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Hi guys, on Sunday a mate of mine and I headed down to Walhalla in VIC for some 4wding and to test the capabilities of my new 150 GXL. It was also a good opportunity to test my new GoPro HD video camera.
My mate has a modified (lift, bar snorkel, Cooper ST's etc) 120 D4D and my 150 is still reasonably stock apart from BFG At's and a snorkel. One advantage I have is traction control which his GX doesn't have.
So, after a 5.30am departure from Mornington and a quick bite to eat at Moe Maccas we headed to the Thompson Dam wall to check out the water level. It actually doesn't look a lot higher than what it did when I was there 15 months ago.
After a few photos we headed to the start of Beardmores Track which required us to cross the Thompson River after the first 100m. With the river flowing quite rapidly I volunteered my mate to walk it first and once we'd discovered it was only thigh deep, we proceeded to cross and then make our way up to the junction of Low Saddle Track where we hung a right and headed down to the Aberfeldy Bridge camping area for another check of the map to plan the rest of the day.
Walking the Thompson River
Aberfeldy Bridge
Walhalla Video Part 1 - http://vimeo.com/18601315
From Aberfeldy, we headed to Binns Rd and then onto Deep Creek Track 5. For the most part, this track was pretty easy going with some steep climbs and descents but no huge ruts or steps. The low cloud provided an eerie feeling as the visibility at the top of the track was only a few car lengths. It was interesting to see the advantage of traction control even on this easier track with the 120 scrabbling a few times requiring a second go up one hill whilst the 150 walked up without fuss.
Walhalla Video Part 2 - http://vimeo.com/18658788
Once we'd conquered Deep Creek Track 5, we turned left back onto Binns Rd before taking on Deep Creek Track 4 which started to get a lot more interesting. The majority of the track is ok but down towards the creek crossing there is a small bypass track which goes off to the right and then rejoins the main track about 250m further down the track. This section is VERY steep with some large steps placed in a few spots. My mate decided to have a crack driving up it and I would make a decision whether to try it in the 150 based on his effort.
Well, he made it up without any damage, although it took him 5 goes and a few different lines before he scrabbled up. Stalling at the steepest spot also made it interesting and required us to place rocks behind his rear wheels before we could get him going again.
After he made it, I decided to idle up to the first step (where he'd required 3 goes) and if I made it up that, I'd continue on. Otherwise I'd just back down in defeat. Well... the 150 with traction control proceeded to just walk up the entire hill without any fuss and a lot less bouncing and wheel spin.
These new Prados are simply awesome uphill off road! Check out Part 3 of the video below.
After that, we headed down to the creek and up the steep exit to the top of the ridge again where we had lunch before tackling Deep Creek Track 1.
Walhalla Video Part 3 - http://vimeo.com/18686298
After lunch, we decided to tackle Deep Creek Track 1 which the map said followed the creek bed for 200m.
On the way down to the creek we encountered some very steep and rutted declines that required some road building in order for the lower 150 to get through unscathed. This is where the manual D4D really shone with unbelievable engine breaking compared to the auto petrol 150. It did give me a chance to test out the Downhill Assist which actually works very well (albeit very noisily). Still no comparison to the 120 though.
Once we hit the creek, the real fun began and we proceeded to take an hour and a half to traverse the next 200m of the track. There was lots of road building and rock placement required as well as much needed guidance from the non driver to get each of the cars through. Particular care was needed for the lower 150.
Despite the difficulty of the track and the bush pin striping from the overgrown blackberries, we managed to get through reasonably well with me only being unlucky enough to knock the mudflap on a rock and cause part of the rear bumper to unclip. It looked a lot worse than it was and it all clipped back on without too much trouble.
Once we'd made it through the creek, there was a very long, rutted and rocky climb back to the top of the ridge. It was on this section that I banged the underbody for the first time all day, landing the rear diff on a large rock in the middle of the track and causing me to become hung up. Once, I reversed down off the rock, we were able to pop a rock under the rear wheel and continue on. Despite the horrific sound it made when I hit the rock, there was no damage to the diff housing or any underbody components so I was very happy. The suspension travel probably absorbed most of the knock.
Walhalla Video Part 4 - http://vimeo.com/18801572
From there we headed back through Walhalla, back to Moe Maccas for dinner and then home.
All in all, a fantastic day of 4wding that left me extremely impressed with the capability of the 150. With a small lift and a bar to increase the approach angle, it'll be unstoppable!
Here are a few more photos from the day.
Cheers, Sam.
My mate has a modified (lift, bar snorkel, Cooper ST's etc) 120 D4D and my 150 is still reasonably stock apart from BFG At's and a snorkel. One advantage I have is traction control which his GX doesn't have.
So, after a 5.30am departure from Mornington and a quick bite to eat at Moe Maccas we headed to the Thompson Dam wall to check out the water level. It actually doesn't look a lot higher than what it did when I was there 15 months ago.
After a few photos we headed to the start of Beardmores Track which required us to cross the Thompson River after the first 100m. With the river flowing quite rapidly I volunteered my mate to walk it first and once we'd discovered it was only thigh deep, we proceeded to cross and then make our way up to the junction of Low Saddle Track where we hung a right and headed down to the Aberfeldy Bridge camping area for another check of the map to plan the rest of the day.
Walking the Thompson River
Aberfeldy Bridge
Walhalla Video Part 1 - http://vimeo.com/18601315
From Aberfeldy, we headed to Binns Rd and then onto Deep Creek Track 5. For the most part, this track was pretty easy going with some steep climbs and descents but no huge ruts or steps. The low cloud provided an eerie feeling as the visibility at the top of the track was only a few car lengths. It was interesting to see the advantage of traction control even on this easier track with the 120 scrabbling a few times requiring a second go up one hill whilst the 150 walked up without fuss.
Walhalla Video Part 2 - http://vimeo.com/18658788
Once we'd conquered Deep Creek Track 5, we turned left back onto Binns Rd before taking on Deep Creek Track 4 which started to get a lot more interesting. The majority of the track is ok but down towards the creek crossing there is a small bypass track which goes off to the right and then rejoins the main track about 250m further down the track. This section is VERY steep with some large steps placed in a few spots. My mate decided to have a crack driving up it and I would make a decision whether to try it in the 150 based on his effort.
Well, he made it up without any damage, although it took him 5 goes and a few different lines before he scrabbled up. Stalling at the steepest spot also made it interesting and required us to place rocks behind his rear wheels before we could get him going again.
After he made it, I decided to idle up to the first step (where he'd required 3 goes) and if I made it up that, I'd continue on. Otherwise I'd just back down in defeat. Well... the 150 with traction control proceeded to just walk up the entire hill without any fuss and a lot less bouncing and wheel spin.
These new Prados are simply awesome uphill off road! Check out Part 3 of the video below.
After that, we headed down to the creek and up the steep exit to the top of the ridge again where we had lunch before tackling Deep Creek Track 1.
Walhalla Video Part 3 - http://vimeo.com/18686298
After lunch, we decided to tackle Deep Creek Track 1 which the map said followed the creek bed for 200m.
On the way down to the creek we encountered some very steep and rutted declines that required some road building in order for the lower 150 to get through unscathed. This is where the manual D4D really shone with unbelievable engine breaking compared to the auto petrol 150. It did give me a chance to test out the Downhill Assist which actually works very well (albeit very noisily). Still no comparison to the 120 though.
Once we hit the creek, the real fun began and we proceeded to take an hour and a half to traverse the next 200m of the track. There was lots of road building and rock placement required as well as much needed guidance from the non driver to get each of the cars through. Particular care was needed for the lower 150.
Despite the difficulty of the track and the bush pin striping from the overgrown blackberries, we managed to get through reasonably well with me only being unlucky enough to knock the mudflap on a rock and cause part of the rear bumper to unclip. It looked a lot worse than it was and it all clipped back on without too much trouble.
Once we'd made it through the creek, there was a very long, rutted and rocky climb back to the top of the ridge. It was on this section that I banged the underbody for the first time all day, landing the rear diff on a large rock in the middle of the track and causing me to become hung up. Once, I reversed down off the rock, we were able to pop a rock under the rear wheel and continue on. Despite the horrific sound it made when I hit the rock, there was no damage to the diff housing or any underbody components so I was very happy. The suspension travel probably absorbed most of the knock.
Walhalla Video Part 4 - http://vimeo.com/18801572
From there we headed back through Walhalla, back to Moe Maccas for dinner and then home.
All in all, a fantastic day of 4wding that left me extremely impressed with the capability of the 150. With a small lift and a bar to increase the approach angle, it'll be unstoppable!
Here are a few more photos from the day.
Cheers, Sam.
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