Levuka May 2010

[CheekyD1]

I woke Cheeky up at 0530 to find her full of excuses why she should not go to Levuka
My Panhard attach still hurts from the welding.
(See the full story on the Cheeky Channel http://www.aulro.com/afvb/gclro-members-rides/78639-gazzas-cheeky-project-13.html#post1257051 (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/gclro-members-rides/78639-gazzas-cheeky-project-13.html#post1257051))
My oil pressure is still on the critical list
My tyres are going crusty
I might spring a coolant leak
Mumble, mumble……on she goes.

Too bad I say as Cheryl jumps in, looking sprightly for the early hour, I felt like Cheeky at the time.
So off we goes (0600), the surgery on Cheeky’s Panhard had transformed the vehicle. I never knew you could “Feel” the road under a Disco, Cheeky has always rattled her way to the places we had to go, I never knew different.
Driving the twisty road south of Murwillumbah to Kyogle was great fun, it was wet with no traffic and for the first time I could “feel” the grip under the car. Half shagged mud tyres and all Cheeky was having a blast.
Quick pit stop at Kyogle for BBQ Gas (That’s for you Trav ) and we rolled up to the House a Levuka at 0820. Wow 2:20 to Levuka nice going Cheeky.
Greeted by Robert who quickly says that they “Only had 9mm last night and it should dry out quickly, lunch time at the latest”
Cheeky starts mumbling about her old tyres again.

Rolling into camp it was apparent that last nights “Camping” had had its toll.
Stories of setting up in the rain, soon greeted us.
Everybody was in bed early, but the rain stopped, so a fire was started. I am not sure whether this was a good thing because Uncle Big Dog has concocted some sort of beverage which some enjoyed too much.

Anyway cobwebs shook off quickly and it was down to the business of the day.

Pete had sorted the Club into two groups, Group One went up into the extreme hills behind the house and Group Two went into the Rain forest below the camping grounds.

It was apparent from the first hill that the “9mm” had turned Levuka into Extreme Mode. :D
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/534.jpg

Pete crawled up, but when Justin got swatted....
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/535.jpg

Us Lesser Rovers had a quick committee meeting and decided that an easier route should be used. :(
Justin agreed and Pete crawled back down.
Latter Justin was heard to mumble “That hill has always been a Shorty Hill”
Interestingly Pete latter confessed that after he came down he wanted to go up again for another GO!

Moving on we had a go at Rosemary’s
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/118.jpg
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We had a “Look” at Monkey puzzle and gave Nicks Nest the flick, no one had $50 for the tractor.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/537.jpg

I forget the name of this hill (I think its Dingos)
Pete crawled, Justin Jumped, others winched (after Three good Tries)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/538.jpg

Others watched, then had their go's
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/539.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/540.jpg
Then winched

Others still watched and thought NO.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/541.jpg

Having promised Cheeky that we would go easy, We rolled up to the nasty bit, stopped, and called for the winch.
Winch completed in no time and she drove the rest of the hill.

Lunch time and a chat with the press gallery. 4WD action and 4WD TV, who can tape channel Bris31??

After lunch it was off to the playground, to show off for the cameras.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/542.jpg

Some showed off with their cars
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/543.jpg

Some Just showed off
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/544.jpg

Others watched the showing off
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Everybody had a good time
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/546.jpg

After we were tired of that and the camera crew had run out of film, or batteries or excitement or something.
We set off to explore the rainforest
Along the way one of the ARB Airleakers on a truck did what they do, whist we were waiting for repairs
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/547.jpg

Yes again.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/548.jpg

Moving again
Pete offered a Free Dinner to anyone who could get out of this hole, after his attempt.
No one had a go .....
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/549.jpg

Some of the contestants who did not try :cool:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/550.jpg

We did the creek, Tim impressed with his maturity (must have a good coach) even got to learn some winching skills with his new winch.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/551.jpg

Bull Ant proved to be a handful :o
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/552.jpg

Getting late, we all headed back to camp.
A very rewarding day was had by all, I think.
Hats off to Pete, who did great job of leading!
He took the hard trucks to all the “Best Spots” and when the group was mixed after lunch, picked tracks that all could have a go at. Nice Work Pete.
Thanks also to Justin, as always, there when a hand is needed.
Mentions to Nos for once again taking out the Big Noise Award. I’m not jealousy of his 4.6, Ok maybe a bit.
Mentions to Trav, The Bullet is working great.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/553.jpg

And lastly, I have been wondering where Harry has had his navigator hidden, Cheryl took this picture as we were leaving. :p
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/554.jpg

Goodnight. :wasntme:

[Shepp]

Well as I am one of the first to return I thought I would start the thread off.
Setting up in the rain Friday night wasn't fun, however it did make for some very challenging and slippery tracks which was great. The rain did subside later in the evening on the Friday night and the camp fire kept the chill off ~ "man was it chilly".:eek:
I don't know what the mercury dropped down to but I was snuggled up to the kids grabbing every bit of warmth I could find.
Stevo and I had some friendly rivalry throughout Saturday as we have similar vehicles. He did end up getting the last laugh as I managed to stake a tyre, and towards the end of the day almost rip my rear bumper off. (If anyone has a D2 rear bar they want to sell let me know):bangin:
My kids had a ball managing to end up in every mud puddle they could find despite my efforts to keep them away from them.[tonguewink]
I'm sure Pete will do a more detailed post but as usual a great weekend with a great bunch of people.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/529.jpg
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[Hendrik]

Wow good effort with the rear bar Shepp, might be time for a steel one. I will be making one for mine in a few weeks, as I'm not happy with my current steel one.

Anyway, sounds like you guys had a great trip. Can't wait for the pics :D

[philco]

First out there was WIK / Wayne and his wife at 2pm, I had a dry trip out, getting there about 3.30 then it started to rain, I'd like to thank WIK Wayne for the tarp over my tent for the night, was chilly, colder outside than in my fridge! Aquarangie arrived 15 min after I did, DRANGED and BIG DOG weren't much longer after him. We set up our tents in the rain and got some wood together and started the fire about 4.30 during a short break in the weather, others started to arrive as we had dinner. Had a good night and plenty of verbal sparring at the campfire friday night, Steveo, Justin and Josh all enjoyed The Steves buttlicker supplied by Big Dog. Thanks to Bullets for letting me ride shotgun on saturday morning, I'll let others carry on . . . . . . :p[bigwhistle]

[Shepp]

Wow good effort with the rear bar Shepp, might be time for a steel one. I will be making one for mine in a few weeks, as I'm not happy with my current steel one.

Anyway, sounds like you guys had a great trip. Can't wait for the pics :D

Yes definitely time for something stronger. Having said that I have been bending things back into shape and it has come up a treat. Enough to keep the car looking ok while I get some money saved to get a steel one.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/521.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/522.jpg

[Psimpson7]

Thanks to everyone for making this a great trip.

Attendees were:

Trav(Aquarangie), Justin(Dranged), Mark(Noz), John (Bullets), Dave and Louise (Busman), Rod(Bigdog), Tim (Longstroke) Rod (Tims dad), Matt (Shepp) Wayne and Leanette (Wink), Phil (Philco), Glyn(Bolts) Stevo (Stevo!), Gary and Cheryl (CheekyD1), Josh (Outlaw) and Sam and I, most along with families.

We ran a couple of groups and swapped a couple of people around for the afternoon and Sunday morning runs.

Was a great weekend and thanks to everyone, notably Rod for running the second group for us, the TEC's, and also to Tim and his dad for driving up from Coffs!

So onto the pictures (Sorry I dont have that many, nor pictures of everyone):

Justin nearly making it to the top of my newly renamed '90' Hill;):D:p:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/504.jpg

Bullets in the mud hole on Rosemarys Road:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/505.jpg

Trav:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/506.jpg

Trav again:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/507.jpg

Mark:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/508.jpg

Rod in the playground:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/509.jpg

Some of the group:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/510.jpg

Matt, Gary, Trav and Dave:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/511.jpg

Matt needing a rescue!:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/01/377.jpg

Tim on a very steep desent!:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/512.jpg

Justin on the same:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/513.jpg

And then Trav:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/514.jpg

Me in the mudhole on Rosemarys Road: (the tyre track on teh far right was from me the day before when making a random line!) :)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/515.jpg

Tim exiting Havoc crossing:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/516.jpg

Justin doing the same:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/517.jpg

Trav aswell:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/518.jpg

Justin Wheelstanding!:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/519.jpg

Dave:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/520.jpg

And thats it from me!

[DRanged]

Well
Not a bad run down on the friday although it ****ed down from Murwillumbah to Kyogle. Arrived around 3.30 and had to set up in the rain:mad:
Once finished it slowly got heavier and heavier. Soon discovered my gazebo set up had some technical issues:eek:.

So once fixed it stopped raining of coarse and we settled down to dinner etc. People drifted in through the night and we set off to bed on numerous occasions thanks to the rain. But finally it stopped and we got stuck into some beverages and the fire. But to our amazement 1.00am rolled around and it was off to bed for everyone. (cold & wet).

We woke to find a clear cold morning with not a hint of cloud. :D
For those who know Levuka it was going to be a cracking day.

To top it off just after breakfast we were treated to this.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/497.jpg
Set the scene for the whole day I reckon. Thanks to Pete and Big Dog for leading and some of us helped out with tail end duties.

Must admit the Trepadors struggled compared to the Extremes but it just made you pick better lines and attack strategies.:twisted:

Had a ball as usual now dreading the cleanup.

Justin

[NOZ]

Yes thanks to all, was a trip I wont forget for a while. Probably the most times I have ever since cars using a winch.

It was a great experience.

Thanks to Pete for leading us around, that little 90 of your is an amazing machine.

Also thanks to Justin for his tips on the right lines.

Campfire chat was great, food was great (2min noodles ;)) all in all great people, great 4WDing, great weekend.

We must go there again

[Shamo]

Looks like it was a good weekend had by all!!


He did end up getting the last laugh as I managed to stake a tyre, and towards the end of the day almost rip my rear bumper off. (If anyone has a D2 rear bar they want to sell let me know):bangin:


Almost rip off? i managed to take mine to the next level of ripping offness... you can have it now if you want? I'm starting my steel one next week!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/11/1021.jpg

Shamo

[Psimpson7]

Great report and Pics Gary!

Nice work.

And far out I didnt realise the water was quite that deep

[long stroke]

What an awesome weekend!!:cool:
A big thanks to Pete and Rod for leading the two trips, and was great to meet and catch up with everyone who attended:)

After a long night on Friday working on the disco and packing until 2:00am saturday morning we ended up getting away at around 5:00am. After a 3 1/2 hour trip up we arrived just before the groups had left for the days driving.
All day saturday was great fun and the weather was just perfect, that night it chilled off abit but thanks to trav for keeping the fire going it wasn't so bad:D
Today wasn't as nice with a slight drizzle of rain all morning, Pete, trav Justin, dave and us went out first thing and gave a few of the harder tracks a crack without any issue's, once again i had a ball:angel:

I got a few pics but didn't have much of a chance to get everyone:(

Some of the scenery on the way up..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/465.jpg

Saturday morning with Rod's group, a nice slippery climb..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/466.jpg

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https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/471.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/472.jpg

All the models..

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/473.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/474.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/475.jpg

Stevo

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/476.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/477.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/478.jpg

me

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/31.jpg

At the playground

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/479.jpg

Pete

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/480.jpg

Dave in a mud hole

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/481.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/482.jpg

Trav showing us what the Bullet can do:D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/483.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/484.jpg

Camp


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/485.jpg

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https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/05/488.jpg

Thats it for the pics from me, i have plenty of video footage but i am having trouble loading it on to the computer:angel:

Anyway thanks all for a great trip!!

CHEERS TIM.

[sdfrancis]

Looks like you all really had a great time, I am green with envy.:(

[stevo68]

Now that I am feeling half reasonable can put up a post. Again a great trip, great people and had a great time. Thanks for the pics.....Smokey Rocks :D......Smokey never fails to please.

Couple of notes to self. Do not a) fall asleep at campfire and wake up freezing 2 hrs later all alone...B) do not hammer the turps the night before you have to pack up you and 3 kids ( might be a tough one that one ;)).

Thanks to the TL's and TEC's for their efforts.....these things just don't happen by themselves and Wayne......get those pics up :D and then email them to me.

Regards

Stevo

[dungarover]

As usual great trip great people and a bloody great campfire due to my beer-fuelled desire to burn as much timberas possible. Weather was **** on Friday, setting up in the rain is never a great experience but it had to be done all the same.

The bullet did the job, not as flash as some but still it was all good. Havoc crossing got back at me after I did it in one attempt a while back but after 3 goes and plenty of rpm's I was off and going (gotta love that exhaust, fuel bill sucks literally :mad:). Highlight moment was the wheel stand on Rosemarys road at full noise, got carried away was an understantement (pity nobody get that on video :(). I did have the video crew from 4WDtv riding shotgun, had to check if there was any brown stains on the seats after they left :eek::eek: but they seem to handle it alright. Also that not terribly good looking front winch bar passed with flying colours as I had never tested it (was made by the previous owner).

No pics from me was having too much fun.

Trav

[THE 109]

Rain + Levuka = fun,damn work getting in the way:mad:
Glad you all had a great trip.

Eric

[CheekyD1]

Here is some video of the Fun in the Mud

[COLOR=#0033cc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dJria-c-Oc[/COLO"]YouTube- Levuka.wmv



Cheers

Gaz

[long stroke]

part 1 of the vids...

YouTube- GCLRO CLUB Levuka 22-23 may 2010.mpg

CHEERS TIM.

[CheekyD1]

Well {snip}

Must admit the Trepadors struggled compared to the Extremes but it just made you pick better lines and attack strategies.:twisted:

Justin

I was really impressed with Pete's BFG Krawlers

[Psimpson7]

I was really impressed with Pete's BFG Krawlers

So am I :)

Having used them quite a lot now on very different surfaces, I can safely say they are by far the best all round tyre I have ever used.

They also happily run at 8psi with no beadlocks.

Awesome.

[dungarover]

So am I :)

Having used them quite a lot now on very different surfaces, I can safely say they are by far the best all round tyre I have ever used.

They also happily run at 8psi with no beadlocks.

Awesome.

Wonder if there tamer cousin the KM2's are just as good with more civilised on-road performance. Rod (big dog) seems to be happy with his set.

Do like the new KM2's just the price is not to my liking :(

Trav

[Psimpson7]

Hey Trav,

In terms of off road ability they are no where near tbh. Totally different leagues. Compare the size of the tread blocks!!

They are a radial aswell so behave ok on the road too.

Not knocking KM2's either as I will be swapping to a set for everyday use shortly.

[DRanged]

So am I :)

Having used them quite a lot now on very different surfaces, I can safely say they are by far the best all round tyre I have ever used.

They also happily run at 8psi with no beadlocks.

Awesome.

Yep very impressed but what are they like on the road?? Do they make them in a smaller narrower size. Those 35's of yours are huge:cool:. Not that I am going to change from my Trepadors, just interested.

Justin

ps just saw your post pete. must have been posting at same times

[Psimpson7]

They are really quite good tbh Justin.

They are a radial and behave suprisingly nicely at up to a 100 (as fast as I have tried)

They are bloody heavy though and the car works very hard to turn them in high range.

Smallest size available is what I have which is 35x13.5x15

the 37 is a 12.5 however I believe.

ETA the other interesting thing was the side by side size comparison with teh 35" Trep...... the BFG's were at least an inch taller

[dungarover]

Thanks Pete, though so. You can never get a good tyre for nearly everything. I found out on the trip that the Couragias hate wet rocks, they slipped and slid all over the shop but were bloody good in nearly everything else. For the price for a 285/75 they're hard to beat (not many 33's are under the $300 mark anymore these days anyway).

I also liked the fact they're a narrow 285, I've never been a big fan of widies but choice has forced me to go that way :( Looks like the Simex 'pedes are the go for a tall, narrow tyre in a 35 but then you have that same issue of changing ****in' tyres on trips something I wish to advoid. You just can' win :mad::mad::mad:

Trav

[Psimpson7]

I agree Trav, The Federals seem like a good value buy. You and Shepp seem to get on well with them.

As you say everything is a compromise.

I also hate changing tyres, but wont run a 35" day to day I dont think, so the changing of tyres is my compromise!

[dungarover]

I agree Trav, The Federals seem like a good value buy. You and Shepp seem to get on well with them.

As you say everything is a compromise.

I also hate changing tyres, but wont run a 35" day to day I dont think, so the changing of tyres is my compromise!

Fair comment.

On the Federals, done 3 trips and so far been more than happy as far as off-road performace goes. Only time will tell to see how they go overall long term :)

Trav

[long stroke]

I agree those crawlers of yours Pete are awesome, i would quite happily change tyres every trip if i could get my hands on a set cheap:D

I like how they perform faultless in the mud and rock, most the time with the more extreme type tyres one pattern performs better on one terrain then it does in another.
e.g Simex's are brilliant in the mud and clay but have heard people say they arn't as good on the rock as other brands like maxxis creepy's/treps etc (could be wrong, no personal experiance)

CHEERS TIM.

[harry]

not much said about the press,
how did their visit go?

[Busman]

not much said about the press,
how did their visit go?


All good Harry,:)

All attended as advised.
Hope that the footage and pics are okay, which will remain to be seen.

[long stroke]

Better late then never:angel:

Another vid i never got around to loading up...

YouTube- GCLRO CLUB Levuka 22 23 may 2010 part 2

P.s any idea when this trip will be on "Your 4x4 show" or in the 4wd extreme mag?

CHEERS TIM.

[Busman]

Thanks Tim, Top footage !!!!!
Petes D90 is an amazingly capable car hey !!!
Gumboot really struggled in the mud, but got there in the finish:)

[dungarover]

Thanks for the video Tim. The bullet has the right sound I will say :twisted::twisted::twisted:

Trav

[Busman]

Yeah Trav, The Bullet sounds great.
Top sounding exhaust fitted to the Rangie!!!
Are you a confirm for Levuka 2??

[DRanged]

What is it with you Queenslanders hanging your right arm on the door, your head out the window watching where to go. you afraid the doors going to fly open or you'll miss something if you use the big glass thing in front of you to look through;)

True, I have only noticed this since moving up here.

Maybe its a "I'm so cool Dude look":no2:

Justin

[dungarover]

What is it with you Queenslanders hanging your right arm on the door, your head out the window watching where to go. you afraid the doors going to fly open or you'll miss something if you use the big glass thing in front of you to look through;)

True, I have only noticed this since moving up here.

Maybe its a "I'm so cool Dude look":no2:

Justin

Probably the lack of air conditioning in my case, also I like to listen to the V8 symthony of the Rover V8 :twisted::twisted:

Trav

[Busman]

LOL, Didn't think it was worth a mention.
But hey after driving 24 years in heavy transport, the right arm out the window has been a habit l spose.;)[bighmmm]:lol2: