1HZ 105 series auto: Simpson Desert realistic?

Ben, any of those will do it easily.
Just pack sensibly, take only what you need, spares you can actually use / fit yourself.
You might not make the hard climbs on Big Red, but will be fine . . . you will soon learn how to drive it, low or high range, gears, revs, speed etc, after you get into it.
The good thing about west to east is is the dunes increase as you go, so you can pick up the driving method steadily.
Also you'll be lighter the further East you go and be less to get over the bigger hills in the east.
It'd be good to do it with another vehicle along for support, but if worse came to worse, you would soon have someone come along the main lines that could give you a snatch over if needed.

MY friend has naturally aspirated 100 with about the same power figures. He'd never driven on sand and doesn't do a lot of 4wding. He was the only one who didn't get stuck once on 2 crosings of the Simpson. Just let your tyres down to 15 or so and you will be fine. Get the diesel.

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Hello Ben,

We haven't driven a 100 Series across the Simpson but have crossed it many times in our 1HZ troopy. It has become a shortcut to the Western Deserts for us. The crossings have been without problems although we did need to drop tyre pressure down from our usual 18psi to 15psi on one late afternoon. We carry 270 litres of diesel, 120 litres water and a heavy load of supplies and support gear for our remote trips so the Troopy is right up to 3,600 kg.
On that basis I think you would have no problems in the 105.

As to the direction of travel, we go both ways on our treks and really do not notice any difference in dune difficulty. There is no problem running at 18psi as typical speed over the dunes is 40kph max. with maybe 80kph for short distances across the occasional swale. A Ranger I spoke to once at Dalhousie said that he runs at 15psi all the time.

As for being an automatic transmission, although I am manual I understand that an auto is even preferred for the dunes.

It is extremely unlikely to need a winch crossing the Simpson, or anywhere else in the deserts. By the time you add the weight of a winch plus that of a ground anchor you are increasing the weight of the vehicle to the point of making it more likely to get bogged. I carry XTrax's but have never needed them. At least they are lighter than a winch.

Ben

Any of the above will do it with ease.

Depending on what time of the year and desert conditions can have a major influence on driving conditions. If you are having trouble, then drop your tyre pressures down lower. We have found that in nearly every case where we have seen people that struggle up dunes and cutting the hell out of the track, they have far too high tyre pressures and have no idea on takng it easy and low tyre pressures. On one trip we could hear a group in front of us that we're on a paid Tag Along Tour, and all vehicles were have problems get over the what I call easy dunes. Then their tour leader said over the radio, try dropping your tyres down to 35psi

I was then approaching the group and I could not help myself and gave their leader a lashing over the radio. I told the last two vehicles to sit tight and I will help them get over the dunes. One of the Troopies was running 50psi and I explained what to do and not take any notice of the group leader. We dropped both vehicles down to 18psi, told them they do not need speed and both vehicles then walked over the dunes with no trouble what so ever.

Over the years, we have driven it from powder fine dry sand that required quite low tyre pressures of around 12 psi, to compacted damp sand that was like driving on concrete.

As you know you are only driving slow and the key to any drive in the Simpson is tyre pressures.

Enjoy your return trip.



Stephen

Hi Ben, I have crossed the Simpson in a manual HJZ105. No problems, just choose the right gear, low 3rd was best for us travelling slowly. I only had to back down two dunes, both times was because of my inattention, not the vehicle. Filled at Oodnadatta plus an extra 60 litres in 3 jerries. By Birdsville the tanks were close to empty but didn't need the extra fuel. You should take extra anyway for contingencies. My tyres are 235.85.16 skinnies on 18PSI, could have gone lower if needed, no high revving or screaming the engine needed. Remember explorer Len Beadell did much worse country in a 4 cyl Landrover, power isn't everything.

Thank you very much for the information and sharing your experiences. I'll talk it over with the minister of cuddles and finance.

Cheers!

Hullo Ben

The auto trans will be working hard at times, especially in hot dry sand after noon.
The trans temps could therefore get quite high, enough to trigger the warning light, especially as air flow through the trans cooler and around the trans is markedly less at slower speeds..

The use of the transfer box in conjunction with the auto's full range of gears will ease the strain on the trans considerably and result in significantly lower temps (and greater efficiency?)

Low 1st can be a pain at times if the trans wants to sit there until a higher speed so I use the facility on the trans to start in 2nd and only override it occasionally as needed.

Cheers
Andrew

I have done the Simpson both ways in a Great Wall X240. 100kw and 200NM. I only enguaged low range and 4WD on Big Red on the West to East leg. Most of the time I was in high range 2wd but with rear auto locker. So you are way over powered to do the trip. Just lower tyre pressures!