MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: shrek4 on February 09, 2014, 06:44:11 PM
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Okey doekey, we've signed up for the Red Center Trip in June/July and starting to think I'd best get a move on getting the car ready.
We have stock standard NT Pajero Exceed with the exception of electric brakes and dual battery with anderson plug at the rear to connect to the trailer and cig plug in the rear cargo area for the fridge.
We are total 'newbies' when it comes to this stuff, hence seeking some advice and suggestions.
(http://i61.tinypic.com/f9hawo.jpg)
Now we're thinking what to do...
Thoughts so far
- New tyres, not sure if should stick with the 18" rims and get new tyres or to go to a 17" rim and new tyres. Suggestions welcome
- Suspension upgrade - hmm, so many options! New springs, shocks, airbags???? - again advice would be welcome
- Underbody protection - thinking bushskins here - what would be essential, optional, wishlist?
- UHF radio
- Rear parcel shelf and cargo barrier - same as JCOJ here http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=32690.msg520398#msg520398 (http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=32690.msg520398#msg520398)
- Possibly a roof rack/basket, would prefer to get a half boat carrier that swings off the CT for the green box) - we've now got a bike carrier for the bikes
Like lots of people here I'm sure, we've a mortgage and 2 young kids so trying to do this within a reasonable budget.
So swaggers, where do I start?
Thanking you in advance!
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What do you carry in the green box.
I think your plans so far sound pretty sensible.
Cheers Nomad.
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What do you carry in the green box.
I think your plans so far sound pretty sensible.
Cheers Nomad.
On that trip it was some light sand toys for the kids to play with at the beach and an aluminium table. On future trips likely to have recovery gear perhaps, or light weight odds and ends.
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Tyres - yup, 18 light truck will be fine
Suspension - yup, to take the load, increase the ride handling
Underbody protection - you could get away without this
UHF - mandatory
Good cargo organisation - yup must have
Roof rack - good to have for firewood etc.
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G'day shrek
The points you listed all sound good, and are a good stating point to build up a touring vehicle.
AT tyres in a light truck construction are a must.
UHF will also be needed for the trip.
We have just upgraded the suspension in our NT, and would recommend it, and would also recommend airbags in the rear springs. They help greatly to level out the trailer and car when towing and loaded.
I'm also looking at the Bushskinz stuff, it looks like good quality gear.
Personally I'm trying not to put anything on the roof unless I absolutely need to.
Cheers
Matt
PS- people will think they are seeing double with us both on the trip ;D
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G'day shrek
The points you listed all sound good, and are a good stating point to build up a touring vehicle.
AT tyres in a light truck construction are a must.
UHF will also be needed for the trip.
We have just upgraded the suspension in our NT, and would recommend it, and would also recommend airbags in the rear springs. They help greatly to level out the trailer and car when towing and loaded.
I'm also looking at the Bushskinz stuff, it looks like good quality gear.
Personally I'm trying not to put anything on the roof unless I absolutely need to.
Cheers
Matt
PS- people will think they are seeing double with us both on the trip ;D
Ha ha.
I agree about keeping things off the roof. I'd rather not if I can avoid it.
We're in North Eastern Adelaide (stones throw from the Holden Hill police Compex) if anyone has tips on companies to talk to that will treat us gently.
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I really don't know why people are so hesitant to use a roof rack. You don't have to be stupid and overload it. We use one for the things like Maxtrax, a box of spare parts and chairs. I've never felt like it's going to roll and we have certainly tried.
So AT tyres are a must and suspension. If towing with a Paj then I would also get Pollairs installed while doing that. We have and it really helps level out the ride.
I would also get a tyre pug kit and take a spare Tyer Caucus. Not all shops remote will have 18 inch tyres and it's easy to store on the roof rack We also travel with a good tyre gauge and a compressor.
Agree with the UHF.
With the under body protection you can just get a 3cm thick plate steel and get that made to size. Cost me 60 bucks 10 years ago and they still work fine today.
And ou will find a well organise cargo area helpful as well. There are some good ideas on that if your inclined to build your own.
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I really don't know why people are so hesitant to use a roof rack. You don't have to be stupid and overload it. We use one for the things like Maxtrax, a box of spare parts and chairs. I've never felt like it's going to roll and we have certainly tried.
So AT tyres are a must and suspension. If towing with a Paj then I would also get Pollairs installed while doing that. We have and it really helps level out the ride.
I would also get a tyre pug kit and take a spare Tyer Caucus. Not all shops remote will have 18 inch tyres and it's easy to store on the roof rack We also travel with a good tyre gauge and a compressor.
Agree with the UHF.
With the under body protection you can just get a 3cm thick plate steel and get that made to size. Cost me 60 bucks 10 years ago and they still work fine today.
And ou will find a well organise cargo area helpful as well. There are some good ideas on that if your inclined to build your own.
Some good tips here.
Already have a tyre gauge, compressor and max traxx (or at least the less expensive green ones from a myswag member), snatch strap kit and recovery hitch so getting a few things together. Tyre plug kit, tyre deflator and spare tyre caucus sounds like a great idea.
Some great advice!
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Shrek
I have 18" LT tyres on my pajero which are the Bridgestone 697.
I have roof rack, single drifta drawer in the back also Bushskinz plates.
UHF
The next thing I need to do is the suspension and find another camper as I sold my old one.
There are a set of Bushskinz plates on gumtree at a good price http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/elizabeth-vale/other-parts-accessories/bushskinz-pajero-bash-plates/1038411763 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/elizabeth-vale/other-parts-accessories/bushskinz-pajero-bash-plates/1038411763)
If you want to have a look at my pajero for tyres and UHF install or anything else just send me a pm.
Doug
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Assuming your paj is a diesel, I think the bushskinz underbody protection is a good idea, the stock intercooler guard is pretty flimsy (we have a ding in the bushskinz one, hate to think what it would have done to the piece of tin from Mitsubishi). Poly airs or similar are great to help maintain some sort of correct wheel geometry - can be very hard on tyres otherwise. AT tyres in LT construction are a must if you want to spend any time off bitumen. Pajero forum is a great resource if you are not already familiar with it.
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Assuming your paj is a diesel, I think the bushskinz underbody protection is a good idea, the stock intercooler guard is pretty flimsy (we have a ding in the bushskinz one, hate to think what it would have done to the piece of tin from Mitsubishi). Poly airs or similar are great to help maintain some sort of correct wheel geometry - can be very hard on tyres otherwise. AT tyres in LT construction are a must if you want to spend any time off bitumen. Pajero forum is a great resource if you are not already familiar with it.
Yes, good idea
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/ (http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/)
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Yes, good idea
http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/ (http://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/)
I'm a member there too. I should ask there also. To be honest I much prefer the format of this forum, nice people and tappatalk compatible :)
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I would keep your 18" rims and tyres for when you get back.
For the trip I would suggest picking up some used 17" rims and new LT rubber as mentioned above.
17" gives a bit more sidewall for airing down, more protection for the rim and more choice in decent rubber anywhere. 17" tyres should also be cheaper than 18".
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Hey Shrek,
Having done the Red Centre trip previously in a Pajero, I can recommend:
- ARB Sport lift kit (springs and shocks) with Polyairs
- AT tyres in LT construction. We had Mickey Thompson ATZ's for 70,000kms and never had a puncture. The Cooper ST Maxx has a 3 ply sidewall for a bit of extra strength, however for our new 4wd I am leaning towards the Bridgestone D697's.
- The Bushskinz bash plates are a great peace of mind item, although there is no knarly stuff we will be doing.
- We had a roof rack basket but hardly ever used it, there will be plenty of us around if you need a snatch so I don't think Max Trax will be necessary for this trip.
- if the funds allow I would invest in a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System ( TPMS) - again great peace of mind.
- I can highly recommend our rear storage set up. It allowed us to utilise the space underneath, then we had two plastic tubs that we used for spare shoes and the other for spare non perishable food, then above those we had a fridge on the left and more storage space on the right.
- A UHF will be a must and hopefully everyone will have the 80ch ones
ARB kit and fitting of Bushskinz: I recommend you speak to Danus at Adelaide Off Road (ARB Stepney)
Roof Rack: Sunshade Products on Main North Rd, Blair Athol
Rear Storage System: Trek Tech
TPMS - Home of 12 Volt in Pooraka
UHF - Electric Bug on Torrens Rd, Croydon
If you have any questions let me know.
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l took my NS Oiler to The Centre mid last year
Bash plates at least the 1st & 2nd . The electric on the 4WD systems are located on the top of the front diff
Check the cost of & how easy it is to get 18in LT in Alice as apposed to 17 in , a more common size
Roof racks you only have 100kg caring capacity & 1 tyre only weighs 26 kg not to mention the roof rack itself
UHF a given must have
Some lifting bags in the rear springs just to help things along with the extra week
REAR WINDOW PROTECTION , cover the rear window with corflute or cardboard to save it from being smashed by rocks bouncing off the CT Bigger mudflaps/stone guards also help . l lost my rear window & it cost me $580 to replace . The dust we sucked into the cabin is still there & will be for ever .
Take a thick wad of $ to cover what ever the road throws at you .
& have fun :cheers:
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have you considered some sort of front end protection (bullbar)? Probably not essential but you will be doing a lot of kms on this trip in areas with plenty of feral wildlife on the side of the roads. Also good for UHF antenna.
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Cargo barrier is a must.
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Agreed re cargo barrier. This is definitely going in.
One tyre shop is recommending the Cooper AT3s over the Bridgestone 697s.
Will do the Cooper 265/60R18 at $390 each.
The reason they suggested was the Coopers are best for approx 70% blacktop 30% off-road. Where as he suggested the 697s are more like 90% off road.
Mostly the vehicle will be used on the black top esp. as our main family car when travelling around home.
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Repeat after me 697s 697s 697s
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Repeat after me 697s 697s 697s
Quoted $405 a tyre for the 697s.
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Repeat after me 697s 697s 697s
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Will do the Cooper 265/60R18 at $390 each.
Sounds rather cheap.. I'd grab those before they check the price.. mate was quoted more for 16's...
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Sounds rather cheap.. I'd grab those before they check the price.. mate was quoted more for 16's...
They rang and got a price while I was there. Off their list they quoted $415 a wheel.
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They rang and got a price while I was there. Off their list they quoted $415 a wheel.
Mate was quoted $575 for BFG's couple of weeks ago...
I remember another forum member with a Paj ~3yrs ago having heart failure at 18inch prices on his new Paj.
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Shrek
The coopers are not LT they are passenger construction.
The 697's are LT.
I went threw this process 12 months ago.
Doug
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So 697s in LT is the go.
Roger Roger!
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The coopers are not LT they are passenger construction.
They make both Passenger and LT construction in the AT3's - just make sure if you are going down this route that you get the LT.
A Stone Stomper for your camper is cheap insurance - Speewa spent $580 on a rear window. A Stone Stomper is cheaper than that, you can still see out your back window, and it will protect both your rear window and your camper at the same time!!
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I got pretty good prices on 697s at Bob Jane in Adelaide late last year, so may be worth giving them a call (mine are 16 inch so much cheaper I think).
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Beaurepairs price match... worth a try.
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Repeat after me 697s 697s 697s
What he said!
We have the 697's on the Paj (17"rim) and are really happy with them. Had them on for about 10000k's now, they're wearing really well and evenly and feel great on the dirt and the blacktop.
Got ours from Bob Jane, who were able to beat the local Bridgestone bloke on price by a fair bit, plus they do interest free, which suited us at the time.
:cheers:
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Definetly do the suspension and a bash plate on the Paj. The intercooler is vulnerable, and the rear std suspension bottoms out on the bump stops towing a box trailer (have a look)
D697s are the go, many happy with them on the Paj forum. Iam impressed with them on the Cruza.
I know a Bridgestone dealer in Lowthenbell (handorf area spelling) his a 4wder and worth a chat with re d697s.
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Local Bridgestone bloke is doing them for $395 each + if purchased by the end of Feb get a $100 Caltex Fuel card as a bonus.
Will look at suggestions posted.
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Suspension try Bilsteins from the states at 50% price here (downsouthmotorsport.com) or Konis local. Kings springs and polyairs for the rear. Keep in mind that Pajeros eat rear tyres due to the IRS so you want to get them square to the road with the trailer on and off.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Maxxis 771. Far better value for money than any of the others.
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Maxxis 771. Far better value for money than any of the others.
These don't appear to come in 265/60R18 which I need.
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These don't appear to come in 265/60R18 which I need.
Bummer :(
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Research Done..... (I think).
On the shopping list
- ARB Deluxe Bull Bar
- Suspension upgrade - Old Man Emu sports springs and shocks
- GME TX3540 UHF - not sure of antenna
- 5 x Bridgestone D697 tyres - $380 each (ouch! :'() inc. fitting/balance/alignment - ordered
- Stone Stomper - ordered (good price too)
- Rear Cargo Shelf / Cargo Barrier, Fridge cage - ordered
- Bushskinz intercooler and sump guard - ordered
- Tyre deflator
- Puncture repair kit
Still considering some type of tyre monitoring system
The Caravan and Camping Show is next weekend and the nice bloke from ARB suggested (strongly) that I wait until the show to make a deal. Will try to package the Bullbar, Suspension and UHF
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Package them up and get some of the smaller items thrown into the deal, I have done it that way with a couple of vehicles with ARB and always came out happy and with a lighter wallet
GG
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Research Done..... (I think).
On the shopping list
- ARB Deluxe Bull Bar
- Suspension upgrade - Old Man Emu sports springs and shocks
- GME TX3540 UHF - not sure of antenna
- 5 x Bridgestone D697 tyres - $395 each (ouch! :'()
- Stone Stomper
- Rear Cargo Shelf / Cargo Barrier, Fridge cage - ordered
- Bushskinz intercooler and sump guard - ordered
- Tyre deflator
- Puncture repair kit
Still considering some type of tyre monitoring system
The Caravan and Camping Show is next weekend and the nice bloke from ARB suggested (strongly) that I wait until the show to make a deal. Will try to package the Bullbar, Suspension and UHF
Try and get them to throw in the tyre deflator and repair kit.
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Research Done..... (I think).
On the shopping list
- GME TX3540 UHF - not sure of antenna
ZCG Scalar made in Melbourne one of the best. Buy the fiberglass 1.1 or 1.2 and get the 450mm rubber for around town. Unless ARB are going to throw in a GME antenna. But the ZCG aren't much more and they are better made.
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Research Done..... (I think).
On the shopping list
- ARB Deluxe Bull Bar
- Suspension upgrade - Old Man Emu sports springs and shocks
- GME TX3540 UHF - not sure of antenna
- 5 x Bridgestone D697 tyres - $395 each (ouch! :'()
- Stone Stomper
- Rear Cargo Shelf / Cargo Barrier, Fridge cage - ordered
- Bushskinz intercooler and sump guard - ordered
- Tyre deflator
- Puncture repair kit
Still considering some type of tyre monitoring system
The Caravan and Camping Show is next weekend and the nice bloke from ARB suggested (strongly) that I wait until the show to make a deal. Will try to package the Bullbar, Suspension and UHF
if you are letting the tyres down make sure you have something to pump them back up with, if it is a good one (easy and quick to use) you will be morel likely to use it.
Another thing that you might be able to get thrown in or bargain with at ARB. Their small compressor-in-a-box is excellent.
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It pays to shop around and visit the Caravan and Camping show.
I saved a little over $500 on the stuff I wanted to purchase by waiting until the show. I also got a free set of driving lights when I ordered the bar (valued at $448) - not bad as I wasn't actually shopping for them, but I'll take em if they're free :cheers:
Whilst I was at the ARB stand I also purchased a his and hers swag for the kids. All up I saved nearly $1k at ARB today.
So far I've ordered
- ARB Deluxe combination bullbar (inc. headlamp washer kit, colour coded, fog light kit) - $2200.56)
- show special - purchase a bar and get free set of IPF 900XS 100W driving lights (valued at $448)
- Suspension upgrade - Old Man Emu sports springs and shocks - to be done by ARB - $1340.47
- ARB Tyre deflator $50.81
- ARB Puncture repair kit - $46.19
- ARB CKMA12 Air compressor (mounted in engine bay) $250 + fitting with free hose kit
- GME TX3540S UHF - with small stub antenna to mount to factory roof rail - $627 inc. fitting @ The Electric Bug
- 5 x Bridgestone D697 tyres - $380 each (ouch! :'() inc. fitting/balance/alignment - ordered
- Stone Stomper - $520 as I picked it up
- Rear Cargo Shelf / Cargo Barrier, Fridge cage - $1270 to be installed by Trek Tech
- Bushskinz intercooler and sump guard - $350 delivered
Still considering some type of tyre monitoring system.
Just don't tell SWMBO how much I've spent ;D
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That will be a very nicely set up paj mate, and a good looking one at that :cup:
Dont forget: :worthles:
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Couple of nice pick ups there, your pan is going to be very well set up. Good luck keeping the cost from the missus. If you do please let me know how you do it. I can get away with a couple of hundred here and there but not several thousand. Anyway good stuff don't forget the pics when it's all fitted up.
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Shrek great deal mate. If you can afford it take the IPFs in there boxes and sell them. The only thing that impressed me about the IPFs was there ruggedness . The light output is poor.