Thread: Cape York Trip

G'day All,
We have just returned from a 5 week trip to Cape York in our 07 TDV6 SE and thought that I would share a few pics and what I did to prepare for the trip and few words on how the D3 performed.

It has taken me about 12 months to put every thing on the D3 that I thought that I might need for a trip to the Cape.
My first purchase was an ARB winch bar which took me 2 days to fit, not rushing just making sure that every thing was done correctly.
The next thing I fitted was the Lightforce XGT's (from previous vehicle), followed by in order the UHF antenna, Mobile phone antenna, Traxide battery controller, Varta auxiliary battery, rear wheel carrier, Long range tank (110L), ARB Air compressor (under bonnet), Roof rack, K & N air cleaner, Safari snorkel, Black widow drawers, Steel rock sliders/side steps, Icom UHF, Dynamic 17 x 8in steel rims and Bridgestone AT D694 265 x 65 LT's.
Before leaving I sprayed every electrical connector I could find with CRC Plasticoat. This I believe is a must due to the amount of water crossings that you are required to do especially if you do the Old Telegraph Track.

I took minimal spares due to expense and availability but thought belts, oil, fuses, R&R bead breaker, a comprehensive tool kit, recovery gear, ubeaut tape that does every thing, pollen filter, extra spare tyre (without wheel) a few other bits and pieces that don't come to mind and CRC Mass Air Sensor cleaner which you definitely need in the dusty conditions.

That brings me to the Jack the original is an absolute piece of crap I was changing my wheels prior to leaving and was jacking the front right hand side, I was removing the second last bolt when the jack let out a groan and collapsed, this could have been very nasty if it had let go with the wheel off. I also took an air jack and it blew out on a seam while I was helping a stuck Toyota 40 series ute. I would suggest that a hydraulic bottle jack is the better option which I took.

The D3 performed faultlessly no issues except having clean the K&N filter every other day, I would have preferred a UniFilter but there wasn't one available before my departure. In retrospect I should have bought a Droopy from UniFilter (if goes in the top of the snorkel) and saved myself a lot of stuffing around with cleaning and re impregnating the K&N. I also have to say that the Bridgestones were great, good handling and grip on and off road, no chipping or noticeable wear or more importantly punctures.
Steve.

Yeap, I'm extremely jealous too!!
It's on my list of places to visit...but will probably be several years away .

stevecor, thanks for your thread. pls post more trip details: places visited, any difficults encountered, which parts of the OLT that were scary/difficult, best places to camp or have a feed or a swim or a fish, etc.

Also, wifey just asked "where can I have a hot shower?"