DB's build

[DeadlyBeast]

apS: Try ASFIR - they do a good quality grille for gen 8 model, not sure if they do one for 2005-15

so true Luke, lots of that + "what's down this track " but just just as much, "Damn, I dont have time"
I would like to have spent 5 days doing the track to explore
The leg from Yuendumu to Alice started out ominously and quickly got rather slow as the rain set in

Single lane for a coupe hundred k. A few pull over areas for oncoming vehicles but few between
Very soft and muddy shoulders

[Spitfia]

Very jealous... would love to do that road to Alice so far only gone the long ways in the truck Tanami and GCR look amazing

[DeadlyBeast]

Some amazing country for sure

Not too sure what this guy is


Emma Gap - just out of Alice township



Standley Chasm





The Todd in flow

[vincentvega]

never seen the todd with water in it. looks beautiful

[DeadlyBeast]

They say that if you visit when the Todd flows you will be back

Flynns Memorial - founder of flying doctor service


Mt Conner - why doesnt anyone mention this massive monolith on the way to Yulara?


Uluru and Kata Tjuta

[DeadlyBeast]

Quick tip for the loop track: Rather than walking for endless hours around Uluru , hire a push bike.
Some tired walkers offer crazy money to take the hire bike off your hands

[DeadlyBeast]

No time to walk around the Olgas so had to settle for a chopper ride
The dappled light made for some great scenery




KataTjuta

The pilot said that Kata Tjuta, Uluru and Mt Conner all line up within 1 degree

[Richard]

Nice mate.

[DeadlyBeast]

Returned back to Alice via the Mereenie Loop/Laripinta Drive

Kings Canyon
Got there early in the morning - more cool weather with rain making the steep climb up a bit more enjoyable.
Too many photos to upload - and mine don't do it justice. Truly is extraordinary country



Totally recommend doing all of the side tracks including the descent back down into the canyon pools



Must be hundreds of these guys in the canyon - never seen so many of them anywhere else

[DeadlyBeast]

This is turning into more of a past trips report rather than a member build up thread - but then again whats the point of doing a build thread if you you dont take the build anywhere.

Drove into Gosse Bluff crater but the view is so much more impressive from above rather than ground level.
Tylers Pass jump up overlooking Gosse Bluff.


Finished the Mereenie loop without time to see or do anything else - much unfinished business
Fuelled back up in Alice then up the highway to Darwin - goodbye cool weather





Devils Marbles




Mataranka




Found good free camping at the old WW2 airstrips dotted along the way to Darwin

Last night in the NT - Edith Falls upper loop walk:




Big country with much to see.
If I had the time I would have spent a full week in Alice Springs to do more of the gorges along the McDonnell ranges, then another week to do the Mereenie loop. Having seen what I have missed and having done a few of the major things I will go back to Kata Tjuta to walk the trails + spend time on the Meerinie, Fink Gorge NP and other side trails.

Just need to add some upgrades to the car to make it happen...

[Talktheroo]

DB, an Australian Ringneck Parrot. (Race barnardi). There are several types of Ringneck parrots in Australia.
Nice images, DB. Hope you had a great trip.
Catch you later, John.

[DeadlyBeast]

Thanks Roo
Yes - fantastic trip but too short
Planning for the next one

[Rocket55]

Awesome trip and pics mate, some fantastic land up there!!

[DeadlyBeast]

Thanks Rod. Sure is mate.

On my return the after-market suspension had sagged further. 3" lift new. 2" at start of latest tour. Finished with 1.2"
Just not up to task

Having issues with the bushes which cut a previous trip short I cut my losses ad installed these:



Can see where the CV boot had rubbed on the old suspension lower strut mount.
No such problem with this rose bearing mount

[Pommy]

What brand have you gone with now DB?

[bradles87]

Looks a bit like radflo


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[DeadlyBeast]

Yep - Took a gamble on these
Choose Radflo coil overs for the below reasons:
No rubber bushes to fail - will see if the spherical bearings last longer than 20K
2.5" shock body - 80% greater dampening capacity than 2"
Eibach coils - superior durability and sag resistance
Velocity sensitive valving
Aluminium construction - Superior heat dissipation and 1kg lighter then previous after-market CO's




Coils are >5mm smaller in diameter than previous aftermarket brand

Got away with using OEM UCA's - with offset bush kit.



Now its just a matter of wait and see how they hold up

[creaky]

Where'd you source them from DB ? Do you know what the open and closed lengths are ?

[DeadlyBeast]

KPD 4X4 - Dan is very helpful
I ordered these before my NT tour but didnt have time to install them. Too busy with BCDC /solar systems.
About a 6 week lead time for the shocks as they get custom built to your specification in the US

Open length is around 570mm

Yet to compress to find closed length
I cranked up to 70-75mm lift expecting some settling in and sagging. So far havnt lost 1mm after 4 weeks
I will lower down to about 55-60mm to gain the most travel possible without 33's scrubbing

Had a wry moment when reading your user name - just having a couple issues with the "creaky" rear shocks.
Will update as things unfold

[DeadlyBeast]

After being out of town for weeks I got back and sorted out the creaky rear suspension
The sound seemed to be amplified - without any rubber to dampen the noise it resonated directly thru the chassis


Spherical bearing retained by spacer correctly

Offset spacers to allow for the 2.5" shock body


The problem is only just visible in the spacer orientation above





The chamfered side of the spacer is supposed to locate into the recess of the bearing
Trouble is - this is the small chamfered side. The other side has a slightly larger/deeper chamfer

Chatter marks on this stainless spacer I had placed around the wrong way preventing it from locating into position.
This must have reverberated thru the chassis making a hell of a noise


All sorted now - no creaking or cracking noises.

Lesson learnt - getting older might require glasses