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
