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PJ810
10-21-2007, 08:31 PM
Following are some pictures of my drive into the Blue Mountains just out of Sydney, NSW. The XC was the only soft roader amongst a crowd of hard core 4X4 vehicles. I took XC beyond its limits. Went completely off road and was amazed at how the car performed.

We went to Glow Worm Cave as well as "The Lost City". Pics of the Lost City included below but don't really depict how awesome the scenery really is.

Only let down was clearance. Smashed a bash plate that resulted in the exhaust being bent up against the drive shaft. We loosened the exaust so it dropped down a little, clearing it during normal driving.

Lowered tyre pressure to 24PSI. I would like some opinions on this.

Car drove beautifully on the unsealed roads. Handled sand very very well. Much more comfortable than the Mitsubishi Pajero I got to drive for a bit (although that was bucket loads of fun as well, just so different!).

One of the cars hit a kangaroo and her joey. It was bound to happen as we were avoiding loads of them jumping across our paths.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash001.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash002.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash003.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash004.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash005.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash006.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash007.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash008.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash009.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash010.jpg

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q289/pj810/BushBash012.jpg

PJ810
10-21-2007, 08:32 PM
P.S. More pics of the XC later (they are from someone else's camera!).

kayaking
01-16-2008, 02:14 PM
looks like a great adventure--too bad about the exhaust--but worth it I guess---looks like kayak racks----do a bit of paddling?

PJ810
01-21-2008, 07:50 PM
looks like a great adventure--too bad about the exhaust--but worth it I guess---looks like kayak racks----do a bit of paddling?

Yep, I paddle a sea kayak. I've posted pics in a thread somewhere. If you haven't seen them, I'll dig them up or post again.

What do you paddle? Where do you paddle?

Apart from in and around Sydney, I've paddled in Boston as well as Lake Washington in Seattle. :D

John@CdnRockies
01-27-2008, 09:45 PM
Great pictures Patrick. Faye and I have been to Sydney and its environs several times and absoluely love Australia. Definitely high on our list to revisit now that we have hit the "55 and out" list.

We are into the early throes of sea kayaking ourselves and will have to get some tips on spots in Australia. Up to now we've been sailors but another VolvoXC.com member - (ART) - has brought us into the modern paddling age!

In any case, great pics ... and fond memories for us as we have managed a few thousand kilometers on rental vehicles in Australia.

John

PJ810
01-31-2008, 07:22 PM
What do you sail John? We've got a Catalina 30 Mk2 in Sydney Harbour. The XC70 swallows it's dingy and outboard with ease. Let me know next time you're in the area. It's paddling and sailing mecca here (although raining today. :( )


Great pictures Patrick. Faye and I have been to Sydney and its environs several times and absoluely love Australia. Definitely high on our list to revisit now that we have hit the "55 and out" list.

We are into the early throes of sea kayaking ourselves and will have to get some tips on spots in Australia. Up to now we've been sailors but another VolvoXC.com member - (ART) - has brought us into the modern paddling age!

In any case, great pics ... and fond memories for us as we have managed a few thousand kilometers on rental vehicles in Australia.

John

Ken from RI
02-07-2008, 11:58 AM
Awsome pix's. Wish we place like to drive through here in New England. Lowering your tire psi to 24lbs while off roading is fine. Lets your tire tread have more traction bye creating more surface area. When you're done just reinflate to what ever psi you normally run. [thumbup]

goldxc70
02-25-2008, 02:18 PM
Great pictures of what likes a great drive? Who is that with the milk bottle legs sticking out from under the car in the last picture? Surely not the sailor :)

PJ810
02-25-2008, 06:50 PM
Great pictures of what likes a great drive? Who is that with the milk bottle legs sticking out from under the car in the last picture? Surely not the sailor :)

Everyone wanted to have a look at the damage. :rolleyes:

geoffct
07-13-2008, 08:37 AM
I did the EXACT same thing. Admittedly my V70 is a good inch lower, but I managed to catch rock on the trail leading out. It bent that protection plate right into the exhaust and drive shaft. Took the plate off, bent the exhaust down a bit and I was good to go again. I really thought it was a freak occurrence, but I guess not. I was tremendously impressed by my car, there was a ton of mud at this event, and I managed to make it, while watching full size trucks sink to their axles.

What I did notice was that I was really lucky to have missed hitting the rear brake lines which are totally exposed on my car. I am wondering if the XC70s have a cover over the lines which I might be able to add.

Thanks
Geoff

JRC19S
11-02-2009, 02:27 PM
Do you really need an XC to do this ?

December 2004 at the end of the road Glowworm tunnel car park. Only non-Toy or Nissie there that day...

PJ810
11-03-2009, 01:04 AM
Do you really need an XC to do this ?


Yes, I ran out of ground clearance on that drive. Bash plate saved the engine. $150-odd damage to the exhaust. Don't try it with a $aab 9000!