Dry, and rocky. It was my 1st time doing the track so I am unable to compare. The rock steps and ledges were sketchy at times, but most of the track seemed good.
I drove it back in the mid 2000’s in a defender but when I was running VHC 4WD tours. I was fully loaded with 8 yr 9 boys towing a trailer with all their camping gear. Wouldn’t even dream of doing that these days, but back then it was just what we did…. Great drive Tim, I’m really enjoying your video’s. Champing at the bit to get out there again 😊
Gday Simon Yeah it’s pretty chopped up at the moment. Towing a trailer up it now has danger written all over. It. Thanks very much mate for your feedback, might see ya on the tracks some day. Cheers Tim
I enjoy how you let the patrol do the talking mate and the music from the engine it’s the equivalent of those silent camp videos I love driving and hearing engines work and tyres grip . Thanks mate keep ‘em coming
Gday Chad Absolutely mate, got to hear engines screaming on tracks like Billy Goat. Nothing worse hearing music over the top. Thanks for your feedback mate. Cheers Tim
20 years since I have driven Billy Goats. I remember we stopped near the top and did the "Cooee" calls into the hills as we were admiring the views. We then heard some distant dog howls in response to our cooee's.... not sure if they were dingos or feral dogs, put a shiver up our spines for sure. Loved the video Tim, thank you for sharing.
G'day mate, I first drove Billy Goat about 15 years ago. It's a track that changes year in year out. You just never know what it's going to throw at you and your 4WD. Hearing those wild dogs would sure put a shiver up your spin. I hear them a lot when out camping in the high country. Ive never had a bad experience with them. Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the video up Billy Goat. Cheers Tim
I remember going up billy’s in a series 2 Land Rover in the mid 1970s. No graders back then, it was just a hard rough 4wd track that would take most of the day to complete. Great video Tim.
First time I did Billy Goats was also mid 1970s , it was on a Honda 250 Trail Bike , have done it many times since over the years in all my 4wds and dirt bikes , I don't remember it being any worse back then , we didn't have diff locks in those days and there was nowhere near the amount of traffic to chop it up , did just a few weeks ago in the Y62 , probably about the roughest I have seen it but a bloke in a 20 year old stock Ford Courier drove from the bottom to the top and back down again .
Great to see the track conditions again Tim, haven’t been there since Feb. Really liked the 50/50 split screen watching the suspension & tyres work 👍 as usual you didn’t put a foot wrong, I don’t think I even saw a wheel spin, even on the real steep stuff. Bloody show off 😉 Nah just kidding, great drive Tim!
Gday David. Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed the video. It’s a fun track, slow and a steady right foot is key. Lol. Really appreciate your feedback mate. Cheers Tim
Beautiful views of the mountains, i still whish you would show more of it in your videos. Wow Tim amazing track very steep in parts, the patrol seem to handle it ok thank you.
Gday John Stunning views at the top mate. I wished I had of shown more of them. I’ll keep that in mind mate. Thanks very much for your feedback. Cheers Tim
Great vid and thanks Tim. A few years back we camped with the kids at Talbotville and did Blue Rag, the Cynthia Range Track to Wanangatta Station in our R51 but didn't get to Billy Goats. You may have inspired us to get back there and do it again! Thanks for the great viewing and excellent production as always. Cheers from Sydney - Dave
Thanks a lot Dave. You’ve covered some great country and tracks during your camping trip at Talbotville. It’s a great camp spot. Maybe you’ll come back down some day from Sydney mate and explore a bit more of the high country. Thanks again mate. Cheers Tim
It’s great to see you back Tim! I descended Billy Goat last year in a stock Amarok. When I got out at the helipad I thought I’d left the engine running but it was just my trembly knees knocking together 😂
Gday mate, Yeah Billy Goat can be like that for some first timers taking on the track. Just never know what it’s going to throw at you, that’s for sure. Glad to hear you got down alright. Cheers Tim
Absolutely love the GU mate. Only thing stopping me is I need a dual cab for work. Maybe I should chop one into a dual cab lol. Hope to get down to your part of the world with the kids one day. Such an awesome part of the world. Cheers
Gday mate Thanks, my GU is well setup for the high country. There’s so much to check out and I hope you get down here with your family someday soon. Haha there’s a few people that have chopped the back out of a GU wagon to make a dusk cab. See how you go. Cheers Tim
Great stuff Tim. you're a lucky man having the High Country on your doorstep. Weather stopped us at Easter doing Billy Goats that and one of our group rolled his ranger on another track., can't wait to get back down and have a crack ourselves in the new year.
Yeah mate, it’s pretty handy having the high country so close to home. That’s no good about the roll over mate in your group. Hope they were ok. You’ll have to come back some day and try Billy Goat mate. Great fun. Cheers Tim
Gday Rusty, You have a great trip at Talbotville. Wicked spot to base camp on the Crooked River and explore tracks in the area. Thanks mate. Cheers Tim
wow that looks pretty rough. I've seen your other vids on Billy Goat but this one looks a lot tougher. The new tyres look like they did the job. Thanks Tim.
G'day Paul, Yeah mate, it's the worst i have seen for many years. Great fun if you're up for it. The new Duratracs went well mate. They copped a hiding in the rocky sections. Thanks mate for your reply. Cheers Tim
Bloody excellent video, Tim. What a top notch track. I’ve got the old style Duratracs, up to 65,000km on them now. Great offroad tyres. I noticed the new RT’s the other week while I was getting a wheel alignment at a Goodyear dealer.
Gday Jarrod Thanks a lot mate. Glad you enjoyed the video up Billy Goat. The old Duratracs are great tyres , I used them for years before trying out the new RTs. Both wicked tyres mate. Thanks for your feedback Cheers Tim
I went down billy goats about 2 years ago first big solo trip I ever did with the family in my old Toyota surf was the most fun and scary thing I ever did. Kids loved it wife did not
It's as busy as Bourke Street on this track these days. The worst thing about this track is the worry of oncoming traffic around the very narrow sections. Some areas are just too dangerous to pass on. If they made this a one-way track it would be more enjoyable, whether going up, down, or alternating. Soon after the helipad is a huge slice in the ground that will get your wheels in the air for sure - exhilarating, but scary as buggery, especially with the 1000-foot drop beside you.
G'day mate, Yeah, its very tight in some sections for trying to get past on coming traffic. I couldn't ever see it becoming a one way track, because which way would you make it? Going up or down. Big drop offs on some section and you dont wont to get it wrong. Thanks a lot for your reply. Cheers Tim
Just did the Junction Spur Track on the weekend. It was pretty eventful & encountered several 4wd & trailbike riders who said the Spur track was considerably harder than Billy Goat track. They were thinking it was just a quick track back to Dargo, but far from it.
Gday mate I’ve not been on Junction Spur for a good few years. It must be chopped up if it’s worse than Billy Goat at the moment. Hope you got through ok. Cheers Tim
Hi Tim. I was lucky to be coming "down" the spur track which was tricky enough, but there were numerous coming the other way that were absolutely over it. The incline mixed with deep ruts made it pretty exciting.
Wheel and tyre combo looks great. Definitely don't continue past the helipad if your struggling to that point. A good loop is if you keep going past the Pinnacles and go back down Scrubby Creek Track over the River back to Wonnangatta Road.
Thanks mate. Very happy with the new setup. That’s a great loop. Did that one a few years ago. Came up Scrubby Creek to the Pinnacle. Thanks mate for your feedback Cheers Tim
Gday Brent Thanks mate. It was a top day. Those gears are wicked. It’s a combination of driver and a capable 4wd that gets up tracks like that. End of the day, a 4wd doesn’t drive up by itself. Thanks heaps for your feedback mate. Cheers Tim
Gday mate. Not a bad idea. Camera angles never show the true steepness of a track. But, it’s a steep track in sections. Thanks for your feedback Cheers Tim
Been keen to see Billy Goat's current condition, definitely getting torn up, must be due for a grade again soon. Do you really 'need' a rear locker when you're driving a rig with the famous Nissan LSD? ;-)
G'day mate, Yeah its pretty chopped up at the moment. A lot of people have asked me this from the video. This coming Sunday night, im going to do a live chat about my day on Billy Goat. Lockers will be a topic to discuss. Thanks mate. Cheers Tim
Hey old mate, you could probably knock the wranglers down to 16psi comfortably if you want them to bag out a bit more! The hard side walls make them look like they aren't bagging well with your lighter Mighty GU
Gday mate Yeah I still may have to play around with tyre pressures. The rig is pretty light in weight From the drivers seat, they felt great at 18psi. I’ll see if I adjust them down further on future trips. Thanks mate for your feedback Cheers Tim
Thanks Tim. Haven’t been on Billy Goats since early’19 so good to see it’s current condition. Please keep us posted on how the new tyres go as I am getting close to needing to replace mine. Apologies if you have covered this in a previous episode; what suspension do you run and did you change anything after you removed all that weight from the car? Always enjoy your High Country vids Cheers
G'day mate, Yeah it;s like the Billy Goat Bluff Track of the old days. Its a heap of fun if ya up for it. The new tyres went well on Billy Goat, a great test fro them. Im still running the Dobinsons suspension. So far i havent needed to change that setup after removing a heap of weight out of the back of the Patrol. Thanks mate, i appreciate your feedback. Cheers Tim
Thanks Tim, great video. When was this recorded? We were there on the 21st of March this year and there was a huge hole that some guys were winching through. It was going to take several hours to get them through before we could have a go and rather than wait, we turned around.
Tim can you point me to the vids where you talk about always enhancing rear locker when you go into 4WD? couple of questions, but will check out the info in the other vids first.
Gday Phillip Thanks mate for your question. I do have a video on my channel about when I use lockers. But, I’m going live tonight at 7pm. I’ll include your question in tonight’s chat and explain. Cheers Tim
Yeah, I was thinking to myself the ZD30 was singing pretty well during the climb, reduction gearing helps. Also appeared to have good engine braking descending from helipad. Query for you I know it's been a long time since your ECU tune & turbo but did you notice an increase in engine braking once done? I've only ever descended the good old Billy Goat Bluff track. Need to rtn and ascend it next time. Good footage, thanks.
Love your videos Tim. You bring out the best if 4wding and the Vic high country. This one looks like a tough one. What gear did you do the top secton? 2nd low? Thanks!
Gday mate Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it. It was a top day out. After the heli pad on those long steep rocky sections, I used 1st gear low range. Just walked up with out any dramas. Thanks for your feedback mate. Cheers Tim
G'day Steve, Yeah mate, it's one of those tracks that you dont know what its going to throw at you. Changes a lot all the time. Thanks mate for your reply. Cheers Tim
Hi Tim, nice drive! I did it in my R50 pathfinder about 3 months ago,passed a couple of ls swapped gu patrols they had heating issues. Did you notice a change in your temps now your patrol is lighter?
G'day Geoff, I have seen a few 4wds over my time driving Billy Goat that have over heating issues. It's not an ideal track to drive up on hot days, the engine is working to hard with very little to no air flow and thats why they over heat. My temps are still pretty much the same mate, but i only have the standard temp dash gauge. Thanks mate for your reply. Cheers Tim
Dear Tim, thanks a lot for the video. i am a first timer planning to attempt Billygoat solo this weekend ( dry weather) . Mine Patrol 1998 (2inch lift, 33s ) - do you suggest doing it or go in a group? Any advice would be appreciated. I did few omeo tracks, bluerag track earlier but never billygoat backed off hearing all scary stuff in RUclips 😊 Thanks Naga
Gday Naga Mate, there’s no way I’d be taking on Billy Goat in its current condition solo. The vehicle I mentioned in the video that we had to help was a solo guy. End of the day mate, it’s totally up to you if you go this weekend on your own. I’m going live on Sunday night to discuss Billy Goat in more detail. Thanks for your feedback Cheers Tim
Hi Tim. Track looks like a doddle. How did you find the tyres? I've done 70000km on a set and found them great. Tracks tend to be more muddy here in NZ but they've served me well.
Gday mate, The new tyres went well that day for a first trip out 4wding. More tests to come. I love NZ, I’d like to come back some day and bring my Patrol over. Thanks heaps mate for your reply. Cheers Tim
Gday Tim, im heading up there in November and a couple of my group have open diffs. I drove Billy goats 4 years ago in my at the time unlocked 200 and it was a bit shalie but fine. Going from what you saw would you keep the unlocked vehicles away until some maintenance has been done?
G'day mate, A lot of people have asked me this from the video. This coming Sunday night, im going to do a live chat about my day on Billy Goat. Lockers will be a topic to discuss. Hope you can tune in mate. Thanks mate. Cheers Tim
Hey mate, was up on the river there last weekend but didn’t make it over to the track. I’ve got a cannon with 2inch lift and +50mm all terrains. Reckon it would cope alright? It’s a pretty heavy rig with the bullbar and canopy….
Gday mate. All depends how much steep driving you have done off road. Billy Goat is pretty full on at the moment. Also depends what experience you have in country like that. The 4wd is only going to go where you as the driver puts in from the lines you pick. Hope you had a top weekend camping on the river. Cheers Tim
G'day Keith, The new tyres are going well. It sure was a great test for them on Billy Goat a few weeks ago. I find them really quiet for that style of tyre. No worries at all. Either the AT or the aggressive AT would be a great option over any HT tyre when it comes to towing a van. Thanks heaps for your reply mate. Cheers Tim
Gday mate. New alloys went well. No issues at all. I did a live chat after I fitted alloys. Alloys half the weight of the steels. I cover all of that in the recent live chat. Cheers Tim
Nice footage. 👍 You made it look easy, but like you said, BGB does looked pretty chopped up right now. I hope it doesn't get any worst. So what trouble did that solo 4WDer have?
Thanks mate. The Patrol is really well setup for steep rocky tracks like Billy Goat. It’s really chopped up in sections. The guy we helped had fuel problems. I’ll most likely run a live chat next Sunday night to debrief the day out on the track. Hope you can tune into it mate. Thanks for your feedback Cheers Tim
Thanks mate. I know my Patrol very well and how much fuel it uses. Plus I can carry 120ltrs from standard if I need it. Hope that helps a bit mate. Cheers Tim
@@sudarshankc2066 unless you have full low range gearing and raised suspension, I wouldn’t recommend and tracks. Not many easy tracks in that area if you don’t have the list above. Cheers Tim.
G'day Chris, Wicked day out on Billy Goat mate, its such a fun track. Im very happy with the new Duratracs mate, they copped a hiding in the rocky sections. I'll be keen to hear how you find your set. Thanks for your reply mate. Cheers Tim
@timbates4wdadventures trail tack is step and rough as per hema maps and junction spur tack is slippery at the rock slab had to winch that section, wet and slippery about 5 weeks back.
I’d really like to do these tracks but cause I bought a tb48 auto for a spare car for the kids as well as for me to go away with going down these track with no engine braking (using brakes a lot more) and no diff locks is it possible or do I need some sort of diff lock or reduction gears I need to get out a lot more and worried the gu isn’t up to it without some essential mods
Gday mate. Lockers are helpful for sure. But, what’s your experience like in steep rocky tracks like Billy Goat. It’s pretty full on at the moment. Don’t drive it in your own at the moment. Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures Aleays go out with others usually with 4wd club have been in HC before but with a newer discovery completely different bus been wombat and mt cole and toolangi and mt disappointment only about 2 year’s experience but 2 months in the patrol
Gday mate Both are handy. I used my rear locker. Without a locker, I could see a lot of sections where you get hung up on. A lot depends on your off road experience and how comfortable you are in steep rocky tracks. Don’t attempt this track in the condition it in, on your own Hope that helps mate. Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures just picked up first 4wd PX2 ranger, with some gear- lift, 33's, bullbar, winch. any tracks you would recommend around the area to learn on ? Love your vids
@@WillCheang around the Mansfield area is a few tracks mate. I have a couple of live chat videos taking about tracks for beginners. I list tracks and maps needed. Maybe check those vids out mate.
G'day mate, A lot of people have asked me this from the video. This coming Sunday night, im going to do a live chat about my day on Billy Goat. Lockers will be a topic to discuss. Thanks mate. Cheers Tim
Patrols still do the business. Classics. Too bad they don't make a modern Nissan with live axles. I hate IFS cruisers. You can't do much to the suspension that makes anywhere near a Patrol.
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G'day Tim. Finally did Billy Goat this past weekend!! And I loved it.
Thanks for all your inspiring videos.
The track condition?
Dry, and rocky. It was my 1st time doing the track so I am unable to compare. The rock steps and ledges were sketchy at times, but most of the track seemed good.
I drove it back in the mid 2000’s in a defender but when I was running VHC 4WD tours. I was fully loaded with 8 yr 9 boys towing a trailer with all their camping gear. Wouldn’t even dream of doing that these days, but back then it was just what we did….
Great drive Tim, I’m really enjoying your video’s. Champing at the bit to get out there again 😊
Gday Simon
Yeah it’s pretty chopped up at the moment.
Towing a trailer up it now has danger written all over. It.
Thanks very much mate for your feedback, might see ya on the tracks some day.
Cheers Tim
Glad your back doing videos buddy, missed them, so would love to get to the vic hc one day, everything about it is awesome ❤
Gday mate
Thanks for that. It was a top day on billy goat.
I hope you get down here some day, there’s so much to see.
Cheers Tim
I enjoy how you let the patrol do the talking mate and the music from the engine it’s the equivalent of those silent camp videos I love driving and hearing engines work and tyres grip . Thanks mate keep ‘em coming
Gday Chad
Absolutely mate, got to hear engines screaming on tracks like Billy Goat.
Nothing worse hearing music over the top.
Thanks for your feedback mate.
Cheers Tim
Driven it a number of times but earlier this year is the gnarliest I’ve seen it!
Yeah mate.
It’s a great fun track at any time.
But, it’s pretty challenging in spots at the moment.
Cheers Tim
20 years since I have driven Billy Goats. I remember we stopped near the top and did the "Cooee" calls into the hills as we were admiring the views. We then heard some distant dog howls in response to our cooee's.... not sure if they were dingos or feral dogs, put a shiver up our spines for sure. Loved the video Tim, thank you for sharing.
G'day mate,
I first drove Billy Goat about 15 years ago. It's a track that changes year in year out.
You just never know what it's going to throw at you and your 4WD.
Hearing those wild dogs would sure put a shiver up your spin.
I hear them a lot when out camping in the high country. Ive never had a bad experience with them.
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed the video up Billy Goat.
Cheers Tim
@@trickster8635 it can change in weeks let alone years.
Cheers Tim
Looks similar condition to the we were there in January. Thanks for sharing Tim. Cheers Steve
Yeah cool mate.
Great fun track in any conditions.
Cheers Tim
I remember going up billy’s in a series 2 Land Rover in the mid 1970s. No graders back then, it was just a hard rough 4wd track that would take most of the day to complete. Great video Tim.
G'day Mitch,
Seeing the track back in the 70s would have been amazing.
Roughs as all get up back then i reckon.
Thanks for your reply mate
Cheers Tim
First time I did Billy Goats was also mid 1970s , it was on a Honda 250 Trail Bike , have done it many times since over the years in all my 4wds and dirt bikes , I don't remember it being any worse back then , we didn't have diff locks in those days and there was nowhere near the amount of traffic to chop it up , did just a few weeks ago in the Y62 , probably about the roughest I have seen it but a bloke in a 20 year old stock Ford Courier drove from the bottom to the top and back down again .
Great to see the track conditions again Tim, haven’t been there since Feb. Really liked the 50/50 split screen watching the suspension & tyres work 👍 as usual you didn’t put a foot wrong, I don’t think I even saw a wheel spin, even on the real steep stuff. Bloody show off 😉 Nah just kidding, great drive Tim!
Gday David.
Thanks mate. Glad you enjoyed the video.
It’s a fun track, slow and a steady right foot is key. Lol.
Really appreciate your feedback mate.
Cheers Tim
Great to see you back on the tracks Tim.
Thanks mate.
It was a top day out.
Cheers Tim
Beautiful views of the mountains, i still whish you would show more of it in your videos.
Wow Tim amazing track very steep in parts, the patrol seem to handle it ok thank you.
Gday John
Stunning views at the top mate.
I wished I had of shown more of them.
I’ll keep that in mind mate.
Thanks very much for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
G'day Tim good to see you posting again,i must get down your way for some of those tracks.
Thanks mate.🍻👍🏾
G'day Doug,
Thanks a lot mate. It was a top day out on Billy Boat.
Hope you get down here some day mate.
Heaps to check out.
Cheers Tim
Great vid and thanks Tim. A few years back we camped with the kids at Talbotville and did Blue Rag, the Cynthia Range Track to Wanangatta Station in our R51 but didn't get to Billy Goats. You may have inspired us to get back there and do it again! Thanks for the great viewing and excellent production as always. Cheers from Sydney - Dave
Thanks a lot Dave.
You’ve covered some great country and tracks during your camping trip at Talbotville.
It’s a great camp spot.
Maybe you’ll come back down some day from Sydney mate and explore a bit more of the high country.
Thanks again mate.
Cheers Tim
Love your videos Tim good to see you back at it
Thanks heaps mate.
Cheers Tim
It’s great to see you back Tim! I descended Billy Goat last year in a stock Amarok. When I got out at the helipad I thought I’d left the engine running but it was just my trembly knees knocking together 😂
Gday mate,
Yeah Billy Goat can be like that for some first timers taking on the track.
Just never know what it’s going to throw at you, that’s for sure.
Glad to hear you got down alright.
Cheers Tim
Great drive mate. Billy has been on my list for a long time and i cant wait to try it.
Cheers Tim for sharing it with us.
G'day Jordan,
Its a great track to drive alright, heaps of fun if ya up for it.
No worries mate and thanks for your feedback.
Cheers Tim
I’m new to Australia and doing this at the weekend. Is it wise to take a tyre pump?
Gday mate
I never go 4wding without my compressor.
Totally up to you if you go with out a air compressor
Cheers Tim
Absolutely love the GU mate. Only thing stopping me is I need a dual cab for work. Maybe I should chop one into a dual cab lol. Hope to get down to your part of the world with the kids one day. Such an awesome part of the world. Cheers
Gday mate
Thanks, my GU is well setup for the high country.
There’s so much to check out and I hope you get down here with your family someday soon.
Haha there’s a few people that have chopped the back out of a GU wagon to make a dusk cab.
See how you go.
Cheers Tim
Great stuff Tim. you're a lucky man having the High Country on your doorstep. Weather stopped us at Easter doing Billy Goats that and one of our group rolled his ranger on another track., can't wait to get back down and have a crack ourselves in the new year.
Yeah mate, it’s pretty handy having the high country so close to home.
That’s no good about the roll over mate in your group.
Hope they were ok.
You’ll have to come back some day and try Billy Goat mate.
Great fun.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures no one hurt thankfully
@@wewentthatawayadventures that’s good mate.
Thanks Timbo, looking at getting up to Talbotville and test the LC120 a little.
As usual, your presentation is superb pal… take care… Rusty D 🎼👍
Gday Rusty,
You have a great trip at Talbotville.
Wicked spot to base camp on the Crooked River and explore tracks in the area.
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
wow that looks pretty rough.
I've seen your other vids on Billy Goat but this one looks a lot tougher. The new tyres look like they did the job. Thanks Tim.
G'day Paul,
Yeah mate, it's the worst i have seen for many years.
Great fun if you're up for it.
The new Duratracs went well mate. They copped a hiding in the rocky sections.
Thanks mate for your reply.
Cheers Tim
Awesome Track Tim. Cheers Steve.
It sure is mate.
Top day out.
Cheers Tim
Bloody excellent video, Tim. What a top notch track. I’ve got the old style Duratracs, up to 65,000km on them now. Great offroad tyres. I noticed the new RT’s the other week while I was getting a wheel alignment at a Goodyear dealer.
Gday Jarrod
Thanks a lot mate.
Glad you enjoyed the video up Billy Goat.
The old Duratracs are great tyres , I used them for years before trying out the new RTs.
Both wicked tyres mate.
Thanks for your feedback
Cheers Tim
Great to see you back in the Vic High Country🏔️🏕️
Thanks mate. I was a wicked day.
Cheers Tim
Thanks for the vid mate. I did this track going up in a hilux about 8 years ago but keen to do it in the gu one of these days.
Yeah cool mate.
The track changes all the time.
It’s pretty full on at the moment.
Thanks mates.
Cheers Tim
I went down billy goats about 2 years ago first big solo trip I ever did with the family in my old Toyota surf was the most fun and scary thing I ever did. Kids loved it wife did not
Gday Jack
Glad to hear you got down from Billy Goat alright a few years ago.
It sure can be a scary track.
Cheers Tim
Awesome video Batesy! Looks fun compared to the last time I drove it.
Gday Shannon
Thanks mate.
It was a wicked day on billy goat.
Cheers Tim
Great video Tim, I really enjoyed this one mate. 👍
Thanks mate.
Wicked day out that’s for sure.
Cheers Tim
Awesome thanks Tim, good to see GU Nissans doing the track, thanks mate
Thanks mate.
Glad you enjoyed it.
It was a top day. The night GU loves tracks like that. Lol.
Cheers Tim
It's as busy as Bourke Street on this track these days. The worst thing about this track is the worry of oncoming traffic around the very narrow sections. Some areas are just too dangerous to pass on. If they made this a one-way track it would be more enjoyable, whether going up, down, or alternating. Soon after the helipad is a huge slice in the ground that will get your wheels in the air for sure - exhilarating, but scary as buggery, especially with the 1000-foot drop beside you.
G'day mate,
Yeah, its very tight in some sections for trying to get past on coming traffic.
I couldn't ever see it becoming a one way track, because which way would you make it?
Going up or down.
Big drop offs on some section and you dont wont to get it wrong.
Thanks a lot for your reply.
Cheers Tim
Hi Tim great video. if I go there I'll take your advice and head back down after enjoying the views at Hellipad.
G'day mate,
You can do a loop back to Dargo when the seasonal tracks open up.
Going back down is a heap of fun.
Cheers Tim
Thanks for the advice@@timbates4wdadventures
@@SjoukeHavenaar no worries mate.
Any time.
Just did the Junction Spur Track on the weekend.
It was pretty eventful & encountered several 4wd & trailbike riders who said the Spur track was considerably harder than Billy Goat track.
They were thinking it was just a quick track back to Dargo, but far from it.
Gday mate
I’ve not been on Junction Spur for a good few years.
It must be chopped up if it’s worse than Billy Goat at the moment.
Hope you got through ok.
Cheers Tim
Hi Tim.
I was lucky to be coming "down" the spur track which was tricky enough, but there were numerous coming the other way that were absolutely over it.
The incline mixed with deep ruts made it pretty exciting.
@@recommit sounds like a challenging track now mate.
Wheel and tyre combo looks great. Definitely don't continue past the helipad if your struggling to that point. A good loop is if you keep going past the Pinnacles and go back down Scrubby Creek Track over the River back to Wonnangatta Road.
Thanks mate.
Very happy with the new setup.
That’s a great loop.
Did that one a few years ago.
Came up Scrubby Creek to the Pinnacle.
Thanks mate for your feedback
Cheers Tim
Always love watching you’re content Tim 🙌🏻🤙 cya out there some time mate 😊
Thanks mate.
It was a top day out.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures yea looked like a great day out in gods country mate 🙌🏻
@@Meet_the_metchers yeah mate. It’s a fun track if your up for it.
@@timbates4wdadventures yea always a good time up there mate, has been a while since we’ve been up there so will head out again soon 😊
@@Meet_the_metchers sounds great mate.
Another great vid. Them extra low reduction gears make that Patrol look good or is it the driver. Looks like had good time.
Gday Brent
Thanks mate. It was a top day.
Those gears are wicked.
It’s a combination of driver and a capable 4wd that gets up tracks like that.
End of the day, a 4wd doesn’t drive up by itself.
Thanks heaps for your feedback mate.
Cheers Tim
You need one of those gadgets on the screen that shows how many degrees of angle the truck is at.
Gday mate.
Not a bad idea.
Camera angles never show the true steepness of a track.
But, it’s a steep track in sections.
Thanks for your feedback
Cheers Tim
Cant wait for the day i actually get to do this track. Been on the list for a few years 😂
Go prepared if you end up driving it.
It’s full of challenges.
Cheers Tim
Been keen to see Billy Goat's current condition, definitely getting torn up, must be due for a grade again soon. Do you really 'need' a rear locker when you're driving a rig with the famous Nissan LSD? ;-)
G'day mate,
Yeah its pretty chopped up at the moment.
A lot of people have asked me this from the video.
This coming Sunday night, im going to do a live chat about my day on Billy Goat.
Lockers will be a topic to discuss.
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
Hey old mate, you could probably knock the wranglers down to 16psi comfortably if you want them to bag out a bit more! The hard side walls make them look like they aren't bagging well with your lighter Mighty GU
Gday mate
Yeah I still may have to play around with tyre pressures.
The rig is pretty light in weight
From the drivers seat, they felt great at 18psi.
I’ll see if I adjust them down further on future trips.
Thanks mate for your feedback
Cheers Tim
Thanks Tim. Haven’t been on Billy Goats since early’19 so good to see it’s current condition.
Please keep us posted on how the new tyres go as I am getting close to needing to replace mine.
Apologies if you have covered this in a previous episode; what suspension do you run and did you change anything after you removed all that weight from the car?
Always enjoy your High Country vids
Cheers
G'day mate,
Yeah it;s like the Billy Goat Bluff Track of the old days.
Its a heap of fun if ya up for it.
The new tyres went well on Billy Goat, a great test fro them.
Im still running the Dobinsons suspension. So far i havent needed to change that setup after removing a heap of weight out of the back of the Patrol.
Thanks mate, i appreciate your feedback.
Cheers Tim
Thanks Tim, great video. When was this recorded? We were there on the 21st of March this year and there was a huge hole that some guys were winching through. It was going to take several hours to get them through before we could have a go and rather than wait, we turned around.
Gday mate.
Filmed this Saturday week ago.
Pretty chopped up.
Cheers Tim
Tim can you point me to the vids where you talk about always enhancing rear locker when you go into 4WD? couple of questions, but will check out the info in the other vids first.
Gday Phillip
Thanks mate for your question.
I do have a video on my channel about when I use lockers.
But, I’m going live tonight at 7pm.
I’ll include your question in tonight’s chat and explain.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures - looking forward to it.
@@philipbarnes9764 cheers mate.
Reduction gears do the trick Tim. Good stuff
Yeah mate, they are wicked.
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
Yeah, I was thinking to myself the ZD30 was singing pretty well during the climb, reduction gearing helps.
Also appeared to have good engine braking descending from helipad.
Query for you
I know it's been a long time since your ECU tune & turbo but did you notice an increase in engine braking once done?
I've only ever descended the good old Billy Goat Bluff track.
Need to rtn and ascend it next time.
Good footage, thanks.
Love your videos Tim. You bring out the best if 4wding and the Vic high country.
This one looks like a tough one. What gear did you do the top secton? 2nd low? Thanks!
Gday mate
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it.
It was a top day out.
After the heli pad on those long steep rocky sections, I used 1st gear low range.
Just walked up with out any dramas.
Thanks for your feedback mate.
Cheers Tim
It can be a handful at the best of times. Done the climb 3 times now. Always changes.
G'day Steve,
Yeah mate, it's one of those tracks that you dont know what its going to throw at you.
Changes a lot all the time.
Thanks mate for your reply.
Cheers Tim
Hi Tim, nice drive! I did it in my R50 pathfinder about 3 months ago,passed a couple of ls swapped gu patrols they had heating issues. Did you notice a change in your temps now your patrol is lighter?
G'day Geoff,
I have seen a few 4wds over my time driving Billy Goat that have over heating issues.
It's not an ideal track to drive up on hot days, the engine is working to hard with very little to no air flow and thats why they over heat.
My temps are still pretty much the same mate, but i only have the standard temp dash gauge.
Thanks mate for your reply.
Cheers Tim
Dear Tim, thanks a lot for the video. i am a first timer planning to attempt Billygoat solo this weekend ( dry weather) . Mine Patrol 1998 (2inch lift, 33s ) - do you suggest doing it or go in a group? Any advice would be appreciated.
I did few omeo tracks, bluerag track earlier but never billygoat backed off hearing all scary stuff in RUclips 😊
Thanks
Naga
Gday Naga
Mate, there’s no way I’d be taking on Billy Goat in its current condition solo.
The vehicle I mentioned in the video that we had to help was a solo guy.
End of the day mate, it’s totally up to you if you go this weekend on your own.
I’m going live on Sunday night to discuss Billy Goat in more detail.
Thanks for your feedback
Cheers Tim
Hi Tim. Track looks like a doddle. How did you find the tyres? I've done 70000km on a set and found them great. Tracks tend to be more muddy here in NZ but they've served me well.
Gday mate,
The new tyres went well that day for a first trip out 4wding.
More tests to come.
I love NZ, I’d like to come back some day and bring my Patrol over.
Thanks heaps mate for your reply.
Cheers Tim
Gday Tim, im heading up there in November and a couple of my group have open diffs.
I drove Billy goats 4 years ago in my at the time unlocked 200 and it was a bit shalie but fine.
Going from what you saw would you keep the unlocked vehicles away until some maintenance has been done?
G'day mate,
A lot of people have asked me this from the video.
This coming Sunday night, im going to do a live chat about my day on Billy Goat.
Lockers will be a topic to discuss.
Hope you can tune in mate.
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
Hey mate, was up on the river there last weekend but didn’t make it over to the track.
I’ve got a cannon with 2inch lift and +50mm all terrains. Reckon it would cope alright? It’s a pretty heavy rig with the bullbar and canopy….
Gday mate.
All depends how much steep driving you have done off road.
Billy Goat is pretty full on at the moment.
Also depends what experience you have in country like that.
The 4wd is only going to go where you as the driver puts in from the lines you pick.
Hope you had a top weekend camping on the river.
Cheers Tim
How are the tyres going? Much road noise compared to AT’s? Would you use them to tow a caravan over AT’s.
G'day Keith,
The new tyres are going well. It sure was a great test for them on Billy Goat a few weeks ago.
I find them really quiet for that style of tyre. No worries at all.
Either the AT or the aggressive AT would be a great option over any HT tyre when it comes to towing a van.
Thanks heaps for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim
Good climb that, how’s you’re new rim set up fairing ? And what was the weight reduction on them from the steelies? Cheers
Gday mate.
New alloys went well. No issues at all.
I did a live chat after I fitted alloys.
Alloys half the weight of the steels. I cover all of that in the recent live chat.
Cheers Tim
Nice footage. 👍 You made it look easy, but like you said, BGB does looked pretty chopped up right now. I hope it doesn't get any worst. So what trouble did that solo 4WDer have?
Thanks mate.
The Patrol is really well setup for steep rocky tracks like Billy Goat.
It’s really chopped up in sections.
The guy we helped had fuel problems.
I’ll most likely run a live chat next Sunday night to debrief the day out on the track.
Hope you can tune into it mate.
Thanks for your feedback
Cheers Tim
Im guessing the solo traveller got into some trouble 🤔
He sure did mate.
He was very lucky he didn’t go over.
I’ll chat about the day on Billy Goat Sunday on a live chat.
Cheers Tim
loving these videos. how do you go about judging your fuel needed for trips?
Thanks mate.
I know my Patrol very well and how much fuel it uses.
Plus I can carry 120ltrs from standard if I need it.
Hope that helps a bit mate.
Cheers Tim
Hi team. Is there any other easy tracks around dargo where we can go in suv.
@@sudarshankc2066 unless you have full low range gearing and raised suspension, I wouldn’t recommend and tracks.
Not many easy tracks in that area if you don’t have the list above.
Cheers Tim.
Great video mate,how did the goodyear duratrac perform.
Thanks mate.
They went well for a first time off road.
Billy Goat was a great track to test them out.
Cheers Tim
Awesome
Thanks mate.
It was a top day out.
Cheers Tim
Bloody awesome drive. How do you like the new Goodyear tyres? I've got a set at home about to test them out near Gough's bay area this weekend
G'day Chris,
Wicked day out on Billy Goat mate, its such a fun track.
Im very happy with the new Duratracs mate, they copped a hiding in the rocky sections.
I'll be keen to hear how you find your set.
Thanks for your reply mate.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures thanks buddy yeah I just love Billy goat's. The place on going to its pretty Rocky and very step hill's
@@chriscoyne4827 Yeah mate, it's steep and rocky alright.
Have been on Junction spur track lately
No mate.
What’s that like?
Cheers Tim
@timbates4wdadventures trail tack is step and rough as per hema maps and junction spur tack is slippery at the rock slab had to winch that section, wet and slippery about 5 weeks back.
@@gavindowell8239 sounds like a fun few tracks mate.
Just the other side to Billy Goat's
Aren’t the tracks open Melb Cup weekend? Forgive me if I’m wrong.
Billy Goat is open all year round mate.
Its not part of the high country track seasonal closures.
Cheers Tim
👍🇦🇺oorroo that engine pppddrrdd all the way, in good Nik…Tim
Haha lol
Yeah mate, the mighty Patrol loves tracks like that. Lol.
Cheers Tim
Ok.
What camera and gimbal are you using to get the over-hood shots?
I just use a gopro mate. Nothing fancy.
Its just mounted on a suction cup mount on the roof.
Cheers Tim
I’d really like to do these tracks but cause I bought a tb48 auto for a spare car for the kids as well as for me to go away with going down these track with no engine braking (using brakes a lot more) and no diff locks is it possible or do I need some sort of diff lock or reduction gears I need to get out a lot more and worried the gu isn’t up to it without some essential mods
Gday mate.
Lockers are helpful for sure.
But, what’s your experience like in steep rocky tracks like Billy Goat.
It’s pretty full on at the moment.
Don’t drive it in your own at the moment.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures Aleays go out with others usually with 4wd club have been in HC before but with a newer discovery completely different bus been wombat and mt cole and toolangi and mt disappointment only about 2 year’s experience but 2 months in the patrol
@@adamhunt318 you’ve covered some great country mate.
Mt Cole has a lot to offer in great fun tracks.
@@timbates4wdadventures cheers Tim thanks for the vid 👍 looking forward to the next one
On ya Batesy! 👍
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
Do you need a winch and a rear locker to do this track? Or could I do it without?
Gday mate
Both are handy.
I used my rear locker.
Without a locker, I could see a lot of sections where you get hung up on.
A lot depends on your off road experience and how comfortable you are in steep rocky tracks.
Don’t attempt this track in the condition it in, on your own
Hope that helps mate.
Cheers Tim
@timbates4wdadventures thanks mate. Yes it does. Really enjoying the videos. Keep them coming 🤟
@@MrKrug86 thanks heaps mate.
when ya do billy goats bluff track do you turn around to drive back or is there another track at each end ?
There is a loop track that runs off Moroka Rd and back to Dargo.
We came back down Billy Goat.
Fun track either way.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures thanks mate !
@@andrewcoulter323 no worries mate
👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
Did it tuff in a hiace van.
What happens if you meet someone coming the other way? Not much room to move in a lot of places there.
There’s not a lot of room mate to pass a vehicle coming the other way.
You can’t really plan it.
Just have to make it up at the time.
Cheers Tim
CB radio communication is important (some people sadly not) ‘ billy goat final climb single vehicle approaching from bottom. Anyone coming down’
Is diff lock necessary
Gday Brian
No it’s not, but it does really help on tracks like Billy Goat.
I’ll chat more about it In Sunday nights live chat.
Cheers Tim
When did you do it? Is the track open al yet round?
Drove it two weeks ago.
Yes, the track is open all year round.
Cheers Tim
@@timbates4wdadventures thanks Tim!
@@WillCheang no worries mate.
@@timbates4wdadventures just picked up first 4wd PX2 ranger, with some gear- lift, 33's, bullbar, winch. any tracks you would recommend around the area to learn on ? Love your vids
@@WillCheang around the Mansfield area is a few tracks mate.
I have a couple of live chat videos taking about tracks for beginners.
I list tracks and maps needed.
Maybe check those vids out mate.
where does the track start exactly?
About an hour out from dargo along the Wonnangatta Road.
Cheers Tim
Can you do without lockers
G'day mate,
A lot of people have asked me this from the video.
This coming Sunday night, im going to do a live chat about my day on Billy Goat.
Lockers will be a topic to discuss.
Thanks mate.
Cheers Tim
Patrols still do the business. Classics. Too bad they don't make a modern Nissan with live axles. I hate IFS cruisers. You can't do much to the suspension that makes anywhere near a Patrol.
Spot on mate.
Live axles are the best setup with coils all round.
Cheers Tim.