OZ Safari '07

[justinc]

Having a moment today. Actually found myself thinking about entering the OZ Safari again. LAst one was 14 years ago, and I am now a LOT older, but just as keen.

Opened the website, downloaded the expressions of interest form, etc etc.

Anyhow,,

Any one here care to start the discussion on your proposed vehicle if you were to do it?

We're talking about a 4500km event, over 4 to 5 days, in some pretty harsh environment. Lightweight reliable and powerful vehicles are the go, simplicity in design/ build and tyre choices are paramount. Suspension will get an absolute caning, and then more caning until it melts shock gaitors and collapses coil springs. Bump stops get pounded until cracks appear in the diff housings, or the body starts to break off the chassis. Fantastic stuff, can't wait. The preferred obvious choice is LR products, and less major mods the better I feel for reliability sake.
Come on, get typing. I might use some of your suggestions when building the thing...

JC

[Pedro_The_Swift]

I reckon a 2 door RR would be a good start,,

run carbys,
DONT lift it,



I wonder what won 14 years ago,,,

[dobbo]

I reckon a 2 door RR would be a good start,,

run carbys,
DONT lift it,



I wonder what won 14 years ago,,,


I agree, two or early four door Rangie, cheap, fairly basic, would take a caning, and most importantly is disposable at the end of the event

[Bushie]

Dunno maybe you should ask the ""EXPERTS"" over at Overlander

Errrrr nisotamitsabu sounds pretty good.

Martyn

but an older Rangie sounds pretty good to me

[dobbo]

Is it popular for comp Landrovers and Range Rovers to run ****an axles and difs or is this just propaganda from the sort of persons frequenting other forums and driving

niso

Toyan


misotssan

Bugger it I can't ever spell that word Bushie

If it is true why not Maxi's or similar upgraded axles, why the ****an's?

[LRHybrid100]

a mate of mine did it years ago in a Commadore bodied Rangie Chassis!!!

I think it was a wagon!!!

LRH

[justinc]

Well, we did it in a 1982 RR 2 door, 3.5 carby hi compression motor, 727 auto and a disco 1.2:1 transfer. 215 80 Pirellis on stock rims, bilsteins and lovells coils. The vehicle was as light as possible, with roll cage and spares weighed in at 1650kg. We used fibreglass bonnett and rear one piece tailgate, no trims etc. Carried minimal spares to keep the weight down, and no bull bar .

This was a private entry, we had small sponsorship with a few parts suppliers, and a little help with Pirelli tyres, but there was no big $$$.

Hence the vehicle was almost standard, but lightened.

Reliability was fantastic, we drove from Perth to Sydney, got to Darwin, won our class and 2nd in National class, drove home to Perth.

I hoped to extract a bit more thoughts on how you would set the vehicle up, as it is definately going to be a RR at this point, and not a defender, and I'd prefer to stick to RR drivetrain, as I'm not thinking huge horsepower at this stage.

Keep it coming.

JC

[rick130]

the tyre part is easy if my current info is correct. The 235/85 Michelin, err BFG ;) current Dakar spec tyre.
Appears to outlast current US off road race spec Wranglers. etc.

Suspension comes down to class entered. Maximum travel allowed under rules.
Springs are easy, Eibach or Hyperco. No Aussie made crap.
Also have access to some very trick shock fluid. Much higher VI and fade resistance compared to Silkolene Pro RSF, Motul, Torco (Fox) fluids. I'd prefer Ohlins or Reiger dampers over Fox, King, Sway-A-Way purely as they use steel working cylinders which I feel have many advantages over the Aluminum tubes of the US shockies in an event this length. Sclesser uses Ohlins and Fox by-pass types on his Dakar buggies, possibly the best of both worlds. Money no object I'd love to try Donerre as they use Ricor inertia valves which could be an advantage.

More as the brain kicks in (been working today....)

[rick130]

Entire crew does it in dinner suits (top hats would be great).

Its all about class......:D

what, on top of their race suits and helmets ? :p

[justinc]

HA! Thats more like it!
Thanks Rick130, I have some ideas too, and will be talking to our local rally prep boys in the new year... I have had trouble locating Eibach stuff, any pointers?

Keep em coming.

JC

[rick130]

D3 based, or better still a silhouette D3. IRS all round just to maintain speed/control in the rough stuff.
IIRC Eibach springs are Mona Vale/Northern beaches, Sydney. Used to have an Oz website. http://www.eibach.com.au ?? <edit> yep, still works. IIRC Hyperco are imported by North Terrace Tyres, Adelaide. (Penske Shocks importer)

Hmmm, Freelander based ?? Smaller, lighter.......

[Bush65]

HA! Thats more like it!
Thanks Rick130, I have some ideas too, and will be talking to our local rally prep boys in the new year... I have had trouble locating Eibach stuff, any pointers?

Keep em coming.

JC
Eibach in Sydney area (02) 9999 3655

[Bush65]

Is it popular for comp Landrovers and Range Rovers to run ****an axles and difs or is this just propaganda...
Of my 3 Rovers, only the disco has Rover diffs, and only the rangie has cruiser/patrol diffs.

But the disco has Maxi-drive axles, 110 county cv's, truetracs and Ashcroft CW&P in the Rover housings - so not a lot of the Rover stuff left.


...If it is true why not Maxi's or similar upgraded axles, why the ****an's?
Maxi or Macnamara axles and lockers only overcome some of the weaknesses in the Rover drivetrain.

[cols110]

Theres a few blokes out here in Dubai who also want to do it this year, some on bike and others in cars, they are looking into the logistics of shipping etc. One of them had a very competitive 110 out here that did very well in the local rallies and Desert challenge, but flogged it to buy something faster, and is looking in OZ, Europe and South Africa for something very competitive to buy, before the start of the race.

[justinc]

Well, this is a problem, how far do you go? I could go all out, spend 18months building/ designing a race/ rally prep RR based special, big $$ and lots of time, or run a lightweight moderately powerful reliable RR classic, with good $ spent on suspension and brakes etc, and get it ready on time and for less $$$.

Its hard, I'd like to do both but just don't think I can justify the 'special'.

So for me, I think I'll be sticking with the RR base and lightening it, running good shocks etc, (No idea what yet, research begins soon) an auto, probably a 727, rover diffs with maxi guts. (No lockers though), and a fair bit of body strengthening.

COLS110; The competition in the UAE etc sounds good , I'd love to see some of the vehicles and $$ being spent- Any chance of some info and would any of them be thinking of selling overseas???

JC

[Disco_owner]

:wasntme:

oz safari 2007 , I'll sign up now? what's the web address , my choice of vehicle Disco tdi ,tyres BFG 245/75R/16 ,it was my obvious choice of tyres ,worked well going to cape york , my choice of suspension , OME springs , shocks and polyair springs. choice of Fuel is Diesel , only because of Economy and $$$ savings
but with the choice of Fuel I think I may lack in power where power is most crucial. with Rear Axle Laminated I had no issues with Axle housing getting delaminated etc. Maxi Drive worked like a charm at some areas , Mechanical Fuel Pump to keep the Aiding Electronics away,
I think my tdi disco will do the job adequately,Stock vehicle , Reashelf has a Steel Tubing with MDF sheets and Draws Built from MDF to keep the weight down , but the rear Swing away bar is added extra weight, had to put it in the keep Tyre of the back door, Corrugation wrecked the back door,
so I'm well Equipped but no where to go !



Having a moment today. Actually found myself thinking about entering the OZ Safari again. LAst one was 14 years ago, and I am now a LOT older, but just as keen.

Opened the website, downloaded the expressions of interest form, etc etc.

Anyhow,,

Any one here care to start the discussion on your proposed vehicle if you were to do it?

We're talking about a 4500km event, over 4 to 5 days, in some pretty harsh environment. Lightweight reliable and powerful vehicles are the go, simplicity in design/ build and tyre choices are paramount. Suspension will get an absolute caning, and then more caning until it melts shock gaitors and collapses coil springs. Bump stops get pounded until cracks appear in the diff housings, or the body starts to break off the chassis. Fantastic stuff, can't wait. The preferred obvious choice is LR products, and less major mods the better I feel for reliability sake.
Come on, get typing. I might use some of your suggestions when building the thing...

JC

[dobbo]

Hmmm, Freelander based ?? Smaller, lighter.......


You know rick I think you may be onto something here. A Freelander is a lot lighter than an old Rangie. If the drive train could handle it, the engine bay is big enough to drop in a V8. That would achieve a very nice power/weight ratio

[LandyAndy]

Im with Disco Owner
Enter the stock class,assuming there is one.With the limited mods allowed Im sure you would be able to prep an old Disco or Rangie strong enough to compete.Ie laminate diffs/maxis,upgraded suspension/suspension mounts and a few other tweaks that should be ok in a "standard class"
Ive seen a few of the "standard class" off-roaders over here,fairly tough looking bits of gear.
Andrew

[Caveman]

oz safari 2007 , I'll sign up now? what's the web address

The website is http://www.australiansafari.com.au/default.aspx's=home

Maybe the link should be added to the first post for interested parties.

[discokid]

Im looking to go in the modified class. Currently running a class 8 offroad racing.

Would be good see other Rovers going

Just looking at the $ now. Entry is expensive and Im wondering how much other "stuff" Im going to need. Just a quick calculation and it looks like this little expedition could cost $15k. Anybody up for naving with a sharing of the costs?

[LRHybrid100]

Thats a NICE Defender - come on then tell us all about it!!!

LRH