billybunters - from a bmw z4 to a mx5 se

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 2:34 pm

Nice looking dog. If you don't want to leave her at the kennels then you might like to know that I've dríven my 5 from Melbourne to Orange and back with a sheltie on the parcel shelf behind me and 3 months worth of provisions. Small dogs snuggle in there nicely and they don't usually get carsick coz they can see out in all directions.

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 10:31 pm

bit of a story behind that sausage dog as it belongs to the youngest daughter. about 4 months ago on her 21st birthday she took up skydiving. :roll:

after that she got the bug for flying and took a few flights at ifly in penrith. last week she left orange to take up a position in training at ifly to become their very first female instructor in Australia.

back to the dog. well she couldn't take her along too and at 13 years she is way too old for the trip plus no room anyway. so its up to the eldest daughter now to take charge of the sausage dog plus my 200 odd birds while we are away on the trip

these are the exact finches plus a few other varieties I am hoping to photograph in the outback of northern territory between timber creek nt and wyndham west aust

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Fri Jun 12, 2015 11:04 pm

forgot to mention -if in Sydney and you'd like to try the ifly experience in penrith call in and see emma . here's her photo from her latest ebook on itunes out now....really no need for her to wear the helmet.....lol

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 5:09 pm

this kangaroo alert or animal/game alert arrived yesterday from the usa. cost around $100 posted. I may or may not work but once I get going I will know for sure.
I have a shu-roo fitted to my work van and its done its job over 6 odd years. that particular system is almost like an old days stereo system and would take up most of the entire grille section - but would look pretty stupid.
this idea is compact and worth a try and far better than nothing. I think an mx5 could handle a side strike but front on -party over

while at it I decided to buy a leatherman knife lit with the 42 bit accessory sheath and a torch :lol:

these are around the $200 mark. I might do some fishing too so it might come in handy for something. a rod should be arriving shortly.....compact of coarse

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 5:45 pm

this partial bonnet protector was from Germany. I will give it a test to see if it does it job or stays at home

wife arrived home with this.....................a beaded seat cover. hmmm! I thought. just what I need :roll:

as I stagger out of the car from a long run to onlookers whispering...look at that silly old ....!

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Sat Jun 13, 2015 11:10 pm

Wow, first MX5 taxi I've ever seen!

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 12:15 am

I'm not sure the bonnet protector will do all that much just by itself, the bumper appears to cop the most. On our short trip to Canberra on decent sealed roads, all my damage was to the front bumper and headlights and one pretty deep scratch to the side of the driver's fender (no idea what hit that!). I also ended up with quite a number of small chips to my windscreen, which has surprised me. The number plate protector got hit hard on the last day and the grille took a real beating with one particularly deep dent to one section! - so glad I purchased and fitted that just before the trip!!!

Front bumper doesn't matter - it can be re-sprayed. You already have a grille. I'd suggest headlight protection if you can find something. Not sure what can be done about the windscreen ...

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 1:00 am

lokiel

good one! :lol:

fares please.

kevgoat

I'd be very surprised if I get back with the original windscreen in it. :lol:

i think i will just have to hope for the best and stay away from the road trains and 4wd's.
if i get splattered too much I might be doing another full body re-spray. wonder what colour this time :roll:

hopefully not as I really like this car in white.

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:32 am

Windscreen only lasts 3 or 4 years on mine before it's hopelessly pitted. It's the same with our FWD though. Country driving ...

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 3:50 pm

GEAR REVIEW TENT Mannagum Howqua Hike-Lite 3 person Hiking tent

after viewing this clip on you tube I thought perfect tent for the trip. pretty easy to erect and plenty of room. tent pegs supplied would be fine for hard ground but not suitable for sandy central aust soil
tent purchased from wildearth for $169 free delivery and the sand pegs from ebay for $30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=p ... 5RXRaPGKpY

nice and light rolled up

set up in back yard with storm cover

heavy duty sand pegs 400mm in length

decided to buy 2 heavy duty tarps -one to go under the tent and one inside to stop damage to the sleeping mats

wife wanted a portable shower but easier said than done as not all would fit in the mx5 boot cavity

this one did the trick and came in at 60cm diameter

so extras were included

gotta sit somewhere so back on ebay these camping chairs were 5 for $20 buck

no complaints about them either. they hold 75kgs fine and hold me too...lol

next up a small camping table to complete the package. ebay again $35

a bit of other stuff I might require

wife told me to get one of these... I wonder why?

I guess in time I will find out....lol

almost packed

joshuam · Postby **joshuam** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 4:28 pm

You sir, are insane. I like it

I read through most of the thread - you certainly aren't afraid of just getting in there and having a go! I love the way the white paint came out though, looks very classy.

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 9:26 pm

jushuam

when you mentioned white paint I forgot I had 2 or 3 can of white plasti-dip that I had plans once to dip the wheels. thinking it over it took me a fair while to paint that front bar.
stone chips on this trip will not help much either. so out I went this afternoon into the great unknow and found 2 of the 3 unused cans of dip. its way too cold here in orange to paint the front end white in plasti-dip as its only about 8 degrees daily.

so I will load up 3 or 4 can of the dip plus masking tape and paper and when I get moving and I get to an area somewhere in the outback of nsw and the temp is around 20 degrees I will just pull off the road some-where into a paddock and mask up the front of the car and spray the whole front end of the chariot: lol: :lol:

that should solve my paint chip problems plus last night I ordered some film from the usa to do the headlight and fogs.

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 10:44 pm

So which headlight film did you go with? I've been considering this: Wearhertech Kit

joshuam · Postby **joshuam** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 12:29 am

Haha, good idea with the plasti-dip. You can get clear ones for that kinda use now, but whilst you've got it there might as well use it!

billybunter · Postby **billybunter** » Mon Jun 15, 2015 11:48 am

kevgoat

purchased it from lamin-x.com. not sure what it is like as it was a pretty hasty purchase. it will be lucky to get here from the states prior to leaving but If not I will get the daughter to send it on.

joshuam

that's what I thought too. should look interesting doing a front end re-spray at a roadside rest stop....lol