Cruza Drivers OUTBACK EXPANDA 16.49-3 Trips and Mods

[Burnsy]

Hi cruza,

Been reading your thread, started last night (havn't been on this site long) only up to page 15 so far, fantastic job and very interesting it's like a good book you just can't put down. I kept telling myself ok 1 more page and I need to get to bed...needless to say very tired this morning. Very envious of your trips, something I would love to do but being self employed gets in the way of long breaks away although I take 4weeks over Christmas so will plan some bigger trips in that time, I wonder how you manage to do it with work?
Anyway looking forward to reading the rest tonight, probably tired again tomorrow!


Cheers mate!

 

[cruza driver]

Cruza.

I just wanted to say thanks for posting up all your holiday pics and stories. It feels like a holiday just reading your thread.

Thanks Cr, I look forward to following your trip reports too!! hoto:

Hi cruza,

Been reading your thread, started last night (havn't been on this site long) only up to page 15 so far, fantastic job and very interesting it's like a good book you just can't put down. I kept telling myself ok 1 more page and I need to get to bed...needless to say very tired this morning. Very envious of your trips, something I would love to do but being self employed gets in the way of long breaks away although I take 4weeks over Christmas so will plan some bigger trips in that time, I wonder how you manage to do it with work?
Anyway looking forward to reading the rest tonight, probably tired again tomorrow!


Cheers mate!

Sorry for keeping you up Burnsy :sleep:

We try and make the most out of any spare chance we get to drag the Expanda out of the shed, even if its just for 1 night. Don't forget to post up travels too mate :thumb:

 

[Coastrunner]

I`m probably repeating myself here, but have to add that I really enjoy flicking through this thread. It`s like having a caravaning magazine specialising with the Expandas. My problem is I don`t get enough time off work. So if I cant get away in the expanda for a holiday, it`s nice to read about someone else doing it. The pictures really make it. Please keep your holiday stories and pics flowing Cruza. Hopefully it`ll be me one day champ.

 

[cruza driver]

Ok I'm back from a frosty trip 3 night trip to Grannys Flat 10km out of Jamieson Victoria were I meet up with Bigman0510 who was down from QLD, thanks mate for a great few days and we will have to catch up again:thumb:

Here is a link to the trip report

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/sh...and-the-Bigman0510-in-the-frosty-High-Country

 

[cruza driver]

Its 18 months since we took delivery of our Expanda which means the anode in the HWS was due to be done. It had been sitting on the shelf in the shed for 6 months so I guess I've been a bit lazy layball:

When I pulled it out I was actually impressed with what I found. After flushing water threw the tank to clean out any residue I cut the nut off the old anode, refilled the tank then released the water out of the tank again just to make sure it was all clean.

After refilling it with the new anode I checked for leaks and all was good. I then decided to heat the tank on 240v as it would be nearly 12 months since doing this as I usually run it on gas because we either free camp or stay on unpowered sites.

Out with the old in with the new

 

[cruza driver]

Also I forgot to add,a big thanks to Christian (Stone Stomper) for a very helpful post he did regarding the best way to approach replacing the anode.

Thanks mate :thumb:

 

[zerosecta]

Hey Cruzer, Top thread mate... Planning to start exploring the east side next year and this will be the first place I come looking for ideas.

Cheers

 

[Pace]

Also I forgot to add,a big thanks to Christian (Stone Stomper) for a very helpful post he did regarding the best way to approach replacing the anode.

Thanks mate :thumb:

Gday CD.would post link to SS anode changeout I'm in the mood to do ours soon.thx.

 

[cruza driver]

also a tip before removing the anode is to silicone the bottom surround of the hws, you will see that there is an overlap join of the metal surround and this could let the water into the wall cavity when the anode is removed and make sure you have turned to hot tap on as there could be pressure in the tank and shoot the anode out.

Cheers

Christian

Here you go mate :thumb:

Also here is another good thread too

http://expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/1362-Surburban-SW6DEA-Anode-Change?highlight=anode

:tea:

 

[Stone Stomper]

No worries CD, I also crimped a bottle brush cleaner to the end of an aluminium rod to push into the anode hole in the tank then put some water in via a hose then by pushing and pulling the bottle brush in the tank removes all the white anode rubbish that lays in the bottom of the tank.

Christian

 

[cruza driver]

No worries CD, I also crimped a bottle brush cleaner to the end of an aluminium rod to push into the anode hole in the tank then put some water in via a hose then by pushing and pulling the bottle brush in the tank removes all the white anode rubbish that lays in the bottom of the tank.

Christian

Yeah I did similar with an old face washer, I went and bought a bottle brush but it was to big :whistle: It was the only one the local shop had though so I thought I'd try it and no luck

Once again thanks mate :thumb:

 

[cruza driver]

Hey Cruzer, Top thread mate... Planning to start exploring the east side next year and this will be the first place I come looking for ideas.

Cheers

Thanks Zero, just ask mate if you have any questions and I'll try and answer them

 

[cruza driver]

G'day AJC here is a thread I did regarding making my Stone Deflector, the measurements are on page 2

http://expandasdownunder.com/showthread.php/340-How-I-Made-My-Stone-Deflector

You will never stop all the dust as it will work its way in but blocking the vents will help greatly. I did try velcro covers on my OB Hawk but they didn't work to well so make sure you use a quality velcro and good tape to fix the velcro to the van.

Dust does also get passed the seals on the rear bed so readjust the striker plates for the rear hard lid. Dust can/may also get through the floor where any wiring are plumbing enters the van. Travel with the sink plug in the sink drain too. Anywhere under the van where plmbing runs through the chassis and floor mounts should be reinsulated so it can't rub through and risk losing any water. Take spare elbows and clamps too.

There probaby is a few other things but the best way to get the Expanda ready is spend plenty of time under it and go over anything that may look like it could do with securing or protecting.

Most of all have a great trip.

 

[cruza driver]

Another trip completed around Corryong and we also snuck into NSW for a few days

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/sh...nd-surrounds-(lots-of-pics)?p=21311#post21311

When we got home I also had a parcel from Hong Kong in the mail with my LEDS for the 6 main interior lights. :rockon:

 

[cruza driver]

While the Expanda was out of the shed I threaded the drain pipes into the chassis rails.

I cut the pipe into 3 lengths and managed to get 2 in the L/H (door side) rail and 1 into the R/H rail.
This was long overdue but I dont always take the pipe with us so it doesn't usually get in the way. Tomorrow I'll go down to the hardware store and get some joiners that are used for farm irrigation as they come in the size I'll need (fingers crossed).

I have left enough pipe protuding the rail so I can fasten it to the rear bumper support so they are still there when I need them :smile:

 

[Brad]

I am trying to picture what you have done CD but think a pic is in order....

 

[cruza driver]

No worries Brad I'll get a picture for you tomorrow, its pouring with rain here at the moment :rain:

But basically from the rear of the van I pushed the flexible drain pipe that goes onto the manifold up the chassis rails for storage and it keeps it out of the front boot

 

[Xpandafan]

I am trying to picture what you have done CD but think a pic is in order....

Its raining here too! but there are a few pics of mine on the "What did you do on the weekend" thread (my post of 5th Oct) taken in sunny Moama which is probably similar to what CD has done.

 

[Brad]

Ohh ok. Now I understand. I thought you were rerouting drain pipes under your van. Anything I see that mentions drain pipes is interesting to me at the moment because it is one mod I am looking at doing. We have the model with the washing machine. Drain outlet is almost directly underneath the door of the van on the outside of the chassis rail. Compared to all the other drain outlets which is on the other side of the van on the inside of the chassis rail. Up there for thinking Jayco!!

 

[Xpandafan]

Ohh ok. Now I understand. I thought you were rerouting drain pipes under your van. Anything I see that mentions drain pipes is interesting to me at the moment because it is one mod I am looking at doing. We have the model with the washing machine. Drain outlet is almost directly underneath the door of the van on the outside of the chassis rail. Compared to all the other drain outlets which is on the other side of the van on the inside of the chassis rail. Up there for thinking Jayco!!

I sometimes feel there are more brains on this forum than the factory floor, Brad.