NP Pajero

You should do it ok just do not overload. Also make sure that you have enough fuel.
If you can link up with another vehicle or group of vehicles then you will have security and more fun.

I have trained a few ppl in the new independent suspension Pajeros and ground clearance is a problem. As you may need momentumto climb most of the steeper dunes your suspension will be compressed and ground clearance reduced. I would recommend at least a 2" lift which will also benefit in any offroad conditions.
Cheers Rob

Dear David and Jenny

I have an NP. Haven't done the Simpson but did do the dune everyone mistakenly calls Big Red without a worry, both ways. Have also done the Border track which has dunes with finer white sand. Did them without any problems.

Regards, Mark

Thanks for the replies so far.David

I went across the Simpson 3 weeks ago in an '05 Pajero with every mod in Christendom bolted to it. We had set off to do the easier rig road but ended up going the whole way on the French Line.

A few days before I left I had the OME heavy duty suspension upgrade. It took a bit to get used to but after 6,000 kms would not go back to std suspension and would recommend it to anyone who does a fair bit of off road or rough road driving. The vehicle was fully loaded and with the suspension rise sat probably just a bit higher than a vehicle with std suspension unloaded. Still, needed all of the clearance to get over some of the dunes and looking back would not like to do the trip in a vehicle with std suspension unless it was virtually empty (going along the easier tracks like the rig road might not be so bad - but I think any crossing will take in a bit of the French Line and QAA line which are one sand dune after another). Made a big difference on the corrugations too.

Realise that this goes beyond your question, but other mods I found useful or wished I had taken, in order of importance:

- Something to fly a sandflag off. A lot of people without solid aerials use old fishing rods taped onto bullbars.
- Cargo barrier. Head ons are a real risk. I met a convey of half-pi**ed muppets coming the other way, no sand flags, yapping on their own channel (i.e. not listening to channel 10). Roll-over risk is high coming down some dunes.
- air compressor.
- tyres - good chance of flats on the gibber to the west.

Decent recovery gear is pretty important, especially if you're on your own and its getting towards the hotter months. I went all out with an electric winch and an ARB PRT. Didn't get used in anger but there were quite a few times that I thought I would have to and knowing it was there made the trip more pleasant. A long-handled shovel and lots of water would probably have been the next best thing.

Couple of things Guys, Is the Paj a 3.2ltr or 3.8ltr The 3.8ltr will suck the juice out there if its been dry. heard last year of one being left for awhile at lone gum until they got some more go juice. Also please use a good flag and run on scan if you are travelling alone. To many cowboys now run on the wrong channel.

If you're handy with the spanners you can put a new set of springs under it for around $300 (Kings or Lovells). Leave the standard shocks on as they are OK with the heavier springs.
Only takes about half a day.

Cheers.....