Bamboo

The seventh day’s drive was to Cairns – Pop. 150,000. A token drive on the bitumen with a stop at the Innot Hot Springs to take away the aches and pains of the week. On arrival in Cairns, the Corolla was sold at auction where it raised another $800 for charity. Team Flemlux elected to buy back their vehicle and drive back to Melbourne. That is all Thank you all at rollaclub for your support Bamboo

The sixth day’s drive was to Undara Volcanic National Park – Resort. The driving was mostly bitumen with a 150 kilometre 4wd section in the middle. Our confidence was high and we knew the car did not have to go much further, so we pushed hard all the way. Here the Corolla suffered. The rear lights, brake lights and indicators stopped working. Started to hear a suspicious clunk from the idler arm. We managed to preform 2 driver changes at 80 km/h on the dirt. Too bad we couldn't take a photo. The camping was like a blessing with a designated spot and enough showers and toilets for all.

The fifth day’s drive was to Winton, QLD – Pop. 980. An easy dirt drive through the bulldust, heat and a stop at the dinosaur fossil museum. The day ended early with a trip to the local pool and camp was on a feather bed of grass at the local rugby ground. We got phone reception. Can't say I really wanted this. This is where we really got into the groove. Car is lasting, so we really start pushing it...HARD. I've also now got a pick of the flemlux exhaust repair. It lasted the rest of the rally and is still hanging on now.

The fourth day’s drive was to Windorah, QLD – Pop. 60. This was an all dirt day taking in the open plains of western QLD and part of the Birdsville track. The roads had washouts, when taken at speed caused the passenger in the back of the Corolla to have their spine shortened. Police were despatched from Longreach to greet all drivers with a breath test and to patrol the camp all night. The Hilux arrived without the exhaust connected. However, the local mechanic (who was blind) located a new gasket and the boys found a shed to rig up a very unique repair involving vice grips permanently mounted onto the exhaust flange. Midnight motors got a fair work out with the 3cyl Daihatsu pronounced dead at 10:30 after driving 400ks on one cyl due to ʞ©$ɟed valves. The camping was on a rugby field so hard it bent tent pegs and the breakfast provided consisted of sausages cooked the day before.

The third day’s drive was to Innaminka, SA – Pop. 12. This day had some of the best driving across sand dunes and stony desert tracks. We stopped for photos and an ice cream at Camerons Corner, I took a phantom shit and then went past the gas refineries that would not have been out of place on the set of Mad Max 2. When we got to town, we paid $2.06 a litre for petrol, went for a swim and settled down for a night for far too many in a very pleasant pub on the banks of Coopers Creek. The Flemlux was having some exhaust problems that got worse the next day....

The second day’s drive was to Tibooburra, NSW – Pop. 150. The first half was all bitumen to Broken Hill. Here the Corolla got a replacement radiator cap. From Broken Hill there were more and more dirt sections. On the bitumen in between we saw a lot of snakes and frill neck lizards. Also it was getting hot. We arrived on dusk and camped at the local dirt race track. The town closed off the main street and the CWA put on the best food of the event.

On 14 April 2011, six lads followed the wheel marks of “Burke and Wills on the Shitbox Rally to Cairns. The two teams were “Team Flemlux” in a early 1980’s Toyota Hilux and “Mike and the Mechanics” in a 1970’s Toyota Corolla. Between them, the teams raised over $18,000 dollars for the Cancer Council. The first day’s drive was from Melbourne Zoo car park to the Wentworth, NSW – Pop. 1300. This was an all bitumen day just to stretch the legs on the cars and test for faults. The Hilux had a bend in the tail shaft which was making a hideous noise above 80km/h and the Corolla was so over loaded the rear springs had gone banana shaped. So no cause for alarm! he camping was pleasant, on a soft bed of grass. Now we're no doctors, but we did offer to take a look.

Got home last night and was completely }ucked. Drove hard every day and partied every night. I'm still waiting on the other lads photos to put a full run down of everyday together. Team Flemlux took some awesome shots of the '35 on the move from the outside. Some are posted on the Team Flemlux facebook page. As for the 35, coming into Cairns, no tail/brake lights, no indicators and the idler arm making some interesting noises. But no breakdowns and no blowouts. One of the faster teams wouldn't believe we were running a stock 3k. Said it went too fast on the dirt. So when I collect up all the photos, look forward to a blow by blow of the trip. Oh, I also briefly met the famous Mr Shady. Enjoy the teaser photos. Bamboo

Nissan Micra. Cracked the screen in the first 15 minutes on a week long trip.

The fridge dry hopefully. :) I've started to get excited, departure is next Saturday morning. It's going to be like a circus with 350+ people travelling together. Keep a look out for a shagged 35!

By all means. Quick update. I've fitted some sneaky washer jets in the bonnet and an extra washer bottle. Don't stand too close, you may get wet :lolcry:

Most travel insurance will cover the excess on your car. They covered the 700 euro windscreen i cracked in Ireland. I used worldcare, cheap and easy to deal with. I had to cough up the 2000 euro in the beginning but got it all back. Bamboo

Yep, 30 belts were very similar with the same clip. I once met an old Japanese guy whose family company made the seats for Toyota. Told me they were all similar. Same goes with seatbelts. If you look at the same era, usually you can mix and match. I found early camry hatch seatbelts the same as early tarago. He was super impressed when I picked him up in my old mx32. Shady, you better stock the fridge. I'll be in town in two weeks after the shitbox rally!

I've put rt118 seatbelts in a ke30. Clip etc were the same.

This was a funny one. http://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/44503-didnt-realise-this-was-an-english-lesson/

Thanks. The rally people give out the windscreen banner the day before we start. MIKE AND THE MECHANICS On the front Boo

Hong Kong Phooey the KE35 has returned home. One of the other shitboxers has been doing a fine job of making the car ADM as freak. It has the nudge bar, roof rack, stainless bash plate, massive profile rear tyres and brand new brakes and struts. Another rolla clubber donated some seats to the cause and they were fitted today. Ugly as sin but super comfy. Just gotta pack the bags and off we go on 14 April. Bamboo

Thank you all for their generosity. We've doubled the minimum required. This week KE specialist Peter Robinson has supplied a fully rebuilt set of front struts. We are humbled by the support. Now, to repay this, we've gotta make it. You will see photos soon. Thanks again. Special thanks to the devil himself, BLZBUB. Bamboo

If only you could unbolt the roof and flip the windscreen in every car. I found the source of my water leaks in the cab. Windscreen frame is shagged. It'll be patched up for now until I can save the money for a fibreglass replacement. Boo

Well I'm still waiting for the troopy to come back. The insurance company were dragging their feet paying the towing bill so the tow company held my car hostage. Can't blame them really, the tow bill was 3500 bucks! Anywayz, the trooper is expected on Tuesday. The ute? Well, I've "popped" the engine out (honestly this almost killed me, it weighs a A LOT more than a k engine. I've cleaned underneath, sound deadend the floor and cleaned and painted the tray. Bring on the trooper. Boo

I laughed until I cryed http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsUoLCV0HpQ

The goal was 4000, and we've reached it. Thank you to all that have given. Still it is charity, so if you feel the need, please give to a cancer charity. Boo

Not very much :happy:

Well, I had some decisions to make. Did I get out of 'cruisers and change to a LUX. This came up. Rust free HJ75 trayback. I'd always wanted a tray. This one comes complete with about 6 inches of mud inside and a bent conrod. Still starts, but my what a rattle. It's registered until October. I'm getting the troopa back from the insurance company, so I'm going to do some major swapping. Engine Springs Axle assemblies (will keep the ute rear banjo diff with air locker) shocks duel battery set up Duel tank set up snorkel A/C Bullbar and high mount winch CB low K dash Stereo and that is just what I can think of. More to come Bamboo

Snap. You owe Bamboo