102nd EDITION Autumn 201770 WA’s own 4WD MagazineSeries - alive and well Going down the Gardner - Trip noted East Kimberley Extravaganza Rob Robson takes the Colorado to the bush • A Merc for the masses • Dealing with snakes • We check out HEMA’s HX-1
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CONTENTS AUTUMN 2017DESTINATIONSGoing down the Gardner - Trip noted___________________________________________ 8 East Kimberley Extravaganza - Linda Bloffwitch explores the highlights_____________ 102TESTING70 Series - Alive and well ______________________________________ 26A G-Class of its own - Neil Dowling checks out an Aussie first________________ 70HX-1 - The Mitchells explore Hema’s latest____________________ 85Transformer with the lot - Alex Garner unfolds a Quickpitch camper____________ 126All the Bells and Whistles - Rob Robson takes the Colorado to the bush___________ 172Up ‘n’ Down, Up ‘n’ Down - Setting pressures at both ends________________________ 188 4 Western 4W Driver #101
FEATURESHatches, Matches and Despatches - The Burtons say goodbye to their hard floor__________ 45Steps to Survival - Part five - Bob Cooper on snakes____________________________ 91Nothing like being Prepared - Lyn Mitchell on keeping in touch__________________ 145My little Fantasy - Susie pins down her ideal trip, and cops an eyeful_______________________________ 162COLUMNS REGULARSHXW-1inNaavHiegmataorEdSed 6 Happy Dayz 40Wildtrax 81What’s in a Name 84 What’s New? 55Bindon’s Lore 117The Things you See 151 Over the Bonnet 135Clewed Up 194 Workshop Chat - Diff locks 155 Gear to Go Camping 165 Fishy Business 181 Capture the Moment 190 Goings on 192 Subscriptions 196 Supplier’s Directory 198 Silly Snaps 200 Western 4W Driver #101 5
Westate Lots in a Name Publishers Pty Ltd Just in case you hadn’t thought about it, ACN 009 360 169 knowledge shared is an empowering PO Box 510, mental asset. Once received we have to take Kalamunda, responsibility for it and base future opinions on WA 6926 it - right or wrong. From deep philosophical to who Phone: (08) 9291 8303 the neighbour’s up to, we are the sum of what we Email: hear, see and act upon. [email protected] Editor Case in point the recent decision to change the name Nick Underwood of the King Leopold Ranges in the Kimberley to an Contributing Writers Aboriginal name. Up until this point I thought the Phil Bianchi name rather grand for a landmark that stood high Peter Bindon and proud. So imagine my consternation and change Linda Bloffwitch of heart when the knowledge is shared with me John Bormolini that Leopold was a right bastard. What the hell was Ben Broeder Forrest thinking when he bestowed this landmark Amanda Burton with the name of a genocidal maniac responsible for Graham Cahill the deaths of over 10 million people during his reign Jo Clews over the Congo in central Africa. Ray Cully Probably that in those empire-building days when Neil Dowling original inhabitants were regarded as ignorant Ian Elliot savages at best, less than human at worst, it was Alex Garner appropriate to name features after prominent Chris Harwood individuals who had distinguished themselves in the Colin Kerr pursuit of conquering lands and foes. Lyn Mitchell It wasn’t just people in high places who scored Ron Moon memorials in nomenclature attached to landmarks Rob Robson across Australia. Susie Underwood On reading exploration diaries one gets the impression that once all the big names were Advertising assigned, explorers struggled to come up with names Nick Underwood and any vestige of appropriateness went out the Administration window. For example there were plenty of people in Marilyn Dawson colonial office expecting or desperate to have their Typesetting names stamped on anything for bragging rights and perpetuity beyond the grave. BENSON Earnest Giles was good at it. Once he’d run out of important names and sponsors of any standing he ADVERTISING got right down to the daughter of the sister of the telegraph station manager who had looked after his Printing horses for a night while enroute to the outback. (Not historically accurate but you get my drift.) Vanguard Press Frank Hann was good at it as well, naming features after barmaids he had met and I can’t help wonderingDisclaimer: The views expressed if he was trading naming rights for a good time orin this publication are not he simply found similarities in topography - I’ll leavenecessarily those of WestatePublishers Pty Ltd or the editorsbut those of the authors whoaccept sole responsibility andliability for them. While everycare is taken with images &photographs, and all othermaterial submitted, WestatePublishers Pty Ltd accepts noliability for loss or damage.Edition 102Autumn 2017
that to your imagination.Back then, language barriers Edand variations in dialectprobably made it difficult to Sedpin down the Aboriginal namefor a feature but as time woreon and people made the effort with Nick Underwoodto understand the Aboriginalculture, proper original nameswere allocated and now wecelebrate these names for their Aboriginality, their uniqueness and often in goodhumour. From Wagga Wagga to Woop Woop to ‘Things are crook in Tallarook’and ‘On the road to Gundagai’, Aboriginal place names are entrenched in ourfolklore and fun to roll off the tongue. As Ian Elliot is fond of saying, “It wouldn’t beAustralia if we didn’t have Onkaparinga and Wooloomooloo. So I’m all for throwingout the place names that glorify Europeans who more than likely never laid eyeson their namesakes and replacing them with Aboriginal place names - with threeconditions - the names don’t get too long, they come with phonetic interpretationand syllable priority so we can pronounce them correctly and their meaning issupplied so we can understand their significance.As an example, did you know that Mirrabooka (a Perth suburb) is an Aboriginalword for the Southern Cross? Or that Wanneroo means a ‘Place for digging andgathering’. Certainly appropriate with all the market gardens up that way.Comparisons in language are fertile grounds for humour and once the indigenouspopulation got a handle on the English language, their sense of humour cameto the fore. Many an explorer or settler was given a bum steer in the aboriginalnaming of places for a laugh at their expense.And white people find a laugh too in their interpretation of Aboriginal place names- think Damboring, Chorkerup, Yornup, Mandogalup, Cowcowing and of coursethat orthographically famous Perth suburb, Innaloo which means in the Nyoongarlanguage ‘A place to camp’. Now that’s the last place to camp unless a very hotcurry the night before dictates it. On the serious side, it’s great to understand themeaning behind the names we know so well as it gives a good insight into theAboriginal connection to place. For example Damboring means ‘Place for burying’,Mandogalup - ‘Camp of the unmarried’, Cowcowing - ‘Place of laughter’.All this and more I found in an excellent book, ‘The Nyoongar Legacy’ by BernardRooney - well worth checking out at Batchelor Press.So for me, Aboriginal place names have far more relevance and promote greaterunderstanding between cultures - we simply need to know how to pronounce themand understand what they mean.Not too tall an order I would have thought.Z Bend road updateMy last editorial must have been a case of precognition.No sooner was my rant out on the state of the Z bend road in Kalbarri that anannouncement came through advising improvements to the road will run throughto July. Lets hope they get all the way to the lookout. Western 4W Driver #102 7
GOING DOWNTHEWith time on our side, this riverramble kicks off on the Blackwoodand grabs a whiff of the Donnellyand Warren before connecting withthe Gardner for a sometimes boggytrail to the Southern Ocean.8 Western 4W Driver #102
GARDNER By Ian Elliot Western 4W Driver #102 9
t was way back in 2008 that the of forest country that would give us Ed and I began systematically very pleasant, dappled vistas as we following South-West rivers from wound our way down to where the Gardner began. For this easy trek theItheir source to the sea as best we Ed and I were joined by the inimitable John Brown in a Holden Colorado he’scould on existing roads and tracks. been fitting out and my usual travellingWe did these jaunts annually, usually companion, the very handy Paultaking three days between Christmas Kennedy. In a perfect end of year cooland New Year’s Eve. In an interestingseven year period we covered the The oldFrankland, Warren, mill townKent, Blackwood, of NyamupDonnelly, Kalgan contrasts welland Collie rivers. maintained(Check out Autumn cottages with aback issues.) Last crumbling mill.year, feeling we’dpretty well run out spell we all met at the Pinjarra Bakeryof suitable rivers, for a late brekky before heading downwe did a run along the South Western Highway. After athe Whicher Range short break at Donnybrook, we arrivedcrossing the upper in a crowded Bridgetown for lunch andreaches of many the start of our trip noting odyssey.of the smaller Turning off the highway after crossingwatercourses in the the bridge at Bridgetown we followedregion. These included the the Blackwood up to Carbunup BrookCapel, Ludlow, Abba, Sabina, when we turned South to cross theMargaret and Scott rivers. headwaters of the Donnelly and passAs the 2016 festive season Grevillea Firetower. Constructed ofapproached, the Ed put on histhinking cap and scoured themaps to come up with anyriver that would fit our usualcriteria. After rejecting theCanterbury, he decided onthe Gardner, so that’s wherewe went. This particular jauntdeparted from our usualrun in a couple of respects.Firstly, we invited a couple ofmates along, and secondly, I failed tocomplete the course.This trip would involve a mixture ofbitumen highways and formed dirtroads before we reached the 4WD sandtracks that would get us down to wherethe Gardner flowed out past graniteoutcrops, over the beach and into theSouthern Ocean. Nick had mappedout a scenic drive for us that wouldtake in quite a few settled farmingback-blocks interspersed with tracts10 Western 4W Driver #102
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A dam sets a tranquil scene near Situated in the Shire of Manjimup, the headwater of the Gardner. the Gardner measures only around 40km in length, rising about 8km NE Some tracks might take a bit of Northcliffe and trending roughly of clearing. SW, SE, S, then SW again to its mouth on the beach some 8km eastwardssawn and hand hewn timber, of Windy Harbour. This river’sthe tower has ten ladder stages embouchure is not navigable and is notand, just short of 43 metres, is particularly wide. It is understandablerecognised as the world’s tallest, that none of the early navigatorsall timber fire lookout tower. It charting our southern shores caughtwas in use from 1940 to 1975 but sight of it, though a couple came close.is now dangerous due to split In 1792 Bruny d’Entrecasteaux, afterand broken timbers. Further South we replenishing stores at Ambon Islandvisited the old mill town of Nyamup, in present-day Indonesia, continueda settlement that dates from 1939.Bunnings sawmill, an enterprise thatoperated there for 50 years, is currentlybeing demolished but the rest of thetown, including the Community Halland several cottages on 70 hectares ofland, is for sale. Back on the highwaywe camped near Rooneys Bridge overthe Warren where I had the pleasure ofa possum jumping onto my swag in themiddle of the night. Next morning weheaded for our ultimate objective, theGardner River.12 Western 4W Driver #102
his search for La Perouse with the charted previously by Vancouver. Still,ships Recherche and Esperance. This they did find Esperance Bay and theexpedition’s first sighting of land on the Archipelago of the Recherche so Isouth coast of New Holland was about suppose we can forgive them. Flinders,11km West of the river, a headland sailing along this part of our coast inthey named Point d’Entrecasteaux. 1803, noted that Point d’EntrecasteauxSo delighted were they that they had was visible from ten miles out to sea.a party and a feast on board. The He came in close enough to sightblacksmith on the Recherche, a man Sandy Island offshore from present-daynamed Jean Marie Marhadour, over- Windy Harbour, but still the outlet ofindulged and died the next day from an this river remained unnoticed.apoplectic fit. (Oh, those irrepressible The first sighting by map-makers wasFrench.) The weather was so boisterous after white settlement (hope that’sover the next few days that, in addition not racist!) when Governor Stirlingto failing to notice our little river, they organised for a whaleboat to closelyalso failed to find King George Sound examine the southern coastline westwards of Broke Inlet. That whaleboat was under the command of Lieutenant William Preston RN of HMS Sulphur and at 4.00pm on 19 April 1831, the second day of this voyage, he sighted “an opening in the land”, “got close in-shore” and “observed a sheet of water over the sandy beach, which we afterwards found was perfectly fresh, covered with Swans, Ducks, JB tries out his new winch on a black soil track.Regrowth on theGardner RiverRoad after theNorthcliffe fires. Western 4W Driver #102 13
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Bonus riverside campsite at the end of a boggy track.&c, &c, and running, with a rocky the Frankland, was named the Gordonshore.” They managed to land their boat after this politician by Surveyor Generalin the surf around a rocky point just to Roe in 1835. It was only after 1835the westward and bivouacked amongst that our watercourse began appearingthe dunes. That night they” heard the on maps as the Gardner River. OnceNatives, and saw their fire about 1 again, I’m not sure of the exact timingmile up the River.” Next morning or circumstances but, as Stirling andthey filled their barrel with fresh Preston were both Royal Navy menwater, launched and reloaded the (many of our SW rivers are namedwhaleboat before putting out to sea after Royal Navy ships or commandersto round Point d’Entrecasteaux and including the Shannon and the Warrencontinue westward. The river was either side of the Gardner), it’s probablyleft to the Aborigines for the next a fair bet that the Gardner is namedtwo decades. In fact, while most later after a famous Royal Navy hero,cartographers included Preston’s few Admiral Alan Gardner (1742-1809), thedetails on their maps, one at least First Baron Gardner. A contemporary(the 1832 Arrowsmith), applied the of Nelson and possibly a mentor ofname “Gordon’s River” to it. This Vancouver, Gardner was renowned forwas probably in honour of George being pugnacious and irascible, zealousHamilton-Gordon (1784-1860), the 4th and forceful, exceedingly brave andEarl of Aberdeen, who was Foreign loyal to his men. It was Gardner whoSecretary when the Duke of Wellington was largely responsible for the Royalwas PM, then Secretary of State for Navy’s decision to issue lemon or limeWar and the Colonies under the Prime juice as a daily ration, putting an endMinistership of Sir Robert Peel. He to the scourge of scurvy and earningwould later become PM himself. British sailors their title of “Limeys.”Whether this antipodean application So, our river had its name and itsof his name was at the instigation of confluence with the Southern OceanStirling and Preston is unknown. It was known. However, anything elsebecomes a moot point when we know was known only to the tribe that Prestonthat a river far inland, a tributary of and his men had heard. This began to Western 4W Driver #102 15
One way of getting the mud off. An original hut in the camping area further upstream. The entire near the mouth of the Gardner. extent of the Gardner and its tributaries wasn’t fullychange in May 1852 when the lower mapped until 1924. Its mainpart of the river was traversed during tributaries are Boorara Brook,land explorations by surveyor Augustus the Canterbury River (formerlyGregory. Shortly after this the Muir known as “Cuttaburra Brook”family began their long association with or “Gardner River Eastthis general region, opening up dairying Branch”), Una Brook, Buldaniaproperties and constructing a network of Creek, Maringup Creek andcrude roads and bridges to move their Blackwater Creek which comescattle and to send produce to a shop in near the mouth. It flowsthey ran in Albany. They employed many through a mixture of farmlandlocal Aborigines in this vast enterprise (both sheep and dairy cattle),and took up coastal leases for summer timber plantations,grazing. Thomas Muir was responsible State Forest, National Parksfor recording the Aboriginal name of and coastal sand plain. Our firstthe mouth of the Gardner, “Walbingup”, contact with the river came onand “Toororgup” for a spot a little the morning of day two when16 Western 4W Driver #102 we crossed what we took to be its head amongst majestic Karris in a slightly muddy slide with an impressive dam on our RHS. (On consulting forestry maps after my return home, I now think that we were about 4km NW of the true head which looks to be near the South end of Bighill Brook Rd, but what the heck, we were at the head of a significant tributary.) After morning tea at the Northcliffe Cafe where the Suzuki Club lined the curb, we lunched at a pretty ford far down river where several passing readers stopped to say hello. Here it was that my Troopie decided it no longer had drive to the front wheels and, after several goes at getting out, I had to be towed ignominiously from my sandy parking spot. We tested it on hard ground and everything seemed OK, but since we were now approaching sand plain and beach terrain, I decided not to risk proceeding further before getting it checked out. Paul, who would have been departing early anyway to fulfil a cattle call from his mate at Brookton, offered
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Looking south east from Point D’ Entrecasteaux across Windy Harbour towards the Gardner mouth.to tail me home in case my problem gotworse and I thank him for that. However,the old girl went fine in 2WD and we gotback to the ‘burbs around 7.00pm thatevening. A full mechanical check hasnot found any fault so this matter is stillsomething of a mystery to me. (And yes,it was in 4WD; my hubs were locked; Itried in both high and low range and alsowith front and rear air-lockers engaged.)Nick and JB carried on and enjoyedbogging and winching their muddyway to a riverside campsite furtherdownstream from our lunch spot.The mouth meets a chilly Southern Ocean. Excerpt from Hema’s WA State map. Western 4W Driver #102 19
They got out OK next morning by camper. I recall, even from very earlybalancing on high ground between the visits with Nick, that this crossing canruts, then continued their route down be tricky at times. Cleverly avoiding anytowards the Gardner mouth. Here they similar dramas, our heroes stayed onfound that the old sidetrack to the huts the western side of the river and tookhas been gated. Permission and a key the dune track out to Windy Harbour toare now required to enter this area visit both the Salmon Beach and Pointbut the camping area you pull into is d’Entrecasteaux lookouts for views tolooking good with clean toilets a bonus. the South-East before returning viaAt the mouth they learnt that a lady in Northcliffe to a New Years Eve party ata ute had tried to cross and had hydro- Golden Bay. A very pleasant trip, if alocked her motor – certainly not a happy little short and worrying for myself.GPS Waypoints Map Datum: GDA 94. Zone: 50 HWpt Easting Northing Latitude Longitude1 436 338mE 6 201 680mN 34° 19’ 27.1”S 116° 18’ 28.8”E2 423 820mE 6 172 472mN 34° 35’ 12.2”S 116° 10’ 09.6”E3 420 926mE 6 167 303mN 34° 37’ 59.2”S 116° 08’ 14.3”E4 425 298mE 6 151 072mN 34° 46’ 47.3”S 116° 11’ 00.8”E5 419 331mE 6 143 974mN 34° 50’ 36.1”S 116° 07’ 03.6”ETrip Notes LEGEND BL = Bear Left. RHS = Right Hand SideZero trip meter at all distances given BR = Bear Right. Xrds = Crossroads in LH column. KSO = Keep Straight On. TL = Turn Left0.00km North or town end of Bridge over LHS = Left Hand Side TR = Turn Right. the Blackwood on South Western Hwy at Bridgetown: Continue South 4.64km Fork: BL onto Cormint Rd. over bridge. (Note: This is 260km 0.81km Track on LHS: KSO. southwards of Perth.) 0.09km Track on LHS: TL. 0.17km Nyamup Mill site: TR.1.12km Tweed Rd on LHS: TL. 0.29km T-Junction (Wpt 1): TR onto 12.02km Carbunup Brook Rd on RHS: TR. bitumen roadway. 1.25km T-Junction: TR onto Muir Hwy.7.47km Xrds: TL onto Kingston Rd. 3.04km Wheatley Coast Rd on LHS: TL. 14.18km Xrds (South Western Hwy): KSO on6.81km Track to Grevillia Firetower on RHS: KSO. Wheatley Coast Rd. 4.56km Xrds: TL onto Dodge Rd.16.56km Corbalup Rd on RHS: TR. 4.83km Tomlinson Rd on RHS: TR. 0.93km Xrds (Brook Rd): KSO on Nairn Rd.21.45km T-Junction: TL onto Perup Rd. 0.72km Fork: BL onto Tomlinson Rd. 2.12km T-Junction: TL onto Hill Brook Rd.2.26km Yeticup Rd on RHS: TR. 4.31km Karri Hill Rd on LHS: TL.4.92km Fork: Continue on Yeticup Rd (LH fork).1.52km T-Junction: TR onto Kepal Rd.0.87km Xrds (Ned Rd): KSO on Kepal Rd.20 Western 4W Driver #102
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2.99km T-Junction: TR onto Lane Poole Rd. 0.51km Xrds: TL onto Loverock Rd.0.43km 0.06km Duck Rd on LHS: TL. (Note: About 3.21km TR on Loverock Rd.1.39km 750 metres down this road you first 2.41km cross one of the main tributaries of 7.77km Gardner River Rd on RHS: TR.0.77km the Gardner River.) 3.29km 1.65km 2.58km Canterbury River Bridge: KSO.1.28km Corner fence post on RHS (Wpt 2):0.92km KSO. (Note: At 0.34km ignore track 2.00km T-Junction: TR onto Chesapeake Rd.2.26km going straight on and BL on National 7.04km 3.85km Park boundary track.) Gardner River crossing (Wpt 4): KSO.0.34km 2.02km BL on fenceline. 1.45km Track on LHS: KSO. (Note: This track1.18km goes 4.34km through boggy country0.52km TL following National Park 0.13km to a campsite on the river.)7.38km boundary track. 8.44km Lower Gardner Rd on LHS: TL. T-Junction: TR onto Hogg Rd. Track on LHS: KSO. (Note: This tight Xrds (Middleton Rd): KSO onto and scratchy track through to the Flanagan Rd. river was not driven.) T-Junction: TR onto Muirillup Rd. Track on LHS: KSO. (Note: This track was investigated but goes nowhere.) Gardner River Bridge: KSO. Track on LHS: KSO. (Note: This track Acacia Rd on LHS (Wpt 3): KSO. goes in to shacks but permission (Note: 1km into Acacia Picnic Site and a key is required. Camping where there is a shelter, a toilet and area and toilet where you are is for a river walk.) general camping) Xrds at Northcliffe: TL onto Windy Fork (Wpt 5): BR on dune track to Harbour Rd. Windy Harbour. (Note: BL for beach and river mouth 600 metres.) Boorara Rd on LHS: TL. T-Junction (Windy Harbour Rd): TL Boorara Rd turns L: KSO onto for Windy Harbour about 1.5km; TR Beebe Rd. for Northcliffe 25.5km.Salmon Beach from the lookout nearWindy Harbour.
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Off-Road RRwioothbbson After some fairly serious whispers about the iconic 70 Series Land Cruiser being dropped from Toyota’s 4WD line- up, I am pleased to say the rumours were unfounded and not only has the ‘new’ Land Cruiser arrived but it has also had some significant re-engineering and a heap of changes that improves its safety,comfort, handling and control. Western 4W Driver #102 27
on’t get me wrong, this 30-year-old workhorse isDstill just that – aworkhorse – and despitethe raft of changes thereis no mistaking that itsDNA goes back to themid-80s.So, what’s new? – well,there’s plenty. Acrossthe range the single cabchassis, dual cab chassis,wagon and PC all get thefollowing: -Vehicle StabilityControl (VSC);Active Traction Control (A-TRC); Spare looks a lot happier here thanHill Start Assist (HAC); fixed to the headboard.Brake Assist;Electronic Brake-Force Distribution; Auto-lock hubs and steel wheels.Cruise Control;Euro5 Compliant Engine; rails and additional cross members;Piezo Injectors; Three additional airbags;Diesel Particulates Filter (DPF); Under dash padding for frontTaller gearbox ratio in 2nd seat passenger;and 5th gears; New style seats;Auto-lock freewheeling hubs; New body panels;Fuse box and fused battery terminals; New locally developedFront seatbelt pre-tensioners; chassis calibration;Front passenger seatbelt warning Steering link relocated behind theand new steel and alloy tray options. front axle;The single cab has received the most A single 130 litre fuel tank;attention - in addition to all of the above ….and they all get the new bulgingit has been engineered to achieve a bonnet – but more on that later!5 star ANCAP safety rating. With the The ‘Workmate’ - read base model,inclusion of: along with the GXL Troopy now haveThicker, stronger, more rigid frame, side single piece 6x16” steel wheels and 225/95 16C tyres – no more split rims.28 Western 4W Driver #102 Toyota let us have a Workmate for a week. It came with less than 2000kms on the clock - you could almost say it was brand new and it certainly looked, smelt and felt like it. By the time we gave it back it wasn’t nearly as shiny and new but at least it wasn’t dented or scratched which was probably as much luck as it was anything else.
Trying to test the effectiveness of all the the tray (apparently it is a weight issuenew electronic controls on the tracks over the front axle).and pea gravel roads around Harvey The new bulging bonnet is also towithout coming unstuck was a mission. do with obtaining the 5 star rating.Our Workmate was fitted with a genuine We thought there must have been aToyota bull bar which allows the vehicle bigger intercooler or something elseto retain the 5 star safety rating but hiding under there but the “bulge” isalthough the bar has the facility to bolt apparently designed to contribute toin a winch, doing so will negate the 5 sufficient clearance above the enginestar rating, as would fitting an auxiliary bay components to meet pedestrianbattery under the bonnet. Toyota impact requirements.supplies a kit to fit another battery in The cab is now fitted with five airbagsTracks around Harveywere scenic and, insome places, testing.
Bulging bonnet and whitepaint are a glaring issue andthe bulge wrecks your viewof the front left hand corner.and new bucket seats that Underneath is that torquey V8 withare way more comfortable ECU nodes crowding the space wherethan their predecessors – but a second battery would normally fit.don’t get too excited; there isonly a certain amount of seat tank hangs low and will cop a hiding inyou can fit into a single cab the rough stuff. In addition, the wiring70 series Land Cruiser. The to the sensors at the brakes seems toseats are now fitted with side be pretty exposed and may be subjectbolstering and lumbar support to damage from sticks and scrub whento improve safety and help prevent driving cross-country or performingwhiplash. The chassis has exploration work.copped some modifications Auto free wheel hubs have been fittedtoo. I put the vehicle on a for the first time – no more getting outhoist at Robson Brothers to engage the hubs – shame really, I’ve4WD and all the boys always felt that stopping to lock thewere keen to cast an eye hubs in was very much part of the 4wdover the changes. What is tradition – probably showing my age! Atimmediately noticeable is least there is still a stick to grab hold ofthe relocation and redesign to engage 4wd and low range – no pushof the cross members and buttons or dials on this one!the repositioning of frontcontrol arm mounts on the Western 4W Driver #102 31chassis which has made itnecessary to redesign thecontrol arms. They are nowcurved outwards to pick upthe new position onthe chassis.Other changes whichcaught our eye were the DPF underthe passenger floor (in fact it stoodout like the proverbial dog’s niagaras),the removal of the fuel cooler underthe driver’s floor and deletion of theauxiliary fuel tank. There also looks tohave been a lot of re-jigging of brakelines and wiring looms and althoughthe flex hoses to the rear diff look asthough they could have been located ina less exposed position everything elseseems to be well protected and securedwhich has become par-for-the-coursewhen talking Land Cruiser. Down theback, the one and only but larger fuel
For those of us who liked to select space which had been used previouslylow range but without 4wd to back a to fit an auxiliary battery. Close by isheavy trailer up a steep drive without an auxiliary fuse box which has beenexperiencing transmission wind-up included to help reduce the inevitablewon’t be doing that in the new Cruiser loading up of wiring to the positivethanks to the auto hubs. battery post. Other obvious changesOne thing Toyota designers haven’t are the new injectors which the boys ataddressed in this latest offering Robson’s reckon look to be much easieris the narrower rear wheel track. to access than previously – not thatDepending on the model, the rear anyone will want to have an injectortrack is anywhere between 95mm issue as I’m sure they are going to be anarrower on the single cab Work Mate very expensive fix. At the other end, the genuine tray looks the part. The steel hinges and locks on the drop side are plastic coated making them easy to fold down and lock up. Six lay-flat tie-down points in the chequer plate tray are a useful touch. The spare is retained in a cradle under the tray from which the tyre and rim are pretty easy to access but don’t expect to keep theA lot’s happened underneathincluding re-design of thecross members and down toone fuel tank.Inside there are moreairbags and better seats.to a massive 135mm on the moleskins clean if you have to change awagon. According to Toyota flat tyre. The number plate is mountedthey saw no need to alter a in a pretty vulnerable spot and I don’treliable and robust rear end think it will last long when the goingwhen they widened the track gets tough and although the fuelat the front to accommodate tank filler looks as though someonethe V8 engine. Under the forgot to make a bracket for it, it willbonnet, the same excellentbuild quality is everywhere. The ABSunit sits in front of the brake mastercylinder with an additional vacuumreservoir tucked under the booster. Onthe other side of the engine bay behindthe fuel filter sits a couple of modulesfor the new electronics, taking up the32 Western 4W Driver #102
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probably do the job. The Ed With Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) outand I decided we would do an it wasn’t difficult to lose traction.overnighter down Harvey way With VSC in the Cruiser tracked neatlyso he could get some pics and with no hint of slip.I could try out all the new bitsand pieces on offer. stops on a corrugated corner didn’t fazeOn the highway, the new the big ute. The revised spring andCruiser felt stable and strong shock absorber rates, along with theat 110kph – although we more rigid chassis have had a markedfound that the speedo was positive impact on the way the utereading 4kph slower than the rides. Admittedly there was no weightactual speed – which could in the tray, but the suspension justbe a positive if you are a bit soaked up whatever we put it over withof a leadfoot. The new 5th minimal pitching and bucking normallygear ratio had the V8 turning associated with most utes of this type.over at 2100rpm at 110kph (114kph However, any suspension set up hason the speedo) which was 300rpm to be a compromise and I wonder howdown on the Ed’s 79 Series. the suspension would perform with aAt 100kph, the tacho showed weight closer to the GVM.1950rpm while the Ed’s was Once onto the 4WD tracks thepulling 2200rpm. The torquey electronics were just as functional.V8 hardly noted the change This new model has no Limited Slipin ratio and still had plenty Differential, it being replaced by theunderfoot to accelerate awayright down to 80kph but I was Western 4W Driver #102 35inclined to slot it back to 4thfor overtaking and anythingunder 80kph. I would ventureto say that the new ratio in 5thmakes it a gear much moresuited to be used as a trueoverdrive rather than in theprevious models.The addition of cruise control helpedkeep me at the speed limit although thenarrow foot well of the Cruiser doesn’tallow much room to stretch the rightleg, but it is still a nice addition forthose long trips. Speaking of long trips– and even short ones – the glare offthe new bonnet bulge is horrendous.Being a white vehicle probably didn’thelp but I reckon I would have to dosomething to relieve the strain on myretinas.Once on the dirt the new electronicsshowed their worth straightaway. Nomatter how I tried with Vehicle StabilityControl locked in, I could not seem toget the vehicle out of shape. Even panic
A-TRC (traction control) - and I have to the history of its inadequate handbrakesay it works a treat. The A-TRC and the is anything to go by. However, to beVSC (stability control) can be disarmed fair, the handbrake on this ute wasif required, so we found a scrabbly certainly up to the task but then itbit of hill and tried all the options, hadn’t had mud, sand or dust get intofrom 2WD with no electronics right the drum and handbrake shoes yet.the way through to 4WD low range. In The GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) isevery scenario, the electronics made a quoted at 3400kg with a kerbed weightsubstantial improvement to negotiating of 2180kg leaving a payload of 1220kgthe hill. Most noticeable was the which has to include the tray and bulldifference in 2WD high range, without bar – say 300kg. It would be fair to saythe A-TRC engaged the vehicle was left that the payload for this ute would thenfloundering but with A-TRC engaged be around 760kg assuming we have athe ute scrambled its way up with driver and passenger at 80kg each. With that in mind, I put an IBC container on the tray and filled it ¾ full of water No LSD- just traction control in 2wd got the 70 up this climb. Lay-flat tie-down points in the tray are a bonus.virtually no wheel spin. The good thing - the rear suspension sagged 50mm. I letabout the A-TRC is that when a locker some of the water out so itis fitted the traction control continues was a bit under half full making itto work until the locker is engaged. around 500kg and the springs wereSpeaking of lockers, the GXL comes down 30mm.standard with front and rear diff locks Toyota maintains that the suspensionwhile they are an option on the has been designed to safely andbase models. competently carry loads rightThe Hill-Start Assist (HAC) takes most up to GVM.of the drama out of getting moving Fuel economy for our little jaunt to Harvey,again on a steep slope. It prevents a few bush tracks and gravel roads andthe vehicle from rolling back for 2 to 3 then return to Perth was 14.8 litres perseconds, giving plenty of time to get 100km – not real flash considering Toyotathe right foot off the brake and onto theaccelerator and easing out the clutch –no more handbrake starts and that willbe a real bonus for 70 Series owners if36 Western 4W Driver #102
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claim 10.7 litres per 100km. the fact that there is no mention ofServicing intervals remain at 10,000Km renewing fuel filters in the serviceand are covered by Toyota Service schedule and therefore owners/serviceAdvantage capped price servicing providers need to be aware that the fuelat $340.00 per service. However, filter will require replacing.thumbing through the Service book, I The price of the Single Cab Work Matewas unable to find a service schedule to has risen by $5500 to $62490 while thereplace the fuel filter and we know how Double Cab GXL is the most expensiveprone these modern diesel vehicles are at $68,990 but unbelievably airwhen it comes to fuel contamination. conditioning is still an additional optionAfter raising the issue with the people at $2,761 on all models.at Toyota, I was emailed a document Yes, the 70 Series Land Cruiser is alivetitled ‘Owner Information Notice’ and well and really has no rivals sincewhich recommends renewing the the demise of the Patrol Ute and Landfuel filter every 2 years or 40,000km Rover Defender, except perhaps theunder normal circumstances or more Mercedes G Wagon if you can afford it.frequently under severe conditions. So maybe the ‘King Off the Road’ doesThat doesn’t change Nuts ‘n’ bolts Land Cruiser Work Mate Single Cab ChassisPrice: $62,490 4wd system: Part time 4wd, 2 speed t/ caseSafety: 5-star Suspension: Front coil, rear leaf.Engine: 1VD-FTE 4.5 V8 Track: F-1515mm, R-1420mmPower: 151kW@3400rpm Kerb Weight: 2180KgTorque: 430Nm@1200-3200rpm GVM: 3400kgFuel System: Common-rail diesel fuel injection. GCM: 6900KgEconomy: 10.7L/100km combined Towing Capacity: 3500Kg (claimed) Warranty: 3 years 100,00Km.Fuel Tank: 130 litres Servicing intervals: 10,000Km/6 monthsTransmission: 5 speed manual Capped price servicing: $340.00 Western 4W Driver #102 39
APPY DAYZ Send us a happy snap Simply email us a happy snap* with no more than 50 words telling us where you were and what you were up to and you’re in the running to win one of ten Hema HX-1 Navigators. YWOIUN’RNEERA!Ray BurkinI was piloting a wide load in the Pilbara alongside the Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) railway line and cameacross this sign in a dead tree. Why was this so amusing? Well, Andrew “Twiggy” Forest is well known asFMG’s CEO and this was a really clever pun using his nickname.40 Western 4W Driver #102
WITHand you could Nail a 1 of 10 Navigator in each editionor a 2 yearsubscription: Explore a new frontier2 Year Sub! Louise Anderson I took this photo of this beautiful sunset on the Murray river while catching up with my family on a trip home to Wentworth. N.S.W.email your entries to: [email protected] Western 4W Driver #102 41
2 Year Sub! Scott Jones On the way South for Boxing day lunch with the parents and came across this NUT who could have used a Hema GPS to negotiate the roundabout in Forrestfield. (Not a Happy Xmas) Wayne Ramm 2 Year Sub! Steve Birchenall Camp setup at Point Culver, taken whilst checking out the Our fishing/camping trip down night sky. south Queen’s birthday long weekend 2016... didn’t get too2 Year Sub! much fishing done thanks to the weather. Pic taken at Spring Road campsite, near Contos.KEEP ‘EM COMING FOLKSFOUR MORE HEMAS TO WIN!42 Western 4W Driver #102
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HATCHES,MATCHES ANDDISPATCHES Words - Amanda Burton, Images - Mike and Amanda BurtonThe day we received the prognosis was a dark day indeed. Ourbeloved Odyssey, which had withstood every 4WD challenge we couldthrow at her, had succumbed to injuries sustained after being t-bonedby another vehicle. “Statutory write-off” was the technical term. Itwas with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we watched her beingwinched onto the back of a tow truck to be taken away to that bigcampground in the sky.But, as the optimists say, when one block, and we found the selection door closes another opens. process a bit different to when we first lost our camper trailer virginity. We Being camper-less was not an weren’t dazzled by the checker plate option for us – the gap it left cladding, fancy gadgets and flashin our lives was just too big. And paint jobs; we knew exactly where weso began the journey to find hersuccessor; and the shoes that had to be wanted to be able tofilled were enormous. go, and what wasThis obviously wasn’t our required to makefirst trip around the sure we got there Western 4W Driver #102 45
and back again in safety and comfort. bitumen and the occasional gravelThe number one consideration was road, you can get by with a standardbuild quality. The further off road you build. I know some people make thisintend to travel, the more important work by leaving their camper trailerit becomes. If you plan to stick to the behind and camping out of their vehicleWith our Oddy we saw the icons.46 Western 4W Driver #102
on those occasions when the going huge Kedron off-road caravan around,gets rough, but we expect our camper there’s no question they’re strong,trailer to follow wherever we’re game but I know I cringe at the sound ofenough to point our four wheel drive, those Landcruisers revving their gutsso a robust build was essential. Dodgy out trying to pull them out of a tightwelding goes from being simply spot off-road. As part of build quality,unattractive to downright dangerous. weight and dimensions are an equallyUnder body protection prevents important consideration in respectdisasters like dropping all your water to off-road capability. I’m sure therewhen a pipe cracks from a stone hit. will be some who will argue, but toGood suspension goes a long way me there’s no way a twenty-five foot,towards keeping everything on track three and a half tonne caravan can be aand not shaken to pieces. Less visible genuine, go pretty much anywherethings like dust proofing aren’t always off-road unit.noticeable on the bitumen, but spend And one thing that never ceasesa day on the gravel and it becomes to amaze me is the often minimalan essential feature, unless you have difference between the Tare and ATMa cleaning fetish in which case knock ratings – with many, by the time you fillyourself out. As to things that leak your water tanks and add in a gas bottlewhen it rains, let’s just not go there. there’s no weight allowance left to packYou then need to try and capture the those sort of important things likeperfect balance between strength, size food or clothes.and weight. If you’ve ever watched Once you’ve narrowed the field down toa DVD of the Gall boys dragging a those that are tough enough to get you It kept us comfy in the Kimberley.
Now at: Unit 4,125-129 Welshpool Road Welshpool
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