Thread: cape york in a D2

If the 3 amigos is cured - as in most cases its dodgy wiring at the modulator - its not a problem. If you have CDL you dont have a problem anyway, although if you were really worried you could have CDL and a rear locker. I would take my manual V8 to the Cape any day and before many other offroaders.

Cheers

CDL, good tyres, sliders, winch, small lift will see you to the cape and back easy peasy

Did it last year in my 03 D2. We (me, wife, 3yo and 1yo girls) were on our own but managed to team up at times with people that we regularly saw on the way. Only issues i had were a sliced tyre sidewall, cracked fog lamp lens and a chip in the windscreen which happened after I had done all of the dirt roads and was back on bitumen south of Laura. Insurance covered a new windscreen.

My 03 has CDL, 2 inch lift with bilstein shocks, side steps (rock sliders would have been better), roof tray and awning and dual batteries. Found the UHF really good to have and the rear drawers I made up were invaluable for how our set up worked.

What I would have changed would be more aggressive/stronger tyres (had Maxxis 771 ATs), put covers over fog lamps and maybe headlamps, possibly mount a winch and deffinately take a second spare (or at least a carcass as there's places to have it mounted along the way).

I had a pre trip inspection done by MR Automotive before going, but realistically you can never be guaranteed nothing will go wrong mechanically. Obviously the better prepared you are the less likely things will go wrong.

On a trip to Fraser in October last year I had the power steering hose that goes from the resoviour to pump wear a tiny hole from rubbing on the flange where the sump bolts to the block. This could have easily happened when I was up the cape 4 months earlier. I was lucky a mate had some vulcanised rubber tape that we wrapped it up with and used more duct tape to hold it in place. Also lucky we had some fluids to replace the fluid we had lost.

Because we were on our own up the cape we didn't tackle Palm Creek or Nolans Brook but did just about everything in between on the Old Telegraph Track. I'm now planning my next trip up there in the D4 for 2015.

Hope that wasn't too much rambling and that it helps.

Matt.

Hi Ken,
The other respondents all give good advise but generally speaking for a Disco (I have a D1 petrol and a D2 diesel) a 2in lift, bar and snorkel as well as good tyres will get you to the top and back without problems.

I did it in my D1 V8 last year towing a camper trailer. We did the Old Maytown Coach Road, Tele track, the track to Vrylia Point (roughest corrugations on the Cape) Frenchmans track and Starkie Track. The Disco did everything the Toyotas and Nissans in the group did and they wern't towing. The downside was fuel consumption although it was no worse than the bigger 4WD's. Diesel next time.

In about 6 weeks we will be doing the CREB Track (if it's open) Starkie to Cape Melville and then across to Laura and then the Old Coach Road (track) to Maytown, then to Chillagoe and back to Townsville.

As I write this a cyclone is preparing to cross the coast somewhere north of Cape Melville and that could cause our upcoming trip to be cancelled due to track closures. It will also have an impact on the Cape roads and some of them could be open later than anticipated.

You will have a great time on the Cape. Vrylia Point is well worth the detour.

Cheers, Rick.

snorkel a must 2" lift as well,good tyres and remember cars aren't boats, they go around water water and dust create problems for all 4wd, I have my d2TD5 02--have been through all the regular problems but the worst developed from bearing problems with the PSPump so check the bearings[replace] that the belt runs around. Clean the intercooler check auto cooler fittings and pipes make sure no probs with coolant leaks and fit a freelander thermostat have fun !!!! I go into the cape regularly gem fossiking and only one river crossing---with caution---

I did it twice in my D2a,basically stock,with snorkel and A/t's,no problems at all.Did the OTT up and back,all creeks except gunshot,Pasco river track also.

Had to get a tow up the jump up heading south at Palm creek,hand winched out of creek while going to a remote campsite on the banks of the Jardine,that was it.

Never had a real issue.

Make sure you travel as light as possible,good look over vehicle before you go,and a good set of tyres.Check those fuel lines above the fuel tank,and check anything for chafing.

Walk EVERY creek before driving through...just my 2cents worth

Fantastic place,need to go again.


Have fun.

Rick,
just got notice from Parks today.
Lakefield (RinyirrI) not open till 14 June
Melville likely closed until August

And this is decided before any extra rain from Zane.

-Starke track is open to the boat ramp at Starke River but no further at this stage.
-Battlecamp is closed was due to open this week but most likely will not now that Lakefield closed till June.
-Spoke with a roady yesterday working the Whites Ck rd into Maytown, said it was in reasonable condition (but still not open)

Im getting twitchy but will just have to be patient

Steve

Looks like water levels will be high this year. We are heading off from Cairns on the 8th June. I better pack my floaty's.