Thread: Traction

Originally Posted by Slunnie

Oops, I was out a little...

Lucky 7 is what some of the 7/11 stores have now changed to.

Thanks everyone. Looks like I will suss out the ATB's. Like I said, we have the CDL. For tyres we have the Mickey Thompson MTZ's and have a 2 inch lift. So hopefully the Ashcrofts should finish it off nicely.

Hi Sundowner,
We went to the Cape last year in a D1 towing a camper trailer.

We had CDL of course but otherwise just had a 2in lift, snorkel and bar with new tyres. We did quite a bit of exploring as well as all the major and some minor tracks.

The CDL and lift got us everywhere we wanted without a problem.

The only problem I really had was meeting up with a D2a TD5 on the Tele Track and that just made me want one too. So now I have a D1 and a D2.

The ATB's might be very useful at times but you could happily do the Cape without them. After saying that, I will be looking into ATB's for my D2.

Cheers, Rick.

Hi Franrick,

We actually did the cape back in '98 with a series 111, no lift, all terrains and a holden 186 that didn't really like water. We sunk it at Stones crossing, nearly put it on it's side at Cannibal Creek and ripped of a shockie along the way. Gunshot was done supprisingly easily. We took lots of side trips including the Frenchmans track and a nice ride out to Maytown. In the end, we did it and enjoyed it, although doing it again without the constant smell of fuel was always on the cards. So we figure it is time to go again.

I realise we could easily get away without the ATB's, but it's a good excuse to get them. Seeing I want to get up there as soon as possible after the wet, I'd rather be sitting next to one of the crossings feeling smug, rather than thinking, if only! Fingers crossed that the boss does let me get them!

Hi again Sundowner,
The trip would have been a bit more difficult back in '98 and I assume with a lot less traffic. We also did Frenchmans and some in our group thought it was a better track then the Telle. Shorter but more demanding of the driver.
We also went to Vrilya Point/Beach which in my opinion is the gem of the Cape. You need to be self sufficient for the time you are there but the place is to good to miss, particularly if you like fishing. You can top up your water on the first creek (with a log bridge) on the track to Vrilya but after that there is no more unless you know where to look. The corrugations on the track would have to be the worst on the Cape but the destination makes it worth the effort.
We also went to Maytown via the Old Coach Road from Laura. It's hard to imagine the old prospectors and the thousands that went to the gold rush actually walking in that sort of country.
A few of us from work are planning to a trip in late June from here (Townsville) to the CREB track, then to Lions Den. On to the Starkie track to Cape Melville and then to Laura through Lakefield NP. From Laura to Maytown via the Coach Road then on to Chillagoe and back to Townsville. Should be a good trip as it takes in some of the harder tracks in north Qld.
Cheers, Rick.

Sounds like a great trip Rick. Will you be taking the D1 or 2?

Hi Sundowner, The D2 will be the one I take in June. I haven't really given it a good workout in the scrub yet so will be seeing what it can do in June. We are going to Fraser in six weeks but that is mainly sand driving and not quite as challenging as the CREB and Starkie. I have done the Old Coach Road in the D1 towing a camper and apart from being a great bush track it is also a bit challenging in some places with several jump ups/drops (depending on which way you are going) and some very narrow sections on ridges which are a lot of fun.
The D1 is almost stock apart from a lift and snorkel while the D2 has a bit more as well as better technology built in so I expect it will do a better job.
We are not towing on the June trip so that will give us a bit more agility on the tracks.
Will post some pics after the trip.
Cheers, Rick.

We did the cape in 92 and 96, both times in a '66 2A SWB Stock motor 2.25. No probs. in the first run it was in company with a mate in a Jackaroo! And he went nearly most places I could, except sand had him buggered , hauled him through it a couple of times. But if he could do it a D2 , stock or otherwise will swan it in!