Corner Country in a cheap 2wd – Top Gear Challenge style

Ordinary old Commodore....no worries ( if dry ).....just take a couple of spare tyres !!!

Did Cameron Corner end of last year all the roads were ok dirt roads but it will as above depend on the wet stuff.

Go for it lads and have fun, but keep it safe.

Try a Peugeot 504, it will do it easily!

No big deal. Hundreds of backpackers do it every year except they don't have 4x4 backup & rarely spend the $500 to get their cars roadworthy ;-))
Common issues for low cars on outback roads are regular punctures, blocked air filter/fuel system & exaust damage. Your route generally is very straight forward for a 2wd except after rain but I suppose that's just one of the challenges.
Have fun. Cheers Craig..............

Sounds like you'd be interested in the bleep box rally then:

http://www. bleep boxrally.com.au/

EA/EB falcon, jack em up a bit and go anyware ..... cheap as chips and heaps of cheap parts around .........
I would bolt on some lugs on the front so hook up is easy, i think there is a couple under the front but if stuck they will be under the mud, bit of sheet metal under the sump and g/box and not much else to cover, go the autos as they will last longer if given a hammering, hole saw to cut hole in bonnet and whack on a bit of downpipe from the tip, spray ALL electricials with CRC "soft seal" (green can) and will not have any electricial problems .......
Peasa Pizza .....
Enjoy and have fun ...
Cheers
Joe

1999 rodeo 2wd with the 3.2lt petrol and high rider suspension. Just make sure you have longrange fuel tanks on it and expect around 20lt/100km lol.

Cheers Wilko

A good set of tyres and spares.

As much ground clearance as you can manage.

Limited slip dif or a dif lock system would be a great help.

just make sure you have good front and back tow points and a good selection of straps including spares.

Have fun sounds like a blast !

Plenty of the locals drive 4x2s out there find a copy of the ABC program "Bush Mechanics" for some great advice :-)

Crikey, 30 years ago we were chasing waves in the oldest ugliest cars and they went everywhere. If the roads are dry you'll have a ball and if they are wet you'll definately have even more fun, only if they are open of course.
MM

I drove a 1974 VW Kombi to Camerons Corner about 12 years ago - no worries. No idea what the tracks are like now.

Any model comby would do it easy. Eric.

Any suggestions on the best car to take. Doesn't necessarily have to be practical. A few thoughts I have had include
1) Go prestige - Merc or Jag
2) Go small, reliable and economical - Corolla or Datsun 180B
3) Kingswood or Falcon
4) Holden WB Ute - good for load carrying and circle work (not that I would do that :-) )

Sentimental choices would be
HR Holden Wagon - The car our family owned when I was a child
VH Commodore - The car I learned to drive in
Toyota Corona - My first car

My preference is for something a bit older. Say 1970 to 1983

Any ideas?

Make it a real challenge - try it with 3 x 3 litre Nissan Patrols :)

Have fun

Cheers
Greg

1968 XT Falcon. I've owned 4 over the years and all were bullet proof. Fix 'em (if needed) with a rubber band and some chewy.

I whent out that way in this a few years ago.
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Did a trip similar to that back in 1962 as a 10 year old with my Dad in a Peugeot 403.
Left Orange, out to Broken Hill, Wilpena Pound, up to Birdsville, Camerons Corner, Cobar and home to Orange.

Dad took the front bumper off and replaced it with some 3" pipe and made a sump guard out of 1/4" plate from the pipe to behind the gearbox.

Took the back seat out for our gear and food, a couple of drums of petrol on the roof with two spare tyres. Some tyre irons and a hand pump. a 303 rifle behind the seat and away we went..
That car on those skinny Michelin tyres would just about get you anywhere.

We had a blast, only had a couple of puntures.

I did a lot of driving out there which I thought was great as we hardly saw anyone, Back in those days if you did see someone you would stop and have a yarn and boil the billy.

I think the only 4WD we saw were a couple of Series 1 Land Rovers.

Great time.

Bruce

It should be dead easy in the dry
Take a few spares and a car fridge
Most important take beer

A nissan Cedric ?

Its a good trip for a 2wd. We covered the same tracks in 1978 - 3 uni students in a Corolla wagon. Corolla had a sump guard, bullbar, and heavier rear springs. Still ran 12" wheels - had to gun it over the odd dune or sandy spot. No backup vehicle but had 3 guys who could push! Heres a few photos:

[img]http://www.exploroz.com/Uploads/Members/41965.625/Forum/Pic_55__TN800.jpg/img]

Here is the motorbike version (Scrapheap Ride) that has happened for the last couple of years

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=636231

Ditch the support vehicles and you will have heaps more fun

Glen

I drove a 504 from Ballarat, to Birdsville via the Flinders and then back home via the Cardillo Downs Road in 3 days a few years ago as a bet. Car would sit on 100kph over even the roughest roads.

Best modifications were fitting stiffer rear springs (took about an hour to change) and running 14 inch light truck tyres. This car was an unbelievable dirt road tourer and had generally plenty of ground clearance. 504's are getting pricy but there are a few good diesels around at the moment, and there are plenty of really cheap 505's that would be perfect.

I am currently setting up an eb falcon wagon for outback touring and with 215/75 15 tyres, Country Pack king springs and 5 mil spacer at the top of the coil mounts it will also have good ground clearance. You can get a lokka for the falcons which will obviously help you in soft sand. My falcon all up will cost er me under 3k and this is for a trip around australia. This will include air shocks at the back, locka and other bits and pieces to make it a dirt road weapon. A sedan has shorter wheelbase and beter articulation at the back, but the wagon holds heaps and you can sleep in it.

Another option is a renault 12 wagon. Chuck some 14 inch wheels on that and you would have a great outback tourer for 1K. They are simple and tough.

Have fun.

For inspiration on what can be done, check out an old 2wd VW T2 Kombi (circa 1970s) conquering the Cape at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBXRlmnSdL0.

I remember seeing plenty of Pug 404s in the outback many years ago so should be no problem in a more modern car.