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The Pub For General Automotive Related Talk |
View Poll Results: If it's good enough for back-packers... | |||
Wags will do you proud! | 44 | 86.27% | |
Wags is sure to let go in spectacular fashion! | 4 | 7.84% | |
Whoc gives a fig - what the hell is a 24-hour mountain race?!? And why are you doing *that*? | 3 | 5.88% | |
Voters: 51. You may not vote on this poll |
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Thread Tools | Display Modes |
05-10-2005, 01:15 PM | #1 | ||
65 Galaxie Hardtop
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane QLD
Posts: 3,751
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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..?
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Red on red 65 Galaxie 390FE C6 9" |
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05-10-2005, 01:34 PM | #2 | ||
Back in Blue!
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Nearish Canberraish
Posts: 176
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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.
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Previous Ride 1: XE wagon 4.1 on LPG - RIP Previous Ride 2: VN Berlina wagon 5.0 EFI Current Ride : EF XR6 wagon (Manual!) Back in Blue baby! |
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05-10-2005, 01:36 PM | #3 | ||
more posting less lurking
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: koondrook, northern victoria
Posts: 246
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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.
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BA XR8 Devil R - SY Territory TX AWD - MQ Nissan Patrol 302c - GQ Nissan Patrol |
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05-10-2005, 01:37 PM | #4 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,165
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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 |
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05-10-2005, 01:39 PM | #5 | ||
Turbo Dinosaur FTMFW
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: SA
Posts: 7,834
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what pandaman said
should be fine. just cruise, dont thrash it ;) |
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05-10-2005, 01:44 PM | #6 | ||
X-Series Club Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Posts: 1,952
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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.
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PROJECT - '77 XC Falcon 351C - Click Here DAILY - '05 Ford Territory BIKE - '12 Suzuki GS 500 |
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05-10-2005, 02:00 PM | #7 | |||
65 Galaxie Hardtop
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane QLD
Posts: 3,751
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Quote:
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Red on red 65 Galaxie 390FE C6 9" |
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05-10-2005, 02:32 PM | #8 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Tauranga, New Zealand
Posts: 1,488
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She's a Ford buddy, no worries.
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05-10-2005, 04:19 PM | #9 | ||
Ford Power, in a Merc?
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Leura, Blue Mountains
Posts: 664
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Do us proud so my vote wasn't wrong :P
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05-10-2005, 04:46 PM | #10 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,750
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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! |
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05-10-2005, 05:08 PM | #11 | ||
Ute Forum Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melb
Posts: 7,227
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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.
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05-10-2005, 05:22 PM | #12 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: coowonga
Posts: 1,654
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go on Neeek, there's nothing like an adventure.
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05-10-2005, 05:26 PM | #13 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: GEELONG
Posts: 7,946
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Quote:
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
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no longer have a ford but a ford man at heart R.I.P 98 EL MAY YOU HAVE A GOOD LIFE IN FALCON HEAVEN [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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05-10-2005, 07:41 PM | #14 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Perth
Posts: 551
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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 .
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05-10-2005, 10:09 PM | #15 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 296
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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 |
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06-10-2005, 01:07 PM | #16 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 253
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i'd say you would probly use 2 and a half to 3 tanks each way.
have fun, road trips are the greatest!
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“She said, 'I'm your biggest fan,' and I said, 'Who are you?' She said, 'Paris Hilton.'” Ricky Gervais |
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06-10-2005, 01:41 PM | #17 | ||
Irregular Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Glen Waverley, Vic
Posts: 356
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Another vote for watching the oil - it will go down faster than usual on a long trip after lots of surburban driving.
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06-10-2005, 03:53 PM | #18 | ||
owning V8=having no $$$
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Brisbane...
Posts: 1,717
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The wag will get ya there no probs....just take heaps of coolant and oil with ya, awsome road trip
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Weekends - 1965 XP 302 sedan... : Weekdays - 1980 323 Mazdabator complete with cheese cutters & FF sticker :dr_Evil: The Reality: 13.1 @ 106mph.... The Goal: somehow get into the 12s!!! :sm_headba www.qldsuperkart.org |
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06-10-2005, 04:50 PM | #19 | |||
Ute Forum Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Melb
Posts: 7,227
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Quote:
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06-10-2005, 09:13 PM | #20 | ||
Turbo Falcon Fiend
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Far West NSW
Posts: 3,213
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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.
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07-10-2005, 08:47 PM | #21 | ||||
Previously ScottishXC
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,100
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Quote:
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!
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07-10-2005, 09:12 PM | #22 | |||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: ACT
Posts: 4,028
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Quote:
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!!!
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Current Rides: 2000 AU 5L XLS ute; 1970 Mustang project |
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11-10-2005, 07:06 AM | #23 | ||
65 Galaxie Hardtop
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane QLD
Posts: 3,751
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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!
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Red on red 65 Galaxie 390FE C6 9" |
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11-10-2005, 12:23 PM | #24 | |||
^^^^^^^^
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: online - duh
Posts: 9,641
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Quote:
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11-10-2005, 12:42 PM | #25 | |||
65 Galaxie Hardtop
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Brisbane QLD
Posts: 3,751
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Quote:
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Red on red 65 Galaxie 390FE C6 9" |
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11-10-2005, 12:44 PM | #26 | ||
X-Series Club Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Posts: 1,952
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Good to hear Nick, that is a fantastic result! Fuel economy wasn't to shabby either.
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PROJECT - '77 XC Falcon 351C - Click Here DAILY - '05 Ford Territory BIKE - '12 Suzuki GS 500 |
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11-10-2005, 02:29 PM | #27 | ||
V8 Powaah
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sunshine Coast, QLD
Posts: 1,994
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Good stuff, the X series wagon's live on
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FG G6E Turbo- Seduce & Cashmere - Sold XF S pack Sedan- AU 302 Windsor, T5, 2.77 LSD, Many Mods
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