Thread: The Springs 2013

I was still using the standard flimsy bits of 'aluminium foil' spring retainers. Getting some new ones that are hopefully stronger.

Cheers mate. Had great fun.

Springs 4x4 Park Report

We planned a 1-2 pm escape from the GC - was not to be. My 10am meeting arrived at 11:15 so did not get home to pack food and do final loading including putting Bumblebee on trailer until 1:30pm! Had to make Rach lunch as she was working until last second so had to pack by self. No issue but did delay departure.

Was not happy about the timing but then I was happy to be escaping for the weekend!

On the road at 2:30pm and feeling good and making Ok time after we go out of the school traffic around Robina/Nerang. But as we were cresting the hill before Canungra the exhaust broke. Left pipe snapped right at the manifold. At the risk of overheating the auto (cooler lines run right there) we soldiered on to Beaudesert where I tried to see if I could get it repaired/patched. Wasted half an hour to find that was a no go on a Friday afternoon.

So we chanced the white D2 not developing further problems and having enough power to tow over Cunningham's Gap. I can tell you first gear and foot to the floor it is noisy! But we did ok on hill to the surprise of a car load of Nissan boys - we had some UHF chatter.

Arrived 6ish to set up camp - cold night but clear sky. Those already there had the fire going so we cooked dinner and settled in after grabbing some more firewood on the Ute.

We had bought a new tent, new bed and of course had my new canopy for Bumblebee. All worked well so pleased with the investment. The OZTent RV5 30 second tent went up easily - not 30sec because we had the annex fitted so took a little longer with the extra poles. Bed proved great for Rach's back so that helped her pain levels - she lay flat all the way up to reduce pressure on burst disc.

Sat after breakfast 2 groups headed off. First drama was a staked wheel - all helped to change but little consolation given it was a new tyre. Damn unlucky. We ran round a few trails then back to camp for lunch. After lunch we headed for the rocks at the front of the park and did some rock climbing, watched the Jeep boys, then played in the play area.

Sat night was a great bonfire. On the way back from the play park we all loaded up with fire wood. George had a chain saw and loaded Bumblebee and the Ute up and others also grabbed a lot of wood. A huge fire resulted (see earlier pictures posted). Just as well because it rained a little around dinner and at one point we were sitting under umbrellas around the fire.

Sun I left Rach to read book and did some creek runs with Greg and George. It was a fantastic sunny day. At one point Bumblebee died and would not start. Right in the middle of a bad patch of the creek run. No high pressure fuel pump! Checked the wiring etc then the fuses. The pole of the 20 amp fuse had melted - not the fuse itself but one pole. Replaced it and soon after same thing happened. Greg suggested that the fuse seat/holder might not have a good contact and hence was arcing and thus heating the fuse pole. I scraped the fuse in and out a few times and replaced it again. Fortunately no more problems.

This trip was partly escape and partly a sort out to see how Bumblebee was set up. I did a couple of speed runs to wind her out - she runs beautifully. See the Hill Climb footage below (from hand held SLR as GOPro playing up by now - card full).
Hill Climb - YouTube

And as noted in the build thread we found out that she holds traction fairly well but will benefit from a front locker.

Here is some footage from the roof of Bumblebee for the rocks run - I have some more but need to render it down and upload. Just getting the hang of this gopro thing! The You Tube video is not a patch on the original GoPro - clearly need to work on the setting.

Bumblebee On Rocks - YouTube