Thelma

[Oversize]

Back in November I swapped 'IZZY' my 04 Calais for this 06 Patrol GU. She has a frozen donk, hence the agreeable exchange. Then began the journey to get her from Moranbah QLD to home (Stanthorpe) and get her going.

[growler2058]

Good score still i rekon

[taslucas]

Yeah I agree, a good swap.
I've got a similar story: had a VS Calais, my mate put it into a tree and then I bought a GQ:-)
Good luck with the build up.

Lucas

[Tweakedoffroad]

that was a great score what plans have u install for her ie motor mods etc

[Oversize]

that was a great score what plans have u install for her ie motor mods etc

Plan A is just to get her going. Want to know what she can do before I start any mods. She was a mine site supervisors office and has clearly had some mods already. The internal roll cage, winch and a radio have been removed so god knows what else was done to her.
Plan B will be to get her working so I can pay for the mods...

[Oversize]

It took a month to find a company willing to carry her. Seems trucking company's dont like carrying dead cars... Thanks to McAleese Transport she made it to Brisbane. My mechanic mates helped out with a toymotor and a car trailor to get her to Stanthorpe.
She is home.

[Oversize]

Then I gave her a thorough detail, took the bonnet off with the engine hoist and started the discovery mission.

[Oversize]

Found a few bits of rust so went on the attack mode. Didn't have any flat black so used gloss. Not a good idea as it shows up how bad the problem was. Will replace it another day.

[BenB]

Interesting photos, should be a great rig at the end of the project

[Oversize]

This drama queen was not well, two cracks in the head, turbo is shot, one conrod to be replaced that ment the crank had to be replaced.
DELAYS: Moved the workshop across town, a chief mechanic had a heart attack (short staffed), the apprentice got married and took a week off and had to source all the new parts and have them delivered out in the sticks.
Supposed to have the block back together next week. Watch this space.

Another delay: found a hairline crack in a cog in the oil pump... waiting for a new pump.........

[Silver]

Thanks for the photos and updates.

Bit of a downer having to make repairs to that extent. Balancing that you are creating a sound rig, and have had a peek inside the engine.

[Oversize]

A few more pics of progress while waiting for the engine rebuild.
Pulled all the back seats out to make room for the make-over (my bunk and draws etc), painted a few stripes on her so she stands out like the proverbials (since I don't have any) and cleaned a few brackets and parts so when she goes back together she will be sweet.

[Bigrig]

Wow!!! Now that's some pin striping!!! lmao

Getting there mate - well done on the progress, and bet you can't wait to slip the motor back in and have her back!!!

[Oversize]

Wow!!! Now that's some pin striping!!! lmao

Getting there mate - well done on the progress, and bet you can't wait to slip the motor back in and have her back!!!

you betcha, and you can lyao, she is my work machine and I need her to stand out! Thelma will be a very recognisable Pilot/Escort vehicle and I have no doubt she will become very well known...

[Oversize]

I reckon I could get a jacuzzi in here...

[Oversize]

Put the engine back in today, Thelma behaved wonderfully and we had no hiccups. Kick her into gear tomorrow (need a new battery and fuel). The only problem we had was the power steering bleed nut, no cap, it was jammed with dirt, so its gone back to the workshop to be drilled out.

[Stropp]

Well done she is almost done should be a1 when she gets finished.

[Oversize]

She goes, took her for a test drive (advantage of being out bush) sweet as. Rego next week and we are on the road.

[Oversize]

Thelma now has a second battery, bitch of a job lining up holes in the tray with the wheel arch, but I own a drill!!! The power protector and inverter (for the laptop not the eski) are in. Just have to drill out the two bolts we snapped off on the H frame cross member when we lowered it to get the engine out... Rego this week. Wooohooo!!!

[Oversize]

Registered and on the road. Welded up a frame for the OVERSIZED LOAD AHEAD sign, just need some roof rack brackets and she'l be operational.

[Stropp]

thelma certainly looks the goods, well done.

[Oversize]

thelma certainly looks the goods, well done.


Thanks Googla, will get back to your state soon enough, will have to catch up. I have a son (plus wife and 2.5 kids) lives on the south side and looking forward to seeing them again.

I hope to secure a couple of long hauls your way real soon.

[Clunk]

Come a long way in a short space of time, brilliant stuff

[Haydog Havoc]

Mate great pics of the project, look forward to the est of the saga.

[Oversize]

Come a long way in a short space of time, brilliant stuff
That depends on your 'short space of time' I reckon it took forever, but I was impatient... Happy Now.

[Oversize]

Thelma is all dressed up and ready for work.

[Stropp]

no worries, when you are over this way yell out. cheers Stropp

[Oversize]

no worries, when you are over this way yell out. cheers Stropp

Will do. I'm sure you will see me coming... Just don't watch :)

[Stropp]

It's ok we have dark glasses to reduce the glare! :)

[Oversize]

It's ok we have dark glasses to reduce the glare! :)

hahahaha good one...

[Tweakedoffroad]

Looks good its come a long way well done on the resto

[Oversize]

She is earning a quid. Should be able to afford a few mods soon.

[Oversize]

Mods have to wait, what with new phone, fuel, govia account, fuel, rego, insurance, public liability for pilots!!!, fuel, new tyres, front axle pinion seal, and did I mention fuel. Have done 5000 ks in three weeks and don't get paid for a few more... and apparently I'm not busy yet...

But lovin' the job. Can't believe I actually get paid to follow oversized loads around Australia - well - between Mackay and Muswellbrook at the moment, but had to duck down to Canberra and up to Townsville to see the kids and their little people...

[rusty_nail]

looks like fun mate! i sure hope they are paying you well!

[Oversize]

looks like fun mate! i sure hope they are paying you well!

So do I, takes a few weeks before the payments start coming in but the numbers are looking healthy.

[gregs]

Mechlou, I bet you see more than your share of idiots on the highway. Hope the rig is going well.

[Oversize]

Mechlou, I bet you see more than your share of idiots on the highway. Hope the rig is going well.

I have another name for them, and yes there are plenty. The radio hoons are just as bad, can't believe people have no idea how there use of the radio as a pass time affects people who use it as a part of their business.

And Thelma has been great, she growls like a GU should and with her lights and signs and strips, people stand back and give us space. Lovin' it thanks Gregs.

[Oversize]

Found the rear vertical strut off the tortion bar was snapped in two. Missed it when the roadworthy was done. Welded it up good as new. Added a stone guard to the air intake on the bonet and gave Ted E Bare a pair of glasses to cope with the glare while I am on the road.

My grankids ask why he wears a seat belt, I tell them its so he doesn't hit the windscreen when I stop in a hurry. He hates that...

[Oversize]

Sitting on the Dinmore pads waiting for the Brisbane oversize curfew to pass so we can take this compactor into Brisbane. Thelma is tucked in behind.

[Stropp]

Lookin good, did you catch up with my cousin?

[Oversize]

Lookin good, did you catch up with my cousin?

Not yet. Am home 1 or 2 days a fortnight. Pilotin keeps me busy, but I will find her before I head west :)

[Stropp]

yes i suppose you are on the road quite a bit, how is the troll performing??

[Oversize]

yes i suppose you are on the road quite a bit, how is the troll performing??
Thelma is wonderful, can't fault her performance. Just the usual minor hiccups... put a new pinion seal in the rear axle (had a bit of a leak), rewelded the strut on the rear tortion bar and added a brace, seems to have held this time. Fuel economy is about 9.5L:100km and my bunk is cosy even in the frosty mornings. Life on the road is awesome.
I sat on the beach at Byron Bay waiting for the sun to rise thismorning. Bastard stayed behind the clouds didn't it! Came out about lunch time while I was on the beach at Cabarita. Stopped for a road side breakfast (bacon and eggs and cuppa) at one of the really nice new truck and caravan pull off points. They seem to have put alot of effort into the site and haven't been back to mow the grass... Portaloos were average. But you get that.

Hows life is the great out west?

[Stropp]

Yeh all good over here, bit cool at the moment but that is good fora business, I just fitted a set of rock sliders yesterday and a dual wheel carrier during the week, empty pockets is what I should call my wagon, next is to get under her with a wire brush and give it a good rub and a coat of hammerite paint supposed to be good for 5 years of keeping the rust away.

[Oversize]

Yeh all good over here, bit cool at the moment but that is good fora business, I just fitted a set of rock sliders yesterday and a dual wheel carrier during the week, empty pockets is what I should call my wagon, next is to get under her with a wire brush and give it a good rub and a coat of hammerite paint supposed to be good for 5 years of keeping the rust away.

Yep Yep, tell me more about this hammerite paint...

[Stropp]

Yankee made, can paint straight onto the rust and supposedly guaranteed for 5 yrs, mine has unfortunately seen a lot of beach work and has the start of a lot of rust so I am going to wire brush it and paint it with this hammerite. Will get some before and after pics.

[Oversize]

Sounds good, Thelma has seen a lot of coal dust. Cant wire brush in a lot of places that sh!t can get into, what would you recommend. Don't really want to seal the rust in either...

[Stropp]

About the only thing you can do is wire brush and paint with rust converter or hammerite and then spray lanolin everywhere you can't get to, that's what I am going to do anyway, not much else you can do except take the body off and get the chassis sandblasted and painted but that would cost a fortune if you had to pay for that.

[Oversize]

Yep. Been working my way around under her skirts with rust converter and mat black. I agree, she needs an oil rust suppressor to penetrate the impossible niches. She is working full time now and I don't have time for the sandblast job. Thanks for your help.

[Stropp]

No problem, good luck,

[Oversize]

Hi folks, just some more pics.

The dumpy (5.3 meters wide) with the pile of dirt - we were supposed to pick up two of these from a mine near Lightning Ridge. They saved us the trip. Someone in town needed 60 ton of dirt and rock so they loaded them up and just drove them into town. Gotta love the outback!

The last dumpy had to be broken down into 'naked body' and tray and the big wheels were removed so we could take it from Goondiwini to Ginko mine south of Broken Hill.

Love playing with the big toys. Thelma managed to get a classic leak in the radiator so I limped her home from the Emerald trip, arriving lunchtime tuesday. Ordered new radiator. Someone forgot to put it on the overnight truck... It arrived 5pm wednesday. I had the f&*ked one out and the new one in and was back on the road (showered and packed) by 8pm to pick up the 'naked body' in Gundy the next morning.

Now I have the 'LH head light blown' and today's project is to determine if its the globe or the loom... thanks to the forum "I have the knowledge".

[mudduck]

looks like a whole heap of fun mate, nice truck too!!

[Oversize]

T'was just a globe, good thing I have small hands... Now Thelma has misplaced her front parking lights. Me thinks sShe is starting to develop a sense of humour.

[Oversize]

looks like a whole heap of fun mate, nice truck too!!

Sure is, and they are both nice trucks!! Will save the stories for Neerum Creek bedtime - after the kiddies are tucked in... trucky stories are way too colourful for little peoples ears.

[Clunk]

I best not listen then!!!!!! Lol
Loving the pics, keep em coming

[Oversize]

T'was just a globe, good thing I have small hands... Now Thelma has misplaced her front parking lights. Me thinks sShe is starting to develop a sense of humour.

Now the other globe has gone... Does anyone know if it is normal for both to go in the same week, cause I got a feelin' my fuse box has issues. Parkers went too. Lifting Thelmas skirts today to see whats going on.

[mudduck]

Same week is a bit unusual, but close together not that strange, but parkers too? Look closely.

[nissannewby]

That third pic looks like a 785 or 789 cat truck?

[Oversize]

That third pic looks like a 785 or 789 cat truck?

I shall have to pay more attention to what I am moving around. I just know it was naked (striped of its tray and wheels) to enable us to get it on the road, and it was freakin' huge. Scraped the power lines going through Broken Hill, had to be seriously careful cause to bring down the lines means a whole lot of paperwork... etc etc etc

[Oversize]

Same week is a bit unusual, but close together not that strange, but parkers too? Look closely.

Yep, got the coke bottles out. The loom and the connections are the problem. The high beam wire had come away from the plug completely. Resoldered for now but when I get the new fuse box fixed I will consult with my auto electric guru about a new loom. Problem is - so many things were added to her when she was a mine supervisors wagon, then removed when sold, that she has a harness that was cut and pasted together and modified and unmodified. Me thinks a whole new loom will be the logical solution. Would have been a whole lot easier when I had the donk out... hinesight is a pain in the arss!

[nissannewby]

I shall have to pay more attention to what I am moving around. I just know it was naked (striped of its tray and wheels) to enable us to get it on the road, and it was freakin' huge. Scraped the power lines going through Broken Hill, had to be seriously careful cause to bring down the lines means a whole lot of paperwork... etc etc etc

They get a lot bigger as well we had an undercarriage for a Hitachi EX3600 Excavator and just this part alone was 8 metres wide and 140 tonne. Needless to say the trailer had a small bow in it

[healy]

Nice trade you got There mate

[Oversize]

They get a lot bigger as well we had an undercarriage for a Hitachi EX3600 Excavator and just this part alone was 8 metres wide and 140 tonne. Needless to say the trailer had a small bow in it

yep yep. we have had to find room at the bottom of Isla Gorge for our 5 meter tank to pass a 9 meter tray. This pic shows two nine meter dumpys side by side. It was in a yard in Mackay where we delivered tyres for them. The tyres alone are 4 meters high.

[Oversize]

If any Trollers are interested in our travels we have a cough cough splutter, facebook page - Australia Somewhere.

FB actually shut our first page down, we think it was something to do with the business name 'Truckies Escorts'. Hey, I'm a pilot and I don't fly; I'm an escort and I don't mix business and pleasure (I just drink a f^&king lot of piss); and I move naked trucks around. They just shut it down without so much as a 'hows your mother' !!! And I had to answer 20 questions to prove I am me, then I was banned from fb for two weeks. Needless to say, I had so many protests from friends that they couldn't find the page after it was shut down that I had to start it again. So truckies escorts is up again but only as a link to Australia Somewhere. I'd be more than happy to shut the fb page down and move our digital diary to nissanpatrol.com.au if AB and the sponsors agree it is appropriate.

Edit note:
Facebook has completely shut me out. I received a message in a foreign language announcing I had breached the code with my 'VIP Escort Page'.
The faceless morons have shut me down so no more digital diary!!!

[Oversize]

Not winning! The new radiator is a lemon and has to be replaced - under warranty fortunately...

[Oversize]

Not winning! The new radiator is a lemon and has to be replaced - under warranty fortunately...

Done. Getting good at this...

[Oversize]

Camped on the Caloundra foreshore last week (pic shows the view from my bunk), awesome drifting off to the gentle rythm of the waves crashing on the rocks. Breakfast on the park bench, watching the sun rise. Picked up the compactor and took it out to Dalby and home that night.

Lifted Thelma's skirts, looken good and all clean for Neerum. Thelma is always packed so no work to do there. Just bought a bigger fridge for the lemonade though

[Oversize]

Thelma is about to receive a 'catch can'. Thanks to Scotty and Tim for taking a look under her bonnet and confirming the source of the oil behind the intercooler. Doing my research on nissanpatrol.com.au and found lots of info so am thinking I should be able to do this myself.. but I will call a member or three and make a day of it... any takers???

[Bigrig]

Thelma is about to receive a 'catch can'. Thanks to Scotty and Tim for taking a look under her bonnet and confirming the source of the oil behind the intercooler. Doing my research on nissanpatrol.com.au and found lots of info so am thinking I should be able to do this myself.. but I will call a member or three and make a day of it... any takers???

Always happy to help - never actually done one though, so one of the 'members or three' should probably have some experience! lol

I'm in depending when, who else is up for it? Seriously - I'll stuff it it up!! lol

[nissannewby]

Im sure we could easily lend a hand. So when and where is the next workshop day :) and we can get this sorted. Nice to meet you to by the way by reading what you have written on here I really didnt know what I was in for, gotta love the dinner chat lol. Cheers

[Sir Roofy]

always happy to help - never actually done one though, so one of the 'members or three' should probably have some experience! Lol

i'm in depending when, who else is up for it? Seriously - i'll stuff it it up!! Lol

mate if you stuff that up well ,anyway itll take you 10minutes to hook up

top hose to rockercover bottom hose to pvc pipe just after the m.a.f

[Oversize]

Always happy to help - never actually done one though, so one of the 'members or three' should probably have some experience! lol

I'm in depending when, who else is up for it? Seriously - I'll stuff it it up!! lol

Thanks mate, can't give it all away online can we. I sure as hell had lots of fun before during and after dinner. And if you guys can cope, I'd welcome your help at the next workshop.

[Oversize]

Well I took the intercooler off and cleaned it with a 50/50 mix of diesel and petrol on a paint brush and blew it dry with the compressor. Inside is spic but the source of the oil appears to be coming from around the injectors so am doing more homework. Cleaned up the top of the block while it was exposed and will keep you posted with what I learn. Open to suggestions too...

Have ordered the ProVent 200 catch can and if we leave the job to the next workshop I shall invest in the valves and gauges and make the project worth our effort.

And Roofy, me thinks that object under the bonnet of your new rig that we couldn't identify at Neurum Creek - may be the catch can... what say you?

Thanks heaps guys.

[Sir Roofy]

22183
well i took the intercooler off and cleaned it with a 50/50 mix of diesel and petrol on a paint brush and blew it dry with the compressor. Inside is spic but the source of the oil appears to be coming from around the injectors so am doing more homework. Cleaned up the top of the block while it was exposed and will keep you posted with what i learn. Open to suggestions too...

Have ordered the provent 200 catch can and if we leave the job to the next workshop i shall invest in the valves and gauges and make the project worth our effort.

And roofy, me thinks that object under the bonnet of your new rig that we couldn't identify at neurum creek - may be the catch can... What say you?

Thanks heaps guys.

no that wasnt it the one with blue hoses is

[Oversize]

So let me know when you do know what it is cause I am still curious. Thanks for the pic too, I can work with that. Cheers Roofy.

[Oversize]

Taslucas, this is what the sticker looked like before the new windscreen went in.

[taslucas]

Ok no worries, ill see what i can do:)

[nissannewby]

What object are you guys speaking of?

[Sir Roofy]

what object are you guys speaking of?

the one thats in front of the provent and next to the pressure bottle with 2 black lines coming out the top
see pic above post 74

[nissannewby]

Its a vacuum tank. It holds the vacuum so you can apply the brakes many times and it is still easy. Its kinda like an accumulator but for vacuum.

[Sir Roofy]

so let me know when you do know what it is cause i am still curious. Thanks for the pic too, i can work with that. Cheers roofy.

there you go mate its the vaccume for the brakes
thanks to nissannewby

[nissannewby]

Yeah its for you whole vacuum system so your clutch and that as well. It just makes it easier on your vacuum system.

[Sir Roofy]

I was wondering where the clutch one was that explains it

[TJH]

great thread, good job with the resto

[Oversize]

there you go mate its the vaccume for the brakes
thanks to nissannewby

where would we be without the 'newby'. For a youngun, he sure knows his stuff - hey :)

[Oversize]

great thread, good job with the resto

Thanks, so what your GQ story and where do we find it?

[Oversize]

Thelma is not well. Been loosing power at the top end for the past few trips, she is out of wind before we reach the top of an incline and hills are third gear crawls. Changed oil and air, fuel and oil filters. Improved but 'Houston we have a problem'. Booked into see her doc today and will try and resolve whats up.

[Bigrig]

Good luck mate - hope its not the injector pump!

[Sir Roofy]

Thelma is not well. Been loosing power at the top end for the past few trips, she is out of wind before we reach the top of an incline and hills are third gear crawls. Changed oil and air, fuel and oil filters. Improved but 'Houston we have a problem'. Booked into see her doc today and will try and resolve whats up.

have a look at the i/cooler hoses clamps might be loose or hoses might be split

[Oversize]

Thanks guys for your concern. Decided to go with a fuel cleaner on Monday, just did 2,000 kms and no change to condition. Will leave her with her trusted 'godfather' and see what he can find. He wants to start at the fuel pump in the tank (if she has one) and work forward, taking a look at hoses and lines as he goes. Also changing seals around the injectors (possible source of oil leak) while he has the bonnet up. Will keep you posted.

[Oversize]

have a look at the i/cooler hoses clamps might be loose or hoses might be split

Thought that might be the issue and I cleaned the i/cooler last week and checked it for said issues. All good. Nothing obvious. It's a matter of elimination ATM. Still open to everyones thoughts though.

[nissannewby]

Has Thelma been to the doctor yet? If so what did the prescribe?

[Oversize]

Has Thelma been to the doctor yet? If so what did the prescribe?

It was the MAF sensor all along. When it was cleaned the first time there was no change in her condition. They swapped it and still no change. So they focused on the computer, changed it and still no change. So for sh1ts and giggles they put another new MAF sensor in and bingo, she goes like a new one.

One for the lesson book. If it looks, feels, tastes, smells like a MAF sensor issue, it probably is. Those little beggars are sooo sensitive they can give up the ghost in the packet.

Took her for a drive and she purrs like a troll should. Off to work again monday, Nerang to Boggabri - twice. Should keep us busy for about three days.

[Oversize]

And FYI, Mechlou is now Oversize. Thanks to Andy for helping me loose a piece of history.

[Oversize]

The seat covers I wanted just were not available so I made them.
And the pic of the interior from the back shows my boudoir. It's cosy.

Thelma's stuff is stowed under the bunk from the passenger side door, my food is in a box behind the passenger seat and in the fridge. My clothes are in a basket under the fridge. Extra food and cookware in under the bunk and accessible from the rear. The ironwoman awning on the top shades the rear so I can park, open the rear doors to the breeze, put up my shade, drag out the chair a stubby and cooler and watch everyone else 'play' with their camping arrangements. Its awesome on a headland with a good book... or just watching the beach life...

[growler2058]

That looks very well thought out mate well done

[Lonicus]

Nicely done.

Reminds me of the old Kombi I had, not quite as well kitted out as Thelma though.

[scotty83]

Really nice looking bit of kit. A job well done I would say. Glad you found the issue and it wasn't the injector pump.

[Oversize]

Really nice looking bit of kit. A job well done I would say. Glad you found the issue and it wasn't the injector pump.

Thanks, she is still a work in progress but I am happy with her, and I too am glad it was only the MAF, even if it was a b1tch to resolve.

[Oversize]

Did an interview with the Toowoomba Chronicle yesterday. They are doing a story on Thelma and Louise... how we got started...

[Lonicus]

Great stuff!

[Oversize]

Great stuff!

That wont be known til its published. Not much trust in reporters however the interview was at the request of the organisation that helped get me going... could hardly say no.

[Lonicus]

Hopefully all will be good.

Also hope you didn't get caught in that hail Toowoomba had yesterday. Have some friends up there and they showed pics of some good sized ice cubes.

[threedogs]

Only got to page 6, seems you do as many K's as Big Fella he's all over the place.
As for your globes Blowing you may find you have dodgy earths, remove any you can see and clean them up
Should help prevent further problems. I'm going back to page 6 LOL

[threedogs]

Spray /clean the MAF sensor, squirt heaps on it DO NOT TOUCH ,allow to dry completely and reinstall'
Rear hose on I/C has a bad habit of popping off too.

[Stropp]

well lou seems like thelma is moving along well and the publicity should be good for business, keepup the progress. She looks well thought out for what you are doing.

[Oversize]

Hopefully all will be good.

Also hope you didn't get caught in that hail Toowoomba had yesterday. Have some friends up there and they showed pics of some good sized ice cubes.

Nope. Woke up in Dubbo yesterday, home by midday...

[Oversize]

well lou seems like thelma is moving along well and the publicity should be good for business, keepup the progress. She looks well thought out for what you are doing.

I don't need the publicity, got more work than I can physically do.
As for Thelma, now she has sorted her sh1t out, she is great.
Working on a new sign frame over christmas, push button job so I don't have to get out in the heat or rain to lift the lid. Then off to Townsville, camping with my son. He bought another dirtbike and he cant ride them both at once so I have to try them out. Should be fun.

[Stropp]

I don't need the publicity, got more work than I can physically do. .

maybe you need to buy another troll and employ someone to drive for you, you never know you may end up with a fleet of thelma's :)

[Oversize]

A copy of the story. Not quite all the facts but near enough.

[Oversize]

maybe you need to buy another troll and employ someone to drive for you, you never know you may end up with a fleet of thelma's :)

Yea/NO! I do this for me, not interested in the stress of staff! Been there done that, don't plan to do it again.
Selfish and proud of it :)

[MC97GQ]

Nice story Lou,

I love it when people reinvent themselves.

I hope all is good with Thelma

Regards

Mark

[PMC]

A copy of the story. Not quite all the facts but near enough.

G'day Oversize,

I am sorry for taking so long to finally get around to read your thread! Great newspaper article by the way.

Fantastic job on your rebuild and the constant evolution of Thelma!

PS, all the best for Christmas and have a safe and prosperous new year!

Regards,

RLI

[Lonicus]

Great write-up!

[Maxhead]

Great story mate and a top picture to go with it....Fiona says hello as well!

[Oversize]

Well the story was published in the local rag but I haven't seen it. All the locals keep telling me about it. And now I have a partner I have to eat my words, he was a police escort in Kiwi land so I have bought back the family rolux and shall be putting a second vehicle in my fleet. He rides a Honda R7 (Casey Stoner special) and we have been giving the leathers a workout - awesome sh1t!

And now Thelma has a shed mate and we can't find things so we assume they have been playing up while we were ... It's all good :) Someone suggested we should keep an eye on the feeler gauges but my partner assures me they are with the torque wrench hohoho...

[Sir Roofy]

Good for you mate

[Oversize]

Great story mate and a top picture to go with it....Fiona says hello as well!

Hi Fiona, how's the referee doing, looking forward to the end of school holidays?

[Oversize]

Escorted a D10 from Chinchilla to Kenya Station on the Tara Road. Have you ever seen a low loader with 10cm of clearance going through washouts, gullies and dirt tracks... was an interesting trip...

And Thelma is doing great, just changed the windscreen wipers, tightened a terminal on the starter motor... coming up on 80,000 kms. All good.

[Bigrig]

Escorted a D10 from Chinchilla to Kenya Station on the Tara Road. Have you ever seen a low loader with 10cm of clearance going through washouts, gullies and dirt tracks... was an interesting trip...

And Thelma is doing great, just changed the windscreen wipers, tightened a terminal on the starter motor... coming up on 80,000 kms. All good.

You get to go to all the classy places!!! lol

Good to hear Thelma is soldiering on ...


Just tap it in ... taaapp it in ....

[Oversize]

Hi Guys n Gals,

Been a little busy of late with work and a wedding. Here is a pic of Thelma, Choppie's Silva and a few work mates. August was only three jobs, Brisbane to Darwin; Mackay to Darwin; Isa - wait for John (my husband) and back to Darwin then we both escorted a load back to Gladstone.

[2TROLLFAM]

Hi Guys n Gals,

Been a little busy of late with work and a wedding. Here is a pic of Thelma, Choppie's Silva and a few work mates. August was only three jobs, Brisbane to Darwin; Mackay to Darwin; Isa - wait for John (my husband) and back to Darwin then we both escorted a load back to Gladstone.

OMG you have been busy since we last talked !!! Congratulations Girl xXx


Sent from my iPhone using Motorculture mobile app

[Oversize]

Thelma out and about, on the beach, at work with Choppie's Big Girl and pit stop in the country. We are off to Normanton on Monday...

[nissannewby]

My congrats also Lou :). Atleast one of us is using their patrols :). Some good pics there aye would be a good gig driving all over for work.

[Oversize]

Thelma is about to get some national coverage. We have been shortlisted as one of only three finalists in an Australia wide small business award. Have to get pimped up to go to a gala ball in Sydney later this month... Christ! I bought a dress to get married in a few months ago, looks like I have to buy another one for the ball... or maybe I just wear my white longhorn jeans, they match Thelma's skirt.

[AB]

Thelma is about to get some national coverage. We have been shortlisted as one of only three finalists in an Australia wide small business award. Have to get pimped up to go to a gala ball in Sydney later this month... Christ! I bought a dress to get married in a few months ago, looks like I have to buy another one for the ball... or maybe I just wear my white longhorn jeans, they match Thelma's skirt.

Well done that's awesome, let us know how it goes mate and good luck!

[Swazi]

Thelma out and about, on the beach, at work with Choppie's Big Girl and pit stop in the country. We are off to Normanton on Monday...

Louise - have loved reading your story and seeing the pics of Thelma. You are an amazing lady and great to see you making good. Look forward to seeing many more of your adventures.

[Oversize]

Hey Guys n Gals, we are in the news again...

http://www.thechronicle.com.au/news/life-comes-complete-circle-for-louise/2046328/

[Dhuck]

Onya woman. Good to see things are going well.

[jack]

Good on you Louise, John & Thelma - live the life

[Oversize]

Thelma is a winner. We won the NEIS Life Change Award. Was an awesome night out, picked up in a stretch limo with the other finalists and dined at the Novotel with the top brass from Canberra...

[Dhuck]

Congrats guys. Sounds like you are both having a ball

[Sir Roofy]

Well done mate congrats again

[Swazi]

Well done to you both. Wonderful to see such success for you both.

[trekster]

What a fantastic read, thank you very much for sharing!


Regards,
Eric.

[macca]

That is great news, stretch and all!!!

[2TROLLFAM]

Thelma is a winner. We won the NEIS Life Change Award. Was an awesome night out, picked up in a stretch limo with the other finalists and dined at the Novotel with the top brass from Canberra...

OMG!!!! Whose that beautiful woman?? Congratulations gorgeous lady


Sent from my iPhone using Motorculture mobile app

[Oversize]

Back to work. Been covering some ks, so Thelma has new heels, new windscreen and a few minor tweaks. Replaced the front crank seal back in September (which I am inclined to think was the source of the oil leak around the block since the rebuild) and replaced the piston on the tension pulley on the belt. It was squeaking and I assumed it was the pulley as we put a new belt in when the crank seal was replaced, so it wasn't a polished belt. Turns out the tension piston had no fluid left in it.
Otherwise, Thelma is in great shape and Big Girl is great company. Just back from my third trip Brisbane - Normanton. Pylons and beams for a new bridge.

[Oversize]

My Christmas present to myself. Must be getting selfish in my middle ages.

[Maxhead]

My Christmas present to myself. Must be getting selfish in my middle ages.

Very nice indeed.....NOW, smoke them up!!! LOL

[Sir Roofy]

Whos the lucky girl then glad things are looking up for you

[Oversize]

Thelma has been going well, 380,000 ks, and still purring. Put an extra 'O' ring under the oil cap and managed to reduce more of the oil mess over the engine and across the intercooler so a new cap will be on the shopping list. My leather steering wheel cover shredded and 15" covers are rare - still waiting for the new one. Built another driver seat back cover, seems getting in and out of the wagon wore the old one out. Good thing I made them as separate parts (seat and back). All is good.

[Stropp]

sounds like the old girl is going well and behaving, good to hear.

[Sir Roofy]

Thelma has been going well, 380,000 ks, and still purring. Put an extra 'O' ring under the oil cap and managed to reduce more of the oil mess over the engine and across the intercooler so a new cap will be on the shopping list. My leather steering wheel cover shredded and 15" covers are rare - still waiting for the new one. Built another driver seat back cover, seems getting in and out of the wagon wore the old one out. Good thing I made them as separate parts (seat and back). All is good.

your clocking them up now mate didn't you put a catch can in the old girl?that,l take some of the oil of the motor

[Oversize]

your clocking them up now mate didn't you put a catch can in the old girl?that,l take some of the oil of the motor

Bought the catch can, and a shim, then found a man... it's still on my 'to do' list. Having a workshop with the lads at my place soon, but I plan to grease the axles at that event. See if we have time for the catch can.

You know Roofy, your memory is supposed to fade when you go silver!?!

[Sir Roofy]

bought the catch can, and a shim, then found a man... It's still on my 'to do' list. Having a workshop with the lads at my place soon, but i plan to grease the axles at that event. See if we have time for the catch can.

You know roofy, your memory is supposed to fade when you go silver!?!

catch can will take ten minutes as for memory its not bad can remember what we discused
at neerum meet up well some of it

[Oversize]

Hi all, been a tadd busy with life. So here is a quick update. Thelma is presently in the shed with the gearbox on the floor, the clutch bearing froze about the same time the alternator pully sh1t itself. Both noises conflicted and we couldnt identify the problem until I lost power. New alternator on the side of the road... then the other noise/scream could not be identified until she stalled when I was reversing the trailer into the shed and the scream synched with the clutch... so she will get all new fluids, filters and a grease up while she is resting up.

PS. My new husband passed away in July 2014, just a year after the wedding, lung cancer, so I hit the road and just worked. Thelma has done 560,000 ks and is starting to show her age.

Piloting went slow so I bought a trailer and have been moving odd ball stuff around Australia from/to out of the way places. Rescued this from the Nullarbor Roadhouse last week.

63830

[Sir Roofy]

Hi all, been a tadd busy with life. So here is a quick update. Thelma is presently in the shed with the gearbox on the floor, the clutch bearing froze about the same time the alternator pully sh1t itself. Both noises conflicted and we couldnt identify the problem until I lost power. New alternator on the side of the road... then the other noise/scream could not be identified until she stalled when I was reversing the trailer into the shed and the scream synched with the clutch... so she will get all new fluids, filters and a grease up while she is resting up.

PS. My new husband passed away in July 2014, just a year after the wedding, lung cancer, so I hit the road and just worked. Thelma has done 560,000 ks and is starting to show her age.

Piloting went slow so I bought a trailer and have been moving odd ball stuff around Australia from/to out of the way places. Rescued this from the Nullarbor Roadhouse last week.

63830

Good to see ya mate been a while,reco the box and youll get another 560,000 out of her

[jack]

Good you see you're back, I wondered what happened to you (and several others).
Condolences on the passing of your husband.

[Dhuck]

Doing well girl. Enjoy the travel you get and the well earned rest that you also deserve.

[Bigcol]

PS. My new husband passed away in July 2014, just a year after the wedding, lung cancer, so I hit the road and just worked. Thelma has done 560,000 ks and is starting to show her age.



sorry to hear about your Hubby

Thelma can be fixed - how are you coping?

[Oversize]

Ever the optimist Roofy. I look forward to seeing her clock zero.

[Oversize]

Bigcol I finally agreed to get my head read, yes I am fit and well but the marbles between my ears are not so great. Thelma is my everything at present but I have conceded I need help. So where better to turn than to people of kindred spirit. Love you guys n gals.

[BigRAWesty]

Condolences for your loss..
These things take time hey..
But good to see your still on the road..
Bugger about car.. I'm sure you'll get it sorted soon..

[Clunk]

Welcome back, sorry to hear about your loss...... here's hoping you can get Thelma back to where she belongs too