Simpson Desert Crossing 2018 🐪

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

Interesting. I will certainly have a play in May in the Simpson. No Scan gauge on the horizon as I was given a EDS-engine data scan and as far as I can work out it can't be programmed for transmission info.

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

I agree with Pug. Hi 1st gear. You need to lock it in as it usually won't drop to 1st automatically. It saves a lot of time at each dune and no stress on the auto.

[RBJET Member Find all posts View Profile Close RBJET]

Even in low range my converter will hit 110 degrees constantly on a warm day in the high country. It's a struggle to keep it under 115 and that's with a cooler.

I wouldn't think you'd have that issue in the desert though as the dunes are short and you'll spend most of your time cruising on the flat.

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

My thinking as well

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

Yikes! Ive not seen mine above 90 deg C, and thats even after climbing Billy Goats on a 30 deg C day.

Even in low range my converter will hit 110 degrees constantly on a warm day in the high country. It's a struggle to keep it under 115 and that's with a cooler.

I wouldn't think you'd have that issue in the desert though as the dunes are short and you'll spend most of your time cruising on the flat.

[sleeky5 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close sleeky5]

Low Range and hit the 2nd Start button. it then skips 1st gear altogether. You can manually go down to 1st if you need it. Use it all the time 4wding.

Did the crossing east to west in 2016. Didn’t use low range at all. 1st high was all that was needed even for big red where momentum was needed. Tyre pressures are the most important thing.

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

Sleeky5: I agree. Desert dune driving IS different to driving on places like Fraser Island, The High Country etc. Essentially the work is done in very short bursts going UP dunes - high 1st is fine if your tyre pressures are right. Down the the dunes and between the dunes drive it like a manual and select the appropriate gear so neither engine nor gearbox is being flogged. In the desert, treat them gently and you have less chance of breaking things.

[Duncan271 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duncan271]

All very good tips so far, thanks everyone! I also previously plumbed in a PWR oil cooler after the factory auto tranny oil cooler, removing the radiator cooling section. I have a scan gauge 2 fitted, yet can’t figure out how to have it read the tranny temp, at the moment it just reads the engine radiator temp.

[Duncan271 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duncan271]

[Duncan271 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duncan271]

Not bad for an old girl, got her in for a health check tomorrow. Gives me plenty of time to get any major issues sorted before the big trip.

[Duncan271 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duncan271]

My PWR tranny oil cooler -

[Duncan271 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duncan271]

Health check done, need to re-book to get the front drive shaft seals replaced, when they do that they’ll replace the front diff oil, they found a massive crack on the right hand side exhaust header, which I could hear, didn’t realise how bad it was until they pointed it out to me, so I’m up for a set of new extractors... Tie rod ends got replaced, front tyres were scrubbing out a bit much, so hopefully they did a good wheel alignment..!

[Tonz Member Find all posts View Profile Close Tonz]

some great advise and good debate on different points of views , im more an island off roader but i will eventually get to the simpson . thanks for all the great tips. i would love to hear about the difficulties of the trip from some that are planning and from those that have already done the trip.
it would be good to know what is really needed to bring , and how much time from brisbane would be comfortable to return . do most of you cross the dessert and return another route?

[Duncan271 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Duncan271]

Does anyone know what the code is on the scan gauge 2 to enable the reading of the transmission oil temperature? It only reads radiator temp at the moment.

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

Once you have done Birdsville to Mt Dare, you had just as well go to Lambert's center of Aust, Chambers Piller, Alice Springs, Rainbow Valley, Kings Canyon, Ayers Rock, The Olgas, The Painted Desert, The Oodnadatta track, back through Wilpaena Pound, Broken Hill and back home. Well that's what we did anyway.