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LJ70 Build Thread!

My container ship has now left Fremantle and is on its way towards Melbourne! :dance:

http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/de...5.7442&centery=-32.04482&zoom=10&type_color=7

Ben, they are superb, love the chapel and stables. Fancy a job over here? :icon-wink:

Thanks mate. :thumbup:

Noooooo far too cold in the UK for me. :eusa-naughty: :lol:

Ben, I think you may need to check the plans. You may have built the stables to the wrong scale. Pretty sure you won't get a horse in there.

Weather looks stunning. Day, after day, after day, after....

You'll soon be bored of that :icon-rolleyes: I know I am. We have the same weather here, day, after day, after day after .......


Chris

:lol:

Weather is amazing Chris. :icon-biggrin:

The state is experiencing its hottest Autumn on record. 10 days in a row above 30 degrees! :dance:

Going to be 38 on Wednesday which is a bit too hot for working really. Would much rather be on the beach. :icon-cool:
 
Yesterday I went shopping and bought some camping stuff for the first trip over here in my 70! :dance:

I want a roof top tent and ARB roof rack, but I've decided they can wait for now as a new 12,000LB winch and fridge are more important.

So I bought a cheap 3 man ground tent, as I didnt bring the £20 Tesco one (which I bought when they were reduced to £2 and then used for the last 3 years) with me.

I also bought a few other little bits and pieces.

i bought a map book for Melbourne (Melway) and a 4x4 book with 50 short trips in it.

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The 4x4 book looks perfect. :clap:

Its got lots of 2-3day trips in it. :icon-biggrin:

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This is where I'm planning for the first trip. :icon-twisted:

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I'm taking my girlfriend Laura, and as shes never been camping before I need to make sure everything goes smoothly and she enjoys it, then hopefully she will want to go again. :pray:

Need a new winch as my last one was knackered. Probably going to get a 12,000LB one from Tigerz11. Just need to make sure I strip this one down and service it every 6-12months.

The last one had had some serious abuse for the 3-4 years that I had it and I never serviced it. :oops:
I also regularly used it fully submersed in dirty muddy water. :icon-twisted:

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After looking at both Waeco and Engel fridges I've decided I prefer the Engel's. The Waeco's are all plastic, where as the Engel's I've been looking at are metal. :think:

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Thinking of getting the 40 litre. Not cheap, but should last quite a few years.

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These are some of the colorful birds we have flying around the place.

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We decided to soak the timber I'm going to use for the boat jump in a pool for a few days to make it easier to bend.
So I drove the timber over in the ancient hi-lux.

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Keeping an eye out for any crocs (or snapping handbags as they like to call them here), I put all the timber in.

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Been making a water trough jump.

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Spotted another of the new 70's today. :drool:

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Got too drive the tractor today. Fun but not as much fun as the Manitou. :icon-cool:

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One finished jump.

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The heat wave is continuing. 36 degrees today and will be again tomorrow. :icon-biggrin:

I know that might sound too hot, and I'm sure if I was just sat round then it would be. But its not too bad to work in, just need to keep drinking plenty. :icon-smile:
 
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Good stuff Ben,

be careful on that winch, tigerz are part of the 4wd action rip off, cheap and Chinese! Engels are obviously a top fridge, but expensive to mend. The Waeco are incredibly tough, draw less, and cheaper to mend. However they don't use danfoss compressor any more, but the iron man does, and is a similar fridge to the Waeco. Just check prices, could be a bit cheaper to buy.

Jumps again look great.

freezing here, snow as well.

Deep joy!
 
The ship is almost here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :dance:
 

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Good stuff Ben,

be careful on that winch, tigerz are part of the 4wd action rip off, cheap and Chinese! Engels are obviously a top fridge, but expensive to mend. The Waeco are incredibly tough, draw less, and cheaper to mend. However they don't use danfoss compressor any more, but the iron man does, and is a similar fridge to the Waeco. Just check prices, could be a bit cheaper to buy.

Jumps again look great.

freezing here, snow as well.

Deep joy!

Thanks Tony. :thumbup:

I dont for a minute want to support 4WD Action. :eusa-naughty:

Subscription has ended and wont be getting renewed. :icon-rolleyes:

But......................Tigerz11 are the cheapest place to buy cheap Chinese winches. :think:

Having never bought/owned a fridge before I am open to suggestions. :icon-biggrin:

Need to do a bit more research before I buy I think. :think:

So glad I'm missing the snow! :dance:

The thought of having to work on a building site in the snow and ice again brings back horrible memories! :lol:
 
Buy cheap, buy twice! Not always the case, but with a winch and the places you are likely to end up, you possibly wont want it to fail.
Send Chris an email at FNB, he will give you a no bull honest answer regarding fridges and winches. He told me about the Waeco, and them using a new style compressor, so the iron man is now the closest one to the old waecos. The ARB is one too, I think. The engel uses a more complicated compressor, hence more if they go wrong.

Don't get too burnt, and like your new "status"!!

:dance:
 
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Hi Ben.

I have a subscription to 4WD Action and it's getting a bit repetitive. To many of the adverts talk of doom and gloom if you don't fit this or you don't do that. I will likely knock it on the head when the subscription ends, so any info. on a decent replacement mag. would be appreciated.

12,000 lb winches are usually 9,000 lb winches with lower gearing. I have a 9,000 lb Warn that has served me for many years. It's badly sealed against water and I had to change the motor when the said water finally destroyed it. Regular maintenance is vital on whatever model you buy.

I don't like the Engel freezer because the case is steel---lousy insulation, paint will scratch, it will dent and rust and the handles will fracture at the bend.

Roger
 
Didn't renew my subscription either, no way that's happening. No snow here, it's dry, even some sunny spells, but not quite as warm as where you are Ben :lol:
 
Ben it might be worth checking out the warranties on the fridges too. After my old Engel (bought second hand) gave up the ghost and was going to cost half a new fridge to fix I went to get a new Engel. I then saw that Waeco offered a much better warranty, 3 or 5 years (can't remember which) but it was much better than the Engel warranty. Also, the Waeco does draw less which might be important for the longer camping trips. I bought the Weaco 50 litre which has the same footprint as the Engel 40 litre - just a bit taller. Yes it is plastic but it is the poly hard-wearing stuff and feels pretty durable. Been very happy with it so far.

Forgot to add, the Waeco was a fair bit cheaper than a comparable Engel too and I don't think you're getting that much less of a product to justfy the Engel premium!
 
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Hang on, did I miss something.....girlfriend....Laura....youve not got time for women, we want photos of tracks in the wilderness, beachs and the like !

Pete.
 
Buy cheap, buy twice! Not always the case, but with a winch and the places you are likely to end up, you possibly wont want it to fail.
Send Chris an email at FNB, he will give you a no bull honest answer regarding fridges and winches. He told me about the Waeco, and them using a new style compressor, so the iron man is now the closest one to the old waecos. The ARB is one too, I think. The engel uses a more complicated compressor, hence more if they go wrong.

Don't get too burnt, and like your new "status"!!

:dance:

I know what your saying mate, but I've got so much stuff I need too pay for right now, that I cant afford an expensive/decent winch. So I think its better to have a cheap winch than no winch at all. The last cheap one lasted a good few years of abuse without any servicing. :think:

Will drop Chris a pm. :thumbup:


Hi Ben.

I have a subscription to 4WD Action and it's getting a bit repetitive. To many of the adverts talk of doom and gloom if you don't fit this or you don't do that. I will likely knock it on the head when the subscription ends, so any info. on a decent replacement mag. would be appreciated.

12,000 lb winches are usually 9,000 lb winches with lower gearing. I have a 9,000 lb Warn that has served me for many years. It's badly sealed against water and I had to change the motor when the said water finally destroyed it. Regular maintenance is vital on whatever model you buy.

I don't like the Engel freezer because the case is steel---lousy insulation, paint will scratch, it will dent and rust and the handles will fracture at the bend.

Roger

Tony S has found a good replacement magazine, but I havnt seen one yet. Pat Collins 4x4 I think it was called. Tony?
I've had enough of 4WD Action because I'm sick of all the marketing of Roo Systems and all the other companies the media group behind 4WD Action have got a financial interest in. After the way Roo Systems treated Tony, I dont want to be any part of or support any company involved with people like that. They really took the piss when they worked on Betsy. :icon-mad

Some good points about the Engel. :think: :thumbup:


Didn't renew my subscription either, no way that's happening. No snow here, it's dry, even some sunny spells, but not quite as warm as where you are Ben :lol:

36 today and yesterday mate! :dance:

Ben it might be worth checking out the warranties on the fridges too. After my old Engel (bought second hand) gave up the ghost and was going to cost half a new fridge to fix I went to get a new Engel. I then saw that Waeco offered a much better warranty, 3 or 5 years (can't remember which) but it was much better than the Engel warranty. Also, the Waeco does draw less which might be important for the longer camping trips. I bought the Weaco 50 litre which has the same footprint as the Engel 40 litre - just a bit taller. Yes it is plastic but it is the poly hard-wearing stuff and feels pretty durable. Been very happy with it so far.

Forgot to add, the Waeco was a fair bit cheaper than a comparable Engel too and I don't think you're getting that much less of a product to justfy the Engel premium!

Thanks Lorin, very interesting. :think:

Thinkk I need to have another look at the Waeco's then. :thumbup:

Hang on, did I miss something.....girlfriend....Laura....youve not got time for women, we want photos of tracks in the wilderness, beachs and the like !

Pete.

I'm making time because shes HOT! :lol: :drool: :icon-twisted:

Anyway I'm hoping she will be coming on the adventures with me. :pray:

I want to go traveling! I dont want to be here working, I'd rather be off on a month long trip round the Kimberly's, or up to the cape when the rainy season stops. Having all these amazing places right on my door step is awesome. Just got to be sensible for a bit and save up some money and get the truck on the road. :icon-smile:

I'm so hungry for adventure, so expect some trip reports soon! :thumbup:
 
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Hi guys,

the new magazine that was out last year is PC 4x4, Pat Callinan is Mr 4x4 down under and has his own tv show as well. The magazine is quite brilliant, a totally new style and great content. If anyone is interested I might be able to help.


Ben, I know you know the size of oz, but the Kimberley aren't quite on your doorstep! Take you nearly six days of non stop driving just to get there!! :wtf:
 
Ben - Well done mate:dance:

Tony - I'm looking forward to seeing some of Pat's mags (note to self, must find time to watch his shows!)
 
I know you know the size of oz, but the Kimberley aren't quite on your doorstep! Take you nearly six days of non stop driving just to get there!! :wtf:
Just to give you guys an idea of the size of Australia, it's feckin BIG!

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So to get to the Kimberly's I need to drive from the tip of Greece to the UK on Chas's map. :icon-cool:

I wonder how long that would take. :think:

Google directions wouldnt give me a route or distance. :thumbdown:
 
So to get to the Kimberly's I need to drive from the tip of Greece to the UK on Chas's map. :icon-cool:

I wonder how long that would take. :think:

Google directions wouldnt give me a route or distance. :thumbdown:

Broome WA is the route into the Kimberleys so put that as your destination. From Melbourne it says 3952km and 52 hours! The Kimberleys (Gibb River Road) were the best place I ever drove when in Oz. There are so many stunning gorges with camping right next to them, some of which you can only access via some pretty serious/technical offroad trails, and then you get to Mitchell Plateau....
 
Such a long way, definitely no less than 5 days, and that would be direct, staying mainly to the bitumen, and not really stopping except to refuel and sleep. After Alice you can take the Tanami track, which comes out at Halls Creek, slower speed but most direct, and that is a dirt track. Remote but straight forward. So with two weeks just to get there and back, try a six week break minimum, then you can take some of the south australian tracks to Alice. Yay!!
 
Cant wait! :dance:

Cool change should be here tomorrow, bringing an end to this record breaking heatwave. Been 36 again today and must still be over 30 now at 8pm. Tomorrow should be a bit more comfortable at 26. :icon-cool:

This is what I'm greeted with every morning when I have my breakfast. :clap:

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YYY
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