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Simpson Desert - Suzuki Gand Vitara 2008

Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 16:58

Member - Prickle (SA)

Article Overview - Simpson Desert
The Simpson Desert can be crossed via the French Line, WAA line or Rig Road. This trek provides a route using a combination of all 3 routes. View Full Article...
Have done a search and got no result. We hope to do the Simpson Desert again in August 2010, 2004 TDLC, 4.2D Nissan.

Have a friend who would like to come and brink her Suzy.

Cannot recall any discussion on these types of vehicles, has anyone got any feedback on the vehicles ability to crosss the SD on the French Line at this time of the year or any time for that matter? (Dont worry about the driver, only interested in the vehicle).

Thanks.
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Russ

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ThreadID: 73619 Replies: 13
Views: 806 FollowUps: 11
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AnswerID: 390490   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 17:22

al replied:

do your self a favour and leave it home.
i went to cape york last year spoke to three different vitaras owners , two cars had auto gear box problems another had a broken diff. they were members of a club.simpson probably not as bad as cape york. personally i would try not to travel with one if i was running a trip.
just my 2 cents worth
al
Reply 1 of 13
AnswerID: 390491   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 17:22

Willem replied:

Russ

Suzuki's go anywhere!!!

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Crossing the desert offtrack 1987




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Reply 2 of 13
AnswerID: 390495   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 17:57

mikehzz replied:

There was a Grand Vitara (the new shape) on top of Big Red when I was there in August if that helps. Its one thing to go up one dune and another to go over 1000. Ground clearance could be the main problem?

Mike
Reply 3 of 13
AnswerID: 390496   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 18:09

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

With the support of your other 2 vehicles, the Vitara will be fine.

I had a good friend bring his Kia Sportage across the French Line a few years ago. There were 3 occasions when he needed a slight tow at the top of dunes. His issue was clearance - would bottom out near the top because of the deeper wheel tracks. He had plenty of power and we ran his standard tyres on low pressure. I insisted he take a second spare on a rim. He also took 60 litres in jerries. Used about 105 litres petrol from Oodnadatta to Birdsville.

Cheers
Phil
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Reply 4 of 13
FollowupID: 658300   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 18:44

Member - Scott M (NSW) posted:

Agree with Phil. We I went across last year, an older Toyo Rav 4 did it in company with a couple of full on 4wd's (75 series, 80 series) and made it fine. As long as you've got someone to pull you out if you get stuck...
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AnswerID: 390498   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 18:42

Crackles replied:

Like Phil has suggested above the key is with support & preparation a Vitara can be just as capable of a Simpson crossing as any other. Concerns would be keeping the car light as possible, improving ground clearance a little & possibly upgrading tyres. August historically is a fairly easy time to cross & a lightly loaded Suzi may just put some bigger cars to shame :-)
In the past I've seen Mokes, a tractor, a VW Beetle & even a Toyota Kluger cross the desert so a Vitara certainly has the ability.
Cheers Craig.............
Reply 5 of 13
AnswerID: 390500   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 18:45

Member - Tezza Qld replied:

No problem with the Suzy .Keep it between your other vehicles in case it runs out of ground clearance. A set of maxtrax would be handy. On one tour a coulpe of years ago I had a Hyundia Terracan , which is similiar in ground clearance. It destroyed the plastic bash plate but apart from the ground clearance issues it had no troubles .

Cheers Teza

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Reply 6 of 13
FollowupID: 658328   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 20:58

Gronk posted:

I think you will find the Korean Prado has a bit more ground clearance than a Suzi...but for a 4x4 that will go anywhere a Prado/Pajero type 4x4 will ( non elect traction controlled of course ), its still amusing some magazines refer to it as a soft roader !!
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FollowupID: 658332   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 21:53

Wherehegon posted:

Gronk, is traction control an issue ?? I now have it in my grande prado 3L t/d. I didnt have it in the older prado so never worried about it. It cant be turned off either ?? Regards steve M

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FollowupID: 658356   Submitted: Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 08:45

Gronk posted:

I don't think traction control is an issue....I was only referring a Terracan to the older style 4x4's, because it doesn't have traction control etc !!
FollowUp 3 of 6
FollowupID: 658667   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009 at 08:36

MrBitchi (QLD) posted:

Traction control can be a PITA in soft sand. It can overwork itself trying to stop wheels spinning to the point that all forward momentum is lost, then the system overheats the brakes, causing brake fade and you have to rest a while to let the whole lot cool down before setting off and doing it all again. :-((

Best to switch it off in the soft stuff.

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FollowupID: 658763   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009 at 21:07

Wherehegon posted:

Hi John, unfortunately I cant turn it off !! The only way is to pull the fuse but when the fuse is replaced it shows the ECM light which then needs to be reset by Mr Toyota (pain in the a#se). The stability control turns off automatically when shifting from high to low range but traction control is always active, the light on the dash comes up "off" for the stability control. I believe the pajero is the same, well at least my neighbours is set up the same as mine (05 exceed DID auto)....Regards Steve

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FollowUp 5 of 6
FollowupID: 658795   Submitted: Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 07:43

MrBitchi (QLD) posted:

True, it's the ESC that does the most damage. If you can disable that then you should be good to go :-)

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AnswerID: 390506   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 19:04

robertbruce replied:


the Vitara will be fine,

i would be more worried about yourself....
Reply 7 of 13
AnswerID: 390512   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 19:27

Member - Kiwi Kia replied:

Make sure you have good attachment points for a snatch (if needed). I am with those that say you should be ok in a group.

KK
Reply 8 of 13
AnswerID: 390515   Submitted: Sunday, Nov 08, 2009 at 19:28

Member - Kiwi Kia replied:

Make sure you have good attachment points for a snatch (if needed). I am with those that say you should be ok in a group.

KK
Reply 9 of 13
AnswerID: 390576   Submitted: Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 10:09

chisel replied:

It will probably be ok but I'd suggest getting some sand-driving (and preferably recovery) experience with it first.
Reply 10 of 13
AnswerID: 390580   Submitted: Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 10:30

Member - Prickle (SA) replied:

Thanks everyone for your constructive and valued feedback.

RB
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Russ

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Reply 11 of 13
FollowupID: 658655   Submitted: Wednesday, Nov 11, 2009 at 07:20

Member - Ruth D (QLD) posted:

Prickle, there have been a number of Zukis do the Sd including a friend of ours - they do require support sometimes, especially the newer models. Have fun.
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AnswerID: 390611   Submitted: Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 14:42

DesF replied:

Hi we have been across in a couple of early 80's Subaru's,( afew years ago) they did have body lift kits but all the rest was the same 13" wheels.. we had to have a few runs on a couple of the dunes , but being light they just usually flew over, also a friend ( female ) drove her old Rav 4 across ( first time in sand) and it did a great job,
Just drive to the conditions and you should be right, Cheers Des.
Reply 12 of 13
FollowupID: 658389   Submitted: Monday, Nov 09, 2009 at 15:47

Member - Prickle (SA) posted:

Thanks Des
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AnswerID: 391142   Submitted: Friday, Nov 13, 2009 at 16:51

Kalahari replied:

Hi Russ,
Tried to post a reply just now but messed up me thinks............ Bog standard 2005 Hilux and 2005 Grand Vitara made it no worries. No real dramas at all. Backed off a couple of dunes for a second steady run but only because the track had been chewed up and rough as hell.
Tyre pressure down and away you go. Plenty of fuel, food and water with some reserves and take your time. Good luck.
Reply 13 of 13
FollowupID: 659026   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 10:57

Member - Prickle (SA) posted:

Thanks for the info. Would be interested to know about how much fuel the Suzi carried and used.

Ta
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Russ

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FollowupID: 659028   Submitted: Saturday, Nov 14, 2009 at 11:45

Kalahari posted:

Hi Russ,
We topped off the tanks at Mt Dare and both carried 3 x 20 litre jerries. The Suzuki used 89 litres from Mt Dare to Birdsville. Our route was not direct along the French line but a little more convoluted. we took in a little more via Rig Road, WAA (for memory) K1, up to Poepels corner and into Birdsville.
I have mooched about the Simpson quite a lot, back in the 70's seismic survey days and working on Adria Downs Station and my advice would be to take your time and enjoy the views etc. My Hilux used less than the Suzuki but it is an auto trans diesel (yes, i get somewhat more lazy re shifting gears these days).
Suzuki was V6 petrol manual Grand Vitara. Room in the Vitara was a bit more limited and with two people, equipment and supplies, the second spare would have gone on the roof rack but i threw it in the back of the Hilux. Best to keep a low centre of gravity if possible. Anyway, if your friend ends up going, I'm sure you will both have a memorable trip.
Cheers
Mark P
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