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HillsForThrills

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General Info

  • I am from
    Pittsworth Qld Australia
  • My work
    Uni Student

Member Activities

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HillsForThrills , someone liked your picture
28. Aug 2020 - 14:39
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HillsForThrills liked HillsForThrills's post
30. Jan 2020 - 17:03
Ha ha that's pretty ingenious... I'd be too lazy to keep the thing clean though, and it would just end up looking awful... Would be a little better too if it had a loop of flat sheet around the perimeter that actually covered the tyre as well when mounted... would make it a little hard to place on a fire though... But still, that's pretty cool!

Oh, and gotta ask... what's this "when camping season starts.." business? Mate, we live in Australia, camping season is year round, it's just the size of the fire that varies!! ha ha...

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HillsForThrills liked HillsForThrills's post
18. Jul 2018 - 03:20
I'm actually deadset against big name winches any more... Warn in particular... These days you are paying for the brand name more than anything, and their warranties offered are actually shorter and less comprehensive than those offered for say, Ridge Ryder from Supercheap. Sad but true.

I own a Ridge Ryder (nothing to do with my bias against Warn either btw...) and it cost me $350... It has performed at least half a dozen FULL weight recoveries (including a 40min winch up a 60m red clay hill in Coffs), over a period of 18months, and has never had so much as a hiccup. Ridge Ryder winches are now valued from SCA at nearly $1000 for a 12000lb and around $800 for the 9500 (if you can find them anymore...). So does that mean they are now "brand name" winches, or has SCA/RR realised the goldmine they are sitting on with them...

I compare that to the latest Warn which is $2500... Nearly 8x!!! what I paid for mine, and mine has paid for itself 6 times over with each recovery... Yes, there is cheap crap out there, but in my experience (both using and while working for ARB previously), not all cheap is nasty, and the value for money of those higher priced "name" brands is simply not there anymore...

But it really comes down to personal choice in the end... Some people simply won't put their trust in a cheap winch and will happily spend $2500, while their mates drag themselves up and down hills all day every day with their SCA/Aldi specials...

As for your original question Torsten, no, never heard of them to be honest, sorry :) ... but as my post explains, that has no bearing these days on quality or capability...
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HillsForThrills 1mak liked HillsForThrills's post
26. Feb 2018 - 20:44
Yeah, that's a real blow... Really wanted to check that one out, heard the top campsite was spectacular! Would have been great to see them get approval...
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3. Feb 2018 - 21:15
G'day LJ, welcome to the site!! I lived in Warwick for about 22yrs, in Pittsworth now, an hour up the road... The Springs is a great park hey! Ever been to Janowen Hills? That's a favourite of mine and the mates... I've never been to CityView, but it's on the list... Give us a yell when you're planning the next trip, if ya keen...

Torsten, maybe you'd be interested in a run out to Janowen mate? Great camping and top tracks...

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HillsForThrills pebbo liked HillsForThrills's post
28. May 2017 - 22:45
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HillsForThrills 1mak liked HillsForThrills's post
24. May 2017 - 22:23
Can't say I know much about the Jeep engines... But as far as I'm concerned, you've put the world's best oil in it mate! I've run Penrite products exclusively in my vehicles for the last 16years, without a single issue or failure that can be attributed to them... Also 100% Australian too, so it's a win-win all round... Good choice mate! :)
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
19. May 2017 - 21:05
My first items thrown in, without fail, are the recovery bags (snatches, extensions, winch blocks, shackles etc...) ... If I can't self-recover, or have the equipment to do a recovery, I won't risk going out! :)
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19. May 2017 - 20:55
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HillsForThrills franky liked HillsForThrills's post
23. Jul 2015 - 07:33
Well, that looks different mate! As ya say, would pay to check where your drain plug is and the chances of it being hit, but I reckon it would probably be pretty safe for most 4WD's... :)
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
22. Jun 2015 - 20:15
Hey Indy, Dan here mate... Good to see ya on here... We'll hafta catch up for another run one of these days!
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
16. Mar 2015 - 21:56
Geez I'd love to mate... unfortunately I've got a bloody Rodeo to fix and a 'Cruiser to modify... Think the clowns would just buy a Patrol and be done with it
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2. Mar 2015 - 14:39
Yeah definitely mate... Me and Andy tend to go a little on the sunny side of silly, but will definitely post it up here and catch up with you...
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HillsForThrills Scoteye liked HillsForThrills's post
2. Mar 2015 - 13:01
Yep... basically 4H is for gravel roads, ice, sand etc where you need the traction, but also momentum or, in the case of a road, simply higher speeds...

4L is for when you need maximum power and torque, but at very slow speed... The transfer itself has reduction gears so it multiplies the force but cuts the speed output... That's for steep climbs/descents, rocks, deep mud, things like that...

And yes, 4LLC locks the centre diff, so power is applied equally between the front and rear axles... Again, for the serious 4WDing...

Go and have a play around with it, and you will quickly learn which gear is best for different terrains...
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2. Mar 2015 - 09:51
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2. Mar 2015 - 09:49
Yep... basically 4H is for gravel roads, ice, sand etc where you need the traction, but also momentum or, in the case of a road, simply higher speeds...

4L is for when you need maximum power and torque, but at very slow speed... The transfer itself has reduction gears so it multiplies the force but cuts the speed output... That's for steep climbs/descents, rocks, deep mud, things like that...

And yes, 4LLC locks the centre diff, so power is applied equally between the front and rear axles... Again, for the serious 4WDing...

Go and have a play around with it, and you will quickly learn which gear is best for different terrains...
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2. Mar 2015 - 09:43
^Looks good mate... Beautiful country down that way, definitely going back!
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27. Feb 2015 - 11:41
That's awesome mate! Sounds like ya had a great run and ya getting out using the truck... Good write-up :)
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HillsForThrills 1mak liked HillsForThrills's post
25. Feb 2015 - 18:16
G'day mate... General rule of thumb with State Forests vs NP's is yes, you can pretty much drive any State Forest, and any track within (within reason, of course), as opposed to NP's where access is restricted to designated tracks and more often than not, permits are required to traverse and/or camp.

The upside to the NP's and having to pay for access, is that they having camping areas and facilities in the majority of them, whereas State Forests are just that, nothing but scrub and you camp wherever you want, but without any facilities whatsoever...

Both forms can have advantages over the other in certain cases, and really comes down to what you prefer to do on that particular trip...

Happy trails mate... :)
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24. Feb 2015 - 10:47
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
24. Feb 2015 - 10:44
Yeah I agree mate... Swap the springs over first and see before you go spending money on new equipment... Should be a basic job, coils are easy... unbolt the shocks and jack it right up til the spring falls out :) if you don't have two jacks/can't do both sides at once, just put a solid block in place of the coil to hold the chassis while you swap the other one out...
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
23. Feb 2015 - 18:27
I'm actually deadset against big name winches any more... Warn in particular... These days you are paying for the brand name more than anything, and their warranties offered are actually shorter and less comprehensive than those offered for say, Ridge Ryder from Supercheap. Sad but true.

I own a Ridge Ryder (nothing to do with my bias against Warn either btw...) and it cost me $350... It has performed at least half a dozen FULL weight recoveries (including a 40min winch up a 60m red clay hill in Coffs), over a period of 18months, and has never had so much as a hiccup. Ridge Ryder winches are now valued from SCA at nearly $1000 for a 12000lb and around $800 for the 9500 (if you can find them anymore...). So does that mean they are now "brand name" winches, or has SCA/RR realised the goldmine they are sitting on with them...

I compare that to the latest Warn which is $2500... Nearly 8x!!! what I paid for mine, and mine has paid for itself 6 times over with each recovery... Yes, there is cheap crap out there, but in my experience (both using and while working for ARB previously), not all cheap is nasty, and the value for money of those higher priced "name" brands is simply not there anymore...

But it really comes down to personal choice in the end... Some people simply won't put their trust in a cheap winch and will happily spend $2500, while their mates drag themselves up and down hills all day every day with their SCA/Aldi specials...

As for your original question Torsten, no, never heard of them to be honest, sorry :) ... but as my post explains, that has no bearing these days on quality or capability...
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
23. Feb 2015 - 18:18
Ha ha gotta add mate...

-- When you go deaf from redlining at 85km/hr
-- When your best friend is your dentist replacing all of your teeth


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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
23. Feb 2015 - 18:15
G'day mate... General rule of thumb with State Forests vs NP's is yes, you can pretty much drive any State Forest, and any track within (within reason, of course), as opposed to NP's where access is restricted to designated tracks and more often than not, permits are required to traverse and/or camp.

The upside to the NP's and having to pay for access, is that they having camping areas and facilities in the majority of them, whereas State Forests are just that, nothing but scrub and you camp wherever you want, but without any facilities whatsoever...

Both forms can have advantages over the other in certain cases, and really comes down to what you prefer to do on that particular trip...

Happy trails mate... :)
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
16. Feb 2015 - 20:55
Some good picks there mate, and for the money you've allocated you will have a few more to add as well... D-Max and Amarok are both well-regarded vehicles and you couldn't go wrong with either from reports I've heard...
You could also add vehicles like a Pajero to that list, easily picking up a fairly new one and still fitting all of the required gear for that sort of money... If you are inclined, you could find a GU TD42T within that price range, although they are getting on in age now compared to the others... Same as a good 100 or 105 Series 'Cruiser... 78 Series wagons are also a good pick and within your price range...
In all honesty, you've got a very broad range to choose from with that sort of money, including the brand new ones you've mentioned...
Keep us informed! Good luck...
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
16. Feb 2015 - 20:48
Would love to mate... but flat broke atm, and still haven't fixed hubs
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
10. Feb 2015 - 09:52
I've got a 3.8 VT Commodore engine and box for sale if ya want it...?
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
10. Feb 2015 - 09:49
Cheers mate... yeah, I do click on it, but nothing happens still... Musn't be holding my tongue right! Hehe

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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
10. Feb 2015 - 09:24
Torsten, you'll hafta help me here again please mate... Putting up a pic of a 4WD van cruising round my town, just for inspiration

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10. Feb 2015 - 09:24
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10. Feb 2015 - 09:19
That's cool! If there was a requirement here, I'd be more than happy to act as a heavy duty taxi... :-)
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
10. Feb 2015 - 09:17
G'day mate and welcome to the site... A while ago... :) hehe...

Regarding your seating situation, I'm pretty sure you'll find 8 seat LandCruisers are exactly the same as the Patrol seating, they just squeeze a third person in the very back row, which isn't really practical IMO... I could be wrong, so don't just take my word for it... Troopies are good, but having only 2 doors can be a hassle for rear occupants, and the height of them means handling can be compromised if not setup properly... A Delica or other such 4WD van would be a great option I think... I've seen a few, driven in a couple, and they are still very capable 4WD's with the added benefit of extra seating which is easily accessible... They also have more room in the rear as opposed to the 8 seat 'Cruisers...

Looks like you've got a few test drives coming up! Good luck with it...
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
24. Jan 2015 - 10:06
Sooooo...... Is there a trip on this w.e? I know Andy is VERY keen to try out his new winch
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19. Jan 2015 - 08:56
Ha ha hey mate! Yeah, this is our new hunting ground... :) Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to you too mate, hope you had a good one... Trip to DI hey..? Jealous! ... Not sure what trips will be on the cards in the next 6 months, for me it's going to be pretty busy getting the truck and finances sorted for the Cape run, but ya never know, might squeeze a weekend or two somewhere! Keep it safe mate...
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
8. Jan 2015 - 21:35
That'd be right... the weekend I can't go and everyone shows up

Nah, Torsten, can't fix the hubs mate, need a new set, and can't get them before I leave tomorrow... Guess I'll hafta wait a bit longer...
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
8. Jan 2015 - 10:50
Cheeky bugger ain't ya...?! You know I'm out now due to a busted hub...

Although, as I said, could probably still go and just show ya how it's done in 2WD...
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3. Jan 2015 - 15:28
Torsten!! What happened to my pics?! Hehe ... I know it's Xmas mate, but ya droppin the ball here...

Anyway, first trip plan update... Me and Andy will meet somewhere up the coast (probably Gin Gin or Childers...) then from there proceed to Mackay to hook the Old Man's Hunjy on the back somewhere, and then we'll head straight up to Daintree to tackle the CREB Track... Provided of course it is open and accessible...
An overnighter halfway will probably be taken, then continue onto the Lion's Den Hotel for another overnighter...
Afterwards will be two or three nights travelling through Lakefield NP before rejoining the Development Road for the run up to the OTT...

More updates will follow when dates/bookings are set in concrete... Hopefully some of you out there can find your way to joining us...!!
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13. Dec 2014 - 16:11
Ok Torsten, gunna need help again... I can't work these pictures out (ya still haven't put the ones from the Coffs trip in for me... )...

Here is the next update/mod for the Cape trip... I need some good camp lighting, and not having my rear bar built yet (and no chance before the trip... ) I decided to make a temp setup... a simple bracket off my rear door (where the tyre mount was) and a small 55w Halogen bolted to that... clip on cable which plugs into the power plugs in the cargo area (when I get them done of course...) and Bob's ya mum's brother :) ... instant camp lighting for a cost of, oh, nothing ... had all the bits lying around, so cheapest setup...


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13. Dec 2014 - 16:11
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13. Dec 2014 - 16:10
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6. Dec 2014 - 10:00
Once they're on fire, they can be nasty I guess... :) a bit like yourself in that sense... hehe
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3. Dec 2014 - 09:24
Ha ha you're about as evil as a fluffy marshmallow rabbit... Crazy I would agree with though... driving a Rodeo and all...
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3. Dec 2014 - 09:16
It will be 2 1/2 years Andy since the first discussion about it... Takin ya time! hehe...


Yeah, Pebbo... regular updates will be posted... vehicle preparations, trip itineries etc...

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2. Dec 2014 - 21:51
Can't say I know much about the Jeep engines... But as far as I'm concerned, you've put the world's best oil in it mate! I've run Penrite products exclusively in my vehicles for the last 16years, without a single issue or failure that can be attributed to them... Also 100% Australian too, so it's a win-win all round... Good choice mate! :)
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HillsForThrills posted in a forum topic
2. Dec 2014 - 17:18
Can't say I know much about the Jeep engines... But as far as I'm concerned, you've put the world's best oil in it mate! I've run Penrite products exclusively in my vehicles for the last 16years, without a single issue or failure that can be attributed to them... Also 100% Australian too, so it's a win-win all round... Good choice mate! :)
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1. Dec 2014 - 08:54
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30. Nov 2014 - 19:22
and laughs hysterically...
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30. Nov 2014 - 19:18
Geez mate... you still havin dramas with that bloody thing...? Ya know, you can get Patrols fairly cheap these days...
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29. Nov 2014 - 14:41
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29. Nov 2014 - 14:38
^Excellent!! Now we're getting somewhere... Look forward to meeting up with you all and having an assault on Glassy... :)
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