Thread: Serious desert trip with a D1 300Tdi...asking for trouble or AWESOME??

Originally Posted by Young Angus

.... or is this, all things considered, still an extremely competent and reliable vehicle that people still take on these kinds of serious overland trips?

....

very competent vehicle.

Did a few trips out Lake Eyre and beyond back in the day with a bog standard and pretty worn out '79RRC.
Never had trouble.

Only thing I would have wished for was a bit more traction, but not lockers front and rear.

My plan is to do more of those trips again in the immediate future, with the 99 Tdi D1 too, and the only mod I think would be considered 'necessary' would be ATB type diffs front and rear.
That's my plan anyhow.

If you want to experience a bit of desert driving to get a feel for what you may may not want and need, easy trips out to Big Desert, Wyperfeld and Murray Sunset NP between Horsham and Mildura abound.
You could easily do these as day trips if you're up for it, but a weekend trip with a camp somewhere in the main big desert NP would give you an idea of what you'd want when you drive on soft sand.

of course you can easily drive on soft sand without the need for ATB type LSDs, but obviously you need to work a bit harder at it keeping up momentum, working the drivetrain and suspension a bit harder.
ATBs just give you that little bit more grip to make progress more consistent.
You could try full lockers too tho .. never really been a fan.

But I reckon, head out to those Vic desert parks, have a bid of a drive around and understand what it is about the vehicle that you don't like.
Once you know what you don't like, you can then concentrate on rectifying those problems.

ps. if you don't already have one, a UHF radio and decent aerial is one of those things you should also have when you're out there.

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

Says he who overloads his OKA with cases of Grange

Grange is not non essential crap ............................................


Deano

Wow this has turned into an amazing discussion, thanks so much to everyone and keep it coming I love reading this stuff and people's experiences

Sounds like I'm on the right track Mine has been modified very sensibly and modestly. It's got a rear maxi-drive locker and upgraded axle I believe, not sure about the front axle but it doesn't have a front locker I know that much. It has a 2" lift with upgraded Bilsteins and springs too. It's running 245/75/16s on standard alloy rims and I think I'll keep it that way. Someone mentioned the tyres, the ones on there have plenty of tread but they were manufactured back in 2007 so the rubber is way too old to trust so I'll wait till I'm actually going to do a trip and then replace them with something along the lines of a BFG KO2 or Coopers/Cepeks/Something nice.

No trailers, like the idea of a rooftop tent though. Love the stories and discussion though, some great reads thanks so much again...doesn't sound like it's a bad choice at all for a vehicle type

Originally Posted by Young Angus

Wow this has turned into an amazing discussion, thanks so much to everyone and keep it coming I love reading this stuff and people's experiences

Sounds like I'm on the right track Mine has been modified very sensibly and modestly. It's got a rear maxi-drive locker and upgraded axle I believe, not sure about the front axle but it doesn't have a front locker I know that much. It has a 2" lift with upgraded Bilsteins and springs too. It's running 245/75/16s on standard alloy rims and I think I'll keep it that way. Someone mentioned the tyres, the ones on there have plenty of tread but they were manufactured back in 2007 so the rubber is way too old to trust so I'll wait till I'm actually going to do a trip and then replace them with something along the lines of a BFG KO2 or Coopers/Cepeks/Something nice.

No trailers, like the idea of a rooftop tent though. Love the stories and discussion though, some great reads thanks so much again...doesn't sound like it's a bad choice at all for a vehicle type

not sure if you said you had one already, but i wouldnt go anywhere without low coolant alarm. EMS2 is a good idea too. before you go anywhere, i would get someone to go through your cooling system completely and make sure it is spotless and good working order.

you may want to get rid of the rotoflex joint at the back or at least carry spares. they are a weak point. there are conversions for the rear diff to go to a normal uni joint. take some uni spares too. id say cooling system first priority, drive train second.

good first aid/survival course wouldnt be a bad idea as well. as someone mentioned, UHF even a PLB if you go remote.

Originally Posted by Young Angus

Wow this has turned into an amazing discussion, thanks so much to everyone and keep it coming I love reading this stuff and people's experiences

Sounds like I'm on the right track Mine has been modified very sensibly and modestly. It's got a rear maxi-drive locker and upgraded axle I believe, not sure about the front axle but it doesn't have a front locker I know that much. ....

You got one at the rear, and it's better than none, so should do 'ya.
If you do want one for the front, don't get a locker. You lose steering when locked, better with a torsen type like the ashcroft ATB.

Not sure on the rooftop tent tho.
Problem is when you get to a nice spot and pitch up, you then have to pack it down to go for a short drive to some interesting point.
Get a decent quality quick set tent and enjoy your stays.
I recently got a cheapie from Kmart for about $70 or so and it works well.
Poles are all inside the tent and basically it's up in about 1min or so, and then about 5 mins to peg it down securely.
Not too difficult to stow either unless you get the palatial two room 8 man type. Just get a low line roof rack to keep air resistance to a minimum and pack smart.

Yeah, I know what you mean about Roof Top tents. I had to think long and hard about taking a RTT and it was the first time I had ever used one. I normally pack light and swag or tent it most of the time, but I scored a Howling Moon tent for a bargain price (almost brand new with 65% discount) so thought I would give it a go. Mostly because I took someone on my trip who was worried about crocs and we indeed ended up seeing their tracks in the morning next to the car on several occasions! Peace of mind and all that.

I have to admit the Disco drives very differently with weight up top so that trip was like driving Miss Daisy. I don't regret taking the RTT, but on my next trip I won't be in croc country so have a RV5 fold out tent which will probably get taken instead. Also, since I will be spending more than one night at most places this trip, the RV5 would probably work better. It's horses for courses I guess. I will have to put it past my traveling companion first and see which they prefer.

If your going to carry a few small spares, take a spare lift pump,it takes up little room is very light and might save you if yours fails, we sell quite a few, so they are a part that does go.
Cheers, Mario

Discovery 1 is a good choice. 300tdi if you are mechanically minded & have a breakdown you can use bush mechanics to get you going. Did Simpson a couple of years ago & had issues at Birdsville (no drive to front, but this did not stop us. In other words mechanical vehicle wins over electronic.