Birdy

[Brian]

Pleased to hear you agree on the Coopers Rob.Is that twin 4 inch system ?? The turbo looks as if its pretty well free flowing- unlike the factory Nissan which is a disgracefull set up and actually puts strain on the motor.Anyone buying a new Nissan would be better to buy a non turbo and fit the aftermarket turbo and exhaust.Just on the Coopers ST, I had a trailer [4 wheel] on behind, had probably 500 kgs of stuff in the tray at night, came to a freshly graded road going across a lake bed that had had a reasonable amount of rain on it. We were in the soup before we knew it and a turn around wasnt an option so it was into 4WD high second gear for a start then at time's we were battling to maintain movement in first gear,at one point I actually smelt the clutch or what smelt like the clutch getting hot. It was a crawl for probably 30 minutes or so, out the other end on hard ground we stopped to survey the damage and found the trailer totally clogged up and was acting like a big sled so it was some hard work to free the wheels up from the mud enough for them to turn again. We could also see where the back wheels on the Nissan had been clogged up also!!!We found out later that a Toyota behind us had left his trailer in the lake unable to pull it through and a couple of other 4 WD's had got stuck or slipped off the road. I have no doubts that the Coopers did the job !!Brian

[asra]

Brian, I'd put Coopers on the rideon if they made them to fit !I'm not sure if the 4" system is a duel or not.I have heard very good first hand reports on Beaudesert and the quality of the work that they do. Their claims to additional power and fuel economy are as a result of dyno tuning before on road.All mandrell bent and comes in stainless as an option. I would not care about more power but extra economy is always a benefit to an independant film maker where costs are involved. Sometimes you need to cross half the country, despite weather and obstructions, just to get material that might only be 3 minutes long in the finished product. Of course you also take extra footage along the way that might be sold or kept as stock footage. I also have a habit of wanting to take the direct route across country rather than going the long way round on the roads, its more interesting but you need to have the Jittny well set up. The important thing about being an independant film maker, is being independant !Cheers.Robert DunnMackay. Qld.Growing old is good while it lasts.

[asra]

Below is a photo taken of him at work. Doing it tough as you can see.We were shooting an instructional art video that was translated into five languages. 92 I think that was.The old Nissan was well set up and we bush bashed across alot of deserts around the country before I got rid of it. Of course,it was loaded for work without enough room for much else for me, so I had my tucker box and a swag on the ground.Seems like I've spent half my life in the damn dirt.Them socks by the way were the last I owned !Cheers.Image Insert: 77.61

[Brian]

Yes, I can see the "tough" bit !! Oh well, someone has to do it. I have seen a couple of guys doing filming up around Cameron Corner [where the 3 states join].I told you the wrong brand of that suspension crowd, its "Ride Pro", Yes, I hadnt heard of them either but I can saaure you that they are good and worth checking out.I dont think the F 250 will be all that good for desert bashing but I have been wrong before. I'm a bit like you there Robert, power isnt a big feature but increased economy certainly is !! and it depends on how power is got too, if it means cams, heads and a re bore then reliability can be badly affected.Brian

[asra]

Ride Pro, Ok, thanks Brian.I was over at the corner in 77. Before that I was over there in the dunes to the west, around 66, rabbiting. Eventually gave it awaybecause it was to much trouble bringing in 44's of water. Getting out with skins and empty drums was ok but getting back in was a bugger.The only thing I would alter on the Henry to gain economy would beto make it breathe better and the free flow exhaust out.Cheers.Robert DunnMackay. Qld.Growing old is good while it lasts.

[Brian]

The roads are a lot better these days around the corner area ....thankfully !! They pull three trailers in and around there now ! and there's a pub and accomodation at the corner these days.I can see why it was such a great rabbiting spot. I know that back in the early 90's the good shooters were getting their 300 pair a night which is great going. I thought I was doing really well getting 170/ 190 pair !!! but the shooting around here is a lot tougher.Didnt take much notice of how the Henry breathes but I was impressed by the big turbo and the big pipes coming in and out of it.It beats me why anyone wouldnt buy a V8 though as the exhaust note is music to the ears, I could listen to the noise all day long . That was from dual 3 inch pipes.Brian

[asra]

Any fuel at the corner now Brian ?Might be a good place to refuel the Firebird on the way to gettingthe aerials around the Flinders and the Lake. Dunno whether I could refuel at Moonbi or not ? Probably could if I had to, most folks are pretty obliging when it comes down to it. Besides, after seeing the Firebird they might wanna buy one to fly around checking their well heads. You might have to get some brochures printed for me, Paul ! I'd be one out of course, wouldn't bugger around with ground support, they'd slow you down and time is money.A tucker box, swag, jerry of water and a 65 ltr fuel tank is the way to go.Robert DunnMackay. Qld.Growing old is good while it lasts.

[Brian]

Yes, fuel is available, both diesal and unleaded, not sure about avgas. Moomba would need prior permission as it is a restricted airspace and the security level has been upped so it wouldnt pay to drop in unannounced . Tibooburra has avgas as well as Inamminka.Brian

[Ken Watson]

Go BIG.I've got an Isuzu FSR593 7 seater with 7 something litres. Does 14mpg(20.26l/100km), Sits on 120kph, has 22ft tray with motorhome on it and tows gyro and trailer.Weighs about 7.5t all up. Flies past anything towing anything. Only way to travel.Plan to get a sitec one in the future. Ken

[asra]

Hey Ken, wot in the billyoh is a sitec one ?14 mpg sounds ok in that wagon Mate.Are you taking it to the Nationals ?Cheers.Robert DunnMackay. Qld.Growing old is good while it lasts.

[birdy]

Mite be orright on "pool table" roads Kenny.Ignorance is bliss............but only till you realise you were.You can always get the answer you want, if you ask enough experts.