Xpandafan's 18.57-7 - the learning curve.
- Thread starter Xpandafan
- Start date
Hey Xpandafan. great looking rig and van, how well does the pathfinder pull the big van as i'm thinking about changing my my tow rig. i have a patrol 3.0lt at the moment.
cheers
cheers
This is our second Pathfinder. Like the torque and drive ability. Also found reliable with only an alternator repair in 200k. Been following Pace9908 who's also got a Pathie and now just waiting on a chip from Germany to boost power even more. You'll always know you have got an 18 on the back of course. Airbags keep it nice and level at 18-20psi. Try for oil change every 5k, fuel filter every 10k, transmission fluid change yearly. Economy mid 8's if careful and 14-17 towing depending on conditions.
Finished a few minor jobs while the sun was out, today. Shortened TV cables and the aerial lead so things look tidier inside and out. Fiddled with table pedestal and reduced the rocking quite a bit. Just working on some stand-offs for the rear bed privacy screens so I can tension back to rear bumper bar without guys and pegs (I dont have hard lids) Will post pics when I get it right...will measure instead of guessing next time.
would be interested to know how you fiddled with it.. its stable enough.. but it could be better.
Fitted a steel washer same diameter as the tube into the socket part of the tabletop. I found there was a pce of steel protruding on one side in the bottom of the socket so the post couldn't sit flush. I also use some acetate sheet around the post where it fits into both sockets which firmed up the joints.
Off to Jayco tomorrow for a service and to get axles under slung for bit of extra clearance. Will wander around the yard (although not interested in a change anytime soon) and casually browse the shop, trying not to buy anything unnecessary. Success by no means guaranteed given my track record. Good to have it on the road again even just for an hour or so.
Hey Xpandafan,
How was the drive? which dealer did you end up at? Gorgeous day today, were tempted to keep going and not drop off van for axle mod.
Pace.
How was the drive? which dealer did you end up at? Gorgeous day today, were tempted to keep going and not drop off van for axle mod.
Pace.
Looks great! with the underslung i was given the name of Simpsons in Dandenong who have done plenty of these, they quoted me $280 from memory but thats for a single axel.
good luck
Thanks Leesy. $460 for dual axles at Jayco service people, also getting brakes and bearings done.
It was an excuse to take it for a run as well as visit the parts and accessories store. Purchased and fitted a new straight table post and swivel top thingy while van was still on the driveway. Not ever entirely happy with the dogleg post. Was able to take products out to the van to try before buying. (Left wife in store as security deposit!). Seems much more stable and allows a bit more table swivel movement. Also went down to Barwon Heads to look at our holiday campsite and convince myself that I can get the Expanda in where the Swan and Flamingo went. Reasonable sure can do it scratch free. Picking van up on Saturday and in the meantime have to cut the grass where she lives at home (formerly know as front lawn).
It was an excuse to take it for a run as well as visit the parts and accessories store. Purchased and fitted a new straight table post and swivel top thingy while van was still on the driveway. Not ever entirely happy with the dogleg post. Was able to take products out to the van to try before buying. (Left wife in store as security deposit!). Seems much more stable and allows a bit more table swivel movement. Also went down to Barwon Heads to look at our holiday campsite and convince myself that I can get the Expanda in where the Swan and Flamingo went. Reasonable sure can do it scratch free. Picking van up on Saturday and in the meantime have to cut the grass where she lives at home (formerly know as front lawn).
Don't won't to make you feel old... i was 4 in 1983.
Hopefully i have as many years of enjoyment with our van. This is our first and we will see how we go.
So far love it. Will tell you if we still do after new years, have an 8000km trip planned. That will certainly knock the edges off.Enjoying reading your stories.
Ants
Thanks, Ants. I'm sure you will have at least as much enjoyment as we have starting off with an Expanda. Incidently,mI don't feel too bad for my age, but I would appreciate it if you'd type a bit louder and use a larger font!Don't won't to make you feel old... i was 4 in 1983.
Hopefully i have as many years of enjoyment with our van. This is our first and we will see how we go.
Enjoying reading your stories.
Ants
Thanks, Ants. I'm sure you will have at least as much enjoyment as we have starting off with an Expanda. Incidently,mI don't feel too bad for my age, but I would appreciate it if you'd type a bit louder and use a larger font!
You crack me up Xpandafan. Could you come and do my yards seeing as its such a nice day today, i'll supply bbq and beer?? Pace.
Thanks, Ants. I'm sure you will have at least as much enjoyment as we have starting off with an Expanda. Incidently,mI don't feel too bad for my age, but I would appreciate it if you'd type a bit louder and use a larger font!
LOL!! I love your quirky remarks that you add in.
Ants... can you see this hahaha
was the service at Page Bros? they would not do the underslung for me, perhaps because it the single axel?
Cheers
Yeah, you'll keep me young, Pace.
Got the van with the service/parts guys at Prestige - different from the sales people and easy to deal with.
As interested in the mods and where you've been as much as selling you stuff and yes, we seriously did consider just keeping going. Could probably camped a few nights on our site before the ranger discovered us. 15.7 l/100km going down (quite windy and 95-100kph), 9.0 coming back. Two and half tonne makes a difference.
At Prestige in Geelong. (Jamie Grist, Service Coordinator) See my reply to Pace about service and sales possibly being different businesses although trading under same name.
Just an update, Leesy. Just off the phone from Jayco advising my van done and looking good. Asked about any issues with under slung axles and your experience with Page Bros. He said they'd done hundreds with no problems at all. 80-100mm lift. I've just flipped over the tow hitch tongue which has raised the ball about 80mm. Can fit a ball with a 20mm thicker base if I need it.