Glynhouse,
One of the things that can absolutely stop any auto vehicle is the starter motor, or lack thereof. The 200 series driver that I was travelling to Cape York with last year and I were both concerned about damaging our starters in creek crossings etc and we discussed several times that starter motor failer is a show stopper for our vehicles. Ironically, my starter failed catastrophically without any warning at a shopping centre in Perth, exactly one week after we returned from Cape York. It completely burnt out but according to the dealer there was no sign of water or dust ingress and they are completely sealed.
The other show stopper I have had is a brake light switch failure. This has the potential to prevent you from starting the car or driving the car, depending on whether it fails on or off. I now carry a spare switch, together with front and rear ABS sensors, for remote travel.
Another failure that came out of left field a couple of weeks ago showed up another possible issue. My handbrake unit was replaced with a new one that had the wrong part number for my 2010 D4, even though it was a replacement D4 unit. The ECU would not accept the part number that it detected and because of this it was impossible to clear any faults that developed for any reason by using a Testbook or the Faultmate FCR. A low fuel warning cascaded until the engine wouldn't run and it couldn't be reset until the correct hand brake unit was fitted.
This latter problem indicates to me that one should not use bush mechanics skills to remove faulty parts in the bush to try to fix a problem unless you have the correct replacement, as it can make the whole system unstable and cause a complete system failure instead of being just a nuisance failure.
Most of these things and other electronic issues will also apply to the latest Nissans and Toyotas as well, apart from issues with the air suspension that the Japs don't have.
I think we need to be as prepared as possible but there is always a chance that something will go wrong with any vehicle in harsh outback conditions. At least with D4's, D3's and RRS's the cars suffer about 20% of the vibratrion that the Japs endure in harsh conditions so there is a fighting chance that things won't break.
Bob
