NewHilux.net

by **Macca** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:31 +0000

A bad weekend
We went to Coffs Harbor over the long weekend.
There had been a bit of rain during the preceding weeks which had the tracks varying from quite dry and easy to wet and very slippery, depending on the type of ground and whether the sun had got through the canopy.
We met up with some terrific members of the Ballina 4x4 club and some locals Coffs members, who were generous with their time over a holiday weekend, and very willing to show us around their back yard.
I should have had a warning what was to come. Our guide on Saturday had a Patrol that would have been more at home in a rock crawling comp than a leading our group of “tourers”.
They live within 20klm of some great country, so highway handling is not on the wish list.
We saw some great tracks and up some pristine creeks that have appeared in DVD’s in the past, we then had a look Koala. That’s when the trouble started.
Due to the lift, my truck does lack downward travel in the suspension department. No problem, that’s what the winch is for. No traction, so the warn sorted out the lack of momentum.
One of the other trucks staked a tyre about where I stopped; the solenoid on my winch gave up and stopped working as I tried to get him up. We had another truck get him through and after changing the tyre we headed back to camp.
Had a good night until the wind got up, no damage, just found everything that flaps on the new tent.

by **Macca** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:32 +0000

Sunday, headed out of town to the north.
Took a side track that was a great drive with but with a nasty little “alternative” if you felt that way inclined. We saw what it was like from the base with 9 trucks lined up behind us.
Well we staked a tyre, completely destroying it. More stuffing around getting to a flat spot to change it.
After that the going was pretty good, a few washouts from the recent rain had damaged the tracks and made some of the climbs difficult in the Lux. One long climb I did on my own as my navi bailed and walked up, she tends to do that!
Had lunch near a power line track that the game played on, good to watch a well sorted variety of local trucks eat the slippery clay slope. And the stock 200 series with a small lift and STT’s made them all want to buy one on the next trip to town.
The trouble started now, we slid down a track to a creek bed through the shallow creek and up a sharp little rutted bank, bounced on a rock and busted the crown wheel and pinion, bugger.
Had to be winched up (as mine was stuffed). Took the rear shaft off and tried to get up the next hill, in total took 2 to 3 hours of winching snatching and plain hard work, and by now it was raining. We also pushed a tyre off the rim, lucky we had a second spare.
Finally got on flat land and the engine stopped, the EDU that controls the injectors had failed.
Eventually got it on a trailer and towed it home the next day behind the Cruiser.
A week and a half in Toyota’s workshop, and I have it back.
Also an injector is not within spec so will be replaced.
It is possibly all under warrantee, just have to wait and see.
Like I said a bad weekend.
Macca

by **McSumWay** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:36 +0000

Thats a tough day out mate. Hope its all good now before your big trip.

by **Macca** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:39 +0000

Thanks Warren, too scared to drive it now. Am preserving it.
8-)

Macca

by **shane308** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:41 +0000

sorry to here you didn't have as much fun as you would have liked mate, here's hoping toyota comes to the party with warrantee for ya.

by **Skog07** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:42 +0000

Sorry to hear Macca. Sounds like Murphy came to visit you a few times on that trip. There is always that rouge rock or stake to put a dampener on the weekend. Sounded like an adventure in the very least.
Likewise hope you get the truck sorted for the outback trip.
Cheers
Mark

by **Macca** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:48 +0000

Thanks guys
The local Toyota mechanics have been fantastic, and assure me that we will have no more troubles doing the outback trip we have planned.
Would like to know why the EDU failed though.
Macca

by **9W6VX** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 4:22 +0000

Macca,

Hope you get it all sorted out mate.

Take care and my best regards to Pauly.

Cheers.

Brendon

by **Shrek** on Sat, 21 Jun 2008 10:35 +0000

A bad day in the bush is a shite load better than a good day at work :-)

by **10K** on Sun, 22 Jun 2008 2:31 +0000

Such a tale of woe Macca...

I feel for you mate.As a member who has had his fair share of troubles with my Hilux (easy $10'000+ not covered by warranty) I hope this all gets covered by Toyota. Good luck Mate, fingers crossed.

Interesting that the 200 Series did well, I'd love to have a play in a V8 TD!!

Hope your next trip is hasle free... I'm sure you'll be giving the truck a good once over before setting off!

Cheers
Matt

by **Steve9R** on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 9:01 +0000

hahaha.. is that how you got your name 10k ! ;)

Steve

by **Hilux Max** on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 9:15 +0000

ha ha ha , depending on how long he keeps the hilux, he may have to change his name to 15K.....then 20K....LOL

Just kiddin mate, couldnt help but join in. touch wood nothing else happens to anybody's hilux.

sounds like a real bugger of a trip macca.

dont suppose you got some pics mate?

by **10K** on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:04 +0000

Funny Buggars... Laugh at a poor blokes misfortune!!

I actually thought of that myself as I typed that post!
Long Story behind '10K'... nick name that just stuck! Funnily enough my truck was featured in 4x4 Australia back in late 05, or early 06 for the Tough Dog suspension I had at the time and I didn't want to use my real name in the article, so I was 'Matt Tennkay'. Made me and my mates have a quite chuckle!

Anyways, I won't let it get to 15K... depending on what the spec list and look of this rumoured new update Hilux comes out with I might sell this one and update?? Or maybe a 200 Series... very tempting!

As Max asked, any photos Macca?

Cheers
Matt

by **Macca** on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 10:52 +0000

Others may have some, we were kind of pre occupied, Pauly did get a photo in the morning.

by **Glenn k** on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 6:19 +0000

that looks like a nice campspot there macca, although you guys were probly preoccupied to enjoy it.
sorry to hear of all your troubles, hope you sort it all out soon
Glenn

by **Macca** on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 7:01 +0000

That is a top camp, its a private property near Coffs. That structure has wood BBQ's, Fire pit, washing up sink, tables and plank type seats. it is awsome. There is also a shower /toilet block with a donky boiler and Shane the owner supply's all the wood. All for $15 a night per truck. The angle of the roof is designed to catch all the winter sun.
My truck, the saga continues, it has a fuel leak on the pump side of the engine. Back to Tojo in the morning.

Macca

by **Doug67** on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 8:05 +0000

So the drama continues,keep the shiny side up.

by **Macca** on Fri, 27 Jun 2008 4:27 +0000

They took a pipe off, cleaned it, put it back on and it doesn't leak any more.
:-)

Me thinks - not so tight first time.
:oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops: :oops:
If its got a bit of dirt between the surfaces, enough to make it leak, good chance the nozzel would have to be blocked.
:x :x :x :x :x :x :x
What do you guys reckon?
Macca