Cape York. Is a mid-size 4wd suitable? Parts availability?
Submitted: Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 at 10:56
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Hi all. I need some opinions on a suitable 4wd for trips such as
Cape York, as I am looking to buy one at the moment. As most of the year I am driving around town I was going to look at a mid-size 4wd, say a Prado or Jackaroo size vehicle (maybe even hilux dual cab).
Is this type of 4wd suitable for trips such as
Cape York? I would prefer not to purchase a larger Cruiser or Patrol but are these going to be alot better for this type of trip?
Apart from the spares/equipment you are carrying, I would assume that in remote areas not many parts would be available and that you would need to get them sent in. More spares would be available for say a Land Cruiser but should that influence my decision on what type of vehicle to purchase.
Reply By: Duke-Attie - Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 at 11:32
Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 at 11:32
Any if the 4x4's you have mentioned would be fine......... My choice would be diesel... I saw all types of 4x4's at
Cape York this year including Suzuki Sierra's, Ford
Explorers etc.... The trip to
Cape York does not require a serious car it just requires a prepared vehicle which can cross rivers which are normally about thigh deep or under...
Not once did ground clearance play a major role...
As far as spares availability goes, if you buy a common car there should be heaps of spares.....
I followed a standard Pajero 2002model all the way along the OTL and it didnt even have a
snorkel and it was fine but the water was down a bit this year...
I would always advise a
snorkel for the water crossings......
AnswerID:
35685
Follow Up By: Troopster - Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 19:16
Monday, Nov 03, 2003 at 19:16
Hi Duke-Attie
I am planning on going to the Cape this coming year, just wondering if you went out to the Skardon River or Pennefather River. If so was there heaps of crocs as we are taking kids and was the fishing any good.
Geoff.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Tony - Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 at 11:39
Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 at 11:39
A Dual cab is a great vehicle for that sort of trip, but a Prado or Jackaroo would be fine as
well.
As long as your vehicle is in top order and carry the basic spares (belts, hoses etc) any other part you may require due to break down can be flown in to most areas.
On a previous trip had a pair of engine mounts for a Hi lux flown in to
Coen overnight, and got a swivell housing for the same vehicle from the wreakers in
Mareeba.
AnswerID:
35687
Reply By: Andrew - Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 at 12:24
Thursday, Oct 30, 2003 at 12:24
I have a 100s IFS Landcruiser and the shocks went on the front. They had none in
Weipa at the joint I went to as they said that they only have one IFS Landcruiser in
Weipa, and in Seisa they said that they had run out,
Cairns had run out and they had to be flown from
Brisbane. Took about four days as they were stuck in
Cairns on
Cairns Show Day. We saw heaps of midsize vehicles and Hiluxes doing the trip without any drama. The main drama is corrugations so as long as you drive sensibly you should have no problems.
Andrew
AnswerID:
35696