10000 km trip in 3 months

[Burnsy]

Hi NissPat,

Sounds awesome mate, I agree do it while you still can and what an adventure for the kids! If you know the bearing numbers I recon you could get both sides from a bearing retailer for about $32 I used to do my boat trailer and camper trailer 1 was ford and 1 was holden anyway the kit was about $16/side which includes bearings, seal and split pin. Make sure you don't use Chinese bearings or you won't get far on your trip, the bearings are too soft and don't last long especially carrying heavy loads.

Usually when you buy hubs from places like ISP you throw the bearings away as they are cheap Chinese ones. Japanese are the go like Timken or NSK for eg. Also I'd carry a couple of files incase you do have a bearing failure and it damages the stub you can remove burrs and to repair the thread a small triangle section file will get you out of trouble.

Cheers.

 

[cruza driver]

I see your taking spare pipes etc, dont forget the plastic elbows that are part of the water fittings for the tank I broke 2 on the Oodnatta track. Lucklily I spotted it before we lost any water. I didn't do any under body protection except for the stoneguard on the front. I did similar trips with the OB Hawk and never had this happen.


I ended up doing this on the side of the Odd trackwhich worked for the rest of the trip

 

[NissPat]

Great info, thanks all

 

[NissPat]

Well, the time has come. We are all packed and ready to go.

Few months planning and getting ready has now come to fruition. The truck and van waiting patiently for early start tomorrow morning.

There's a fair bit of weight on the back of the Patrol and even the heavy duty coils are struggling. I might adjust the WDH and see how she goeas but otherwise air bags will go in in Alice.

Anyway, we'll try and post some pics up here when we can. I bet the 3 months will be over in no time..haha

 

[cruza driver]

Have a great time NP

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Hi NissPat,

Sounds awesome mate, I agree do it while you still can and what an adventure for the kids! If you know the bearing numbers I recon you could get both sides from a bearing retailer for about $32 I used to do my boat trailer and camper trailer 1 was ford and 1 was holden anyway the kit was about $16/side which includes bearings, seal and split pin. Make sure you don't use Chinese bearings or you won't get far on your trip, the bearings are too soft and don't last long especially carrying heavy loads.

Usually when you buy hubs from places like ISP you throw the bearings away as they are cheap Chinese ones. Japanese are the go like Timken or NSK for eg. Also I'd carry a couple of files incase you do have a bearing failure and it damages the stub you can remove burrs and to repair the thread a small triangle section file will get you out of trouble.

Cheers.

the bearings you are talking about are nothing like ford/holden bearings they are twice the size , i bought a complete bearing/ seal kit from SA trailer supplies for $62 and were origional alco bearings .....
cheers Russell

 

[straydingo]

enjoy and stay safe

 

[coled1970]

Hope you have a great trip, expect plenty of photos and stay safe.

Cheers.

 

[NissPat]

Well, the 3 months have gone by in no time. We rolled in at home on Tuesday back to the cold weather...

The trip was fantastic and everyone enjoyed it thoroughly especially the kids....dreading of going back to school...hahaha

The Patrol and the Expanda did everything asked of it plus more. The road to Weipa was just punishing but we escaped without any major damage.
All up the whole trip was about 15000 km and a fair bit of dirt. The original route changed a fair bit up around QLD.

The only broken bits were:
a cupboard door hinge pin came off so replaced with a nail
the bathroom mirror corner broke off as the bits of glass were not 100% aligned
microwave bracket came completely out
a couple of plastic water hose elbows (as a post above) broke but were fixed with heat and some tape put around for protection

The main issue was the wiring for the electric brakes kept breaking or coming undone at the joints. One bit broke off at the break drum so only had 3 out of 4 breaks. Pulled into Jayco Cairns who said" She'll be right mate" so we kept going....hahaha

It looks like the wiring wasn't long enough for the independent suspension so it was breaking when at full articulation....and there was plenty of that with the dust holes up the development roads.

Anyway I will post some pictures soon and do a bit more of a write up

I kept a bit of a blog on the Patrol forum if you are keen to have a look http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?12895-Nissheads-3-month-adventure

Cheers

 

[cruza driver]

Welcome back :smile: sounds like you had a great time

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Well Nisspat you know theres only one thing to do now .........Start planning the next adventure ..
hope you had a ball....

 

[straydingo]

Hey Nisspat. Welcome back!!
I'm sure we'll all look forward to the write up

 

[Moto Moto]

Welcome back Nisspat, glad to hear the mighty patrol and expanda did the job for you. That pretty much sounds like my dream trip, can't wait to read more.