I want a refund (Please)…

Submitted: Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:01
ThreadID: 130671 Views:5084 Replies:26 FollowUps:54
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If you had the opportunity to take one (yes only one) modification or accessory off your vehicle that you once thought you could never do without what would it be?

Now the key here is that maybe you have more than one, so you need to “force-rank” to only one item, and maybe you could tell the forum why!

Questions frequently pop up in the forum asking…

“What modifications should I do or accessories I should add to the vehicle I have just purchased?”

And usually by the end of the thread we have rebuilt the vehicle and outlaid four times its original cost. Well, okay, maybe I’m exaggerating just a touch – but you get the picture (Mrs Landy has just said that sounds about right as she raises an eyebrow to the “New Landy”)

But I often think to myself, do we ask the question in the right way, and should we turn the question around and ask…

“What modifications or accessories shouldn’t I do?”

Hey, in the least, the bank balance might be in a healthier state!

In my blog Vehicle Mods & Accessories (Just Swipe the Plastic) I took a light-hearted look at the topic…with emphasis on the light-hearted aspect!

So if you took an honest look at what you’ve bought, can you think of one item that you’d take off tomorrow, if you could get a refund…

Cheers, Baz – The Landy
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Reply By: Member - Rosco from way back - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:12

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:12
Only the Hiclone I attached to the end of the exhaust. It works so well that the diesel in the tank is going off from old age and it's my daily drive so I would have expected to use far far more fuel.
AnswerID: 591832

Reply By: Les - PK Ranger - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:17

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:17
Would lose the right hand sliding window in the rear canopy, and have tilts all round, for sure.
Hunting as we speak for 2nd hand rh tilt from wreckers, and hopefully for before heading home Sat.
AnswerID: 591833

Follow Up By: Les - PK Ranger - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 21:14

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 21:14
Scored a wole canopy for a decent price, so swapping out tilt rh with my slider rh tomorrow arvo, going to make life much easier :)
So nice white canopy for a PJ / PK dual cab tub for sale, can colour code to any colour too if needed, it will be ex Brissy.
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Reply By: Member - John - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:21

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:21
The twin wheel carrier, is heavy, inconvenient, in the wrong place. (Have fixed the problem by having a twin cab conversion done, moved spares to the headboard, where they should be) Maybe doesn't count as I got a refund when I sold it......................
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:47

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 10:47
No, counts for sure...

I will be interested if this one comes up again!

cheers, Baz
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Reply By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 11:11

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 11:11
Easy one - my Handwinch , couldn't give it away , gave it to the kids , they thought it was great right up until they tried to use it one day.

It came back and has found a new life as part of our flying fox.
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AnswerID: 591838

Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 11:31

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 11:31
Good one - after using one once I got to thinking of them as a piece of "gym" equipment...

Cheers, Baz
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Follow Up By: Member - Rosco from way back - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 13:53

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 13:53
Yep

I used a Tirfor once in anger as a young bloke and it damn near killed me then.
Finally managed to swap it for a carton ... best bloody deal I've ever made.
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Follow Up By: Member - KBAD - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 18:08

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 18:08
Second that used one in anger in the middle of the wet season in the NT was throwing up for a couple of days after that.
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Reply By: Idler Chris - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 11:46

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 11:46
75 litre water tank. Too big and not practical. When travelling you have access to water at various places but its quality varies. If you have a half full 75 litre tank and you have access to water that is only good enough for washing your don't put in your 75 litre tank as you spoil the good water that is in it. I now carry 3 to 5 15 litre old liquid clorine containers with a hand pump in the lid of one of them, plus a few 1.5 litre Liptons tea bottles and some times I might buy water bottles in the supermarket. This way I have water everywhere in the truck filling up all those blank spots that nothing else fits in. The water bottles are good to put in the fridge as it get empty to keep it full. If I am driving during the day I will check the fridge and fill it up with some of the water bottle and turn the fridge up so when I stop the fridge is nice and full and cold.
What other people think of me is none of my business.
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:34

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:34
Thanks Chris…

I’m a fan of more containers than less given it provides a level of water security if one develops a leak. Plus as you suggest, more containers allow the separation of varying grades of water.

Yep, send for a refund,

Cheers, Baz
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Reply By: gbc - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 11:58

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 11:58
The mrs inadvertently ticked the box for electronic rust prevention on her last car. I want my money back.
AnswerID: 591842

Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:31

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:31
Yes, it is questionable whether it actually works on vehicles. From my understanding it can work well on ships and underground pipes (potentially) but the circuit can’t be completed in a car so it tends to render it inoperable.

Just my understanding of something that might be far more technical…

Yep, concur – but good luck!

Cheers, Baz
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Follow Up By: gbc - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 15:53

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 15:53
Correct. The sacrificial anode needs water or wet earth to complete the circuit and give electrons back to the steel which is trying to rust. Cathodic protection works well on marine structures.
The fcc in the states has injunctions against companies trying to sell the stuff over there.
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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:17

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:17
The HF radio.
I played the Scheds game on the first trip with the operator asking where I was going next day and all. Since then I have listened-in a few times, struggling with poor reception adding to my hearing loss. Waste of time and money.
I now have Satphone and PLB for emergencies.
Wouldn't get a refund but anyone want a cheap Codan 9323?
Cheers
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:37

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:37
G’day Allan

I’m hearing you on this one having had HF in all the vehicles I have owned. I tend to use infrequently and don’t usually call in the “skeds” but I’m keeping mine for redundancy.

But as mentioned, the accessibility of Sat-phones might have many packing up the HF and sending for a refund…


Cheers, Baz
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Reply By: TomH - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:37

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:37
Second spare on Kaymar carrier. Heavy always in the road and never even got one puncture in our 50,000k trip. Sold it for more than I paid for it so got a good refund
AnswerID: 591845

Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:40

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 12:40
Thanks Tom, and nice work...on the refund!

It will be interesting to see how many votes dual spare wheel carriers get, running at a couple already.

Cheers, Baz - The landy
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Reply By: Ozrover - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 13:09

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 13:09
G'day Baz, good post,

Nothing that I'd really take off & leave off on this car, but it's like a Mechano set, bits go on & come off as needed.

I put a 180 litre sub tank on the last 80 series that was a waste of time & money, too heavy, wouldn't transfer fuel most of the time & ended up with a crack in it, that I could have done without.

Then there was the last Land Rover Disco11 that I had, I wish that had stayed in the car yard...

AnswerID: 591847

Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 15:58

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 15:58
Hi Jeff

Mods and accessories only, looks like you might have got stuck with the Landrover (haha)

Cheers, Baz
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Reply By: ExplorOz Team - Michelle - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 13:20

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 13:20
For us it's the HF radio.
Michelle Martin
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:00

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:00
Thanks Michelle,

Increasingly I think for the application we use HF for this might be one that will figure more prominently in this type of discussion, especially given the outlay...

Cheers, Baz
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Reply By: Member - WBS - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 13:37

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 13:37
I'm talking about my previous vehicle because the one I have now has zero mods or additions. My 80 series that I owned for 16 years had a naturally aspirated HZ diesel motor to which I added a Turbo Charger. The result was totally underwhelming when towing my caravan. All it did for me was give me a modest increase in power but major panic attacks trying to keep the EGT within limits. What a waste of money! I'm not going to talk about the extra stuff I did trying to extract that legendary power I was supposed to get by fitting a turbo charger. I should have spent the extra money up front and bought the multi- valve turbo diesel engined 80 Series. I'd still be driving the thing. In all other aspects it was a fabulous vehicle. It never broke down.

WBS
AnswerID: 591849

Follow Up By: rumpig - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 19:34

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 19:34
I thought the turbo i fitted to my 1HZ 105 series was a waste of money also, then a week later i removed the stock exhaust system and the 3" Beaudesert exhaust sytem got fitted.... suddenly i had a completely different vehicle, and the turbo was money well spent.
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Follow Up By: Member - WBS - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 19:43

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 19:43
I upgraded my exhaust too but in this thread I was only allowed to talk about one thing. The change in performance was noticeable but not enough to satisfy my original expectations. The vehicle was a totally different kettle of fish (to mix my metaphors) when I wasn't towing. The turbo did make a significant difference then. I never got as far as fitting an intercooler but that would have been next.

I very seriously considered fitting a factory turboed motor to the vehicle at one stage.
WBS
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Follow Up By: wholehog - Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 09:57

Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 09:57
I had a 1HZ in my 105 as well, gutless thing for travelling, brilliant off road and around town.

Fitted a turbo, adjusted fuelling, 3" exhaust, wasn't much better, fitted intercooler, wasn't any better, monitored all these things with EGT and boost guage. Was a juggle between fuel consumption and EGT issues when towing.

The 1HZ is not suited to above atmospheric boosting as an indirect injection diesel, the head design is not efficient to conduct the extra combustion heat into the cooling system.

The smartest thing I did was ditch the 1HZ and fit a 1HDFTE, direct injection 24 valve. Brilliant engine and goes like a trooper with no heat issues and far more fuel efficient.
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FollowupID: 860035

Reply By: Member - rooster350 - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:16

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:16
Cruise control on the Musso , magnet on the tail shaft will just not stay on...has to be glued on and I have tried everything and all have failed...any suggestions welcome.The magnet is the size of a 5 cent coin and has to go on the where the tail shaft meets the transfer case joint, so both are about the same width. It stays there for a couple of days then disappears never to be seen again.
AnswerID: 591857

Follow Up By: Member - neville G (QLD) - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:27

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:27
Rooster,
Have you tried Devcon epoxy?. I find that used as directed i.e. everything clean and dry, it will not let go. Cheers, Nev.
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FollowupID: 859913

Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:38

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:38
My cruise pickup is shown in the photo below. The magnet had a cover with provision for screws so I attached it to the slinger with a couple of small self-tappers. Been on for several years now.
Cheers
Allan

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Follow Up By: mountainman - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 18:51

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 18:51
Cable ties if theirs room
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Reply By: Jackolux - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:39

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 16:39
The new ute and everything attached , start over with something else .
AnswerID: 591858

Follow Up By: Member - John - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 17:45

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 17:45
Is it the new 2016 Hilux??????
John and Jan

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Follow Up By: Jackolux - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 23:04

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 23:04
No if Toyota wont make the Extra Cab , with a auto trans .

I got the Dmax in late Jan this year , will have to keep it for a bit yet .
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Reply By: Member - Odog - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 19:40

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 19:40
G'day Landy
Am I allowed to take notes.. On what NOT to bother getting.. Lol.. Good read if fitting out another car.. Thanks.. Cheers Odog n Sue
Some people want it to happen, some people wish it could happen, others make it happen!

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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 20:14

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 20:14
For sure!

Cheers, Baz - The Landy
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Reply By: Member - Ross N (NSW) - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 20:09

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 20:09
My winch. Never used in anger over 18 years.
Maybe I'm not adventuress enough but have been up the Old Telegraph Track, The Canning, Gunbarrel, Gibb River Rd and many others without even looking like needing it
Ross
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Follow Up By: Member - John - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 06:44

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 06:44
Ross, if you remove the winch you will definitely need it the next trip away......... Murphy's Law
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Follow Up By: Roachie Silverado - Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 21:32

Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 21:32
I will second the winch....I bought my Chev Silverado in January this year. It came with a virtually unused Warn 15,000 winch and I reckon it probably weighs around 60kgs. I replaced the steel cable with synthetic stuff, but I'm thinking now that I really should just remove the whole thing. I wouldn't have bought one if it hadn't been on there in the first place.
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Follow Up By: Trevor&Verna - Tuesday, Oct 27, 2015 at 17:49

Tuesday, Oct 27, 2015 at 17:49
The winch is useful in that it adds to the tough 4WD driver image.
When not in use it is important that the winch cable has slack, hitched to the LH side of the chassis, and is preferably coloured to add to the visual effect.
Add this to the 4 x HID spotlights on the roof rack, the tinted upper strip on the window - with name - and many aerials; and you are getting there! And make sure you call your 4WD a "truck".
Woops, there's my cynical side dominating again.
Cheers!
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Tuesday, Oct 27, 2015 at 18:05

Tuesday, Oct 27, 2015 at 18:05
And don't forget to put a brightly coloured canoe up top!!! lol Trev.
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Reply By: bigden - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 20:39

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 20:39
Obviously something that everyone's experienced
In my case it's an lpg conversion cost $4000 and got back $2000 in a government refund. I think now a long range petrol tank would of been better option
AnswerID: 591869

Follow Up By: The Landy - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 07:13

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 07:13
I managed to "save" myself from this fate, but did go through the exercise...

Cheers, Baz - The Landy
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Follow Up By: Ron N - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 13:59

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 13:59
There are some initially-hidden advantages with LPG - but overall the benefits are no longer there, now that petrol has come down so much and LPG is so expensive in comparison.

In the "good ole days" LPG was always around 35-40% of the cost of petrol - but today, it's around 50%.
In 1998, I can recall buying LPG in Adelaide and it was 16c litre and 13c a litre when on "special"!

The hidden advantages of LPG are a much lower engine wear rate due to a lack of carbon, less oil changes needed due to the same reasons - and much less pollution out the exhaust.
I have seen engines apart with 400,000kms on the clock, running on LPG, and it was difficult to see any wear, apart from valve seats - which is usually the only reason the engines are pulled down.

If petrol ever jumps to exorbitant pricing again, you may be glad of the LPG conversion.
However, the present indications are, that we are going to have a low oil price and low fuel prices for quite an extended period, possibly 2-3 years.

Cheers, Ron.
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Follow Up By: Member - shane r1 - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:14

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:14
It's a lot the same as in smaller cars, petrol versus diesel . The extra cost of the car is that much higher that the petrol version is in the end possibly cheaper. You certainly need to do the sums
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Follow Up By: bigden - Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 09:14

Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 09:14
Lpg is 48c in Melbourne with petrol 1.30ish so it is cheap to run . Just find a few issues with it and gas tank in the way off road
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Reply By: gboult - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 20:56

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 20:56
I'd leave off the air bags in the springs. Makes the the springs stiff and unusable. Unloaded, the car became stiff and lost travel when off road. The car runs far better with heavier springs to carry the van load. The heavier springs now carry the load better but also does not restrict the wheel travel when unloaded.

Air bags are not advisable.
AnswerID: 591870

Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 21:20

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 21:20
I agree re the airbags - no obvious benefit when I already have a good suspension set-up, and not the most sensible option for a ute anyway.
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Follow Up By: TomH - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 21:20

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 21:20
I second that Installed them, then bought progressive springs which were much better . Never bothered to pump the bags up again
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 09:26

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 09:26
Yeah, airbags for me too, Baz.

Tried 2 brands on an 80 series, and had them on a work 105 'cruiser as well. Go the heavy duty coils any time.

Bob
Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: scottwittkopp - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 09:20

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 09:20
Same here boss airbags out. One always leaked drove like a pig and the restriction of travel when flex was unbelievably shocking.
Extra leaf pack setup and rolled at Carrolls springs and away we go! She's a dream boat now

Cheers Scotty
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Reply By: Member - Wildmax - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 21:20

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 21:20
Tyredogs - waste of money because they can't handle the rough stuff.
AnswerID: 591871

Follow Up By: Member - shane r1 - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:09

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:09
I have found tyre dogs good, both on my 4x4 and my bmw1200gsa mbike . Have had one sensor loose the top , had to replace that. But generally they let you know when you've got a leaker and should save recking a tyre. Most "blowouts" are from a partly deflated tyre overheating to a stage that they get to hot and OK blowout
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Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:19

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:19
Agree with the principle, but if you spend most of your time off-road as we do, then they get bashed around so much they fail pretty quickly.
I don't think we ever had all six providing a reading once we got very fat off the bitumen, and fairly quickly down to two (which I used on the vehicle rear, as the most important option).
The track damage would be much less of an issue with the "in-tyre" sensors, but they have their own challenges.
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Follow Up By: Member - shane r1 - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:43

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:43
Yep I'll agree with that, I swapped a front to the rear on a trip too, you'd hope you are gunna feel a front low on pressure.
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 08:00

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 08:00
As a matter of interest, I use Doran 360 tyre pressure monitors which are an external unit. They have been on the vehicle for 60,000klm and have functioned exceptionally well, no drop-outs etc.

I recently did 2,000 of complete off-track work in the Western Deserts and this put them to the test, no problem...

You can read my review here...

Doran 360 Review
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Follow Up By: equinox - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 22:24

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 22:24
Hi Baz,

2000 km I presume?

That's a hell of a lot of offtrack work, certainly more than twice as much as I ever done in one single trip. Well done.

Cheers
Alan

Looking for adventure.
In whatever comes our way.



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Follow Up By: The Landy - Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 08:13

Sunday, Oct 25, 2015 at 08:13
Hi Equinox

On reflection, it would not have been that far, perhaps offtrack in the region of 500/700klm...

And the rest taking it to around 2,000klm very rough.

I trust all is well...

Cheers, Baz
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Reply By: exmouth1 - Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 22:33

Thursday, Oct 22, 2015 at 22:33
Maxtracks, bulky to carry, never used them in anger, letting the tyres down works better and is quicker especially in sand.
AnswerID: 591875

Follow Up By: The Landy - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 07:14

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 07:14
This could have been my one also, but we did get to use a set in anger on our most recent trip...

Cheers, Baz - The Landy
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Follow Up By: Member - Wildmax - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 10:41

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 10:41
Gee, that's a surprise - wouldn't be without my Maxtrax, especially on sand - reckon they avoid the need for a winch and a HiLift, both of which are heavier.
I've used my Maxtrax to help quite a few fellow travellers out when they've become stuck too!
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Follow Up By: Bosun Broome - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 08:30

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 08:30
Used mine for first time on another vehicle on extreme muddy William Creek to Cooberpedy track in early June. I was totally amazed that they worked in the conditions - letting tyres down would have been a waste of time!
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FollowupID: 859997

Reply By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 06:36

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 06:36
Geezuz Baz, you are a hard task master. I have a garage half full of such equipment. Having moved from tent camping to a camper changed things considerably.

I do have different equipment for different trips but quite a bit of stuff seems to sit in the garage collecting dust.

I think my Southern Cross tent gets the gong. I have only used it a couple of times, usually for friends. For me it is too heavy and bulky. No wonder they last forever. If I have my time over I would probably get a $250 Rays outdoors special. It would still last 10 years with the use I have now and would be appropriately priced for my use.

Thanks for reminding me... now what is my ebay password...

I think if I add up the price of the 4wd, mods, tents, fuel, camper, damage etc etc I could have spent more nights at the Hyatt Hotel than camping. Only 5 stars though.

AnswerID: 591879

Follow Up By: The Landy - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 07:16

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 07:16
Yes, I'm hearing you precisely - our shed is the same.

I must say we do have a Southern Cross Tent, that is mostly gathering dust these days, but over the years has done plenty of work.

Now a roof-top tent, that is another thing altogether!

cheers. Baz
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 11:39

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 11:39
Know what you mean about the cheap tents, Boobook.

Needed something to use on a trip to Cooinda, so bought a Jackaroo 3 person dome tent from KMart in the Isa. About $150 from memory?

Did 2 trips to Cooinda, as well as trips to Lake Eyre and Ayers Rock, in 2011. Probably find a place for it for the trip this week.

Still seems like new........we just have difficulty in remembering "is it the grey poles on the inside, or the black ones?"

Bob

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 16:36

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 16:36
Ha Ha Bob, but i dunno if I would go as far as one of those dome tents with flexible fibre glass poles again. I have bad memories of putting those dammed things up, especially when the kids broke a pole playing sword fights.

.....the cover goes this way, no no no no this way...hmm must be this way.. ahh this way... must be inside out... FIIK

China's revenge on the west.

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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 08:31

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 08:31
That's worthy of a gong in Friday Funnies, Boobook! Loved it........

Almost like you were watching us trying erect the dome on Georgina River, back in 2011. Glad we camped away from the other campers.....probably would have ended up on YouTube! :-)

Bob

Seen it all, Done it all.
Can't remember most of it.

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Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 09:27

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 09:27
Ha Glad to see I'm not alone.

What about packing it up? I'm also convinced those people on the manufacturing line in China take 2 inches off every dimension of the bag so no one can ever put the dammed tent back in it without a 10 ton press.

Mind you, do the economics of it.
$160 in your local camping store.
that is $16 in GST
$65 wholesale price
$10 in transport to the shop
$15 in transport from China
$15 to the China wholesaler
That leaves about a $25 factory sale price.

That is a miracle.

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FollowupID: 860005

Reply By: Ron N - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 12:17

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 12:17
Baz - An exhaust-operated air bag jack. Bought it around 1980 I think, and have never used it.

Maybe it's because by the time I bought it, I'd been bogged to the makers name often enough, to gain enough wisdom, to know when the ground ahead was utterly and totally treacherous!
That, and the fact that I usually had an item of earthmoving equipment, or another 4WD handy, to pull me out!

The thing is - if you sink your vehicle to the makers name, you can't get under it, to position an air bag jack, anyway!
They might be of use, in perhaps 1 in 500 bogging events.

I wonder if anyone has ever done a tally of the billions of unused, under-utilised, and unwanted 4WD accessories lying around peoples properties or in sheds?
I have at least 6 roobars/bullbars I need to get rid of.

Cheers, Ron.
AnswerID: 591889

Follow Up By: Ron N - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 12:18

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 12:18
Meant to write, "billions of dollars worth of unused" ...
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FollowupID: 859967

Follow Up By: The Landy - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 13:12

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 13:12
Hi Ron

As you highlight, the application is difficult, and I sometimes wonder if a touch dangerous...

Cheers, Baz
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FollowupID: 859970

Follow Up By: Member - shane r1 - Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:39

Friday, Oct 23, 2015 at 23:39
We can all save money by carefully considering purchases. 4x4 , Rv, motorcycle etc all the industries have a multitude of "good stuff" to Aquire that is probably only going to help the retailer, that's the way it is tho isn't it. I have spent money on some useless stuff over the years and probably will again, but hopefully less often with experience.
My worst buy was a portable "pressure washer" which I could pee twice as hard as!
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FollowupID: 859990

Follow Up By: Bosun Broome - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 08:36

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 08:36
If you do finally use it - good luck in getting it back in its carry bag!
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FollowupID: 859999

Reply By: Member - KBAD - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 18:19

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 18:19
My winch -- until i used it.
Diff lockers -- until I used them.
Max tracks -- until i used them.
Twin rear wheel carriers -- until i remember a trip with 16 punctures in two days..
Know where you are going with the question but for me it is always what if. Had a few close calls and want to avoid them again if i can.
AnswerID: 591925

Follow Up By: The Landy - Monday, Oct 26, 2015 at 09:44

Monday, Oct 26, 2015 at 09:44
Thanks Karl, I'm hearing you, trouble is I'd need a B-Double to carry it all...

Cheers, Baz
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FollowupID: 860056

Reply By: Member - Scott M (NSW) - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 18:40

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 18:40
Inverter - installed one for my first trip - never used it, then it fell to bits. I worked out by my second trip that every electronic device in needed (and it wasn't too many) could run on 12v. Never quite figured out why I got it in the 1st place.........
AnswerID: 591928

Follow Up By: AlbyNSW - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 22:05

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 22:05
Yes now that you say that my inverter stays at home too
12v covers all my bases
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FollowupID: 860026

Reply By: AlbyNSW - Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 22:07

Saturday, Oct 24, 2015 at 22:07
Have had the odd passenger that I have regretted and would have liked to take back
AnswerID: 591936

Reply By: The Landy - Monday, Oct 26, 2015 at 09:51

Monday, Oct 26, 2015 at 09:51
Thanks to all for taking the time to respond with your thoughts.

There were a couple of items that appeared more than once, but no-one stand out piece of equipment.

For me, it would have to be a Roof-top tent, ours has had little use over the years as we either prefer to tent it, or take the TVAN camper trailer.

Once again, thanks to all for your thoughts, hopefully it helps others gain insight into “what you shouldn’t buy”.

Cheers, Baz – The Landy
AnswerID: 591973

Reply By: Member - Ross N (NSW) - Tuesday, Oct 27, 2015 at 18:48

Tuesday, Oct 27, 2015 at 18:48
Thanks Baz for one of the best threads in years.
Ross Nielsen
Ross N

Member
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AnswerID: 592032

Follow Up By: The Landy - Wednesday, Oct 28, 2015 at 08:31

Wednesday, Oct 28, 2015 at 08:31
Hey Ross

Hopefully some "food for thought" in there...

cheers, Baz
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FollowupID: 860136

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