D3 Cape York trip - Preparation advice

[juddo]

I have a stock D3 TDV6 S with EAS. MY08.

Given a limit budget to spend, what should I be doing to prepare the car for a Cape York trip (to be undertaken mid 2011)? Some sort of order of importance??

I will be replacing the tyres which need to be done anyway - 17in rims. I am thinking either Cooper STT, BFG AT, ... any other suggestions?

I will probably fit a Traxide dual battery system for the fridge and to charge the camper trailer battery.

I do not really want a snorkel because I do not like the look of them on a D3. Is it essential??

Thanks, Matt.

[miky]

I have a stock D3 TDV6 S with EAS. MY08.
...
I do not really want a snorkel because I do not like the look of them on a D3. Is it essential??


Only if you want to keep the water and dust out.



.

[Tombie]

Snorkel
Bullbar - Protect the front end dropping into creeks, animal strikes etc..
Good tyres - I have a preference but PM me if you want to discuss
Dual Batt - Traxide
UHF + handheld

Good recovery kit
Basic Spares kit

Diagnostic system (vehicle specific) which has other benefits too.. And will save you money in stealer costs over vehicle life.

Premium NRMA coverage (with vehicle recovery) - This is not a shot, but a good idea... Its saved me thousands in recovery costs on my vehicles over the years - cars included.

[scarry]

Good set of tyres is an absolute MUST,also two spares if possible,or take one of the old carcases that you are running at the moment.
A/t's are the go.BFG is my preference,lots of tyre threads on here.

If you are gonna do the OTT,a snorkle would be good.
I did the first trip without one & it was risky,did the second with one.Fit a blind across the front on the deeper crossings.Idid this even with a snorkle,water was bonnet height depth.

Basic hand tools & multi meter

Pack as lightly as possible,don't take unnecessary stuff

One jerry of diesel should should be enough

As said NRMA also a must as vehicle out of warranty

Bullbar not essential,but still good to have.If you don't have one,try to limit night driving due to the likelyhood of animal strikes.

Good luck,do a search on here,there is heaps of stuff on here about the place

[Disco44]

Good set of tyres is an absolute MUST,also two spares if possible,or take one of the old carcases that you are running at the moment.
A/t's are the go.BFG is my preference,lots of tyre threads on here.

If you are gonna do the OTT,a snorkle would be good.
I did the first trip without one & it was risky,did the second with one.Fit a blind across the front on the deeper crossings.Idid this even with a snorkle,water was bonnet height depth.

Basic hand tools & multi meter

Pack as lightly as possible,don't take unnecessary stuff

One jerry of diesel should should be enough

As said NRMA also a must as vehicle out of warranty

Bullbar not essential,but still good to have.If you don't have one,try to limit night driving due to the likelyhood of animal strikes.

Good luck,do a search on here,there is heaps of stuff on here about the place

All of the above but take a few filters especially air filters,the dust before the wet is horrendous.If you are in convoy stay far enough apart to get out of it.
Most important of all I think is to have your vehicle checked by someone who knows Landrovers and have it in tip top condition.It's a long way between drinks and servicing costs are exhorbitant.I paid $20 to have one bolt put into the rear door of my D1 that had rattled out.
It's a great trip and you will enjoy it.

[juddo]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It has prompted another question.

My 3yr warranty will expire this month. The dealer has offered an extended warranty of 2 years done through Land Rover, backed by Allianz. It seems expensive, but does also include the LR Assist for 2 more years. Does anyone have experience with this extended warranty. Is it a good idea or a waste of money?

Thanks, Matt.

[stevecor]

Hi Juddo,
I went to Cape York in Jul Aug this year and wrote a post about my preparation when I returned. If you do a forum search for Cape York you will find the post, hopefully you might find it useful.

[geckos]

Everything they said.
If your not too worried, then rear protection as well. tow bar or replacement bumper. exiting creeks, but Not essential. But gunshot creek, all crossing points, you will slide on your rear.. Maybe stevecor can confirm? I went sept/oct last year.

I would say snorkel, if not then, a dedicated car bra, i had two crossings on the verge of over the bonnet on a defender with a two inch lift and 33" tyres.

If your going by yourself then a winch, or some patients, that time of the year there will be plenty of traffic.

geck

[WhiteD3]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It has prompted another question.

My 3yr warranty will expire this month. The dealer has offered an extended warranty of 2 years done through Land Rover, backed by Allianz. It seems expensive, but does also include the LR Assist for 2 more years. Does anyone have experience with this extended warranty. Is it a good idea or a waste of money?

Thanks, Matt.

Matt, do a search for "extended warranty" in the D3 section. Here's a sample.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/96485-buy-extended-warranty-not.html

[scarry]

Thanks for the feedback guys. It has prompted another question.

My 3yr warranty will expire this month. The dealer has offered an extended warranty of 2 years done through Land Rover, backed by Allianz. It seems expensive, but does also include the LR Assist for 2 more years. Does anyone have experience with this extended warranty. Is it a good idea or a waste of money?

Thanks, Matt.

Search is your friend,heaps of posts on these warranty's.

Took it out on my D2,only had one repair,& that was a MAF full of dust,which they replaced no worries.

So in hindsite,i shouldn't have taken mine out...

You can also use a LR specialist for warranty repairs which is good.

I would take it out again.

[juddo]

hmm. I have read heaps about the extended warranties. I am just as undecided as I was in the first place. Does anyone have a crystal ball that I can borrow?
:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused::confused:

[MickM]

I have done the cape a couple of times now. My latest trip was June/July this year in my D4 towing a off-road camper.
As previously said; for the vehicle recommend spare filters (air fuel)
A UHF is a must (travelling alone or in a group).
You will need a compressor especially if you intend doing the "5 beach rune" near Somerset and Virlya Point.
Don't forget the shovel.
If you are towing a camper then I recommend a spare shackle bolts and ensure everything is packed securely in the camper.
Normal advice is drive to the road conditions and the earlier in the year that you go the higher the creek crossings. The earlier you go the more spectacular it is also. They are continually doing a lot of work on the roads.
School holiday time is the busiest so generally there is plenty of assistance to be rendered if needed - but your in a Disco so shouldn't be needed!!!!

Enjoy the trip.
MickM

[ozscott]

Sounds like fun. There was a member who did a really good write up with heaps of photos a few months back in the Qld trips section. He went solo vehicle wise. The only problem he had was on the sand on the beach up at the end of the track - bogging big time.

Cheers

[DiscoWeb]

juddo,

The trip report ozscott is talking about is below.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/queensland-reports/109206-cape-york-trip-june-2010-report.html

Gives you a good indication of what can be achieved in a stock D3 with quality tyres.

Regards,

George.

[Hoges]

I'll be daring and suggest that unless you are going to play submarines and push the limits of the recommended wading depths for your vehicle, then neither a snorkel nor a bull bar are necessary for the Cape trip:o:wasntme:.

If you drive carefully and are off the road by about 4-4.30pm the chances of hitting the wildlife reduce considerably.

Spare air filter and fuel filter, spare bits and pieces for the EAS emergency bypass fix, a decent high capacity compressor, air pressure gauge and a box of puncture plugs and spare Schrader valves, spare drive belt(s), dual battery config. and a UHF radio, 4L coolant concentrate and a 4L container of demineralised water. A/T tyres and a decent sump guard...a box of spares you can fit yourself (you can't plan to take account of "catastrophic failure" except with a total vehicle recovery insurance policy:eek:), a small grease gun, and a tin of grease for maintaining the trailer bearings as required. you might also include a couple of litres of engine oil to top up if necessary

As others have said, the later in the season the lower the creeks...choose your path wisely;) and enjoy! It's a great trip and there's plenty of excellent info on this site.

[juddo]

Thanks everyone for the useful information. I have already read all the trip reviews with great interest (especially the one linked above).

I am certainly not as game as some people, and doubt very much that I will be attempting the gunshot creek crossing, for instance. The bypass track looks very inviting.

I will be going with one other vehicle, a Ni##an P#t*#l 3L diesel (do not want to fall foul of the no swearing rule). We both have similar offroad camper trailers.

We both agree with the philosophy of taking it easy and driving to the conditions. Neither of us wants to break our rigs. From my point of view, I will not be doing the trip with the aim of finding the hardest possible obstacles to drive over and through just for the sake of doing it. I am going there to experience the place and enjoy the trip.

Cheers, Matt.

[DiscoWeb]

Juddo,

Great philosophy, enjoy the trip but you can be confident that your D3 will take you many many places without to much trouble and you can help the Nissan out when it gets into trouble.

And remember the rules about a trip report and photos. I look forward to both when you have completed the trip, in mid 2011.

Regards,

George

[Duck's Guts]

We both agree with the philosophy of taking it easy and driving to the conditions. Neither of us wants to break our rigs. From my point of view, I will not be doing the trip with the aim of finding the hardest possible obstacles to drive over and through just for the sake of doing it. I am going there to experience the place and enjoy the trip.

Exactly! Same philosophy I have. Cause it's a long walk home if you break something doing something that just wasn't necessary! But then, that was learnt the hard way :(