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…

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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…

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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…

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Gotta love the grille mesh from supacheap auto!

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

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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
 
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What a bugger! Let's hope there is no long term damage!
 
well, the chances of serious damage are very low. Basically it got a bit hot, and the weakest points let pressure out. the weakest points were:
  • hose connections: all hoses were replaced a year ago before the Nullarbor trip, and had the hose clamps had not since been tightened. One would usually tighten these after some repeated heating and cooling.
  • The weak spots in the radiator. the radiator was fairly worn out from what we can see, and it was simply a matter of (not much) time before it blew.
On that basis, since there were ample avenues for pressure to escape, it is highly unlikely that the head gasket was at issue. as well as that there were no performance issues, and no water in oil or vice versa.

New radiator has been sourced and is being fitted. This should improve any cooling significantly.

A cause for concern, but no major damage it seems. Lucky in a sense.

In other news, the panel beater has got back to me with his costs. Let's just say that I am happy with that outcome. :cool:
 
Dulagarl said:
well, the chances of serious damage are very low. Basically it got a bit hot, and the weakest points let pressure out. the weakest points were:
  • hose connections: all hoses were replaced a year ago before the Nullarbor trip, and had the hose clamps had not since been tightened. One would usually tighten these after some repeated heating and cooling.
  • The weak spots in the radiator. the radiator was fairly worn out from what we can see, and it was simply a matter of (not much) time before it blew.
On that basis, since there were ample avenues for pressure to escape, it is highly unlikely that the head gasket was at issue. as well as that there were no performance issues, and no water in oil or vice versa.

New radiator has been sourced and is being fitted. This should improve any cooling significantly.

A cause for concern, but no major damage it seems. Lucky in a sense.

In other news, the panel beater has got back to me with his costs. Let's just say that I am happy with that outcome. :cool:
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some good news for once
 
Radiator done, vehicle serviced, new steering boots, wheel alignment.

Just took it for a run. Running beautifully.
 
Gearing up for a trip up the Darling River and Paroo River. Might end up in Birdsville or Inamincka. leaving Tuesday is the plan, returning end of the month.

So, a bit of work has been necessary:

  • new brake pads all round
    new front discs
    new front driveshafts.

Also, yesterday I put it up on ramps and cleaned the underbody. It was filthy. the worst part was cleaning out the spring seats: they were full to the brim with Wimmera River mud that had dried rock hard. Seriously, if you put your hand in the spring seat it was full to the top. Took hours to clean it all out.

Today the plan is to fit the second cargo barrier, and get organised.

Also, bought a new set of headers with cat converters intact on ebay. These were from a gen 4 outback, so they are in really good nick. These will be kept as spares until I need them.

In other news, I also scored a new engine cover on ebay. Looks much neater than the original which was pretty rough.
 
Have a safe & enjoyable trip, mate.
Sounds terrific ... :ebiggrin: :biggrin:
 
A great time of year to be doing the trip.

Which way you going from the Paroo into Qld?

Will be interested in your adventures between Inamincka and Birdsville, as that section of road was closed when we were there.

Cordillo Downs Station , with the largest shearing shed in Aus is well worth a look, I understand.
 
Sounds wonderful; have a great time! Have a curried camel pie for me if you get to Birdsville!
 
The Dulagarl's life hangs by a thread made by actuaries and assessors.

It's in Dubbo, I'm in Melbourne. Lower trailing arm bolts at right hand rear have been ripped out of the chassis rail. I am told by a mate who knows that this should not be a huge deal to remedy, but the pressure is on the repairer to replace the whole rail.

If this is to be required in NSW, there is a chance it will be a repairable write off. I don't want this to happen in NSW. (does anyone know the rules in NSW on buying back the wreck? I have been told it has to go to public auction).

I am trying to arrange trucking it back to Vic to have it repaired, but am in a vicious circle with insurance. They say they want the NSW repairer to quote on the repair before they will agree to freight it: I say the NSW repair quote is irrelevant because the standards between Vic and NSW vary.

At worst, I have a quote for freight from Dubbo for just over $500. I may just pay that to get it here and stuff the hassle of arguing.

Stay tuned.
 
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