Thread: Planning Our 5k Road Trip - Tips for my Disco?

We're currently planning a 3 week road trip next January. From Sydney inland to Mungo National Park over to Flinders Ranges, down to Kangeroo Island and back via Great Ocean Road.

Every 3-4 days we will be clocking up 500 ish K's. The route will be nothing our X-trail could not do but I want the space and comfort of the Disco and for also the tracks in the Flinders, as we're thinking of a Tag a Long Tour if anyone has any recommendations?.

We're staying hotels and resorts so not lugging camping gear about. It's going to be hot so are there any tips to ensure the Disco V8 stays nice and cool? We wont be driving dust or dawn and im loathed to add a Bull Bar. Perhaps driving lights may assist?

I will take an extra air filter for the dust. Some Coolant and Oil. I will by then have 4 brand new tyres and it will be serviced ready with chain of Oil in the diffs and Transfer. My Disco is tip top at the moment.

Or should I just scrap carrying and fluids and if i have an issue contact NRMA?

Any tips would be welcome.

Rob

Robgw/Guys/Fellow LR blokes

I have just done one of those 5000 mile trips from Denver up into Canada and back down spending time with family in Sandpoint Idaho, then doing some "down home folksy cowboy stuff" in Wyoming, USA's least populous state with only about 5 people per sq mile.
With my family of three younger teens/pre teens and all their "stuff" the D2 is like a Kuwaiti on a walk about in his full size Oldsmobile.

With no spare parts for at least a 750 miles in either direction on the upper tier of the USA its essential to go equipped. This too means crossing the Continental Divide several times even in Alberta, its just like you going over the Flinders in some parts.

So I give the truck a full 90K factory style service checking all fluids, changing where necessary and giving the cooling a system a good check over including the brakes & steering. Loosen and re-torque your wheel nuts to make sure you can remove them with the tools you have on board. Tyre condition is essential , I only use Michelin A/T's due to a scary/nasty experience with a Landrover years ago!

For the trip I carry a spare fan belt, fuel pump, cam sensor and a cooler line repair kit with zip ties, duct tape, in fact, just like the blokes who have contributed so far wise words indeed.

If you have space for a small trolley/floor jack wrapped up in a towel do so the standard bottle jack isnt so good when you need to lift the rig safely on the highway with big rigs blowing by at 70 to 80 mph! Besides the blanket is useful when getting under the truck on a hot day when its past 35dgc on the black top/or scrub on dirt roads .
Almost all these parts I have packed into an old ABS suitcase like carrier was part of a scan tool set up. Then I have a small canvass old fashioned doctors type "rat bag" by Snap On for all my hand tools should I need them.

I have done this trip 5 times in about seven years and touching wood I have never had to use anyone the the safeguards I have put in place. Just motoring exploring /pleasure. I do have a habit of checking oil and coolant levels every time I fuel. In that way you will notice if something is going on/developing before it becomes an issue. Just a cursory glance every morning before setting out and a walk around check.

My V8 D2 has now 198K on the clock so its not a cosseted youngster!

As a "funny" my last trip pre departure check was the need to find a good used fuel pump for the parts kit. Having used it for as customer repair I dragged a good used replacement unit out of a downed D2 for the trip. Wrapping it in a sealed bag I stuffed it in the carry case I mentioned. The fuel stink managed to eek its way out into the cabin so I got it in the neck from the missus , so mke sure you dry a used pump before stowing it if you want marital bliss!

Or as my 10 year old daughter Katherine says "Dad happy wife, happy life"!
Enjoy the trip stay safe, have fun!
Bon voyage
Dennis
zedcars