M35 Rx , Spot (driving) Lights, Fuel Container Recommendations

[malialipali]

Hi All ,

hope someone can give me some ideas.

The headlights (even after aligning) are woeful for anything but metro driving.

The other half and I will be trekking across the Nullarbor this month for a visit to Adelaide and Melbourne. Even though we do not plan on driving during the night Id rather be prepared.

I cannot picture which spotties shape size would fit best without ruining the look of the car. Has anyone installed any on theirs?

I'm toying with the idea of a lightbar behind the grille, but (ill be honest) Ive no idea how effective that would be.

Would really like something that is permanent but not horrendously obvious.

With the jerrycan , Id like to be able to have 10-20L of fuel on-board as reserve. Has anyone seen or has a container that would lie flat nicely in the pocket above the spare wheel under the floor hatch.

Doing the trans/transfer case diffs and engine oil changes this weekend and since it will be up on stands/ramps gives me more space to pull the front bar off for wiring cutting etc etc.

Any ideas or recommendations greatly appreciated.

[Brick]

Does your car still have the factory hid lights or have they been destroyed for compliance?

[KiwiRS4T]

For fuel my preference is for upright 20L containers like this:

You don't have to empty the boot to get them out and they are easier to use than the flat type (usually used for boats) like this:

[Hertz Donut]

I have a 20l jerry can a bit like this one:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Willow-Jerry-Can-Fuel-20-Litre.aspx?pid=8602#Recommendations

I don't think I've ever seen one flat enough to fit one in the compartment under the boot floor, and for a trip across the Nullarbor I'd rather take 20l than 10l. Don't forget to pack a couple of spare AFMs too.

[malialipali]

Does your car still have the factory hid lights or have they been destroyed for compliance?

Nope bastards cut the lot out , ballasts and all . I guess I could go and get a kit and fit it , but I dont want to attract the attention of the plod. Is all.

For fuel my preference is for upright 20L containers like this:

You don't have to empty the boot to get them out and they are easier to use than the flat type (usually used for boats) like this:

Yeah my 5L lawnmower upright container (same type) fits very nicely in the side pocket. I just thought if there was something that would sit nice and flat thats all.

[malialipali]

I have a 20l jerry can a bit like this one:

http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/Willow-Jerry-Can-Fuel-20-Litre.aspx?pid=8602#Recommendations

I don't think I've ever seen one flat enough to fit one in the compartment under the boot floor, and for a trip across the Nullarbor I'd rather take 20l than 10l. Don't forget to pack a couple of spare AFMs too.

2700km run surely the AFM isnt that weak?

[valf]

This is quite expensive for what it is but flat enough I reckon for the space under the boot floor.

https://www.motorradgarage.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1793

Maybe look for motorcycle stuff, you might found what you are after

[Daleo]

Honestly, I'd make up a lightbar mount that bolts behind the numberplate, and positions the bar just below the grille.

Use a nice weather sealed plug (buy 2 and use the 2nd as a sealed blanking plug); and you can quickly & easily unbolt & remove if you want to remove the ugliness.

[Duncan]

Honestly, I'd make up a lightbar mount that bolts behind the numberplate, and positions the bar just below the grille.

Use a nice weather sealed plug (buy 2 and use the 2nd as a sealed blanking plug); and you can quickly & easily unbolt & remove if you want to remove the ugliness.

I totally agree....low profile, easy to remove later, minimal impact on drag.

And the only fuel container I'd have in the car on a long trip is the metal style with strong rubber seals. Anything else is a good chance of leaking lightly which will be a super frustrating couple of days.

I did a trip up to Alice when 95 was not readily available outside capital cities, I think you might need to plan carefully for where you can fuel. I'm sure M35 is better than C34 on fuel but still not awesome, right? FWIW I was able to on fine on 91 for a couple of fills as long as I stayed off boost.

[Daleo]

I totally agree....low profile, easy to remove later, minimal impact on drag.

And the only fuel container I'd have in the car on a long trip is the metal style with strong rubber seals. Anything else is a good chance of leaking lightly which will be a super frustrating couple of days.

I did a trip up to Alice when 95 was not readily available outside capital cities, I think you might need to plan carefully for where you can fuel. I'm sure M35 is better than C34 on fuel but still not awesome, right? FWIW I was able to on fine on 91 for a couple of fills as long as I stayed off boost.

I guess the advantage with the NM35 over the C34 for fuel is that we have an almost 80l tank versus 65 in the C34 from memory?

FWIW; the most fuel I've ever put in my NM35 is 78L.

Light throttle cruise in the NM35 can return extremely good fuel economy; I'm doing 600+km on 70 litres of fuel just commuting; I reckon you could go to 700km per tank without any trouble.

I think 95 is pretty easily available in remote locations; the car won't die if it doesn't have 98.

[malialipali]

This is quite expensive for what it is but flat enough I reckon for the space under the boot floor.

https://www.motorradgarage.com.au/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=1793

Maybe look for motorcycle stuff, you might found what you are after

They look awesome --- then the price $208 for the 11L ouch!. Gives me a an awesome starting point hough so thank you.

Honestly, I'd make up a lightbar mount that bolts behind the numberplate, and positions the bar just below the grille.

Use a nice weather sealed plug (buy 2 and use the 2nd as a sealed blanking plug); and you can quickly & easily unbolt & remove if you want to remove the ugliness.

Had a look at that , but the number plate attaches to the plastic only , seems very weak. Ill strip the bar off and see if I can make up a bracket from alu that will bolt onto the reo and protrude from behind / around the number plate.

Removable ugly is better than permanent ugly.

With the fuel economy, I got 720km out of a tank during a country run and didn't wanna tempt fate any more. This was on with shitty plugs and a knock sensor that wasnt connected. Both of these have been sorted now. Since then im easily getting 600km out of a tank metro commuting.

I know there is 98 in Coolgardie Norseman and Eucla. So with a 20L jerry and couple bottles of octane booster incase there is only 95 I should be ok. Eucla - Ceduna - Port Augusta not worried as its 500km or less between each.

Thanks for all your replies guys !

[KiwiRS4T]

Don't forget water, food.

[Daleo]

They look awesome --- then the price $208 for the 11L ouch!. Gives me a an awesome starting point hough so thank you.

Had a look at that , but the number plate attaches to the plastic only , seems very weak. Ill strip the bar off and see if I can make up a bracket from alu that will bolt onto the reo and protrude from behind / around the number plate.

Removable ugly is better than permanent ugly.

Thanks for all your replies guys !

A couple of nutserts into the reo; and some tube or spacers to get you clear of the bumper cover.

Job's a good 'un.

[Duncan]

oh leave the octane boost at home, that is the biggest scam since winding back odometers.

each bottle increases the octane by about 0.1......so adding 5 bottles to a tank of regular would get you to the awesome result on 91.5 octane

BTW FWIW e10 has about 94 octane even though they call it regular/91 so it is a good option if you can't find 95. The Cima claims to need 95+ but I just run it on e10.

[Hertz Donut]

2700km run surely the AFM isnt that weak?

Just going by how quickly/easily/randomly others have said they fail on the VQ25. Perhaps the more pertinent question would be, are you willing to risk it?

[datmoo]

How about a good old 20 and an occy strap?

[nickrussel]

You won't need a fuel container, there's 98 the whole way, and there's plenty of servos. The only benefit would be saving $20 at the roadhouse.

You can get lightbar number plate brackets from most auto stores and lightbars are getting pretty cheap. I'll probably be going for the hardkor XD310 light bar for my car.

[malialipali]

For anyone interested.

The stagea traversed the nullarbor with only one issue. The rh front CV boot I replaced with a repco universal popped by Norseman, saw it was only a small tear and decided to continue on.

Before taking off I serviced it of course. Installed a 126w led lightbar which was a godsend between ciaguna and border village. I also installed a CB radio just in case. God the truckies hilarious.

Went with a 20l Jerry strapped in in the corner. That was totally a good decision as there is only 91 between Norseman and border village.

Border village and nullarbor only had 95 which got chewed at a fast rate $1.85/l not bad considering its location . Ceduna had 98 at on the run which comfortably got us to the in-laws an port pirrie.

Fitted new boot today from sinergy $25 dirty cheap still.

All in all extremely happy with the economy at mostly above the speed limit (there is bloody noone on the roads ) 680-690km a tank. Cost us $460 in fuel to Adelaide.

Other than the CV boot spraying grease on a very clean undercarriage no issues.

Thank you all for suggestions and ideas it made the trip so much easier.

[KiwiRS4T]

For anyone interested.

The stagea traversed the nullarbor with only one issue. The rh front CV boot I replaced with a repco universal popped by Norseman, saw it was only a small tear and decided to continue on.

Before taking off I serviced it of course. Installed a 126w led lightbar which was a godsend between ciaguna and border village. I also installed a CB radio just in case. God the truckies hilarious.

Went with a 20l Jerry strapped in in the corner. That was totally a good decision as there is only 91 between Norseman and border village.

Border village and nullarbor only had 95 which got chewed at a fast rate $1.85/l not bad considering its location . Ceduna had 98 at on the run which comfortably got us to the in-laws an port pirrie.

Fitted new boot today from sinergy $25 dirty cheap still.

All in all extremely happy with the economy at mostly above the speed limit (there is bloody noone on the roads ) 680-690km a tank. Cost us $460 in fuel to Adelaide.

Other than the CV boot spraying grease on a very clean undercarriage no issues.

Thank you all for suggestions and ideas it made the trip so much easier.

Well done the Stagea (and Joe)!

[malialipali]

Thank you Kiwi.

The stag was the star of the show. Didn't miss a beat the whole way gave me a lot of confidence overtaking etc.

I just piloted ;-). Really really wanted to see how fast I could do the 90mile straight but the other half talked me out of it .... For the better too I'd say.

We had it laden with our luggage presents and the fuel plus 2 days water and food , plus snacks and soft drinks.

Handled like a dream , even though it's a slightly boaty dream.