cape york in a D2

[frostyblue]

Hey all, been slowly chipping away at all the things i wanna do to the disco for a trip next year with 5 other vehicles, the question is would you take the disco to the cape, are they suited to that kinda trip, given the problems with the 3 amigos, xyz switch and all the other quirks they have, i am basing the question on a well maintained and mech sound D2, and if you would what parts would you carry as a must have besides the usual complete hoses, thermostat and filters, i know we cant carry everything but what do u consider must have items, my td5 is basically very sound mech, no oil leaks anywhere, doesnt use a drop of oil, i will fit diff guards, sliders and 2inch lift before i go not just for the trip but what i wanna do anyway as i do quite a bit of gold prospecting in remote country locations, thanks for any input

Cheers

Ken

[ozscott]

If the 3 amigos is cured - as in most cases its dodgy wiring at the modulator - its not a problem. If you have CDL you dont have a problem anyway, although if you were really worried you could have CDL and a rear locker. I would take my manual V8 to the Cape any day and before many other offroaders.

Cheers

[Disco Muppet]

CDL, good tyres, sliders, winch, small lift will see you to the cape and back easy peasy :)

[Datt]

Did it last year in my 03 D2. We (me, wife, 3yo and 1yo girls) were on our own but managed to team up at times with people that we regularly saw on the way. Only issues i had were a sliced tyre sidewall, cracked fog lamp lens and a chip in the windscreen which happened after I had done all of the dirt roads and was back on bitumen south of Laura. Insurance covered a new windscreen.

My 03 has CDL, 2 inch lift with bilstein shocks, side steps (rock sliders would have been better), roof tray and awning and dual batteries. Found the UHF really good to have and the rear drawers I made up were invaluable for how our set up worked.

What I would have changed would be more aggressive/stronger tyres (had Maxxis 771 ATs), put covers over fog lamps and maybe headlamps, possibly mount a winch and deffinately take a second spare (or at least a carcass as there's places to have it mounted along the way).

I had a pre trip inspection done by MR Automotive before going, but realistically you can never be guaranteed nothing will go wrong mechanically. Obviously the better prepared you are the less likely things will go wrong.

On a trip to Fraser in October last year I had the power steering hose that goes from the resoviour to pump wear a tiny hole from rubbing on the flange where the sump bolts to the block. This could have easily happened when I was up the cape 4 months earlier. I was lucky a mate had some vulcanised rubber tape that we wrapped it up with and used more duct tape to hold it in place. Also lucky we had some fluids to replace the fluid we had lost.

Because we were on our own up the cape we didn't tackle Palm Creek or Nolans Brook but did just about everything in between on the Old Telegraph Track. I'm now planning my next trip up there in the D4 for 2015.

Hope that wasn't too much rambling and that it helps.

Matt.

[Franrick]

Hi Ken,
The other respondents all give good advise but generally speaking for a Disco (I have a D1 petrol and a D2 diesel) a 2in lift, bar and snorkel as well as good tyres will get you to the top and back without problems.

I did it in my D1 V8 last year towing a camper trailer. We did the Old Maytown Coach Road, Tele track, the track to Vrylia Point (roughest corrugations on the Cape) Frenchmans track and Starkie Track. The Disco did everything the Toyotas and Nissans in the group did and they wern't towing. The downside was fuel consumption although it was no worse than the bigger 4WD's. Diesel next time.

In about 6 weeks we will be doing the CREB Track (if it's open) Starkie to Cape Melville and then across to Laura and then the Old Coach Road (track) to Maytown, then to Chillagoe and back to Townsville.

As I write this a cyclone is preparing to cross the coast somewhere north of Cape Melville and that could cause our upcoming trip to be cancelled due to track closures. It will also have an impact on the Cape roads and some of them could be open later than anticipated.

You will have a great time on the Cape. Vrylia Point is well worth the detour.

Cheers, Rick.

[greg smith]

snorkel a must 2" lift as well,good tyres and remember cars aren't boats, they go around water water and dust create problems for all 4wd, I have my d2TD5 02--have been through all the regular problems but the worst developed from bearing problems with the PSPump so check the bearings[replace] that the belt runs around. Clean the intercooler check auto cooler fittings and pipes make sure no probs with coolant leaks and fit a freelander thermostat have fun !!!! I go into the cape regularly gem fossiking and only one river crossing---with caution---:D

[scarry]

I did it twice in my D2a,basically stock,with snorkel and A/t's,no problems at all.Did the OTT up and back,all creeks except gunshot,Pasco river track also.

Had to get a tow up the jump up heading south at Palm creek,hand winched out of creek while going to a remote campsite on the banks of the Jardine,that was it.

Never had a real issue.

Make sure you travel as light as possible,good look over vehicle before you go,and a good set of tyres.Check those fuel lines above the fuel tank,and check anything for chafing.

Walk EVERY creek before driving through...just my 2cents worth

Fantastic place,need to go again.


Have fun.

[roverrescue]

Rick,
just got notice from Parks today.
Lakefield (RinyirrI) not open till 14 June
Melville likely closed until August

And this is decided before any extra rain from Zane.

-Starke track is open to the boat ramp at Starke River but no further at this stage.
-Battlecamp is closed was due to open this week but most likely will not now that Lakefield closed till June.
-Spoke with a roady yesterday working the Whites Ck rd into Maytown, said it was in reasonable condition (but still not open)

Im getting twitchy but will just have to be patient

Steve

[walker]

Looks like water levels will be high this year. We are heading off from Cairns on the 8th June. I better pack my floaty's.

[frostyblue]

After all the comments and from members who took thiers to the cape makes me feel pretty confiddnt now, i have snorkel, cdl connected, duel batt, tm4 engine watcher, steel tjm winch bar, 12000lb winch, by the time i go sliders and 2inch lift will be in, currently makin up some recovery points, so should have most bases covered, thanks again for all the comments

Cheers

Ken

[Disco Muppet]

Cape York has lots of water (funny that :p)
As such, it might be a good idea to do a bit of work on waterproofing your vehicle as best as you can.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2/161996-auto-ecu-relocation.html
I've just done this, piece of **** and cheap and easy insurance.
Also look at beefing up your door seals, and extend (if not done already) you diff breathers, perhaps a fluid change too.
As scarry's advice, make sure you walk each crossing and have suitably low tyre pressures, 99% of the stories of grief I hear out of Cape York are people being gung-ho and charging into water and drowning their rigs.

[John W]

Only let down for me (no pun intended) was my SLS so if you have air take a bag along. Most has been said but bog up the little gaps in you door seals as they gush water. Check hoses particularly that little one that goes brittle and fractures.

[Redback]

When we did the Cape we had an almost stock D2 towing a camper with us, he had no issues at all, he had a Centre Diff Lock and AT tyres and a bullbar, I reckon you would get away without a bullbar.

Here ya go, Discostew, going through one of the deeper creeks, he was also a novice to 4WDriving and long trips and he did a great job.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/12/894.jpg

We had a D2 then also, never had an issue also.

Baz.

[walker]

A question for RoverRescue (or anyone else that knows). Is there auto LPG at Cooktown? I am guessing that would be thefurthestnorth you would get it.

Adam

[Blknight.aus]

yep,

be prepared to pay brisbane diesel prices for it and you DO NOT want to know what diesel will cost you up there.

[roverrescue]

As Dave said,
Yep can get BBQ gas for your rangie in town here.
If you would like I can check prices and post up.

Like most smaller towns. We have no price cycle and no competition - fuel price dont change much for months on end. I never even once look at the price. Just park the boat or the ute at the right bowser and fill er up.

Its not like Im going to walk or paddle and it wont be any cheaper at one of the other servos!

S

[walker]

Thanks. No need to post prices. Will just take whatever comes, like you said, it's not like I am not going to fill up. And I'm sure prices will get worse as we go north. I don't think they will be as bad as Mt Dare, I think that's the most I have ever paid. And filling up for Madigans a few years ago meant 210 liters!!!!!

Only a few weeks now till the Cape trip begins so excitement is starting to creep in. I just hope it drys out a bit. I was looking forward to the CREB but I doubt it will be open.

[frostyblue]

Walker, why is the creb closed?

Cheers

Ken

[walker]

The CREB track closes even if it smells rain and with the amount of rain recently I am assuming it will be closed for a while yet.

[Franrick]

Hi there, I'm hoping the CREB is not closed as long as you think as we are planning a trip up there as well as the Stancke Track and Maytown Coach Road in late June.
The recent cyclone was a bit of a fizzer and didn't deposit a lot of rain so were hoping for the best.

The info centre in Cairns says the track will open in mid/late May but that is like asking how long is a piece of string.

To get the latest Track news go here CREB Track closed for wet season (January - May 2013) - Cairns Regional Council (http://cairns.qld.gov.au/about-council/media-and-public-notices/public-notices/notices/creb-jan-13) or ring 07 70443044.

Cheers, Rick.

[Franrick]

In relation to fuel prices. We paid $2.36 a litre in Bamaga last year. No sure if it's any different this year but the trip is well worth what you pay for it. The Frenchmans Track is a huge bonus and equally as good as the Tele Track. If you have the time, go into Varylia Point/Beach. It;s the jewel in the crown of the Cape and great fishing as a bonus. Just be self sufficient on that leg.
Cheers, Rick.

[walker]

Yeah, it would be great if it opened. We leave Cairns on the 8th, so at least you have a few extra weeks for it to dry out.

My sister lives in Cairns and does work for council. She tried to get some inside info for me but the best I could get was "May not open July". :(

[Franrick]

I really think that it will not be too wet. We haven't had a good wet season up here. Had some friends from work do the CREB in January. Normally that would not be possible but they said dust was more of a problem than mud.
When we did the Cape last year it was closed on our way up in late June and still closed in late July on our return. Changes from year to year depending on our wet seasons.
The Bloomfield Track (road) is over estimated and hardly worth the time unless you really want to see the Daintree. It can be done in a high clearance non 4wd vehicle once the wet is over and in my opinion is not worth the effort.
If your going to the Cape you will hardly remember the Bloomfield once the trip is over.
Lions Den and Trevethan Falls are far better detours.

Just my dollars worth.

Cheers, Rick.