Fosscore's 2013 Suburban LTZ Build Thread

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swathdiver

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My nephew pulled 10 of these (various sizes of course) out the first night, he’s in kindergarten.... i too was the master baiter and fish de-******...this was my one and only... whatever they are....:)View attachment 221754


Ps... love the pics.... i miss it already

Yep, the tasty mutton snapper. Have to be 18" or longer to keep though.
 
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Fosscore

Fosscore

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So the Tahoe's 20" Bridgestones that I just had mounted on the NNBS had some serious blooming action going on. No amount of APC and stiff brush would shift it.

And I have been trying, but knew that it would need something a bit heavier duty. I know it is left over from previous applications of less than stellar tire shine applications and just sitting in my shed for a few years. It happens, I know, as the rubber does it’s thing in the heat, etc....

So today I finally broke out the pressure washer and spent 2.5 hours cleaning all 4 tires. The pictures will show you how brown they actually were. Absolutely horrible!! Just been too busy to get to everything lately. Nonetheless, they are clean now. Washed her up and threw some better shine on for today.

IMG_6898.jpg IMG_6899.jpg IMG_6902.jpg IMG_6903.jpg
 
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Tonyrodz

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So the Tahoe's 20" Bridgestones that I just had mounted on the NNBS had some serious blooming action going on. No amount of APC and stiff brush would shift it. And I have been trying, but knew that it would need something a bit heavier duty. I know it is left over from previous applications of less than stellar tire shine applications and just sitting in my shed for a few years. It happens, I know, as the rubber does it thing in the heat, etc....

So today I finally broke out the pressure washer and spent 2.5 hours cleaning all 4 tires. The pictures will show you how brown they actually were. Absolutely horrible!! Just been too busy to get to everything lately. Nonetheless, they are clean now. Washed her up and threw some better shine on for today.

View attachment 222411 View attachment 222412 View attachment 222413 View attachment 222414
Much better :D
 

07Burb

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What APC do you use? I've had NO problem getting tires clean with Super Clean on my stuff.
 
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Fosscore

Fosscore

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What APC do you use? I've had NO problem getting tires clean with Super Clean on my stuff.

Points valid. I used Spray Nine, Simple Green and Formula 88 and a stiff brush. It wasn't so much a matter of being "dirty". The stuff that was on there was a film that adhered to the rubber.

So pressure washing the tires actually put black rubbery flakes all over the truck while I was spraying it down and removing the layer in small sections at a time. It was almost like a light application of Plasti Dip. You could pull bits, but not a whole sheet off.

Blooming from the rubber sitting in the shed and I'm sure some of the early tire shine applications did not help. I do remember one particular Armor All spray can that holds it shine/gloss for a long time, but did not remove easily from the tires at the time.

Nonetheless, they are clean now. Will continue to watch them and see how they go with regular APC during washings.
 

07Burb

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Points valid. I used Spray Nine, Simple Green and Formula 88 and a stiff brush. It wasn't so much a matter of being "dirty". The stuff that was on there was a film that adhered to the rubber.

So pressure washing the tires actually put black rubbery flakes all over the truck while I was spraying it down and removing the layer in small sections at a time. It was almost like a light application of Plasti Dip. You could pull bits, but not a whole sheet off.

Blooming from the rubber sitting in the shed and I'm sure some of the early tire shine applications did not help. I do remember one particular Armor All spray can that holds it shine/gloss for a long time, but did not remove easily from the tires at the time.

Nonetheless, they are clean now. Will continue to watch them and see how they go with regular APC during washings.
Interesting. :)
 
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Fosscore

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Australia
16 June 2019

I had requests for more Australia photos so I figured I would move the non-Spotters Thread specific info and pics to my build thread for those interested.

Some backstory and info.

My wife was born and raised in Sydney, then backpakced around the world with her best friend (who now lives 3 houses down from her mum and dad in Sydney with their 3 kids) on an Around the World ticket way back in the day.

Obviously our ties to Australia are always about going back home, seeing family and friends and seeing the stunningly beautiful country.

Some perspective on numbers.

Australia is around the same size as United States.

United States
is approximately 9,833,517 sq km, while Australia is approximately 7,741,220 sq km.

Meanwhile, the population of United States is ~326.6 million people (303.4 million fewer people live in Australia).

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As of June 2019 during our trip, the USD $ to AUS $ is .69. So everything worked in our favor using our card this trip. However most things can be marginally more expensive comparatively.

Tax is included in everything, there is no tipping and the minimum wage is near $20. Without doing the cost of living calculations, tax rates, etc...


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2 cases and a 6 pack cost me $80.28 USD/approx $119 AUD. Alcohol is stupid expensive and such a part of their culture. Drinking age is 18. Caravan park recycling bins are always full of cans and bottles. Spirits are very expensive hence why a cold beer or three after a day of traveling is the norm.

Head to the BBQ or kids park with a beer and have a chat with other travelers. It is so friendly. I met people on a 14 week, 6 month and year long trips. Some people sell their houses and head out enjoying the country. (Same in the USA but I see more in AUS.) Some are part of the “grey hair brigade” as they call it. The nomads on permanent retired vacation.

We talked about this trip 4 years ago when we were here last. The kids are a great age to learn and get out and do some of the walks/hikes. Ages 12 and 10.

Both our families camped a lot as kids and we want to make sure our kids do the same.

FLL to DFW is 2.5 hours.
DFW to SYD is 17 hours.

We only fly Qanatas and their service is top notch.

So knowing the history above, when we stay in Sydney for a month or my family will stay on for July as well, we do not have to pay for accommodation and use mum and dads car. Huge expenses taken away.

Now this Outback trip could have been cheaper in ways, but we are traveling with 6 people ages 10-75. Compromise has to be made.

We hired a 6 person RV (campervan) for our travels. Dad and mum drove their Mazda CX-9 so that we had a day trip car so we could leave the big RV at camp plugged in and set up.

The daily rate isn’t bad but the full coverage insurance is something we decided to take on heading into the Outback. We were covered for anything that might happen. Peace of mind on the road was worth the cough cough extra money.

The trusty 2.4 litre Fiat diesel 1000km per tank and the CX-9.

This was the first stop after leaving Sydney. Tiny caravan park at Rankins Springs. A one horse stop with a powered site, clean toilets and hot showers. $23 for the night. Woke up the next morning to a few degrees above freezing.
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Tight fit with 6. Over cab berth for the kids. There is a mid table converted to sleeper that fits kids length, but adults have to sleep 45 degrees or there is a small extension to fit a settee back cushion on but it blocks the walkway to the door at night.

I slept here as I am always first up.

The back table conversion fits 2 adults snug but dad can stretch out as he 6’1”.

Toilet/shower (only pee and no showers) full gas range and cooktop and decent size 110 litre fridge/freezer.

Bluetooth and GPS up front. It has done the family very well. A few close quarters frustrated squabbles but nothing new for traveling families. Lol

Chairs, table and awning for camp set up. Fresh and grey water hoses, power, gas and removable pee cassette from the toilet. Lol


Diesel prices range from $1.47 to $2.30 per litre. Fill up when you stop. The further you get out, the highe the prices. After the Finke desert race in Alice Springs, our campground had no diesel and the station nearby had a delivery 2 days after we got there.

Long drives stops every 2-2.5 hours. The country is set up for camping. Rest stops everywhere once out of the city, free camp pull overs, big truck parking, pay for budget spots to the top dog fully serviced caravan parks with everything that will run you close to $100 per night for a family of 6. Some places we had en suite next to the RV. Private toilet and shower. Very nice too.

Speed limit is tops 110km/hr. Sometimes 130 in the Northern Territory. Speed and red light cameras
Are well posted and work in ever major town and city. Outback not so much. But the roads, traffic and wildlife take a lot of concentration.

Rest, Revive, Survive. Every 2 hours it is signed all over the road to get people to stay alert.

Ok I know enough camp info. Give us the pictures. The info is pertinent too.

If you have any questions, ask away. Most of the days without WiFi are passed now thst we are back in civilization. Sometimes 2-3 days would pass without WiFi or too slow. Imagine that....no WiFi?
 
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