Bit of an update on the PJ. When I fitted the Dobinsons Suspension, I noticed the rear axle bump rubbers were missing. I figure it had airbags fitted in its previous life as an electricians ute... Ford sell them for $12.50 each so she now has a new pair... While I was away over New Year, the fan speed switch knob broke. :-( I happened to be in Cunderdin (next town south of me, 60 Ks away) early this week and saw they have a Ford Dealer there (with just 1 new Ranger and one used one on the floor!) but thought Id call in on the off chance they had one in stock. They did and it was only $8.50... While towing my caravan (17 Pop-Top weighing in at about 1.5 - 1.6 tonne) down to Perth on NYE, I got just over 13L/100Ks generally sitting on around 95 Km/H. Not bad I thought considering there are quite a few steep hills between Goomalling and Gidgegannup. Indicator fuse blew around Goomalling (60 Ks from home), so replaced with another 10 amp one and all good (for a while). Picked up Ann in Perth and headed off to Bridgetown. Average fuel use dropped to around 13L/100K again. :-) Then, I hit a strong South-westerly headwind... IAT sat around 100 and peaked at 112 - 113 a few times (more on this shortly)... Fuel use climbed the an average of 16L/100K... :-( Not much wind on the way back up to Perth a few days later, Fuelled up in Balingup, sat around 95 Km/H again with the van on the back and easily achieved 12.1L/100K. Cool! Came through Byford and found the indicator fuse had blown again... It is fine with the trailer (LED Lights) but the normal globed lights on the van seem to over-draw a bit. I have read of others having the same issue and it seems to be solved by a 15 Amp fuse... Towing the van up and over the Hills meant around 15L/100K between Perth and home... This gave me an overall average of around 14L/100Ks over around 900 Ks of towing. I have been thinking about a bigger and relocated Intercooler for a while. The high IATs on the way down south on NYE prompted me to pull my finger out an buy one. I ordered a 530X230X69 mm one earlier this week and will mount it behind the grille (above the solid bullbar/winch area). This will, hopefully, solve the high IAT problem for me. Also been thinking about/looking for a couple of other things lately. A TruTrack type rear diff centre is now on its way to me. :-) Cheap at around $700. Will comment more when it is fitted and tested. Then, a second hand tray mount toolbox came up cheap in Perth so bought that yesterday too... Havent bolted it down yet but will, It SHOULD be big enough to fit the genny (for the van) and a 10 litre Jerry Can in as well as my tools when I go away and will keep them safe. Didnt get a key though so have to change the lock. Still pretty good for a couple of hundred... Ah, well, its only money... :-)
Posted on: Sat, 10 Jan 2015 05:34:07 +0000
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