Who's taken their d4 to the cape? What mods are must have/ should have?

[Crimdog]

Hey everyone,
I've got a 2010 d4 3ltr HSE. I'm thinking of doing a trip to the cape next year....
Am I crazy to take the disco?
If i do go, what mods are MUST HAVE?
What are should have?
What spare parts should I take?
What other questions should I be asking?

Thanks crew

[LandyAndy]

Not crazy at all.
Im setting mine up over the next 2 years for a trip over east towing a camper trailer.
to start with,bullbar(when they make them fit),spotties,roofrack,long range tank,wheel carrier.ETC ETC ETC.
ENJOY
Andrew

[Crimdog]

Do I need a long range tank? Seems diesel is pretty available on the trip to the cape.
Is a bull bar a must have or should have?

[CaptAwsm]

For me a bull bar is a must have for any highway work. I'd rather hit a roo with a bull bar for protection than relying on factory plastics. And one would imagine that your approach angle is improved by a bull bar. Plus, mounting spots for lights, 2 way aerials etc.

Ben.

[Graeme]

A good snorkel, check your air filter after a day or two on dusty roads even with one and you will surprised how much dust is it. a snorkel won't stop it but it will restrict it.I would fit a dust-extractor pre-cleaner once off sealed roads if a Safari or similar is fitted.

Many recommend sealing the transfer case ecu.

[winaje]

I would fit a dust-extractor pre-cleaner once off sealed roads if a Safari or similar is fitted.

Many recommend sealing the transfer case ecu.

Is there a Donaldson or similar pre-cleaner that will fit a D3/4 and supply the needed flow? Preferably without being 3ft wide lol

[Safari]

Hi years ago I used to drive tours to Cape York and even then fuel was not an issue, There was even a tour operator using a V8 County and he used just the standard tank, so that will save you some bucks. I recently did the Cape but this time with my family, my suggestions for vechicle mods are dual batteries, snorkel and a look at your suspension. In all the trips I have done (over 30) I have only had one flat and that was a nail in Weipa. If however you really want a bull bar and tyre carrier go for your life. The Cape is a great place to explore and can be as hard as you want it to be. My other advise is to allow a minimum of 3 weeks Nth of Cairns to see the place, Cheers Rob

[Redback]

Is there a Donaldson or similar pre-cleaner that will fit a D3/4 and supply the needed flow? Preferably without being 3ft wide lol

The Donaldson Pre-cleaner is available for the Safari snorkle, it's only a 7" spin pre-cleaner though, you're better off getting a Ram head or droopie pre-cleaner.

We use the ram head pre-cleaner.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/661.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/662.jpg

Baz.

[Petetheprinta]

The Donaldson Pre-cleaner is available for the Safari snorkle, it's only a 7" spin pre-cleaner though, you're better off getting a Ram head or droopie pre-cleaner.

We use the ram head pre-cleaner.

Baz.

Are the red things in these photos part of one kit ie ram head pre cleaner or they 2 separate items? Where do you get them? Thanks

[Redback]

Are the red things in these photos part of one kit ie ram head pre cleaner or they 2 separate items? Where do you get them? Thanks

Two seperate items, we have the one in the bottom photo, amazing how clean it keeps the air filter.

Take the pre-cleaner off after a days driving, clean and re-oil it, put it on for the next day, or if you're travelling each day, leave it till you're camping for more than one day.

Baz.

[winaje]

Two seperate items, we have the one in the bottom photo, amazing how clean it keeps the air filter.

Take the pre-cleaner off after a days driving, clean and re-oil it, put it on for the next day, or if you're travelling each day, leave it till you're camping for more than one day.

Baz.

No issues with insufficient air supply? I was under the impression the V6s were very hungry for air...

[Redback]

No issues with insufficient air supply? I was under the impression the V6s were very hungry for air...

Interesting you say that, it does affect throttle response, no worse than a blocked air filter, other than that it's fine, I only use them for really dusty tracks though, where you would be following or it's dirt all day, not for touring on the tar.

Baz.

[zilch]

Do I need a long range tank? Seems diesel is pretty available on the trip to the cape.

Just did the Cape in my MY10 Sport, Diesel is plentiful and to be honest i did not get below 1/2 tank between roadhouses even towing a 1 ton camper trailer, our route was via Lions Den - Lakefield - Bramwell - Jardine River National Park - Punsand etc


Is a bull bar a must have or should have?

As for a Bull bar, in addition to the Roo's many of the roads in the cape have stock walking freely, so potential to hit a very large piece of beef on the hoof is another consideration in investing.. if yours is a 2010 model then the OL/ARB bars should fit

My mods for the Trip

LR RAI sealed as Snorkel (faces backward and less prone to bull dust, but still gets in, so regular cleaning, seal work done after market not by LR)
Decent Tyres (ATR's)
OL Front Bar
Lightforce Driving lights
Bash Plates (engine/transmission/compressor)
Winch (not really needed to be honest unless you are doing the trip on your lonesome)
Rock sliders (i had the step out bars to provide added protection)
Loan Spares kit from Land Rover (belts/filters/hoses)

Picture here of the Sport in final livery.. the D4 will look similar, but slightly uglier :wasntme: will get my coat :D

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/08/651.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/zilch/media/IMG_1851_zpsbe44c967.jpg.html)

I loved the trip apart from a turbo actuator failure, so make sure you have the right recovery/assistance package, it can get expensive if there is a problem

[captcam68]

Took my 2009 D3 2.7 to the cape in 2010 via Tele track on the way up and Developmental road back down via Weipa, Battlecamp track etc. Had the 17" BB6 performance alloys with Dueller 694's, one spare wheel and tyre and a spare tyre carcass on its own. Did't get a puncture from Sydney to Cape and back. Had 20 l jerry can of diesel + std tank, put it in car when we got up there and didn't fill it again. No problem with Fuel supplies never came close to getting low just top up at every fuel stop.
Fitted snorkel with filter as pictured in a previous thread, snorkel is an absolute must if your planning on heading up there. I had bulbar fitted incl winch as extra insurance as we were travelling on our own, used it twice to recover a land cruiser and a patrol. Air compressor a must as well as a set of staun tyre deflators as they make life very quick and easy. Took a air bag jack, didn't need it thankfully. Used a tarp as a water bra, have bought a proper one since heaps quicker and easier.
One thing to do before you hit the gravel roads get your auto handbrake adjusted by a dealer to an offroad tolerance ( mentioned in the handbook but who ever reads it) otherwise the warning light will continually flick on as the corrugations are pretty savage most of the way. We had a fully loaded car/ rhino rack and ran at 28psi on the gravel and down to 22 on the Tele and this worked fine for us especially on the corrugations. Didn't see one other D3 up there on the whole trip! One camper we met in a highly mod patrol said he had a D3 back in Adelaide but wasn't game to bring it up!????
We didn't have a single issue the whole 3 months away and when we came back onto the black top there wasn't a single rattle or squeak! There isn't anywhere I wouldn't take my present D4 so do not have any hesitations whatsoever.
Ps: take a sat phone with you just in case as mobile is non existent except near a few towers spread around and the townships.

[Crimdog]

Thanks for the input so far crew.

So far I think my must haves are:
Good shoes- I have some coppers LTZ on 19" RRS rims, thoughts?
Snorkle- what's the cost of the genuine RAI and seeling it?
GOE rods
Rock sliders- any recomendations? At the moment I have the factory steps, I have already beaten the crap out of them off road.
Roof rack- thinking platform style
Diagnostic tool- what's the best on a budget?

I'm still undecided on:
Bullbar
Cargo barrier - although I know I should get this
Wheel carrier
Protection plates- already have compressor plate.
Dual battery
Driving lights/LED bar- not really planing on night driving.

[Graeme]

Is there a Donaldson or similar pre-cleaner that will fit a D3/4 and supply the needed flow? Preferably without being 3ft wide lolI have a self-emptying top-hat the same as fitted to V8 Troopies, reckoning that it would be more than adequate for the 3.0 D4 for off-road work. The whistle and roar is far too noisy for general use for me though, with its intake just outside the window.

[jon3950]

Thanks for the input so far crew.

So far I think my must haves are:
Good shoes- I have some coppers LTZ on 19" RRS rims, thoughts? Given my experience with them, I'd say they'd be fine, but if the budget allows get the GOE 18" rims.
Snorkle- what's the cost of the genuine RAI and seeling it?
GOE rods
Rock sliders- any recomendations? At the moment I have the factory steps, I have already beaten the crap out of them off road. Don't bother, they're extra weight you don't need to carry. Just remove the factory side-steps and throw them away.
Roof rack- thinking platform style
Look at Windcheetah or Rhino's Pioneer Platform
Diagnostic tool- what's the best on a budget? I have the iidtool, it's good

I'm still undecided on:
Bullbar Nice to have, but not essential
Cargo barrier - although I know I should get this absolutely essential
Wheel carrier Extra weight. Although it's a pain, the spare can be accessed without unpacking if you plan for it. Just carry an extra spare on the roof
Protection plates- already have compressor plate.Again, just extra weight you don't need to carry
Dual batteryEssential. How else do you keep the beer cold?
Driving lights/LED bar- not really planing on night driving. Not needed if no night driving planned

Cheers,
Jon

[gusthedog]

Um, when I was at the cape in 2010 a non-modified 1990 Nissan pulsar made it along the development road with no issues. You don't need to do anything to a D4 to get to the cape and explore. Just have it well serviced and have good tyres. Or if you want to mod it go right ahead. But it's worth considering want vs need on modding any vehicle. Especially one as capable out of the box as a D4. Just my 10 cents ;)

[Crimdog]

I hear you mate, hence the original post. I am considering want vs need vs how deepy pockets are ;)

I don't plan on sticking to the development road though, so I assume regardless of my d4s capability, some coin spent now will ensure it comes back in the same condition that it left in. It is also my daily driver though, so I don't want to turn it into something ably mangle would be driving these days.

Thanks again for everyone's thoughts

[zilch]

will ensure it comes back in the same condition that it left in. It is also my daily driver though, so I don't want to turn it into something ably mangle would be driving these days.

CD we did parts of Lakefield National Park, Jardine NP, Old Telegraph Track up and around Elliot, number of crossings etc and did not even get a bush stripe, as long as your sensible and not gung ho, then your vehicle should come back in as a good a condition as it went up.. but buy shares in Armoral as the cost of cleaning it after to get rid of the dust can be pretty significant :)

[tiddy]

I sometimes can't help but think a trip to Cape or similar is an excuse to spend heaps on stuff that is not always needed, but each to their own.

Like if your not going to drive at night, do you really need additional lighting? The same could be said of a bullbar and let's face it, if you do hit a bull at anything over 60 or 70, bar or no bar you will have major damage on you hands, but I guess if it makes people feel safer.

However good tyres are important, whether that means the expense of going for the 18's & tyres or getting a good 19 will depend on $, it such a minefield and not helped by the magazines that support the view that a vehicle must have extra fitted otherwise it won't make it anywhere.

[TerryO]

If you drive in the country on a regular basis then you know that Roo's have a habit of appearing out of no where, this happens on highways just as much as back roads.

Tiddy even in your home town its common as you would know, last Saturday evening while only ten k's out of Canberra a big buck leapt out into the highway in front of us, it came real close to hitting the D4, not so sure about the four cars 100 + metres behind me were so lucky they headed in every direction as the roo bounced between them.

Anyway reminded me why I need to get a bull bar for the D4, the D3 in three years has hit three roos, a wombat and two foxes, the bull bar on that has saved us heaps.

[tiddy]

If you drive in the country on a regular basis then you know that Roo's have a habit of appearing out of no where, this happens on highways just as much as back roads.

Tiddy even in your home town its common as you would know, last Saturday evening while only ten k's out of Canberra a big buck leapt out into the highway in front of us, it came real close to hitting the D4, not so sure about the four cars 100 + metres behind me were so lucky they headed in every direction as the roo bounced between them.

Anyway reminded me why I need to get a bull bar for the D4, the D3 in three years has hit three roos, a wombat and two foxes, the bull bar on that has saved us heaps.

Point taken Terry, especially as you say about the buck near Canberra, I guess my point, and it probably wasn't made all that well, is the people tend to think they need have all this stuff, long range tanks, multiple wheel carriers and enough lights to light up a small town before they go anywhere, because it's considered necessary and in most cases it's not.

[gusthedog]

Point taken Terry, especially as you say about the buck near Canberra, I guess my point, and it probably wasn't made all that well, is the people tend to think they need have all this stuff, long range tanks, multiple wheel carriers and enough lights to light up a small town before they go anywhere, because it's considered necessary and in most cases it's not.

^ what he said :D

[captcam68]

You will never ever get all the red dust out once you have completed a Cape trip
No matter how hard you try:p

[Crimdog]

That's what the kids are for right? ;)

So lots of opinions on what mods I should and shouldn't do, thanks.....

What's about spare parts and tools to bring (other than iidtool)

By the sounds out another post on here recently, I should think about getting the transfer box oil changed before I go....

[zilch]

What's about spare parts and tools to bring

On the Spares front my local LR dealership gave me a full belt/hose/filter pack on Sale and Return.. and a good friend from the hunter region leant me a spare suspension compressor to take just in case

[Redback]

Thanks for the input so far crew.

So far I think my must haves are:
Good shoes- I have some coppers LTZ on 19" RRS rims, thoughts?
Snorkle- what's the cost of the genuine RAI and seeling it?
GOE rods
Rock sliders- any recomendations? At the moment I have the factory steps, I have already beaten the crap out of them off road.
Roof rack- thinking platform style
Diagnostic tool- what's the best on a budget?

I'm still undecided on:
Bullbar
Cargo barrier - although I know I should get this
Wheel carrier
Protection plates- already have compressor plate.
Dual battery
Driving lights/LED bar- not really planing on night driving.

Get a snorkle, cheaper and already sealed

All of the companies have a basic diagnostic tool.

A second battery is a must if you're running a fridge, a decent stand alone pack should cover this, 40AH minimum(ie) Waeco thumper.

The rest are not really essentials, Rock sliders, well if you're careful you shouldn't really need them.

Yes to the roof rack, get a Platform style roof rack.

Baz.

[bowie]

Hey everyone,
I've got a 2010 d4 3ltr HSE. I'm thinking of doing a trip to the cape next year....
Am I crazy to take the disco?
If i do go, what mods are MUST HAVE?
What are should have?
What spare parts should I take?
What other questions should I be asking?

Thanks crew
Hi Crimdog, we took our D5 to the cape last year. you will need a snorkel as a few of the crossings were a bit deep. dual battery system, a bull bar , snatch strap good shackles, and a winch. we took a compressor to blow out the dust from the airfilter and only used 2 for the whole trip. Fuel is everywhere and we never ran short even without a long range tank. we towed a 490 conquroer camper. basic tools but lets be honest the Disco is more than capable to do the trip. I put on a set of muds but could have made it on AT's. tyre pressures are very important and don't be afraid to drop them to 15psi at one stage. have fun , only happy to help. Bowie

[BMKal]

Hi Crimdog, we took our D5 to the cape last year. you will need a snorkel as a few of the crossings were a bit deep. dual battery system, a bull bar , snatch strap good shackles, and a winch. we took a compressor to blow out the dust from the airfilter and only used 2 for the whole trip. Fuel is everywhere and we never ran short even without a long range tank. we towed a 490 conquroer camper. basic tools but lets be honest the Disco is more than capable to do the trip. I put on a set of muds but could have made it on AT's. tyre pressures are very important and don't be afraid to drop them to 15psi at one stage. have fun , only happy to help. Bowie

I thought those D5's looked a bit like a shopping trolley in the pics they've shown of the prototype .......................... :o

Didn't realize that anyone would have made a snorkel for them yet though. :p

[~Rich~]

I hope Bowie didn't pay for a D5!
I'm sure his resale will suffer when he decides to sell it. :wasntme:

[zilch]

you will need a snorkel as a few of the crossings were a bit deep.

To reiterate what Bowie says, this was a reasonably easy crossing into Elliot Falls camp site.. it was borderline wading depth wise

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/09/1008.jpg

Seriously consider a Snorkel as many crossings have drop offs/pot holes that mean you potentially could inadvertently dip the air intake in..it helps mitigate risk.

In regard to cost the LR RAI for the Sport/D3/4 cost approx $1650 fitted and sealed by Opposite Lock (in standard form it is only air rated so needs aftermarket fitting/sealing).

[DiscoMick]

Tyres, suspension and a snorkel are the main issues. Fuel is not a problem. I think all wagons should have a luggage barrier. Corrugations will shake you about so be prepared.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

[Bytemrk]

In regard to cost the LR RAI for the Sport/D3/4 cost approx $1650 fitted and sealed by Opposite Lock (in standard form it is only air rated so needs aftermarket fitting/sealing).

Where you will get a Safari Snorkel for a D4 fitted for around $700. ;)

[zilch]

Where you will get a Safari Snorkel for a D4 fitted for around $700. ;)

just confirming the LR RAI price that i got hammerd on BM, with the Safari snorkel is that not like pinning the ugly stick to the victim :wasntme::D

[scarry]

I did two long Cape trips in the last D2 i had.Up and back on the Tele track both trips,plus trips to lots of other places in the area.
As others have said,a snorkle is an absolute must.
Tyre plug repair kit and compresser,and two spare tyres is also a must.
I always have a cargo barrier as well as two batteries,snatch strap,assorted shackles,and long handled shovel.

A good set of tyres,preferably LT rated,and travel as light as possible.

A bar is preferable,but probably not needed if you don't travel at night or at dawn or dusk.I wouldn't worry about rock sliders,although alloy bash plates are pretty light,depending where you go they could be needed.Some sections of the Tele track are pretty rough,as are some other areas,the Pasco river crossing comes to mind.
I carried one jerry just in case,as we went to some very remote areas.

We had no problems,not even a flat tyre.

Walk all the water crossings first,some are very deep,Nolands is one of the deepest.These crossings would be my only worry with the D4,once you stop,get crossed up,or whatever,its all over.Many vehicles have been drowned,but mainly due to stupidity.

The Cape is a fantastic place,i need to get back someday.

Good luck,have a great trip