Spare parts for an outback trip

[Specky]

Greetings, we are heading off to central Australia (Oodnadatta, Birdsville etc) in April / May next year towing an 18 foot off road full caravan. My Disco is a 2002 TD5 260k auto and I am wondering what spares to take based upon the experience of AULRO members. The vehicle will be serviced and checked to within an inch of its life before we go but I still want to be as sure as I can that I'm covered for most events. I'm thinking at this stage alternator, starter motor etc but I may be barking up the wrong tree completely. Any advice greatly appreciated. Cheers, Stan

[PhilipA]

IMHO you have to balance weight against known problems and those that will stop you.
Preparation is a big part, so before I went around Australia, I replaced all of the radiator hoses including the hidden hose and heater hoses, the ancillaries' belt, examined the idler pulleys. I replaced the springs as the fronts were sagged and the shock absorbers.
I had replaced the alternator previously .
I took as spares a set of starter solenoid contacts, injector washers and o rings, a spare water pump, spare ancillaries' belt,spare idler pulley, and a donut. I also took a spare air filter, oil filters, and fuel filterx2. I also bought a Mr Funnel but only used it once.
In any case I still had a problem when the high pressure fuel line to the engine wore through on the Gibb River Road, so I would get this checked for wear points before going again.
Most of the stuff I did were once in ten years stuff ie the springs and shocks. Even though my front ball joint rubber seals were cactus the ball joints were OK so I made up new rubbers and greased them often. They are still fine.
Oh, and the tyres should have at least 80% tread .
Regards Philip A

[AndyG]

If your trip is the Birdsville, Strezleki and Walkers Track, as opposed to the Simpson Desert trails, they are excellent roads that are well maintained.
(Well by PNG standards they are).

Without knowing the maintenance history of your vehicle, might be time to replace hoses, belts and shocks & keep them as spares.
TPMS to spot slow deflation and save a tyre, spare fluids in case you get a leak. But over to those with more experience.

[strangy]

...... My Disco is a 2002 TD5 260k auto ......The vehicle will be serviced and checked to within an inch of its life before we go but I still want to be as sure as I can that I'm covered for most events. I'm thinking at this stage alternator, starter motor etc but I may be barking up the wrong tree completely. Any advice greatly appreciated. Cheers, Stan

Hi Specky, history of your service is not as important as the regular maintenance history.
The moment you think alternators and starters need to he carried, you should probably think DC joints, uni joints, wheel bearings, wheel sensors, MAF, turbo, Auto trans filters etc. way too much and not required.
Its a good time to revise the vehicles actual condition and do any of these things prior to any travel.
As far as starter motors go, yours should have had new contacts or been replaced by now. If not, new contacts before the trip are $20 item.
Alternator- pull your brush pack and clean or replace it if it hasn't been done and check the overall wear on the commutator.

A well maintained D2 is very reliable. A well serviced D2 is just a vehicle with regular oil and coolant changes and subject to the myriad of issues on the forum, only for you on your holiday.

Decide early if you want to carry spares and tools to spend your holiday possibly working on a vehicle that is due for maintenance(which should have been done before you left), or spares and tools to protect against the unlikely on a well sorted vehicle. Unfortunately the D2 is getting old and all have reached the age where a significant outlay to ensure a reliable vehicle (as any vehicle this era)is needed. The best advice I can give is:
If it is going to cause pocket pain to get it right before you leave either don't leave or imagine the pocket pain getting it sorted away from home and spoiling your holiday.

IMO top rad hose, drive belt, fuel filter, oil and air filters. 2 litres engine oil. Cable ties, electrical tape, a roll of 100mph tape, Tool kit and a spare headlight globe, tail light globes and fuses. Apart from a Nanocom this has been my basic kit for years and hasn't been needed.
Don't worry about coolant you should be carrying a suitable quantity of clean water for yourselves and just ensure you have at least another 6-10 litres in the unlikely event you need to use that top rad hose in the middle of nowhere.

[Ean Austral]

Sounds like its a great trip you got planned. I always carried the 2 things I believed that would stop a D2. CAS ( crank angle senser ) its about the size of a matchbox so takes up bugger all room, and a fuel pump. The fuel pumps are hit and miss, and I see they are after market ones available. I never had to use either of these in my D2 ownership, but did help 2 other D2 owners out.


There are endless things for just in case, but if your D2 has had a regular maintainence program other than just oil and filters you will likely have addressed the hoses, belt , etc.


Cheers Ean

[UncleHo]

I would recommend a Low Water Level Alarm (light and buzzer type) and a spare engine mount, or fit new mounts and take an old one as spare. :)

And hire a RFD radio,you may not need it but somebody may.

[Chenz]

This the list of spares we took on the last Edjit adventure. Obviously we shared these between vehicles.

I agree with the points raised about getting the vehicle serviced and checked before going and ensuring that your suspension and tow pack are set up to pull and carry what you are taking.

The thing that will break is the thing that is under excessive strain.87064

[DiscoMick]

As others have said, really thorough servicing before you go should prevent most problems. Be very fussy about the cooling system. Bearings, bushes, seals, filters etc (keep the old filters as emergency spares). Full fluids change. Don't forget to get bushes right. On the trip I'd suggest hoses, belts, oils, a second spare tyre, water and coolant concentrate. While most roads are sealed, you should assume there will be a lot of dust which could clog up the air filter, doorlocks, window seals, the radiator, sunroof runners etc. Blow them out with a compressor and then the locks and runners can be oiled with Lanolin. When out there slow down, enjoy the trip, don't try to make stages too long, plan to stop by 4pm to avoid the roos, cows, goats and camels. Each town has a story to tell, so stop to check it out. For example, did you know there is a beach in Birdsville? Its a bend on the Innamincka River, just out of town.

Sent from my GT-P5210 using AULRO mobile app

[Specky]

Hi Phillip, thanks for the info. I'm planning to replace all I can before we go ie hoses, bushes, serpentine etc. I guess Ill take the experience of you guys who have kindly responded and come up with a list of spares that won't put us over weight. Thanks again

[Specky]

Hi Andy, thanks for the info. Taking it all on board .....

[Specky]

Hi Ean, thanks for the info especially about the sensor. Replaced the fuel pump about 18 months ago but may take a spare. They can stop you dead in your tracks! Cheers, Specky

[Specky]

Thanks Uncle, I have purchased a 2 nd hand HF radio as it turns out, so we are raring to go. Only have to wait 5 months or so!! Cheers, Specky

[Specky]

Thanks Chenz, great work on the spreadsheet. Highly organised no doubt! Cheers, Specky

[Specky]

Thanks Mick, your experience greatly appreciated. Hopefully we'll have a hassle free trip, although sometimes half the fun is the odd drama.... Touch wood of course! Cheers, Specky