Gday,
Just joined this thread after doing a bunch of searches on it over the past year or so. Thought I had better join, I own 2 Magnas, 1999 TH sedan (3.5ltr V6) and a 2005 TW Wagon (also std 3.5 ltr V6). Both autos. Both running the Parnell Vapour Sequential Injection gas conversions...


Anyway, I had a couple of questions, can someone please help.

1) Roof racks for the TW wagon, anyone got a suggestion? The wagon has rails on it. Needs to be able to carry a luggage box, eg Thule car topper. Does mitsubishi have a good model available...What do you folks have, how do you like them?

2) Towing a 1300kg boat and trailer, need a transmission cooler for both cars, was going to get a generic 4 to 6 cyl capable cooler fitted. Any reasons why I should consider a 6 to 8 cyl (bigger) unit instead? Or none at all? Feedback please! Is there a possibility of cooling the fluid down too much when I am not towing? Mitsubishi dealership said that transmissions dont need a cooler, so were not fitted, but advice seems contrary...please help...

3) Have not towed the boat yet but was expecting the front wheel drive might be a bit awkward on the boat ramp and maybe a weight distribution hitch might be necessary, has anyone else out there been towing boats up boat ramps, how have the Magna's handled it? At the moment I just have a standard tow bar and ball.

Thanks in advance,

Wanikiba.

with the roof racks, rolla are good, but im sure a aftermarket shop would help you with that.

as far as the cooler goes, they are not a essential, as they come out factory without one fitted.
but it is a good piece of mind to have, just install it inline with the existing line that runs to the radiator. cheapest option is to fit a tranny cooler, off a second gen magna, as they came with it from the factory.
the best thing you can do for your transmission is to service it and treat it with respect.
you dont need some big hoo ha cooler of some v8.
oh yeah dont pay to much for the cooler too, i had one wrecker try to sell me a stone dented 20yearold thing, for like $40! i told him where to stick it.
so i did a manual conversion instead :)

Welcome!

We have a TJ wagon and are towing about 1200 kg of Jayco Eagle around Australia.

I don't have sports bars on my roof so I got removable roof racks (http://www.roof-racks.com.au/) that clip into the door frame for our pod. Rola racks are shown in Mitsubish's TJ brochure and Magna bars are on Rola's web site (http://www.rola.com.au/rola/product.asp?family=sportsrack).

We have the Mitsubishi 1500 kg hitch receiver towbar (the one with a removable 50 mm square section towball holder). We have load equaliser bars too, but then we're doing 30 000 km of highway driving. I'd reckon any weight you can throw onto the front wheels when coming up a wet boat ramp would be worthwhile doing.

I have a Couple-Mate (http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=138&item=91181&intAbsolutePage=1) as well that saves rear bumper damage when hitching or unhooking the trailer.

I fitted an transmission cooler to the car last year. I got one from an older (2nd generation) Magna from a wreckers for $20. Automatic Magnas had one fitted as standard equipment then. You can see how I put it on here (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61252).

Maybe give the boat a go on a ramp sometime when it is quiet with a mate and a tow rope just incase you need it.

I'm sure you know but the wagon will tow much better than the sedan due to its solid rear suspension setup.

Sedans with their IRS (same as with any IRS car) are more prone to rear end sways due to geometry changes while towing.

You should be ok with 1300kg's.

Good luck.

Welcome!

We have a TJ wagon and are towing about 1200 kg of Jayco Eagle around Australia.

I don't have sports bars on my roof so I got removable roof racks (http://www.roof-racks.com.au/) that clip into the door frame for our pod. Rola racks are shown in Mitsubish's TJ brochure and Magna bars are on Rola's web site (http://www.rola.com.au/rola/product.asp?family=sportsrack).

We have the Mitsubishi 1500 kg hitch receiver towbar (the one with a removable 50 mm square section towball holder). We have load equaliser bars too, but then we're doing 30 000 km of highway driving. I'd reckon any weight you can throw onto the front wheels when coming up a wet boat ramp would be worthwhile doing.

I have a Couple-Mate (http://www.whitworths.com.au/main_itemdetail.asp?cat=138&item=91181&intAbsolutePage=1) as well that saves rear bumper damage when hitching or unhooking the trailer.

I fitted an transmission cooler to the car last year. I got one from an older (2nd generation) Magna from a wreckers for $20. Automatic Magnas had one fitted as standard equipment then. You can see how I put it on here (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=61252).


I'm jealous. How's the Jayco? Would you do the same again or go for something different?

Good morning from Airlie Beach :p

It's been great! We've seen some amazing things and had a great time (me, my wife and 4 year old daughter).

I put solar panels on the roof so we've been able to camp in national parks and other out of the way spots. We left home with just the intention of "circumnavigating" the country, and the only booking we made was for a week in Broome about halfway through the 6 month trip.

We've had absolutely no dramas with the camper. We did pack it down and move into park cabins when bad storms hit Adelaide and Albany in late April / early May, as I'm not convinced the roof would stay in place (ie above us) in 100 km/h wind.

It copped a hammering Karajini (Hamersely Range) National Park when the car suffered 3 punctures in 20 km, but nothing happened to the van. I did however put an aluminium guard all around the water tank and pipes and split corrugated conduit around the underfloor wiring before we left home. There are big impact marks from rocks on the water tank guard now!

If you get the chance do it!