Perentie GS 6000km test run

[Trraca]

Hi guys
Thought you might like to know the results of a 6000 km/ 3 week test run of "Fred", my Perentie GS (48-206). The test run took in about 3000kms of dirt/off road, including the Strezlecki, Cordilla Downs, Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks, the Painted Desert and the Simpson Desert and there was about 3000 kms of varied sealed roads to get to the dirt up via Dubbo and Bourke and back via Broken Hill and Bathurst.

The truck is basically as purchased from AFM plus the usual waterproofing, lanolin coating, clean-up and fluids changes. The only significant mechanical work/mods was tidying and wrapping the wiring harness and adding a keyed ignition, lockable console and second spare.

The unsealed sections varied from well-graded roads to a lot of light and some very severe corrugations, to long sections of stony gibber tracks, to bull dust, soft sand and sand dunes and a small amount of straight cross country off-road, generally very dusty. For most days top temps were well above 40 degrees and one day of gale force winds and one of high winds and torrential rain (over 30mm).

Moderately loaded with one person, camping gear, food for three weeks, spares and tools, 40 litres of additional fuel, 30 litres of water and 2 spare wheels.

Results:

Overall fuel consumption 9.02L/100km; range - dirt 7.9 to 8.93L/100km highway (85-95km/hr) - 9.5-10.3L/ 100km.

Oil (RX Super) remained at exactly the same level for the whole trip.

Temp: engine ran at 85 degrees the whole way in spite of the very high air temp. Radiator did not require any top up either.

Dust: Not a great intake of dust with the vents open to keep up some internal pressure and not enough buildup to make sleeping in the back a problem.

Waterproofing: During 6 hours of heavy rain driven by a high wind while driving (my campsite flooded), it leaked a bit through the door tops but the load area remained completely dry as did the front seating area except for the floor and door pockets. The windscreen wipers coped but the lights could be better.

Mechanicals: apart from the roof rack and indicator stalk (see later) nothing shook loose or required tightening.

Tyres: Michelin XZLs - Not the best, They were very close to unused but had obviously hardened with time standing around (about 4500 kms in the last 4 years of service life), one developed an 8cm split on bad corrugations though it didn't deflate. I replaced it with the spare. All were heavily chipped and pitted on the top of the tread but I did not have a puncture or need to use the 2nd spare.

Problems:

A tarp strapped to the roof rack ballooned up in the first day of heavy winds causing the bolts to work loose and 2 to shear. I didn't have replacement bolts and eventually had to leave the rack on Cooper's creek at the dig tree.

The stalk with the indicators and horn shook loose and stopped working taking most of the warning lights with it on heavy corrugations. The problem cropped up intermittently had happened before though (see previous posts). Fixed at Port Augusta by an excellent Auto electrician by bridging some of the glass fuses with blades and tightening the stalk and earth. Later, outside Broken Hill, the ignition key would not turn off, only going back as far as the warning light on position. No hope of getting a new barrel so had to do the last 1500 kms using stall stops and disconnecting the battery terminal overnight. The battery never missed a beat. The problem may have happened when the steering wheel shroud was removed to fix the indicators or just from the shaking - the key barrel was an ebay special.

All in all Fred came up trumps with no significant problems caused entirely by trip or original equipment. I have him booked in next week for a thorough check out and to fix the ignition and I'll let you know the results. The driving position and seat were extremely comfortable compared with my old Pajero and 4WD Dual cab ute but even so I reckon I'm much worse off than the truck after 3 weeks of constant solitary driving in 40 degrees! For one 3 day stretch I didn't see one other vehicle except those parked in a few settlements on route and I had most camp sites, like the Dig Tree, entirely to myself - one of the joys of summer travel!

[mark2]

Thanks for the report. You've clearly got some physical stamina, doing that trip in a Perentie in summer! The vehicle did very well too. I did a very similar trip last year in my GU Patrol and had more problems than that, although no show stoppers.
-leaking heater core, broken rear sway bar mount, front shock nut punched through mounting washer, bent tie rod (my fault). This was in winter also, summer is much harder on a vehicle out there.

Gibbers and corrugations will always take their toll.

[Outlaw]

Great results. Cheers for the report. Going searching now to see how you've mounted the second spare.

[Trraca]

Great results. Cheers for the report. Going searching now to see how you've mounted the second spare.

Hi Outlaw

I posted the spare wheel set up on REMLR, "Perentie Fitout - storage and accommodation" August 01, 2014, 03:46:14 PM

I am never sure of the etiquette for duplicating similar posts on different sites and I presume most of us follow both.

All the best with the spare.

Mike

[Outback]

Do you have any pictures from the trip? Is your rack still back at the creek? Hate to see you loose that.

[Bushy049]

Your a mad man that's all I can say , Awsom story of and epic trip

Sent from my HTC_PN071 using AULRO mobile app

[Trraca]

Do you have any pictures from the trip? Is your rack still back at the creek? Hate to see you loose that.

Hi Outback
I have about 700 pictures so they will take a bit of time to thin down to the top few. Since I was travelling alone it was difficult to catch the Perentie in action though.

The roof rack is still at Coopers Creek, it was impossible to carry on those roads without bolts without the risk of damaging the canopy. I had decided anyway that I would prefer a flat-based, 2m x 1m rack with 15mm sides which could carry things like the camp table and chairs which are bulky but pretty lightweight or even serve as an extra bed.

[Trraca]

One thing I forgot to mention in my report is make sure your jerry cans open and close smoothly before venturing into the desert in summertime.

After battling, in the mid day heat, with a stuck lid for ten minutes it finally sprang free with a resultant heat-driven diesel, head to toe, shower at close quarters. With another 200kms to go before there was any hope of a shower or dip in a muddy billabong this was a fairly unpleasant experience and the diesel fumes lasted for hours. The only upside was that the bush flies (in plague proportions) gave up the hunt for a while. I would recommend Aeroguard as a slightly better alternative though!

[Bearman]

One thing I forgot to mention in my report is make sure your jerry cans open and close smoothly before venturing into the desert in summertime.

After battling, in the mid day heat, with a stuck lid for ten minutes it finally sprang free with a resultant heat-driven diesel, head to toe, shower at close quarters.

It's called truckies perfume Mike:D

[Trraca]

...All in all Fred came up trumps with no significant problems caused entirely by trip or original equipment. I have him booked in next week for a thorough check out and to fix the ignition and I'll let you know the results?.

English Auto at Tuggerah checked Fred out. The running repairs to the fuse box at Port Augusta were a bit of a mess and had to be removed and redone. This cured the key ignition problem so the barrel didn't need replacing and all the electrics are now back to normal. All the fluids were OK with not a drop of a leak in sight. The brakes needed adjustment and a return spring in the door handle needed replacing. The fuel filter under the lift pump had some crud in it but not enough to cause trouble. The only surprise was the the Uni joint in the front of the tail shaft needed replacing due to excessive play, which was odd since the shaft itself was pristine and even had the makers label still glued on it. Other than this Fred seems to have enjoyed his outing and is driving very smoothly.

[Happy Travellers]

Well done Mike, sounds like an interesting trip, at least you got to know your vehicle intimately.


Jon

[4x4 MORE]

Wow mate you got guts doing that trip In a Perentie!!:eek::eek:

Let alone a GU patrol!

[LandroverScott]

Wow mate you got guts doing that trip In a Perentie!!:eek::eek:



why?

one of the most stable, capable and reliable vehicles you will find.

[Trraca]

Wow mate you got guts doing that trip In a Perentie!!:eek::eek:

I've covered most parts of the trip several times before in a Mitsubishi Pajero and/or a Ford Courier 4WD ute. The Perentie is far more capable than either of them particularly when the going gets rough. Its only real drawback is the lack of air conditioning for summer travel but even then I often prefer not to use it anyway since it feels 10 times worse when you get out of the truck and go off on foot. The dry heat's not bad and you can put a wet towel over your head in extreme conditions. The ability to roll up the sides is a bonus as is the convenience of room to sleep in the back.

The high clearance, simple mechanics and no-nonsense bodywork (I hate the trend towards highly polished, car-like bodywork on 4WDs that you are worried about every potential slight scratch or dent with!!) make it perfect for stress-free bush work.

I'm now completely relaxed about doing a much more gruelling 2 month desert trip next year.

[4x4 MORE]

I've covered most parts of the trip several times before in a Mitsubishi Pajero and/or a Ford Courier 4WD ute. The Perentie is far more capable than either of them particularly when the going gets rough. Its only real drawback is the lack of air conditioning for summer travel but even then I often prefer not to use it anyway since it feels 10 times worse when you get out of the truck and go off on foot. The dry heat's not bad and you can put a wet towel over your head in extreme conditions. The ability to roll up the sides is a bonus as is the convenience of room to sleep in the back.

The high clearance, simple mechanics and no-nonsense bodywork (I hate the trend towards highly polished, car-like bodywork on 4WDs that you are worried about every potential slight scratch or dent with!!) make it perfect for stress-free bush work.

I'm now completely relaxed about doing a much more gruelling 2 month desert trip next year.

Could't agree with you more mate..just have a look at a 200 series LC, or Y62 Patrol..

[4x4 MORE]

why?

one of the most stable, capable and reliable vehicles you will find.

That's not what I was getting at.. I ment this.. They are like a truck to drive compared to a 200 series LC let alone a Pajero..;)

They don't have the greatest ergonomics so they are not as comfortable as most modern cars, nor are they all that easy to manoeuvre around the place - they are taller than many vehicles, you've gotta get to know where the corners are, the turning circle is fairly large, & the steering isn't all that light, so carparks & tight spots off road can be a little difficult/take some work. And they are never going to be race cars - they were spec'd to be reliable & robust military grade work-horses.

I wasn't being smarty pants mate..

[LandroverScott]

That's not what I was getting at.. I ment this.. They are like a truck to drive compared to a 200 series LC let alone a Pajero..;)

They don't have the greatest ergonomics so they are not as comfortable as most modern cars, nor are they all that easy to manoeuvre around the place - they are taller than many vehicles, you've gotta get to know where the corners are, the turning circle is fairly large, & the steering isn't all that light, so carparks & tight spots off road can be a little difficult/take some work. And they are never going to be race cars - they were spec'd to be reliable & robust military grade work-horses.

I wasn't being smarty pants mate..


OK sorry your points are valid for newcomers to Land Rovers, I've only been driving Land Rovers since early 80's so obviously my opinion is..........nah can't be bothered.............

put up informative posts not jargon please

[BadCo.]

That's not what I was getting at.. I ment this.. They are like a truck to drive compared to a 200 series LC let alone a Pajero..;)

They don't have the greatest ergonomics so they are not as comfortable as most modern cars, nor are they all that easy to manoeuvre around the place - they are taller than many vehicles, you've gotta get to know where the corners are, the turning circle is fairly large, & the steering isn't all that light, so carparks & tight spots off road can be a little difficult/take some work. And they are never going to be race cars - they were spec'd to be reliable & robust military grade work-horses.

I wasn't being smarty pants mate..

Where did you copy/paste that from? Haven't you only driven a Perentie once, and its was KLRs turbo and PAS one?

[isuzutoo-eh]

That's not what I was getting at.. I ment this.. They are like a truck to drive compared to a 200 series LC let alone a Pajero..;)

They don't have the greatest ergonomics so they are not as comfortable as most modern cars, nor are they all that easy to manoeuvre around the place - they are taller than many vehicles, you've gotta get to know where the corners are, the turning circle is fairly large, & the steering isn't all that light, so carparks & tight spots off road can be a little difficult/take some work. And they are never going to be race cars - they were spec'd to be reliable & robust military grade work-horses.

I wasn't being smarty pants mate..

If you can't see the corners of a Landy, you either need a phone book to sit on or better glasses. No excuses in a Landy they are rectangular boxes with the best visibility of any 4WD on the market today, and with the canvas rolled up it is even better than the civvy equivilent!

[4x4 MORE]

Where did you copy/paste that from? Haven't you only driven a Perentie once, and its was KLRs turbo and PAS one?

No mate the one I drove was from Cousins Commercials, it had no power steering or turbo..

No need to have a go at me mate:(:(, it's just my opinion

obviously if your used to Land Rover's driving an Ex army 110 will be no problem at all:cool:

[BadCo.]

No mate the one I drove was from Cousins Commercials, it had no power steering or turbo..

No need to have a go at me mate:(:(, it's just my opinion

obviously if your used to Land Rover's driving an Ex army 110 will be no problem at all:cool:

Ah that's right, my bad.

You should just sell all your Suzuki's and bite the bullet and buy a damn Perentie and answer all your questions through experience.

[4x4 MORE]

That's why I am selling my 1992 hardtop Sierra with all the gear for mate:cool:

[4x4 MORE]

If you can't see the corners of a Landy, you either need a phone book to sit on or better glasses. No excuses in a Landy they are rectangular boxes with the best visibility of any 4WD on the market today, and with the canvas rolled up it is even better than the civvy equivilent!

That's true..:)

[4x4 MORE]

I apologize for my Newbie questions:(

Sorry if I offended anyone..

[Mick_Marsh]

No worries mate.
Sometimes us grumpy old farts forget to take our happy pills.

Please everyone, be nice.

[Redback]

Just to add to Micks post, people seem to forget what this Forum is all about, people come here for answers and informatiom on things they may want to buy or fix.
There are no stupid questions, and remember, you were new to Land Rovers and this Forum once apon a time.

Baz.

[Homestar]

I apologize for my Newbie questions:(

Sorry if I offended anyone..

No need to apologise - you have done nothing wrong. I agree with Mick and Baz here - keep asking questions, that how's we learn.:)

[4x4 MORE]

Thanks mate:)

[PeteFox]

Well this is a bit of a surprise! Deleted post?

charged, tried, convicted, sentenced and executed without being contacted at all.
would you like to withdraw your post?
we've had a complaint.....
etc. etc.

No need for any niceties here because someone else is wielding the axe.

all because I had a crack at a "Newbie"

Just so happens that the newbie has made 467 posts and has been member since April 2012 and is classified as "Master" on his profile. Hmmm.... the definition of "newbie" is certainly very broad and the definition of free speech is very narrow.

I've just had a look at the first 25 posts of this sub-forum and eight of the last posts are from the Newbie.

Merry Christmas
Pete

[Outlaw]

Better a deleted post than an infraction for a personal attack Pete. Must be the Xmas spirit affecting the moderators. Taking a look at 4x4 more posts there is a difference between being a newbie to the forum and a newbie to perenties... We can't all be as gifted as some. Maybe time some more eggnog ;)

[BadCo.]

Better a deleted post than an infraction for a personal attack Pete. Must be the Xmas spirit affecting the moderators. Taking a look at 4x4 more posts there is a difference between being a newbie to the forum and a newbie to perenties... We can't all be as gifted as some. Maybe time some more eggnog ;)

I am technically a newbie really. I'm only 27 and have had my Perentie for near 4 months and its my first Land Rover. First thing I did before I picked up my truck was read every single thread on here and REMLR regarding the Perenties, and bought the buyers guide.

Now I'm not immune from asking stupid questions, but this guy seems to be going out of his way to dig up threads with posts that are in essence, spam. And of course ask continuous stupid questions.

The mods really need to look at ALL his posts and threads instead of telling us "grumpy old farts" off for commenting on his posts.

[PeteFox]

, but this guy seems to be going out of his way to dig up threads with posts that are in essence, spam. And of course ask continuous stupid questions.

The mods really need to look at ALL his posts and threads instead of telling us "old grumpy men" off for commenting on his posts.

EXACTLY. BadCo I couldn't agree more


OK some people may be offended by my comment(s). If anyone here is offended I apologise. The intention was not to offend but to stop the spam.

Am I offended by spam? probably not, Does it ruin threads? You bet, does it **** me off? Yes particularly when the spammer has been told before and still persists.
Pete

[Mick_Marsh]

Pete and others, I thought it was a bit much. I'm all for a bit of personal abuse but, what I read, I thought was just nasty.
I'm sure others would have wanted infractions given but I thought just delete what I didn't like and tell everyone to be nice. Was I wrong? Should I give infractions? I don't think so.
You want to go on about it, PM me. Keep this sort of **** out of the threads.

[Homestar]

I am technically a newbie really. I'm only 27 and have had my Perentie for near 4 months and its my first Land Rover. First thing I did before I picked up my truck was read every single thread on here and REMLR regarding the Perenties, and bought the buyers guide.

Now I'm not immune from asking stupid questions, but this guy seems to be going out of his way to dig up threads with posts that are in essence, spam. And of course ask continuous stupid questions.

The mods really need to look at ALL his posts and threads instead of telling us "grumpy old farts" off for commenting on his posts.


EXACTLY. BadCo I couldn't agree more


OK some people may be offended by my comment(s). If anyone here is offended I apologise. The intention was not to offend but to stop the spam.

Am I offended by spam? probably not, Does it ruin threads? You bet, does it **** me off? Yes particularly when the spammer has been told before and still persists.
Pete

I find both your constant whining about him far more annoying than his posts...

[Outback]

Bad Company and Pete Fox. I may be wrong but I believe you can put who ever it is that your having issues with on your ignore list. When that person posts you don't see it. Problem solved and everyone is happy. Except the guy who posts and no one ever sees it because everyone eventually puts him on there ignore (naughty list) list.


Merry Christmas everyone!

[Trraca]

As originator of this thread, my intention was simply to provide some useful feedback from an extensive bush test of my Perentie. I am somewhat ****ed off to see that almost 2/3rds of the thread has now highjacked by a brawl about spamming.

I can see some value in both sides of the arguments raised which I would happily discuss in a thread entitled, say "What constitutes spamming on the site and what should be done about it?". I don't want to wade through all this crap if I'm searching for a trip report.

Using the ignore list still leaves all the replies intact without showing what has caused them, which is just as big a nuisance. I suggest that, rather than deleting posts, all the relevant ones should be extracted and reassigned to a new thread where they can be argued at length and searched for in their own right. There are obviously enough strong opinions around to make this a valuable exercise.

[Phil B]

Tracca
Don't worry about it.
Some of us (including me) got huge value from your post
Thanks for posting it and please do so again after your next trip
Regards
Phil

[4x4 MORE]

Trraca..I too really enjoyed reading and learning about your long trip in your Perentie..:):)

I am apologize for any spam I have caused:(