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Post Info TOPIC: Future Plans
yeoeleven


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Future Plans
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My travelling plan broadly is to continue north as far as Cairns then up to the Atherton Tablelands then down and across the Savannah Way to Normanton retracing my trip around Australia. Down to Cloncurry and across to Tennant Creek for a trip down the middle.From Pt Augusta down the York Peninsular and across to Lake Alexandrina then follow the Murray back to Echuca ready to go back to Greens Lake late October. Spending time to see the sights and stopping longer where the camps are suitable.

 

So much for the travelling, I have decided that I would like to tow a small car behind my bus but the 2ltr motor would not be able to pull another vehicle over the hills and the engineer only certified it to tow 500kgs. To change vehicles is not an option financially so I have decided to change over the engine and even that is not feasible just now. The plan is to save up over the next few months so that during my time at Greens I will be able to achieve stage one of my plan and change over the engine. I have been looking on eBay and Gumtree at coasters of my vintage to see what motors had been fitted and come up with the following:- 186 and 202 Holden motors, 4.1 and 5ltr Falcon motor as well as 350 Cleveland with its  transmission.

 

It will come down to dollars and the Holden only need an adapter plate plus engine mounts but it also depends on availability. Obviously stage two and three involve either a trailor or an A frame and a suitable small car. I can do it especially now that I have everything needed to support my lifestyle. I saved $3000 whilst touring Tassie for 3 months and I have 6 months before the changeover will take place  My plan therefore is this, change over the engine this year and be travelling with a towed car before I turn 79. I have been making 12 month plans since I decided to travel round Australia the first being this post on the forum in 2010.

 

 http://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t39891223/my-12-month-plan/

 

The second whilst at Greens in 2012 so I have every confidence that I can make happen again.           John

 

http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com.au/2012/11/my-new-12-month-plan.html

http://yeoeleven.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/my-new-12-month-plan-fulfilled_24.html



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Bryan


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Also one of the main reason, I have changed from a motorhome to a Jeep towing a small caravan.

I bought the Jeep in February, sold the motorhome in March and my van will be ready for delivery next Friday. My main concern is if the car needs repairs, I lose my home for the duration and vice versa.

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bill12


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Be prepared for some fairly horrendous fuel figures if you change to a holden or similar. I had a one tonner with a camper on the back and it got 16.5 miles per gallon, which is about 6 klms per ltr, and your bus will be worse. On the other hand , holden motors and parts are cheap.No worries about power, though.If you could afford it, a turbo diesel is a better bet. Bill

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rosa


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eoeleven,hope you are still at greens just after new year as i hope to be there and meet alot of great crazy nomads

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Cloak


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You could consider a 200lt gas tank to go with that 202. Nice and simple and reliable.

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Glenelg


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i hope you are still there to, i think i have to be i strathalbun or mount gambier for christmas, soon as thats gone i whana head for greens myself .

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yeoeleven


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My plan will be to move on from Greens during January, this year there was a mass exodus after the New Year and I left on the 6th to go to the Elvis Festival.

Bill I am currently getting 6.8kms to the litre and I have found that a 3.4ltr turbo was fitted into a similar bus so time will tell.

Not sure how much space a 200ltr gas tank takes but it would be good if I went via a 6cyl motor plus gas for range and economy.    

John



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billeeeeeee


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Only you would, and could, my friend,,,,,,,Billeeeeeee

5692.jpg



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jules47


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Good on you John - glad to hear you are doing the Centre - you will love it - Devil's Marbles, Lake Hart and on and on!!!!!
And good luck with your plan - hope this works as well as the last!!!

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Sol


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John, I've worked on a few coasters that have a Landcruiser 1HZ Diesel motor fitted to them and they perform fantastic.

A friend of ours has just bought a 15year old coaster and it's had the 1HZ Engine Swap too.

If you'd like to chat to him about it, pm me mate and I'll give you his number.

Also if you're in the Tully area and want a chat and a beer please feel free to let me know and I'll drop around.

Cheers

Sol



-- Edited by Sol on Friday 20th of June 2014 11:37:40 AM

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yeoeleven


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Sol will pm you when getting closer, we can talk then and contact your friend.

Thanks for your encouragement Billeee and Jules and have an excellent trip through WA, I particularly enjoyed south of Perth and round to Esperance.

John



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jules47


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Needs to warm up a bit down there before we head too far south, John, taking it very slowly!! Darrell, Sandra and Mel loved their horizontal falls trip yesterday. Leaving Derby today - not sure for where, but will know when we get there.

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bill12


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In the long run, I think you will find the diesel the best option.The natural aspirated ones are good on torque, but the factory turbos make 1/3 more for the same fuel , and more torque. I suppose it all comes down to what you can afford. Bill

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banjo


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Love reading your blog John and admire your spirit and determination to make it happen, good on yer.

As for the engine transplant I would look for a 1HZ 4.2 diesel, they are bullet proof and very reliable, a turbo model would be better but more expensive.

Some of the V8 engine swap mobs like Brunswick Diesels often have second hand motors and or gearboxes that they have removed from engine swap vehicles, just an option for you.

As for petrol/gas the fuel consumption would kill it, and gas now is not much cheaper than petrol in some areas, then there's the availability in the bush.

Look forward to catching up one day, with you maybe A framing a small car, cos I'm sure you'll do it.

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brian
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Hi John, you have plans alright. Where. there's a will there's a way



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Dougwe


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A Yeoeleven plan hey. Now that is one plan that will definitely happen as it is your plan John.

Looking forward to seeing you and any travellers you have with you when you arrive in this neck of the woods but my departure is getting closer by the week. No later than first week August at this stage.

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yeoeleven


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Dougwe wrote:

A Yeoeleven plan hey. Now that is one plan that will definitely happen as it is your plan John.

Looking forward to seeing you and any travellers you have with you when you arrive in this neck of the woods but my departure is getting closer by the week. No later than first week August at this stage.

 Hopefully Paul will be able to travel after his Dr appt. on Monday, may take him a couple of days but expect him next week, tentative plans are to leave the Monday after.

A couple of nights in Home Hill should get us to Bluewater Park by the middle of that week after picking up the battery charger in Bowen and the generator in Townsville.

Wanting to have a service and tune up whilst in Home Hill, not idling well and hard to start when hot.

Then austerity measures will begin to enable the engine exchange in October.

CYA soon Doug,

John



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Dougwe


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Steady goes John. It's very busy at all the camps you know up the ways a bit. Bluewater was packed in like sardines during the week. They were lined up out front waiting for someone to leave.

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Live Life On Your Terms

DOUG  Chief One Feather  (Losing feathers with age)

TUG.......2014 Holden LT Colorado Twin Cab Ute with Canopy

DEN....... 2014 "Chief" Arrow CV  (with some changes)

 
yeoeleven


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Now a few days after deciding on my new plan I have been trying to come up with a dollar cost overall and a more precise action plan. I probably will have to get to Shepparton before the engine changeover can be costed, according to the availability and quotes.

 

I have found a company who is based in Shepparton and manufactures, fits and offers engineering certificates.  http://www.whitfieldhallfabrication.com.au/gallery  here is just one option:-

Suzuki Sierra

 

Suzuki Sierra $2,189.00

A-Frame with Suzuki Sierra Bracket's

 

 

So if I decided on a Suzuki Sierra and looked at what Carsales have to offer I would have many options and this below is just one.

cp4889474130476341494.jpg?height=700&aspect=FitWithinNoPad&width=1050

 

Comments                        $3000

Obtained a roadworthy certificate today - complete pass 17/06/2014* 1.3ltr Sierra. 2 seater, 2 inch lift, Snorkel, Large Mud Terrains (235/75/r15), Sony Xplod CD player and speakers, checker plate inner doors, roof racks and spotlights. recently replaced starter motor. Selling to buy a family sized truck. Please contact me with any questions or to arrange a look. 

Price is negotiable. Thanks, Adam.

 

Based on the Suzuki Sierra I could get that combination for around $5000 and I am sure that I could get a changeover engine for $5000 if I looked at some of the cheaper options. I spoke to a Coaster owner yesterday who had a 3.4 diesel turbo that cost him $10000 and he did the work himself. If I have to sacrifice fuel economy to get the job done, then so be it, my lifestyle consists of driving one day a week and not all that far, especially if I have a little car to explore in.   John



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bill12


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How about a motorbike , such as a postie bike like I own. They are reliable ,and cheap to run(40klms to the ltr!), and you wouldn,t have to change the motor.Its amazing what you can get on a postie bike, and I use mine to go to Townsville from the island, for shopping.Not very quick, but very economical. I paid $500 for mine years ago, and wouldn,tPhoto110.jpg get rid of it for any price.Great little runabout. Bill



-- Edited by bill12 on Monday 23rd of June 2014 09:14:52 AM



-- Edited by bill12 on Monday 23rd of June 2014 09:15:29 AM

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