100 series Landcruiser

No kitchen sink=better fuel consumption. :) Travel as light as you can, get rid of roof rack etc and fuel figures will improve, but biggest and easiest way is to liftum foot. I can get around 10-12 l /100K with my 80 series diesel if I dont push it and drive at a constant speed as much as possible. Going over 100 seems to increaase consumption quite a bit.
Others will give more experienced advice on the Tanami, but my feeling is that unless any offtrack excursions are called for, UHF should be fine. There's a fair bit of traffic that way at that time. A sat phone or HF would be peace of mind but not absolutely necessary with 3 vehicles.
I would advise differently for a single vehicle or grey nomads(like me:).
I always use splits myself so cant comment on the tyre swap. I know I can get a tyre almost anywhere. However they tell me that tubeless are easier to fix.
Have fun, but drive carefully. There's often a lot of traffic on that road, and there have been a few fatalities.

G'day donkey,

Can't help with your vehicle stats but I would not be taking "flashy mags" on the trip. Split rims are a much stronger proposition.
With that number of vehicles going, it wouldn't be necessary for all to have the phones or HF but it would be handy for a couple to have at least the dual system sat-phone. From what I understand of them, people calling in to you only have to pay for a "normal" mobile call when the phone is using the satellite system. Calling out is a bit more exxy when on the sats though. I will be on the Tanami in August and will be using that system.
Enjoy the trip.

split rims are only any good if you have the gear to change them, one pieces are easier to plug small punctures. Where splitties really come into their own is when running crossply tyres which I dont think you can get onto a one piece. Actually removing the tyre is a lot easier on a splittie and it doesnt take that long to fix punctures in them

I have 100s 4.2 TD Auto and keep fuel records
Normal city around 14 l/100k
CSR 20l/100k fully loaded
Cape York with Camper Van 18 to 22 l/100k

I have a set of steel rims with Coopers for bush work
Would not take alloys with road tyres

I use a dual mode Satellite/GSM from Globalstar
My mate has a Satellite/CDMA from Telstra
There has never been anywhere in Aust that we have not been able to use the phones. I would suggest that at least one of your party should have a satellite phone

hi there, i have a new td gxl with a safari snorkel and get 13-14lper 100km around town.

I drove the Tanami, towing an off-road camper, last July/ August.
The only point I would add to what has been said in previous replies is to note what days Rabbit Flat is open & selling fuel, otherwise its Halls Creek to Tilmouth Roadhouse - a fair way on a tank or so of fuel.

I am looking at buying one of the following vehicles. I want best economy but also good price. Either 80series on gas or TD, 100series on gas or TD, or GU 4.5L on gas or TDI.
What is the best configuration of these. I only want to spend less than $35k whats your opinions????

Barney.