Dulagarl: the Lifted H6 Forester

Well, I bought it, and I have to say that what SKT has done is truly inspired.

It’s a freaking rocket on the bitumen, and it has an enormous amount of grunt offroad.

Engine transplant thread is here:

https://www.ausubaru.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16564

Here’s a little log of bring it home, and it’s first offroad trip once home.

Jan 29th I flew to Coolangatta. Scott picked me up at the airport and we went for a drive. It didn’t take long for me to be convinced that I should buy this. Sure, it had a couple of issues, for example some worn out bushes in the front end, and a cooling issue, but I could tell that this was a VERY serious vehicle.

Brought it home via Lismore and Casino and then to Tamworth for the night. Next day was Tamworth to Narrandera. Narrandera to Melbourne on the Minday was relatively easy after all of that.

Saw some amazing country in the process. Didn’t have time for many snaps, but here are a few…

Some of the country just into NSW after casino…

imgp1367a.jpg


Took a detour via the outer solar system…

001solarsystem.jpg


Actually, that virtual solar system drive from siding spring observatory is a good idea. That pic was taken in Gilgandra.

While on the space bent, couldn’t resist a couple of pics with the Parkes Radio Telescope…

002dish1.jpg


003dish2.jpg


It was 38 degrees Celsius when those shots were taken, and it didn’t get cooler for hours. Unsurprisingly, the vehicle got a bit hot just south of Forbes.

004southofforbes.jpg



A bit further south past West Wyalong, and there was still water around from December. Ridiculously flat country with paddocks turned to lakes…

005southofforbes.jpg


So, when I got home, I went straight to the mechanic and got an aircon service. I also consulted about improving airflow to the radiator. I looked at pics of offroad bars on Outbacks on the Subaxtreme site, and also the bar on the latest Forester. Armed with that info I decided to cut some holes in the bulbar, and this is the result…

001grille.jpg


002front.jpg


Gotta love the grille mesh from supacheap auto!

So, I then set up the GPS on the dash with some adhesive Velcro…

003gps.jpg


and connected the ECU to the laptop to monitor engine performance and temperatures.

004ecudata.jpg


(BTW: I think I might have resolved the “cooling issues”!)

... part two to follow
 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
:yell:

and then

:mob::mob::mob::mob::mob::mob::mob::mob:

Something like that.

Bennie
 
wrong item was sent. Correct item has been located, and will be shipped tomorrow. Honest mistake by the supplier, but I'm still annoyed.

Overall though, I am glad that I don't have to take them to court, which would have been ugly. Misleading conduct is a bad rap for a supplier.

Bonnet should arrive by Friday at the latest. Just about screws any hope of an easter trip though.
 
Today's development.

the bonnet has arrived. The panel beater has described it as "in a box that looks like it has been kicked around a footy field". he says he has taken pics of the box before he opened it.

Once opened, it is apparent to him that the bonnet is so badly damaged that it will take days to repair. This is despite it being advertised as "brand new in box".

It cannot be used. I now have to source another bonnet, three days before easter. This issue has resulted in the car being off the road for at least a week longer than it needed to be.

Will go to panel beater this arvo to look at bonnet, and will have to pursue the supplier for a refund and damages.

Not happy.
 
Dulagarl said:
the bonnet has arrived. The panel beater has described it as "in a box that looks like it has been kicked around a footy field". he says he has taken pics of the box before he opened it.

Once opened, it is apparent to him that the bonnet is so badly damaged that it will take days to repair. This is despite it being advertised as "brand new in box".

Not happy.
Click to expand...
Sorry to hear Dulagarl :sadbanana:
If that happened to me I'd be :puke:
On top of that I'd be out for blood :mob: :catfight: :catfight: :mob:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
That's a real bugger, Greg.

I'm with Mr T.

I go from pleasant amiable village idiot to vampire in about 2.65 seconds ... from this :ebiggrin: to this :mob: :catfight: :mob:
 
Yeah, feel for ya Greg! What bad luck.
 
apparently it left the supplier in pristine condition, and the couriers damaged it. This is interesting news from the world of alternative entertainment. I did not know that rave parties were conducted in courier delivery vans.
 
Dulagarl said:
apparently it left the supplier in pristine condition, and the couriers damaged it. This is interesting news from the world of alternative entertainment. I did not know that rave parties were conducted in courier delivery vans.
Click to expand...

Name and shame: Who are the couriers, so we can all avoid them in future!
 
Barry said:
Name and shame: Who are the couriers, so we can all avoid them in future!
Click to expand...

I am loathe to say anything yet, since I am negotiating, and the issue of reputation is a live issue.
 
Quite right too, Greg.

Dulagarl said:
I am loathe to say anything yet, since I am negotiating, and the issue of reputation is a live issue.
Click to expand...

One gets far further with a calm and rational approach IME.
Much as one might feel like ripping their arms off!
 
Barry said:
Name and shame: Who are the couriers, so we can all avoid them in future!
Click to expand...

Dulagarl said:
I am loathe to say anything yet, since I am negotiating, and the issue of reputation is a live issue.
Click to expand...

Ratbag said:
Quite right too, Greg.

One gets far further with a calm and rational approach IME.
Much as one might feel like ripping their arms off!
Click to expand...
Yes I agree.
Good call guys.

This reminds me of an incident for when I had the house re-carpeted.

I won't go into it too much, but I will say is that I did confront them in the actual shop & deliberately chose a time when they were at there busiest :iconwink:
I tried the nice approach at first & when that didn't work, I tried being nice again.

When that still didn't work, I started getting loud, so to speak :twisted:

Then when their customers started running out & yes I mean running, not walking, they fixed the problem really, really quickly :cool:

But as I said above, always try the cool, calm approach first though :)

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
Gidday Mr T

mr turbo said:
Yes I agree.
Good call guys.

This reminds me of an incident for when I had the house re-carpeted.

I won't go into it too much, but I will say is that I did confront them in the actual shop & deliberately chose a time when they were at there busiest :iconwink:
I tried the nice approach at first & when that didn't work, I tried being nice again.

When that still didn't work, I started getting loud, so to speak :twisted:

Then when their customers started running out & yes I mean running, not walking, they fixed the problem really, really quickly :cool:

But as I said above, always try the cool, calm approach first though :)

Regards
Mr Turbo
Click to expand...

I have generally found that calmly and quietly asking if they would like to speak directly with my commercial litigation QC seems to focus their attention on the problem, and possibly acceptable solutions ... ;) :lildevil:.

Of course, one must be extremely careful that such a reference does not amount to a threat to take legal action, which is itself a criminal offence (extortion).

However, IME it is usually sufficient to suggest that one will have to contact one's legal advisers to explore what options may be open to one ...
 
Yes I was very careful with what I said & chose my words very wisely :iconwink:

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
All in good time...
Once it is all sorted it would be good to know who NOT to have on a list of 'preferred' couriers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top