Freelander 2 crosses the Simpson

[inside]

A brief story here:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/15470/land-rover-freelander-2-crosses-the-simpson-desert/

[nosliwedaw]

Darn it. You beat me!

Notice the HSE had it's 18's swapped for 16's. I wonder why they didn't use the SE 17" wheels, you can get MT's in that size.

Hopefully we'll see some more on this in the press or local 4x4 mags. I'd be interested to read how the others went as well.

[Col.Coleman]

Don't get too excited. As is the case with all marketing adventures, you need to read between the lines.
Yes your freelanders are capable small 4wd's, and one just did cross the simpson, but the devil is in the detail.
Any trip of this nature done for journalists, have support vehicles that carry all the gear. You will notice in all of the photo's that there is nothing in the vehicle. Who has the luxury of doing that in the real world?

Just don't want you guys running out there loaded to the hilt expecting to get through. Recipe for disaster.

CC

[Utemad]

The parents of a friend of mine crossed the Simpson in their Subaru Forrester. It was lifted and they went with a stock Prado. They buggered their clutch (sand in the bell housing from memory).
This was back in about 1999 so it would have been the original Forrester.

So I wouldn't be at all surprised that a FL2 could do it. Not that I've ever been there myself.

[RonMcGr]

A brief story here:

http://www.caradvice.com.au/15470/land-rover-freelander-2-crosses-the-simpson-desert/

Wow!!
Who towed it over the sand dunes ?? :D:D:D:D:D:D

[djhampson]

Nice find there Inside.. I'm keen to do a trip like that but I agree with you Col. C definatly wouldn't do it alone.


Thanks for another useful post there Ron...

[SuperMono]

Friends of mine have taken a 1930s Austin 7 to the top of Cape York, only support needed was a couple of minor pushes (by hand) in some of the deeper sand drifts.

So getting a pretty capable 4/AWD accross the Simpon doesn't seem such a tough thing to do. But I wouldn't do it without a few dinosaurs around to help :)

[Col.Coleman]

By taking all the bypass roads and the ferry, you can drive a car to the tip and back. It's no big deal these days. You need to go looking for the fun bits.

The middle of Aus is a different story. There ain't nobody around, and weight makes things a whole different kettle of fish. You need to carry a whole lot more on a simpson trip than a cape one.

CC

[SuperMono]

The A7 went the hard way close to 20 years ago.
It was actually a recreation of the first trip by car to the top of the cape by car, which was also by an A7.

What was funny was the video taken at one crossing, the video inside the lead 4WD caught the action.
'we better lock the hubs'
Driver and passenger exit.
Camera looks out over a number of people walking the crossing with sticks etc checking the depth, shrouding radiators etc.
Putt, putt, putt as the A7 drives past, straight into the water, putt, putt, splash, splash.
Minor scrabble out the other side and disappears down the track.
All the people in the water just stop and stare in the direction the little old car went. Then shake their heads in disbelief.

Light weight plays a big part :)

[Bushie]

When we spoke to the guys at Birdsville, after they had been out playing on bigred (prior to the journos arriving) they did remark that the Freelander had made an easy job of getting over big Red, and a few of the dunes west of there.



Martyn

[spitzstick]

you know there is always at least one in every group and CC scores .
Roger

[Vesko]

He, he, he :-) I crossed the Simpson east to west with my Landie all by myself. Some of the story is here:



Birdsville and Big Red (http://veskopetrov.com/?p=6983)



Simpson Desert (http://veskopetrov.com/?p=7055)



Simpson Desert and Dalhouse Springs (http://veskopetrov.com/?p=7122)



Cheers!

[Hoges]

Evan Green and Jack Murray (?) undertook a similar trip in an Austin1800 with a Mini for company back in the 60s IIRC.
The FL2 is top of my list as THE replacement for my ageing P38 when the time comes... you can take a small competent vehicle a lot of seemingly "impossible" places if you plan it...;)

[Teigs]

He, he, he :-) I crossed the Simpson east to west with my Landie all by myself. Some of the story is here:



Birdsville and Big Red (http://veskopetrov.com/?p=6983)



Simpson Desert (http://veskopetrov.com/?p=7055)



Simpson Desert and Dalhouse Springs (http://veskopetrov.com/?p=7122)



Cheers!



Hey Vesko

What types did you have on your FL2 when you went out Broken Hill way? From pictures hard to see.

[captainjsw]

Did the same last year without a support vehicle. Ground clearance was a bit tight and am looking for a 2" lift kit to make things a bit better - plus some 16" wheels and better tyres

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLjn_vezLT8&t=21s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLjn_vezLT8&t=21s)