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Overall we did just under 7000 Kms....averaged around 13 Litres per 100Km (including the Simmo Crossing)....BUT I did have a fair bit on top as this is quite a good deal higher than I usually get from the 3 litre Diesel.
Personally, no damage at all...a lot of loose screws in the Black Widow Drawers (tightened along the way) but luckily no damage to tyres, engine, suspension or anything else for that matter.
I read an awful lot on PP over the last 12 months about suspension and lift, and I did go to aftermarket Bilstein's, with King Springs and added Poly Air Bags as well.....AND the 50 Ml lift. NOW this did work a treat, and the run over the desert was very easy for the Prado BUT (and this is a big BUT).....we went over with 5 other 4WD's, and a bog standard 120 (overloaded and sitting pretty low) was one of those......he got bogged twice but I put that down more to inexperience than anything else, it was this guys first ever fourby trip but he did a great job and the 120 DID make it over, and the owners had a ball and learnt an awful lot along the way.
SO...don't let having to kit your rig out with thousands of dollars of extras turn you off.....as long as you are going with a group, and there's a capable vehicle or two....you'll be fine....the stories I was told about the Oodnadatta Track and the Simpson "destroying standard suspension" may be right BUT it didn't affect us. Oh sure the 120 dragged it's arse all the time, but he still got over and did everything we did apart from making it up Big Red.
A few things for planning...do LOTS of research (we did and it paid off).....we had 6 couples go and each couple did the reserach on a section, and led the group through that section, gave us radio commentary, told us to stop at certain spots and we knew exactly where and how much camping spots (bush and caravan parks) were.....so we were very well prepared.
Fuel was cheaper than I thought (but still dear by Brisbane standards).....we paid (on average) $1.69.....the lowest the morning I left at $1.38...the highest at William Creek ...$2.20.
We took most of our food.....past Leigh Creek there isn't much other than real basics...and it gets dearer and dearer, so a good Fridge is essential....I have the Waeco Cool Freeze and we used it as a Freezer and Fridge...worked a charm!!
We were incredibly lucky, we went expecting NOT to be able to do the Simmo crossing....Eyre Creek had been closed all year.....we arived at Dalhousie to find it had been opened 2 days earlier, it was time for celebration!!
But all in all an incredible trip....for me Cape York (probably alone) will be next....and then in a few years some of this same crew may undertake a Kimberley Trip.....can't wait for both!!
I'd be happy to answer anyone's questions, and really hope you have enjoyed a few photo's.
Cheers
Mark
Personally, no damage at all...a lot of loose screws in the Black Widow Drawers (tightened along the way) but luckily no damage to tyres, engine, suspension or anything else for that matter.
I read an awful lot on PP over the last 12 months about suspension and lift, and I did go to aftermarket Bilstein's, with King Springs and added Poly Air Bags as well.....AND the 50 Ml lift. NOW this did work a treat, and the run over the desert was very easy for the Prado BUT (and this is a big BUT).....we went over with 5 other 4WD's, and a bog standard 120 (overloaded and sitting pretty low) was one of those......he got bogged twice but I put that down more to inexperience than anything else, it was this guys first ever fourby trip but he did a great job and the 120 DID make it over, and the owners had a ball and learnt an awful lot along the way.
SO...don't let having to kit your rig out with thousands of dollars of extras turn you off.....as long as you are going with a group, and there's a capable vehicle or two....you'll be fine....the stories I was told about the Oodnadatta Track and the Simpson "destroying standard suspension" may be right BUT it didn't affect us. Oh sure the 120 dragged it's arse all the time, but he still got over and did everything we did apart from making it up Big Red.
A few things for planning...do LOTS of research (we did and it paid off).....we had 6 couples go and each couple did the reserach on a section, and led the group through that section, gave us radio commentary, told us to stop at certain spots and we knew exactly where and how much camping spots (bush and caravan parks) were.....so we were very well prepared.
Fuel was cheaper than I thought (but still dear by Brisbane standards).....we paid (on average) $1.69.....the lowest the morning I left at $1.38...the highest at William Creek ...$2.20.
We took most of our food.....past Leigh Creek there isn't much other than real basics...and it gets dearer and dearer, so a good Fridge is essential....I have the Waeco Cool Freeze and we used it as a Freezer and Fridge...worked a charm!!
We were incredibly lucky, we went expecting NOT to be able to do the Simmo crossing....Eyre Creek had been closed all year.....we arived at Dalhousie to find it had been opened 2 days earlier, it was time for celebration!!
But all in all an incredible trip....for me Cape York (probably alone) will be next....and then in a few years some of this same crew may undertake a Kimberley Trip.....can't wait for both!!
I'd be happy to answer anyone's questions, and really hope you have enjoyed a few photo's.
Cheers
Mark
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