Locking Diff for Cape York Trip...Necessary?

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Going to Cape York in July, and have seen various Youtube videos of the fun and games on the Old Telegraph Line road.

I've already fitted King Springs/Bilstein shocks (50mm lift), Mickey T's STZs, diff breathers, and a Safari Snorkel.

Do I really need to outlay for an ARB rear locker diff too?

Anyone done the OTL fairly recently?

The reason I'm hesitant is because the only other time I go off road is on sand, where the car is quite capable as is...and saving $2000 appeals to me!

Thanks!
Rob.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Hi Rob, No you don't "need" a locker to do the old tele track. We went through last year and did the entire track towing our camper trailer. I run front and rear lockers and the only time i needed them was on the first creek crossing, Palm creek, not to tow the trailer through heading north but when i unhooked the trailer and went back up the southern bank. Have a look at my trip report here http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...d-so-much-more I should say that things can be very different up there depending on what time of year you go. If you are going early in the season it might be a different story, anyway they had had a fair amount of rain just before we got there and apart from getting stuck in the last creek we had no other dramas.

Cheers Andrew

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Hi Rob

I concur you won't have any problems with the setup you have, don't be surprised to see the odd 2WD ute floating about up there as well. Also if you have time coming back along the Matilda Highway from the Blue Heeler Hotel down is a great way to return.

Regards, Richo.

[stevensr34 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close stevensr34]

Many thanks guys. $2K saved!

[iantz Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close iantz]

A locking diff may not be necessary, but heck, why not buy a Tigerz winch or something similar for 1k? Look at it this way - by buying a winch you are actually 'saving' money It's a good investment. What other excuse would you need!

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

A locking diff may not be necessary, but heck, why not buy a Tigerz winch or something similar for 1k? Look at it this way - by buying a winch you are actually 'saving' money It's a good investment. What other excuse would you need!

It's the old argument, if you have a locking diff then you won't get stuck, but if you do then you need a winch to get out!! My thoughts are for the winch, but then again the amount of winches that never get used and then when needed are frozen....

Good tyres and correct pressures with a quality lift kit will get you anywhere you want to tour, it's only hardcore stuff when you need the other options.

Regards, Richo.

[kav Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close kav]

i concur richo . cheers

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

I have said this in numerous threads before but here I go again! The real advantage of locking diffs (IMO), particularly in a touring vehicle like a Prado is not that they can get you further, or stop you from getting stuck, although they can do both. Its that they will get you there with less stress on your vehicle. Just saw this again on the weekend on the Border track trip, one of the sections that several of us drove; those with lockers walked through with no wheelspin and at a slow pace, those with open diffs still got there, but needed momentum and wheelspin to achieve the same thing.

Having recently fitted a winch (haven't used it yet) I have already found myself going down tracks I was told i couldn't make it through because I have the confidence to self recover if needed. It all depends on what you want from your 4wd, how much you can justify spending and how often you may need them. If you do go lockers both ends you are probably going to try and go places a bit tougher and a winch would be the next logical step.

If you do get stuck up the tele track there are loads of people about and most would be happy to help out, we had some help from fellow travellers to manouvre our trailer through gunshot, they were ecstatic at the opportunity to play in the mud and help someone out, we would have managed if they weren't there but it was a great experience for all involved.

Cheers Andrew

[hdtdamo5 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hdtdamo5]

I agree with Andrews comments. I have front and rear lockers, and I got a chance to really test them a couple of weekends ago. I found I could go places with alot less momentum and a lot slower. Overall made for an easier drive, no wheelspin and a more cumfortable and happier missus!

And yes, I a winch will be on my agenda!

[Richoson Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Richoson]

Hi Andrew

The 150 has the new traction control, hence my comment on lockers, we have done some serious off road (if you come to the 2011 SEQ GTG, nominate for the Glasshouse Mountains trip) where we have gone at a slow speed with locked diff vehicles. I agree slow and steady prolongs the life of the car and means less repairs.

Regards, Richo.

PS: There will be a website shortly for the 2011 GTG with some teasers.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Hi Andrew

The 150 has the new traction control, hence my comment on lockers, we have done some serious off road (if you come to the 2011 SEQ GTG, nominate for the Glasshouse Mountains trip) where we have gone at a slow speed with locked diff vehicles. I agree slow and steady prolongs the life of the car and means less repairs.

Regards, Richo.

PS: There will be a website shortly for the 2011 GTG with some teasers.

From what i have seen traction control seems to be a good thing, some people tell me it causes issues on sand though. Anyway the original poster has an 08 GXL so I assume no traction control.

Glasshouse mountains sounds like fun, seen some footage from there and it looks like it could be fun. Looking forward to the website and the trip.

Cheers Andrew

[jeff s Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close jeff s]

Going to Cape York in July, and have seen various Youtube videos of the fun and games on the Old Telegraph Line road.

I've already fitted King Springs/Bilstein shocks (50mm lift), Mickey T's STZs, diff breathers, and a Safari Snorkel.

Do I really need to outlay for an ARB rear locker diff too?

Anyone done the OTL fairly recently?

The reason I'm hesitant is because the only other time I go off road is on sand, where the car is quite capable as is...and saving $2000 appeals to me!

Thanks!
Rob.

Rob.

Things can go wrong with anything, murphy and all that,. Just ask Leachy. Going up to the cap last year, locker and all, broke some teeth out of his diff.
Shiz Happens sometime.

And from what I have seen, lesser cars have made it.

make sure you post the pics, its a location thats on our todo list.

Jeff.