Perentie Long Range Camping Vehicle - LRCV

[Carzee]

Some more details. The steering gear bashplate was dinged a bit and had to be pressed flat/straight to align with the KLR winch plate (which fit very well - no trimming of the bashplate lip was necessary). The press job was done by Johnny at http://www.seriesworkshop.com.au

I purchased new bolts, 8 hardness, for the bullbar, for the new winch plate, and also for the front of the bashplate (new nylocks too).

A bashplate, let loose by old nylocks and corrugated roads, could fall down and imitate a Le Tourneau scraper until something snapped or bent off. At any rate, it could spoil an otherwise perfectly good day.

I copper greased the shafts in the fairlead rollers. To my inexperienced eyes, the circlips involved in those rollers do not appear designed to be around very long.

[Carzee]

update - Got under the LR today and brush painted the rear axle in black killrust.
Youtube search for Gibb River rd turned up this video. Done it in a Falcon station wagon. (I would blame Top Gear for this sort of thing).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf4lzWbo3dk

[Carzee]

Been working on accessory electrics. Time consuming and not much to show for it, only about 10pc into it. Referring to some clues at
http://www.12volt.com.au
and others.
Simple rear tarp (for privacy, shade or bad weather) getting sorted. Bonnet locks are in and adjusted (day off yesterday) by Wayne and some nifty power tools.

[Carzee]

More progress this afternoon after work. In truth we had a visitor we hadn't seen for a while and a long pre-Corowa chat about all things Perentie and Stage 1.

Rene (and Johnny) from The Series Workshop deserve a big congrats as their photo (a large splash over the two pages) was on page 3 of today's local paper. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/how-rene-clark-completed-every-obstacle-in-the-miss-muddy-course-in-canberra-despite-being-in-a-wheelchair-20170301-guoqp5.html (Send up flares and beat the drums... I broke a ten year vow and purchased a Fairfax paper).

Stevie worked on his USB etc fittings. This place is turning into a LR workshop all of a sudden. And its because of Corowa.

Things are running late for Corowa regarding electric accessory installs and sorting out the new ignition assembly/str column lock.

The front rack extension bar has been here a week or two. It was bent to shape locally. It sits forward of Maggie over the canopy area that is above the front seats. It is for the Maxtrax but could also be an area we could stash a couple of empty jerry cans. Considered a few spots for the Maxtrax but ended up with this as the choice. Time will tell. Robco stuff is in transit too. Front coil turrets still waiting. Need more time off before having time off apparently.

[Carzee]

Some more updates.

The "ensuite" tarp arrived. Tested for fit, easy job - edit - see attached photos below from a shakedown trip April 2017.

The front rack extension was painted and fitted. The Maxtrax bolts were a tad long and shortened 20mm by Wayne.

The Gwyn Lewis front shock turrets were fitted at http://www.seriesworkshop.com.au see http://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk
During this I found out that a shock absorber tool would be a nifty item for the tool box.

The new Defender ignition/str column lock was a fail: too short on time. When I matched the wiring diagram from an EMEI a problem came up: there were two WR (white with red stripe) wires. And the N (thick brown) and NR (thick brown with red stripe) need to be re-made using small spade connectors to fit. When I mentioned it to Johnny he said he successfully fitted one of the Defender locks with only one problem wire - the EDIC one. So the analysis and problem solving can wait until I have time. Re-installed the original ign. switch.

My old Plumb axe head (with new handle I fitted) was sharpened locally at Fitch. http://www.sharptool.com.au

I visited Blackwoods for a leather axe sheath but I was apparently 50 years too late. Also the BSF brass nuts I ordered there were a no show as yet. Apparently Sydney is "interstate". Across the road is ARB 4x4. No luck there either - they had sold out of the coyote/tan colour Maxtrax. "We have 40 pair of orange ones.."

Sleeping bags got washed today. Big job in the bath tub as they do not dry clean or machine wash. But its worth it, they are flannel cotton and cozy. Had them for one winter already and love them. https://www.snowys.com.au/pilbara-c-3-sleeping-bag-3?gclid=CNCSsqaXxNICFQl9vQodPbwF4Q

Started the process of charging assorted uhf, camera and computer items.

[Carzee]

 
Update time...
Saturday I spent all day sorting and getting ready to go to Corowa. We began the first trip for the LRCV early Sunday and we also towed the number 5 which has some items for the swap event.
After the event the trailer will return behind Wayne's or Stevie's Perentie. We will head west and south for a month. Photos soon.

[Carzee]

  well Corowa sorted out a few bits. Some cooking pans etc went back home in the trailer. One box that was surplus somehow missed the trailer and its still with us  Thanks Wayne for taking the trailer back.

Maggie and the rear tarp worked well. The awnings ditto. The LPG cooker and fridge and other things went well. The fridge wiring is now direct. Did that at Bindaree.

After Corowa and Collendina camps we travelled west on the Murray to see paddle steamers at Echuca and the military museum at Moama. Camped overnight, extremely humid and 21deg overnight, not to mention noisey. A/C cut in and cut out on vans.. and a weirdo at the main BBQ, cooking up petfood after midnight? 2am rotating spear pump watering systems hitting on the colorbond fencing? Yep, thats a fancy caravan park.

Next day we went on back roads down to Melbourne. Great decision - way way less traffic and peaceful countryside. More vineyards, Mt Macedon, Hanging Rock.

In the carpark at Hanging Rock I phoned Johnny to report that the driverside rear hubseal was leaking. Bit of a mysterious thing... "Miranda.? Mirandaaarrrh!"  ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picnic_at_Hanging_Rock )

Looks like we have to return to Canberra. Then it rained on the Calder Freeway and the indicators stopped working.

Well, shakedown trips do uncover the faults...

[Mick]

Hi Carzee,

I was very impressed with your set up. You should post a pic of your Aussie Flag stencil, I think the boys would like it.

See you next year 😊👍

[303Gunner]

I was very impressed with your set up. You should post a pic of your Aussie Flag stencil, I think the boys would like it.

See you next year 😊👍

It's "camo-flag" paint, so you might have missed it, but you can see the Aussie Flag stencil in reply #155 above  . I think it's cool.

[Mick]

Very nice pick up there 303, yep it`s a ripper. 

[303Gunner]

Like this:

[Carzee]

Hi all, back in Canberra

Shakedowns are ongoing. When we got to Hanging Rock I noted that we had a leaking stub axle, this time the drivers side disc rotor showed a small dribble of oil. New seals had been fitted but but the smallest bit of pitting in the surface gradually ruins the seal. Lesson learned: when upgrading the rear of the 4x4 Perentie to disc brakes, the best approach/good idea is to install new stub axles at the same time and not try to refit your old ones. Mine had never leaked in the 2 years before the upgrade but obviously they didn't play well with the new seals.

That was the main fail. But there were others.

On the Calder Freeway this week we drove into a downpour. We arrived to visit Melbourne family with no indicators at all. No hazards either. I bypassed the Hazard unit and got some lights to illuminate but still no flasher function.

I walked to Penninsula Rangies in Frankston and ordered new front indicators; the original 1990 units were now little orange aquariums after the downpour and the bayonet bulb grooves were stuffed anyway. I upgraded to later Def "AMR6513" all plastic units by Wipac. This required a hole saw bit to take out the original 22mm diameter lamp hole to 33mm to fit the new units. Looks identical after fitting though.

There was more to the short than just the water however... still working on a birdsnest inside the front guards looking for the fault.

Regarding the flag stencil up front, I can pass it / post it around for club use if anyone wants it. Its a laser cut metal stencil.

[dugite]

G'day Ross,

FWIW I have found that the best relatively long term repair for leaking hub/axle seals is to use a speedi-sleeve when you install the new seal.

Follow the installation instructions - mine have lasted for yonks.

http://www.skf.com/au/products/seals/industrial-seals/power-transmission-seals/wear-sleeves/skf-speedi-sleeve/index.html

[Carzee]

Thx Laurie, that product looks the goods. Will keep in mind for the future.

[Carzee]

Today I investigated the indicator failure ..
http://remlr.com/forum/index.php?topic=4910.0

...and I also finished wiring up the water pump for the rear jerrys. It works well. You could easily rig a shower to it.

I purchased olive drab Polyquip wide mouth water jerrys. http://www.proquip.com.au/products/water-cans.html

The wide mouth is needed to be able to insert a submersible pump. https://www.caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=5599

Looks like the price I paid was a bargain compared to the link.

The pump has a waterproof electrical cord and water tubing to get the water out of the jerry.

The lid of the jerry has to be drilled - you need two holes (one for electric connector and one for water tube) and the holes have to have grommets too to minimise dirt ingress (afterall its the rear of the vehicle). When the jerry is empty you swap lids with a full jerry. KISS.

The next item needed is a electrical connection, one pos, one neg, at the rear of the vehicle. Maybe a switch on and off too?

In the end I used the retro Lucas red and black pins (used on Land Rovers since the '50s?) and marine wire.
Lucas CAB185 (male pin duo) and Lucas CAB189 (red and black sockets)
http://www.retroclassiccarparts.com/lucas-style-2-pin-dash-sockets-cab189

Using the old pins means a switch is redundant.

I ran the loom from near the front seats out to the rear ROPS mounting running it inside the tub capping. I mounted the connection pins on the capping. A couple of eagle eyes at Corowa noticed the sockets at the back on the capping and asked what they were for and now I hope its a bit clearer.