General Panda to Africa

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General Panda to Africa

I'm just totally over the moon about how much Stu and Mervyn Stewart have come thou on this... (I think I was in so much shock earlier I can't even remember saying thanks to Stu!)

To give you some idea of how much work has went on, 2 mechanics where at the car all day today and he's some of the stuff of the print out....

Mot check
New Handbrake cable fitted
Seized brakes dissasembled and free'd up
CO Set
2 Front coil Springs replaced
Inner CV joint replaced and new Cv Boot fitted
2 Front Suspension Arms replaced
Rear shocks removed, re-bushed and replaced
Gearbox oil changed
Rocker gasket changed

The car is going now like it's a brand new panda

Steve has very genoursly given me the lend of his prized Sisley roof rack and we got that fitted to night so I've just to take it down to get jet washed underneath and Alan will take it for MOT around 11 tomorrow (yeah, he's getting into it now)

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And me looking rather pleased....

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Again, many thanks for everyone who has helped out on this one... We'd never of got this far without it!

Jim
 
Steve said:
Oh, and I came across a wee fan that plugs into the cigarette lighter and attaches to the windscreen with a rubber suction cup, very handy in the Sahara I'd say. II'll drop it up to you, you do have a cigarette lighter don't you?


Ah.... Ebay struck already and it just got delivered to my dads today (99p way hay! (y) ) But ta very much for the offer... Oh and I cheated with the spare and just set it up there. Will use cable ties to hold them on when I leave (as the spares are coming off Asbo and I need him for a week more before I take the wheels off the poor thing)

Need to go in seach of Beam Benders (oh err missus) tonight

Jim
 
Ebay..... :D

But alan is watching "When expeditons go wrong, The Sarahan NightMare" on National Geo +1 right now.....

Mmmmm

Jim

(I've just noticed that I can't spell Sahara.... Oops that don't bode well :eek: )
 
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Well, if it all goes horribly wrong apparently you walk in the direction of the clouds as there's cooler air that way... (????)

Anyway, Alan understood it and he still wants to go which is the main thing.....

Jim
 
e505jpy said:
Well, if it all goes horribly wrong apparently you walk in the direction of the clouds as there's cooler air that way...

If you walked against them you might be bolstered by the false sense of walking faster (on coming speed an all that)... moral would last longer maybe.
 
Steve said:
That makes not a jot of sense. :confused:

Well, you only get clouds where there's cool air so there would be water in that direction.... Or at least 'no Sahara'

Hope to god, I never have to use this adivse!!! But on the other hand I've tackled Death Valley twice in a F**d which was probalby more risky! hehe

Jim
 
Jim, by the time you've completed your trip you will be the "Panda Daddy"


As much as I love Lucy, I wouldn't dare tackle a run to Africa in her!:) :)
 
e505jpy said:
Ah.... Ebay struck already and it just got delivered to my dads today (99p way hay! (y) ) But ta very much for the offer... Oh and I cheated with the spare and just set it up there. Will use cable ties to hold them on when I leave (as the spares are coming off Asbo and I need him for a week more before I take the wheels off the poor thing)

Need to go in seach of Beam Benders (oh err missus) tonight

Jim


Cheapest and easiest way of Beam benders is a roll of black electricians tape and a very sharp stanley knife, worked on everything I've taken abroad from my Tipos to a Mini clubman, to my Dad's Volvo 760 and Nissan 200SX. Cheap as Chips (y)

Edit; Of absolutely no use for a Panda but, when you get a set of Brava Headlight protectors, you get beam benders with them :)
 
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little tip for you. when you go take five stones, a sheet of plastic (side of a carrier bag will do), and a cup. you dig a hole in the sand, put the cup in the middle, put the plastic over the hole, put four stones on each corner of the plastic to hold it down, and finally put the fifth stone in the middle. the idea is that the the condensation from the sand rises up to the plastic, turns to water, trickles to the centre of the plastic (where the fifth stone is), and drops into the cup. the water can then be either drunk, or put in the radiator (either way, it will help you live if you get lost).
 
Jim obviousley hasn't made it this length yet today. Africar passed the mot with no problems that we're aware of "Jim will explain".
So no backing out now me thinks..

I'm hoping to arrange as many Club members to follow our intrepid 2 to the boat on the 9th. They're are going on the 20.00 boat out of Belfast. Anyone who wants to tag along will be made very welcome. Also I'm sure all of you on the mainland will keep an eye out for them. You won't miss the car believe me.
Stuart (y)
 
Can we have less of the survival stories please! I'm going to have to tie alan to the roof rack at this rate to get him to go :D

Anyway....

Mot was at 11 and at 10.45 Alan turned up at my work to collect the car and asked where some of the basics where, like the screen wash... And just at that point the motor decided to play silly buggers. So with 10 minutest to spare we changed the front washers to the back and sent him on his way.... Funny thing is that since it's passed both washers are now working again :confused: I think it just doesn't want to go! :p

And just about Stuarts note...

I'm not too good with my 24 hr clock (you can add that to my list of things "that I'm not to good with" like "spelling" or "map reading". Mmmm...) and thought 21.55 was five to eight... Oops. I'd never get a job running a railway :D

So, the ferry leaves belfast at 9.55 pm on friday 9th Sepember but if you'd still want to meet up round 8 (while it's still daylight) and get a pic of the lot of us before we sail off into the sun set I'd be well pleased.

And this time somebody bring a camera :p

Jim
 
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