Crewman AWD in The Outback?

Have a look at This thread

I don't really like your chances, but that would depend on a wide range of variables - driver experience, mechanical capability/spare parts, weather, weight, fuel source/s, support vehicles, etc.

The Crewman looks great on paper but may struggle in an environment that has caused problems for the most capable and best outfitted "real" 4WDs.

You'd really need to do your homework, and work out Plans A, B and C before you hit Halls Creek or Wiluna. Hopefully the CSR will be open by the time you'd like to travel.

Enjoy!

George_M

Insufficient ground clearance would be a major issue in my view, but as the previous reply indicates, driver capability can overcome many obstacles. Good luck !!

This Falcon is 2wd and did the soft beaches around the Bight and Bilbunya Dunes, which is a pretty impressive effort.

The lack of low range may be an issue. Michael

These photos remind me of the South African safaris back.in.the.day...
The bottom line is the preparation of the vehicle not the vehicle . We all seen those vehicle in place that we have said ..how the hell .. did they do that
Andrew Pierre White attempting to drive his very old Range Rover across the Stock Route it will be interesting to see how that goes .

I,d say if it was crewed by local Aboriginal lads it would do the track no matter what was thrown at it!!! They seem to get old Commodores and Falcons into places that wouldnt allow a 4wd to transverse the landscape! Good preparation and careful driving should see the crewman do well.

Hi Ben,

This is a question that is going to divide a number of people.

My “two cents” for what it is worth, the CSR is classified as a high ground clearance 4WD track. Quite a few high ground clearance 4WDs have come to grief on the CSR. Yes, I understand that the AWD Crewman has a higher and stronger suspension than the standard 2WD commodore ute. As someone else has pointed out, the local indigenous people seem to be able to get a 2WD vehicle into and out of a lot of places that even 4WDs struggle with. However, they don’t seem to care whether the vehicle sustains any damage or not.

Another point to consider, is that even high ground clearance 4WDs have issues with spinifex grass getting caught up around hot surfaces and catching fire on the CSR and other outback tracks.

I have no doubt that in the right hands, and with the vehicle in good mechanical condition, it could make it. Would I try it? No. Would I travel in a group with one on the CSR? That is a question I would have to think long and hard about. There are some people I know with high ground clearance 4WDs that I would not venture onto the CSR with.

Macca.

Ben,

I’d be worried about 2K kms of corrugations on the suspension, drivetrain & associated body mountings. Would need some serious upgrading/strengthening around these areas by an experienced person.

The corrugations just go on & on, with no respite, except when you cross a sandhill. The silence is refreshing! As for getting “up on top” of them, only tried it once!

Sandhills are no big deal. Only found one that needed multiple attempts, and the southern approach had been filled with wind blown sand a night or two before.

Maybe quiz someone with rally experience, about mods to make it survive. Numerous fuel bladders might be the go to get a decent range?

Bob

You do what you can with what you have.
The alternative is to stay at home and dream about what might have been.
During Easter 1970, we drove a Mini west from Coward Springs on the Oodnadatta Track to Billa Kalina Station, following the southern side of the Margaret River and then on to Kingoonya.
There were plenty of big rocks and sandy river crossings.
An AWD Crewman would have been a dream come true. :)

Cheers,
Peter
OKA196 motorhome

Gee, I don't know. Do they have a low range box for one thing?

I think you'd have problems with, as others have mentioned, ground clearance, ability to carry enough fuel, strength of mounts for things such as suspension etc.

If you can load the vehicle very lightly you may have a reasonable chance, but then again, if it's light, you probably won't be carrying enough fuel, water, food etc.

If you were to break down, you may encounter people unhappy to help out, with the vehicle not being a true 4WD.

G'day.
I'm not sure if it is possible in a well prepared crewman, it may successfully travel the northern section.
I found the southern part more technical.
But it comes down to the fact that the choice of crewman may potentially ruin a trip of a lifetime if you encounter problems.
William