Simpson Desert Accessories/ modifications

[Bomber014 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Bomber014]

I have a pretty good set up for road touring towing our van and some bacis off roading. Over time I have done the following to :
2007, 120 Series Toyota Prado Turbo Diesel .

Uneek 4x4 Steel Bar

Hard Korr Spot & Spread LED lights

Hard Korr light-bar (wired in to high beams but have independent on/off switches)

12000lb WARN Winch

Extra Transmission Cooler

Lock Up Torque Converter

Projecta DCDC charger (with solar power input)

Snorkel (Ironman 4x4)

Diesel prefilter

2” lift, heavy duty springs (Pedders Frankston)

REDAC is Brake controller

Uniden UHF

Roof Console (Department of the interior)

Engine Data Scan (4wd Supacentre)

Polaris GPS / Reverse Camera

Safety Dave Vehicle and Caravan Camera (independent to Polaris reverse camera)

Extending Tow Mirrors

Rhino-rack roof rack (MAXTRAX and shovel brackets)

Foxwing Awning

Cargo barrier

Custom Roof storage boxes (MOXHAM engineering)

High up indicator and brake lights (attached to storage boxes)

Reverse / camp lights (three way switch OFF, ON or ON activated by reverse)

Rear draws (4wd Supacentre)

Homemade fridge cage / shelf (to protect fridge and for Travel Mate 12v oven)

Rear Engel / Ciggi socket

Rear Voltmeter dual USB point.

I have a compressor and deflator, long handled shovel, maxtrax and recovery gear.

What else if anything would I need to change / add to attempt the Simpson Dessert? I’ve been told a second sparewheel is a must. Keen to hear what you have to say. Not sure I want the weight of a second wheel on the roof.
The trip will be done in our Prado and our tent.
Cheers

[brogers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close brogers]

The Simpson desert itself isn't that challenging, it depends on what you are doing and where you are going.
We decided not to tow anything across, it's so much easier going over the dunes if you have less weight
Tyres and tyre pressure are very important and a mistake we saw were folk attempting sand dunes with high tyre pressurs
I carry two sets of preset tyre deflectors, 1 set for preset for rough gravel and 1 set preset for for sand
I also carry a 12v tyre pump.
We didn't bother with a second spare, and from what we saw, some people got flat tyres before they got to Birdsville by driving on some of the dirt roads with full highway tyre pressures. We carried some tyre goop in a can in case, but didn't get a flat, and that was driving the Plenty, The Old Gahn, the Stoney desert, walkers crossing and the Simpson etc etc etc.
I'd put some fibreglass fly screen in front of the radiator, you can zip tie it in place ...at different times of the year you can strike clouds of grasshoppers or moths and bugs etc, so fly screen can help keep your radiator free of critters etc.
Transmissin cooler is a must, so you've got that covered.
Suspension lift is a must if you have a car full of people and gear.... the extra clearance makes a really big difference, and you've got that covered.

I can't quite see in the photos, but UHF radio antennas get a work out, and thinner ones can eventually break due to whipping back and forth, so we have a really thick fibreglass one, which is fine.

Also A sand flag is a must, mounted as high as you can on the bull bar.
Honestly, with all the boxes and gear it will depend on how many people you take and if you are towing anything, but I'd be thinking about how to keep the weight down a bit, because you will have added weight with extra water and spare diesel as well, so watch the weight. We set up a base at Birdsville and left the camper trailer at Birdsville and crossed the desert taking a touring tent and it will s so much easier without towing anything, people do it towing campers etc...but they chew up the Sandunes and use more fuel etc.
we also carry a small GPS epirt - PLB in the glove box.

anyway, there's a few suggestions.

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

I don't think the winch will be very useful for the Simpson. Can you remove it for this trip?

Really, the weight is the main thing to keep in check. Especially up on the roof.

With less weight you get:
Less stress on the suspension and chassis, and inner guards.
Less fuel used.
More stability on uneven/angled dune ascents and descents.

You need a 3 metre high (from ground) sand flag attached to the bullbar, tyre pressures at about 19psi front and rear, and the UHF set to Ch 10.

Then you will find it no problems.

[whynot12 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close whynot12]

Fire extinguisher and a good first aid kit with the knowledge of how to use it is good insurance.
Only flat tyre we had was on the last of the dirt road just before the Noccundra Pub. Stone through the tread of a Bridesmaid 697. Still had 30% tread and running lower tyre pressure, about 28psi (hot) from memory.
I blame Whitey and his suspension setup, great ride allows you to travel a bit faster

[404pug Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close 404pug]

That antenna looks fine. It is the skinny wire ones that die.Weight is the killer in the desert. That said I never travel in the outback without a 2nd spare thus guaranteeing that I wont need it [I hope]. You could just carry a tyre without a wheel if your weight is critical. Tyre repair kit - plugs etc. As mentioned above tyre trouble more likely on the approaches to the desert than in it. 1 jerry will be enough in a 120 diesel- I had a 120 petrol and didn't use my jerry. Other than that you have it all.

[MDS69 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close MDS69]

Yep just looks like you need a sand flag and you are right to go.
We carried a second spare on the roof. Also towed a soft floor CT. You will be right for fuel. We use 180l according to the scanguage from Mt Dare to Big Red then added a jerry can to get to town. Being diesel and not towing you will be fine. Pick up a sat phone at Mt Dare and drop it off at the visitors centre in Birdsville or vice versa. Ring ahead to book one.

[Toopy Member Find all posts View Profile Close Toopy]

Didnt take a second spare, had tubes incase. Year old set of coopers and never had any problem.I would seriously consider only taking 1 jerry of fuel.
In 2016 I made the crossing in june, a week earlier both Birdsville and Mt dare had the most rain in 40years. Mud everywhere and lakes between the dunes meant a lot of bypass/detours around the fringes adding heaps of k's.
My 90 series petrol V6 used 1 full tank (main + sub, ~155l) from Birdsville to kulgera Roadhouse on the stuart highway. Took 2 jerries and never even cracked them. We were heavily loaded (not again), light is the way to go. Look at what you plan to take, then try to reduce it by a 3rd.
looking forward to going again.