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View Full Version : Parras GQ Powerhouse... ahrmmm



Parra
2nd August 2011, 10:08 PM
ok ok, so its not really a powerhouse, but hey - its not a hyundai.

We (the wife and i) made the decision to 'retire' her vehicle, a 72 beetle, due to a slight oil leak. Well, slight might be a small understatement, but youll see that soon enough..

So, looking around for a capable 4wd in order to get to her parents property out west 'the farm', which consists of a number of creek crossings, a 40 degree (ish) ascent and predominantly black soil roads to access the house. We used to make the trip in a Subaru Forester, which didnt do very well... blew up one engine, made another one very sad (bent the oil pickup in the sump and ended up blowing a big end bearing..) and a few close encounters with some trees. All this left the forester looking a little worse for wear and costing me a few grand in repairs.

The time came when we had the $$ ready to go shopping for a 'REAL' fourby - i had said to her from the start that the patrols were my pick because i loved the look of the GQ's, but she was all about comfort. So we looked at a few 80 series, which for our price range were shite - then moved to a 60 series, which was not comfortable at all. So i told her that we were wasting time and went to look at a GQ (which was a hell of a drive, because there were NONE for sale anywhere near me). Well, long story short, we bought it - and better still, she loves it! :hpfredgeorge1: 320,000km, 1995 4.2D manual.

anyway, enough yakking, here it tis


http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/102_0327.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/102_0326.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/102_0328.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/IMG_0562.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/DSC_0072.jpg

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/DSC_0074.jpg

Current Mods:

UHF
Upgraded suspension (slight lift?)
Roof basket
Winch Bar
Pacemakers extractors
2,5inch exhaust
I think thats about it - oh and snorkel and basic stuff...

Planned Mods:

3 inch lift
33's
Suspended floor in the rear
and...

TURBO - got all the bits, just need manifolds and a few other small bits and pieces.

i tried to get some more pics from up at the farm, but the little point and shoot i took died :(

anywho, hope you enjoy - ill update as i do things, but dont expect much! uni student budget :animierte-smilies-f

Parra
2nd August 2011, 10:12 PM
oh and as for the oil - if you look closely, you can see it lining the driveway (quite literally) - 6L of oil every 2 weeks. Thats after taking the engine out of it about 12 times to fix various seals and what not. It just got to the stage where we said stuff it.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/DSC00238.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/DSC00226.jpg

not worried about the plates in these pics because that aint them anymore - QT have these ones.

anyway, the ol VW has been retired to the shed for a rebuild and respray.

Finly Owner
2nd August 2011, 10:21 PM
Parra could you please edit your post, we don't use such four letter words here mate.Family friendly forum.

Thanks in advance Tim

Parra
2nd August 2011, 10:27 PM
Parra could you please edit your post, we don't use such four letter words here mate.Family friendly forum.

Thanks in advance Tim

apologies! fixed.

Finly Owner
2nd August 2011, 10:42 PM
apologies! fixed.
No worries, all good, it's easy to forget sometimes Aye?


Tim

nowoolies
2nd August 2011, 10:44 PM
onya mate
good looking little bug hay
and the Nissan is as always hahahaha

Clunk
3rd August 2011, 01:19 AM
what can I say but luvly jubbly mate

big_fletch
3rd August 2011, 09:39 PM
Nice looking troll there mate, and love the VW BUG lol

Woof
3rd August 2011, 09:43 PM
Very nice GQ there mate.

Bigrig
4th August 2011, 06:47 AM
Look forward to seeing it (the patrol, not the bug!! lol) in action next week!!

Parra
4th August 2011, 09:57 AM
haha, thanks guys.

yeah, the bug was great while it lasted, then everything went wrong with it at once (and regularly!).

really looking forward to Scenic Rim! cant wait. Bit nervous though, only new to 4x4ing, so slightly hesitant. Hoping to get a bit of practice and assurance on the day mainly.

So, ive had conflicting advice regarding the roof basket on my troll. A few people have said that itll just increase the drag therefore increasing fuel consumption (not too fazed by this considering its not a very aerodynamic vehicle to begin with), and the other side says to leave it on because itll be more hassel then its worth to take it off.

personally, i dont think i will be using it for a very long time - theres plenty of room in the back for everything i need and then some (though the missus does pack a LOT of stuff). Thoughts and opinions? keep it on, or take it off and put it in storage?

gec
4th August 2011, 01:09 PM
Yeah mate rip it off and just wack it on when ya need it, thats what I do with mine as I hardly ever use it and its not a big job.

Bigrig
4th August 2011, 01:21 PM
Take it off till needed mate. Extra weight and drag that just isn't needed by the sounds of it ...

No drama on the guidance side of things - we are very much a no pressure bunch who will assist and not push you to do anything you don't want - makes it far easier to practice and learn with people outside the rig helping you, and we fully understand that old mate!!!

See you there!!!!

growler2058
4th August 2011, 08:08 PM
my rack is a big heavy b@stard and i take it off and put on when required and its a pain in the @rse:icon_victory:

Parra
5th August 2011, 03:31 PM
haha, thanks for the feedback - growler, still trying to get the mental image of your 'big heavy rack' outta my head ...

hrmm, moving right along :P

suspended floor/false floor whatever ya want to call it sorry!

similar to this, but not quite as high, and a bit neater.

http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd169/gqpatrol89/004.jpg image used without permission - blatently stolen from the net to illustrate a point

rack is coming off this weekend - hopefully no nasty surprises under there when i do... dont think there will be though. and just pray to whoever that i dont ding the roof when im doing it!

Parra
8th August 2011, 11:54 AM
update:

roof basket is off now - looks heaps better, and holy mackerel that thing was heavy!
new spotties, broad beam and pencil beam - nothing exciting or fancy, just a bit of extra light. wont be too bothered if they get nicked.
reversing camera - just a bit of safety, as i actually like the next door neighbours kids...

thats about it for now.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/patrol1.jpg
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff40/parra3/patrol2.jpg

nowoolies
8th August 2011, 12:21 PM
looks sweet as Parra

growler2058
8th August 2011, 12:42 PM
Much better! Surprising how effen heavy those b@stards are ay

Bob
8th August 2011, 12:43 PM
Better Fuel Consumption now