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We are planning to do the CSR in late July and seeking advice on preparation for our 2015 GX Prado. Need new tyres and understand 265/70R17 is the highest profile that can be done without doing a suspension lift - is this correct? Also interested in views about catch can, secondary fuel filter, and UHF/HF radio recommendations. For those who have done the trip any advice on additional spares, diesel and water to carry or any other advice most welcome!
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You will need fuel for at least 1200 km from the bottom to the fuel point at Well 33/Kannawarraji. Tyres around 18psi should be fine. No need to go up a size. Hoses and belts should be replaced before you go as they are 8 years old. Carry the old ones as spares. If it still has the original suspension then it simply won't be up to that trip with the weight you will need to carry. It is a very long tough trip and preparation is critical. UHF fine for car to car but useless otherwise. Buy or rent a sat.phone. Lots of permits to be obtained so get them now. A great trip but the unprepared will and do get caught out. -
Thanks for the response - I'd thought I'd carry an extra 3 jerry cans (60L) of diesel but not sure what fuel consumption to expect. Interested in your advice about suspension and being well prepared - my local Toyota dealer thought the suspension would be fine but I'm not sure the person I spoke with was on the money and I'd rather be safe than sorry!Comment
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So long as you keep rpm around 2000 you can probably count on about 15 l/ 100 km but 60 l extra is a good margin. I would talk to a few suspension places. Check the suspension data base on here. You will be heavily loaded. Get 6 or 8 people to stand or sit in or on the back of your car. You will be shocked at how it sags. Then take into account that you will be heavier than this AND then allow for the heavily scalloped dunes.Comment
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Great thanks, from other posts in a CSR site I was getting a range of 9-20 l/100km so that helps to refine it somewhat. The enquiries I've made with 4WD shops so far regarding suspension generally seems to assume a suspension lift when you have a permanent load increase for an everyday set up or otherwise using standard suspension when the load is for a couple of trips a year only. Is simply replacing existing suspension with same an option? Also, any thoughts about installing a catch-can or secondary fuel filter - I'm hearing contradictory advice on these.Comment
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No. Even a brand new standard suspension will die on the CSR. It is long tough and rough. Count on only about 100 to 120 km a day as a clue. It may be tougher this year as not much traffic during Covid. With a lift the car will handle better than standard. OME do a 30 mm lift as well as the more usual 50 mm. You can go for slightly softer rear spring if you add air bags for the heavily loaded times. I have both a catch can and a second fuel filter which have been on since new. If I had to choose 1 it would be the fuel filterComment
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Thanks for all your advice, I'm glad I have time to pull things together. Cheers.Comment
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I'll be on the CSR in June and my main concern is fire.
The track has become overgrown in places after a couple of years of little use.
Last year a few vehicles (at least 4) burnt to the ground as a result of collecting nests of tinder dry grass underneath.
Many owners of modern 4WDs also don't know that they have a plastic main fuel tank. HDPE has a ridiculously low melting point of around 120C.
And a max operating temp of around 80C before it begins to slump.
Last years survivors recommend stopping often to clear any accumulated spinifex/grass. And carry fire extinguishing gear, including welding gloves, at hand.
Also bear in mind that a 1-2Kg ABE powder extinguisher will last less than 10 seconds!Comment
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Some carry a 5 litre garden pressure sprayer with a bit of detergent in it. Keep it handy. Shaken cans of beer or soft drink also help. Dry spinifex is a real fire risk that needs to be managed. Check thoroughly every stopComment
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All the best for your June trip - I'll be interested in any tips from your experience of it. I'm aware of the fire risks and have wondered about what size/how many fire extinguishers would be wise to carry. Like the idea of the garden sprayer and cans of soft drink which would be my first preferences to resorting to beer extinquishing!!Comment
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I'll be carrying a couple of Firestrykers and an Element. They last about 90-100 seconds each, tho' once started cant be turned off.
Small ABE extinguishers last less than 10seconds - they are more of a placebo.
If a real fire starts (as opposed to smouldering grass) then you'll need to immediately smother it big time.
I can imagine relying on a couple of seconds spray from soft drink cans being less than successful.
A garden sprayer needs to be pumped up. It mite be useful on smouldering grass, but I image its fine spray being underwhelming on a flame-front.
I'd carry a 10Kg ABE unit if I had a ute.Comment
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