The Real Fraser Island - Roothy

The Real Fraser Island - Roothy
Here's some footage from a Fraser Island trip we made back in the days courtesy of my old boss who's the bloke behind those super popular Supa Centa stores all over the country. I took my Big Red truck, the Chev V8 powered Toyota 47 Series we eventually auctioned off to raise money for the endless track closures battle. Check out the 'step side' tray I made from cut down off-road trailer panels - maybe not the most practical for everybody but it sure suited solo 4wd work.

There's some awesome stuff here and that's because of all my mates who helped out but specifically thanks to the efforts of producer Adam 'Bushman' Boyle, one of the world's best videographers, and Allen Coy, who went on to work with Simon and Jason up north.
My own relationship with Fraser kicked off forty seven years ago when I was working for a water drilling company. One day I’m out in a paddock with the divining wires looking to tap the basin, the next I’m in the office being told to pack a bag and head north. The boss had landed a contract with a mob called Queensland Titanium Mines.

That was around 1973. Tony was a lot older than me and fresh out of the army where he’d spent most of his time blowing up tunnels in Vietnam. He’d seen a lot of bad stuff although his biggest hang-up was coming home and copping abuse from anti-war crowd. I’ve never liked ‘do-gooders’ much since then. Watching Tony – a man who’d fought for his country regardless of whether it was right or wrong - take out his frustrations on a bottle turned me off do-gooders for life. You need to know that now because when it comes to Fraser Island, the city bound greenie do-gooders are always going to cop a bashing from me!

All these thoughts were going through my head as I fiddled with the bonnet clips on Big Red. It was ‘check the new radiator’ time again. The Chevy motor was constantly running hot even with two electric fans sucking through the standard Tojo fins so I’d plucked it and fitted a huge aluminium radiator with a cut down plastic mechanical fan. If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s to constantly check the last thing I’ve fixed because that’s where the problems usually surface. Professional mechanics don’t have this problem. First thing I noticed was that the fan had flexed – probably from pulling 110 plus up the motorway from Brisbane – and the blades looked like Jack the Dog had chewed the tips off. Hmm, not a great thing to find when you’re ten metres off a week of soft sand driving!

Shortly after that a V8 79 Series tray back with a covered roof and side flaps and a load of beach rods came plonking around the corner. Nugget and Wazza were here, and in no rush either. I mentioned the ‘running late’ thing but Wazza just pointed at the tide and said ‘no point’.
Time out for another aside. Despite over three decades of Fraser trips, in my ‘city mode’ I’d forgotten to check the tide times! D’oh, and with some huge King tides rolling through that week, the beach would have been impassable a couple of hours either side of high for sure. Remembering to check the tide times before you organise a Fraser trip is just one more way of remembering that Mother Nature rules here, not men.

Music Credited to
- MIDD Day At The Park -Dewey Dellay,




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[eijn]

'If there’s one thing I’ve learnt it’s to constantly check the last thing I’ve fixed because that’s where the problems usually surface.' LOL Classic.

[AndyL]

Thanks so much for posting these old videos John. Personally I think they are far better and more entertaining than the newer versions of 4wd shows which are just one big advertisement. The cost of most battery systems is as much as my old hilux. You don't need 15 grand worth of accessories to have fun in the bush. Cheers mate

[gillian]

Went there 20 years ago. Most exciting three days of my life! A MUST see in Australia.

[nicholasplumer]

I love all the Fraser Island videos. This one has got to be by far the best. I agree with others. It was awesome to get all of those tips without the product placement at every turn, but you know how it goes. Gotta go in the direction of where the funding is. I think I really enjoyed the fact that none of these rigs were over the top with modifications and toys. Regular blokes in regular vehicles having a great time.

[tpv]

GREAT SAVE Roothy.
We ALL THANK YOU.
WELL DONE.
THANK You.
APPRECIATED.

[attilathehun]

One of the best 4X4 + Fishing shows I found on Youtube....Thank you for the entertainment John. Pulling out the troopy got me sweat'n..Good job.

[mulishapatrol]

Old nugget looks like he's bloody off his chops and if that's the case I love it!

[Yesterdie]

Hi Roothy...love the show! look at how young Shauno was on the show

[dunc]

Just found this Roothy. I’ve been in NZ for 10 years and have missed the Aussie 4x4 scene. The red truck sounds awesome. Well done mate. take it easy.

[rraybbak]

Your a legend mr Rooth love ya content thanks for your tips and advice your a credit to the 4wd community cheers mate from across the ditch in NZ

[donotwantahandle]

Well done Roothy for pulling that Troopy out of the surf! Didn’t think it would start though!

[rubiconned]

Love this old content. Miss these old days

[jaspreetbains]

Thanks for bringing back the memories mate. Did it all as a single male with the boys in 1996 actually capmed on the lake and had hired a clapped out lan rover then again with my kids in 2010 in a shiny new Landcruiser and stayed in comfort in the resort. Must say it gets busier as the years go on. Always came in from Hervey bay side so have to do it again in my dual cab from inskip.

[Camp_Dogs]

FOR SALE:

Troop carrier, well maintained, never been on the beach, one owner. lol

[Amandaandglenn]

On Ya Roothy! I miss the old 'thorough' 4wd Action vids before the send it and bend it crew got it. Great Work!

[MicahBell_]

Stingray flaps with a bit of garlic, butter & lemon tastes fantastic

[xCampingandAdventures]

back in the day when everyone wasn't running 3000w inverters to run there coffee machines true Aussie camping

[tpv]

THANK YOU.
That was EXCELLENT Roothy.
GREAT video.
Thank You.

[lizbarber]

Straight to the auctions with that troopy

[OzTraxX]

Great video Roothy! Loving these old episodes!