Thread: Preperation for cape york in June

I just need a days notice and Ill fill that shed fridge with pink...
well fill it apart from the 4 different epoxy resins that reside in their

S

Originally Posted by e166735

I am leaving cairns on the 18th/ 19th June. Cant wait. What spares are you taking?

We won't be too far behind you as there are 4 of us planning on leaving Cairns on the 24/6 with 3 x D110's and 1 other brand at this stage.

I am having the same issue with what to carry as I have broken the 110 twice in the last 2 weeks ( 1 intercooler hose and 1 rear shock which will be going to the dealer to fix under warranty tomorrow).

Richard

Originally Posted by e166735

Thanks for the reply mate, Tyres are 20,000 ks old and slightly worn, more or less new M/T tyres ( might not help when crossing the sandy creek beds lol )

As for the wheel bearings, I had one replaced (rear d/s), and at a cost of around $900 buks each, They have the ABS stuff on them, and I dont think they use grease, I will run the risk of breaking one up there, I will however grab a few seals and have the rover specialist in Mackay have a good look over it prior to leaving.

Hopefully it drys up soon !!!!

OK tyres sound ok, I still wouldn't take 2 spares, but I use readily available sizes.

Ouch on the wheel bearings. In that case I would do the same. My previous comments were based on experience with 'normal' stubs and bearings. Glad Land Rover haven't seen fit to upgrade Defenders with unit bearings.

From Steve's report on conditions, it should be good at that time. Hopefully all members from here have a great trip without much drama.

Originally Posted by roverrescue

Should be good to go many places in early June.
The PDR has remained open all year for <5T vehicles as opposed to previous years permit requirements. Obviously the Laura and the Archer have gone over a few times cutting the road but the road itself has remained open.
This is a testament to the work been done on this stretch and much bitumen over the past years.

The sticking point these days for early dry season trips is the closure of National Parks. It hasnt been a super wet year but the call on the parks opening is still made by Nat Parks.
Rinyirri (Lakefield) appears to be opening in May at some stage. Other parks Such as Cape Melville are not anticipated to open till August?

If you just want to blast to Weipa then trundle up the OTL - June will be pretty good me thinks. Feel free to look me up if your planning on passing through Cooktown. Have dirt to roll a swag and a shed if you need it

S

Thanks for the info mate very helpfull. I was hoping to visit lakefield and go up the OTL but I am going with a new hilux and his scared he wont make it up the OTL. I cant see a problem, pretty sure there are chicken tracks around most of the hectic stuff up there!! Ill prob go down the OTL regardless as it is one of the reasons people go up there (well at least its all I ever seem to read about haha. ) Thanks for the offer for the dirt will organise a plan closer to the date, I think we are starting our trip on the CREB track just past daintree village if it hasnt rained for a couple of days there.

Spoke to Land Rover spares in Mackay this morning, I booked the old girl in for a full inspection, Spoke to him about the radiator hoses, and spares kit, He is going to do me up a spares kit to take up there and replace any old radiator hoses, common problems. I know its an expansive way of doing it at a shop like this but it might save me in the long run (by taking the right things). I also got him to order me a chipped ECU, mine is non flashable, so ill have a spare ecu also.

The D2 hubs are a unit. Pretty sure you can't change anything (seals or bearings), so spares are useless. They do seem to be pretty solid though, just fit and forget till they leak. If they do leak on a big trip, just top up the diff till you get home. I had a leaking hub for about six months, no big drama and the actual amount leaking/seeping wouldn't have amounted to more than 20-50ml.

In general I'd say that if you're keeping on top of your maintenance as per the manual (not just changing fluids), it should be right. Get the shop to look at the various pipes in the engine bay that are known to rub through and replace if required.

You're putting plenty of k's on your truck now, if it's reliable there's no reason to expect it to die on a drive to the Cape unless you start driving recklessly and abusing it.

I notice you're in Emerald - I grew up in Tieri, not far from there!

Well the excitement for the trip died today - haha. Had a good look at it for myself and we have crank seal leaking, tranny output seal, transfer case leaking, rear main, lower ball joint boot cracked.

I only had all this done a few months ago at a workshop, this time I am getting a mechanic mate and myself to do it on a weekend coming up. Ill replace anything and everything while I am at it on the way to getting to the rear main seal minus the clutch, might as well its the second time it has come out now. But other then looks like its all good, will still be going to landrover in mackay once work is done.

With regards to Johns suggestion re tyres.
Each to their own but I would personally always carry two spares.
I guess if you were just to blast Lakeland to Weipa, then Weipa to Seisia then back all on the PDR/threeways/OTL well one spare would do.

If your up for some exploration it can be a major hassle being say out at Melville, or down the coast at the Cotterill or in at Iron Range and needing to "Just duck out for a litre of milk and spare tyre"

Steve