My first Patrol

[Jordo]

I am planning for a Cape trip around August or September for about 6 weeks next year. I am pretty excited. I have been playing around a git in Wombat the last few weekends. Have a few weeks off work over Xmas so will play in the Alpine region too at times.

The next mods after suspension, drawers and roof top tent from TJM are an ARB bullbar and Runva winch, as well as Raslarr rear bar with twin tyre carriers. I will post more pics soon.

[Jordo]

Recent update... Been out on tracks a lot recently. Having lots of fun. I recently put a set of 33" KM2s on it, which I love. Also a Black Widow Alloy tent rack and TJM Yulara tent. Only problem is that I had a minor problem while on a track on Tuesday. I drowned the Troll in muddy water. It sat there for about 2.5 hours before my dad's old Patrol rescued me out.

Some pics are below

[Jordo]

Here are the pics... The car is being assessed by insurers. I will see on Monday if it is a total loss or not.

[threedogs]

IMO avoid bog holes like the plague. they will cost you big time now your nice Patrol is ruined
well not ruined but will need heaps to brig it back. My advice to you would be join a club,
especially if you plan on doing Cape York as Help may be days a way and cost a fortune.
Next time grab a mate when 4x4ing or I think there are ppl here you can contact AH if you're stuck.
Steep learning curve.

Did you air down your tyre pressures?

[Drewboyaus]

I shouldn't laugh.......but I will....Hahahaha.
Kinda funny when you open the door after doing that and a torrent of water flows out.
Been there done that one (I think there's even a video of it on here somewhere)! Ended up stripping the interior completely, pressure washing everything to get the mud out, 2 or 3 days to let everything dry out properly (plenty of hours with the doors open and heater running too). Took about 2 weeks from start to finish.
Would I do it again.......hmmmmmm........maybe!
As Threedogs wisely suggested though, always best to go with another car that can pull you out or help recover.
I doubt they'll write it off. Make sure you park it on an angle (nose in the air) to get all the water running out from inside the doors etc.
Well and truly christened her now mate. Good job!
In all honesty, most bog holes these days are almost impossible to drive on anything but 35inch tyres. Most you will diff-out on.

[Jordo]

Hey guys,

I laugh about it as well now, and my parents were laughing as they came to rescue me. They didn't write it off, but it's in getting repairs on it now... Hopefully be ready in a few weeks.

It was actually a detour, so it wasn't initially a track I was going to go down. I usually stay clear of mud, but I thought I'd give this one a shot. Not a great idea, but it was still a great experience and turned out pretty good. The car is getting half the interior replaced, most of the panels and a new paint job... Can't complain about that.

I didn't air down on this occasion, as I was only on some basic tracks otherwise, but I'm yet to get an air compressor and the gear to allow me to do so next time I go out on the tracks. I was going to take my old man out with me, but he was working that day. It's definitely been christened now. I can't wait to get her back and do some good camping, etc and take her out on to some more rough stuff. I did get made redundant from work though, so the mods have stopped until I get employment sorted. Cape York and trips resembling anything more than "up the road" are also off for this year.

[Jordo]

Hi all,

Just another general query. Does anyone know where to find someone close to the Melbourne area who resprays Patrols. I am just curious about cost for mine, but my dad's Patrol could really do with one and I'm considering it for a present for him.

Thanks for your help.