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Mundaring Powerlines Trip
Sunday 24/02/08

Yet again, we all gathered opposite “Big Gun Trucks” on Great Eastern Hwy in Midland. After a reasonable trip from Neerabup battling the horse floats and traffic I arrived at our departure point in the White 100 series, about 9.15 only to find that Greg (The Jeep), Gideon , Mark and Spencer K (in Patrols) had already beaten me there, but Nathan and Mike (The Troopie) were in the distance talking on the radio to Dave (Silver 100 series) and from the conversation not too far away.

We had a good group already but by 9.30 the rest of the group had arrived, Craig (white 100 series), Wilco and the kids (the Surf) and his friends David (Hilux) and Menno, his wife and children (Terrano). We were in for a good day with eleven vehicles on the track. The Bucks night that Dave attended on Saturday night was discussed at length, it’s a bloke thing okay, general chit chat and hey the all important trip sheet was passed around and filled in. The children amused themselves wandering in and around the vehicles but staying close to Dad or Mum.

9.38am … Oh bother, Greg called a drivers’ meeting, to disrupt the conversations, that’s right we are on a 4x4 trip, gotta have a meeting and check the protocol of convoy procedure, advise all the new drivers and visitors of the responsibilities for radios, recovery points, and appoint a tail end Charlie. Now I’m confused as it was tail end Nathan!!. How does that work? Oh well at 9.50am, we all climbed into our vehicles, started the engines, checked all the kids were secure and headed for the road, lining up behind Greg, checking radios as we went ensuring that everyone could hear and be heard.

We headed up the Green Mount Hill in convoy towards Flynn Rd in Mundaring or there abouts with Nathan keeping check on the tail. Soon enough we turned right into Flynn Rd and the red gravel track greeted us in the usual dusty fashion, can’t see a blastard thing !!!. The call over the radio from Greg was that we were all best to stop and deflate the tyres in preparation for the track, about 20psi was suggested, oh yeah engage the front hubs as well. The sunny day made for beaut driving along the undulating track, in and around the rocks, over the holes, missing the trees, conquering the eroded crossings and rutted track ,up, up ,up, up and over the hills we all went, meandering along the powerlines. Everybody got over and around the respective obstacles and awkward tracks without too much trouble or needing assistance, which made for good timing along the track.

Craig mentioned that the Hilux had some smoke coming from under the vehicle after completing an awkward climb, we all stopped to investigate only to find that the clutch was slipping in high 4x4 range causing the smoke and the acrid burning smell. The bonnet was left up for the clutch to cool. Some enjoyed the brief break, ladies to the left and gents to the right. It wasn’t long before we were off again and low range was selected for the rest of the trip, made it easier on the vehicles and drivers. A check was made over the radio to ensure that all vehicles were in low range. As we approached “ Flat Rock” our lunch destination, Greg asked that we hold back and come up the left hand track one at a time or for those that don’t want to, come onto the rock via the right hand track as the left hand track was badly eroded and very tricky. Greg would go to the top and spot for those coming up.

So off went Greg up the LH track. Craig heard the bang and then the call came over the radio from Greg that “I’ve #*@#* it and he only has front wheel drive, I’m coming back down the track”. Oh dear what has the Jeep done now I thought? Greg pulled into the right hand track and the rest of the group were committed to up the LH side, hey we had to as the alternative track was occupied with a immobile Jeep!! MMMMMM interesting.

After much guidance and a little track building (thanks to Dave M) all the vehicles conquered the track and lunch was enjoyed on the Flat Rock. Greg was on the phone and in action, lucky we had reception, the broken axle was identified, simply because it was walking out of the axle housing as the Jeep limped back onto the RH track. Didn’t look good at all, in fact rather nasty. By this time it was about 2.30pm and the temperature about 32 degrees. We had those with little ones getting tetchy and others in the group that had to be getting home. So the decision was made to break the group, leaving Nathan, Michael and Myself with Greg and the others to go on with Gideon leading them out to the black top and Craig to follow up as tail.

We waved as the nine vehicles departed from Flat Rock and set about working on the Jeep. A flatbed car trailer was on the way from Perth and another axle as well. So open diff surgery was performed in the bush after we secured the vehicle. Greg’s electric winch, forward to a large rock some 20m away held the car from any backwards movement, the turfer to another large rock side ways up the hill to stop the vehicle slewing sideways on the two highlift jacks which were positioned just forward of the rear wheel arches supporting the weight of the jeep. Then two bottle jacks supported the rear axle while the diff was broken down to allow access to the remainder of the damaged axle. With people working under the vehicle, we all had to be sure and confident that the Jeep was not going to move in any direction!!!

What a sight, all the recovery gear from the Cruiser and the Jeep, some from Nathan’s, holding it steady up in the air, Who needs a four post hoist? The car trailer arrived about 6.30pm with Greg’s brother-in-law and mate, yes another Jeep, and His father-in-law came along for the ride as well. Welcome company indeed, they had more drinks on hand as we were getting down on supplies. We dismantled the makeshift hoist, packed all the gear away and the Jeep was eased backwards and lined up on the LH track , as the track leant to the left it would keep the axle pushed in tight allowing Greg to winch himself 30 odd meters up the track over the rocks towards the waiting car trailer attached to the 100 series at the head of the hill.

About 7.45 we had the Jeep on the trailer and secured, setting off east with Greg in the passenger seat, the Cruiser skull dragging the trailer over the culverts and washouts on the track, we were heading home mmmmmm interesting. Low range 2nd or 3rd the Cruiser worked its way along the track and the awkward spots just went underneath the trailer with a grind and a bump, no hesitation at all. Greg was in awe of the torque of the Cruiser and the seeming effortless towing ability Oh what a feeling!!!!! but it was slow and steady. We stopped at The Lakes for a late tea 9.30pm inflated all the tyres and got the Jeep home to Quinns about 10.45pm.

Val had the camera at the ready, Greg’s “OH NO VAL” not more evidence, I’m a dead man attitude was impressive as the camera clicked from all angles. The jeep was reversed off the trailer and the trailer attached to Greg’s father-in-law’s vehicle to be returned to the hire place on Monday morning. We all enjoyed a cool drink said good night and headed home. Thanks to Nathan, Michael for their assistance and moral support through the entire recovery exercise and Greg’s relatives for coming to rescue us. Yet another very interesting and different trip, Thanks Greg.!!

Mate you’re the first vehicle in Alltracks history that’s come home on a trailer. I hope you enjoyed the read.

Rex.