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

Originally Posted by Young Angus

I wouldn't think many run the 245/75 in a defender, some might but aren't the 235/85 the stock option? They might look a bit funny with smaller tyres haha

Do many of you carry a second spare when travelling outback? How does the 300Tdi feel if you've got two spares on the back of the car? If they can even both fit there that is!

Yes 235/85 are now stock on Defender (previously 7.50R16) and 245/75 might look funny :-) ...but is there any reason why not? Would on road performance be better? ...I don't have the gear ratio / power / torque knowledge of the difference btw Disco and Defender, which is why I ask.

I'm also curious about this, just got curiosity sake. Don't see why not

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So I'm going to revive this fantastic thread from a little over a year ago because, as the walrus said to the carpenter...THE TIME HAS COME!

We have accommodation booked in Esperance over New Years which we will be driving to from home in Melbourne, with a few odd stops along the way and some awesome beach driving once we're there. Also between now and then I'm going to take it on a few shorter trips here in VIC to test out some things and start servicing the hell out of it, and I'll do what I can myself.

Started a couple of days ago, bought two new Optima Yellow Top batteries and before I put them in I might also replace the battery leads and DEFINITELY the terminals. I have an older Red Arc isolator which should be okay still, but I'll test it out, along with my alternator.

After that I think the last time the timing belt was done was back in 2004 at 40k kms. It's only on 180k kms now but that's still a while between drinks and if that's the case I think I'll get that done, by professionals most likely I won't attempt that myself, probably Ritters (or anyone else who would be good for it).

Then it's getting stuck into the cooling system, hoses, belts and clamps, suspension (shocks and springs will probably be okay but bushes can get replaced), other electronics for driving lights (FYRLYTs), fix a leak in the sunroof, drivetrain stuff, engine and gearbox mounts et al, oh and the CDL light doesn't come on at the moment so there might be a problem there, better sort that out too.

Basically I have to sell a kidney to fund this but hey, it'll be worth it! So here we go...finally...EXCITING!

If you are planning on doing some beach exploring on the South coast of WA then a set of recovery tracks are pretty much essential kit to carry, The beaches it the West are quite different to those in the East

save a quid, do the timing belt yourself.
See here; tutorials

Get the pdfs in the second post

Sounds like a nice trip. I will be out that way in late Dec/Jan taking one of my cousin's out on his first proper trip in his new (to him) D1 300Tdi, either in my D1 or the D3 I just bought. Still deciding which one to take! Shoot me a PM closer to the time and I will send you my itinerary. Having another D1 with spares out there might come in handy!

Originally Posted by cripesamighty

Sounds like a nice trip. I will be out that way in late Dec/Jan taking one of my cousin's out on his first proper trip in his new (to him) D1 300Tdi, either in my D1 or the D3 I just bought. Still deciding which one to take! Shoot me a PM closer to the time and I will send you my itinerary. Having another D1 with spares out there might come in handy!

Most definitely! I say take the D1 but that's just me

Originally Posted by donh54

save a quid, do the timing belt yourself.
See here; tutorials

Get the pdfs in the second post

I wonder how long it would take and how reliable my job would be, I certainly would love to know how to do it, and how to save $1200 from Ritter doing it too.