Oka owners group newsletter

The next morning we had a ride on the first paddle-wheeler in 70 years to ply the Darling River. Very informative and interesting. We then visited the “Back of Bourke Exhibition”, currently under construction and when finished will take 4/5 hours to go through. Using “mud maps” supplied by the caravan park we toured all the historic buildings in Bourke; the Wharf, the Stockade, Town Weir, Fred Hollow’s Grave, etc. We found Bourke very interesting and seemed to be a growing and live community, much different to when we visited some years ago.

Thursday the 9^th we set off early for Dubbo. On the way we stopped at Nyngan for lunch and discovered “The Shearing Shed” Museum, where we spent some time exploring and talking to some local ex- shearers. We also found photos and articles about a relation of Michael’s, Laurie Nichols, who was a wool classer and worked 3/4 months of the year around Nyngan and local areas. Laurie was also famous as the “Number 1” Balmain Ruby League Club Supporter, seen at all games wearing a T-shirt and Shorts.

3pm saw us in Dubbo checking out the Tourist Centre, coffee and cake at “The Bakery” and generally looking around the town. After booking into Westview Caravan Park and setting up our tents, we decided to go into town and have a meal at a local restaurant.

The next day saw us wake at 5.30am for a 6.45am early start at the Western Plains Zoo. This consisted of a guided tour through the Zoo before the normal opening time of 9.00am. We were shown around by a volunteer from the “Friends of the Zoo”. This was most interesting and informative and gave us access to many areas not normally open to visitors. Great day, but very tiring. We left at 3pm to go back to pack up the tents and so by 4.15pm we were on the road and heading for home via McDonald’s at Lithgow, arriving home at 10pm.

We had all had a great week away, seeing parts of Australia that at this time looked fabulous after recent rains. I would also like to thank Marj and Lloyd for their generous hospitality. This is the second time we have visited and both times have been Marvellous and Most Enjoyable. The only slightly negative

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comment made on the weekend was “...that is it a pity that more OKA owners had not come...”. You really missed a Great Time.

Michael Hession

SPRING RESETTING & TYRES

I wish to let members know that I recently had my rear springs reset on my OKA by Carroll Springs in Melbourne. I am very happy with the result and would like to recommend them to others. They also added an extra left spring in each side for me without any problems. Spring resetting & two extra left springs cost me about $500. The procedure takes a full day to complete. Carroll Springs also have offices in Sydney & Brisbane. In Melbourne they can be contacted on 03 9357 2633.

I am also in the process of replacing my Michelin XZL 9.00R16 offroad tyres. I have been in contact with Michelin who informed me that 9.00R16's are no longer made and the replacement tyre is now 255R100 which is slightly bigger/higher. I told them that I wished to use two of my old 9.00R16's as spares and was informed that I cannot run the 255R100's with the 9.00R16's as it will do permanent damage to my differential. The Michelin person I spoke to told me that he has had a lot of experience with OKA's in the past, and strongly recommends that I buy two extra 255R100's as spares.

Two of my 9.00R16's are still in quite good condition and are no good to me. Would any member like to use these tyres as spares? If so, anybody is welcome to have them if they wish. I recently came across a new OKA Motor Company website, quite interesting and has information on the new NT model. If you would like to log on, the

website is: www.oka.com.au.

Also if anybody would like to see a movie staring an OKA, rent "Yolongu Boy". Quite a good movie, filmed in Darwin & Kakadu. Great scenery!

Regards

Rowena Paterson

Email: [e-mail] Ph: 03 5823 2732 (ah)

Hi all...

I trust you are all well and are looking forward to Christmas, which seems to be kreeping up on us all.

I was recently ordering some parts for my OKA and had a brief discussion with Angelica at OKA about changing my present gear selection to cable. She informed me that some OKA owners have done it and it makes the vehicle a lot easier to drive.

I am looking for feedback if possible, as my gear selection seems very sloppy and will need to be fixed. Your help or assistance in this modification would be greatly appreciated.!

Thanking you all in anticipation I remain...

Sincerely yours,

John Hendriks! !OKA-040 (NSW rego now)

[e-mail] Mobile: [phone]

Hi

Thanks for the newsletters, they have been interesting reading. The e-group idea is good as it will allow a fast response to any problems people may have.

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If it will assist others I could give you a list of parts and part numbers I have sourced from other suppliers. In saying that I will acknowledge the help Dean at Oka has given me in sourcing many Oka parts - I am very fortunate in living only about ten minutes away from the factory. Rod Lyons has a great

knowledge also and has been really helpful across a large number of areas.

Has anyone intercooled a later model XT? Rod has intercooled his LT but the radiator is set back closer to the engine allowing room behind the grill for the heat exchanger.

Our details are as follows

Keith & Judy Hedgeland

9 Juniper Way Willetton 6155 W.A.

Ph 08 94573850 Fax [phone] Mobile [phone] Email [e-mail]

Dear Lloyd & Marge

It was nice "meeting" and chatting with you on the phone last week Lloyd and we look forward to receiving your newsletter.

Wilderness Challenge operates a fleet of 8 OKAs (4xXT and 4xLT) and we, especially Rick Lang our Fleet Manager and Super Mechanic, have a considerable amount of knowledge and experience with them. We'll be more

than happy to share this with you and your readers.

We're now in the process of evaluating the new OKA (on paper at least) with the intention of buying two

ASAP. As a result we plan to sell two of ours ASAP especially since our season in winding down fast.

I have attached specs on both these vehicles and I would appreciate it if you could give them some space in your newsletter. I've also attached some pictures of 648-FFC. I will email some pics of 940-CSC ASAP.

Regarding price, I get the feeling from Andrew Kee in Victoria and Robin Wade in Kalgoorlie that they should fetch mid to high 50's for the XT and mid to high 60's for the LT. What do you think ... we're pretty motivated

to sell.

Appreciate any help you can provide. Wilderness Challenge Pty Ltd

PO Box 254 CAIRNS QLD AUSTRALIA 4870 Tel: [phone] (International: + 61 7 4035 4488)

Fax: [phone] (International: + 61 7 4035 4188)

Email: [e-mail] Web: www.wilderness-challenge.com.au

A family owned, multiple award-winning company. Savannah Guides Master Operator

Advanced Accreditation - Ecotourism Association of Australia WINNER: 2002 Regional Tourism Award - Tour & Transport Operator

Note: Due to lack of space, we haven’t included all the details of these vehicles, but we can certainly forward them to anyone who may be interested and photos as well. Better yet, call the number shown above. Lloyd & Marj

Rowena,

Thanks for your quick reply.

We have just joined the CMCA so when we get our membership number I'll contact Lumleys regarding insurance.

We though it was a bit strange (and disappointing) that TCIS, which is specifically for 4wd off-road insurance didn't cover Okas. Even stranger, they recommended us to Just Cars and Shannons, neither of whom insure Okas either.

Thanks for your help once again. Another problem solved, on to the next one...

Kind Regards,

David and Janet Ribbans

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Insurance for Your OKA – My recent experiences.

I have had my OKA insured for the past 4 years through the 4 Wheel Drive Clubs Association Insurance Scheme. Unfortunately this year they have changed underwriters and, as they said in a letter “...Due to the make of your car and based on guidelines provided by our underwriters your vehicle falls outside their acceptable limits...”. No one was able to tell me what the guidelines required, but one broker thought they had a limit of not insuring any vehicles over 3 tonnes???

In trying to get insurance I have had my broker, who writes our business insurance, looking for me. But he was unable to get anyone willing to insure an OKA. I also spent 3 to 4 hours on the phone, but to no avail. I contact over 20 brokers and Insurance Companies; I even contacted the Insurance Commission for advice. I contacted OKA Motor Company, they suggested QBE, but on phoning, they don’t cover OKAs.

Weight (some companies have a 2 tonne limit), “Kit-Car”, overseas parts, not listed in the Red Book, never heard of them, “are they fully imported”, some parts may have to be sourced from overseas, “we don’t insure those type of vehicles”, not a collectable vehicle. These were some of the excuses/comments given. It was as if there was a conspiracy against OKAs.

In the end the only ones willing to insure an OKA were the NRMA for a premium of $2375.00 for $50,000 cover, or the CMCA (Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia) for $743.00. Thus at the moment I have a cover note with the CMCA.

I have yet to read the CMCA policy but the outline of benefits on their website (www.cmca.net.au) seem very good.

You also need to be aware that if you are using your vehicle “trekking”, off-road, not on public roads, or remote areas, a lot of policies will not cover you. This needs to be considered when paying out your premium.

Michael Hession, 14^th November 2003.

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(Following a late email from Michael about Insurance, we have added an extra page, and to fill it include this photo of one of the Wilderness Challenge vehicles that are for sale.)

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Hi everyone,

OKA OWNERS GROUP (PUTTING PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT FIRST)

NEWSLETTER December 2003

Here we are with Christmas approaching so fast that if we don’t rattle our dags we are going to miss it. This reminds me of an incident that happened at an air show many years ago. A pilot took off, intending to do a split arse turn on the deck, misjudged and the plane buried a wing, cartwheeled up the dirt strip and flopped down on its belly in a cloud of dust. Fortunately the two on board weren’t hurt (except for their pride) but the plane ... well another story. Anyway we all galloped over to see what we could do, only to find a dazed pilot going through the pre-forced landing checks – “harness secure, switches off, fuel off, “ etc. etc. although the show was long over. That’s how we feel about this Christmas. If we don’t soon get our act together it will be all over!

Our search for group insurance has been a disaster. Most companies seem not interested in just insuring a group of all the same machines. They seem to see us as a group of wreckers and just don’t want to know us. I think we would have no trouble taking out a policy on a shark attack in a backyard swimming pool, but that’s about all. On the other hand we have learned a bit about insuring individual Oka’s, so maybe it was worthwhile. Thank you to all those people who contacted us about insurance.

Our membership is still slowly climbing; we now have 65. This is largely due to Rowena Patterson’s work – thanks Rowena! If anyone has any objection to us giving out your phone number to other members or sending out a list from time to time so other members can contact you about technical things, trips, or just to drop in and see your vehicle if in the area, please let us know.

It was great for us to have Walter and Elly Hes stay with us for a while in their Oka, (called “Bugger the Kids” – I like it!. They have the job measured up!). Not so good to hear that after they left here they had trouble with the gear that makes the wheels go round – you know, that lump in the middle of the axle and all these gears. I thought that was how you tell if you had a boy or a girl axle – Ah Well. I believe Peter (advised by wife Chris) Morgan fixed it and they are on the road again. If they have any more trouble, it will be Chris and Elly’s’s fault.

We take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Lloyd & Marj Parsons

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TRIP TO CRAIG'S HUT/MT STIRLING

Hi All,

For those people interested in coming along on the Craig's Hut/Mt Stirling trip could you please let me know by the 5 January 2004. The trip will be held on the weekend of the 10th - 11th January 2004 leaving from Mansfield Saturday morning.

Please contact:

Rowena Paterson

Ph: 03 5823 2732 (ah) 03 5833 5710 (work) Email: [e-mail]

The Outback Experience P.O. Box 688

Alice Springs NT 0871

G’day Lloyd, Marj and all you OKA owners,

First of all thanks for the newsletter and the opportunity to share ideas and experiences, hope to

meet more of you in the future, so if you are in the Alice look us up.

My OKA is a 1996 LT Bus – 370000KM – clocked up mainly on the Chambers Pillar track,

according to Rob Clarke (Fidler & Clarke) its probably the hardest working OKA in these parts, and as such is a good vehicle “to test things on” and I can comment on a few things.

STEERING DAMPERS: The Powerdown unit supplied by Rob certainly does the job really well; but like all things they don’t last forever, I’m on my fifth damper.

COMPRESSOR: Early this year my original compressor died, I replaced it with a unit from the CLISBY factory in Adelaide where the sales dept were extremely helpful and gave me a good deal – very good after sales service as well! The unit I bought is a SE/12/4 which delivers 2.5CFM @ 100PSI & with a 40 litre tank under the floor it works very well, no trouble to pump tyres. (Clisby also make a heavy duty unit; SE150/12/5HD). Clisby, ph: 0883411999; fax: [phone]; email: [e-mail] .

Last year I did a bit of research into alloy wheels, local and internet, and I ended up speaking to a guy at Alco Australia. The 19.5 x 8 stud wheels were only made in the dual wheel configuration (standard truck design) and to have a special wheel made to suit the OKA they would need to make a minimum of 200! So at that point I gave up! I’m still interested if anyone has any info.

I would like to hear any comments on “exhaust brakes” on OKA’s as well. Well I’ve run out of room, so Cheers for now.

Leigh Goldsmith

Ph: 0889532666 Fax: [phone] email: [e-mail] www.outbackexperience.com.au

COMPRESSORS

Fax: from Clisby

Further to your email , following is a brochure on our 12-24v Compressors and our Cobra Kit. 2 Compressors are available:

A) Series 4 @ ! HP, 2.5 CFM @ 100 psi; 50% Duty Cycle Price: $725 + GST RRP

B) Series 5 @ " HP, 2.5 CFM @ 100 psi; 50% Duty Cycle Price: $945 + GST RRP

From Anthony Smith, Clisby.

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BATTERIES

(Following a phone conversation with Leigh Goldsmith)

Leigh, I have been giving your battery problem a bit of thought, and I wonder if the trouble could be elsewhere. On the old trucks I used to drive the damn things would shake your teeth out, the rear view mirrors would rattle off, doors come loose, and they would throw the driver out the window if he didn’t have the steering wheel to hang on to, yet no undue problem occurred with the batteries. I have also served my time on crawler tractors and apart from having to top up the batteries and wash out the battery box now and again had no undue problems.

I was wondering could it be that your alternator is dishing out too much steam and simply boiling the guts out of the batteries. I know pilots have had trouble with their aircraft batteries, only getting a short life out of them. One pilot said he fitted a Power Mate regulator , (Aussie made by Claus), to 2 aircraft that he had trouble with and now one battery is six years old and going strong.

We know we have some pretty smart operators among the Oka Owners, so we hope someone who knows more about it than I do will come in on this problem and set us straight. Lloyd

Email From David & Carol Dunning:

Attn Marj Thankyou for accepting us into your owners group. Our address is P.O. box 157 Athelstone S.A. 5076 and our mobile phone no. 0427710285. Our Oka is an XT 1994 single cab on which I have built a caravan type body. I have modified / updated many parts from the suspension right through to electric windows etc. My biggest hang up with the Oka is getting parts from other sources without part no's For instance if I wanted a spare set of rear wheel bearings the only way to get the part no. is from one that is in use. To this end I am gradually compiling a part no list as I go and would like to exchange this info with others for their input.

We use our Oka each July and August for a trip of 4 to 10 weeks and have been doing that since 1996. We have travelled most of the interior and extensively the deserts of SA and WA including the Kimberley, also Qld

from coast to western plains from top to bottom.

Once we get past this silly season I will find some time to read the newsletters you have e-mailed and will contribute with some of my experiences/info.

Thanks again Regards David & Carol Dunning

VICTORIAN OKA RALLY – 1^ST – 4^TH November 2003

Written by Rowena Paterson

Murrindindi Scenic Reserve, 100k’s north of Melbourne was the venue for our Melbourne Cup weekend OKA get together.

After being in contact with Greg Boyle from Frankston (who is in the process of buying an OKA) we decided (myself, Greg and OKA owner Jurgen Mauracher) to meet at Murrindindi (a last minute decision was made to change the venue from Upper Yarra Dam to Murrindindi).

I arrived on Saturday morning and pulled into the entrance to the Reserve where you deposit a $5 per night camp fee. Looking across to my left into the camping area I noticed an OKA with all these people looking across at me making a hand sign with their thumb and small finger. I thought to myself, “looks like Greg and Jurgen have arrived and set up at a nice camp”.

As I drove in I recognised the OKA – (a bus body/motorhome and knew it wasn’t Jurgen). I pulled up and said, “oops wrong OKA”. It turned out to be Geoff and Annette Lloyd from Chelsea Heights (Melb.) camped with their family for the long weekend. I had previously met Geoff & Annette a few months ago at Upper Yarra Dam. Geoff & Annette were surprised to see me as they thought the rally was being held at Upper Yarra Dam. Anyway it was Geoff & Annette’s family who saw my OKA pull up at the entrance and decided to make the hand sign to see if it would attract OKA’s. When I drove in they laughed “WOW it works, it’s coming in”.

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Shortly later a Patrol (Greg) and duel cab OKA (Jurgen) pulled up at the entrance. Annette’s family once again tried the hand sign and in they came. “WOW, you can adopt this as the official hand sign for the OKA Owners Group” they told me.

Geoff, Annette & family had a little room in their camp area for a few extras and didn’t mind us staying. Annette’s brother Bernard ended up making some room in his camping spot for Greg and his son Phillip with the Patrol/tent plus Jurgen and his son Robbie, Robbies’ friend Warwick, the OKA and a camper trailer.

“I am being OKAppied” I heard Bernard say. His special way of saying “help I am being occupied and overrun by OKA’s”.

I ended up camping in behind Geoff and Annette’s OKA. I had a nice spot close to the Murrindindi River – beautiful sound to put you to sleep at night as the River was running really fast.

Saturday turned out to be very wet, but we made the most of it between showers with plenty of socialising, having a laugh and plenty of OKA talk. Greg & Jurgen checked out my Multi Cab OKA and I showed them my OKA folder (information I have collected over 7 years). Greg found the folder very interesting as it gave him ideas on prices and what to look for when the right OKA comes up. He is looking for a duel cab similar to Jurgens.

Saturday afternoon Bernard & Geoff headed out to collect firewood and they returned a few hours later with a trailer load of wood, enough to last the whole weekend. Flash and his family (family members of Geoff & Annette) returned from a trip in their Landcruiser Saturday afternoon to find they couldn’t get into the camp site. They were confronted with a closed gate and a sign saying “OKA’s only”. I think they had an idea Annette was behind it, as it was hand written on the back of Geoff’s empty beer box.

I bet they wish they didn’t invented that hand sign which attracts OKA’s as they seem to take over your camp site and don’t let you back in. They eventually got in past the gate, lucky enough!

Saturday night it was raining quite steadily, so most of us ended up under Geoff & Annette’s large tarp. Annette asked me to play the Didgeridoo for the kids (and the adults too I think).

I then played the Didge for Greg, Jurgen and family around their partly washed out camp fire. They were sitting under a make shift tarp tied to the OKA just to keep dry.

Sunday turned out a little better weather wise, but still very showery. Unfortunately Greg had to work Monday, so Greg & Phillip stayed until about 8.30pm before heading home.

Should have seen the mud and channels of water running around Jurgens OKA and camper trailer. Boy was it muddy underfoot.

Sunday night the weather greatly improved so we were able to sit outside and stoke up the camp fire next to Geoff & Annette’s OKA.

As Geoff threw a few logs onto the fire, a spider came running out and ran up onto the pine fence barrier (the fences were erected by the Dept. Natural Resources for revegetation purposes). Annette absolutely hates spiders and told Geoff to remove it or it would jump on somebody and end up in a tent or even worse, an OKA!!

A little while later we were sitting yakking around the fire and Geoff was sitting on the fence barrier. A short time after that Geoff and Annette disappeared into the OKA and Jurgen came over for a chat. We were talking when we heard all this commotion coming from Geoff & Annette’s OKA. The door then flew open and they both came flying out with Annette wacking Geoff with a shoe. I could then see a spider (same spider that came out off the logs) on Geoff’s back. I can tell you the spider didn’t live too long. Apparently Geoff didn’t remove the spider from the fence barrier when Annette asked him to. Geoff then sat on the fence barrier and the spider thought “mmmmm, this person looks good” and jumped

on him without Geoff noticing. Geoff then jumped into the OKA with Annette. He soon noticed it on his 4

shoulder and said to Annette very casually “look I have a mate”. That’s when all hell broke loose and they came flying out of the OKA with Annette trying to kill the spider. Talk about funny!!.

Flash said if the spider had have jumped off into their OKA somewhere and hid Geoff probably would have had to search and strip the OKA down to it’s chassis to make sure the spider was gone, that’s how much Annette hates spiders. I don’t blame her, I wouldn’t like a spider in bed with me either!

Monday turned out to be a great day weather wise, only a little overcast in the morning. Geoff, Annette and their family got up fairly early and drove Flash’s Landcruiser 12 k’s down to Murrindindi Cascades (waterfalls) so they could do the 12 km walk back along Murrindindi Creek to our camp site – about a 3-4 hour walk.