Trip Preparation...!!!!...update #1

[swanny]

G'day all,

Mark I hope you don't mind mate, but after reading a recent preparation post in the Red Centre trip thread, I thought it might be interesting, and maybe of value to others to see how members are going with there vehicle and were applicable CT preparation for our Cape trip.

As a guess I think we have something like 50 odd days until we hit the tracks  , and if others are like me, they are busy doing stuff with every spare minute they have.

For myself, I have my Veh pretty well sorted, I have it set up for touring as it is, so I really only need to do a few things here and there, whilst some of the stuff I have done probably wont be required, it will give me piece of mind, but also if make life easier for sure .

A couple of things ive done so far,

New rubber, (BFG KM2 285/75/r16) which was needed, and is timely for our trip, I had fitted a front locker, which as said isn't essential, but may help, and I got it at a great price fitted so couldn't say no, diff and gear box breathers, serviced my winch and changed the steel rope over to Dyneema.

Other little bits ive done to my veh is stuff which I guess makes your adventure a little more easier if not more practical.

Left to do will be a service, (oil and filters) which will include changing gear/trans case oil, an engine flush and some new coolant, checking over all suspension components, (I have to change the front lower shock bushs). Just prior to leaving I will get under and mark nuts and bolts (no not all) with a perm marker which may help ID any probs before they happen

Update-fitted last of my breathers (gear/trans), not a lot left to do for the truck...!!!

As for my CT, im still very busy with finishing it off, whilst it was set up pretty well, there was a few things I needed to do...as I have changed over to a larger fridge box/fridge I needed to fit it up and run power to it, additionally I had to upgrade my 12 volt system, so I have 200 amps of power, this is still underway at present, im hopeful though I will have it sorted with in the next week or so, i better, were heading off on a shake down weekend very shortly.... Update-finished of all 12 volt wiring fitted new charger and fuse block as part of the upgrade and is going well, refitted CT rake after a couple of mods, starting to come together...!!!!

I also changed over my shackles and bushes to greasable shackles...and took the opportunity to change over my U bolts and double nut them at the same time.

Ive also harden all my cabling underneath my CT, and made sure ive run my cabling (top of chassis in most places) along the chassis so it cant be ripped of when being dragged thru mud and dirt etc....also changed over the bolts on my hitch as after inspection they looked like they were a bit worse for were.

I made a shelf style system for the storage side of my CT, really for practical purposes when we stop on over nighters, ill show you when we catch up.

As for spares, I guess im no different to others, I will be carrying the usual filters, tools, elec bits and pieces, spare U bolts, and different nuts and bolts, I will also have, fluids, gasket goo, silicone etc,...I thought long and hard about carrying a spare shockie, and have decided I will, should take up next to no room, and if I blow one out, I can get myself out of trouble.

I will have a small soldering kit for those types of jobs, but nothing really over the top.

Im sure there is other stuff that you guys have done which I haven't mentioned so post up what your up to and how its going for you.

Looking forward to your responses.

Swanny

[lindamc]

I want to see your shelf storagesystem too please

Sent from my GT-I9100T using Tapatalk 2

[yogi]

Does cleaning out the beer fridge count

yogi

[lindamc]

of course Yogi.. your priorotizing

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[MarkVS]

My preparations left to do.

Camper
Bearings done.....
Add extra underneath stone protection (full width conveyor belt)
Remove handbrake (which runs below draw bar)
Have Jetcrew check electricals
Buy tyre tube (instead of 2nd spare)

Car
Bullbar now done, new tyres done, snorkel done,
Fit final underbody protection
Fit Diff/gearbox etc breathers
Fit rear suspension air bags
Get a Service done
Stock up spares
Buy a tyre tube (instead of 2nd spare)

Compared to this time last year with the Gulf Trip prep, I feel more in control....I just have to stop certain members of this forum giving my wife any 'extra' ideas......


MarkVS

[Symon]

Well for me I only have the truck to worry about, so on the to-do list is -

- major service, all filters and lubricants
- replace the suspension (existing is pretty sad due to all the trips the truck has been on)
- wire up the light bar I got from McGirr
- install the under tray drawer
- fit a new auxiliary battery (last one died a week ago)
- fix the $%^&ing oil leak on the PTO output shaft
- fuel up
- beer up

And away we go!

[swanny]

Does cleaning out the beer fridge count

yogi

Bugger that...means you gota take the beer out ....well it does for me....hahaha

[swanny]

My preparations left to do.

Camper
Bearings done.....
Add extra underneath stone protection (full width conveyor belt)
Remove handbrake (which runs below draw bar)
Have Jetcrew check electricals
Buy tyre tube (instead of 2nd spare)

Car
Bullbar now done, new tyres done, snorkel done,
Fit final underbody protection
Fit Diff/gearbox etc breathers
Fit rear suspension air bags
Get a Service done
Stock up spares
Buy a tyre tube (instead of 2nd spare)

Compared to this time last year with the Gulf Trip prep, I feel more in control....I just have to stop certain members of this forum giving my wife any 'extra' ideas......


MarkVS

Sounds like your on top of it Mark, whats your plan for a hand brake on the CT when you remove it ??....are you going to relocate it so it doesn't get ripped off ??

Swanny

[swanny]

Well for me I only have the truck to worry about, so on the to-do list is -

- major service, all filters and lubricants
- replace the suspension (existing is pretty sad due to all the trips the truck has been on)
- wire up the light bar I got from McGirr
- install the under tray drawer
- fit a new auxiliary battery (last one died a week ago)
- fix the $%^&ing oil leak on the PTO output shaft
- fuel up
- beer up

And away we go!

Hey Symon, I particularly like the last point mate, ill be defo doing the same....

Swanny

[yogi]

Bugger that...means you gota take the beer out ....well it does for me....hahaha

Well I did do it one at a time

yogi

[McGirr]

I am pretty well done.

Camper
change the water filler pipe for the rear water tank
pack when ready


Car
tidy up the draw system at rear
new reversing camera done with switch, so I can have it on when ever I need
replace one rear air bag
keep the existing shocks on
attach roof basket
bring spare tyre carcass 
work out how I will carry all the beer and spirits


Others
organise the gear that will be packed in the garage
work out food etc for the trip
go through all the paperwork I have on the trip to bring
make sure all camera and video gear is charged , bring laptop and portable hard drive

To Buy
Portable toilet that uses plastic bags

Lighting
naturally will have the might McGirr Led camp lights plus 10 and 20watt led flood lights.


That's about it as there will only be the two of us, more room for 

Mark

[MarkVS]

Sounds like your on top of it Mark, whats your plan for a hand brake on the CT when you remove it ??....are you going to relocate it so it doesn't get ripped off ??

Swanny

Swanny,

Thanks.
as for the handbrake, just intending to use blocks of wood. For me this is a one-off so I won't be going to a lot of trouble. I'll just put it back when I return.

MarkVS

[Symon]

- major service, all filters and lubricants  DONE
- replace the suspension (existing is pretty sad due to all the trips the truck has been on)
- wire up the light bar I got from McGirr
- install the under tray drawer DONE
- fit a new auxiliary battery (last one died a week ago) DONE
- fix the $%^&ing oil leak on the PTO output shaft
- fuel up
- beer up

Not going so well on the trip preparations!  The suspension gets done next week, but I think the PTO leak won't get done - it will just be nicely lubricated on the trip

[McGirr]

Replacement air bag gets done next week. Check

Food planning done. Check

Beer and spirit planning done. Check

Camper ready to be packed. Check

Cruiser to be added with Cape essentials. Check

Mark

[scoot]

Last time I remembered everything except my clothes.

[swanny]

All going well this end,

Camper packed, with a few tid bits to do,

Vehicle service, to include eng oil, filter, both fuel filters, gear/trans case fluids replaced, looking to be done Tues.

Vehicle mostly packed with a few tid bits to go in, roof rack to go back on Thurs and packed prior to departure Fri,

Lawns, yards and house gets a final tidy up this week prior to leaving.

Beer ordered for pick up in Cairns now just have to grab some spirits from here and Fri morn next week were on the road.....

Im sure there will be a hick up before we leave, nothing major touch wood....

All starting to come together.

Luke

[swanny]

Thought id ask...is anybody carrying a battery drill...? is it worth while..?

Thinking of throwing mine in my trunk on top of the CT....I have the room.

Swanny

[McGirr]

I will have a battery drill.

Mark

[GeoffA]

Thought id ask...is anybody carrying a battery drill...? is it worth while..?

Thinking of throwing mine in my trunk on top of the CT....I have the room.

Swanny

Yep. Carrying a battery drill and angle grinder.

[Symon]

Battery drill, angle grinder, and welding kit

[Watty2975]

Finished work today been smiling since lunch time!

Roof rack fitted.
Awning to go on over the weekend.
New tyres next week.
Camper breaks and bearings check next week.
Camper mostly packed.
Reinstall batteries in camper next week.

Holy crap there is a lot to do. Glad I finished work early.

[McGirr]

Finished work today been smiling since lunch time!

Roof rack fitted.
Awning to go on over the weekend.
New tyres next week.
Camper breaks and bearings check next week.
Camper mostly packed.
Reinstall batteries in camper next week.

Holy crap there is a lot to do. Glad I finished work early.

And it will all come together   

Mark

[Mobi]

Yes drill and impact along with 12 volt charger.
All packed ready to go 
Now I can relax.



V3

[Chris J]

This is all too hard for me, to many things to do so and no time to do it and with so many others bringing gear I'm thinking about leaving all my stuff at home.

The Oka won't be ready so I just brought a rather new Bangkok Truck with some additional fruit just for this trip.

See you all in two weeks.

[McGirr]

This is all too hard for me, to many things to do so and no time to do it and with so many others bringing gear I'm thinking about leaving all my stuff at home.

The Oka won't be ready so I just brought a rather new Bangkok Truck with some additional fruit just for this trip.

See you all in two weeks.

Sounds just like your signature Chris 

Chaos, Panic, Disorder

Mark