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Black Perth's NT adventure
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BlackPerth
Joined: 23 Sep 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 222
 
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| Black Perth's NT adventure |
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Well, back from a magnificent 2 week trip from Adelaide to Uluru via Woomera, Oodnadatta track, Coward springs, Dalhousie Springs, Abminga ruins (old ghan rail line); Finke (and That!  road to Chambers Pillar; Alice Springs, Palm Valley, down the boggy hole track to the Ernest Giles rd then onto Kings Creek Station (magic 4wd track but tough with trailers!); onto Yulara / Uluru and then home via the Stuart Highway; car enroute via train back to Perth as I type this.
Some thoughts comments and observations!
The car was faultless. Brilliant and exceeded my expectations. It was as you can see extremely well prepared for the trip and apart from its portly weight I cant fault it on and off road. TDV8 would be fun!  Having the Off Road height above 45kmhr would be nice but not critical. Long Range tank was useful but wasnt really necessary this trip. We made it from Kulgera south of Alice Springs to Adelaide on one fill - over 1300kms with ease.
Obies Rear window protector was great and reusable ofcourse; highly recommended.
I travelled with some members of the Adelaide Jeep Club including current and ex pres (both very experienced 4wdrivers) and a few others includng my brother who owns a Jeep Commander. Major issues were having to replace front struts x 2 on a Jeep Cherokee after the Finke rd to Chambers Pillar; replace a shock absorber on a Track Shack camper; a dented rim on the Commander (hit a rock on Dalhouse Springs Rd) but otherwise all 5 cars had no issues. Kimberley Kampers are brilliant (we had 2) and suspension superb; towed the best I have ever towed anything; awesome and what a combination with the Disco (we hired our kamper in Adelaide).
I fitted General Grabber AT2's prior to departure; took two spares; no punctures at all despite heavy going on Finke rd and Boggy hole track
Opposite Lock rear drawer system was brilliant and made camping so much easier. Dual battery system and optima yellow were problem free.
Fuel economy over 4300kms with camper and some serious hard off road work was 15.5l per 100km (TDv6); Not bad given we must have been in excess of 4 tonnes in weight. Highest price for diesel was uluru at $2.38 per litres.
Jeep owners universally extremely impressed with Disco and acknowledged air suspension ride was sensational.
Mitchell Bros tow hitch was great - saw at least one other white Disco with 18 foot van in Alice with same.
Opp Lock rear wheel carrier hasnt dropped a mm despite rough roads. Others not so lucky...(Jeeps).
Some photos of the trip!
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Uluru at sunset with almost a full moon
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Lake Eyre South
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Opp Lock rackmaster drawer system/fridge slide - around $1500
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Obies rear Window protector did the job
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sunrise at Dalhousie Springs
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beautiful camping at Running Waters on the Boggy Hole Track - Finke Gorge National Park
 | | Click image to enlarge | 2006 SE TDV6, remapped 185Kw, 545NM; Java / black leather; LR roof DVD; LR Expedition rack / LR ladder; LR side steps; LR light guards; OL drawer system; Elec trailer brake controller; 3 extra 12V hella sockets; LR raised air intake; ARB bar; Lightforce spotties; OL rear wheel carrier; Long Ranger 115 litre sub-tank; GME 3440 UHF; TPMS; Traxide/Optima yellow / National Luna dual battery monitor; 6 x 18inch rims with General Grabber AT2's; Mitchell Bros tow hitch; OBIES rear window protector.
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 Sat Jul 19 2008 12:01pm |
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Mr.Hamster
Joined: 07 Jun 2008
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 25
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Ah! I think our convoy of 9 might of seen you! that trailer looks so familiar! but anyway, Dalhousie springs was pretty swell don't you think? Did you sit at the stairs and feel the kissing fish eating the dead skin cells away, it was.... ticklish!
I also think your trip was the same as ours going back into queensland
Cheerio,
Hamish
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| Sat Jul 19 2008 12:31pm |
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nickski2005
Joined: 14 May 2007
Location: Albury
Posts: 39
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Awesome looking trip! thanks for sharing it with us. you sound a bit concrned about the power to weight ratio, have you considered having the ECU reprorammed for higher output?
Do you still have the A bar for sale? Nick Java Black 2006 TDV6 HSE, turbo chipped, 185KW, 545NM. General Grabber AT2. ARB Bar, XP9500 winch. Mitchell Bros Hitch.
www.mountaintrailcampers.com.au
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| Sat Jul 19 2008 2:11pm |
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norto
Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Location: batemans bay
Posts: 1025
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Ecu reprogramme doesnt seem to offer anymore towing ease at cruising speed,
probably because the D3 is only doing 1600 revs at 95 kph in 6th gear...below
optimum torque range. Peter
"Global Warming" The religion of the left
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| Sat Jul 19 2008 10:32pm |
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catweasel
Joined: 05 May 2006
Location: Back Home
Posts: 4122
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| Re: Black Perth's NT adventure |
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BlackPerth wrote:Obies rear Window protector did the job
how much was it
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| Sun Jul 20 2008 2:09am |
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BlackPerth
Joined: 23 Sep 2007
Location: Perth
Posts: 222
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$200 I recall. Alot I know - but will last life of car (just need to replace velcro each trip. 2006 SE TDV6, remapped 185Kw, 545NM; Java / black leather; LR roof DVD; LR Expedition rack / LR ladder; LR side steps; LR light guards; OL drawer system; Elec trailer brake controller; 3 extra 12V hella sockets; LR raised air intake; ARB bar; Lightforce spotties; OL rear wheel carrier; Long Ranger 115 litre sub-tank; GME 3440 UHF; TPMS; Traxide/Optima yellow / National Luna dual battery monitor; 6 x 18inch rims with General Grabber AT2's; Mitchell Bros tow hitch; OBIES rear window protector.
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| Sun Jul 20 2008 3:25am |
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catweasel
Joined: 05 May 2006
Location: Back Home
Posts: 4122
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BlackPerth wrote:Alot I know
cheap insurance I think 
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| Sun Jul 20 2008 6:50am |
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