Simpson Desert (or should it be Simpson Swamp?)

[comprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close comprado]

Got back last weekend after the Simpson trip. The crossing was as I would have expected for 2 days, then the rain!!
The sand was packed hard which took the challenge out of the dunes, but the flooded claypans more than made up for it. All roads in and out of Birdsville were closed by the time we got in, but re-opened the day after we arrived. A wet and muddy B'ville Track made the trip to Marree a bit more enjoyable.
Great trip, I'd do it again.
Cheers All

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

I'm jealous! Sounds like it'd be a cracker of a trip in that weather.

[vscorsa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vscorsa]

Hi Comprado,

Sounds like an eventful trip!!

I am doing the crossing at the end of Aug so hopefully it would have dried out a bit by then.

Can you please give some details on your car setup and any advice you have for the trip?

Cheers

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

Hi Comprado,

Sounds like an eventful trip!!

I am doing the crossing at the end of Aug so hopefully it would have dried out a bit by then.

Can you please give some details on your car setup and any advice you have for the trip?

Cheers

Me too! For the races?

I'd also be interested in setup/advice.

Cheers.

[comprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close comprado]

My wagon is a standard 2003 120 series GX Diesel, with Old Man Emu coils and shocks. I still run the original 6" steels with Cooper 235/70 AT3's. On the soft stuff I ran 16 psi all round and 28 psi on the Oodnadatta and B'ville tracks. Many think the 6" wheels are a bit skinny, but I've now done 2 Simpson crossings (the first 5 yrs ago was dry) and the Telegraph track and have had no problems. For this trip I removed the rear (or middle) seats to cut down on weight and allow more space to spread out the gear. A homemade storage in the back, 50litre Waeco, drawer and shelf with a half cargo barrier carries a reasonable bit if gear, with extra spare tyre and tent on top. 40 to 50 litres of water should be sufficient for the crossing. With 180 litre fuel tank I didn't carry spare fuel. Consumption for the crossing (Mt Dare to Birdsville) was 17.6 ltr/100k compared to 15.3 in the dryer conditions. Fuel prices (diesel)...Oodnadatta 227 c/l, Mt Dare 226 c/l. Birdsville 174 c/l.
Give yourself at least 4 days for the crossing. Hope this helps. Enjoy and safe driving.
Cheers

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

[vscorsa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vscorsa]

Great info, thanks mate.

With your suspension I gather it includes lifted springs? Did you run a roof top tent or only store your tent on the roof?

As you have suggested we have banked on 4 days to cross so should have plenty of time. At the moment mine has standard suspension so I am concerned that it won't cut the mustard so are considering putting a lift kit on it.

How was the Birdsville because we are coming down that way then cutting across to Goog's track for the run to the Nullarbor.

My wagon is a standard 2003 120 series GX Diesel, with Old Man Emu coils and shocks. I still run the original 6" steels with Cooper 235/70 AT3's. On the soft stuff I ran 16 psi all round and 28 psi on the Oodnadatta and B'ville tracks. Many think the 6" wheels are a bit skinny, but I've now done 2 Simpson crossings (the first 5 yrs ago was dry) and the Telegraph track and have had no problems. For this trip I removed the rear (or middle) seats to cut down on weight and allow more space to spread out the gear. A homemade storage in the back, 50litre Waeco, drawer and shelf with a half cargo barrier carries a reasonable bit if gear, with extra spare tyre and tent on top. 40 to 50 litres of water should be sufficient for the crossing. With 180 litre fuel tank I didn't carry spare fuel. Consumption for the crossing (Mt Dare to Birdsville) was 17.6 ltr/100k compared to 15.3 in the dryer conditions. Fuel prices (diesel)...Oodnadatta 227 c/l, Mt Dare 226 c/l. Birdsville 174 c/l.
Give yourself at least 4 days for the crossing. Hope this helps. Enjoy and safe driving.
Cheers

[vscorsa Member Find all posts View Profile Close vscorsa]

Nah we miss the races, we start on the Gun Barrel on the 21st Aug so will take a few days to get to Mt Dare for the start, we anticipate the first day to be the 24th heading East.

Which way are you heading and when do you start the simmo?

(Sorry for hijacking the thread)

Me too! For the races?

I'd also be interested in setup/advice.

Cheers.

[4wd Supplies Member Find all posts View Profile Close 4wd Supplies]

Good to hear some info on the track, cheers. i will be heading up there in the first week of august and hoping to get all the way through as last year we couldn't. Looking forward to doing it with a rooftop tent just to get away from the mice and rats.

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

Nah we miss the races, we start on the Gun Barrel on the 21st Aug so will take a few days to get to Mt Dare for the start, we anticipate the first day to be the 24th heading East.

Which way are you heading and when do you start the simmo?

(Sorry for hijacking the thread)

I haven't planned anything at the moment. Will plan last minute due to work/uni.

Will most likely leave 'Adelaide' on the 26/27 and plan on being in birdsville on the 30/31st.

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

I agree I came in here expecting some awesome pics of a Prado getting dirty...

[comprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close comprado]

Carried an OzTent RV5 on the roof. Set up on ground each night. The only rats we saw were dead on or beside the track.

[comprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close comprado]

Sorry about no pics. I took plenty of video which I'm in the process of editing. I'll try to post some pics when I get it sorted out and figure how to do it.

[comprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close comprado]

A few pictures of the trip.


One of the many water crossings on the QAA Line


Lake Thomas on french Line


On Big Red


Recovery of Hilux near Poeppel Corner

[comprado Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close comprado]

And More


Birdsville Track


Big Red (crossing over the water/mud was fun)


More Birdsville Track


Camp at Cooper Creek (Birdsville Track)

Cheers All