Oka owners group newsletter

Peita & Geoffrey

New Members

Hi everyone, we haven't met any of you, and I think we are one of the latest members of the club. (December 04) Happy new year to all, and we hope to meet as many of you as we can. The OKA club came to get us a couple of weeks before Christmas when a member who will not be named, having spied me howling up and down the Sth Gippsland Hwy through Tooradin in Victoria for a couple of months then caught me at the Tooradin Bakery early one morning. I had been travelling from home in the Dandenongs, leaving around 0500hrs and flying offshore daily to oversee commissioning and startup of Origin's new Yolla platform. It's still not started, but I will not go there, another story. We exchanged details and I said I'm in!

We (my wife Trace and myself, Mike Taylor) have OKA build number 267, a 1995 LT 110 multicab with hardcover load bay on the back. This vehicle an ex WA tour vehicle we bought in August 2000 from Skipper Trucks in Perth. Trace has been an OKA widow over the period, while I repaired, modified and enhanced the truck.

I have detailed files (sounds like theTerminator) on many aspects of the vehicle.

I have replaced the gearbox, thrown the handbrake away and modified the transfer case, fitting a hydraulic lock to the rear brakes instead, I have replaced the clutch, and master and slave cylinders after chronic hydraulic failures, replaced the water pump, and removed and refitted (after refurbishment) the fuel pump. I know how to increase the power of your OKA with a tweak of the right knob on the fuel pump. I have reinstrumented the vehicle with turbo boost and oil temp gauges, and just in the process of fitting separate fuel gauges. Next is an exhaust temp gauge. I have replaced numerous uni joints, and now know drive train alignment is important, especially if rubber mounts for the transfer case are wearing. I know how to tighten the handling with a spanner. (Tighten all body rubber mounts to the chassis- unbelievable difference) I have replaced the stock crappy Lucas starter motor with a Nippon Denso unit, replaced the suspension bushes and fitted (8) new shocks. I have fitted a TV DVD system to keep the kids quiet, and will shortly fit front and rear ARB diff locks when Trace is not paying attention. All this and more, just need time to write it down. I've also changed out the 16" split rims and Michelins for 19.5 inch rims with Toyo 285/70 profiles. Much better on road, still shaking down the offroad.

We've been from Perth to Melbourne, up in the Vic Alps (serious business), up to Alice, over the Simpson, and caused irreparable ecological damage to the delicate tracks, beaches and dunes ecostructure of Fraser Island on more than one occasion.

Love the truck, get weary sometimes, definitely feel not part of the crowd when i'm working on it.

Will keep in touch, Lloyd and Marj, I've lost our web access password already, before I've even logged on! Please send again- sorry.

Mike and Tracy Taylor!

Hi Lloyd

This is a late Christmas greeting. For some reason my e-mail went off line for a few weeks so i was unable to send Christmas greetings to anyone. So i hope you and Marj had a great Christmas and a wonderful start to the new year.

We have been busy. In September we had a month in the OKA touring outback NSW and South Oz. We bumped into the Boyle family at Innamincka a very nice family.

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On our return for reasons i still puzzle about i started a business called Asbestos Detectives Pty Ltd. I inspect buildings for asbestos products. Hope it wont interfere with our travels.

Just after Christmas we headed for a couple of weeks to Victoria. We had absolutely lovely camp spots right next to mountain fed streams. Superb. Now its back to the usual grind.

Hope you have had rain at the right times and i look forward to catching up again some time. Stay well

Vidas (Ridikas)

Hi Marj,

I am back again after spending a wonderful weekend in the High Country. I will be writing up the report shortly with a little help from Greg & Peita. We had 7 OKAs turn up including: myself, Boyles, Maurachers, Wilkinsons, Hessions (and friends in a Landrover), Geoff Alush & Peita Moss, Paul Nott & Ian Jones.

Some of the group did a bit of 4wding in 3 OKAs while Peita, Geoff & myself rode around on motorbikes. The weather was fantastic and we had a huge fire Saturday night with plenty of socialising and laughs.

One of the highlights of the weekend was having Barry from Melbourne camp with us. Barry is a documentary maker and filmed us during the weekend ie... 4wding, personal interviews about OKAs etc. It was hard being interviewed in front on the camera, I nearly froze but I saw Paul freeze altogether, quite funny when the nerves kick in. Our OKA documentary will be shown on channel 31 in Melbourne and sold as a DVD in shops (it will be a little while before it all happens). We will have a copy of the DVD shortly - an unedited copy at our next rally at Gembrook.

When leaving on Monday morning with Geoff & Peita, we only got a few km's up the road in the mountains and the centre bolt on Geoff & Peitas OKA broke with the rear wheels moving out of place. Lucky Paul & Ian were still around, and after a few hours we were on our way again. Geoff had a spare centre rod in his tool box. Not the real thing, but strong enough to get them home.It was one of the best OKA rallies. They actually organised the next rally at Gembrook, so I am putting the details together for the newsletter.

Please refer to below. The photos of the highcountry trip will be on the website, I am just about to email them to Hendo if you would like to have a look.

Geoff is also thinking of selling his OKA. Can you please add the details below into the next newsletter. Thanks Marj for that!

Bye for now

Rowena

OKA Rally - Kirth Kiln Regional Park - Labour Day weekend 11th - 14th March 2005

Directions: 65km east of Melbourne near Gembrook. Access is via Launching Place Road or Beenak. Located on Soldiers Road off Gembrook Road.

Bring drinking water & firewood. MR: VR 80 B8 or HEMA 44 C4. Dogs ok.

Great place for walking trails and motorbike riding.

For further information please contact Rowena Paterson on 03 5823 2732 (a/h) or 03 5833 5710 (work) email: [e-mail]

Hi guys,

Just letting you know, OKA 406 has had some repairs and tidy ups plus a test run to Grawin and back. It's back home with Lesile now.

Mine is still in bloody pieces!!!!

Catchyas

Peter

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Hi Lloyd and Marj,

Yes Peter is the loveliest man - he not only fixed the OKA for me but didn't ask for any money for himself, only the parts. That was just too good. Then when he knew I was to go to Grawin because someone had done the wrong thing by me, he insisted he accompany me. I was so grateful. He did all the driving and a lot of work up there loading the last of my things. Unfortunately he stepped off the verandah, rolled on a stone, fell over and broke his ankle. We were up there because I had given a key to the camp to an acquaintance of Noels and he trashed the place - threw out everything from Noels sheds, carpet off the floor, household goods and much other damage, and so far has got off scot free. Pity he didn't break his neck or both legs!!

As for the farm, things were going OK but now it is very hot and I cant water in the daytime because the sun burns the leaves and it is rather an inefficient set up with overhead sprinklers. So at about 5am I start the pump, and let it run until the sun is too hot, then begin again in the evening, the idea is alright but it takes 4 to 5 days to get the watering done, which is nearly time to begin again. Since I lost Noel there have been 5 new calves and 20 lambs, but since xmas I have lost 5 to a predator. Otherwise its keeping me busy. Thanks for everything, Lesile

Hi Peter & Chris,

Thank you for looking after Leslie's Oka. I hope she isn't still tearing herself to pieces trying to do too much.

What is still wrong with your OKA? It is a pity you don't have a mechanic in the family??? We are looking forward to tripping off in ours again. We have fixed up most of the known little and big glitches now, and want to see if this is an ongoing experience or whether our almost totally rebuilt machine is now bug free. Let's hope the motor doesn't give us any trouble. It seems that they take longer to fix than anything else?

Marj

Hi Guys,

Les is one tough lady and is working herself to death!!!! I have the utmost respect for her, she's one in a million.

In regards to my baby, well, it probably wouldn't be a problem except I did my right knee in helping my sister move and now have broken my left ankle helping Les at Grawin plus bloody work commitments on top of this other stuff.

I think my Oka has more turned into a restoration rather than a repair but let me tell you, dropping the bloody engine out is no small task, especially on a dirt floor, plus it weighs nearly 400 kg so everything is fairly major, I have finished the gearbox and have all the engine parts back here now. I have had the engine balanced as well so it will be interesting to see how it goes. I will also make provision for an intercooler while I can get to everything so easily.

I will also get my front springs re-set as well as balance my drive shafts (re your advice in the last news letter. I might as well since everything is stripped out at the moment anyway.

I gotta get it done soon coz I hope to take my 2 dads to the Simpson in April!!!!

Anyway, catchyas soon

Peter

OKA FOR SALE

1994 Duel cab OKA No. 192, 70,000 km. 9.5 inch rims/tyre (Bridgestone). Roof rack, canopy, extra long tray, duel batteries & covers. 2 fuel tanks, $68,000.

Please contact Geoff Alush on mobile: [phone].

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Thought for the day, courtesy of John Hendriks:

The 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud lady, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with her hair fashionably coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today.

Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.

After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready.

As she manoeuvred her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet curtains that had been hung on her window.

"I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old, having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room ... just wait."

"That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied.

"Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time.

Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged ... it's how I arrange my mind.

already decided to love it. It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away .. just for this time in my life."

Old age is like a bank account: you withdraw from what you've put in.

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the Bank account of memories.

Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank. I am still depositing.

Remember the five simple rules to be happy: 1. Free your heart from hatred.

2. Free your mind from worries.

3. Live simply.

4. Give more. 5. Expect less.

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Hi there Okaroos!

OKA OWNERS GROUP (PUTTING PEOPLE AND THE ENVIRONMENT FIRST)

NEWSLETTER March/April 2005

We’re late again; we should be sacked!! Last weekend we hosted our 22^nd annual National C180/185 fly-in. Last year we had a visit from a young lady who said who was only 18 months old when she first attended with her parents, and the club has become one big happy family with members from all over Australia. Let’s see if the Okas can get that dedicated!

We hope to leave here on our annual tip around the sticks on 1^st July, 2005. We’ll go to Cocklebiddy on the Nullabor, head north on the Connie-Sue and eventually make our way to Windy Corner. From there we plan to head west to Rudall River National Park and the Karajini National park, then make our way to Perth and Kalgoorlie; here we hope we can round up some Okas for what we will call the 2005 National Rally. We hope as many of you as possible can meet us there – more details later. If anyone would like to tag along with us for some of the trip or all of it, we’d love to have you along. Just ask for a more detailed trip plan. This time we hope to dawdle along a bit. Anyway we would like to see you in Kalgoorlie on the first weekend in August (the 5^th and 6^th).

This newsletter is put together over a period of time, so I might repeat some things a bit. I think the tyre debate will go on forever – I guess it’s a bit like which car is best. I’ve seen bumper stickers that said, “I’d rather push my Ford than drive a Holden”! We are also looking for new tyres for our Oka... We have proven to ourselves that aggressive tyres are not the way to go – they just dig you in, and we have never been in a position where we needed them. I think the next thing to consider is availability. Its not much good being stuck in the sticks waiting for a tyre to come from the South Pole.

I have fitted low water level gauges to our vehicles and I believe it is money well spent as I have cooked a few motors in my time. Temperature gauges don’t read steam, and you may not notice a red light or gauge, especially if the sun is shining on the dash through the side window, but you will hear a buzzer (or in our case, your wife will!)

We have had Oka Owner Group name tags made for ourselves, which can save someone the embarassment of not being able to remember someone’s name. If you would like some, you could contact KC Print Shop at 101 Talbragar Street, Dubbo 2830. Phone [phone]; fax [phone] and email: [e-mail]. They have the drawing of the Oka Owners Group kangaroo etc. on their computer and will make them up for you.

We hope to catch up with some of you later in the year, at Kalgoorlie or elsewhere. Lloyd & Marj Parsons

Oka Gathering WA.

10 Okas and their owners* rocked up to and gathered out front of the home of Robert & Shirley Burrows on Sunday 30^th January, 2005. (A photo of the Okas lined up will be sent separately and possibly the humans also.) * Not all of the drivers / passengers were owners, we had the pleasure of the company of Allan and Dianna Gorham in a prototype vehicle from Oka. Allan has been with Oka Motors for some time, now working in their spare parts department and he was able to provide some answers to some of the questions asked, but for convenience for the

news item, all of the humans will be referred to as owners.

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There were 9 white Okas with all their differently configured alterations and one shiny red one. The owners clambered and chatted and compared the different versions of alterations and talked technical stuff. Names of owners and vehicle VIN numbers of the group gathered: Rob & Shirley Burrows VIN 9; Brian & Sue Hubbard VIN 59; Robert Williamson VIN 180; Alan Bajaola & Jo-Anne Allchin VIN 159, number plate 1BIG100; Terry & Debbie Morris VIN 90, number plate AK4301; George Chesters VIN 124, number plate MILL 2000; Keith Hedgeland VIN 355; Rod & Tamara Lyons VIN 11; Allan & Dianna Gorham prototype; Robert & Ann Winter VIN 164, 8SY517. The gathering was in the form of an afternoon BBQ, kindly hosted by Robert and Shirley Burrows. We were greeted like old friends even though prior to the afternoon gathering, we had only talked briefly on the phone. Robert and Shirley were justifiably proud of their vehicle which they had purchased as a dual cab in a sorry state and rejuvenated and converted it to a single cab and added a caravan type cabin with pop top on to the tray back. This area has 4 seats across the back, loads of storage, a fridge, kitchen sink and a fold out to the side sleeping area. The modifications to our vehicle were insignificant by comparison because we cook and eat outside and only have sleeping and storage facilities and occasionally 6 extra seats in the van back.

One Oka had a permanently raised roof over the van section and a sun deck over the cab. Another had a small caravan modified and secured to the chassis of the Oka.

Personally it was good to have the opportunity to chat with a group of other Oka owners and to catch up with Debbie and Terry Morris again and to hear they in turn had met up with yourselves (Lloyd & Marj) and some of the other Oka owners in Broome recently.

Robert had a look at the prototype vehicle and did not seem all that impressed. From the outside there did not seem to be any difference with the same body being used. The engine and transfer box have been positioned lower to the ground reducing central clearance. The idea is to level the driveline, which should reduce the wear on the driveline. The new Okas will run with a bigger and faster Cummins diesel motor available in either 150 hp or 175 hp. There are more dials and only 1 glove box.

When I receive the OOG Newsletters I often think, “I must write”, but the more urgent items in my life get piled on top and so it does not happen. In June 2003 Robert and I went to Caloundra in Queensland by plane with a group of Western Australians, to attend the National Square Dance Convention. One evening several of us went by mini bus to the local RSL club for a meal and in the car park we observed an Oka with a number plate containing about one letter and about 5 or 7 numerals and embossed with “Victorian Primary Producer”. We thought it would be nice to catch up with the driver and so we asked inside the club if they would put an announcement over the loud speakers, which they did. No one came forward even though we waited quite a while, so we did not get to meet the owners unfortunately and we still do not know who they are. We would love to get to some of the National Oka gatherings but can’t just trot over east for a long weekend. If and when we do look like touring around on holiday we will notify you in advance and hopefully meet up with lots of other Oka owners then.

Bye for now, Ann Winter.

KIRTH KILN, GEMBROOK, VICTORIA 11TH - 14TH MARCH 2005

Written by Rowena Paterson

It was great to see 7 OKAs plus 2 members without their OKAs come along to Gembrook on the Victorian Labour Day long weekend. The camping spot and weather was beautiful for the weekend, so we were very lucky. Kirth Kiln camping area is made up of old buildings and a kiln that used during Second World War to make charcoal for gas producer units fitted to motor cars. The "producer gas" was a substitute fuel for petrol, which was rationed at the time.

Myself, Geoff Alush & Peita Moss along with Geoff & Sandra Wilkinson arrived at Kirth Kiln Gembrook on Friday afternoon. Gembrook turned out to be a sensational place to ride our motorbikes, so after setting up camp, myself, Geoff & Peita took off for a ride through the mountains. Saturday afternoon Greg & Maree Boyle along with all the kids turned up. Not long after Paul Nott turned up along with Ian Jones & Lex & Corina Brown on board. Lex & Corinas OKA is currently in Ian's workshop being converted to a camper.

Also new members Andrew Crowther & Lyndal Ritchie came along in the 4WD vehicle and tent to stay the night. Their OKA is currently with Ian being converted to a camper. It was great to meet our new members, I am pretty sure they enjoyed our company and they hope next time to bring along their OKA to show off.

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Ian’s OKA is also being converted to a camper, so Ian along with Paul are very busy at present making campers and servicing OKAs. Everybody stayed for dinner Saturday night and all cooked on Geoff Alush's BBQ plate on the fire. Saturday night, the Boyle family along with Paul, Ian, Lex & Corina headed home. The rest of us chatted around the campfire for a little longer. I brought out the Didgeridoo & the others helped out with the tapping sticks and Tamborine. The people staying at Kirth Kiln nearby must have enjoyed our music as they were yelling "more more". The music certainly carries along way in the bush.

We even had this car turn up in the dark as we sat around the fire, with a lady getting out and asking us "is Sandra here?" Sandra answered "yes", the lady replied "I have been looking for you everywhere Sandra, I have the booze in the car" and then returned to her car to park it. We asked Sandra, "who is your friend?" and Sandra answered, "dunno" as she got up to see who her mystery friend was. After a little discussion at the car it was discovered that it was the wrong Sandra the lady was looking for. So she apologised to us "sorry wrong Sandra, I had better take the booze and go now" and took off to look for another Sandra further down the track. Bad luck we missed out on the booze!

Sunday morning Geoff & Peita and Andrew & Lyndal headed off, leaving myself and the Wilkinsons. Sunday afternoon Robert & Lynn Dehaan turned up with their duel cab OKA and camper on the back. Robert set up the camper to show us and we were very impressed. A great and simple setup which I thought was magic. (Photos on website under Dehaans homepage). Not long after Geoff & Annette Lloyd arrived, so we had happy hour until the Dehaans had to head home. Geoff & Annette stayed for the night, so we stoked up the fire and had dinner before heading off to bed.

Monday morning I headed off leaving the others around the fire having a chat. Another great get together. Please refer to website to view the photos from the weekend.

Lloyd & Marj, Great information as always & lots of exciting illustrations and observations. The Werelingers are again settled at home in Switzland and doing well, their OKA Camper Van has a new owner and is garaged in Canberra.

Allow me to place an addendum to your last letter as to your remarks regarding the OKA's and their 'mining history'.

Land Cruisers and other 4x4 service vehicles are used underground in the WA Goldfield operations for the duration of one year only. A $50,000 Toyota vehicle would be bought to the surface after twelve months and auctioned for $5.000. All OKA's used in the Goldfields completed three years underground. In this case an $80,000 investment would be brought to the surface and the average auction value was $27,000.

The OKA's were able to transport a mining crew and their hardware 'down the hole' in one trip increasing the productivity and denying the miners 'waiting time' and unproductive rest periods, this was not always appreciated by some of the wayward elements at some of the mines. It required two Land Cruisers to accomplish the work of one OKA truck.

I always use a factor of (6) to assess the kilometerage of an underground OKA, e.g. OKA speedo reading 60,000klms x 6 = 360,000 'on road klms'.

Thank you again for forwarding your letter.

Robin C Wade/ OKA Kalgoorlie wade_kal@emerge .net.au

TYRES – TYRES – TYRES

Hi both Lloyd & John,

I'm in the process of hunting for a new set of tyres for my OKA. I have the 19.5" wheels of 7.5" wide. At 3

present I have the bridgestone tyres on but I want to change to another brand. I have been looking at the TOYO 608z tyres & was wondering if you knew any of the owners who run these tyres who I could get some feedback from. My second problem is that it appears that the 265/70 19.5 profile is no longer available in