The pictures don’t do it justice, they shorten the angles and you don’t get any idea of the space around you but I hope you enjoy them. I’ve got some video which gives a better perspective but it’ll take months for me to E D I T it.
Entering the sand dunes after a frustrating morning on forestry tracks many of which were closed due to recent bush fires. Tyres down to 12PSI, a major climb to get up there, 2 attempts by the Landcruiser, 1 attempt by the syncro.
After a few KM’s you eventually drop down and finally get to see the ocean, this is a steep slope and in deep sand
Camping in the dunes
Bit of beach driving
Views of the dunes
Whilst waiting at the top of the hill in the last photo I noticed water dripping from my oil cooler, it was a single track and about 5kms from a gravel road. We pushed on steadily.
Just as I made it off the dunes water poured out of the engine, I stopped immediately, on a single track and let it cool down, not a great place to stop. Refilled with water and there was no leak when cold. We decided to try and make it to the gravel road, about 1km away. Made it to the gravel road just as the water burst out once again.
Water was coming out of the oil cooler (2.1litre MV) and one of the oil cooler hoses had burst.
I bypassed the oil cooler to get us back on the road. A familiar picture below for all T3 owners
Only a 400km journey home with no oil cooler. I was a bit concerned about oil pressure and had a few frights as oil from the cooler made its way to the expansion tank so the level sensor kept playing up.
Camped up with 300km’s to home, checking the engine over again before making the decision to drive.
A fantastic few days, slightly spoiled by the oil cooler/hose issue but once again totally amazed about what my syncro can do. Many land cruisers Land rovers and Patrols were struggling on the tracks, so much pleasure when the syncro steadily cruises by. Definitely double diff lock territory but fantastic fun.
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