Reply With QuoteI'm interested to, planning same kind of trip for 2009.
One thing to take is a good first aid kit and if you're going remote, I'd carry a SatPhone.
Fossicker
Hi All and Seasons Greetings,
I'm in the very early stages of planning a "big trip" around Australia for ~6 months hopefully - funds allowing. Starting in April time.
So was wondering who has done it in their D2 and what were your experiences of the car? Any tips and tricks you can offer on anything really....what to take in terms of spares (I know there are other threads around on spares - but specifically for a full circumnavigation of the country going anti clockwise and including Cape York)....did you suffer any electronic problems or mechanical breakdowns.....or just punctures?!
I'm hoping to get some mods done; as a minimum a bullbar, dual battery, driving lights, snorkel, uhf and a fridge. We wont be towing anything. We are going with two friends in a Landcruiser ute who have a lot of gear too. Any other suggestions on important big gear for the truck?
Cheers,
Chaz.
OldBushie
I'm interested to, planning same kind of trip for 2009.
One thing to take is a good first aid kit and if you're going remote, I'd carry a SatPhone.
MY15 Discovery 4 SE SDV6
Past: 97 D1 Tdi, 03 D2a Td5, 08 Kimberley Kamper, 08 Defender 110 TDCi, 99 Defender 110 300Tdi[/SIZE]
Master
I did the trip years ago, if I did it again tomorrow I'd be packing a laptop, inverter to charge it and a rave cd. Parts come after you know how to replace them.
Fossicker
Cheers chaps. I like the idea of a laptop and inverter - something I was planning on already.
When you mention parts come is there anything/anyone in particular that you would use to get the delivery to you (for those not used to the outback style of parts delivery!).
Chaz.
ChatterBox
SupporterExpress Post for anything under 3kg (overnight bag).Originally Posted by Chazb
General Post for anything up to 20kg.
For heavier items the locals will be able to tell you what couriers service the area. For example, you may get a part airbagged to a Darwin based courier, then have them deliver that down the line to your location.
Carry a list of Parts suppliers for each state with contact names, phone numbers, mobiles, fax, email & web addresses. Also have wireless on your laptop, or a phone modem, so you can ask for assistance through this forum.
Carry basic spares - consolidate tools with the other vehicle to save weight.
Open a Commonwealth Bank Pass Book account. That way if phone lines are down (no EFTPOS) you can still withdraw cash from Post Offices or other agents.
Swaggie
I don't own a D2 nor have I driven round aus but here is my two bobs worth
- I see you have a 99 D2 I'm guessing the wiring/injector harness wouild have been addressed by now
- is it the D2 that has the rubber donut on the rear? Prop shaft...would carry a spare one
- spare parts, ther are a lot have non land rover dupplieer that will ship anywhere in aus overnight or express and normally much cheaper than a stealer.....my local guy set me up with a box of parts for my simpson desert trip at no cost and only had to pay for the bits a used when I returned, they also indidcated that they could just about get any part the anywhere in aus. I was only away for three weeks but a supplier may do for six months, if not see if they will refund the $$$'s on your return if the parts package is not opened. I also went through the reccommended suppliers on the forum for each state I went through on my trip and made a list.
- it also handy to have the couple of contact details of members on the forum just in case I.e. You have no internet access but need to ask a question.....I needed this just the other night, problem is it takes a while to build up contacts.
- there was a post ages ago trying to get together a list members that could assist others while they were travelling throught there area, not sure what happened with it
Other than that, a well prepared serviced rig with a bit of planning you will have a ball
If you are near brizzy and need mehanical assistance MR Àutomotive would be worth a call
Fossicker
went from Cape Leuwin to Cape York through the centre and back to WA down Birdsville track and across the old roads on the Nullarbour.
car wasstandrad except snorkle, bull bar and side steps
Took nothing but a Sat phone, never used it.
Had the standard 265 55 R18 tyres on. Took plenty of puncture repair strings (and used them). Ended up with 6 new tyres and lost count of the number of punctures.
265 55 R18 is a hard size to find in the middle of nowhere. If I was going again I would put 16" rims on.
Fossicker
What experiences of tents have people had with a D2 on a big trip like this?
Anyone used a rooftop tent for example? Or prefer a trailer tent? Or just a good old fashioned ground tent/swag?
Master
Not done the R.A.T. but just did Darwin and back. My only comment on tents is that I am sure you will often be setting up for a days or more in one spot and doing side trips. Therefore a rooftop could be a bit of a pain.
Master
Don't forget that LR service is sparse once you are out of the main cities so if your problem needs the computer to diagnose it mean a long drive. Pass book is a good idea as in the small towns the EFPOS can be down (hard to get Telstra service) or there may not be any cash available. Happens after the Social Security money is spent at the pub and until it is banked there is physically only a few notes available. This happend to me at Borroloola, the publican was slack in banking the money, EFPTOS was empty, you could not get more than $50 from anysource. (The pub does not have a licence now). It took a week to get an alternator from Sydney, only place the mechanic could find the right part. Greyhound delivers goods to the wayside stops then it often relies on the weekly semi with the food and petrol to the town to deliver it, or some one going that way. Oh yes they also ran out of diesel until the truck came in.
Beside the alternator playing up twice, I have had no problems, though when I got back on one trip the expansion tank was about to blow. Done the long trip in a Ser 3 6 cyl, valves were a problem there each time.
A full service and check was done before each trip.
Depends where you are going but roos could cause you more problems than anything mechanical.
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