Setting up the 80 series for the Cape

Submitted: Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010 at 13:32

ThreadID: 82639 Views:5328 Replies:3 FollowUps:4

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56kkv

Hi
I'm wanting to do 3 week a Cape trip next June /July with my 11 yr lad in my 80series. What I would like is some advise or direction to other threads that will deal with a few of my Questions. I hopefully will have another vehicle with me but that has not been arrange so far. I 've done some 4x4ing in my time but not much of a risk taker I intend on taking the development rd for most of the trip with 4wd day trips and over nighters based from the different communities. Itinerary has not been set up yet

The Vehicle: 1993 GLX petrol/gas L Cruiser with 300000km. Motor rebuild 10000km ago and 2 inch suspension about 2004 used for as towing vehicle mainly. At present the thought is to just live out of the cruiser for the trip with swags and when required a light weight tent. But I do have a trailer available if required. I have a full length rack to mount on 3 rhino bars. I have a rear wheel carrier and will be mounting an old 9000lb thomas electric winch to the front. The vehicle is in good nick but will have the drive chain checked out as well as the steering and suspension by a professionals

On the rack I intend to carry a second spare tyre,hi lift jack,shovel, a jerry can of fuel and one off water, box of spares(light weight stuff hoses, belts, water pump, and alike)and other bulky light weight gear such as swags. I'm guessing 150 to 180kg on top,Too much?

Any advise on this setup would be appreciated.

I'm not looking at keeping the cruiser to long after the trip so I don't want to spend to much on it but I would rather have a hassle free trip. I intend to DIY as much as possible as I am moderately confident in that area. I also appreciate some tips on the following addition I'm going to make:

I have ordered a Airflow snorkel is there anything I can do to enhance the installation of the product like sikaflexing the joints?

I will have a engels fridges and a couple of 11watt lights what do I require in a dual battery set up what is the best DIY kit to get. I don't know to much about dual battery systems anything that helps me get up to speed will help

I'm gathering some spares like hoses belts water pump What else would be required I heard a change my shocks and take the old ones as spares,Should I look for an old alternator ect.

I have all terrain tyres at present but might need to change before the trip any suggestions on what to hunt for.

Awning for the vehicle I was just going to DIY some canvas and poles but I have see ready made units for $260 and $100 more with fly screens is it worth buying it? Simply DIY idea would be great.

I'm making my own shelving system in the back of the Cruiser so any photos of your DIY setup would assist me in the design.

I see steering dampeners from $67 to $165 with external springs attached are these for the competition 4wd, or do they perform much better then the standard heavy duty one. My vehicle does move around a bit of it own accord and I would say the dampener is the original unit.

Thanks for sticking with the story and questions I know there are a few but if you can help me out with just one I would appreciate the benefit of your experience

Cheers John

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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010 at 14:05

Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010 at 14:05

Hi John,

We have put some info regarding some of your questions in our blogs. Re electrical matters have a lookhere
and for awning and shelving have a lookhere

Hope that helps a bit. Have a great trip

Cheers,

Val

J and V
"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
- Albert Einstein

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AnswerID: 436705

Follow Up By: 56kkv - Tuesday, Nov 30, 2010 at 16:03

Tuesday, Nov 30, 2010 at 16:03

Interesting stuff on the electrical system. Thanks alot for the info

FollowupID: 708897

Reply By: Member - DW Lennox Head(NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010 at 15:07

Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010 at 15:07

John

I went solo to the Cape this last August. I did not do the Overland Telegraph Track as I was towing a Kimberley Karavan. I did it with a Mazda Bravo and only on the Development Road while towing.

Unless you are going to go on either the OTT or extensively into remote parts, from my experience, things like a winch are unnecessary along with a high lift jack. Keep any heavy items as low as possible, obviously petrol jerry cans outside but water inside. There are plenty of places to get water and fuel on the way up.

I have a 50 mm lift, snorkel, spare case(lighter without the rim), air compressor, usual spares as you have indicated, fridge, normal spare wheels for Bravo and KK, along with some snatch straps just in case. Good quality shock absorbers are a must.

The Battery system I have is a Rotronic unit. I have had no problems with it and it also maintains the auxiliary battery as well as the KK.

I recommend going with very good tyres and a well serviced vehicle and drive according to conditions. That includes varying the tyre pressures to suit the conditions, e.g., very low for sand and less than normal for corrugated conditions. I did not change a tyre the whole trip.

On my return trip, I passed 3 cars, Commodores and Falcon, heading to Bamaga. So that indicates the road standard. The road was mostly very good with only a short area I considered rough. I did over 10,000 kms on my 3 month trip and on all types of roads and tracks. The tools I used were a shifter and a screw driver but only for a couple of minor items.

Then again, my experience is only over about 30+ years of regional driving as well as a fair bit of mountainous climbing. I am over doing the unnecessary vehicle destroying trips and want to enjoy it more than rebuilding parts and vehicles.

Have fun and enjoy it.

DW

AnswerID: 436707

Follow Up By: 56kkv - Tuesday, Nov 30, 2010 at 15:58

Tuesday, Nov 30, 2010 at 15:58

Thanks what sort of tyre pressure did your run on the corrugations.

FollowupID: 708895

Follow Up By: Member - DW Lennox Head(NSW) - Tuesday, Nov 30, 2010 at 16:22

Tuesday, Nov 30, 2010 at 16:22

I ran 26 psi on the drive and trailer tyres and 23 psi on the steer tyres. Keep an eye on your speed with these pressures, preferably lower. There are sections of tar seal and I drove at up to 80 km/hr then varied on the gravel to suit.

I have never had any problems with these pressures over the years but I reinforce to start your journey with either new or close to new tyres. Worn out tyres will cause no end of trouble and that is seen often on trips.

FollowupID: 708898

Reply By: Trevor R (QLD) - Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010 at 20:38

Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010 at 20:38

Hi John,

If your vehicle is in top shape suspension/tyre wise and you trust it for reliability you will find it an easy trip up the development rd. I took a stock Pathfinder towing an offroad trailer up the OTL and back via Weipa, across the Frenchman's track out to Portland Rds and Chilli Beach many years ago. No snorkel no lift and h/t tyres. Had numerous people comment and smirk but the proof is in the pudding, drive sensibly and to the conditions and all will be fine. No need for a winch unless you wish to travel off the beaten track solo and can't wait for anyone else to go with you.

Stacks of fresh water up the OTL (in each creek crossing, just boil it for drinking water) and petrol range should not be an issue unless you have taken the cruisers main tank out for the gas or something and only have the 35lt sub tank. So I would lighten the roof load by not adding too many jerry's of this if you are running heavy up top.

Most of all allow enough time to take it all in, it is worth the effort to stop and smell the roses. I went with a park ranger and what info he imparted on me made the trip VERY memorable.

Regards for a safe trip,
Trevor.

AnswerID: 436745

Follow Up By: AGNI4x4 - Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 16:07

Friday, Nov 26, 2010 at 16:07

I wouldn't get over stressed regards it ..................... the trip I did to the cape you could probably have drove there in a Barina. Apart from a few sandy patchs there was nothing demanding in it at all. The traffic was thicker than some country roads in Vic most of the time ................ the tip was as crowded as a Myer after Chrissy sale ................... sadly the remote is becoming not so remote anymore ? Wet season would no doub't be different but then from what I'm told you probably wouldn't get there no matter what. Enjoy and safe trekking.
Cheers

FollowupID: 708436