Old XC wagon + 3,000km trip over 4 days = ...?

[Neeek]

Opinions are required…

Can a $600 XC Falcon 500 station wagon (250 x-flow, 3 on the tree) travel safely and without mishap down to Canberra (from Brisbane) and back again over the course of a weekend?

Yes, Wags is going on a road trip this weekend and just about every person who is aware of this trip has upon hearing the plan raised their eyebrows, done, a little whistling, told me it’s been nice knowing me and departed from my company shaking their heads.

Bought for the above sum in July this year, Wags has only received the following treatment in preparation for such a huge undertaking, not all of which were actually "preparation" as such:

1. Four new tyres.
2. Four new shockies.
3. Lowered front springs and BIG aftermarket front swaybar.
4. Alternator replacement (the old one was on its way out, so…).
5. Stereo install.

Fluids have been checked and are to the levels required. I drive this car every single day and it’s never skipped a beat.

Finally, any guesses for how much fuel I’ll use? I’m reckoning three and a half tanks (70 litre tank) each way.

Sometimes I wonder which is more silly – driving down to Canberra and back or taking part in a 24-hour mountain bike race somewhere in the middle..?

[pandaman]

If your cooling system is in good nick you should have no problems, go for it! Although every time it's stopped long enough to cool down i reccomend you check your fluid levels again like a paranoid crack monkey.

[bprint xr8]

I voted wags will do you proud!

Providing your not trying to set any land speed records getting there and the car runs at a normal temp all will be fine.

Not quite a 3000km trip but i did do 1 1200km trip in an xb ute once after pulling it out from under a tree and getting it registered. Only drama that I had was it blew a oil pressure switch but I was at a servo at the time so eas easily fixed.

[MotherNatureVer2]

If this is any indication I took my old very tired, oiled covered XF wagon from Central West NSW to Melbourne for the FF Raid a few years ago. Everyone laughed at me for the thought of actually doing it ......

Not only did she make it she made the return trip home & is still running around out here somewhere ;)

Make sure you nurse her along & keep an eye on all the fluids & you should be fine ....... Keep a large water bottle handy just in case of overheating & the like......

Most of all have fun ..... nothing like taking the old girls for a long trip & making it home in one piece :P

[montyv8]

what pandaman said

should be fine. just cruise, dont thrash it ;)

[Pilch]

If it is in good order you won't have any reliability issues, there as tough as nails. The fuel bill would be my concern! Good Luck.

[Neeek]

Originally Posted by montyv8

should be fine. just cruise, dont thrash it ;)

Can't, even if I wanted to... it has all the acceleration of a garden snail past 110 ish... not that I've ever gone that fast in her, officer... _2:

[Mike Gayner]

She's a Ford buddy, no worries.

[PH47]

Do us proud so my vote wasn't wrong :P

[347Stroker]

1. Make sure the wheelnuts are tight...

2. Practise emergency steering/braking for when the retreads sh#t themselves.

3. Stock up on speed, because the performance of Wags will surely put you to sleep at some stage.

4. Don't even THINK about calling me if something goes wrong!

Good luck, chief - I'm sure you'll be fine.


P.S. I really should start thinking of logging out of 347stroker's account before posting!

[outback_ute]

Change all the radiator hoses & fan belts, take the old ones as spares. Take spare water & oil, points and a few tools etc. If you have only been doing short trips, do a long country drive of 2-3 hours as a practice run beforehand.

[NAK302]

go on Neeek, there's nothing like an adventure.

[Jason[98.EL]]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

Change all the radiator hoses & fan belts, take the old ones as spares. Take spare water & oil, points and a few tools etc. If you have only been doing short trips, do a long country drive of 2-3 hours as a practice run beforehand.

as outback_ute said

you cant be to pepd for a trip like this one

just carry plenty of water around 8 - 10 ltrs as this will be enought to fill radiator if you have to change any hoses

good luck

wish i could do a big road trip like that

[WizBang]

You will be fine as everyone else said plus your on a main road it's not like you won't see a car for days as is the case where we sometimes go but yeah take your time .

[benXaGt]

Make sure you take a assortment of tools, crc ,jack wheel brace ,cable ties, jerrycan with fuel, water bottles/coolant, brake fluid, engine oil, matches, spare tyre x2

U CAN DO IT

[Paddyboy]

i'd say you would probly use 2 and a half to 3 tanks each way.

have fun, road trips are the greatest!

[Steve D]

Another vote for watching the oil - it will go down faster than usual on a long trip after lots of surburban driving.

[vino3o2]

The wag will get ya there no probs....just take heaps of coolant and oil with ya, awsome road trip

[outback_ute]

Originally Posted by 351xafairmont

Make sure you take a assortment of tools, crc ,jack wheel brace ,cable ties, jerrycan with fuel, water bottles/coolant, brake fluid, engine oil, matches, spare tyre x2

U CAN DO IT

And mobile phone!

[TURBOTAXI]

Give the old girl new coolant and oil. Some new plugs would probably be good If its an auto, service the trans. be gentle and she should treat you well.

[RAREV8]

Originally Posted by TURBOTAXI

Give the old girl new coolant and oil. Some new plugs would probably be good If its an auto, service the trans. be gentle and she should treat you well.

Go for it!!
I think that everyone has covered all necessary points- I drove Bertha 78 xc with xe 4.1 in it to and all around Canberra from northern Syd- not as far- altogether about 1200kms over a week and it Sh#t itself at the toll barrier comong into Syd on the M5 but only after 2.5 horus stuck in traffic due to an accident. 5 mins later, she re-started and was fine!

Good luck, you'll have some good tales to post upon your return!

[rag top]

Originally Posted by Neeek

Sometimes I wonder which is more silly – driving down to Canberra and back or taking part in a 24-hour mountain bike race somewhere in the middle..?

And if the rain on Friday night continues, it will be a sloppy muddy mountain bike race!!

I guess this is the link for the big event:
http://www.corc.asn.au/24hr/index.asp

All the best with it, and keep us posted on how you go!!!

[Neeek]

I'm back! Wags didn't skip a beat, which is more than can be said for me - a severe lack of fitness transpired to make my one and only lap (yes, I drove 2,600km to ride only 19.1!!) a hell on wheels. So I spent the rest of my time catching up with mates I hadn't seen for a long time and so on. Not a totally wated journey. And it did rain, and it was muddy, and VERY cold..!

So, no dramas. Perfect behaviour from Wags. Managed an average of about 13-14l per 100km, took 15.5 elapsed hours to get down and a spanking 14 to get back (I may have been pressing on..). I'm tired. And back at work. :(

However, it goes to prove that old cars can still cut it. Oh, and no oil/coolant or anything else lost. It seems the car is in rude health, if a little dirty. I may even treat it to a wash and a full engine service! Go Wags!

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by Neeek

I may even treat it to a wash and a full engine service! Go Wags!

If it aint broke don't go fixing it!

[Neeek]

Originally Posted by Raptor

If it aint broke don't go fixing it!

I hear ya, but changing the oil, filters and plugs won't hurt it...

[Pilch]

Good to hear Nick, that is a fantastic result! Fuel economy wasn't to shabby either.

[Fairlane]

Good stuff, the X series wagon's live on