Meet my 90, and share the adventure.

Last weekend, 19.08.2017, a few mates, my brother, and I went to the Watagan forest for some wheeling.

Even though I grew up just a 20-or-so kilometers from there, I've never had the chance to wheel it. I can now say I was impressed- there sure is some fun to be had up there.

It took some time to find something worth driving, but eventually came across some tracks which I now know are the wishing well track, and the 5-ways track, the latter which is near the start of greens break road. There are plenty of youtube videos on those tracks if you want to search them out.

Wishing Well Track
This track starts near the wishing well on the Martinsville road, and extends up past the hairpin bend to the wishing well picnic area.
It's a bit rutted, rocky in places, and a good (albeit short) technical drive.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/685.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/686.jpg

Got a bit of air-time
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/687.jpg

60 series cruiser for scale:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/688.jpg

Bob took a different line to me, as I was able to get to the high side and miss this big step and tree in the way.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/689.jpg

The crew and I stopped for a bite for lunch at the top
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/690.jpg


5-Ways
This is down the hill from the wishing well area. It's a soft sandstone climb with many lines to choose from.
I always find it a bit unnerving when it's an open expanse of track without the 'comfort' of ruts, embankments and trees nearby.
Things got a bit interesting, but the mule handled it.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/691.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/692.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/693.jpg


Here's a bit of an idea of the angles involved.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/694.jpg


*****

After a bit of a play at the Wattos, we headed back down the mountain to some more familiar territory. We tackled a few obstacles at the Killy Loop near Killingsworth.
Anyone who's driven the M1 motorway near the Toronto / Freeman's Waterhole area (or as I like to call it- the F3 ), you'd have seen the tracks unde rhte HV transmission lines in the area. Under these, and in the surrounding bushes is the killy loop, accessible from The Boulevarde / Killingsworth Rd near the electrical substation.
We ended up following the power lines to the M1 underpass, then followed the lines south towards Cockle creek. From there, we passed into the bush towards the feature known as 'the waterfall', and then up and down a few more tracks for the rest of the afternoon.

Highlights below:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/695.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/696.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/697.jpg

Had a bit of fun in the ruts:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/698.jpg

Flashback! Late 2016, on my last group trip to the killy loop - a guy (can't remember his name) drove the waterfall in his 60 series. Epic climb.
This waterfall is a rock ledge approx 3m tall, with a narrow crevasse entry. Definitely not for the faint of heart!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6flu090A9A




So all in all, had a great weekend getting back to my roots as a Lake Macquarie Westie, wheeling in my old stomping ground.

Looks good Mitch[thumbsupbig]
Has that sixty in your group been bobbed a better shot might be good of it[wink11]

I'll see if I have anything.
It has had 400mm chopped out of the rear. Same wheelbase.
My mate jokingly calls it a 'Japanese short-body'. It's surprising how many people nod and think it's an actual variant!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Aj5UH3yyLw

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/08/720.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Do1JjYzfbCM

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

I'll see if I have anything.
It has had 400mm chopped out of the rear. Same wheelbase.
My mate jokingly calls it a 'Japanese short-body'. It's surprising how many people nod and think it's an actual variant!

---

Thank`s [thumbsupbig] They have too much over hang from factory and that looks good for a yota[wink11]

Took him 7 years and parts from a few wrecks to get it that way. A true labour of love.
I'm still hoping he converts it back to the sprung over diffs on 37's like he had on the other one...
:firedevil:

Last weekend I dipped into the old annual leave balance to secure 2 days off around a weekend. The agenda-Rustle up the old man and mother dearest, and head north to 'da ridge'.

After a mid-morning departure, and a rendezvous in Gunnedah, caught up with the olds and headed NNW to Narrabri NSW for some fuel. We then headed due east along the Yarrie Lake rd from Narrabri, via the Australian National telescope array to Pilliga NSW for our first night.

Camp is a basic affair, flushing steel toilet, gravel / dirt campsites and a $5 per vehicle charge. But the best part- Bore baths at approx 41 degrees! Awesome!
Here was the camp for the night (or maybe it's just me showing off the pelican cases... you decide)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/411.jpg

My old boy was in his cruiser- the faithful family steed since it was new in 1998. It is the current advendure rig, now that a MY '16 200 series has taken the stable. We also caught up with some other friends in their rodeo. A good night was had by all- spent between the campfire, and the bore baths with a few longnecks and wines to keep the party going.


The next morning we broke camp, and parted ways with the Rodeo crew, heading north along the Bugilbone rd to Burren Junction- the site of another bore bath.
Being that it was only a few hours since my last dip, I declined a swim here, instead, we pressed on north to Walgett- braving the wildlings on our route to 'the ridge'.

But first, a photo op at Cryon NSW- a prominent wheat growing region in the Walgett shire. It always astounds me how flat and barren this place can look between crops.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/412.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/413.jpg

Before too long, Walgett was reached, and conquered. Fuel was dispensed (and paid for!), and we pressed forth to Lightning ridge- Black opal country.

Stopped by to say G'day to old mate Stan the Emu along the way.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/414.jpg
G'day Stan.

Shortly after, we reached the town monument at 'da ridge'
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/415.jpg

Obligatory Bottle-o stop was made.
FG Port was purchased.
It was FNG.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/416.jpg

Shennanigans ensued.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/417.jpg
She's a frog jockey, but she's MY frog jockey [bigwhistle]

One does not simply go to lightning ridge and sit around.
Firstly, there is the Lightning Ridge Artesian Bore bath. Not too shabby.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/447.jpg
Water here was very warm- about 45 or so- got a good sweat going after a few minutes, before I had to get out to cool down.


After that, we did a few of the car door tours (self guided tours) to see some of the sights around the Lightning Ridge opal fields. Some highlights below:

Amigo's castle:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/448.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/418.jpg
Amigo's castle. Built by an Italian. By hand. Go figure!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/419.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/420.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/421.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/422.jpg
Amigo built this thing by hand - scabbing rocks from around the township, and lifting them by hand into their final resting spots, using a scaffold of 44 gal drums and planks. We had a good chat to Anita (the tour guide), who told us how the building (castle!) was almost demolished after council contested the legality of the building... but after a hasty town meeting, it was listed as a heritage site so was spared the wrecking ball!

You have gotta love the humour out at the ridge. Classic Australian.


Next stop,
The cave of the black hand:
This is an opal mine which was not particularly profitable, hence the mine owner (who incidentally, was a fairly good sculptor) decided to make a tourist attraction of it.
Within his 50x50m lease, there is a heap of carvings of all kinds of popular icons, people etc.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/423.jpg
Mmmmm Bacon!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/424.jpg
I ey ey.... wanna rock 'n roll all night... and party every day!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/425.jpg
Nice sculpture... But it needs some improvement...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/426.jpg
That'll do it. Touched by his noodly appendage.

This was the view from the surface
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/427.jpg



The next morning, we broke camp and commenced the homeward bound trip.
Instead of just heading south, we detoured via the REAL opal mining areas of the region The Grawin / Glengarry opal fields- and incidentally, home to two of what I consider to be, some very iconic pubs in the scrub:

The sheepyard hotel
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/428.jpg

Complete with bus stop
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/429.jpg

Train X-ing
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/430.jpg

Oh... and train (less rails)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/431.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/432.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/432.jpg


Next stop, The Glengarry Hilton

I'd love to do an overnight here some time. The atmosphere would be wild I reckon.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/433.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/434.jpg

Great spot for a cold one.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/435.jpg

Lunch was at the Grawin Opal Miner's Club in the scrub
Actually a golf course too...

Paid our respects to the Major Miner. Obligaroty 2-bob in his bucket for good luck
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/436.jpg

Also noticed he is fully plumbed betwixt the legs. Classic!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/437.jpg

Weather was fine, according to the Grawin weather rock:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/438.jpg

Burgers were good. Top feed.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/439.jpg

All the while, the mule was chilling out in the shade.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/440.jpg


After all this fun, it was time to hit the road. It was in fact a 5.5hr trip back home to tamworth via Walgett, Cryon, Wee Waa, Narrabri, Boggabri (stop in Gins Leap), and finally Gunnedah.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/441.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/442.jpg

Fuel economy was approx 13.6L/100km averaged.
I fiddled with the tyre pressures, running 30psi cold / 36psi hot on the trip up, and returned on 43PSI cold / 48PSI hot on the return leg. Interestingly, only gained 0.3L/100km from the higher pressures.
Total fuel used was 140.41L
Average fuel cost was approx $1.31/litre.

Excellent post & pics Toxic.
Thanks for sharing, Pickles.

Great stuff yet again Mitch. Good to see you've made a dramatic improvement in your choice of traveling companion since Easter. [thumbsupbig]

Haha, cheers Billy. Our time together was special, but my own company beyond Broken hill left a bit to be desired. Both of me agree.

In other news, it's time for another

Intermission
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUDgtt-f5h0

Recently, I have been doing some work on the mighty 300zx. Tune out if you don't like Jap crap, but trust me, there is a point to the story.

I've got junk in the trunk, and a full 200,000km service kit to whack thru the dirty old girl...
This includes a new timing belt, auto tensioner, idlers, studs, water pump, Variable cam timing springs O rings etc, cam/crank seals and a crank sprocket. There's a bit of work there for a muppet like me.
I've also opted to put a new power steering pump and hoses thru it. The old pump was a bit grindy. Me no likey.
The Z is a whole other beast from the landy. For the uninitiated, the Nissan 300zx has a VG30DETT- a 3litre V6, DOHC Twin turbo intercooled engine. It was a great engine in its day, but its later years saw it in detuned states in a range of cars from the nissan maxima to the terrano. I've been playing with these engines in the N/A and Twin turbo guise for a while now, after I got my first Z in 2005.

So this is what it looked like part way thru disassembly. I'm aiming to get to the timing gear behind the black cover on the front of the engine.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/543.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/544.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/545.jpg
After about 3 hours, I'd cracked into the engine room- where the magic happens. Crank pulley came off surprisingly easily. I'm not the first person to defile this beast... it had an engine 'rebuild' in the mid naughties. The previous owner sold it to me with a fat stack of receipts... but it was rebuilt to relatively standard specs sadly. These things can and do make a respectable 600HP with the right stuff inside, and a good turbo/cam/tune combo.


Anyway. Getting to the point. Tight quarters. Very little room. Intake/turbo hoses everywhere. Can't even see the engine mounts or turbos if you try under all that V6 craziness. The below pic shows a flex head ratchet spanner in the bowels of the beast attempting to get off a hose clamp on the airbox to turbo intake tube. 1 freaking 32nd of a turn at a time...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/546.jpg

Anyhow, the point is that those that complain about working on a landy have another thing coming. I must be crazy with my choice of vehicles.



Because I can, I'll chuck in another...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
TOOL REVIEW

Stud removers

Part of the job above, involved removing the studs which hold the timing belt idler pulleys. Apparently they can snap, and something to do with pistons touching valves or something can happen. I dunno... sounds like something to avoid. [bigwhistle]
Anyway, the blokes at Gasweld stitched me up with these nifty little stud removers. They operate on a roller bearing kind of deal, which cams onto, and grips a stud for removal.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/547.jpg

Now caveat emptor- this is not a feel-good review. There is merit in the tool, but in the hands of a ham-fisted numpty like your humble narrator, they can and do cause more damage than you'd hope.

Ummm yeah... this happened while attempting to torque the stud up to 50nm.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/548.jpg
Good idea, but poorly executed by yours truly.

Next time I'll stick to the double-nut method like a normal person. Lesson learned.

Anyhow, over the next few days and probably the weekend, I'll whack the cam seals thru the engine, replace the crank sprocket, fix the FUBAR'd stud (tap and die- need to get a M10x1.25, or thread file it), install the belt and time the engine up, all while trying to keep the auto tensioner in spec. Then it's a matter of reinstalling the radiator and all the other stuff that was removed.
Stat tuned for more trials and tribulations, with the (not-so)fairladyZ.


Here's a landy to keep it on-topic
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/im...017/09/549.jpg