Maytown in a disabled P38

[Keithy P38]

G'day all,

Just returned from my epic trip to Maytown! If you have seen Roothy's DVD from a few months ago you'll see generally what it was like - 80km of low range 4wding! It was very hard, very rough, plenty of creeks and very steep rocky climbs!

I managed to not only do this track (possibly the first P38 to ever do it), but I also did it without an air locker AND on the bump stops! About 5km into the low range I popped my left front airbag! Hard was harder and slow was slower!

The only damage she sustained was a busted left fog light and a rub on the left side on a bank entering a creek! I scraped the undercarriage only 3 times and had to pick my line very carefully!

Of the 1350km travelled, 800km was on the bump stops! That was hard!

Pics and a video of the airbag popping to come...

Cheers
Keithy

[Scouse]

Wow, driving on a normal bitumen road on the bump stops is bad enough.

How many teeth fell out?

:):)

[p38arover]

I agree! I drove 500-odd km from Coffs Harbour to Sydney on the bumpstops one night via the Pacific Hwy and that was bad enough!

Couldn't you get the airbag back on or had it split? Although, if it was in hard EAS fault, you'd need an EAS reset.

[Keithy P38]

It didn't hard fault until I got over 60km/h, the bag was pierced like a tiger claw, I tried 100mph tape but it did not hold so we stuffed the bag full of wrags and hoped it would help! My bump stops are buggered, I just hope the shocks are not!

[ytt105]

First actual piercing of a bag that I've heard of.

I think I'll leave the old one I've got stashed around the LPG tank right where it is!

[p38arover]

Sounds like a good idea!

[87County]

G'day all,

Just returned from my epic trip to Maytown! If you have seen Roothy's DVD from a few months ago you'll see generally what it was like - 80km of low range 4wding! It was very hard, very rough, plenty of creeks and very steep rocky climbs!

I managed to not only do this track (possibly the first P38 to ever do it), but I also did it without an air locker AND on the bump stops! About 5km into the low range I popped my left front airbag! Hard was harder and slow was slower!

The only damage she sustained was a busted left fog light and a rub on the left side on a bank entering a creek! I scraped the undercarriage only 3 times and had to pick my line very carefully!

Of the 1350km travelled, 800km was on the bump stops! That was hard!

Pics and a video of the airbag popping to come...

Cheers
Keithy

looking forward to the pics, and hearing more about the trip if you've got time

did you travel via Laura ? I was there last year and thought about going to Maytown but locals talked me out of it

[Keithy P38]

We travelled through from the south (Laura at the end). The plan was to head up battlecamp road and stay at the lions den hotel then travel back to Townsville via the daintree but my lack of suspension changed that! We ended up going home via the Rex highway and past port douglas.

[wayneg]

Looking forward to the Pics, I have just got back from my Easter trip so will put some stuff up too. 1500klms without dramas ( to my car anyway). I have worn a hole through the leather on the steering wheel, this is the only failure. I once drove my classic on the bump stops for 30 miles and that was hard going, you must be sore.

[PaulP38a]

Wow, I am impressed... by both the vehicle and the driver. I hope your best mate is a physio :D

I guess the lesson here is to carry one spare of front and rear air springs. Even if you upgrade to a different type of spring (e.g. Gen 2 or 3), it is a good idea to keep the old stockies as a standby.

Well done Keithy.

Cheers, Paul.

[benji]

Bravo! So looking forward to seeing the photos. It must be a pretty odd event having a bag burst, it's only the second i've heard about - must have gone off like a .22!

We had the classic take a sit in the sand dunes in SA 2 years ago, my wife who was 7 months pregnant at the time was not to happy!

I have to say though, i'm green with envy!!!!!!!!!!!

[ytt105]

Paul

I only carry one spring, the longest one, I'm assuming that if the worst were to happen a 'too long' spring would wrap at a different spot but still work fine.

At least it would be better than the bump stops!!

Trev

[Keithy P38]

Ok here's the pics and video's of the rangie in action pre and post bag popping! Once i've done up the trip report i'll put the "tourist" pics up in the trip reports section!

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/1135.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/02/344.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/02/343.jpg

And vids

Range Rover P38 Airbag goes POP! - YouTube (http://youtu.be/_mueIPQGxb4)

Range Rover P38 wading across the Palmer River - YouTube (http://youtu.be/_8ZRxJU1KoE)

Range Rover P38 Low Range 4wding on the bump stops - YouTube (http://youtu.be/ibpxg66xVHA)

Range Rover P38 wading on the bump stops - YouTube (http://youtu.be/i-MYJi1Z_VQ)

Range Rover P38 wading again, no suspension - YouTube (http://youtu.be/ra48J0oUm4g)

Cheers
Keithy

[Judo]

Sounds like you were enjoying the ride. :P

[PaulP38a]

just had a thought... you've got an EAS Bypass Kit don't you Keithy?

You should have been able to disable the EAS (remove delay timer), and use the elbows to bypass the Valve Block completely. At least you would have 3 air springs working.

Impressive videos mate.

Cheers, Paul.

[Keithy P38]

Ha ha, I laugh now Paul! I don't have an EAS Bypass Kit! I did think about trying to somehow inflate the remaning bags but didn't have the means...

[parasnoop67]

The moral of the story is dont go bush or anywhere else without a bypass kit.

You can pump up 3 bags and adjust the opposite end ones (back ones in this case) to balance the car a bit. IE If right front is blown pump up right rear and left front to help support the blown side.
My bypass has taps on each line so they can be shut off individually. Then pull out the plug which drives the eas compressor and pump bags with 12v air pump.

[wayneg]

I could not agree more. Some way to inflate the air springs individually is a must when venturing away. I use individual valves and these have worked well for me and saved a trip almost before it began.
Bad luck to have a spring punctured though

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/970.jpg

[Keithy P38]

Considering the conditions, I should have expected it, nonetheless it was a great trip!

Arnotts gen III's are on their way now!

[poleonpom]

You should get some sort of reward for doing that on your bumpstops, perhaps the "P38 off-road on yer bumpstops bastard award for doing 4wd tough?"

[Hoges]

"Small" hijack:wasntme: how did you compensate for the roof bar height differences caused by the curve in the roof when fitting the third bar..? Looks a neat installation with the annexe
cheers

[Keithy P38]

That's a foxwing awning up there! I simply put rubber spacers under the front and rear mounting points to prevent it bending in the centre!

[FNQ]

Hate to steal your thunder but I did it Mayday weekend last year an guess what ..... I did an airbag. Drove around with wooden replacement https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/04/607.jpg

Did the track a couple of months later with no problem other than having to get a tug in a couple of spots.

Will be going up this coming Mayday if your interested check out 4x4 Play FNQ • Index page (http://www.4x4playfnq.com)

[Keithy P38]

There must be something about that place that just tries to keep the P38's out! Gotta love that!

I am very interested in doing Maytown again, will check out the thread!

Fitting my Gen III's as we speak!

Cheers
Keithy

[Keithy P38]

Took me 5 1/2hrs to replace the bags and rotate the tyres today, I am impressed! Did it in the driveway with 2 bottle jacks!

The bag that was pierced was the oldest of the lot just looking at it! The pierce was about 5" long and it was also punctured on the opposite side to the piercings. The other 3 bags are definitely good to use as spares! Photo's to come tomorrow!

[FNQ]

Hope to see you there Keithy, it would be good to have another Ran Over on the track.

The bag that went on mine was brand new, I figured that at 15 years old and not having had a failure it might be time to shout the old girl some new cushions.
I wanted Gen III but my workshop guy mucked up the ordering and to get it back on the road I had to settle for standard replacements.
Big mistake as my failure was caused by the plastic base breaking when fully extended. My workshop saw their error and fitted a pair of Gen III to the rear for me accompanied with apologies.

[Keithy P38]

You gotta love that! Having only driven to hogs breath in it for tea last night, the difference in standard height that I've noticed is a softer ride and a touch more body roll! Am yet to put her into low range, hopefully today!