Thread: just lovin' it!

Just got back on Saturday from a 6000k trip Melb, Birdsville, Hay River, Alice Springs, Birdsville-Tibooburra-Melb.

Think I have brought home half of Central Oz in the back by the looks of the dust when I unpacked yesterday!!

Happily cruises at 110 on the highway, crests sand dunes at 600 rpm without stalling when you get the wrong gear (or run out of them in high range), extracts 4Tonne toyota's from the holes they've dug themselves,. You can tie firewood on the bull bar, stand on the bonnet to take photos, averaged around 13 L/100 for the whole trip, and the list goes on

My only complaint (if you can call it that), is that its so easy to drive off road that SWMBO constantly needs reminding that its not an auto....
It usually goes along these lines:
1400rpm - I start to notice the engine and wake up
1200 - waiting for the downshift
1000 - still waiting
900 - "How about grabbing another gear darling"
"Oh yeah - it feels so easy I just keep forgetting"

I've got a few things to tidy up after the trip - ignition switch is stuffed (currently have the EDIC actuator disconnected while I wait on new switch), play in tie rod ends, drivers door wont' open from the inside, both headlight bulbs blown, idler pulley for onboard air siezed solid and made smoke, leaking rear diff cover etc etc - but nothing that held me up for more than a few minutes.
I'd be happy to jump in it again tomorrow with fresh food and fuel and head off for another month, but my boss at work isn't so keen

I'm also lucky enough to have a wife who loves it as much as I do....

Incidentally, be careful letting other landie owners drive your Isuzu...
I swapped vehicles with a Puma owner one afternoon. Drove about 20mins before we stopped for afternoon tea (where I was expecting to get the county back). Couldn't get him out of it and ended up back in the Puma until we camped that night. In the end I think it was only the threat that I was going to eat the roast that was cooking in the Puma's Travelbuddy oven that got him to hand it over

Edit: Just did final figures for the trip - 6900km and averaged 12.8L/100Km

Steve

Originally Posted by steveG

Just got back on Saturday from a 6000k trip Melb, Birdsville, Hay River, Alice Springs, Birdsville-Tibooburra-Melb.

Think I have brought home half of Central Oz in the back by the looks of the dust when I unpacked yesterday!!

Happily cruises at 110 on the highway, crests sand dunes at 600 rpm without stalling when you get the wrong gear (or run out of them in high range), extracts 4Tonne toyota's from the holes they've dug themselves,. You can tie firewood on the bull bar, stand on the bonnet to take photos, averaged around 13.5L/100 for the whole trip, and the list goes on

My only complaint (if you can call it that), is that its so easy to drive off road that SWMBO constantly needs reminding that its not an auto....
It usually goes along these lines:
1400rpm - I start to notice the engine and wake up
1200 - waiting for the downshift
1000 - still waiting
900 - "How about grabbing another gear darling"
"Oh yeah - it feels so easy I just keep forgetting"

I've got a few things to tidy up after the trip - ignition switch is stuffed (currently have the EDIC actuator disconnected while I wait on new switch), play in tie rod ends, drivers door wont' open from the inside, both headlight bulbs blown, idler pulley for onboard air siezed solid and made smoke, leaking rear diff cover etc etc - but nothing that held me up for more than a few minutes.
I'd be happy to jump in it again tomorrow with fresh food and fuel and head off for another month, but my boss at work isn't so keen

I'm also lucky enough to have a wife who loves it as much as I do....

Incidentally, be careful letting other landie owners drive your Isuzu...
I swapped vehicles with a Puma owner one afternoon. Drove about 20mins before we stopped for afternoon tea (where I was expecting to get the county back). Couldn't get him out of it and ended up back in the Puma until we camped that night. In the end I think it was only the threat that I was going to eat the roast that was cooking in the Puma's Travelbuddy oven that got him to hand it over

Steve

That is a great anecdote right there Steve, just about says it all

JC

That it is jc, I'm now in a mad rush to get mine on the road so I can take it tassie on boxing day instead of the wife's amarok, much to her disgust

Originally Posted by Vern

That it is jc, I'm now in a mad rush to get mine on the road so I can take it tassie on boxing day instead of the wife's amarok, much to her disgust

so will we get to see you down the south of the island?


jc

Yes, booked! Coming over boxing day day (to the 18th), will mainly be hitting the east side, catch up with friends on bruny island, and that's all we have planned, basically going to wing it. Happy to be shown some of the sites, its been 25 years for me, and I can't remember a thing.
So if someone can recommend somewhere near devonport for the first night would be great. Have camper in tow as well.
Oh just tried to run bringing (if its ready) the rangie by the missus, I got a frown, and she said make sure you pack plenty of cable ties (been known to make many rangie repairs with them), so I'm guessing that's a yes then dear

Originally Posted by Vern

Yes, booked! Coming over boxing day day (to the 18th), will mainly be hitting the east side, catch up with friends on bruny island, and that's all we have planned, basically going to wing it. Happy to be shown some of the sites, its been 25 years for me, and I can't remember a thing.
So if someone can recommend somewhere near devonport for the first night would be great. Have camper in tow as well.
Oh just tried to run bringing (if its ready) the rangie by the missus, I got a frown, and she said make sure you pack plenty of cable ties (been known to make many rangie repairs with them), so I'm guessing that's a yes then dear

excellent, will be good to meet up

who do you know on bruny?

jc

Have friends that moved over from here a couple of years ago, she's a jeweller, he's working/driving a tour boat of some kind I think.
Will be in touch definitely

Originally Posted by Vern

Have friends that moved over from here a couple of years ago, she's a jeweller, he's working/driving a tour boat of some kind I think.
Will be in touch definitely

A good mate of mine lives in Sawdust road, Adventure Bay, Bruny Island, he's a ex-sawmiller ( serious ) .
So when you get there look up Tony Witzerman the local bloke with the six shooter and a choice of D1's ( JC knows of him as well ).
.