Flindersfan

I recently did an outback trip to Farina via the Flinders Ranges from Near Victor Harbor in South Australia a total of 750 km one way. I used around 1 tank (slightly less) of fuel each way so if my maths is correct 750km/80 litres is 10.67km/100 km or 22 miles a gallon. Fully loaded with a 1000 Lb of gear and 2 adults, Variable terrain, long distances at a constant speed of 50 mph. Oh and this is in a 1999.5 Pathy with 273000+ miles on it, 2 inch lift 2 cb antennas and RT tyres on stock alloy rims. A lot of fuel can be found by controlling the right foot.The most expensive place for fuel was Leigh Creek at $2.24.9 a litre or (Au to USA conversion) $5.90/gallon. I want to improve the ecomomy further somehow, but that is after a lot of rectification of neglection by the previous owner eg replaced the front struts with ome units because the old struts had zero pressure in them (withdrawing under own weight), at least the timing belt was done for me.

I am new to the forum (and as good as new to Nissans) so I will give a quick rundown on my rig and why I have it. Recently I aquired a 1999.5 Ti with over 400,000 km (248,000 miles) on the odo. My Partner told me to get a 4x4 after taking a large sedan down a 4x4 track loaded to the hilt with camping gear, including an ensuite, The only rust in the car is a small amount on the front doors around the mirrors. Most things are still working and the features that have failed need only a bit of TLC to get them functioning again. In the 3 months that I have had the car the dampeners (shocks) have been replaced. A poorly executed 2" lift has been sorted out, a new touch screen gps 7" headunit has been installed, LED Lightbar fitted on the front, 2 UHF CB Radio's installed - one for scanning one for chatting, An external Anderson plug has been installed on the rear, 12 volt/Anderson/ dual USB module installed in the luggage area. Rubbish snorkle removed (note to others, do not use irrigation hose as a snorkle, looks like kaka), I also installed a camp awning and finally modified and installed a roof basket to fit between the sunroof and tailgate (we ran out of room on the trip and realised we needed one). Countless other things have been done from removing all the interior (for cleaning) to putting white led's in the climate control and everything in between. After all that we headed North to the Flinders Ranges and a ghost town called Farina. A week later and 3000 km (1860 miles) we arrived back home (in the week we did a lot of outback touring along the way). The car ran like a dream, it did not miss a beat the whole trip and we averaged around 700 km (430 miles)/tank fully loaded. Now we are back home my next adventure is the bodywork, years of misuse, abuse and a bad hailstone storm has left several (hundred) body defects to repair. I am going to use PDR for most of the dents and good old panel work for the rest of it. This is the first nissan I have owned in a very long time (30+ years), I had forgotten how good they are. All this has been achieved for under AU$7k including vehicle purchase, modifications and the trip. I am looking for a ARB bullbar, but I am not willing to drop the $$$$ on a new one. My ultimate aim is to have a cheap solid reiable outback cruiser that is happy to do all sorts of environments from loose sand tracks, mud bogs, ironstone plains, miles of corrugated roads and enough bulldust (Powdered dirt) to sink the Titanic. Any suggestions besides wheels (I have a larger set but they need new tyres and hub centric rings before fitment) and a snorkel would be appreciated. Positive and negative active critisism is welcome as I really have no idea of what I am doing. Last time I used a 4x4 was nearly 40 years ago and I have never owned one before - I am a newly converted from a V8 cruiser type person to rough roads, distant trails and never ending fun.