Thread: Tombies Whyalla to BrisVegas 'Cannonball Run'

Good to hear it's not quite as bad as first thought!

Well the repair bill is in!

$6660.00

That first 3 digits could be considered ominous

Originally Posted by Tombie2

Well the repair bill is in!

$6660.00

That first 3 digits could be considered ominous

+
Recovery
+
Car rental
+
Accom

If I had a hat I pass it round on your behalf, but alas..........sorry.

Hope it ends up OK Tombie.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

+
Recovery
+
Car rental
+
Accom

If I had a hat I pass it round on your behalf, but alas..........sorry.

Hope it ends up OK Tombie.

Thanks Ian...

Of course it will all be ok in the end

Theres always been a joke amongst my friends and family..

"A trip with Mike is not so much a journey, but rather an Adventure"

This one was no exception, just for more amusing reasons...

Originally Posted by Tombie2

Well the repair bill is in!

$6660.00

That first 3 digits could be considered ominous

Mike is the Disco up all repaired now?

What did they have to actually do?

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Mike is the Disco up all repaired now?

What did they have to actually do?

Not yet up and running, head is being skimmed a few thou and crack and hardness tested.

Had moved 4mm on the block.

I'm doing the following whilst the damage is repaired:

-VNT Turbo upgrade (different to the larger turbo upgrade someone recently did)
-Flush intercooler
-New upgraded Trans cooler.
-Complete cooling system replacement
Bottle, Radiator, all hoses, thermostat... The works!
-Replacing both batteries with CAT branded gear
-Convert rear tailshaft to Uni-Uni
-HardySpicer Front DC upgrade
-New Caster bushes in front arms
-Leather interior upgrade, Grey leather seats (electric)
-New leather steering wheel

And as a side effect... We're picking this boat up for Emma & Me as well as the boat we originally went to get for my mate last attempt!!!!

5m Shark Cat

So its all going better than expected actually!

Oh and of course...

New Bullbar
New Warn 9500XDC

And those funky new lights I posted in the other thread!

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-...ml#post1160036

Originally Posted by Tombie2

A brief update of how the trip played out in the end...

Monday:
07:00 Woke up! Only got 4 hours sleep due to heat and un-happy Snow Dogs wanting attention in the heat.
Proceeded to pack vehicle and get ready to leave - loaded fridge with drinks and food. Drive round and collect mate from his place - Danny hasnt slept since his 12 hour night shift.

13:00 After a quick bite to eat, hit the road from Whyalla.

18:30 Pull into Broken Hill. Mid street Pub for dinner. Danny still hasnt slept since night shift!

19:50 Leave Broken Hill, I'm still driving Bloody Goats and Kangaroos everywhere - Oh well, the Bullbar and Spotties should be handy tonight!

21:40 Wilcannia - Not stopping here!!! Locals boozing in middle of main drag and not happy by our presence... Keep driving!!!!

22:30 BANG! 5 foot of hopping road block decides to suicide into the Discovery at 100km/h Skid to stop and inspect vehicle.
ARB depressed across front of blade approximately 1-2 inches. Outline of Kangaroo clearly visible in metalwork.
Winch mounting area bent, winch drum and mounts damaged!
Spotlight punched back into upper tube, still functions, re-aligned.
Multiple bits of "TED" the Kangaroo underneath vehicle.
Later discover that the ROO"TED" has damaged a rear brake line as it tumbled under the vehicle!

Keep driving, Bloody things are everywhere. .. Max speed 70km/h...
Spotlights shut down suddenly - IPF loom has melted
Like driving a slalom course.. 2 Roos run out on seperate occasions and actually jump into the SIDES of the Discovery, striking the rear door on the Passenger side and the Rear quarter on the driver side (idiotic creatures)
Takes close to 4 hours to Cobar

Tuesday:
02:30 Cobar - Fuel up, quick coffee and back into the vehicle - I'm still driving. Feeling really good actually.

07:00 Driving into Narribri - Can smell coolant.
Stop at McDonalds for a Sausage and Egg Muffin.

07:30 Check vehicle over, no sign off coolant leaks, everything seems ok.
Drive off onto highway - Dannys driving...

07:50 Engine surges - Temp gauge climbs - Engine immediately reduced to idle and vehicle pulled off highway.
Pop bonnet - Steam and coolant everywhere Shut engine down.

Temperature outside - 36c, Humidity 88% - Stuck in full sun.

Check mobile - Signal.......................Just...... Call for help.............

09:45 Tow truck arrives and towed back to Narribri

Most of the day spent making phone calls, trying to organise tow transport, repairs etc..... Still have to get boat in Brisbane.

16:30 discussed options and decided "Stuff it" with an "F"...
Hire Holden Epica for $570.00 overnight and continue driving.

18:30 Very tired, so stop at Goondawindi for the night.... Shower, changed and straight to PUB..... Scotch helps soothe the pain a little....

Wednesday:
07:00 Simple day - Drive to Brisbane, meet boat seller and pay for boat.
Mates Brother-In-Law drives up from Lismore to tow boat back to his place.
Boat now in Lismore....

Booked flights to Adelaide for Thursday, early departure
Booked flights to Whyalla - Only late flight available, going to be a long day!

Stay at Novatel Brisbane Airport, hit tavern across road....

21:00 Stagger back to hotel and continue in their bar!

23:00 Bar closed - Sleep!

Thursday:
Jump plane(s).... Home at 17:00

"Mike and Dannys Road Trip 1" - Complete...

Coming Up:

Vehicle still in Narrabri - Transport organised today (Monday 11th) will be in Adelaide in next few days.

Replacement Cooling system (Radiator, Hoses, Thermostat etc...) ordered and on their way.

Contact insurance company re: accident claim!

DAMAGE: (images to follow)
ARB Winch Bar
Warn Winch
Spotlight Wiring Loom
LHR Door dented
RHR Quarter dented
Radiator damaged
Hoses destroyed
Head Warped ???? - Initial testing shows it may be ok.
Head Gasket ???? - Initial testing shows it may be ok.

Also appears the turbo has died, possibly due to rapid shutdown at high speed (my turbo has been a little 'off' for a while now)


Let me just say though...
A HUGE thanks to all of those who offered assistance.

VNT time