Grenadier build – Outback Shakedown changes – Round 1

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The Doc learnt a few lessons after his Outback trip last year. Here is the first installment, with two more to follow.

New canvas bags on front doors
Added some canvas door pockets on both sides under the speaker to store my driving gloves and handwipes – these items kept falling out of the main door pocket. The pocket does not touch my leg when driving.

Dry bag driver’s side pocket
The Doc bought a 2 litre dry bag and put his diesel funnel and gloves he used to fuel the car into it – to stop the diesel smell when they were not in use. Works a treat, and the dry bag stops the other items falling out of or rattling in the driver’s side OEM door pocket.

Access whole in cargo barrier
The Doc cut an access hole in the cargo barrier and lined it. I can crawl into the back between the front seats onto the bed (like I did in the Patrol). The Doc can also access items through the opening. A net can cover the space if needed.

Seat organisers on cargo barrier
DRIFTA Stockton seat organisers have been installed on the cargo barrier behind the both front seats. It is great place to store bits and pieces like torches, batteries, tie downs and even a tea flask and cup. The Doc bought the dual pack and the organisers are different in their pocket configuration. The organisers are really useful and allow storage in an unused area. The Doc had to remove one fire extinguisher from the barrier behind the passenger seat, but the extinguisher fits nicely into the organiser – win/win.

Canvas bag for cutlery under picnic table
The Doc needed a small cutlery set when he stopped and had a quick wrap on the INEOS picnic table. Instead of getting out the full cutlery set, The Doc bought a Get Good Gear MOLLE Pouch – Utility Bag and mounted it under the picnic table. It just makes life quicker and easier if he is driving long distances. The bag is easy to remove when not traveling. The complete cutlery kit is there when needed. The bag is thin enough so it does not touch the ORS Drawer handles. After the image was taken a small pocket knife was mounted next to the Molle Bag.

DRIFTA recovery shovel and dunny shovel
The Doc’s old shovel is an odd shape and on the heavy side. It was taking up too much inside the car and causing wasted storage area. The Doc bought a new Recovery shovel and a Dunny shovel, from DRIFTA. They are lighter and more compact, plus they fit into an unused space The Doc has been trying to use between the bed extension foot and the cargo barrier. Freeing up space under the bed extension to be used more effectively. The Dunny shovel (first image) can be stored with the Recovery shovel (second image), if needed.

Grenadier build – CAT Electronic Rust Protection Systems – 12 month review

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It has been almost 12 months since The Doc installed the CAT Electronic Rust Protection Systems into the Grenadier, using 6 pads around the car (over the rear wheel arches, two in the battery box and in both front footwells). This is not a technical report but some field observations.

In that time, The Doc has taken the car remotely to outback Queensland, had the car directly exposed to salt air, when staying by the seaside for a few weeks. Plus, plenty of rain. The CAT system has a minimal power drain on the batteries and it seems to be working. The Grenadier has almost no rust at all. No rusty wheel studs, almost nothing under the car and no rust anywhere else.

Wally being exposed to salt air.

Eromanga trip – Eremophila longifolia

4X4, Australia, desert, Eromanga, flowers, Landscape, macro, Plant, Qld, Uncategorised, Wildflowers, ,

The tree was located on the corner of the Quilpie to Eulo Rod and the Toompine to Eulo Road. Which is just south of the tiny township of Toompine. The tree has lots of common names including Dogwood, Ngawil, Weeping Emubush, Berrigan, Long-Leaved Eremophila, Native Plum, Emu Bush, Long Leaf Emu Bush, Native Plum Tree, Emu Apple, Emubush, Berrigan Emubush, Juniper Tree, Native Plum-Tree!

Grenadier build – carpet grabber pouches

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The carpet grabber pouches/pockets have arrived from CrazyDog Canvas. With Velcro hooks on the back, the pouches just stick to the new carpeted bracket.

Easy to reconfigure if needed.

The Doc’s Jetboil is in one pocket, the middle pocket has a lantern and USB cables (or whatever) and the other has spare gas for the Jetboil. The fourth pocket was attached to The Doc’s Bushman fridge cover to give some storage area on the back of the fridge.

Eromanga trip – Nicotiana megalosiphon

4X4, Australia, desert, Eromanga, flowers, Landscape, macro, Plant, Qld, Uncategorised, Wildflowers

Common name wild tobacco. It only grows in shaded areas, which are not that common out Eromanga way. At one sand dune The Doc saw the plant growing around some trees – but only where the bloodwood tree provided shade for much of the day. These images were from a shaded area behind the Eromanga Natural History Museum.

Eromanga trip – Acacia tetragonophylla

4X4, Australia, desert, Eromanga, flowers, Landscape, landscape, macro, Plant, Qld, Textures, Wildflowers

Also known as Prickly Wattle. Images from two locations, first Peglers Pond about 7km east of Eromanga; second some dams west of Eromanga, beside the Cooper Developmental Road. Click on image to see full size.

Grenadier build – Outback Shakedown Round 3 (2 to come)

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Today the Australian Wildlife Conservancy stickers went on the car. The Doc found himself smiling when driving back home, as the build is now complete after some changes yesterday (those are being written up). The first time he can remember being so happy since the fatal car accident 18 months ago. The Grenadier build has been therapeutic! The Doc is still working through some injuries and trauma but starting to fell better.

The car is back to being AWC’s mobile billboard and ready for The Doc’s Excellent Adventure.

Observant readers will have noticed the car’s name is now official: Wally. Named after the wallaby The Doc hit on the road earlier this year. The Doc added a Wally sticker to the driver’s side bonnet.