LJ70 Build Thread!

[Ben]

Yesterday morning was spent adjusting the suspension on the comp truck. The shocks have been re-valved and we changed to top 2 springs on the rear.

Once wed fitted the new springs and adjusted the ride height I had to hoon around the car park driving up and over all the raised kerbs to see how the suspension was.



Then I did some more work on the Jimny build.



This is the trasnfercase mount I made.



Heres the front shock mounts I made.



We had to mount the old front shocks for now as the new OME ones wont be available for a month.





With it all back together we took it for a test drive out the front.





This revealed a few small issues so we got it back in the workshop.

I needed to trim a bit more off the rear bumper to clear the 37" tyres.



We also had to cut some more out of the transmission tunnel as it kept jumping out of 4L.



Then it was back out for more testing.





My boss had commented 10 minutes earlier saying how nice and straight the new guard (wing) is...........................



Hed asked me to jump in with him and hes driving around pretty fast up and over rocks and kerbs when suddenly theirs a loud noise like the tyre catching on something.

So he shouts out whats that?

Your bloody wheel has come off is the response!



We were all in hysterics including my boss.



We got a trolley jack under the axle and got it back in the workshop.



It turns out that wheels need more than 2 wheel nuts to keep the wheels on, especially great big 37" x 12.5" tyres!

Wed all forgotten that the wheels only had 2 nuts holding each one on.

Wed only had 2 wheel nuts for each wheel which obviously hadnt been a problem for just moving it round the factory for the past few months while we've been building it, but obviously for driving it hard off road it needs all 6 nuts.

No real harm done, managed to straighten the guard (wing) and got some new wheel nuts.



Were really pleased with how the Jimny is coming along. Its been a really low budget build and weve raided a lot of second hand suzuki parts from the other factory. Having never done something like this before I was a bit worried about getting all the suspension angles and geometry right but it drives nicely and flexes beautifully off road so I'm very happy as is my boss.

I'd love to build comp cars all the time. So much fun!

Back to LJ.....................................

The new front suspension has turned up.







I'm a bit concerned with how short the springs appear to be. Supposedly they give a +50mm lift over standard.



410mm high.



Front shocks look good though.



They've got the proper size top mount, unlike the shitty Ironman ones that Westcoast supplied!



I'm taking LJ to work today and will get her on the hoist after work and try the new suspension. I can always add a spring spacer if its not given me quite enough lift, or even remove the 80 series coils from the rear and fit the matching springs and shocks to the back. But I'm really happy with how the back is riding and flexing so would prefer not to touch it apart from fitting new rear shocks.

 

[clivehorridge]

I'm taking LJ to work today and will get her on the hoist after work and try the new suspension. I can always add a spring spacer if its not given me quite enough lift, or even remove the 80 series coils from the rear and fit the matching springs and shocks to the back. But I'm really happy with how the back is riding and flexing so would prefer not to touch it apart from fitting new rear shocks.

Ha, ha! Just your luck that the two wheel nuts let go! I guess they weren't tight anyway and that's why they dropped off when they did! I would have been upset with the wing damage, but you seem to have got away with it

I think you'll be pleased with the OME suspension stuff, my shocks have been on for 6 years and apart from some damage to the outer sleeve on one of the rears (rocks and I dunno what) they're performing as well as they were when fitted 120k km ago.

I've just realized that (almost all) of the OME suspension bushes now need changing, they were put on at the same time so I suppose they haven't done so bad. Despite the expense, I'm going for Mr T this time, to see if they're any better than the OME bushes.

The Jimny looks so cute, really cool with those 37s on. Mean little machine

 

[Ben]

The wheel nuts were reasonably tight but my boss was bouncing up and over the rocks and as the air lockers arnt connected to airlines yet their was a lot of wheel spinning.

OK update time.......................

Running twin winch motors means ideally you need 2 solenoids, which is what all the twin motor winches at work run. We also use the Albright style solenoids as they seem to be the most reliable and waterproof.

One of the auto electricians wanted me to make a bracket to mount 2 solenoids under the original Warn solenoid cover for the 70 series ute.















With that done I could get back onto the Jimny project.



Just realised I've never told you the name of the Jimny.........

Frankenzuke!

The rear tyres were catching on the chassis slightly on full articulation so we got a set of 38mm wheel spacers. Wheel spacers arnt road legal over here, well certainly not in Victoria anyway, not sure about the other states. But as Frankenzuke wont be going on the road this obviously isnt an issue.









Looks awesome! The tyres are now 6 inches outside of the factory flares and the wheel base is nearly as wide as it is long.









Fitting the wheel spacers meant I had to do more guard trimming.





Another issue we had found was that the auto box cross member that I'd previously modified to accommodate the front prop shaft didnt have enough clearance for the front prop shaft on full articulation.







So I adjusted it.





It was then time for more testing.

Its clear how important diff locks are, even on these super aggressive and sticky 37" tyres Frankenzuke was spinning opposite wheels and digging holes in the dirt.









It was then time to put Frankenzuke away.



And get LJ in.



So I needed to try the new springs and shocks.



No need to remove the wheels/tyres. Simply unbolt the top and bottom shock mounts and lift the chassis up with the hoist.



Old suspension off.



As I suspected the new springs were too short.





I decided to try them anyway to see what height I would get.



Was sitting far too low.



Looking at the shocks they were too short aswell.





So the OME +50mm lift kit is of no use.

So I put the old suspension back on.

Then I did some flex testing and measuring.



I'm really happy with the ride height and ride with the OME 80 series front springs that I've fitted to the back of LJ, so I just need to find some suitable springs for the front.

So I'm thinking of getting some custom made. Shock wise its not just a case of finding some the correct length and mount configuration as shocks are valved differently depending on suspension setup. So for example leaf spring, live axle, IFS etc. all have different valving in the shocks.

I found that 80 series front shocks are the perfect length for LJ and obviously should be valved right as an 80 is obviously live axle and coils just like LJ.

So my plan is to buy some new OME 80 series shocks, cut the pin off the top and weld on a ring so that it fits my top shock mount.

Anyway.....................

The next job was winch cleaning ready for the big rebuild.





More on the winch next time, need to get some more pics to explain a couple more issues I've found.

TAFE (college) is going well. Normally I pick things up pretty quickly so I've found it pretty frustrating that I struggled a bit to start with to get the hang of oxyacetylene cutting and welding. I think getting the flame just right with the perfect mix and pressure of oxygen and acetylene is critical.

Anyway...................

I am making progress and after lots of practicing yesterday I made a start on my first project which is to build a pair of wheel chocks all welded together using oxyacetylene.



My mate has arrived from the mines in Western Australia and last night got pretty messy, so now after 3 hours sleep I'm really struggling to get motivated to start decorating the study and finish painting the toilet.

9.15am now though so I guess I should make a start, need to pay the rent some how

 

[Paddler Ed]

Spacers aren't legal . any of the state's AFAIK... Unless they were a factory option... In which case they need to be the genuine ones. There were some listed as an option for older RWD Volvos which is how I know about them.

Rules on mods for vehicles here are a nightmare!

Jimny looks good! Saw

 

[Ben]

Interesting thanks Ed.

The Jimny is going really well.

We've discovered the 1.6 16v vitara engine in it has a blown head gasket though.

Not a huge problem though as the other part of the business is Suzuki 4wd wrecking. So we've got a factory full of engines ready to go in.

The auto box is getting re-built by a specialist this week. Then the new engine is going in and then its off to the paint show to get re-sprayed.

Then it needs stickering up with all the company graphics, the interior is getting a totally custom job with new carpet and recovered seats and door cards.

I need to design and make a cradle to stop the transfercase form moving around so much before the aluminium casing tears itself to pieces.
Then I need to fill in inside the arches where I've trimmed loads out to fit the huge tyres, and then fit some flares to try and cover the huge sticking out tyres.

My boss has said that one of the days we will take one of the 4wd's, probably the 70 series or maybe even the comp truck to the local place that sells big boulders and rocks and have a play on the rocks and then select which ones we want to buy to put outside the showroom to park the Jimny on.

Did I mention I love my job?

 

[Ben]

Narbethong, Toolangi and Marysvile Day Drive

OK guys one last update then I'm off on my epic 3 day High Country trip.

Building work first.........................

The toilet is nearly finished, just needs a bit more filling and painting and the window glazing.





The study is also progressing well. I've given the newly plastered walls and ceiling 2 coats of paint. 1 more coat and then I can fit all the skirting board, arcitrave and doors.





The latest club magazine had got a nice trip report in it from our snow trip.







After doing some more work on the house on Saturday I gave Michael a hand working on his Suzuki which he wanted to take on yesterdays trip (Sunday).



Hed had some custom drive shafts made with strong CV's to overcome what is a huge weak point on these vehicles.



But on the passenger side there wasnt quite enough room to get the shaft in without it being fully compressed and making some horrible noises as the wheel/shaft was turning.



So after discussing the options I suggested we do the "Hagen Widening Mod" which was originally pioneered to give more clearance between the back of the tyre and the bulk head.

It involves drilling another hole and moving the rear wishbone mount out.







With that done the shaft was now sitting perfectly in position.



I then got the 37"s fitted to LJ.



So yesterday morning we hit the road for a club day drive.





We found a suitable place to leave the 80 and trailer.



Got the Suzuki off.



We drove a few k's into the forest and then stopped to air down.







Following on from Chris's suggestion I only dropped down to 20psi, and I didn't even air up from that after the trip and it drove home fine on the road and the tyres didn't get hot, so I may just keep them at 20psi from now on.



We turned onto the track we had come to drive.





The track climbed a steep hill and the ground was very slippery and wet.



The trip leader was soon winching in his Patrol. No diff locks and no weight over the rear axle meant he only had to become slightly cross axled and hed loose drive completely.











Their was a bit of waiting around for the next hour while the trip leader in his Patrol and the 105 LandCruiser behind him winched and fought their way up the hill. They got over one particularly nasty section where there was a huge boulder in the middle of the track.

Then it was Michaels turn in his Suzuki. Now Michaels pride and joy is his 80, the Suzuki is a toy which is cheap and gets abused everytime its taken out.
So for the next section of track he drove flat out bouncing off the rev limiter and got up without winching.

Then it was my turn in LJ. I drove probably quicker than I needed to as I was finding traction ok with the 37"s and both air lockers engaged. But we made it safely up to the point the others were up to, just over the big boulder.



I was soon followed by an 80 series.



I spent the next hour running up and down the hill hooking the winch line up for the 105 cruiser and helped them make it to the top.















With the Patrol and 105 safely at the top Michael tried his hardest to get his Vitara up but after repeated attempts he too resorted to winching.









Now for me winching wasnt an option as I was the only one without a winch.

With Michael safely at the top I set off and tried to get some momentum up for the steep bumpy climb that had some huge ruts and water eroded channels down the middle of the track.

All was going well and I was making good progress then my passenger wheel got airborne and by the time I hit the brakes was a good 3ft in the air. It felt bloody close to going over, but luckily I was able to reverse back and get the wheel back on the ground.

I tried picking a different line but everytime I tried driving this section of track I was lifting a front wheel.







After posing for a few pics I tried reversing yet the wheel was getting higher and not going down. A bit concerned that it might go over and I got some of the guys to push the front down for me.



For the next 20 minutes I battled to try and get LJ positioned in the correct place to get up the climb without lifting wheels. Eventually after reversing quite a way back we got moving and managed to straddle the rust enough to get past this tricky section.
For the next 200 meters we drove flat out with the engine bouncing off the rev limiter in 1st low. It certainly got the adrenalin pumping as I was having to turn the steering wheel so quickly right to left to keep us going straight.

The video below shows when we finally nailed it and made our way up. I will have a better video soon, but for now this is all I have:



We very nearly made it to the top but ran out of momentum 10 meters from the top.

I had LJ on 2 wheels a few times!





It soon became apparent that the lockers had stopped working. After spending 20 minutes under the bonnet with a multimeter I came to the conclusion that I had lost my ignition live to the compressor switch.



I pinched the live to the switch for the electric fan and connected it to the compressor switch and we had lockers again.

Heres a video of me trying to get over the final hump in the track.



As can be seen at one point we actually make it over the hump and that would have been the track conquered. Apart from I had to hit the brakes as there was some d*** head in the middle of the track.

At that point I had to stop as the engine was getting too hot and with the 80 now winched up behind me I had to accept defeat and be winched the final 10 meters.

I was pretty gutted as I would have been the only vehicle to drive the track where as everyone else had to winch.

Oh well still awesome fun trying!!!

We got LJ off the track and we all stopped for a chat and some lunch.



My mate from the UK who has been working in the mines.



This thing was awesome!

40 series running gear, Holden V8 engine and 1942 Jeep body and chassis.



Michael realized his front locker wasnt working so decided to go home. I decided to carry on and the guys in the Jeep knew of a tough track near by that they wanted to show us, so off we went.



The track was very overgrown and wasnt shown on my GPS so it was most likely a track that had been deleted from the maps.





It was really challenging in places where it was badly cut up from water errosion.





The 105 was soon winching again.







We soon reached a ledge running diagonally across the track and despite everyones best attempts at making it over most needed to winch.























After getting all the vehicles up and over that tricky section we carried on.

Soon the convoy stopped again and the shout came over the radio to say the 105 had popped a tyre off the rim.



Thats Justin messing around trying to use a bottle jack in the mud below the cruiser.





I suggested we use my high lift and went and got it and set it up.

Wheel off.



Putting the tyre back on.





We put some air in it and put the wheel back on.

Not much further along the track we reached a steep slippery climb.





I managed to power LJ to the top and then spent the next few hours running winch lines up and down the hill helping everyone else up.



One particularly tricky section was quite dug out with some big tree roots to get up and over. It actually took me and LJ a while to get over these and the only way we did in the end was by following the instructions of the 2 guys spotting me. They directed me forwards, backwards, down right, down left, a little bit of throttle, full throttle etc. The others all needed to winch, apart from the guy in the tough as Patrol running 35" simex's.

































We stopped to air up.





Dirty, exhausted and feeling awesome after yet another great day out in LJ.



Right thats enough from me guys!

I've got to get LJ packed with camping gear ready for the next adventure!

As soon as the truck is packed its off to the bakery and butchers for supplies and then were off!

 

[sae70]

 

[clivehorridge]

You must have been very peeved by the D**k head, you should have run him over!

Great post, thanks for sharing the fab photos!

 

[chadr]

Very

I can't believe that guy just walked right out in front of a truck that's on the limiter trying to get up a obstacle - what was he thinking?

 

[Victor]

Were you in 1st low the whole time on those videos? You should try jump up to 2nd low instead, much better I always go for 2nd low if i need momentum, but then again, you have bigger tires, i only run 35"s..

 

[Ben]

Thanks guys.

I tried 2nd low Victor but the engine didn't have enough power to pull off and get moving up the steep hill, so I had to use 1st low even though it was screaming the engine.

Just got home from an awesome 3 day trip in the High Country.

We drove hundreds of k's off road and only saw one other vehicle in 3 days.

Probably going to be a few days/week before I can go through the 400+ pics, re-size them, upload them and then copy and paste all the link tags across.

Off to stay at a friends beach house now for the rest of the week.

 

[clivehorridge]

Thanks guys.

I tried 2nd low Victor but the engine didn't have enough power to pull off and get moving up the steep hill, so I had to use 1st low even though it was screaming the engine.

Just got home from an awesome 3 day trip in the High Country.

We drove hundreds of k's off road and only saw one other vehicle in 3 days.

Probably going to be a few days/week before I can go through the 400+ pics, re-size them, upload them and then copy and paste all the link tags across.

Off to stay at a friends beach house now for the rest of the week.

Hey Ben, do you mean to say that you resize all your photos before uploading onto Photobucket (or whatever you use)?

My goodness, that must take forever unless you're using some software to do them in bulk...

 

[Ben]

Yes I use a program to resize them all. They then upload so quick compared to if I upload them in full size.

I've been doing it for a few years now, all the pics on this thread have been re-sized.

The program is called PIXresizer.inc

Free and dead easy to use.

 

[clivehorridge]

Yes I use a program to resize them all. They then upload so quick compared to if I upload them in full size.

I've been doing it for a few years now, all the pics on this thread have been re-sized.

The program is called PIXresizer.inc

Free and dead easy to use.

Thanks a bunch for that Ben, I'm a bit out of touch and this will help me a lot. Your pics always look good on the forum, what size do you reduce them to? (if that's not a question that's too complicated to answer ). I find that every question answered raises three more questions these days!

 

[ModelMakerMan]

IIRC Photobucket automatically resizes them for web viewing now. Think it started when they re-vamped the size last year. I havent bothered resizing any pics since and they all come out a decent size.

 

[Ben]

Thanks a bunch for that Ben, I'm a bit out of touch and this will help me a lot. Your pics always look good on the forum, what size do you reduce them to? (if that's not a question that's too complicated to answer ). I find that every question answered raises three more questions these days!

No worries, thanks.

The size I have them set to is 600 which probably doesn't help much.

IIRC Photobucket automatically resizes them for web viewing now. Think it started when they re-vamped the size last year. I havent bothered resizing any pics since and they all come out a decent size.

Resizing them first makes the files smaller and they upload a hell a lot quicker than uploading them when their full size.

 

[Victor]

600x800 is usually a good size for forums, does't stretch the board, go outside of the board, just sits there, nicely, and loads pretty quick =)

 

[clivehorridge]

600x800 is usually a good size for forums, does't stretch the board, go outside of the board, just sits there, nicely, and loads pretty quick =)

Thanks guys for the photo guidance!

 

[Ben]

I really need to try not to take so many pics when I'm on trips.

Took 653 in 3 days!

Hoping to get rid of a few and get it nearer the 300 mark.

I hate to think how many I will take next year when I'm away for a few weeks crossing the Simpson Desert!

 

[Ben]

Epic 3 day High Country Birthday 4wd trip

OK guys trip report time!

So Monday morning I got LJ out of the garage and after using the 80 to drop a trailer off I put it in the garage.





We picked up steak and sausages from the butchers and bread from the bakery and hit the road.



Heading up into the mountains.









We soon arrived at Big River.



We hooked the mudflaps up, locked the hubs and put LJ into 4wd. Quick look at the map.















Cool carved tree stump we spotted.























At 4.30 we arrived at Frenchmans Creek camp site which I stayed at last time I was here.





We got the tent pitched.





We couldn't find much wood around the campfire so we went for a drive and collected some.





And we soon had a roaring fire going.





I cooked dinner.



Scotch fillet steak and mash potato.



The night was then sat around the fire drinking beer. It was a lovely mild evening and we were comfortably able to wear shorts all night.



The next morning after breakfast I studied the map and worked out our rough route for the day.



By 8am we were on the road, or off it technically.







This creek crossing was a bit more washed out than last time I was here so I'm guessing the river got quite high.



I spotted an insane looking track which wasnt marked on the map. A very steep rutted climb.



I walked up it to check it kept going.







I marked on my GPS its location and me and Michael will be back to drive it.



A nice creek crossing.



I dropped my mate off and then reversed back through to get some cool action shots of me coming back through.















Lots of steep rocky climbs and descents.







One of the thing I love most about the High Country is the amazing views every where you look.





It was turning into a beautiful sunny day! I love how blue the sky is.





Me and LJ.







We drove one track that didn't look like it had been driven for a while and we soon found a fallen tree across the track.



I walked on ahead and found lots more big trees across the track.





I had to reverse quite a way and then turn around.





Past the burnt out Nissan Patrol near by where we found the rolled 80 series red ute.





Which track to take? The hardest looking one of course! (the middle one.)



Doesn't look much int he pic but it was steep and rocky!

















We stopped for a spot of lunch and were surrounded by breath taking views!























I know most people have 40-50 litre fridges in their trucks but I actually really liked the amount of space available in the 80 litre Waeco I borrowed off Michael. I've asked him if I can keep it in LJ and borrow it for a while and he said sure no worries!



Well we were sat having lunch a LandCruiser drove up the track and turned around and drove off again. This was the only vehicle and people we saw on the tracks over our 3 days.



Lunch done we drove down the track and passed the guy who had driven up. He was out hunting.

























Another creek crossing.



Was surprisingly deep in the middle.



And another one which I've driven before.











I soon noticed the truck kept pulling to the left so we pulled over to inspect LJ. I was convinced I must have bent the steering bar or drag link, but it turns out it was a flat tyre.



Out with my bargain £35 compressor which is still going strong a few years since I bought it.



Tyre reinflated we were back on the tracks.





By 3pm we were both feeling pretty tired so decided to find a camp spot. The idea was to get the tents pitched, fire lit, and dinner cooked and eaten before it got dark so we could sit and relax for a few hours.



We dropped down to the valley bellow and crossed a bridge over Big River.



And spotted a beautiful spot next to the river with a big pile of fire wood that some one had kindly left.







Fire lit.



And dinner cooking.







My favorite BBQ marinated steak and mash potato.



It was nice and warm but we got a few drops of rain from time to time. I've found an umbrella is a great thing to have on trips as even if it rains you can still sit round the camp fire and stay dry.



A few hours later my mate got up for a pee and started screaming!

Hed just started peeing when he spotted 2 huge red eyes staring at him out of the darkness!

It was a possum.



After convincing him not to try and pick it up or stroke it because its got teeth and claws and is basically a giant rat, we watched it for the next few hours.

It ran up the tree next to us and sat watching us for ages.













Eventually it came down and ate some of the bread I threw below the tree for it.







We saw a lot of wildlife on this trip. We saw samba deer on 2 occasions about 6 black wallabies, a couple of roos and the possum.

The next morning I was up at 6am again.





Sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches for breakfast.



Well my mate continued to sleep I sat next to the river and ate my breakfast and drank my tea. It was a lovely place to sit and relax with just the sound of the river and the birds singing.



Looking up and watching the clouds float on by it was very relaxing.



Another of LJ's tyres had gone flat so it was back out with the compressor.



The other one also needed some more air.



It was looking like it was going to be another beautiful day, hardly a cloud in the sky when we left camp.



Back over the bridge.





And up the tracks leading up into the mountains above us.









Loving life!









































The plan for the day was to head East across 2 separate maps and get to Toolangi. I wanted the last track of our trip to be Rocky Track which is a bloody awesome track. Its a steep rocky climb with huge loose boulders and rocks.

It was possible to drive almost the entire way there through numerous state forests and national parks without even touching bitumen, apart from one small section of roads around Buxton.







We came to and crossed many new bridges.











We drove up one track and spotted a sign stating the track was closed for seasonal track closures, so we had to turn around and take a different route.






Amazing views all the time!











We found a few more track closures.





















We found one track that didn't look like it had been driven for a long time.











The next track we got to looked open but then I spotted a sign on the ground and decided to air on the side of caution and give it a miss.







We soon got to another closed track so had to turn around and take one of the other tracks.



On the next track we found a tree blocking the track. I tried pushing it out of the way with the bull bar but the tree was quite springy and it wasnt moving how I wanted it to.




So I turned LJ around.



Hooked up a snatch strap and with both lockers engaged pulled it out of the way.







We soon got to another fallen tree but I was able to drive over it.





The track was very rough in places and clearly hadnt been driven for a while.









We found our way out of the forest.



And were now on bitumen for the first time in a few days.



We drove into Buxton to get some fuel.



When we got there I realized this was the place that sells the legendary huge burgers people had told me about.







Ridiculously huge burgers! (I only managed to eat half.)



We were soon back on the road again.





A couple of k's later and we were back on the dirt.









My surname is Cook, so when I saw this sign I had to stop for a pic.



Looking at the map I spotted a track called Winch Hill, so I had tro go and check it out!







I stopped to check the depth and base of this puddle/bog hole before driving through it. The last thing I wanted was to get stuck in a bog hole with no winch and no other vehicle. Luckily it was only a puddle and we were able to drive through it easily.





It wasn't really what I was expecting. The whole area of forest had been cut down.



















We found a few more closed tracks.







I love this track in Toolangi, its possible to see the city (Melbourne) in the distance.













We got to the start of Rocky Track.




The pics really don't do this track justice.

Next time I drive it I will position some one further up the track with my camera and get them to zoom right in and record a video of me driving up, zooming out as I go. The track is insane!









LJ was soon lifting wheels!











Mad to think I kept driving from the position in the pic above. Whats even madder is that last time I drove this was on the night drive where the windscreen got broken. So you can imagine how crazy that must have been, in the dark with the headlight pointing up into the sky as we bounced and lifted wheels as we fought our way up.











I got to the top and asked my mate if he wanted to turn around and go back down, I was expecting him to say no.................

His response "Shit Yes"!

Now I've driven up this track 3 times now but I've never been down it.

Well I couldn't disappoint him so we turned around and drove back down.





Not many pics on the way down as its was pretty hairy! At one point I had to kindly ask my mate to shut up and stop talking for a few minutes while I concentrated on trying not to kill us!

Its quite a scary feeling when dropping down steep tracks and the rear wheels keep lifting off the ground!

We got to the bottom and aired up ready for our drive home.



You know you've driven crazy angles when you've spilt a bit of fuel out of the fuel cap!



Aired up, lights and number plates cleaned and ready for the drive home.







We got home, emptied the 46 empty bottles of beer out of the spare wheel bag and put LJ away.



We both had an awesome time!

My next trip is in November when I'm running my first club trip.

I'm going to The Otways.

Which is an hour or so South West of Melbourne just South of Geelong. We will start in Anglesea and drive the entire length of the Otways National Park to Point Otway on the coast and then drive back to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road.

Before then I need to get the winch working. The new 6HP motor turned up from the states and I've just ordered the rest of the bits I need, again from the States. Even with shipping I'm saving hundreds of dollars buying from the US than here in Australia. Even with my bosses discount he cant get Warn parts for anywhere near as cheaply as I can from the States.

The rest of my week off is being spent staying at a friends beach house down on the coast, relaxing and partying!

This is my view as I type this!



Sadly not hot and sunny today but still beautiful!