Malaysia what is a Lorri Hantu

[geckoadventure]

This is a Malaysia Lorry Hantu or San Tai Wong.



Paul in DAFFY (1KZ Hilux SURF) destroying the muddy hill. Only my Volvo had got tot he top unassisted. !0 vehicles started 2 made it up unassisted 2 winched up and the rest turned back as did the two who winched up as the next climb was even worse.



The Trip report so far. My first jungle trip in my Volvo C304.



rest of story coming.

[Cameron]

that volvo looks like a real bit of gear!
have you done a write up about the vehicle itself anywhere?

love reading your trip reports mate.

[wjw]

that volvo looks like a real bit of gear!
have you done a write up about the vehicle itself anywhere?

love reading your trip reports mate.

x 2

[geckoadventure]

Here is the Volvo information.

I'm from Malaysia (a lost KIWI) - most people call me GECKO (my nice neighbour he just calls the police hahaah) due to the large GECKO tatto I have on my arm. I have acquired (26/7/2010) a C304 (4 wheel model only) and in the process of restoring it.

here is info on the truck - Bought this off a friend of a friend privately who was not driving it anymore. It is EX Royal Malaysian Police RIOT squad truck but essentially it is a Volvo C304 (4x4 and not 6x6) all factory - except the roof on the rear and it has factory PTO winch everything else was stock. Not bad for 31 years old.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_C303

As we pulled it out of the storage park with my BJ75 on 26/07/2010. It was not running but would tick over.




The BJ75 struggled to pull it it appears the brakes we frozen on.

ONto the tow truck and down to a performance tuning shop hahaha.



Once they removed the spiders and cobwebs from the tank it started.

THen they changes all the fluids.

But they could not fix the brakes so I made decision to do the DISC conversion first before the rust treatment.

I drove it around at nite for 2-3 weeks testing it out - without brakes and only using the gears and handbrake. I learnt what was good and bad in the truck and what needed fixing. Now I have a 40+ item list to attend to.

Then last Saturday I took it to the hospital (escorted by the BJ75) which was entertaining saw this on the way out. Oh yeah I burnt off a 22R powered LC II on the way up a hill it could not pass until the downhill part hahha.


This is it after being washed and driven for a few weeks. Mr Grumpy my neighbour hates it and all 4x4's the other neighbours in the street think its neat including the ("SIR") who I took his kids for a run in it now he wants to book a jungle trip with me.


The interesting one is my car illiterate neighbour she I quote "that engine sounds so sweet" its nicer than my Honda. Then where is that big beautiful 4x4 on sunday she asked.



Then the serious stuff removing all 4 wheels and portals - yeah yeah thats me working on the Jalopy.


Me working on the last wheel. The mekanik did 1 I did 3. Not bad for my first ever working on a Vovlo and no manual either.


7 hours later a A stack of portals


Once that was done it was over to the BJ75 and pulled the WARN 8274 out of it it has water in it and the new axle to be fitted and a new knuckle this week and new leaf spring bushes and it also has a brake problem.

We are going to put on in this round of fixes:
1. LC II Front Discs front and rear as this is a part which is readily available.
2. Install the WARN 12,000lb winch for REAR recoveries
3. Fix the taillights with LED lights
4. Fix the indicators
5. Fit new headlight wiring and H4 halogen bulbs and new reflectors
6. New radiator hoses and break hoses.


I will post up stories as I slowly restore it.

The rest of the truck is STOCK.

I have previously been in (and out) a C304 during the RFC2007 when we got flooded and I was in the BJ75 in the same small convoy of 6 of us. I know what it can do - awesome. I cannot wait to take mine offroad here.

Pictures of the project.

Latest status is POTRALs with DISCS being assembled and fitted this coming week.

Rewiring of HEADLIGHTS, REAR lights and INdicators being done this week along with new fuse boxes.

Rear 12,000 WARN WInch being installed sometime this week also but not wired up thats my job later.

Maybe it might be ready to roll out of the workshop this week then it will be driven for a week before going to get the RUSTed front removed and replaced.

Fixed the passenger door lock up on saturday *_*

The portals being fitted with DISCS and BEARINGS


The finished product.


more pics of the Volvo are available on our FB page under one album and the latest picture story.

http://www.facebook.com/geckoadventure

The Volvo wherever it stops is like bees to honey I stopped at crowded fuel stop one day and a new porsche parked beside me no one cared they all crowded around the Volvo taking pics. People take pics of it driving down the highway and when I stop anywhere.


and no this is not an add for my business.

I am uploading a video now and it will be ready in 2-3 hours - search youtube for "GECKOADVENTURE REKOM" and you will see clips of it slowly in action.

[geckoadventure]

Well after waiting almost 5-6 weeks brakes are done and more mods done.

Came out of workshop with new disc brakes working but not well so new master pump seal kit and strip and rebuild the vacuum pump and hoses and wow they work very well long soft travel.

Its now boasting Landcruiser II Front Calliper and new rotors and Pajero rear discs. but its not stopping well.

Took it to a workshop and they stripped the master cylinder fitted a new seal kit and stripped the 10 tonne Hino vaccum cylinder and repaired it and wow they told me it had brakes again. Not bad for a MYANMA mekanik who got instructions from the cantonese mekaink I told in broken english who only speaks Cantonese and I used bahasa and english and cantonese to explain what was wrong to him hahaha.

New air filter box fitted and vacuum lockers are to be swapped this week for air as cannot buy the rubber seals here

Does anyone know where I can get the locker diaphram rubbers from UK or europe please?

Its Almost ready for a trip to the jungle.


The new look with 6 stud FORD rims







Front Wheels now offset an additional 60mm with the FORD rims






Offset from the hub to the edge of the tire hs now widened the track 60mm each side.




The brakes in the Volvo are now AWESOME is all I can say long soft Travel and powerful extremely impressive for its weight and considering its a truck.


First offroad trip a shakedown run last Sunday


Spent all Sunday afternoon changing the two engine fan belts don't ask its a prick of a job as the alternator has been changed previously then we noticed the belts etc do not line up the alternator is 3-4mm out . THis needs to be fixed in the coming weeks.

Then we changed the radiator hoses as they had RUST in them. Then we tested out that mighty PTO winch yup it worked also.

By 5.00pm we are ready to go to the jungle Ulu Slim some 90k away.

By the time we headed into the jungle its gettting dark. Stupid us but we really wanted to test it out.

At the first steel bridge we take the creek and yes we got stuck as the Volvo stalled as it was missing under 2000rpm as I crossed the river.



Then we were stuck no way back and no way forwards and by ourselves duh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and then we realise only 2WD is working and we have no front drive




Cleaned out a rock or two from behind and then we reversed out and then drove over the creek at a faster speed hahaha. Up the hill and it was very slippery wet and muddy we decided to turn for home.

Then we only had high beam and a missing truck under 2000rpm.

Back home at 4000rpm down the highway with only high beam.


Home at 9.30 after driving flat out at 4000 rpm at 80k for the 90k home hahaha.


The perspex windows need to be replaced before it can go out at nite again its too hard to see out the front windows.

Monday Arvo Dropped the Volvo back to the workshop at Lunchtime to find out why the front axle not engaging and picked up the Landcruiserr II and drove it back to work the first time I had driven the Landcruiser in 5 days. They also to remove the radiator and flush it .

On the way to work.

1. WHats that long green thing in front - oh year a bonnet.
2. WHy do the brakes feel so heavy (and GREEN is a delight to drive) to push
3. Why does the steering wheel feel so vertical and FAT?
4. WHy does it not stop as good as the Volvo
5. Oh shit almost hit that car the brakes need too much pressure to work hahaha
6. Steering feels heavy even with power steering
7. Hey its got window wipers why do I need them
8. The Volvo sits better on the road - ooops whats wrong with me hahaha.
9. Damn where is that music coming from - oh really its got a stereo.
10. Wow its cool in here that airconditioning stuff really is cool.
11. Why do the front windows not open forwards and let air in?

well next update

new tempered glass in the front windows and the perspex ones tossed away wahooo now I can see driving at night. now need new wiper motors.

rear doors had new latches fitted so the doors no longer open by themselves.

Now I have to fix the PTO its slipping under load.

Next is either diesel conversion or high ratio diffs or the bus factory for rust removal not sure which depends which one I can afford first

[geckoadventure]

Volvo Update

[list=]Rear facing WARN M12000 winch installed and removed so the winch motor can be repaired.
PTO Fixed and running
200liter (50 GALLON) fuel tank installed.[/list]

Well after much mucking around and people loosing sketches and plans of the Volvo I have finally found commitment to get the cabin restored and then the rear cabin.

3 weeks time it goes into a workshop 2 have the front of the truck repaired or replaced - replaced is what I want

Options to be done are twin headlights and get the front read for an intercooler. Radio console to be installed - hydrualic steering to be installed

The truck is now a daily driver after the carby rebuild and here is it in recent action with 2,200kg of drinks in it at a charity event for work.



Next weekend it ventures into the jungle for a charity trip and will have 500 rubber plant sapling in the rear roughly 500kg of weight for a 52kilometer trip one way and a 80+kilometer trip back out.

However it broken down last nite looks like coil failure so I have to go retrieve it today.

After the cabin rebuild they are going to make a ALLOY rear cabin with rollcage etc in it and a few other options to turn it into a camper/rollout kitchen/utility jungle truck as it has a date with the RAINFOREST challenge 2011 in December and its not going to miss it and it will have a 13B-T engine installed also. Currently we a re building up my spare 13B-T engine which has been sitting on the workshop floor for 3 years. A new head has been found all we need now is a fuel pump and then we will rebuild the whole engine from scratch and yes find a TURBO as the other one was donated to the scrap heap.

pictures of the STage 1 rebuild will be posted here if people are interested.

last weekends trip - story coming.

Never do this near me you will end up on youtube - sorry Paul hahaha

So how does the VOlvo DRIVE?

Ok on the road its SLOW but it corners like a train and will SLIDE and does not want to ROLL OVER- i used to own a WRX so i can drive a little bit hahaha .

NExt its running 3,000 at 61kph, 3500 at 71kph and almost redlined at 4,000 at 81kph .

Offroad limited suspension travel and the tires at the right pressure (18-20PSI) it will go most places with open diffs where locked vehicles fail to go. Punch in the lockers and its just awesome even with CRAPPY 34" JT sneakers - XT's sneakers on it man it will be hard to beat. Next you must know how to drive offroad else you will very easily destroy it or someone. IT weighs in at 2,700KG empty and 2,900kg Fueled up. It stops on a dime the HINO 10tonne brake booster and the DISC brakes pull it up quicker than any 4x4 I have driven. No power steering means you gotta have a few mscles to pull it round the road.








more on the volvo later. 2 weeks time its in the workshop the RUST removal starts and the rollcage for the front will be built and installed.

[wjw]

cool....

[Cameron]

looked loads better on the original 8 stud wheels. I guess that's the compromise for a huge upgrade to discs! I can't imagine drum brakes are low maintenance in the jungle...

I guess you could find some 6 stud wheels with a centre that appeals to you and shift the offset and/or throw some new rims bands at them for perfect width and offset.

looks like a real bit of gear either way. I'd love something like this.

[geckoadventure]

I agree in Europe I could have kep the factory 8 stud wheels but here since so many sets of volvo axles are on comp trucks here they all convert to Landcruiser II fronts and Pajero front discs on the rear .

Offset is an issue as I want to keep the wheel nuts from being whacked by rocks (problem with 8 stud) - in the coming months after the restore it will be in action again. It has to be ready for the RFC in December its booked to be an official vehicle

As a recovery truck they are awesome seen it used for this purpose before - also very usefull as the convoy lead as everything can anchor off it . If I can anchor a 80 series I can anchor anything (sorry 80 series owners)

I'm hoping its ready for a run in late september back up to his place again as we have 1000 trees to deliver this time and a motor bike and I hope a remote camera for some interesting nature shots - (i want pics of the elephants at 1000 meters up).

The Landrover drum brakes would come back non existant from the mud so I changed them before they became an issue. The Factory Handbrake is a off a LandRover and so is the CLUTCH. The HANDBRAKE is AWESOME man does it work well. Yes it will pull it up from 80k to deadstop.