This was an overview of what the rally was like…as you can see GREAT TIME!!

Well I just happened across this rally looking at the Ontario Overlanding, it’s a charity rally for V42 a good cause AND a good reason to get out into Central Ontario’s back country.  SO… registered and Aug 3 hit the trails some great ppl for a good cause.

The adventure started in Tweed, ON about an hours drive from the house.  The group hit the trail at 0900 hrs 🙂 and what a great bunch of people.  Lots of experience and loved the smiles!

So the trip starts off on mostly gravel or crushed rock on Old Hastings Rd, but the scenery is really nice.  To top that off the history here is plentiful.  If only we had more time to explore the area better…. next time.  Well from the end of Old Hastings onto the ATV trails, and they don’t disappoint – nice trails with great Ontario back country sights.

The trails are not too technical, but just enough to keep you ‘busy’ and the scenerey on the trails is really nice.  There were 2 significant water crossings but we were able to get most of the group across AND there was a by pass if needed.

All in all, a great day!!!  Thanks to the guys over at Ontario Off-Road!  AND thank you to the group that we travelled with… amazing time with amazing people in the back country of Ontario.

So took the opportunity to finish Roaming Rally 2019, as I missed one section because of time constraints.  Made out – weather was great, company was awesome (Wes & Sean)… sadly I lost my co-pilot, as he was not interested (next time Scott).

Well, this leg was packed with some great Ontario history and nice views of the rolling hills and green tree tops (miss the mountain, but this is its own kind of special).  The trip took us along the hydro lines to the top of Rock Candy Mtn, presenting the views I was talking about.

Then we hit Old Hastings colonization Rd, and what a bit of history.  I’m telling you it is cool.  Not a 4wheel drive road, but a twisty, rolling gravel road.  packed with little pockets of history.  The story is quite interesting, if you want to know more check it out here

Great day with good ppl and a taste of Ontario back country.  Hope to continue the adventures.

What a great opportunity to explore some of Ontario’s off-road / overland locations!  The crew at Gravel Travel have consistently put together a great adventure with nothing but good people and wonderful locations!  FIRST off… thank you to those guys that do all the behind the scenes work!

The event was approximately 600 Km of a combination of back roads and 4wd routes, with nothing but the best to offer, views of lakes, amazing landscapes and more…  OH and don’t forget all the great participants!!!

Our setup at different stages:

Met so many really cool people, like minded… those that enjoy a journey to some destination and are at ease in the back country.  I had the privilege of hanging out with the LRAA and OLVR crews!  WHAT a time…

Rover performed well.. despite little growing pains of the motor rebuild, NO major issues 😀 that was awesome!  The work done by Diesel Rovers did not disappoint.  (Highly recommend Adam and his team, small business but great service and knowledgable!)  On the trails with Ryan and I were several land rovers, a Pinzgauer, (oh) and a jeep ;).

The group consisted of some amazing people who made this adventure ‘epic’ and one that will be unforgettable.  Thanks! (you guys know who you are)  I have to admit that I did have some envy going on, those defenders looked amazing, just cruising along on the trail like nothing would stop them – and full of that ‘British’ class…

Now no trip with my Disco would be complete without some drama… right?  Well you guessed it there was some mechanical drama.  On day two, I thought I felt some kind of drive-line surge.  Not sure what it was, but not wanting to stop either…. 😛

So pressed on, all day dreading a *snap* or *bang* stranding me in the middle of Ontario… BUT day two, no trouble.  Continued on with day three… and still feeling the surge, AND one serious *crack*… stopped figuring a front axle broke 😦

Well… luck would have it we had two experienced mechanics and my tinkering ability… to diagnose.  AND nothing wrong.  Mystery continued for another hour or so.  BUT finally took a few minutes to analyze it.  Well the jerry-cans are full on the rear bumper….

YOU GUESSED it.. 60 lbs of sloshing fuel, caused a surging feeling.  The sounds were from the carrier loosening off – might have snapped a weld (Tactical Rovers gear is awesome… but look after your gear, maintenance / inspection is important).  Trouble shot the issue and fixed it! yeah!

If I have not said it enough… this trip was amazing.  Had a great navigator 😀

Thanks Ryan… you were great company!!  Till next adventure….

A long time waiting for the mighty Rover to get going… the shop has started to work to get the motor back.  Here is the block getting the ‘royal’ treatment,

this will be a 4.6 with tophat liners and fully rebuilt. Will be a great setup, with 1000’s of mile of adventuring…. 🙂 super excited to be getting the Rover back on the road.

Just in time for the 2019 Roaming Rally and perhaps a test run out with the Land Rover Adventure Association (LRAA).

More to come… stay tuned.

So, sadly the Rover falls victim to a series of bad events… I know it will be back and running but seriously!  You work to ensure that you go to the right ppl pay the big bucks to get ‘good quality’ work, parts, etc so the Rover is treated right – all things we can do AND this happens.  I am sad that those I trusted didn’t provide the level of service I thought they were capable of… and that I recommended them to other Rover enthusiasts 😦

The Rover is in for the ‘TLC’ and I get the news… ‘sorry the motor is worn out…’ Well, here we go… I have that gut wrenching news – gonna have to rebuild the engine from the ground up.  It is never a good thing to hear, but I am hoping that I will be happy in the end with the outcome.

Rover, getting ready for surgery

Pulling the parts…

Carbon anyone…?

WTH!!!

So the plan right now is to have the worn out 4.6 Bosch revitalized, yup – bring it back to life please.  Hopefully we’ll get lots more enjoyment from this Rover!!

I am putting my Rover into the capable hands of Adam Chappell of Diesel Rovers The engine will get:

• All new gaskets
• Top hat liners (video to show what this is)
• overhaul of the heads
• ARP studs
• etc etc.. (All the goodies)

As the process moves along I’ll put out updates on how the Rover is doing, right now ETA to be back on the road is looking like 6 wks, it will feel like FOREVER… but to get good quality work and have the piece of mind that the rover is in TOP shape I believe that it is just the price to pay.

Don’t worry, the Rover will be back up and running for the Summers plans… Roaming Rally … and all!  Next update won’t be for a while.

STAY TUNED