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Nice!! Thanks for posting this!
Post expedition report and pics
- Thread starter Mickldo
- Start date
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Thanks for getting to the trip report. Excellent photos and I'm looking forward to hearing about how the gear held up -- what worked, what didn't and what you're going to change.
Great stuff!
Ed
Great stuff!
Ed
Man, I love trip reports! I've been waiting for this one since the buildup thread.
Keep it comin' and good on 'ya mate!
-Jim
Keep it comin' and good on 'ya mate!
-Jim
Top stuff mate.Bloody good write up.
- Thread starter
- #25
Don't worry the sheep s*** didn't turn us on either. The campsite we had was on sand and all the water drained away nicely but it was a quagmire at the shearing shed.
The Thai's Suzukis were awesome. They had Toyota 4AG-ZE (?) motors in them that were set back through the firewall. The winches were PTO units that winched in about as fast as the little trucks could drive, and that was fast. They had cutting brakes on each rear wheel which allow them to take all the tight terrain amongst the trees rally car style whereas the bigger trucks had to do three point turns.
They ran the tyres backwards all comp. A lot of the winch challenge guys run them backwards too. Supposed to be better on the rocks as well.
- Thread starter
- #26
Thanks guys for all the comments. Plenty more to come yet.
The Ford Maverick is a rebadged Nissan Patrol GQ. The Mavericks were only available with the bigger motors. 4.2L Petrol and 4.2L Diesel. Most came with sunroofs too which the Nissans didn't get along with a few other things like electric windows.
We didn't take a satphone, just the HF Radio. Range depends on a heap of different factors but while camped in the Simpson Desert we were listening to the ABC Radio broadcast from Perth. There are two coastal weather broadcast stations in central Australia that cover all of Australia's coastline. IIRC the one at Charleville can be heard in New Zealand!
- Thread starter
- #27
I didn't have any major breakdowns at all for the trip (as opposed to my mates Pootrol
). A couple of items did break though.
The heat exchanger I fitted to the motor at the last minute before the trip for the under bonnet shower leaked at the screw in heater hose fittings. I removed it from the motor so I could get it soldered up in Broken Hill. Bleeding the unit of air is a PITA now so I am contemplating soldering a filler opening into the unit as the heat exchanger is the highest point in the system now.
My old IPF spotlights died on the way to Broken Hill making kangaroo spotting a difficult process. The spotties have been needing replacement for about two years now so I wasn't surprised when they died. I bought a nice new pair of Hella 4000's in Broken Hill only to find they wouldn't fit my ARB winch bar
. I borrowed a drill from my mates I was staying with in town and redrilled the mounts as far forward as I could get them. I then had to space them up a bit so the bottom wouldn't hit. When I went to try the new lights they died on me too
. The next morning when I could see in the engine bay a bit better I found the culprit. The fuse holder on the IPF wiring loom had melted through and was shorting on the mounting bracket. I replaced the fuse holder and all was good. The IPF loom was the only bit of accessory wiring that I didn't redo before the trip.
). A couple of items did break though.The heat exchanger I fitted to the motor at the last minute before the trip for the under bonnet shower leaked at the screw in heater hose fittings. I removed it from the motor so I could get it soldered up in Broken Hill. Bleeding the unit of air is a PITA now so I am contemplating soldering a filler opening into the unit as the heat exchanger is the highest point in the system now.
My old IPF spotlights died on the way to Broken Hill making kangaroo spotting a difficult process. The spotties have been needing replacement for about two years now so I wasn't surprised when they died. I bought a nice new pair of Hella 4000's in Broken Hill only to find they wouldn't fit my ARB winch bar
. I borrowed a drill from my mates I was staying with in town and redrilled the mounts as far forward as I could get them. I then had to space them up a bit so the bottom wouldn't hit. When I went to try the new lights they died on me too. The next morning when I could see in the engine bay a bit better I found the culprit. The fuse holder on the IPF wiring loom had melted through and was shorting on the mounting bracket. I replaced the fuse holder and all was good. The IPF loom was the only bit of accessory wiring that I didn't redo before the trip.
- Thread starter
- #28
The bearing on the magnetic clutch of the air conditioning compressor started to make some growling noises in the Flinders Ranges when the AC cycled off. Seeing as the weather was cool I just removed the AC belt so I wouldn't destroy the compressor if the bearing let go. I still haven't replaced the bearing yet as it is still winter here and I haven't had a chance to get it fixed yet.
At Dalhousie Springs I gave the truck one last going over before getting too far into the desert. The only bolts I found loose were the studs on the bottom of the swivel hubs that hold the steering arms on. Fifty million corrugations will do that! A quick nip up of the nuts and it was all good.
Around Poeppel Corner we stopped on the track to have a toilet break for my pregnant
. We noticed that the winch cable on the Mav had come loose so we retensioned it. It had come loose because the freespool lever had rotated around to the the freespool position on the corrugations. As I have the same model winch we had a look under mine too. It was OK as my winch gearbox is clocked at a different angle to theirs and the vibrations keep mine engaged. However while under there we found the annoying squeak that had developed. The RHF body mount had started to crack the radiator support panel. Not a lot could be done about it out there apart from monitor the damage. I still haven't fixed it yet but I have made a new strengthening panel to weld in to provide extra support for the mount. Finally fixing this mount is tomorrows number one job.
At Dalhousie Springs I gave the truck one last going over before getting too far into the desert. The only bolts I found loose were the studs on the bottom of the swivel hubs that hold the steering arms on. Fifty million corrugations will do that! A quick nip up of the nuts and it was all good.
Around Poeppel Corner we stopped on the track to have a toilet break for my pregnant
. We noticed that the winch cable on the Mav had come loose so we retensioned it. It had come loose because the freespool lever had rotated around to the the freespool position on the corrugations. As I have the same model winch we had a look under mine too. It was OK as my winch gearbox is clocked at a different angle to theirs and the vibrations keep mine engaged. However while under there we found the annoying squeak that had developed. The RHF body mount had started to crack the radiator support panel. Not a lot could be done about it out there apart from monitor the damage. I still haven't fixed it yet but I have made a new strengthening panel to weld in to provide extra support for the mount. Finally fixing this mount is tomorrows number one job.
- Thread starter
- #29
The only other breakdown (if you could call it that) was my suspension. Because of packing to much unnecessary stuff that cruiser was carrying way too much weight. It sagged a heap in the rear and on bigger washouts and potholes it would bottom out big time. Because the springs were working over time supporting the weight on the rough roads the shocks copped a hiding. While we were in the Simpson I suffered terrible shock fade. Late in the afternoons when the shocks had completely gone climbing the dunes was a huge drama as I had to back off on the throttle to try and control axle tramp. I ended up dropping a bit more air out of the tyres and climbing the dunes in a slightly higher gear and with a little bit higher speed to try and limit wheelspin. The airlockers came into their own here too. On while climbing the dunes and off while crossing the hard dry lake beds and clay pans.
I am looking at replacing my suspension now before my next trip, as well as looking at ways to reduce my load.
I am looking at replacing my suspension now before my next trip, as well as looking at ways to reduce my load.
- Thread starter
- #31
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.
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.
- Thread starter
- #32
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.
- Thread starter
- #33
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.
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.
- Thread starter
- #34
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.
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.
- Thread starter
- #35
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.
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.
- Thread starter
- #36
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.
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.
Wow, simply wow.
What an adventure.
What an adventure.
hoser
SILVER Star
Great trip report, Mick! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I hope to visit Oz again soon!
- Thread starter
- #40
Thanks CDan
I can't wait till I can take my next annual leave and go on another adventure.
