Is it possible?

[Vesko]

I’ve read Dullbirds excellent report on her trip to Cape York and felt very inspired:

Cape York 2012 (http://www.calameo.com/read/0015625195d87566a74ec?authid=3ltzV5xkia4c)

The question to the more experienced brothers and sisters is: Is it possible to get to the northernmost point of the Australian continent with a Freelander 2, SD4 SE, unassisted by a larger vehicle?

[roverrescue]

If the locals can do it in a falcon I am sure that with a little bit of luck a freelander will get there - perhaps avoid the OTL and most side roads but up the PDR you will be fine

S

[justinc]

Like Steve says, it'll make it using the appropriate route, but MOST IMPORTANTLY DO NOT SKIMP ON MODIFYING THE SUSPENSION, and drive to the conditions. These vehicles are very light duty, shocks are pretty much useless off bitumen roads, and DO NOT overload it or it may be staying up there while you fly home.
Do some research on some real shocks and springs, pay the money and do it right.


JC

[Vesko]

Like Steve says, it'll make it using the appropriate route, but MOST IMPORTANTLY DO NOT SKIMP ON MODIFYING THE SUSPENSION, and drive to the conditions. These vehicles are very light duty, shocks are pretty much useless off bitumen roads, and DO NOT overload it or it may be staying up there while you fly home.
Do some research on some real shocks and springs, pay the money and do it right.


JC

... or upgrade to Disco4;)

[mikehzz]

I know a guy who did it in an XTrail towing a camper. The Development road bypasses all the tough stuff now. Hey Vesko, we are hanging out for your next installment on Freel2.com.....snap to it :D

[Vesko]

Hey Mike, I was hoping for you to have done the Cape York, your advice is always spot on. What do you think about the Freelander 2 needing stronger suspension? Mine is still in warranty and I don’t want to make any modifications yet – but I am thinking, if I brake the suspension while driving off road it should be covered by the warranty, right?



Hey Vesko, we are hanging out for your next installment on Freel2.com.....snap to it :D


O yes, I am snapping to it at the moment:D

[justinc]

Hey Mike, I was hoping for you to have done the Cape York, your advice is always spot on. What do you think about the Freelander 2 needing stronger suspension? Mine is still in warranty and I don’t want to make any modifications yet – but I am thinking, if I brake the suspension while driving off road it should be covered by the warranty, right?





O yes, I am snapping to it at the moment:D



You are kidding, Right?:eek: there is absolutely no way you would get any assistance from warranty for that trip, the drama/ questions could include how many kg were you carrying? How fast were you going? 'Offroad' doesn't mean 'offroad' in the LR warranty terminology etc etc. I will say that out of all the big manufacturers, you would have more luck with LR than the others though.
Just my opinion, so you could try ringing LRA and getting a ruling on paper about the degree of warrantability for offroad use?

JC
JC

[mikehzz]

I've been told that LR warranty is pretty good, even to the point of supplying gps co-ordinates to come and get you. Scouse on here would know. I was told that prior to sale. I'm not sure exactly what parts are warranty parts....shocks may fall into the brake lining type category and not be covered.
I don't think that there are any stronger suspension bits available for an FL2. I did the Plenty Hwy between Boulia and Alice Springs and it was 800kms of terrible corrugations. I was expecting something to break for sure but I kept it slow and let some air out of the tyres and all good. I don't recommend 800kms at 40kph though, that was a real endurance test. Your larger rims might cop a hiding. Mine came through it with no rattles at all which was a real compliment to the build quality of the car, that part of my trip was a nightmare.
I haven't done the trip up there but would expect the development road to be no trouble even at it's worst. It seems you can duck into the old track and have a look at various places. I would invest in a car bra for the front of the car on water crossings as there are no snorkels available. I haven't done the trip because it is just too far. I've taken the FL2 to Rockhampton and that took 2 days and you aren't even close. You are looking at around 4 days just to get to the start of the trek so a minimum of 3 weeks would be required to do it from Sydney. I can't get that much time away. I'll look at your pictures instead :)

[Murch]

I've taken my 2010 FL2 HSE from Cairns to the tip of Cape York and back with no probs. I put in a false rear floor fitted with Engel Frig/DC Battery/ and carried camping tent/bed/necessaries etc with the rear seat squab removed.
I was accompanied by a LR and friends, but needed no assistance at all.
No bra/snorkel, and standard tyres. I was concerned with a crossing on the OTT near Fruit Bat Falls which just exceeded the 500mm limit, but the car crossed beautifully with a lovely bow wavw.

It handles corrugations better than the LR, and I reduced the tyre pressure by 10 psi and crossed them at around 80 kmh.

Main worry was the tryes, but CY has few rocky outcrops to puncture the sidewalls, and I avoided any "drifting" around bends.

Had its first service after the trip, and LR were very impressed with the condition of the vehicle.

So - leave it stock standard (except for rear floor/cheap seat/floor covers), drive professionally, and enjoy. Except for some dreadful corrugated sections and crazy drivers, the trip is fantastic.

[camel_landy]

A Freelander 2 will be fine on a Cape trip.

The golden rule with any trip like that, be it in a FL2, D4, etc... Is to 'Pack Light'. The heavier your load, the more stress you put on your car and the more likely you are of having something break. You don't necessarily have to change your dampers but be aware of what corrugations do to the car and stop periodically to let things cool off!

However, you might want to think twice about tackling Gunshot Creek!!! :angel:

M