellan handheld along for the trip without an external power source and they never had it turned on because they didn't want to waste the batteries.

By having the inbuilt maps in the unit I didn't have to have the laptop with OziExplorer running all the time. The extra detail was needed sometimes for more precise navigation and I'd fire the laptop up but for most days travelling the inbuilt maps were fine. If I had one gripe with the unit it would be that the base maps weren't detailed enough but it has the ability to accept more detailed maps via the SD card so maybe that isn't really that bad of a gripe.

Mickldo · 08-05-07, 03:12 AM

Couple more pics from the road.....

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07-21-07, 01:24 AM	#31
Mickldo Oz TUTer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryborough, QLD, Aust. Posts: 1,021	So what did and didn't work? My flash laptop mount was a complete waste of time. It took up way too much room in the cab, vibrated everywhere (even on the bitumen) and squeaked. We took it off and swapped the balls on the mount over so I still had somewhere to mount the GPS. The laptop if I needed it for the OziExplorer software was placed on top of the centre console when not being used and on the 's lap when needed. The Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx was awesome BTW especially with the external antenna and the remote power source. The water tank was even better than we thought. So easy to use where it was mounted but still out of the way. The rear sliding drawers were great too. The slide out table was the best bit about them. Every day on the trip while traveling meal stops were so easy. Open the tailgate, slide out the fridge and the table and start preparing the meal. The fridge bag on the Engel has a pocket on the front and we kept a set of cutlery in there to save digging out the rest of the car just to find a teaspoon. __________________ 90 HZJ80 GXL, DTS turbo, 285/75R16 MTR's, 4" OME, Safari snorkel, ARB airlocker, ARB bullbar, 9500lb winch, ARB dual pivot rear bar, 39L Engel, water tank, dual batts, sliding drawers, cargo barrier, underbonnet shower, laptop, GPS, oziexplorer, etc.... 99 HZJ105R GXL, alloy bullbar, Safari snorkel, more to come.....watch this space..........

07-21-07, 01:42 AM	#33
Mickldo Oz TUTer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryborough, QLD, Aust. Posts: 1,021	The underbonnet shower didn't get used for the entire trip as we didn't want to waste any water in the desert. It may get used for coastal trips but was a waste of space in the desert. Most of the more popular campgrounds had good showers even if they were cold. While in the desert we just went without. Before this trip the 's wanted a shower and a toilet taken along so I rigged up the underbonnet shower and took along our Porta-Potti. Now they have seen what it is like out there they agree with me that they are unnecessary luxuries that take up too much room and weight. __________________ 90 HZJ80 GXL, DTS turbo, 285/75R16 MTR's, 4" OME, Safari snorkel, ARB airlocker, ARB bullbar, 9500lb winch, ARB dual pivot rear bar, 39L Engel, water tank, dual batts, sliding drawers, cargo barrier, underbonnet shower, laptop, GPS, oziexplorer, etc.... 99 HZJ105R GXL, alloy bullbar, Safari snorkel, more to come.....watch this space..........

07-21-07, 01:55 AM	#34
Mickldo Oz TUTer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryborough, QLD, Aust. Posts: 1,021	The on board air system was great for running the lockers and airing the tyres back up. It also saw duty when the carby on the Mav had some dramas and I had to blow out the crud from the orifices. The large air tank is great but you need to think ahead for when you need the lockers and make sure it is charged up and ready to go. The OBA system wasn't without its dramas too. It had a very slight leak and the mount on the air tank broke on the corrugations. I repaired the mount by using the good ol' zip ties. __________________ 90 HZJ80 GXL, DTS turbo, 285/75R16 MTR's, 4" OME, Safari snorkel, ARB airlocker, ARB bullbar, 9500lb winch, ARB dual pivot rear bar, 39L Engel, water tank, dual batts, sliding drawers, cargo barrier, underbonnet shower, laptop, GPS, oziexplorer, etc.... 99 HZJ105R GXL, alloy bullbar, Safari snorkel, more to come.....watch this space..........

07-21-07, 02:11 AM	#35
Mickldo Oz TUTer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryborough, QLD, Aust. Posts: 1,021	I took way too much camping gear. We took my two burner gas stove and gas bottle but we ended up just using one of the small gas stoves that use disposable bottles. They were heaps lighter, smaller and more convenient then the conventional stove and bottle. For the times we wanted two burners a second small stove would still have been better than the one big two burner. We have a set of heavy duty very comfortable camp chairs but we decided that we would look for a lighter alternative next time. The same with our camp table. We took a big tarp for extra shelter but I think I'll fit a roll out awning next time. __________________ 90 HZJ80 GXL, DTS turbo, 285/75R16 MTR's, 4" OME, Safari snorkel, ARB airlocker, ARB bullbar, 9500lb winch, ARB dual pivot rear bar, 39L Engel, water tank, dual batts, sliding drawers, cargo barrier, underbonnet shower, laptop, GPS, oziexplorer, etc.... 99 HZJ105R GXL, alloy bullbar, Safari snorkel, more to come.....watch this space..........

07-21-07, 02:17 AM	#36
Mickldo Oz TUTer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryborough, QLD, Aust. Posts: 1,021	The roof rack I took on the trip was a loaner from a HZJ80 owning mate. I was talking to him during the week and he said I could keep the rack if I repack his birfs and replace the steering knuckle bearings. Too easy. I'll be able to mount an awning, axe, shovel and a set of roof lights up there now. I'm even thinking about a small solar panel to keep the aux battery topped up on extended stays. __________________ 90 HZJ80 GXL, DTS turbo, 285/75R16 MTR's, 4" OME, Safari snorkel, ARB airlocker, ARB bullbar, 9500lb winch, ARB dual pivot rear bar, 39L Engel, water tank, dual batts, sliding drawers, cargo barrier, underbonnet shower, laptop, GPS, oziexplorer, etc.... 99 HZJ105R GXL, alloy bullbar, Safari snorkel, more to come.....watch this space..........

07-21-07, 09:32 AM	#37
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Physical inventory prep. I'm edgy TLCA# 11332 Posts: 13,907	Wow, simply wow. What an adventure. __________________ Original owner 93 FZJ80,locked,blown,water/methanol injected(like a WWII fighter aircraft),lifted,winched,snorkeled,slidered,Sleeed ,moneypit. Balanced on a pin head. 95 FZJ80 trail truck (hers), 94 FZJ80 320K with a knock and a lumpy old Dodge car.

07-21-07, 09:52 AM	#38
e9999 You want to do what...? Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: PRK Posts: 10,206	this debriefing info is great! thanks! Was this Patrol / Mav an odd more unreliable specimen or are they all like that? I thought the Patrols were very good, equivalent to cruisers... __________________ '97: 88K, 3xlock, Custom HD roo bar for sale, 285 MT/Rs on steelies, Hanna sliders, 851+1.5"/863/N73/N74E/SD24, ARB bull with M12, Kaymar with duals, Kaymar rack, Slee TC skid, 2m/440, more stuff, loose nut behind the wheel!) '03: 99K, the better half's... DD souped up DR650

07-21-07, 01:31 PM	#39
hoser IH8MUD No-Lifer Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,805	Great trip report, Mick! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope to visit Oz again soon! __________________ 98 LX470 85 BJ70

07-23-07, 02:05 AM	#43
Mickldo Oz TUTer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryborough, QLD, Aust. Posts: 1,021	Here are a couple of pics of the rig of one of the other spectators. He travels around by himself and has it set up to suit just him. It has a single bed inside on the right hand side and the cooking gear on the left hand side. Very __________________ 90 HZJ80 GXL, DTS turbo, 285/75R16 MTR's, 4" OME, Safari snorkel, ARB airlocker, ARB bullbar, 9500lb winch, ARB dual pivot rear bar, 39L Engel, water tank, dual batts, sliding drawers, cargo barrier, underbonnet shower, laptop, GPS, oziexplorer, etc.... 99 HZJ105R GXL, alloy bullbar, Safari snorkel, more to come.....watch this space..........

07-23-07, 02:07 AM	#44
Mickldo Oz TUTer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryborough, QLD, Aust. Posts: 1,021	One more pic __________________ 90 HZJ80 GXL, DTS turbo, 285/75R16 MTR's, 4" OME, Safari snorkel, ARB airlocker, ARB bullbar, 9500lb winch, ARB dual pivot rear bar, 39L Engel, water tank, dual batts, sliding drawers, cargo barrier, underbonnet shower, laptop, GPS, oziexplorer, etc.... 99 HZJ105R GXL, alloy bullbar, Safari snorkel, more to come.....watch this space..........

07-26-07, 09:04 PM	#48
84yota4x4 IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: NC/GA Posts: 282	Great report, I'd love to go to the down under some day. Great pics and looks like you guys had a really good trip. __________________ Covenant College Olde North State Cruisers 1984 FJ-60 w/ 4runner brakes, Dick Cepek 31/10.5 (resting in the garage ) 1994 Saturn (great on gas )

08-01-07, 09:56 AM	#50
alia176 IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Tijeras, NM TLCA# 15941 Posts: 3,384 Blog Entries: 1	Need more input......! __________________ TLCA # 15941 KE5LED Currently working PA

08-02-07, 07:54 PM	#52
Moody IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: SLC, UT TLCA# 15879 Posts: 527	Fantastic writeup, thanks for sharing! I have a dream of doing something along these lines one day... __________________ 1988 FJ-62 (Sold ) 1997 LX 450, big time beater...with some off road junk bolted on

08-05-07, 03:12 AM	#55
Mickldo Oz TUTer Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Maryborough, QLD, Aust. Posts: 1,021	Couple more pics from the road..... __________________ 90 HZJ80 GXL, DTS turbo, 285/75R16 MTR's, 4" OME, Safari snorkel, ARB airlocker, ARB bullbar, 9500lb winch, ARB dual pivot rear bar, 39L Engel, water tank, dual batts, sliding drawers, cargo barrier, underbonnet shower, laptop, GPS, oziexplorer, etc.... 99 HZJ105R GXL, alloy bullbar, Safari snorkel, more to come.....watch this space..........