Cape York

Hi Graeme
Although I haven't had time to read your full blog it sounds like a great trip. Just wondering if you modified your raised air intake to make it more water proof - or did you just avoid getting stuck in deep water with the engine running?!! I have read previous thread on water proofing the RAI but haven't done it yet- but would consider before doing Cape York. By the way I have almost idenditical D3 + mods to you (Silver 09 TDV6 SE) minus Windcheater roof rack & Hannibal Tent + awning- which are on my wish list before doing Cape York one day. Hope you have safe trip back (to NZ!). Regards, David

Hi David,

No I didn't get around to waterproofing the RAI...we just used common sense and planned our journey around the known trouble spots...After a lifetime working and playing in the forests and farming back home I have had enough of playing in the mud.

We are touring and would like to take the truck back in one bit!!!

It would be nice to approach each river without worry but it only takes a night around the campfire at any roadhouse to find out where the problems are and hear enough horror stories to make you wary...especially as we are travelling alone...although at this time of year there are plenty of vehicles around.

I think there was a thread on here to waterproof it and I would certainly do it before leaving...it was just one of those things...I tried to get it done down in Sydney but I think they weren't that keen and kept putting me off, so in the end we left with it as is.

With time on our side we just travelled where we liked...Probably plan your trip to have it unplanned if you get my drift!...Take it as you find it and alter your trip on a daily basis and you will have a ball.

Cheers
Graeme

Ive been wondering about the extent of warranty services and the what if i get stuck in the middle of no where question.
The LR web site says that your only covered for the first 100km or something like that of towing and the rest is at your cost.
A dealer gave me a similar story to yours
I suppose its up to LR discretion as to what they do.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by denwol

Ive been wondering about the extent of warranty services and the what if i get stuck in the middle of no where question.
The LR web site says that your only covered for the first 100km or something like that of towing and the rest is at your cost.
A dealer gave me a similar story to yours
I suppose its up to LR discretion as to what they do.

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When I had problems with my D3 under factory warranty, the LR policy was a free tow to the nearest dealer. I think the "first 100km free" is the extended warranty policy.

Hi Graeme

Great write up on the trip and I'm glad your D3 was up to the task. This year it's my turn and I'll be travelling up to the Cape from Canberra late in July. I'll be in the company of a couple of D3s and some Japanese stuff. The plan is to have the D3 serviced just before setting off hopefully eliminating the requirement for a service on the trip.

What sort of spares did you take on your trip? As I said there'll be three D3s, so it'd be sensible to divide any spares among us.

Of course, any other tips regarding the trip and the D3 welcome.

Cheers

Bob

Hi Bob,

I just took the obvious spares such as a full set of filters and belts, but with my D3 only having done 40K I wouldn't expect the belts to be an issue.

I got a service done b4 I left and another at 10k while we were in Cairns.

It didn't need it according to LR but the air filter sure did!

If you have the raised air intake take the time now to get it water tight...there is a bit of chat on here somewhere about it...that was always in the back of my mind when we were travelling...my RAI wasn't waterproofed b4 I left NZ as there was no time and Opp Lock in Sydney didn't get round to it.

Seeing as you have the time I'd make sure that all the D3's have a waterproof RAI.

Really thats all...I did have enough tools with me to fix most things and obviously had a winch in case we got stuck since we were travelling alone.

The other thing is to try and carry as much water as you can...I don't know your timeframe but there are spots up there that we'd still be at if we hadn't run out of water after a week or so camping in one spot!!.

We may very well come back later in the year...we are going to go to the 4x4 show in Brissy in March to look at camper trailers and then start planning a trip doing the big lap but may do the Cape again this winter...it is such a neat place!...

We used a Hannibal rooftent and so if we needed to go out and get supplies we had to decamp....having a camper trailer would mean Trish could stay at camp and work on her tan while I went out to the nearest town for supplies!

You don't have to take many clothes...we took too many..you will live in the same shorts and T shirt for days!!!...no one will mind!

Make sure you have a little 2 piece spinning rod with braid and soft baits for the fishing...that was all I needed to keep us in fresh fish...

If you have any other questions or want a chat you can get me on : graeme@gisborne.net.nz or ++6468670641

Regards

Graeme

ps you will be glad you live in Canberra and not the north coast NSW!

Thanks Graeme

I guess for this trip I'll be pretty fortunate in travelling with some members of a club, so kinda safety in numbers and shared tools etc. The trip leader did his linesman's trade on the CREB power lines, so he knows the area well.

We'll also be hauling camper trailers, so water and storage won't be an issue. We'll be taking our tent as well just for those snappy in and out overnighters.

My D3's not too long in the tooth and will probably have less than 70k on the clock when we set off, so I'm hoping we're in good shape there. I'll suss out the spares.

I have the safari snorkel, but I'll have to check if the installer water-proofed it. I did ask him at the time, but never really checked.

Fishing definitely on the cards, already prepared for that.

Cheers

Bob

The other thing I got was some spare bulbs (LR ones) for the back tail lights...

Reading forums is bad for your sanity but it seems a lot of computer hiccups can be attributed to the rear bulbs!

I got a couple b4 I left.

Cheers
Graeme