Spotted an Oka

Heading in towards the Karijini National Park entrance from Great Northern Hway (Pilbara WA) yesterday afternoon, passed a white OKA bus heading the other way. Two spares on the tailgate would be the distinguishing feature. We couldn't stop and didn't think to give the radio a try, but did give them a toot.

We were almost at Jurien Bay(WA) today about lunch time and we saw an OKA bus type body coming the other way. Had a canoe on the top rack. Gave them a wave. This is the first time we have ever seen another OKA on the road.

Spotted an Oka 14th July at Fletchers Creek near Charters Towers Qld. It was an Lt number was 3?? , can't remember the number high 300, it belongs to Bob & Sue from Casino. Bus body camper, had a chat to them before they packed up & headed off down the track. Hsve spotted two other Oka's I the past week between Cooktown & Charters Towers but both times we were parked & they were driving we gave them a wave though. Even though we don't have our Oka anymore we still miss her & keep out eye out for others. Never know we might buy another one , if anyone knows of one let us know
John & Laura ex 147.

We've just finished a quick whip around of the Kimberley and couldn't believe how many OKAs we came across in two weeks. I'll probably miss one or two here but:
July 15th, an NT heading south on the Gibb River Rd, nearing Derby (we were heading north);
John from Brisbane in his NT at Bell's Gorge next morning, had a quick yarn but I had to rush. I took photos later in his absence; I don't think John is on this site.
Met #140 AL'S OKA (Alan & Chris?) at the Mitchell Falls turnoff on the 18th, had a quick chat and photos;
And crossed paths with Matilda, one of Tom Warnes' Wilderness Challenge NTs on the track out from Mitchell Falls two days later.
Then no more for a week until we left Fitzroy Crossing on the 26th, when we were heading south to Broome on the bitumen; we passed one heading in the other direction near Fitzroy and called them on Ch 40, got the response but the reception was too crackly to determine who it was; and then we passed another one as we approached Broome, but couldn't raise them on the radio.
Six in two weeks, and three of them NTs, that I can remember.

Hal
Sue and I and #195 have been in the Kimberley and saw you twice, Karijini and just out of Broome. Those blue bumpers of yours are eye catching. Met Allan from Lake Grace at Cygnet Bay, Allan used to run three Okas with Over the Top Tours. Camped overnight at Stanley, south of Port Hedland, next to Len and Rina's Oka. Saw one other Oka a day or two later, olive green in colour heading north. I was interested in the recent threads re: brake calipers and spring clips, as we lost our right rear caliper, brake pads and half the hydraulic hose somewhere along the Cape Leveque Road. I was aware that the spring clips and retainers could rattle about, was unaware that 19.5 inch rims meant that the entire caliper assembly could disappear so quietly. We had gone up the M highway as I call it...Moora, Mingenew, Mullewa, Murchison, Mount Augustus and along the Pingandy track to west of Paraburdoo. Then the gravel back road to Tom Price, what passes for a gravel road in the Karijini NP and later the Cape Leveque road to Cygnet Bay south of One Arm Point. Our first decent run since buying #195 in Victoria last year and driving back across the Nullabor. I had checked all of the retaining screws and clips and all appeared OK. When we removed the still attached retaining screw at Cygnet Bay there was a groove ground halfway through that had allowed the key to slide off. I now know why people bolt curved steel bars to hold calipers on in the event of retaining key failure. Many thanks to Alan at Oka, parts ordered Tuesday, dispatched Wednesday morning and delivered to Cygnet Bay on the Monday mail truck. As we were staying there for two weeks no travelling time was lost. Very thankful that the brakes did not fail when we may have needed them. I intend making quite a few modifications before we do the Bungles and Gibb River road next year.

Cheers Peter, - so that would be you and Sue that we saw on July 11th near Karijini for sure - and the last one mentioned on July 26th I guess. Channel 40 for next time! I spoke to Len Patching a couple of days ago; he's been up there for months and has only seen you. From Broome we were travelling with six other 4WDs, and they thought our frequent stops for chats with other OKA owners were all a bit much I think; I'm sure they wouldn't believe how uncommon it really is!

This was meeting "Matilda":



and this was John from Brisbane's NT - note the wider camper body - that was done by the factory:

This meeting wasn't helped by my chemo fog - I thought he said Garry, but maybe it was Alan really; and Chris I'm pretty sure - does anybody know for sure? (They're on the right, that's me and Liza on the left). It's #140 at the Mitchell Plateau turnoff. I really have to write stuff down straight away...

Hi Everybody. I was in Geraldton the other day and spotted this Oka in the Coles carpark. Waited for a while and met the owners who are no strangers to this site. I have forgotten the gents name but my other half who has a better memory than said his wifes name was Janet. Have included photos so I am sure you will recognize the Oka Cheers Alex

That would be #148 with David & Janet Ribbans there Alex. They're administrators of this site with the user name dandjcr.

Any chance you would be down Perth way for the weekend of the OKA gathering 7/8th September?

Yes indeed it was us, outside the first real supermarket we'd seen in a month. We met Alex and Wendy (I had to look their names up too) and had a good long chat.

They are still having transfer box selection difficulties on their LT Oka 275 if anyone can provide any updated advice to their previous query . Unfortunately I'm not familiar with the LT transfer case gear selector.

Just going thru the dates and I think we can make it!! Where abouts in Perth. We would love to bring the girl to Perth!! cheers alex

Alex, check out www.oka4wd.com/oka-gatherings-travels/98...ring-7-8th-september . Not actually in Perth, but at Harrismith, a little further southeast.

Hi Paul,I'm Alan with Alsoka or OKA140 Daughter and family live at Brogo and we will be back from the west about christmas.
Cheers Alan & Chris

Alan - was that you heading down the road south of Mesa A on the way towards the Onslow turn off today? I tried calling on Ch 40 but no response. I was in the Ford Ranger Ambulance heading the other direction back up to Karratha.

If it wasn't Alan and Chris - who was it???

Hi yep that would have been us now camped on the river near the the mile hole on the road to old Onslow, Len & Rina in 208 said they would be here about sunday.
cheers Alan.

Spotted 005 in Pomona on Sunshine Coast Didn't see owner Sunday 18/08 about 1 pm Twin cab with a slide on Vic plates

That's interesting - somebody's put some time & money into it - last time we heard from 005 it was for sale in Mt Isa as a single cab, well used but with some nice new wheels...

I only count 6 holes on those wheels. Looks like they are just leaning against the actual wheels.

Well spotted. I hadn't noticed that before.

alan.dowling wrote: Hi Paul,I'm Alan with Alsoka or OKA140 Daughter and family live at Brogo and we will be back from the west about christmas.
Cheers Alan & Chris

Hi Alan, we are practically neighbours - we live at Tantawangalo, near Candelo, but are on the edge of the Simpson desert at the moment. Would be great to catch up when you come back east.

Cheers,

Paul