Madigan's Line with AJ120

[outdoorgaz Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close outdoorgaz]

Great report Andrew! It has got me thinking about more adventurous trips already.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Great report Andrew! It has got me thinking about more adventurous trips already.

Glad you enjoyed the read.

I am still trying to get a bit more video footage uploaded hopefully I will get it to work one day. Also should have some more pics form others on the trip soon.

The whole adventure thing is a bit addictive, I can't wait to get out on another adventurous trip myself.

Cheers Andrew

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

Hi AJ120. There has been a lot of talk about the need (or lack off) for air lockers on a 150 due to the TC being so good. In the Vic high county I would agree with this, but on sand it is possibly another story. I was just wondering if you used the air lockers much on this trip and if you did use them, how much of an advantage do you think it made over the un-locked vehicles?


Steve

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Hi Steve, a number of the vehicles had lockers, I had the 2, the 105 had a rear air locker, the Challenger had a front air locker and I don't believe that any of us used the lockers on Madigans, I certainly didn't. The Hilux had an auto locker in the front and despite its lack of horsepower managed to show up a couple of other vehicles once or twice so maybe that made a difference.

I did throw in the rear locker for the difficult track up Big Red, but this was more because most of the others were having great difficulty or unable to get up and I wanted to give myself every chance of making it up first time. As it turned out I had to back right off at the crest so I didn't get too much air at the top, so I dare say I could have done it without the locker!

As a general rule I don't think that lockers help that much in sand, if its rough and you need momentum and you bounce a bit they might help but I would rarely flick them on in sand.

My understanding of traction control is that it is best turned off in the sand. When we were at Big Red a guy in a 200 series Sahara tried the tough track and took numerous attempts to get over, I think he finally turned off the TC and sailed over.

I picked up a DVD tonight that one of the guys has put together using a combination of video and stills from various people on the trip, it was interesting to watch, only 20 minutes................ if only I could load it up!

Cheers Andrew

[steve f Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close steve f]

I have just read this from start to finish. What a great adventure and one that I am sure you will remember for along time.
Just wondering though what was your next big trip idea ?

[Snaga Wishing I was lost Find all posts View Profile Close Snaga]

Well, a depression in the ridge then
It looked as though it crested then moved around to the right from memory... maybe my brain was just seeing things then :lol:

Glad you could see a track at the ridge Snaga, I couldn't as I said pick what looks like a good spot to cross and hope for the best. In that particular case I was able to go over the dune and see what was on the other side without getting out, but as often as not at the top of a dune the leaader would have to stop, get out and look, often needing to back up and go a bit one way or the other to find a safe decent.


Cheers Andrew

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

Interesting about the traction control. I have a 120 VX V6 and you can't turn the traction control off. I climbed the harder track on the western side of Big Red last year: 1st attempt in High range 1st- got to within 2 m of the top- lack of speed and not a traction control problem; 2nd Attempt low range 3rd and a bit more urge fron half way up - sailed over- both attempts at about 16-17 psi. 2010, 600 ?+ dunes on CSR all done in high first, traction control never intervened to stop me. There was a thread about removing some fuse[55?] at some stage but I can't recall any problems/ issues that arose from doing so. From my experience it is not a problem if left on anyway. Neil

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Just wondering though what was your next big trip idea ?

Its a secret at this stage

Just a bit more on the lockers, after thinking about it I remembered that the Pajero also had a locker, front I think and he used that on a number of occasions, but droopy suspension and a long rang tank hanging low at the back meant he was bottoming out all the time, the undercarriage of the Pajero probably hit the ground more times every hour than I did for the whole trip and his long ranger tank had less capacity by the end of the trip because of the large dents in it!

Cheers Andrew

[smakb Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close smakb]

Well you have confirmed that I will not be spending any money on lockers. Long range tank is my next thing and then an awning. Planning the French line for Sep 2013 and the Madigan for Sep 2015. Your trip report has been a real inspiration and the same week I read it an old friend (in her early 40s) had a stroke. Put the 2 together and life is to short to not do it.


Steve

[mackayvx Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close mackayvx]

Well AJ, all I have to say is 'Awsome'. The whole 4x4 world was relatively new to me before we bought our Prado a few years back, and I had only heard legendary camp fire stories about Desert tracks like Madigans line. Thanks for giving me a run down on the history of 'Sir' Madigan... he should be knighted. Your recomendation to read Len Beadles books have been taken on board also... This trip report you have done has just given a whole new view of what our fore fathers have done and the 'routes' they have opened before us.. and in saying that, its blokes like you that keep the passion being passed on to new comers like my self. Respect man, there is no way i would contemplate a trip like Madigans line - I take my hat of to ya. I have been following your rig build (and borrowing ideas) and now after reading this trip report, I realise you are possibly the most passionate off roading bloke that i know... Your an inspiration mate - Top work. Im a fan... This forum has given way too much to me, Im becoming a member right now.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Well you have confirmed that I will not be spending any money on lockers. Long range tank is my next thing and then an awning. Planning the French line for Sep 2013 and the Madigan for Sep 2015. Your trip report has been a real inspiration and the same week I read it an old friend (in her early 40s) had a stroke. Put the 2 together and life is to short to not do it.


Steve

Yeh I agree Steve, no point in putting off having fun. I worked 7 days a week for the best part of a decade before seeing the light and hitting the road, no regrets about working less and traveling more from me. I had similar motivation too yourself, I had planned to retire at 55 then start travelling, but my old man turned up his toes at 54!

Well AJ, all I have to say is 'Awsome'. The whole 4x4 world was relatively new to me before we bought our Prado a few years back, and I had only heard legendary camp fire stories about Desert tracks like Madigans line. Thanks for giving me a run down on the history of 'Sir' Madigan... he should be knighted. Your recomendation to read Len Beadles books have been taken on board also... This trip report you have done has just given a whole new view of what our fore fathers have done and the 'routes' they have opened before us.. and in saying that, its blokes like you that keep the passion being passed on to new comers like my self. Respect man, there is no way i would contemplate a trip like Madigans line - I take my hat of to ya. I have been following your rig build (and borrowing ideas) and now after reading this trip report, I realise you are possibly the most passionate off roading bloke that i know... Your an inspiration mate - Top work. Im a fan... This forum has given way too much to me, Im becoming a member right now.

Thanks! glad I am an ispiration to you, but to be honest I am just a guy who likes to go driving in the bush. I wouldn't have considered leading a trip across Madigans before now either, I was just lucky I knew someone who was willing, A trip like that needs a good group with a variety of skills. Having done it once though I would head off again in a heartbeat given the chance

Len Beadells books will put my efforts into perspective, my trip was nothing compared to what Len did, but it was awesome non the less.

Glad you like the build thread as well, still lots to do, just time and money stopping me from finishing.

Cheers Andrew

[braddo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close braddo]

Last night I read the article about this trip in 4x4 Australia magazine. Nowhere near as comprehensive or entertaining as this thread!

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Gee last I heard it was going to be in the September or October issue, looks like I am off to the news agent tonight to get a copy!

On another note, I was at the local AutoPro store last night and the owner tells me that they have stopped making silver seal, they have been making it since 1928 so no idea why they would stop now.

Cheers Andrew

[braddo Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close braddo]

I went to REPCO and they were out of SILVERSEAL, they said that it should be back in stock soon........

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Last night I read the article about this trip in 4x4 Australia magazine. Nowhere near as comprehensive or entertaining as this thread!

Hmmmm, I went to the newsagent and looked at the July 2012 edition of 4x4 Australia Magazine and couldn't see anything about the trip in it. Got anymore info Braddo?

Cheers Andrew