Thread: About to do something silly! ****box rally in a landy?

Originally Posted by isuzurover

I think you would be better off with an RRC or disco.

But I suppose a S3 109" with a 202/valiant/ford/v8 conversion would also be OK. The added bonus is you could run in 2WD only if you want.

I think you stand a better chance of getting a disco or RRC with rego for under $1k than a series.

Yeah I definitely think a disco or RRC would be easier to find (even after a quick look around ive found several RRCs for the 4-500), but I have a knack for sniffing out a bargain (potentially found a stage one V8 ute for $700 if I can get through to the owner) and a couple of series 3s seem to be floating around the 600-900 mark in pretty decent shape - landy motors in them of course). Im going to put it to the LROCV at the next meeting too, see if anyones got something sitting about they dont need.

Originally Posted by SBRallyCamel

Afternoon all,

My names J. Alexander Hallowell, and i am the custodian of the vehicle mentioned above! Been a member on AULRO for a while, but dont get much time to post

My Landy is known as 'The Camel' and he's a 1973 Series 3, he was bought from slumbering in a front Garden in Emu Plains 8 months before the 2013 Rally from Adelaide to Fremantle, for $350 and subjected to an intense 8 month Restoration, new footwells, full paintjob, Springs, Shocks, wheels, tryes, Gearbox rebuild and Engine Conversion to a 'K' code HR X2 Holden 186 that I had previously pulled out of my '63 Series 2 Shorty before I shoehorned in a 3.5.

I'm pleased to report that his first trip anywhere in 14 years, quite literally was Sydney to Adelaide, then to Uluru, Warakurna, Tjukayirla, Laverton, Kalgoorlie, Fremantle, then back to Adelaide via the Nullarbor, then Adelaide to Melbourne and back to Sydney, the only real issue being the failure of a bush in the (Holden) Dizzy, that was fixed in about 20 minutes.
I have a family history of Cancer and I've been the chief Mechanic on the Rally since the first event in 2010- (incidentally, my car fir the first two years was a Rover SD1! ) and proud to let you know that we've raised so far, from humble beginnings (17 cars in 2010) nearly $3 Million for the Cancer Council.

As support, we dont get paid to do the Rally. Our costs come out of our own pocket. We raise funds as well. We are all there because we know someone (or have lost someone) affected by Cancer. My team mate this year's 8 yo daughter had childhood leaukeimea, and three little girls she befriended during treatment did not make it. Their names are on the Camel. I myself lost my grandfather in the UK to Prostate Cancer prior to this years event, I took his train driver cap with me on the Rally as a mark of respect.

As far as a Land Rover Series for the Rally, I would definitely suggest you fit an Oil Cooler for the trip. The Rally (without giving too much away) is designed to punish your car. You could be driving up to 900 Km in a day.
Ensure your Cooling system is top notch before you leave. Thermostat, Radiator cleaned, thermo, whatever you can blag for under your $1000 limit. This applies to the Disco above too.. Incidentally, there may also be a few more Disco's on this years trip- so you'll be in good company.
On a Holden equipped Land Rover, make sure its a Low Compression Motor, as Opal Fuel will make your landy rum hot, run on, and generally misbehave. If its a high comp motor, take some octane booster.
Remember to take the essential spares you think you may need. (If you have a disco/RR, take an XF Falcon Fuel Miser Fuel Pump- same as a rangie unit minus the $200 price tag) and anything else that puts your mind at ease. Remember- if your car can't be fixed, Land Rover or not, we dig it a hole......




And remember.. I'm also judging whether you've spent more than $1000 on your car. if you do- i.e. you cheat- you dont want to know whats going to happen

See you in Perth!

James.





P.S. If Land Rover are in on the act, tell'em I've given em free advertising last year! Will swap Sticker space this year for a nice Puma 2.4 and 6 speed to fit in the Camel

Hi James, Thanks for posting and nice to speak to you! It sounds like the Camel has done extremely well, I look forward to meeting you and the camel next year.

I will definitely take on board your oil cooler suggestion, and will source duplicates of easily broken parts like fuel pumps, dizzys and maybe even a water pump etc.

Regarding the value/worth of a car, if I spend less than $1000 (and can prove it with receipts etc), but the approximate value of the car once ready is more (ie I buy this stage 1 for $700, of which some still can go for 3-5grand), is that going to be a problem?
Obviously its all a bit ambiguous and left up to your discretion (ie the VT Commodore in last years events could be seen as worth more etc), but the last thing I would want to do is spend a few months building a car on a shoestring to then have it deemed too valuable.

Again, thanks for your time on this!

Cheers, Phil

Well, all things relative, most cars pass muster.
In 2011 we had a CM valiant rock up as the General Lee..
With a hole you could put your fist through in the A-Pillar, which needed $1000 worth of parts in the front end alone to get registered!
Last year some mates did it in a mini 998 van built from a shell and donated parts. The head was off 6 out of 7 nights and I never knew you could use 'A' series head gaskets so many times when you needed to..
Next year I'm taking a mini head gasket and when he carks it, as it will invariably do, I'm going to swap him my head gasket for all his beer

In this sort of case, and cars like these (and indeed yours and mine) we are setting ourselves up for a week of automotive torture, so such shoddy vehicles are actively encouraged. I find team mates trying to kill each other mildly amusing!
Where I personally draw the line is with teams that, as per one last year, turned up in a mid 2000's Subaru Forester. A quick check of redbook showed it was worth $5k. That's not in the spirit to me. However, I'm all for killing Alfa Romeo's and last year I think the Rally finished off four of em. Top work!
To put it this way. Last year we had a Lada Niva do the Rally. It didn't finish.
No biggie, I hear you say. What killed it? Water Pump? Engine?

Nope- some of the roads were so severe, is snapped it's rear axle clean in two.

To add insult to injury, a carefully driven Mini, Suzuki Mighty Boy and a 1958 Vauxhall Victor all finished.

Anyway. Yeah, old Landies should be ok, just be aware that if you/I/we (as the support teams) cannot fix your car, she stays where she is and the Rally keeps going without it... This bit adds to the 'heart in mouth for 7 day's factor!

This is personally what I'd take with you if I was an entrant, adhering to the rules if you have access to em- you'll be going up the Gibbs river road. It will be a road that will kill cars. I've done a few now, so I've got a rough idea what you'd want to carry..
- Holden 6 water pump
Points, plugs, condenser, coil (even an old dizzy to cannibalize if needed)
Oil pump- blag a standard new one if possible, or a good used one from a wreckers.
Fan Belts/Alternator Belt and Thermostat, Hoses
Silverseal!
A spare couple of new Unis for the driveshafts
Couple of Wheel Bearing kits- repack your old ones before you go!
I took a spare second hand swivel and bearings- you never know what you may need on some of those roads, especially if you're loaded up
Id also recommend you throw in a good second hand front and rear spring. If you snap a seized ol' main leaf on the Gibb, that ain't a good thing!
Anyway, they're my thoughts. And you'll probably find the bit that breaks is the bit you didn't bring anyway, so you'll end up in the same boat as everyone else- up the proverbial creek- whether you like it or not

Originally Posted by philry

... (potentially found a stage one V8 ute for $700 if I can get through to the owner) ...

Well a Stage 1 is an RRC with leaf springs...

"And remember.. I'm also judging whether you've spent more than $1000 on your car. "

Hmmm! Four new, legal tyres capable of standing the rigours of the roads you describe, would cost close to $1000 and a sensible person would carry at least one spare. Why such a low limit?

If the cars get auctioned at the end, wouldn't it make sense to have something worth bidding for?

Cheers Charlie

Maybe "it's the vibe of the thing" that counts...

I have a car which qualifies instantly for this trial - it is a S2A rescued from a farm and given to me by the owner. However there are lots of things to consider along with James's useful list.

Firstly my free car cost me about $75 in fuel and 200km of depreciation costs to fetch it, and a $50 carton of beer to my cobber for lending me his car-tralier.

Then if I consider the preparation for a trip through the Kimberley and other nasty roads as James has outlined, I immediately think of: 2 spare wheels; water, food; swags; heavy spares, etc, which means heavy duty springs.

This then leads me to consider the safety-systems on the car - as I do with every car for any trip - brakes; steering and suspension first, followed by seatbelts; roll-over protection perhaps; windows and wipers; and lighting.

So my 2A will need new shoes; wheel cylinders; drums; pipes; hoses; master cylinder and probably cam-adjusters - about $600 not including freight, to a tin-pot little-country-town. I have some used parts which would fit, but for an around the continent trip I think new would be wiser.

Suspension will need new bushes and U-bolts; dampers and decent seats - it has none at the moment; about $500. Steering will need six new rod-ends and an overhaul of the relay - probably another $200 to $300 after freight and some decent rubbers for the rod-ends. The tyres are stuffed after 20 years of indolence - $225 ea plus tubes and balancing but I can fit them myself; say $1000, not including spares.

At this point it is time to give up, as the total is now $2350 and I haven't even thought about the other things that need doing, or spending another $600 minimum on getting it licenced!

And before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I am just a wet-blanket, I can add that one of my dearest friend's wife died of cancer in May this year, and both of us have discussed doing a trip just like this and we would still like to.

Honesty and integrity forbid me from cheating and it is not in my nature to beg for donations from businesses, or even other people, so that rules out that form of preparation.

May I then suggest that the organisers consider exempting the safety-systems from the $1000 limit - surely they want everyone to be safe - or raise the threshold to something more realistic; I think $3000 is sensible,

Cheers Charlie

A few guys on the victorian Alfa forum have done the ****box rally the last 2 or 3 years in various 70's and 80's model Alfettas, Alfa 90's etc and they have all made it... if they can a series should do it no problem!

Originally Posted by chazza

"And remember.. I'm also judging whether you've spent more than $1000 on your car. "

Hmmm! Four new, legal tyres capable of standing the rigours of the roads you describe, would cost close to $1000 and a sensible person would carry at least one spare. Why such a low limit?

If the cars get auctioned at the end, wouldn't it make sense to have something worth bidding for?

Cheers Charlie

Hi Charlie, there is actually a note in the rules and conditions stating that extra allowances for tires are ok - "If your car needs 4 new tyres then this is a safety issue and therefore not included in the $1000. You will need 2 spares (also a safety thing) and these are definitely not included."

I guess if they raised the limit to 2-3grand, you could potentially enter stuff that doesnt really come under the ****box category.

Originally Posted by chazza

I have a car which qualifies instantly for this trial - it is a S2A rescued from a farm and given to me by the owner. However there are lots of things to consider along with James's useful list.

Firstly my free car cost me about $75 in fuel and 200km of depreciation costs to fetch it, and a $50 carton of beer to my cobber for lending me his car-tralier.

Then if I consider the preparation for a trip through the Kimberley and other nasty roads as James has outlined, I immediately think of: 2 spare wheels; water, food; swags; heavy spares, etc, which means heavy duty springs.

This then leads me to consider the safety-systems on the car - as I do with every car for any trip - brakes; steering and suspension first, followed by seatbelts; roll-over protection perhaps; windows and wipers; and lighting.

So my 2A will need new shoes; wheel cylinders; drums; pipes; hoses; master cylinder and probably cam-adjusters - about $600 not including freight, to a tin-pot little-country-town. I have some used parts which would fit, but for an around the continent trip I think new would be wiser.

Suspension will need new bushes and U-bolts; dampers and decent seats - it has none at the moment; about $500. Steering will need six new rod-ends and an overhaul of the relay - probably another $200 to $300 after freight and some decent rubbers for the rod-ends. The tyres are stuffed after 20 years of indolence - $225 ea plus tubes and balancing but I can fit them myself; say $1000, not including spares.

At this point it is time to give up, as the total is now $2350 and I haven't even thought about the other things that need doing, or spending another $600 minimum on getting it licenced!

And before anyone jumps to the conclusion that I am just a wet-blanket, I can add that one of my dearest friend's wife died of cancer in May this year, and both of us have discussed doing a trip just like this and we would still like to.

Honesty and integrity forbid me from cheating and it is not in my nature to beg for donations from businesses, or even other people, so that rules out that form of preparation.

May I then suggest that the organisers consider exempting the safety-systems from the $1000 limit - surely they want everyone to be safe - or raise the threshold to something more realistic; I think $3000 is sensible,

Cheers Charlie

if you take the tires out of that amount we are looking at we are looking almost at the budget, also the joy for me is that after playing with these cars for a few years and chopping up a few parts cars, I do actually have a fair bit of the stuff that you have mentioned already in reasonable nick, I would still buy some new brake stuff and probably wouldnt bother with the HD springs.
Also I would be appoaching my landrover club for a set of club plates to do the drive on, which gets rid of the majority of the licensing costs.

I agree there could be easier ways to do it (ie buy a mitsubishi sigma with 2months reg left on it 1month before the race and drive it as is etc).
When I find a car that looks suitable (seeing a series 2 LWB 4cyl that the owner wants $200 for on the weekend), I will do a budget and see if its possible to fit beneath it.