Standard Hilux to Cape York

If you don't "do" the OTT then you can do it in an MX5 or an old Peugeot or even a 28 or whatever Chev towing a campertrailer.( as seen at Moreton and Weipa)
If you DO want to do the OTT you really need a snorkel depending on the water level when you go, but AFAIK Hiluxes have a low intake so probably yes anytime.
Lift Kit? Again if you do the OTT you will probably drag the guts a LOT. Your boss will probably not thank you for what you do to the shocks but if you stick to the development road and bypass then it is just very corrugated road in parts while other bits are excellent.
You really need a winch to do the OTT unless you go with someone who has one.
Regards Philip A

Michael I have just returned from the Cape in a standard 06 Hilux, I did not try to do the OTL topend it was to dangerous with the camper on. Barnray

Standard is fine & with no snorkel. By the time you are allowed up there the water will be down far enough.

My work car was a standard Hilux (Older Model Though) and I used to drive all the roads up there doing the flood damage reports as soon as I could get in.

If it is deep measure it against the intake height and drive the speed required to keep it below there.

I did manufacture a temporary snorkel to get across the Pascoe on year when it was running at 1-1.1m. But that is another story :-)

Cheers Tony

The only thing I would recommend is that you don't try it using HT tyres.....you might get there but then again you most likely won't. A set of AT tyres would be the minimum IMHO.

Hi Michael, I went up there last year and did the OTL in a stock standard 2008 Nissan Patrol but added a snorkel. I'm glad I added the snorkel and I never got bogged once or had any issues. I never towed a camper but only because I can't reverse with a trailer on - I took 4 of our kids with me and we left our camper at Cooktown and threw everything up on the pack rack for the Cape. Towing a camper trailer just adds another dimension to the trip and I was SO PLEASED I hadn't taken it. Everyone else seemed to though and I didn't see anyone with any serious issues unless they were ill prepared.

Michael
Stick to the main road, and bypass tracks, and you can do it in a commodore.

Camper trailer will not prevent any problems.


You will not need a snorkel, but carry spare air cleaner. Replace once you get to Bamaga, or the tip, then replace it back at Cairns

Too easy

Cheers
Bucky

Hi All
Thanks everyone for all the info.

Not to sure I want to go and have to bypass all the good bits.

I will speak to my boss about getting a snorkel fitted (not to sure they will allow it). Tyres aren't a problem I can get any I like fitted. The camper trailer I was going to borrow from my friend. I am happy to just have a swag, that's 90% of my camping anyway.
Much easier to throw out the swag than setup a camper.

Thanks again
Michael

If you are willing to pay for the mods eg snorkel, suspension then what would be his issue ?? It would all be legal etc. Maybe he's under the impression when you mentioned modifications to him he was thinking you wanted to turn it into a rock hopper or some thing ?? As far as tyres go Id buy a second set of rims fit up your tyres to them then use them for the trip and swap back to the standard tyres when you get back home, Set of second hand prado rims just sold on ebay tonight for $201 these were 17 inch but fit the lux's. Not sure if yours is the updated version with 17inch rims ?? Prior to the update model SR5's were 15 the SR16 's. You would need to make sure which wheels to fit to stay legal and without changing the gearing to much...............Can always get a set of sunraiser (spelling) rims roughly $50 each...Mate of myn did it in a standard 120 series prado didnt even change tyres had the standard crancraps on it, not even a flat, maybe he was extremely lucky ?? Prado admitt is probably a tad higher from factory then the lux...........