Cape York Trip Preparation Advice

[Iain_B]

Hi all, we are starting to get our brand new Defender ready for a trip up to Cape York in July.

We only have two weeks so we will leave on Friday afternoon and push on to Childers that night, next day we plan to do 1000km and rest up as close to Townsville as possible with the next stop Port Douglas. We are planning on going up the old telegraph track but the rest of the route is still up for grabs.

To date I have done the following on the Defender:

Bullbar, LR expedition roof rack, Mantec snorkel, Mulgo side steps ( rear bumpers still coming), LR fuel tank, Scangauge 2, Cargo barrier, MUD UK net storage pockets x 8, tinted windows, transfer case guard, front mud flaps, front bash plate, rear awning.

Still in progress are:
Active subwoofer and radio
12v sockets x 3
second battery & Traxide controller
wiring for 1000w inverter
rear drawer & fridge slide system
UHF radio
wiring up the HID Hella 4000 and roof rack lights
rear work light
front diff guard
OL side tables
OL cubby box safe
Rear wheel carrier
Side mounted awning on LH and shade cloth awning on RH.
relocate fuel tank breather and diff/transmission breathers

When all this is done, we should have a decent tourer.

On the trip ( just the wife and I), we will take out the rear seats, and fit a false floor, we will be carrying 60lt of water and 40lt of fuel fridge (possibly a freezer as well) food etc inside, and maxtrax, clothes boxes and roof top tent on top - basically the same set-up that we had when we did our trip to Lake Eyre in the Discovery.

Last time we ran with the BFG MT tyres and they worked great seeing how we were driving in mud for 90% of the trip, but I am thinking that it should be dry this time and we could keep the Continental's on for this trip to see how they go - any one got any experience with these tyres on dirt roads/track yet?.

What spare parts should I carry for a trip up North - I went for overkill ( including a full gasket set, vacuum pump, injectors etc) on the Lake Eyre trip as the Discovery has 360,000km on it but this one will have around 6000km on it so I should not need to take as much .

My basic list is as follows:

1. Oil Filter and Oil
2. Fuel filter x 2 + the hand priming pump.
3. Radiator hoses ( any particular ones or just get all of them?)
4. Fanbelts
5. Rescue tape
6. Fuel tank repair kit
7. Fuses, wire and tape
8. Tyre repair kit and compressor
9. Air filter

What are the other things that may fail and I can fix on the side of the road before we end up having to call in the LRA roadside assist?

[LRO]

Hi
Where are you leaving from Two weeks is not a lot of time. I will be going towards the end of june a will be takeing 4-5 weeks to do the trip

[one_iota]

I've just done a 2 week 5,500 km trip from Sydney to Lake Eyre and back mostly using rough roads with out any issues apart from a loose wing mirror which I fixed on the road. I had a set of Torx screw heads to use with my socket set to undo the door bolts.

Zip ties are the new coat hanger wire...I fixed a loose roof rack with one.

Before I left I had the Defender inspected and serviced (at 40,000 km). The drive shafts and uni's were greased (a grease nipple was missing) and filters (oil, fuel and air) were changed.

Check that the bottom intercooler hose is not rubbing on the steering shaft joint.

Your list is comprehensive but don't over do it.....you can't take a whole car's worth of spares with you.

[weeds]

i'm a little confused...july trip leaving in two weeks:(

if you are leaving in two weeks it may not be very dry and MT's might be a better choice

[GuyG]

Weeds, sound like he's aiming to do the trip in a 2 week period, during July, leaving on a friday afternoon.

[Disco44]

July would be more feasible.It's still very wet and still stormy up there at the moment.Personally I think this year will be iffy for a while yet considering the crazy weather Queensland's having.If the rain doesn't get you an earthquake will hey?

[d3syd]

I concur that 2 weeks will be a bare minimum for a trip to the Cape. Having said that you can still get to see a lot if you plan your itenerary well (you just won't have time to stick around and enjoy the many beautiful spots you will come across).

Personally I would push onwards from Childers and stop in Cairns so that you waste as little time as possible en route to the Cape. Forget Port Douglas, it's full of tourists and luxo resorts which have their time and place, but that is not what you are heading to the Cape for! In this way you gain an extra 2 days up the Cape (one going up and one coming back), trust me you will be glad you had the extra couple of days up there instead of sipping daiquiries by the poolside in Port Douglas.

I think your car will be more than well enough prepared for the trip. You will breeze through it. Nothing major should go wrong as it is still new.

A few more things to add to your list though: A piece of tarp for the radiator just in case you come across some deep crossings, an extra jack, and a copy of Ron & Viv Moon's definitive Cape York Guide.

One more thing.... make sure you walk across all creek crossings. Even the shallow looking ones can have deep unseen holes that can spell disaster.

ENJOY !! :):)

[Benny_IIA]

maybe some factory LR hd front springs (same as 130 fronts) to cope with the bull bar and extra weight on the rough roads.

and if money is not an problem some hd shocks as well.

also a tyre repair kit might be a good idea as well. (and pump).

[pormpaul]

Hey everyone,

I live in Weipa (at least for the next two days)

The Road is still closed. I was speaking with police yesterday and they have had no update from main roads as to when it will be open again.

Its been a good wet.

[Iain_B]

Thank guys, for the record - I leave on Friday 1st July returning to Brisbane on Sunday 17th July - so a total of 17 days ( including the Friday).

I'm happy to do 1000km a day or more on the sealed roads - even in a Defender :) We will stay in motels on the way up and down - so we can leave early and get in late if necessary.

I'm getting the car serviced at 5000km - all I have to pay for is the parts.(I'll take my own sealed 20lt drum of Castrol SVX Professional OE and see what happens) I'm trying to keep it basically stock - IE covered by warranty - for the first 20,000km - by then I should be sure nothing is fundamentally wrong with it before I start the mods

I'll also be taking our for work for a 3000km round trip in May/June, o it should be well run in prior to the trip. I'll change the oil and filter before we head up.

Any comments on the list of spares - especially the what hoses to take, as I just got a few prices from LR 35210- :eek::eek: Still, better than being stuck in the middle of nowhere.

[Bushie]

Hmmm - gold plated uni's on new defenders. :o:o



Martyn

[Blknight.aus]

want me to get hold of MR Auto and organise you an expedition kit?

what you return they recredit.

[GuyG]

want me to get hold of MR Auto and organise you an expedition kit?

what you return they recredit.

Iain could probably ring MR Automotive directly on 3284 6688 to arrange. Also if you require other parts while on the trip they will express post the parts to you. Might be slightly longer than one day depending on which post office is closest to where you are. Cooktown was 2 days possibly 3, which is still exceptional service:)

[Allan]

I'm doing the Kimberleys end of this month and tossing up brake vacuum pump, but most ford dealers should have one. where do you say **** happens and just go.

Allan

[weeds]

iain, as others have mentioned ring M R as they are normally more than happy to provide a spares box, pay for what you dont return. i have done it twice and to date have only needed a clutch master cylinder kit

[roverrescue]

Iain your first week will be school hols, the busiest it gets up here.
Roads should be okay by July, the cape has swung into its dry season weather pattern in the last 2 weeks or so. Shire engineer has done his helicopter assessment, roadies will be on the move shortly.

Although I also think 2 weeks is too short to do the cape, I would argue 2 months is too short is as well! Considering I can drive to Bamaga in a day, if you only have 2 weeks then so be it. Enjoy the two weeks and recce the place for your next trip.

If you happen to need mech assistance/ shed space and Cooktown is close your welcome to drop in - plenty of room to camp at the shed too if that suits your plans?

Steve

[Camper]

Another interesting thread, thanks all.
MR auto, where are they based. Being in Perth, I was wondering if they are over this side of Aus as well. This sounds like the way to go for long off road trips, are most required items included in the kits?

[GuyG]

M R Automotive are on the Redcliffe Penninsula in South East Qld

[trailcutter]

done it solo on a m/cycle ........and a 4x4


my advice.....

take your time ...dont treat your vehicle like a paris-dakar buggy,,,,,


cause it aint,,,

i see so many vehicles driven too hard ,,,cause the owners figure they have aftermarket shocks and can hammer the ****ter out of them ,,,

result ,,,,,,,, heartbreak ,,,,,metal fatiuge etc etc..

i,ve seen hr sedans go up the tele trk with a good driver ,,that has mechanical sympathy ..


dont rush ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and enjoy.......cheers


ps;;have a steak at archer river .............is good

[Iain_B]

Thanks for the advice on MR Automotive - I will give them a ring and price up the "expedition kit" I'm hoping that I won't need much other than the basics -after all, it is a brand new Defender:)

[Blknight.aus]

Another interesting thread, thanks all.
MR auto, where are they based. Being in Perth, I was wondering if they are over this side of Aus as well. This sounds like the way to go for long off road trips, are most required items included in the kits?

they will send them anywhere you want...

you might be able to get in touch with LSD automotive over your end of the world and talk to them... they may come to the party for a small fee.

[Chenz]

I did the Cape last year with Bushie Numpty and Shorty and had a great time.

This is the list of parts I took and ones I used


water pump
idler bearings
vee belts 3 in total - 1 used
lift pump

fuel filter
oil filter
wheel bearings x2

radius bushes x4

trailing arm bushes x4

uni joint - would hve used it but he front shaft flogged out nd was useless putting it in
spare shocks
alternator - my new 100amp one drowned so I put the old 40 amp one on
2 spare tyres
tyre plugs
an assortment of nuts bolts plugs and pins

If you want - have a look at Bushie's trip report on the qld forums page - some good ideas of where to go and what to see

[newhue]

Ian,

sounds dumb, but a bit of clear shower screen and some silver plumbers tape.

If you shatter a window then the thickness of the shower screen doesn't flap or rip easily, clear so you can see through it, and if the silver tape doesn't hold it on then perhaps nothing else will.

[ugu80]

Iain, nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, is better before a long trip than having an established LR specialist do a thorough pre-trip inspection. It's well worth the money having a professional look for any weak, worn, iffy gear (the most likely stuff to fail).

Did the trip last May/June, came back through western QLD. Had Coopers (Sydney) check over the old beast (1995 model). Replaced alternator and couple of bushes before I left. 10000kms later, nothing broken, no noises, no problems, the old girl didn't miss a beat, nor did the car.

[samuelclarke]

Iain, nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, is better before a long trip than having an established LR specialist do a thorough pre-trip inspection. It's well worth the money having a professional look for any weak, worn, iffy gear (the most likely stuff to fail)...

I fully agree there, a good pre-trip check by a LR specialist is invaluable! :thumbsup:

[Iain_B]

Thanks for the advice, I would hope that a car with around 5000km or so on it would be in good shape, however it is going back to the dealer next week for a full check-up and oil change. Do they classify as LR specialist?:)

[mudder110]

hi we live in cairns and work through the gulf and up through the cape
if your defender is a late model dont even think of going up with out
running a extra fuel filter seen one expensive episode allready and recoverys are can run into the thousands read the posts and take the advice and all will be good its a kick :)

[Iain_B]

I was going to as the dealer about that - when I asked LRA, they siad fitting another fuel filter would "void the warranty" - but not fitting one and getting water in would also "void the waranty" - so basically they are saying - "you're screwed"

[scotsmun]

done it solo on a m/cycle ........and a 4x4


my advice.....

take your time ...dont treat your vehicle like a paris-dakar buggy,,,,,


cause it aint,,,

i see so many vehicles driven too hard ,,,cause the owners figure they have aftermarket shocks and can hammer the ****ter out of them ,,,

result ,,,,,,,, heartbreak ,,,,,metal fatiuge etc etc..

i,ve seen hr sedans go up the tele trk with a good driver ,,that has mechanical sympathy ..


dont rush ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and enjoy.......cheers


ps;;have a steak at archer river .............is good

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