How to prepare my Patrol for the Nullabor?

[Leighw85]

Hey all

Im in the process of organising a trip across the Nullabor.
Im not very mechanically minded, so I'm wanting to prepare my GU in the best way possible.
It is the 2001 GU 3.0 ZD30. And have done a fair few of the mods to keep on top of the problems.

My car is due for the major service, so i will definitely be getting that done.

What other things mechanically on the car can i do to make sure i get there and back.
Might be a silly question but as i said i know very little mechanically. I just know how to drive it haha.

Any info and tips would be fantastic.

Thanks

[MudRunnerTD]

Hi mate, have you done the NADS? The 2001 is renound for problems unfortunately. If your not up for it then find a good mechanic who will not rip you off and have the major service done and a Health Check done on the motor, how many kms has it done?

Consider hiring a Sat Phone, take out the highest RAC membership for best towing and pack plenty of food and water. If you break down stay with the car. Plenty of traffic should see you safe and well.

[Hodge]

G'day mate. As many here will probably suggest. Being a ZD30, the NADS will be your most important preparation, unless you've already done so. That being fitting EGT and boost gauges, check for leaking intercooler, blanking off the EGR and maybe a catch can. This way your engine will breather easier and with your gauges, you'll be able to monitor how and what the engine is doing.

[Stropp]

to add to the above with the temps we have been having i would get the viscous fan hub serviced and the radiator core rodded to ensure that is all good as weel as what the others have said. Also take enough fuel if you have room to get from Norseman to Cedunu as its horrendously expensive in between, cheapest fuel in Ceduna is usually the shell in town on the old hwy not the one on the bypass, they also accept shell discount vouchers.

[Leighw85]

Hey

I have got some if the NADS done.
I have had the boost and EGT gauges fitted. Dawes and needle valve. Oil catch can also. But I have not blocked the EGR!

Would you recommend anything else?

My patrol has done about 270,000km.
Not sure if that's a heap for a diesel. I will get the major service done by my mechanic!
I just want to get the thing mechanically sound before I think about stuff to take, as I probably won't be going for 6 months yet! Just gives me plenty of time to sort my shit out!

Thanks

[threedogs]

I've been across 16 times but never since it was sealed some by motor bike some by train the rest by car.
When you get your Patrol serviced get a pre trip inspection if you feel you need to. its not a difficult trip just long
and straight. Remember prices may be triple what you'll pay in a town, take heaps of water and not all in one container,
spread it around, plan your fill up points to avoid the high fuel costs, look out the window and play "Spot the Tree"

[Cuppa]

The advice you've been given about getting the vehicle serviced & having the NADS done are really all you need to do, no different than any other long trip. Crossing the Nullarbor isn't what it once was. It's just a long drive. Plenty of other folk doing the same which makes it less 'remote'.
Most folk take the attitude of 'just getting across', driving for long hours & putting their vehicles under more stress, particularly in hot weather. If you can, I recommend taking your time, check out the sights along the way. There is more out there to see than many folk realise. Our two favourite overnight camps were at Newman Rocks & Cocklebiddy cave. The latter is about 10 or 15kms off the highway, multiple tracks all end up joining together. Great 'middle of nowhere' camping experience. no facilities at either though. Take your shovel or portapotti.
Out of Penola is a great little low cost surf camp at Cactus Beach. Lots of free camp areas along the highway, but expect to find them littered with dunny paper streamers, & other people's crap & rubbish. (Take what you need to avoid adding to it!). The Bunda cliffs are worth a look, especially in whale season & the Caiguna 'blowhole' is worth stopping at for a leg stretch.


This link will have more of interest. http://www.nullarbornet.com.au
As I say, as well as having a well serviced car, taking your time will place far less stress on you & more importantly in hot weather, your car. Leave early, camp early.


Cuppa

[Stropp]

and definitely get the egr block plate in.

[threedogs]

beware of puff adders in the sand dunes

[Leighw85]

and definitely get the egr block plate in.

The mechanic i take my Patrol to is a very well known place in Perth and they were really hesitant on blocking the EGR?
Im not sure why......... Any ideas?

It wild be a trip we take our time on for sure. Thats why we want to do it. Take in all the stops and attractions.
Would it be worth driving over with the rooftop tent? Not sure how much use it would get, for the amount of drag i would get driving so far with it?