4WD issues

To Helpful Four Wheel Drivers,

I am seeking information on two issues and would appreciate comment if people have helpful answers.

1. I have a Toyota twin cab Hilux 3.0 Litre turbo charged diesel utility which is now two years old and has done 18,000km. In the past two years this vehicle has been down the Simpson Desert north to south commencing in the Hay River and then ending up on the Birdsvile track in 2005 and in 2004 it travelled down the Cooper to Lake Eyre and onwards. These ventures were through trackless country so the going is slow and often difficult. The trouble has been that the Toyota appears to lose power maybe in the vicinity of 10-20% after the initial 2-3 hours of hard work each day. This phenonmenon appears heat related. Your comments are welcome.

2. In 2006 we plan a trip from Melbourne to Alice Springs and to then proceed west north of the McDonell Ranges to a point where we would turn south to the Giles Meteorological Station. From there our proposed route is south along the S.A./W.A. border to Eucla. Information on the type of terrain, degree of difficulty and whether permits are required etc would be appreciated.

With Thanks,
Gerald R Dickinson