WE BLEW UP OUR GEARBOX !! Stuck in Kununurra ! Caravan park repairs!

We certainly push our old girl to her limits, and being at the mature age of 64, we are always prepared for anything to happen.
Sooooo when we were 4WD at night, and our gearbox went, we weren’t overly shocked! BUT being so remote, getting the parts and then fitting them on the ground of a caravan park certainly was a mission.
The night it happened our devices died early on and we were frantically trying to get our Kombi off the dirt track so we have pulled all the pieces of the puzzle together to show you the reality of travelling in an old 1968 Kombi.
ENJOY and flick any other questions you have in the comments section below.

[@bradworthington8594]

Mate I have been a diesel mechanic for over 30 years and worked on anything and everything in every condition possible……. You my friend are an absolute machine. Mate you and Maxine bloody ooze energy and positivity 👍

[@KarstanAndMaxine]

Haha thanks mate .. gotta do what ya gotta do !

[@robpinter5431]

@@KarstanAndMaxine I'll agree with what Brad said, same here being a mechanic my self, impressive work without a hoist....reminded me how much I disliked working with out a hoist.

[@gavinanderson3693]

Yep, that’s hard work

[@countrybns]

My first episode, as an Aussie woman I thoroughly enjoyed watching you do the mechanic repairs, its so appealing a man who can fix things. 😀 I just miss watching repairs on things as I saw growing up. Baught back great memories 👌

[@johnsmith-xh8yn]

What decade are you living in? If you never seen a man fix things? Really.,

[@KR-pg8ef]

I’m not sure how I found installing a new gear box so entertaining, but I did! Well done you three. 😊

[@KarstanAndMaxine]

Hahaha thank you !

[@westaussie9497]

With a smile on your face and a positive mind.

[@grahameroberts8109]

I’m surprised that Karstan didn’t have a final shower before hightailing it out of the caravan park. I suppose he had so much grease on that he just ‘slipped out’! 👍🏻🙏🦘

[@Mack74]

My parents drove me and my younger brother all over the place in our old kombi. It's where I got my passion for travel and camping. It's been great following your adventures

[@betabeta28]

Fascinating watching the gearbox change over, you guys take everything in your stride, even enjoy the breakdown, good lesson here for us all.

[@Werkar27]

This was epic. Changing a gearbox is tough. Changing a gearbox out in the middle of nowhere, waiting for the parts to arrive and aligning the spines correctly in a Kombi, Karstan you're a legend.

[@antzw]

give credit ...That was not an easy job..Fidley id call it

[@thunderstorm4wd882]

There as so many people who go out buy sa 60 k 4B spend another 30k to accessorize, and go to Fraser for three days. And then many who wont go out exploring because they can’t buy that new car. Some afraid others might judge if they have and old one, and then just don’t do it. Thanks for teaching us a lesson and show us that with a old cheap car one can actually go and live without all the creature comforts. I wish you all the happiness and good fortune.

[@robosborne6514]

Awesome to see the Kombi Crew back out there cruising again, so fortunate Karstan knows how to do Bush Mechanics, with the excellent assistance from Maxine & Zuri.

[@Steve-qs1tw]

Now i think i will install a diff breather kit before starting our WA trip.

[@leecousins5440]

Great job Karstan, Your love for each other and the kombi shines like sunshine ☀️.

[@firetofork]

Oh man, bloody Kimberley time moves so slowly! I feel you. Took me 7 weeks to get the box changed on my cruiser.

[@bradcastledine1904]

Bit of winging but you got it done ,if you had shirt on wouldn’t got so much grease on you .

[@alireza_adventure]

amazing Good luck guys BIG LOVE from IRAN

[@russallchin5552]

Wow can't get to gel to your dominating Partner.

[@tonyphillips7773]

Seeing Max look at you with love and admiration while you pick your nose... that's love right there... ;)

[@dgordon9645]

Awesome doing the tranny I don't doubt your ability the thing that worries me is the dollars I've done something similar half way up WA coast. Interested how much for the flat bed truck+another tranny+postage+couplings+3 week's caravan park there's the pain !! Great to see on the road again with big smiles only after the first 200klm now you can relax.

[@maryetdave]

You have an LSD in that transmission?

[@humbertron1000]

Nearly a month stuck in Kununurra fixing the kombi still beats being at work. Love you guys 🍻

[@MiniLuv-1984]

Takes me back! Thanks. You know, the star of this show is your daughter, though Karstan's "fix it" ability is pretty impressive. Story about my old man, out hunting in his zephyr 6, blew the clutch and swapped it out by the side of the road by himself. Yes, he carried a spare. Zephyr 6 gearboxes are heavy as. So the bottom line is, my old man had lost his right hand a few years prior in an industrial accident. Hard to believe, I know, but supported by stories from his mates - in fact I only heard about it from Mum and the people he went hunting with. He never, ever mentioned it.

[@henrygreen19]

What a bummer !! One day when I may own a kombi or a bug, I willmake bloody sure that you are my neighbor .. .. .. LOL !! Back on the road and all looks/sounds well. Keep it up, be safe and maybe, just maybe, be a little bit kinder to the bus !! Without her .. .. .. .. I have absolutely nothing to watch on YT !!!

[@BamBam-7-7-7]

Made me smile when that kombi hit 4th and you both knew you had her back ! Keep up the good energy guys it's a pleasure to watch! 🔥

[@kathyf7474]

If anyone was gonna get your wonderful old girl running again, it would be you guys, always so postitive and happy!!

[@jonesy7504]

Awesome stuff, was that a 2litre gearbox? If so i need one. Love to know where you got it?

[@anitafoster8579]

Your back ✌️ I only stumbled across your content and love it you guys bloody rock. We just lost reverse in our fwd fun times 😆

[@cortneynarcisse9787]

Is there a video of a van tour?

[@cindykendall6934]

We were worried about you guys - hadn’t heard from you in 2 weeks !! Great news it wasn’t health issues !! Karstan you are a legend, what a clever man you are !! Good to see you’re all back on the road again. We missed you, Sunday just wasn’t the same. Safe travels with more adventures 👍👍

[@sherd2239]

You guys will be up and ready again positive energy out to You...your daughter is to gorgeous adore yr videos thanks guys

[@18truffles]

Great to have that flat 4 back on the bitumen...can't wait for more shenanigans you 3 😁

[@joanneoregan6395]

OMG Karstan the Machine !!! What a job !!! Max, hubby just loves your positivity and exhuberance !!! For life and encouragement for K !!!🥰🥰😘😘

[@VwRosstorations]

Good job..can imagine the stress man...👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@justrob5301]

Memories of trips, Newcastle to Lithgow and always broken down in dads old kombi’s on the Bells Line Road. Weep done

[@offcampnandy7727]

Karstan your a bloody legend fixing the old bus 10/10 👍👍👍We just came back from a quick r\trip and got delivered in style the same way, on the back of a tilt tray, we were the conversation of everyone in the caravan park 🤣🤣🤣, thank the bloke up stairs for roadside assist and having phone service 👍👍👍, we had water in our fuel that stopped us dead , home now and getting it sorted 👍👍👍 Keep the great stuff coming 👍👍👍 Cheers Andy

[@gregjameson2141]

You said it was amazing stuck in Kununurra for 3 weeks, you should have filmed what you did in Kununurra in those 3 weeks

[@KarstanAndMaxine]

We actually spent around two months in total in the area as we also hung around waiting for new tyres (pre gearbox being broken). Planning on Kununurra being a separate ep at some point 😉

[@paulclarke8260]

Good mechanic skills, proud of ya !

[@Jellyhead171]

I love how you just took the breakdown so well...it happened, move on .. loved that so much Max you must be so proud of Karsten, I was proud of him watching him fix the gearbox ...so amazing!! I hope he bought Zuri a new colouring book lol Can't wait for the next video ..I think you owe us an extra one midweek ;) xxxxxx

[@tonypucheta354]

We saw you at kununurra caravan park when the gear box still packed on the pallet and couldn't believe your positivity when I've asked you if you were a mechanic and you said not but we'll work it out. Good on you guys you are living the real adventure and our hearts are with you..

[@margieg2184]

there are sharks in the Ord Invhoe crossing bull sharks...

[@fajrdn]

I admire your ability to acquired parts in the middle of nowhere

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR SHARING A DETAILED VIDEO

[@DaveMacsCamp]

Karsten ENGAGE BEST MODE!! I'm a mechanic and I'm a firm believer if you going to go bush and remote you want to know how to fix your own gear. So far youve engine and box done on your lap, both deal breakers and trip ender's for a lot of people but you power thru and do it with a smile. Top effort!! Great video!

[@markcreighton3733]

I'm impressed you've got Porsche 930 parts in it ................

[@kealyduvalle1178]

Did you run it out of oil? Poor Maxie I bet she wasn’t happy with you?

[@adamj1299]

this episode shows that you can go anywhere with the right frame of mind, huge skills and great enthusiasm..as well as a bit of oz post..keep moving forward ..

[@lordcmdradama3969]

The look at 10:40 🤪 Karstan wasn’t feeling the luck 🍀

[@allisspices3559]

That’s a pretty good job doing bush mechnic, changing the gearbox. 👍👏

[@paty7018]

🙋💕

[@stephenhall2140]

I know what you guys went through I did a motor 80 kms out of Birdsville last year drove it out of Birdsville over three days at 30 kmh 20 litres of oil through the motor back to the Isa and onto a truck to NSW your hometown then tow truck to port Macquarie for a transplant I have the car back now and waiting on a new alloy tray too be built to start the trip again 9 months later fingers crossed I’ll be out of here in the next fortnight go the triton

[@waynelemmon3007]

Got to expect things to break when you push the old girl to do things that it was never designed to do. Glad you were able to get it all sorted so your trip can continue. Your right, You need to slow down so you can take it all in. Kununurra has so much to offer, it really is an amazing town.

[@Tastewithnewdrinks]

Great review.

[@slowlearner984]

Man, I can't believe you changes transaxles WITHOUT a jack under it. Respect. BTW, pls tell me you're upgrading to an 091 2 litre box? P.s. I don't miss crawling round under my VW.

[@nesscrossley9002]

Omg so clever! Love the positivity! Smiles all round 👏🏻😁

[@lesepulmadra]

No Brasil, quando a Kombi quebra na entrada nos chamamos de "perrengue",

[@nandycastro2051]

hey guys! muy buen trabajo karstan! maybe for the beer hahahahahha

[@kayfelix5054]

So you did change the (used?) Gearbox only? It's with a LSD too? In the past I did modify the rear end of my beetle and of the bus to be able to get out engine and gearbox together on the street. With quick connections to electric and oil lines. Ok, my ones are with a central IDF, I prefer this over the 2IDF like your engine. My offroad-beetle I drove around 500 000km, hopefully it will be on the road again next year, maybe 2024 You won't need 4WD with rear engine and a LSD or a hydraulic handbrake, separated left and right wheel A truck drove over the right rear tyre😔 Insurance company paid nothing, because it's a very old modifyed beetle with too many km and in "bad" condition. Like your T2a

[@jimmethven8074]

Great video and field repair. Reminds me of me back in the 70,s and 80,s with my old 64 bus camping and exploring with the family. You can learn a lot driving old iron. Keep up the great work, very entertaining watching the old bus moving along.

[@stupidmonkeykev]

Well done, you just dealt with the issue and cracked on. Great attitude just like with your adventures :)

[@seanduffield2971]

Well done guys. We have missed you. So much so...... started all over again. So.. you should check to see how much Zuri has grown. You guys are fun to watch. Sean the Chippy

[@nurburgflip1188]

Your wife and kid..."We love you Kombi." My wife..."That thing is embarrassing....you have too many, sell one." My Daughter..."You sell it, I'll track it down and buy it back!" All is not lost.

[@mikescudder4621]

Ah, so you had a custom box, that'll be missed. Maybe just the crown and pinion thats different?? Since your last gearbox lasted such a short time you should probably look out for a particular swap. I can't remember off the top of my head but theres a particular model which had bigger bearings through out the box which is sought after for buggies and the likes.

[@jamesdurham2590]

Now that's something you don't see the other "youtubers" do hahaha..... You are a weapon mate...

[@morebeerthanbarra4wdtourin483]

Hats off to you mate, that looks like bloody difficult, hard work. 👏

[@mikek2258]

Those german cars were engineered so well back then. Wish my v8 commadore or nissan gq boxes were that easy lol. no way in hell you could lift those bastards up like that.

[@michaelnugara1]

One word to describe you mate. GUN 💪💪💪

[@niki3151]

I hope we get more build and van tours videos :) Noticed that your first video the Combi still had the wall in behind you for example.

[@graemegladman]

Their was a spot on your back you missed with the oil coverage LOL.

[@williamoorejr]

you guys give ne such joy i got stuck in katherine in 73. my motor blew and 3 weeks later a gut ran his kombi into a tree. and i got his new motor. back when i got 2 kombis for 300 dollars. c

[@benshore7357]

Looking good. I am doing the same job on my 69 kombi. Waiting on the rebuild. My steering wheel is on the other side.

[@jennilethbridge1349]

yay you guys are alive lol. We had wondered what had happened to you. Glad to see you are on the move again. Drive safe

[@iantowse743]

You are such a lovely and happy family. Its so nice to see your adventures. lots of love for the uk.

[@goggaenbaba]

On the road again.Good for you

[@mikescudder4621]

I know what this is like.... on a trip with my vw bug got into a little town and the gearbox spat a bearing. On the side of the road in front of the hotel i had to do a gearbox swap for the first time ever. Just a bit of stress! And you always loose a bit of skin. Good job!!

[@mummytumy]

I was wondering where my video was lol been waiting so long. glad you are all safe and back on the road. cheers O.J.

[@stevemac430]

Hey Karstan have you ever done a story on how you built the mechanicals on the Kombi would be very interesting.

[@attieven3789]

Love this episode. Take a man to change a gearbox by himself

[@geoffgold6773]

Your lucky you had 2 legs an 2 arms to put that gearbox in

[@claudemirbarbosagarcia5588]

Ual que diferença o tamanho dessa caixa de marcha aqui no Brasil é muito menor

[@geoffwilson7774]

You guys are legends, never let anything beat ya attitude….another awesome flick…..cheers peeps 🍺🤙🏽

[@ianbrowne9304]

not too many in those glorified boxes (4wd) could do that fix on the ground --- well done :)

[@yourtimefreedomlife]

We grew up in kombis and they struggled even going up a basic hill. Lol

[@brucesaville6976]

There is a solution to any problem, my father taught me that, very inspirational how you fixed the gearbox and installed it....

[@harryloibl5183]

You got the beefy 2 litre box, probably also custom gears , it’s the last thing to give problems now. I think it’s good to push your self to see what you are capable of doing, I do the same and think it’s important not to stay in your comfort zone , keeping safety always in mind when challenging your self . Thanks for sharing take care 😊

[@EnsVibes]

Well done guys 💪🏾 a friend of mine installed horns like the vw beetle to support the engine. Not sure if thst modification can be useful for your combi

[@supercoachkissofdeath9325]

Is Karstan an ex-mechanic or something? What a trooper!

[@campingaustralia6698]

Love ❤ your content keep up the good work. Hope to see you out there one day. Cheers Tim and Trish. ♥️ 👍👍👍

[@nzmarkb8713]

Love ya work mate What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger 👍 I’m surprised that poor gearbox and clutch has lasted as long as it has🤦‍♂️ That shorter 1st will help on the tracks Looking forward to seeing your next adventures

[@AZMUNDOGATES]

You guys did sooooooo good. Just brilliant. Great mechanical work, great family

[@alainstasse4602]

Karstan, you so remind me of when I was a young man in the 70's. The crazy places you take the van and how you just crawl underneath and fix things brings back so many memories. Mostly old Holdens. The van back then was near new. You guys are the best people to watch hands down.

[@daveglick5152]

good job. entertaining as usual. cheers

[@EduardoMoreira-mu5td]

Please … add legends in Portuguese..🙏🙏🙏😎

[@stefanmokrzecki16]

A BIG "thumbs up", good to hear that you are making tracks and memories again!

[@TheHarleyRoadshow]

100% the best advice, slow down, chat to the locals, there’s some awesome people out there that are more than happy to show you around their towns, keep up the great content

[@paulgardner4931]

Ahhhh man, what a sight to see your family of 4 rolling again, good job, happy travelling guy's.

[@RuhulAmin-zt8rp]

good lick

[@petevawser7310]

Felt for you mate having to change a gear box like that. But shit the commentary had me in stitches. Lengend

[@sarasyrankothrankoth9444]

good job guys ...

[@harryloibl5183]

I don’t know if I mentioned to you that we also have a kombie and intend to similar to you guys but perhaps not as extreme off road to the max like you and when you break a sway bar as you have done that’s extreme off road to the max. 😊

[@KarstanAndMaxine]

Throw some kohmo 28/8r14s mud terrains on it

[@harryloibl5183]

@@KarstanAndMaxine ok cool thanks

[@nasirahsan786]

Clean your hire under arm

[@tonylynch4280]

the mighty vw

[@KarstanAndMaxine]

👍🏻🤙🏻