Gday All!
At the end of next week I am taking 6 days to drive 4600km from the South West of Western Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory! I am doing this solo (only myself and my 60…).
I have spent the past month getting the 60 ready for the trip and doing what I can to reduce the risk of a breakdown…
I thought others might be interested in what I have done (and why) to prepare for such a trip!!
I am also very open to suggestions to what I may have missed!!
First - my 60 is a 1988 Hj61 with a freshly rebuilt 12ht, rebuilt 5 speed manual, GTurbo, PDI Fromt Mount intercooler, +30 injectors, modified injector pump etc… it has now done about 20000kms since the rebuild with any teething issues being tended to…
In specific trip prep, I sold the 31x10.5r15’s and bought 285/75r16’s - this reduces cruising revs which is a lot more pleasant!
I booked the 60 in to a mechanic I trust and they went through it - new brake fluid, new front spring hangers and suspension bushes, and a few other minor maintenance items were sorted…
A new Torsen rear diff was sourced and fitted due to a horrible whine from the diff..
I then made a new centre console and camp kitchen box, as well as running new fridge wiring and additional USB plugs for the 5 weeks we will spend in the bush (and a new 200w Solar Blanket to keep things charged). I also fused and cable-tied any wiring that I must have been in a rush to fit over the past few years!!
I bought a tube of Sikaflex adhesive sealant and ran it around any rattles in the dash (and screws / bolts / nuts throughout the car) - this has already made a big difference to rattles!!
I also had cruise control fitted (easier on my dodgy knee) and I bought a pair of 9” led spot lights - which required new mounts and a fair bit of mucking around to fit into the ARB bar…
Finally, a new canvas centre-pole touring tent and 3mx3m mesh room for areas that may be thick with sand fly’s….
Not to spend the next week fitting everything into and onto the car!!
( I also have a decent first aid kit and am carrying the EPIRB from my boat - just in case….)
At the end of next week I am taking 6 days to drive 4600km from the South West of Western Australia to Darwin in the Northern Territory! I am doing this solo (only myself and my 60…).
I have spent the past month getting the 60 ready for the trip and doing what I can to reduce the risk of a breakdown…
I thought others might be interested in what I have done (and why) to prepare for such a trip!!
I am also very open to suggestions to what I may have missed!!
First - my 60 is a 1988 Hj61 with a freshly rebuilt 12ht, rebuilt 5 speed manual, GTurbo, PDI Fromt Mount intercooler, +30 injectors, modified injector pump etc… it has now done about 20000kms since the rebuild with any teething issues being tended to…
In specific trip prep, I sold the 31x10.5r15’s and bought 285/75r16’s - this reduces cruising revs which is a lot more pleasant!
I booked the 60 in to a mechanic I trust and they went through it - new brake fluid, new front spring hangers and suspension bushes, and a few other minor maintenance items were sorted…
A new Torsen rear diff was sourced and fitted due to a horrible whine from the diff..
I then made a new centre console and camp kitchen box, as well as running new fridge wiring and additional USB plugs for the 5 weeks we will spend in the bush (and a new 200w Solar Blanket to keep things charged). I also fused and cable-tied any wiring that I must have been in a rush to fit over the past few years!!
I bought a tube of Sikaflex adhesive sealant and ran it around any rattles in the dash (and screws / bolts / nuts throughout the car) - this has already made a big difference to rattles!!
I also had cruise control fitted (easier on my dodgy knee) and I bought a pair of 9” led spot lights - which required new mounts and a fair bit of mucking around to fit into the ARB bar…
Finally, a new canvas centre-pole touring tent and 3mx3m mesh room for areas that may be thick with sand fly’s….
Not to spend the next week fitting everything into and onto the car!!
( I also have a decent first aid kit and am carrying the EPIRB from my boat - just in case….)