Shorty and Me

G'day Folks

Compared to a Ring Tailed Lemur, I’m not a bad mechanic. OK, I’ve never actually witnessed a Lemur on the end of a spanner, but despite their large opposable thumb and prehensile tail, I still recon I could repack a wheel bearing quicker. Oh and I’m talking one on one here, not me against a pack of Lemurs, that’s a whole other ball game.

What got me to thinking this way? Well it’s not what I’ve been drinking (although I’m sure that hasn’t helped) but rather my recent, rather clumsy attempts at servicing the Shorty. You see it’s been a couple of weeks now since returning home from what was an utterly epic DVD trip with the 4WD Action camera crew. I’m not going to let the cat out of the bag (or the Lemur out of the workshop) just yet but trust me, this DVD is going to be worth the wait. The trip took its toll on the Shorty and consequently, a fair few niggling issues became major problems. I’m talking perished swivel hub seals, buggered starter motor, leaking alternators, busted clutch boosters, bent control arms, smashed swaybars, destroyed radius arm bushes…you know, just a few minor things!

Now I’ll give anything a go (except line dancing, that’s just plain weird) so armed with a selection of garage sale spanners and a massive Stillson wrench left over from my time as a drillers offsider, I launched into operation “Shorty Repair”. The mission lasted exactly 18 minutes. The casualty list included three scraped knuckles, one rounded nut (thankfully on the Shorty, not me), a permanently oil stained driveway and a cut to the back of my head…oh and a hole in the side fence the same size and shape as that set of Stillsons…

It quickly dawned on me that there was a little more to vehicle repair than first meets the eye. As a result, I waved the white flag and retreated to see if there was anything cold and wet in the fridge, turned out there was, which made me feel much better about myself. Refreshed, I formulated a new plan. Operation “Pathetic Mate” was launched.

First target, Ash, Russ and Stu at Perth4x4. No strangers to me turning up with a savagely damaged 4WD, the boys laughed (I expected this, no shame there), then instructed me to park Shorty in the workshop. The outcome, new radius arm bushes, destroyed sway bar removed and replaced swivel hub seals…mission successful. Only casualty was a slightly bruised pride, let’s call it collateral damage.

Next stop, Rob Robson from Robson Bros 4WD. Rob is an ace on the spanners, competes in a highly modified GQ and is an all round top bloke…he too laughed at me (I expected this, no shame there) and told me to park Shorty on the hoist. The outcome, new starter motor, clutch booster, alternator…the list is lengthy, the mission definitely successful. My pride at this point was starting to sting a little but nothing to worry about, remember collateral damage.

Last mission, turn up at my good mate Lee’s place, right on beer o’clock and show him my bent control arms, tie rod, drag rod and panhard rods. Yes, he too laughed (I expected this, no shame there) but said no problem, consider the job done. Operation most certainly a success, despite a badly bleeding pride, I will attempt to mend this later.

As I said, compared to a Lemur I make a damn fine mechanic!

Catch ya all later

G’day folks

My name is Graham Cahill and I have Australia’s best job.

Yeah it’s a big call, actually it’s a flaming huge call but hear me out. Here’s the gig, I get paid to go four wheel driving, camping and travelling….all over Aus! You see I’m a freelancer with this fantastic magazine and they pay me (real money, not that Monopoly stuff) to photograph and write about pretty much all aspects of the 4WD lifestyle. You see I told you, aint much to debate about, I really do have Australia’s best job.

Of course, this probably doesn’t appeal to everyone. I mean you have to love hitting the tracks and actually putting your truck in 4WD. You also have to thrive on the smell and sounds of the Aussie bush, cos you may have to spend weeks camped in the thick of it. Which in turn of course, means you have to love camping and sleeping under the stars. Just so happens I grew up doing all of this and well, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Now given that you are on this website and also read Australia’s best 4WD magazine, I’m gonna take a wild guess that you folks know exactly what I’m talking about. You see for people like you and me, owning a fourby isn’t a hobby, a new fad or a passing interest. Our life revolves around owning a four wheel drive. All my other interests, be they bow hunting, fishing, photography or simply sitting around a campfire are directly attributed to owning a four wheel drive. For me, it’s a way of life and only one I know!

Just recently the magazine has asked that I step out from behind the camera and start presenting a few 4WD Action DVD’s (heaven knows why, I’ve got a head like a deep sea racing prawn and talk like a drunk with a mouth full of marbles). Of course I agreed, cos that means I get to spend even more time out in the bush, driving Australia’s top tracks and camping in some of the finest bits of real-estate the country can offer.

Now I’ve just come back from an absolute cracker of a trip with the camera crew and I’m not about to give anything away but trust me, this was one of the single best bits of four wheeling I have ever done, anywhere! I’ve also just seen the rest of my calendar for 2010 and boy we are heading to some amazing spots over the next few months. Make sure you stay tuned, I’ll keep you all updated so be sure to check back often.

Now best I get back to work, where did I put the keys to Shorty…