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Home > My Defender > Nuggets 110 Aussie Crew Cab Tourer Build

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Redlinemike Member Since: 27 Oct 2013 Location: Frozen north, Just off the M8 Posts: 100	as others have said, excellent read, looking forward to the next part of your trip
9th Dec 2014 2:11pm

nugge t Member Since: 03 Apr 2014 Location: Brisbane Posts: 50

The 4th leg of my second trip last year took in the Gary H/way and a section of the old Gunbarrel H/way, both Len Beadell gems which have not seen a grader blade since they were cut in the 60’s. The Gary H/way starts at Gary Junction. Just off well 33 of the Canning Stock Route, intersects with the Talawana Track at Windy Junction and the Gunbarrel at Everard Junction. I then took the Gunbarrel and Heather H/ways to Warburton…all “H/Ways” being very rough, unmaintained tracks. Gary is marked with a replica of the original sign made by Len Beadell. He punched the original on an aluminium plate bolted to a flap cut in the top of an old drum and folded up. The bolt holes were made using his service revolver! [/URL][/img] The Gary H/way is extremely remote and littered with white ant mounds which are hard as steel and just waiting to take a toll on the suspension, tyre or rim of the unwary traveller. [/URL][/img] Wormy Whau Whau Well was drilled by an exploration team in 1970. The bore casing and the poly cap are still intact. [/URL][/img] Veevers Meteorite Crater was discovered by a survey team in 1975. About the size of a soccer field it has obviously filled a bit over the years but it was still pretty awesome to stand exactly where something from outer space has hit earth. [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] The track in and out to the meteorite was more moon than earth like with the effect made worse by recent fires in the desert. [/URL][/img] They reckon there are a million feral camels in the centre of Australia and I reckon they are right...they are everywhere. I have also heard that they are now the purest camel breed on earth. Not sure if that is right but apparently we export them to the Middle east so they can not be too bad! [/URL][/img] There is a lot of scrub close to the edge of the track [/URL][/img] Eventually it took its toll on my UHF ariel but nothing a section of rubber fuel line and some gaffer tape couldn’t rectify. [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] A bit of bush tucker..city style… [/URL][/img] Bush sunset…damn it is a tough place to have to spend the night [/URL][/img] Quick breakfast of champions [/URL][/img] Back on the road again and the track is littered with small trees that have been burnt and the base causing them to fall on the track. I went around quite a few before I decided to drive over one…maybe a bit bigger than it should have been and maybe a bit faster than I should have and the Defender engine died within 2-3 meters and I rolled to halt. No problem, only 300kms from help in ANY direction and I am on my own! Tried to start which it did but as soon as I tried to accelerate it stopped….not good. Turns out a 1” branch speared up along the inside of the chassis rail and pinched the fuel line going to the fuel cooler. Luckily the line was not split and once I eventually managed to clear it, I was on my way again, travelling considerable slower and doing around every twig on the track, with a heart rate higher than the tacho. [/URL][/img] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In places the country side was more open [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] Windy Junction is the intersection of Gary H/Way and the Talawana Track. Love the “Visitor Jars” [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] The desert never ceases to amaze and once again, in the middle of nowhere, Lake Cohen [/URL][/img] Quick detour to Mulgan Rock hole which was found by the explorer Carnegie in 1896. As I was at the tail end of the season, it was dry but would fill after a reasonable rain. [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] Sections of the track were quite good along this section…by local standards! [/URL][/img] Everard Junction where Gary H/Way meets the Gunbarrel H/Way is a pretty desolate affair. [/URL][/img] [/URL][/img] Pretty tough on the local camels too it would appear….actually they are subject to culling because of the vast numbers. [/URL][/img] The Gunbarrel leading to Mt Beadell… [/URL][/img] Mt Beadell was obviously named after Len in recognition of the work he did opening up the region. A monument has been erected on top . [/URL][/img] You get a pretty good panoramic view of the country. [/URL][/img] The track gets a lot more interesting and the original track gets down right gnarly in parts with huge washouts. Sorry you can not see them in these pics. [/URL][/img] Pretty good illustration of why it was called the Gunbarrel… [/URL][/img] Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

22nd Dec 2014 12:41am

Lou Sparts Member Since: 15 Apr 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 1501	Awesome pics thanks for sharing your experiences with us. 2005 Td5 90 XS Steve
22nd Dec 2014 12:57am

sweepc Member Since: 19 Jun 2011 Location: uk Posts: 568	Great thread
29th Dec 2014 12:01am

sharkey964 Member Since: 05 Oct 2014 Location: On a muddy track Posts: 574	Great post,very interesting,I can only imagin how remote it actualy is out there.
29th Dec 2014 9:46am

portal pat Member Since: 05 Jan 2015 Location: South. Very south. Posts: 36	What offset are your steel rims old mate?
14th Jan 2015 10:46am

Mike_B Member Since: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Moray Posts: 550

I read through this post with great interest and admiration! You casually say that you "knocked together" a winch bumper, or breather, or intake box, before turning out items which look like they were made in a large scale production facility. You are a very skilled man. I wish I could fabricate half the items you've done here to such quality. I also wish I had access to the machinery you have and the time to spend tinkering with it! Well done on your unique vehicle. Looks like you've had a ball testing out all of your work too! Fancy a Holiday in Scotland? Bring your welder! Oh, and the mill! Cheers Mike

14th Jan 2015 8:41pm

nugge t Member Since: 03 Apr 2014 Location: Brisbane Posts: 50

Hi Portal pat. The rims are zero offset. Mike_B. Thank you for your very kind words. I enjoy learning new skills and thinking of new practicle things which make touring easier/safer. I don't have a trade back ground but have always been a builder/tinkerer/modifier. All good fun. Luckily I have spent the last 25 years in manufacturing so have had access to some good people who have given good advise and tips. Welding has been self taught but off to do a course in a few weeks to hopefully tidy it up a bit. Cheers

14th Jan 2015 9:03pm

Mike_B Member Since: 23 Jan 2011 Location: Moray Posts: 550	I'm off to the falklands again soon. My plan is to learn to TIG weld aluminium whilst I'm down there. Then maybe buy myself a half decent welder when I'm back!
14th Jan 2015 9:38pm

IanT599 Member Since: 12 Mar 2013 Location: Staffordshire Posts: 15	Great build thread. I love the roof rack mounts with the Defender wording on them. Great touch. Ian 2004 Discovery II TD5 ES Auto 1990 Range Rover Vogue Efi Auto (Future 100" Defender Puma) 2015 Compass Rallye 644 Sankey Mk3 Wide Track
14th Jan 2015 10:18pm

nugge t Member Since: 03 Apr 2014 Location: Brisbane Posts: 50	I have MIG for steel and Ally but am going to do a MIG and a TIG course. Would love to be able to TIG neatly. Thanks Ian. Learning to 3D draw has opened up a whole new world of design for me I must admit. It also makes it easier when you want to have something bent or laser cut as you have the info they require.
14th Jan 2015 10:25pm

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