freelance1000s HR-V - UPDATED 22.02.2005

[freelance1000]

Finally posted some pictures.
http://www.hondashowoff.com/profile.php?id=4905

Modifications carried out on my HR-V to date.
Engine
NGK Iridium IX spark plugs.
K&N air filter.
2" exhaust pipe.
Fumoto oil drain valve.

Exterior
Hella 160 Spotlights.
Electric Sunroof (Vermeulen Hollandia type 'TVS-44).
Mesh Grill protecting radiator.
King Springs coils (raised the front 25mm/rear 45mm).
Bridgestone D694 AT tyres (aka Revos).
Hayman Reese towbar.
OMP Racing front Strut Bar.
Rhino Rack roof rack RSS115.
Jetrak Roof basket 120cm x 90cm.
Honda Alloys (from Gen. 1 CR-V Sport).
Differential breather extensions.

Interior
Sony CD player.
Garmin Etrex GPS (entry level - I'll purchase a better one if required).
Mobile phone holder (for the GPS).
Dashboard compass.
Dash mat.
Car mats + Car Mat Lock-Downs.
Car seat covers (front seats, blue with doggy paw prints/rear seats, blue one piece water proof 'pet' seat protector).
Blue blanket (to cover goods being transported in the boot).
1kg Dry powder fire extinguisher.
Autron 3400 Vaccum Cruise Control + Multi-resume.

EDITS: I keep buying things :D

[Deus]

You gotta a compass?
And a GPS????
Am i the only one who thinks this is excessive?

[freelance1000]

You are correct in asserting that one doesn't need to have a GPS and a backup compass. We choose to as we view it as a cheap form of 'insurance'.

A GPS requires at least three strong satellite signals to find its location. The roof of the car, trees, building, mountains can all obstruct this signal, either delaying the updating of the required bearing, or by dropping out. By having the backup compass which cost $5 AUD (ie. 2 GBP), any discrepancies between the GPS heading and the compass heading are quickly identified.

Note: A common way of decreasing the frequency of satellite signals dropping out is to have an external GPS antenna installed on the vehicle. We currently have no intention of purchasing this particular GPS accessory.

It might also be worth noting that we live in the Northern Territory of Australia which is a State (Territory) roughly the same size as France. The NTs population is only 200,000, Frances is 59.3 million. Around here, it's not recommended to be lost and not know ones location.

[HRV-BEN-UK]

Very sensible. Nice pics!

[freelance1000]

Went Geocaching today.

To begin with we drove up a hill that rose 110 metres in elevation at about a 30+ degree angle. The HR-V didn't have any difficulty climbing this hill in first gear at 4500RPM.

Later in the day we decided to check out Butterfly Gorge National Park. The final leg of the access road is 17km of corrigations, sand, rocks and has four creek crossings.

Here are some photos of one of the creek crossings. The depth of the water is 30-35cm or 1'-1'2".

http://www.hondasuv.com/main2/album_pic.php?pic_id=2361
http://www.hondasuv.com/main2/album_pic.php?pic_id=2362
http://www.hondasuv.com/main2/album_pic.php?pic_id=2363

Note: When I'm not sure of the depth of the water, I remove the tubing between the air filter box and the resonator. If the HR-V 'drinks' water it sends the pistons through the engine block.