Grass build up

[mikehervey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mikehervey]

Hi all,
I guess that we have all seen the photos of the burnt out Prado on the CSR.
As one who lost a month old Range Rover about 25 years ago due to the same problem I am still sensitive to the issue of under vehicle fires. The problem then was the V8 downpipes going over the gearbox crossmember and of course it was a petrol vehicle. We fitted the replacement car with truck type stacks up the side to avoid further problems. But I expect that the local boys in blue might take exception to doing that here.
We are going into spinifex country with our TD Prado and Tvan and I would like to hear any PPers experiences about grass build up under a Prado ie any particular areas etc etc.
We carry 2 9l pressurised water extinguishers and the 100l water tank inside the car is plumbed to a 12v marine deckwash pump attached to a pressure washer wand type hand piece. This allows you to push the wand up under the car if you need to get to a fire source.
But prevention is far better than trying to put out a fire once it has taken hold hence the enquiry.
Cheers
Mike

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Grass build up

Mike,

Two spots along the exhaust system to keep an especially close eye are on top of the muffler and where the pipe runs over the axle. The section running over the axle is quite close to the body floor and has some insulation material above it making likely spot for things to get trapped and smolder away.

Make yourself a bit of a tool out of something like heavy fencing wire or thin steel rod, basically a long hook to fish things out.

Make regular stops to check the underneath the vehicle and clear any build up.

A piece of shadecloth cable tied to the top rail of your bull bar and hanging down to just off the ground with some weight on the bottom edge (like a piece of galv pipe wrapped and cable tied in) will not only protect the radiator but the weight at the bottom will also push the grass over and reduce the amount getting trapped under the car.

Mick

[mikehervey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mikehervey]

Re: Grass build up

Hi Mick,
Thanks for that. Looking under the car (which I have not owned for long) I could see that as a potential problem spot.

I already have a shadecloth cover (and a canvas cover for water crossings) that are bound in elastic that slip over the Sovereign bar and hook underneath but I like your idea of something hanging down the front of the car to push the grass over (dozer blade perhaps!!) How far down do you hang your shadecloth down? I guess not far enough that you could run over it and what sort of weight do you find works to hold it down enough to do the job.

Have you had any issues with grass getting caught up in the front bashplate. Some people advocate removing the bash plates when operating in grass country but there is always the risk of hitting something hidden in the grass. Catch22 !!

Cheers

Mike

[MickL Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close MickL]

Re: Grass build up

How far down do you hang your shadecloth down? I guess not far enough that you could run over it and what sort of weight do you find works to hold it down enough to do the job

Just have it a couple of inches above the ground. If it drags on the track it gets destroyed in no time. Something like a 1 inch galv pipe should provide enough weight. Roll it in the cloth and cable tie it up.
It dosen't need to be the full width of the Prado... the tyres do there own flattening out.

I've never removed my bash plates. I guess you have to play it by ear... it the conditions require it you might have too... like you said...catch 22.

Another tip is not to be stooged into being the first car in a convoy! :wink:

The real secret is regular stops for checks and clearing any build up, not only underneath, but check in the engine bay and in front of the radiator.


Mick