Canning stock route

Chris. I would probably think 2 factors, weight and speed. But in saying that the track is extremely corrugated. I would do myself a favour and upgrade your car. Your a long way from anywhere out there.

There are recognised problems (by Ford and Mazda) regarding the quality of the original springs in the BT50 and Ford Ranger 4WD's.

Spring sagging on these vehicles is being complained about on a too-frequent basis, and both Ford and Mazda have been replacing springs under warranty.

Product review - BT50

BT50 spring sagging

If you wish to venture Outback and carry some reasonable amount of camping equipment and supplies with you, then I'd suggest a suspension upgrade would be the order of the day.

You don't realise how poor original suspension components are on many 4WD's until you've had them replaced.

Cheers, Ron.

We won’t be towing anything and weight shouldn’t be a problem but we are still cautious re suitability of the suspension
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I think a lot of people would have a lot less trouble out there if they were towing something. Excessive weight and speed are the two big killers in that type of environment.

I have done a lot of desert driving going back for over fifty years on the type of roads that were little more than two wheel tracks. I have never modified a car for those conditions but I have for sealed roads. If the suspension in these utes were not suitable for the bush, their manufacturers would be having a very difficult time trying to sell them to the local people out there.

The main problem with the Canning is not the road surface but its length. Just about everyone has to carry extra fuel and water. When that is added to all the extra stuff owners cram into the cars in an attempt to cover every possible problem, the car is usually left overloaded and gasping for breath. They then take it into the worst environment that it is ever like to see and wonder why things break.

None of the desert tracks that I have driven on have had a surface that comes even remotely close to being as rough as many of the tracks in the Victorian High Country and along the rest of the Great Dividing Range . If only those mountain tracks were corrugated and nothing else. You don’t see all the car damage occurring on them that you see in the Outback. That would be because owners don’t load the cars to their limit or beyond in those areas and there is no speed involved.

You have most likely seen the bent ute chassis story in 4x4 Australia magazine on the net. What is not shown in that story is the editorial in the magazine. The editor mentions Land Rover specifying a lower off road carrying capacity than their sealed road capacity. He then says all cars should have their capacity reduced by around 40% in off road conditions. I was taught 50% in the Armed Forces.

There are light weight carrying trailers on the market that look like a chassis, draw bar and mud guards plus a bunch of tubes that resemble a car roll cage. These tubes locate things like jerry cans, large aluminium tool boxes and extra wheels. The trailer does not have a heavy steel body or tailgate.

If people would use something like that on the Canning, Anne Beadell etc, then their cars would be well under both their maximum carrying and towing capacity and their chances of breaking something would be just about zero even if they were going a little too fast..

Peugeot. Say no more.

Legends of the famous East African Safari rally.

Cheers

Absolutely true chris. ( seems to be a few chrises on ). In my situation my son had an accident in our usual tour vehicle a week before we were due to leave We had ordered a new ute for our business and low and behold it was ready to pick up 3 days before our departure. We swapped our tray over from the damaged ute so we had a canopy and fridge etc and off we went.

The canning is no place for a under set up vehicle. We were just dealt a rough hand before our departure.

After all that it is a very special place. I do hope you enjoy your self out there

Thanks for your comments again much appreciated.
FYI we did the GRR,Bungles, Tanami into Alice Springs and home to Perth via Uluru and Great Central road in a Mazda CX-5 with no issues. I think the CSR is a totally different kettle of fish hence my question.
For me it’s all about the preparation and to try to cover most contingencies before we leave rather than trying to make do half way through

Hi Chris, having travelled the csr last year I saw some really sad failures. I particularly felt for the chap and his son that had to leave their group for Newman as his new Bilstein shocks had failed.....stuffed his trip, but I respected his efforts to set his vehicle up as best he could!
I'd be listening to the guys who have done this trip before. You must be assured your springs and shocks are up to the task of carrying your load over some very corrugated sections. Weight, speed and tyre pressures are fairly critical in my view. If you can manage these within the capability of your suspension then your probability of having a good trip is almost assured. Have a good trip.

Thanks to all those who have contributed their suggestions. It certainly makes my decision making process so much easier possibly at the expenses of my bank account which on reflection is cheap insurance

Hi Allan which Koni do you use the Hard Track or the Raid on your Landcruiser.

Cheers Harry.

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Hi Harry,

My shocks are Koni Heavy Track 50mm adjustable. The four cost $845 from ARCHM Industries eBay store.
They have performed well.

I was tempted to get the Koni Raid 70mm but just too expensive at nearly twice the price.

If you have any further questions, get back to me quickly as I am heading remote and offline for the next two weeks from tomorrow morning.

Thanks for that Allan I have had Koni's on a different vehicle and found them very good. I am thinking of a set for my cruiser ute..

Cheers
Harry.