Simpson Desert - Pajero Io meetup

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bob_oz
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Time to my favourite big trip in the Io - The Simpson Desert!

Plan is to do it bush-camping along the route as much as possible.

When: sometime July-August 2014

Where:

day 1: 1088kms             Brisbane-Cobar (bush-camp outside Cobar)
day 2  974kms               Cobar-Adelaide
day 3  rest day                Adelaide - rest, shop and fix cars
day 4  500kms               Adelaide-Flinders Ranges (includes drive through flinders - bush camp)
day 5  371kms               Flinders Ranges-Copley-Lake Eyre South (drive through flinders, bush camp - check out lake eyre)
day 6 478kms                Lake Eyre South-Oodnadatta-Dalhousie
day 7,8,9: 425kms        Dalhousie-rig road-Birdsville (includes spare day)
day 10: rest day             Birdsville (rest day - will be ommited if simpson crossing is quicker)
Day 11: 843kms            Birdsville-charleville
Day 12: 743kms            Charleville-Brisbane

if you are coming from Sydney meet up in Cobar,
If you want to skip adelaide/flinders then cut from Yunta SA across the northern flinders to Copley SA to meet at coward springs
If you are heading home from Birdsville to Adelaide or Sydney, head south from birdsville then either across via Tibaburra or Maree

Aside form camping gear, recovery gear, you will also need tools to suit an Io, spare belts, hoses, oil, two spare tyres (second doesn't need to be on a rim) and at least 50L fuel extra plus 10L/pperson water carrying capacity minimum. I'm planning on removing my rear seat for the trip.

.

GO-R
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I am keen this would be my

I am keen this would be my first major 4wd trip. I would have to travel up from Melbourne but.

1999 Pajero iO named Rex

245/75R16 Trail Digger, 2" KYB and King Spring Lift, 50mm Front Shock Spacers, 25mm Diff Drop Spacers, 50mm Rear Spring Spacers, Rear Hilux Shocks, Upgraded Pan Hard Rod, Bull Bar, Roof Racks and Winch.

fordem
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All I can say is WOW!

Day #1 - 1000+ km in one day in an iO, Day #2, another 900+ - just not my idea of fun, and folks where I am think I'm crazy - the most I've ever driven in a single day is around 500kms, and no way am I doing that day after day - I'd have to space it out a bit more.

bob_oz
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long kms legs

fordem wrote:

Day #1 - 1000+ km in one day in an iO, Day #2, another 900+ - just not my idea of fun, and folks where I am think I'm crazy - the most I've ever driven in a single day is around 500kms, and no way am I doing that day after day - I'd have to space it out a bit more.

I totally can see your point, but given the layout of australia to get anywhere you need to do the kilometers! The high-km legs in the trip are crossing a whole lot of nothing; you'd be averaging at least 95km/h for the entire 1000kms on bitumen with 300kms between tiny towns. It's not somthing you'd want to do continuously however a few days with a 6:30 start, a few fuel stops and a 8pm stop it isn't too bad.

I've done the brisbane-cobar leg before and also done it sydney-cobar and while you do get in late, typically you'd have dinner at the last fuel stop and continue on until after dark. The campsite is just off the highway so within 15mins you'd be tent up and ready for sleep.

I've crossed the simpson and frankly, as long as your 4wd is in good mechanical order, and you drive to the conditions and look after your car (if you break it you would be up for a monumental tow charge!) it is not hard. Small 4wd's excel on the sand and are light on tyres too.

If we had a lot of io's going you could probably pool a communal toolbox and spares supply i.e. not everyone would need all hoses or belts. Also spare tyres and rims would be largely cross-compatiable.

I staged this trip as The flinders is well worth a trip to see, so is lake eyre. it would be easy for people from the eastern coast to meet up along the way or at the latest meet in adelaide.

Cost:

Accomodation:  I'd intend on bush-camping wherever possible to keep the costs down and have traveled this area many many times.
Fuel: 5500kms @ 12L/100 @ $1.80 is $1188 max fuel costs. I easily get 10L/100 out of my 2L on the bitumen and i'd expect around 13L/100 on the sand. Split this between 2 or three people and the cost is much less.
Food: how much do you eat in 12 days? 
Parkspass: not sure - I'd say $150-$200 per vehicle

Broken down between only two people: $694 plus food, cheaper again if there were three.

.

Fab72
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YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS......... Count me in. I did the Simo earlier this year.  A bit of a rush trip so I'd be keen to do it again at a relaxed pace.

Great bush camp at Eringa (Sir Sidney Kidman's first property), great waterhole there.

Dalhouise is best visited during the day... the mozzies make it like Luton airport.

For those concerned about the long kms..... leave a day earlier or stay a day longer.  I personally don't mind the big kms.  In fact a few weeks ago I drove from Adelaide to just short of Singleton NSW to pick up a puppy.  Was there for an hour to do the hand over, then drove back.  A distance of around 3000kms.  Not in the io though.  The lack of cruise control would drive me nuts.

Obviously I'm in Adelaide so I'll miss the first few days.  I have a well equipped home garage for anyone needing repairs and there is a caravan park not far from me right by the river that I can recommend for powered or un-powered sites. There's supermarkets close by, my mate owns a spare parts store that's close, A Mitsi dealer close,  and I have all the filtered water you could possibly carry.   (Depending on numbers....you can roll out the swag here but space is a bit limitted).

For the record, my 1999 5 door did the crossing with the A/C on most of ther way on a full tank from Mt.Dare plus another 20 litres, but I rolled into Birdsville and the fuel light wasn't on yet.  That included a bit of playing on Big Red too.

I went along the WAA line until Knolls Track, then headed north, picked up The French Line and then onto Poppels Corner.  The Rig Road would be a new experience for me.

Thanks Bob for the heads up on Facebook.... I would kick myself if I missed this one.

Cheers......counting down the days.

Fab-io

          "Love that car"

bob_oz
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Group buy cruise control, long range tank and tyres

Awesome news fab! Might be worth looking at some group buy discounts :)

.

b-e-n-c
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SUPER KEEN!

My family and I are planning on heading to Cape York around this time and it would be awesome to do the first part of the trip with you guys! My uni break starts on the 7th of July and this is around the time we would be leaving Adelaide around this time. So if this is when you think you might be passing through Adelaide, I'd love to tag along on the trek through the flinders and Simpson with you!
Bob - I'm very interested in having a long range tank fitted! Let me know if you make any progress with it, I would like to know what sort of price I'd be looking at :)
Cheers, Ben

Fab72
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Ben .... I take it you're in

Ben .... I take it you're in Adelaide too. I'm in Paradise.

I've been looking at the idea of a sub tank for a while now to replace the rear muffler.

The plan is to get D&T to do the exhaust mods to get the pipe to exit on the LHS, and Big O 4X4 at Salisbury can custom make a tank of around 40-50 litres to fill the void.  It will only act as a sub tank so will rely on the driver to flick a switch to transfer the fuel from the sub into the main/s.

Bob sent me a pic of a Brazillian TR4 io with a factory fitted sub tank on their LR (Long Range model), seems the factory had the same idea as me, but beat me to it.

Catch ya later...

Fab-io

          "Love that car"

Fab72
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Ben .... I take it you're in

Ben .... I take it you're in Adelaide too. I'm in Paradise.

I've been looking at the idea of a sub tank for a while now to replace the rear muffler.

The plan is to get D&T to do the exhaust mods to get the pipe to exit on the LHS, and Big O 4X4 at Salisbury can custom make a tank of around 40-50 litres to fill the void.  It will only act as a sub tank so will rely on the driver to flick a switch to transfer the fuel from the sub into the main/s.

Bob sent me a pic of a Brazillian TR4 io with a factory fitted sub tank on their LR (Long Range model), seems the factory had the same idea as me, but beat me to it.

Catch ya later...

Fab-io

          "Love that car"

b-e-n-c
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Finally! Another Adelaide iO owner!

Yes, I live in Belair :)

That sounds great! Do you have any idea on the total overal cost?

Bob sent me a message saying the tank would be around $600 fitted not including the exhaust mod which is much better than I was expecting!

Please keep me uodated as I am very keen on having one fitted! I always just expected it would we well out of my price range or immpossible for the iO.

Cheers, 

Ben

Fab72
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I'll do that Ben. My io is my

I'll do that Ben.

My io is my play car so it doesn't get driven much except for long trips.  (Last driven in April)  It's unreg at the moment while I fit up a 1600mm long Rhino Roof basket/rack (just made up custom brackets through the roof bows this weekend - the factory "hooks" are crap).  I've got to fit up 4 x 55W HID roof lights then I'll register the ole' girl.

Once it's rego'd, I'm heading down to get the exhaust done (perfect timing because the intermediate muffler has rusted at the exit pipe).  The next stop will be the fuel tank.

Do you have the 3 door or the 5 door?  (Sorry, I'm on my phone and it's hard to see).  I would imagine that the rear muffler void is the same on both models.  The muffler part numbers are identical for both.

 

Fab-io

          "Love that car"

bob_oz
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Rear muffler

Fab72 wrote:

I'll do that Ben.

My io is my play car so it doesn't get driven much except for long trips.  (Last driven in April)  It's unreg at the moment while I fit up a 1600mm long Rhino Roof basket/rack (just made up custom brackets through the roof bows this weekend - the factory "hooks" are crap).  I've got to fit up 4 x 55W HID roof lights then I'll register the ole' girl.

Once it's rego'd, I'm heading down to get the exhaust done (perfect timing because the intermediate muffler has rusted at the exit pipe).  The next stop will be the fuel tank.

Do you have the 3 door or the 5 door?  (Sorry, I'm on my phone and it's hard to see).  I would imagine that the rear muffler void is the same on both models.  The muffler part numbers are identical for both.

 

Fab-io

Nope, 3doors significantly shorter, BUT tank profile should be the same, just not as long. The fiddly bit where the filler enters and transfer pump exits will be identical, rear angle wil be same.

I'll measure mine up this weekend, take photos and get it mocked into a 3d cad file.

Will need to allow for towbar and rear sway bars but I recon we can place the intake above the panhard rod as it never goes all the way up. Will make tank fabrication cheaper.

I've been looking for 2 years for someone who wil make an ULP sub tank, most fab shops won't touch them.

.

b-e-n-c
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.

I've got a 5 door, so should be able to get the same tank as you are planning.

Hopefully we'll be able to get some sort of discount for having 2 (or more) cars done up! 

And Bob, whats the issue with ULP tanks as opposed to diesel?

Fab72
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Ben, I'm guessing expansion

Ben,

I'm guessing expansion rates of the fuel, vapour locks, flash points of fuel vapour when comparing ULP to Diesel, but I could (and probably am) wrong.

          "Love that car"

Fab72
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Ben, I'm guessing expansion

Ben,

I'm guessing expansion rates of the fuel, vapour locks, flash points of fuel vapour when comparing ULP to Diesel, but I could (and probably am) wrong.

          "Love that car"

bob_oz
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ULP vs Diesel tanks

Fab72 wrote:

Ben,

I'm guessing expansion rates of the fuel, vapour locks, flash points of fuel vapour when comparing ULP to Diesel, but I could (and probably am) wrong.

 

in a nut shell: if you colide with a ULP "petrol" tank the vapours and liquid will combust on a spark i.e. interior light etc - do the same to a Diesel tank and you'll make the road slippery and make your car stink.

dangerous scale is through the roof - a Deisel tank is just a heavy-duty water tank

.

b-e-n-c
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Fab, can I ask why you plan

Fab, can I ask why you plan on getting the exhaust mods done elswhere?

I went to Big O a few weeks ago and they seemed pretty confident that they could do the whole job (exhaust and tank) for around $1000-$1100.

Fab72
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Ben .... I'm glad you asked.

b-e-n-c wrote:

Fab, can I ask why you plan on getting the exhaust mods done elswhere?

I went to Big O a few weeks ago and they seemed pretty confident that they could do the whole job (exhaust and tank) for around $1000-$1100.

 

Ben .... last weekend I dropped my rear muffler and did the boy racer thing.  I started it up and gave it a big rev.  It's too noisy for practicle use.

So ..... my thought was replace the exhaust system from the cat back with a new pipe and make the intermediate muffler a better one so that it's also the ONLY one.  Eg: no rear muffler at all.  Will probably have a bit more of a note but that's OK.

Currently my intermediate muffler is cracked so it's a throw away anyway and I was looking at increasing the pipe diametre in readiness for another possible future mod.

Fab-io.

          "Love that car"

Claude io
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muffler

The rear muffler take a valuable space that could be used for another tank, water or other, even a small storage. When I got my new exhaust system fitted I wanted the exit to be on the left side and use that space. I got told that it wasn't possible as I didn't have enough room to fit that muffler else where, even a smaller one. This said I have the short 2 doors, the 4 doors may have some room.

Happy io

bob_oz
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3 door io Simpson crossing - photos

Tried to contact Simon who crossed the simpson around 2005 in is black 3 door io with no luck.

he is traveling in basically what I am aiming to do, albeit with a heaps bigger and bulkier tent.

here are the only photos online of his trip curtesy of Overlander forum and Photo Bucket

Simon Nott:
The photos below are from the Simpson trip. We removed the rear seats, fitted a DIY luggage barrier and shelf, and carried 3x20l petrol (only used two @ 13.5l/110km Mt Dare to Birdsville) plus 2x20l water. Clothes on the shelf, camping gear & food in the hobby boxes, tent and 2nd spare on the roof rack. Not much excess space but everything fitted comfortably."

.

Claude io
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trip

Hum...tempting....

Do you have some date for this trip. If it is after mid/end July, I might seriously considere to try to follow you.

Happy io

Fab72
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I think July/Aug was the

I think July/Aug was the projected timing but I'll let BobOz answer that.

As you know, I've done the trip once already and I would rate it up there with one of the best experiences of my life.  It's easy going for the lil Paj's.  In fact, I'd say they do it easier than some of the bigger cars ....from what I heard over the UHF with their multiple attempts.  I actually had to snatch a 75 series Cruiser and an RA Rodeo over a dune.

Fun in the sun!!!

Fabio

          "Love that car"

Fab72
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It's in the Trips section

It's in the Trips section anyway.

Fabio

          "Love that car"

Claude io
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trip

Fabio,

Am I missing something...What do you mean by "It's in the Trips section anyway." isn't it the trip section ?....:)

Happy io

Fab72
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Sorry Claude ..... it's been

Sorry Claude ..... it's been a long hot week here in Adelaide and I was on my phone which is bloody hard to read.....my bad...lol

          "Love that car"

bob_oz
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Cannot do simpson in July :"(

planning over the weekend for Simpson and I am not going to be able to do it.

Not enough cash for trip

Not enough A/L by that time due to family commitments

I really want to do it and may end up doing a flinders trip in july but not a simpson crossing.

 

so sorry to promote this and get everybody interested but I won't be comming with you.

 

This will be an awesome trip and frankly great for anyone wanting to do a multi-day camping 4wd trip. Nothing too hard at all and a great way to learn about your vehicle. the best part is that if by Mt Dare you're not confident you can easily come home down the Stuart via woomera on the black top.

.

Claude io
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bugger....

Bugger....I am not 100% sure that I will be doing it, but I am very tempted to give it a go, and very close to be 100% sure of doing it :). This is way too much of a great idea to let it pass by. For me it would be in August, probably a bit more than 12 days. I might ask a couple of friends if they are interested, the more car (within reason !)...the safest it should be.

I know that Fab is very keen, the question is ......who would like to come ? who is sure ?, who is tempted ?

Happy io

Fab72
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I'm very keen for sure.

I'm very keen for sure.  That's a real bugger Bob.  Maybe with a bit of planning the Simpson party could meet up with you in the Flinders somewhere.

I'm a bit unsure of the timing myself.  Where I work (Holden assembly plant in Elizabeth SA) are planning a 2 week (maybe longer) shut down later in the year but the dates have not been announced as yet.  Historically it's probably going to be around Sept/Oct....great weather that time of year.

I have bucket loads of Long Service Leave but I'm trying not to touch that because that's my little nest egg for when the General shuts the door in a couple of years time.

I'm keen to go for as long and far as possible.  I was actually thinking of heading west to Ceduna to go up Googs Track, follow the trans Australian railway line back east, then head north to Glendambo and hit the bitumen into Coober Pedy then onto the Oodnadatta Track and meet up wih the eastern state guys.

I've got the itch to do some of Len Beadells tracks, Cape York and The Canning Stock Route (pretty sure an io hasn't done the Canning yet)... but that's over the next few years.

For now it's prep the car and wait for some firm dates either from Holden, or from someone else on here.

Another option Bob..... my mate lives in a town called Hammond (population 6 or 7) not far from Hawker (Flinders area).  You could leave your io there after a strap through the Flinders, and hitch a ride with me across the Simpson.  I know it's not quite the same...but it's an option.

Fabio

          "Love that car"

bob_oz
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io isn't the issue

the io isn't the issue, it's the time off and the reduced pay rate during the time off

 

.

Fab72
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Man... that sucks.  I know

Man... that sucks.  I know how much you were looking forward to the trip and your io would have loved a good play in the sandpit.

Well if anything changes...let us know Bob. 

Fabio

          "Love that car"

bob_oz
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for sure

definitly - look i _might_ have enough for a quick trip late july - will have to see - in any case I'll be in adelaide for a week around easter/anzac day for family so would love to catch up for dinner etc

.

Fab72
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For sure..... my number is

For sure..... my number is 0477 339 210.  I live in Paradise...look it up, but will travel for a catch up.

Fab.

          "Love that car"

Claude io
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Simpson trip

Between work and a big birthday that I cannot miss (not mine !) , and other  thing, my wife and I should be leaving Canberra for this trip around the 17 or 19 of July 2014.

At this stage, it looks like I am by myself....

If other are interested....all welcome, io and other....

Happy io

Claude io
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Simpson trip

Just an update on this trip. I will be leaving Canberra on the 16th or 17th of July, will drive to Port Augusta, Cooper Pedy, Mount Dare for fill up, rent a sat phone (booked), Dalhousies, Purnie, Rig road, then I am undecided to keep on Waa line then up to Knolls track back on French line or go up Colson Track, French line, Erabena track, Waa line up to Knolls track and finish on the Qaa line to Birdsville

Anyway this look good on the map, and I want to stay around the 600km trip between fill up (my safe limit !). If I missed a must see place, or have a better idea of what to do, or not... let me know

I have put the same/similar post on Exploroz.com for advice to the different way to cross the desert.

There isn't one week without having someone to tell me that I am crazy to do such a trip with such a car....good ! crazy is best, crazy it is, crazy it will be :)

If someone wants to meet on the way...let me know.

Happy io

b-e-n-c
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Goodluck Claude!

You're not crazy at all!! I'm sure you will have an awesome time and see plenty the country has to offer!

I almost ready for my Cape York trip too! Just spent a night in the new RTT and am very happy with the set up, it's going to make the trip so much easier!

Have a good one and we can't wait to see all the photos and video :)

Claude io
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Trips

Thanks...nice set up you have here. These are so confortable....

We will exchange info when we are back. I would love to do Cape York too. That will be in a couple of years if the Simpson goes well, car and people !

The roof tent was an option for me too but then I would have had to take the fuel inside. This time I will be using the swag, this said the swag would not be the best in the Cape....or you might feed the wildlife ! 

I should be able to fully load the car in a week or two, as a test, and weight the all lot.

It might be a good idea for you to make a deflector in front of your roof tent, that should save you some fuel.

My car is going to the shop to have the clutch replaced  and power steering pump rebuilt and a check up (in case I missed something).  Time to get ready is running away and my back is not the best.... That will save me a week end....

I just can wait to lock the house, get in the car, and drive toward, hopefully, a great holiday...

Happy io

bob_oz
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simpson

good luck man!!!

 

I've always enjoyed the rig road and weaving along the southern edge of the simpson, 

 

 

.

bob_oz
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Claudio and the Simpson

Hi Claude, how are your preparations going for the simpson? keen to hear how things are

.

Claude io
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the Simpson

Getting there, I have done a few mod to make the trip possible (see my last post in my built thread). I just installed a 18 W led flood light. Most detailed are done.

I might load the car this week end and check the weight of it. I have plan to take 55/60 litre of fuel and around 45 litre of water.

I am still going on the 17/07 :)

On the bad side of thing ....I got my clutch replaced and now I have a small knocking noise from the thrust bearing. When I don't touch the clutch pedal and mainly when the car is warm. The noise goes away when I touch the pedal. It is not always there. My friend that have done the work say..."it will be alright" but I am not fully happy with that. I wouldn't be surprised if the spring that hold the thrust bearing came undone or I don't know what.....annoying, as I don't want to upset my friend but I don't want to have pb on the way. At the worst I will pull the gearbox out on the week end to see what it is.

Happy io

bob_oz
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clutch noise

1) bleed clutch slave cylinder again

2) reset the pushrod adjuster behind the pedal as per the manufacturers guidelines +2mm

if you hear a knocking with the pedal not depressed this is more than likely the thrust bearing not quite retracting away from the pressure plate amd making a rattling noise - mine does this. mine was caused by the replacement bearing not being 100% the correct profile for the fork and it moves around a tad and rattles - spring keeps it there and TRUST ME if the spring was not locked in the bearing would be pushed off side and would rub continuously on the input shaft.

I found that by backing out the thrust rod and bleeding the system again it minimised the noise down to only hearing it if I gently rest my toe on the peda;l - no noise off pedal or when depressing.

.

Claude io
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clutch noise

Thanks,

He took the car back this morning to give it a check, you seem to have the same pb....annoying....The bearing from Exedy was 6 mm different than the original (just the height, that we could see) the other kit was out by 3 mm. 

I will let you know how it goes.

Happy io

Claude io
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Simpson preparation/weight

I just got the car loaded and I went to check the weight....over by 140 kg ! Full tank, 60 litre of fuel, 40 litre of water and all the gear. The book mention 1660 kg and I have close to 1800 kg. My rear suspension is ok (heavier mazda spring) and the car drive well. I will try to light up a bit, but it is going to be hard as I haven't got much already....bugger.....I might just take 1/2 a wife, maybe not !

Happy io

Fab72
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G'Day Claude, I must say that

G'Day Claude,

I must say that you are much more scientific in your approach than I was when I crossed the Simpson in my Io.

I certainly didn't bother about weighing in and from your list of things you're taking, I'd say I was probably pretty close in weight.  In the interests of safety and survival, I'd take everything you've mentioned remembering that your fuel burn and water and food consumption will gradually reduce your weight as you go along.

Take it easy through the first sections, especially from Mt Dare to Dalhousie (the road was a killer when we were there ....eg: 20 kmph max.)  Keep an eye on your roof rack... things will move and the mounts get stressed badly.  Other than that, you'll be fine.  The io's will show up a lot of the big boys in the desert country.

Keep your load weight low in the car and between axles (not that there's much other choice in an io) and the car will drive nice.  At the first hint of shocker fade, especially from Mt Dare to Dalhousie, pull over, take a break, take some pics and have a snack to allow the shockers to cool down.

Above all ...... enjoy yourself and don't rush it.  The Simpson is great and just allowing your senses to adjust to the nothing-ness is an awesome experience.

Don't leave food lying around overnight either.  This time of year is when the dingo pups are just starting to become active and the mums will be looking for an easy feed.  They're very shy animals but will take the opportunity to scavenge during the night.  They're far from being aggressive and will run away from you at the first opportunity.

Looking forward to the pics..

Fab-io

          "Love that car"

Claude io
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Maybe too much !

Thanks

Not 100 % sure to what is going to happen, so I try to put all the chances on my side.....I may over doing it, I have to admit that I am having fun in the process...all these mods that I didn't need before :) 

I never experience shocker fade before but I will keep a close eye on them. One sure thing, I have plenty of time, I even warned my boss that I might come back late !

Weight wise, if you check the manual, it is nearly impossible to do such a trip. The ZR weight is 1325kg empty the maximum gross mass is 1660kg (people included !) So 335 kg to play with. Once you put 2 persons...you see the problem. These number are for the full option io and for the 2 doors. First time I am happy to not be that big !

Thanks for the advices

Happy io....10 days to go :)

Glen
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1325 on the 2 door! dayum,,

1325 on the 2 door! dayum,, and my 4 door is 1250 odd? didnt realize the ZRs added that much weight, whats a 4 Door zr weigh?

Sounds like your going to have some fun! wish i was coming!, will do the trip on of these days.

Claude io
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Weight

Little by size only :)   the 2 doors full option is heavier than the 4 doors no option !

In my manual 2002, the 3 doors no option is 1270 kg, full option is 1325 kg, max gross mass is 1660 kg

The 4 doors no option is 1310 kg, full option is 1365 kg, max gross mass is 1800 kg. These are for manual, add 20 kg for auto (not for the GMV)

Happy io

 

bob_oz
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nearly rolled with shock fade

I've nearly rolled my 2 door with shock fade, rear axle wound up doing 80 on some corrugations on one side and suddenly it was fully compressed. this put the axle on a slight agle and made the back step out sideways, when the rebound kicked in it flicked the arse the other way and I was broadsiding on a ripply dirt road, thankfully i was unloaded and light enough to slide but if I had some more weight and new tyres they would have bitten in for sure and flippedme over

 

very scary.

 

I'll be fitting some foam-core shocks before i do an outback trip as the standards just don't handle stiffer springs - my mazda springs are enough to get the standard new KYB's to pulse on the freeway

.

Claude io
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would be

Yes it would be scary !

I have the Hilux shock in the rear, they are design for a much heavier load.... that will be the test. So far I am very happy with them ( they seems to match the mazda spring, not too firm at all. They would be on the soft side on the Hilux) Fab io posted something regarding this in the past, and replaced his shock by heavier/better shock than the standard Kyb. These and the roof rack seems to be the weak point, I will check these on the trip more often than not and see how it goes. I have time on my side, I won't push it and will take ...all my time :)

I think that we all agree that the Kyb are not the best for that type of road.

Happy io

bob_oz
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hilux shock

Which model hilux shock is it?

 

 

.

Claude io
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rear shock

Sorry not sure about what Hilux (don't remember), but the brand and ref of the shock are Gabriel 81318. I choose them because they are longer and not  hard. I did put some pics in my thread about them. 

Happy io

Fab72
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Yep thats right.  Bob you've

Yep thats right.  Bob you've seen my Hilux Foam Cell Big Bores.  The first real trip I did with them was Googs track and bloody hell....what a difference.  I had the same load as my Simpson trip but the car sat perfectly on the road.  Even after countless high frequency rebounds, it drove perfectly.  By far the best money I've spent suspension wise.

Claude's Gabriels would be similar and probably sufficient for a 3 door.  Remember I've got about 60kg of fuel and tank sitting behind my rear axle.

They felt great when towing the Jayco too.

Fab-io.

 

          "Love that car"

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