[luke3411]

Ok so met a backpacker chick and we want to do the west coast from Katherine right the way around to Adelaide before she has to go back to germany in october. Gonna be doing it in style in the tent and swag and I've got plenty of camping gear for the trip with space to spare. Got roof racks so gonna chuck a basket on there to carry the swag and fishing rods

Only thing is what extra shit should I take?

I'm driving a 92 model swb Vitara and currently its really looked after me so I have been looking after it. Very impressed with it thus far. I drove from Katherine to Tennant and back a few weeks ago and it didn't miss a beat. Looked like there was some pretty cool tracks around there to but didn't have the time unfortunately.

So... What extra parts should I take and the 'get me out of shit' stuff to stock up on?
I've already got everything to do a service on the car tool and fluid wise. Might need a new carby. It's got a small breakage but nothing that effects the performance.
Got the Jerry can. Got all the sprays and shit. Slowly stocking up on recovery gear. Definately want a hand winch. I've found they are priceless. Gonna leave just after the wet or even around June if that is going to make a difference. Dont want to take a small trailer if I can avoid it. Remember it's Basic camping. I'm not going for a drawer system and fridge and water tank and blah blah blah.

Not looking at pushing it on 4x4 tracks Because the last place I would want to be is stuck in the middle of bum fuck Idahoe on a track that gets used once a year.

I'm not crazy taking a 20yr old car on an epic journey like that am I?

Cheers guys.

[zukmeista]

German backpacker chick? Take plenty of rubbers!!!

[reeceh]

As long as she is worth it lol couldn't imagine being stuck in the car that long who isn't "worth it" hHaha

[laurie]

luke3411 wrote:

I'm not crazy taking a 20yr old car on an epic journey like that am I?

no i don't think so but i could be biassed.
replace rad hoses and belts ( keep old ones as spares )

[TheOtherLeft]

I would still get a fridge, and a dual battery setup.

Since you're with a backpacker I would suggest adequate lighting, video camera and props.

[luke3411]

Lol yeah it's a german backpacker. Already got THAT stuff covered and it could be good to pack the spare tyre with when I'm not near a tyre repair shop lol

So dual battery setup eh? Didn't really want to got the fridge. Doin it rough. So ditch the eski? Fridge's are so expensive although it would be nice not to have to worry about the food getting wet from melting ice. not going to be more than two days from ice. I'll see about the fridge.

Radiator hoses and belts. will definately do that.

Tossing up if I should get a 20ltr water jerry. I've got about 8 1.25 water bottles stashed under the seats for emergency's. On second thoughts water jerry is high on the list.
Already got plans for the radio link to help get out if sticky situatuons and keep me entertained listening into the highway goss.

Led light bar, snatch strap as a bikini and hand winch to hoist.... check

[madmacca]

you say you plan to go around the top and down the west coast
do you have a route planned ?
do you plan on doing any off blacktop driving , spare shocks come to mind

[Shansh]

i would say he has plenty of "routes" planned............

[DarkHorse]

Spares - belts, hoses, plugs, CVs, unis, hubs, shocks, elec wire, fencing wire, cable ties.

Reco gear, UHF, Sat phone or EPIRB for worst case scenario, ipod connected to stereo.

A good eski will be fine for 2 days between refreshes. Get some plastic tubs to keep stuff that can't get wet out of the ice.

[Damo]

Is this what AZ has degenerated into? Quite frankly I can barely find the words to describe how utterly appalled I am.

Eight replies and no one has even asked for pics of the backpacker? Serious?

[orangeshannon]

do you have any pics of the "car" or anything like that so we can get an idea about what your in for?

[3cyl]

Good tyres and get the radiator flushed at a radiator shop.

[luke3411]

Lol I can post a pick of the car. Better not of her or otherwise She'll go all Zig Heil on my ass. How do I post a pick of my car on this forum? It'll be good to know cause I have a new camera and plan to get out and about around Katherine.
Not gonna do much off the black driving. Hate corrugations in a swb. Can be a bit hairy although been learning heaps off a guy that done a 4x4 course with the RAAF. there all about getting there no matter how long it takes and no matter how slow your going.

Basically it's a stock swb with an exhaust and extractors atm. Picking up a front bar tomorrow and doing small cheap mods. Tossing up weather to hack up the panels to fit some slightly larger rubber under it or just get a cheap body lift.
Not to bothered with articulation at the moment.

Cv's in it only have about 5000km on them so they should hopefully be fine. As far as I can tell they are pretty good quality. There from cbc bearings in Darwin. Cant build a company like that peeling off shit I spose.
So looks like I'm gonna have to look up how to do my own shocks.

I never really learnt how to pull apart cars and put them back when I was younger but I'm learning fairly fast. Part of the reason I got the Vitara cause it's fairly simple and I can do my own work through trial and error. Touch wood it's still going as good as it has been but I'm not afraid to admit defeat and take it to a mechanic.

[luke3411]

Its got a brand spanking new radiator in it. no leaks and the liquid isn't getting contaminated.

[jdk81]

luke3411 wrote:

Lol I can post a pick of the car. Better not of her or otherwise She'll go all Zig Heil on my ass.

That's not acceptable, first rule of safety is letting others know what routes you will be going.

[shep]

I have a new in box fuel pump and water pump for a g16a. Will swap for beer. Can also get roof baskets for cheap.

[luke3411]

I think we need to talk a bit more shep. I was going to do a total "I'm a cheap c**t" and steal some plastic bakers trays from Woolies and hack them up lol but a genuine basket would be much better. Even if I have to try out the welding skills with some scrap.

[shep]

Tell me what ya want and I will get some prices.

[laurie]

shep wrote:

Tell me what ya want and I will get some prices.

only one thing you need when your on a budget

[luke3411]

Lol looks similar to the last set of shelves I made. Yeah shep I'll get some measurements and get back to you. I'll probably see you in the next few days anyhow.