Thread: L322 takes on Simpson Desert and Cape York

Anyone have any idea about the location of the transmission, transfer case and rear diff breathers? The front one exits in the engine bay I’ve found that one. For the cape I want to make sure they’re adequately high enough

I'm pretty sure the rear one goes up with the fuel filler, you can trace it from under the car... I wasn't aware the transfer case had a breather...

Originally Posted by NUTTTR

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There is also a guide somewhere where someone did hackery to trigger raising the suspension on the L322 manually by bridging connections on the EAS ecu... I don't remember where I saw it but it looked like a great solution looking for a problem!

Watch out if doing this, as I know the D3/4 and RR P38 EAS systems work on pulsing the valve blocks, and a constant voltage can damage them.

Originally Posted by NUTTTR

I'm pretty sure the rear one goes up with the fuel filler, you can trace it from under the car... I wasn't aware the transfer case had a breather...

Yeah had a wee look and can kind of trace it to the arch. Its either extend or pop a filter on it in situ. I guess if im at the fuel filler height ill have other things to worry about

Originally Posted by irubix

Yeah had a wee look and can kind of trace it to the arch. Its either extend or pop a filter on it in situ. I guess if im at the fuel filler height ill have other things to worry about

A one way valve maybe? You might get that corner deep in water and you don't want it flowing in then... Not the end of the world if you get 1 corner in deep

Would need to be able to vent both ways heating and cooling. Other option is to run everything it up the snorkel when I fit it. Recently saw a D4 get bogged up to the eyes in a mud pit and then start throwing gearbox faults. Assumed water ingress and it made me nervous haha

So a quick update have set the date for Cape York trip to two weeks in August. Have organised to go with a local 4x4 club..

Went to see a local fabrication guy today about a snorkel and he'll design a full stainless sealed unit to the airbox for around $750. This is built on the car as obviously, no jig. He's also modifying the OEM land rover roof rack to have mounting for 4 20l jerry cans, welded to the steel at the rear (i think this is the best place for it). Also doing up some protection for the transfer case as it is rather exposed currently. Will likely get him to do a full run of underbody and some sliders, but he's a young guy and doesn't have the equipment (yet) to bend 4mm plate.

Ordered a spare starter motor, an alternator rebuild kit (have the old unit from when it was replaced) and a GME XRS-370C4P pack.

Hopefully, this bull bar comes magically into existence before i leave to drive 4000km in North QLD roo territory.

So we moving forward!

Originally Posted by irubix

Alrighty brains trust. Need some help with planning a couple of trips, the simmo and cape york.

I'd like to get some feedback on vehicle prep and spares to bring + general advice from anyone that has done either trip (cape being the tele track).

My rig is as follows:
2005 M62 V8 L322 | 130,000 km

Completed by myself..:

• Complete suspension overhaul in the front (Arnotts Air + Lemforder), Arnott shocks in the rear
• Serviced trans + new cooler
• New radiator + a main hoses
• 88deg thermostat
• Engine had the heads off @ 100k (Timing chain guides done, all new gaskets etc) *previous owner*
• Replaced valve cover gaskets (powder coated the covers red, brap brap) + new vanos solenoid gaskets - doesn't leak a drop!
• New battery
• Filter + Oil service every 7500km
• ABS Module repaired
• Discs and pads all round

Offroad bits..:

• Light Truck 275/65/18 Falken Wildpeak AT x 5
• Handheld GME 5w
• OEM LR Roof Rack
• Traxide Aux Kit w/ 60AH battery
• Dometic 35L Fridge
• Stedi LED high beams
• All LED interior
• 2nd Air Compressor (Kings Dual)
• IIDTool
• Android Headunit w/ 4G and GPS etc

Thats a basic run down and I'm wanting to get some feedback on:

• things to check (CV/Bearings maybe?)
• any service items i should do
• any advice or feedback on either trip in this particular vehicle
• i gather i need a snorkel for the tele track?
• winch setup that isn't $4k (and an eye sore)

I'm a bit of a lone wolf with this stuff at the moment, mid 30's IT professional, none of my direct friends have 4x4's or are really remotely interested in what I'm doing (all tried to convince me not to buy such a notoriouly unreliable vehicle.. haha) I'd be keen to meet up with some chaps/chapettes to convoy both of these otherwise I would imagine I'd be hitting these with one car/solo..

I have a lot of off road experience, far more time behind the wheel than weekend warriors, i used to work in remote mining exploration where 99% of my time was in a landcruiser of some description in the middle of nowhere. So that part I'm confident about (probably too confident!). My main thing is about being able to be self sufficient with repairs and knowing the terrain/expectations.

Thanks all! Keen to hear everyones suggestions.

Reuben

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Some late advice on spares to take remote. Have been told by somebody who works on L322's a lot, that you are more likely to need turbo hoses than a spare water pump.
(But take a water pump anyway.)
He suggests that L322 turbo hoses can develop leaks/split, and then turbo over-revs and comes to major grief.
So just make sure your turbo hoses are very good. Maybe source some silicone ones if in doubt.