Are 4WDs too high-tech for the bush?

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Originally Posted by Gerokent

But there is more possibility of making repairs to mechanical things than repairing things electronic out in the wilds.
Can't twitch up a transistor with a bit of fencing wire.

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So - other than an ignition module on a RV8 has anyone actually had electronics fail out in the bush - the sort of electronics that you would not reasonably carry a spare for. Did the failure actually kill your car until fixed or just retard it?

Garry

I had a flat battery which necessetated a 20km walk because of electronics. If it was an old series, a crank handle would have sorted the problem.:D

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Originally Posted by Gerokent

I reckon you are right there,John.
But there is more possibility of making repairs to mechanical things than repairing things electronic out in the wilds.
Can't twitch up a transistor with a bit of fencing wire.

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Nor can you replace a blown rear main seal that pukes all your engine oil out on the ground and also makes your clutch slip with a bit of fence wire. There are dozens of examples one could use that are reasonably common mechanical failures that any vehicle could suffer from to give good reason why no vehicle should never been taken into the outback.

All this fuss about electronics being unreliable mainly from people who have never owned a late model vehicle and have no experience and are just repeating someone else's supposed horror story's. ... :angel:

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Originally Posted by Gerokent

I had a flat battery which necessetated a 20km walk because of electronics. If it was an old series, a crank handle would have sorted the problem.:D

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If you had a good dual battery system then you could have started the engine using the second battery. That is more a case of good preparation and planning for potentially common scenarios.

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Originally Posted by Gerokent

I had a flat battery which necessetated a 20km walk because of electronics. If it was an old series, a crank handle would have sorted the problem.:D

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That was a battery failure not electronics and the series would not have started if had an alternator.

Actually would a generator equipped series engine start on a crank handle with a completely flat battery - would cranking the engine provide enough power from the generator to fire the ignition??

Garry

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Originally Posted by gusthedog

Yes. I have taken my D2 to remote areas on my own and will continue to do so until I can afford a 'new' car. I might need a 7 seater the way kids keep appearing at my joint though. :D. Maybe a nice 'new' D2a with 7 seats? That's the newest I'll ever be able to afford. When they drop in price a bit in a few years ;)

My insurance policy is a sat phone an epirb. I'd never travel remotely without either.

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Me too. The secret in trusting your vehicle is to get to know it. Do as much of the maintenance as you can, Know what makes it tick, so to speak. Not saying nothing could go wrong, just that you would be more confident in dealing with it. And try to carry the appropriate spares, in case Murphy calls. Bob

Garry it would start if it had a magneto fitted. ... :angel: ;)

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Originally Posted by TerryO

Garry it would start if it had a magneto fitted. ... :angel: ;)

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But they don't :p

I know, I was being a smartarse ... But you knew that already ...;)

A computer controlled engine needs at least 10 volts, but not so a points ignition; it could be 8 volts and still start with a crank handle or push start.