2WD to the Cape?

[Swanning_it]

Hi all,

I was just looking at my Hema map of the Cape and according to their road legend, if you give the OTL a miss, it is a 2WD track all the way to the top! I was always of the impression it was 4WD only from about Bramwell Junction north! Is this correct? Is it possible to go 2WD to the top?????

Also, I read your reports about various locations and can't find them on the map! Are these spots (Nolans Brook, Fruit Bat Falls, etc) marked on any maps or are they just known?

Ian

[Googy]

Hi all,

I was just looking at my Hema map of the Cape and according to their road legend, if you give the OTL a miss, it is a 2WD track all the way to the top! I was always of the impression it was 4WD only from about Bramwell Junction north! Is this correct? Is it possible to go 2WD to the top?????

Also, I read your reports about various locations and can't find them on the map! Are these spots (Nolans Brook, Fruit Bat Falls, etc) marked on any maps or are they just known?

Ian

Howdy Swannie

My brother in-law just got back and he made it in a Rodeo so I figger a 6 year old on a tricycle could make it.

By the way welcome to the fourm

Googy

[YOYO]

I dont think taking a 2wd would be wise. When we went (4 weeks ago) you would of have go a 2wd up there although you still would of done damage to the veichle going up and down the dips. Up there when you see a dip sign TAKE note I mean it some of them are like 45 to 50 meters down. If you take them fast no crap you will find the front drive in the back seat. See what the locals recon but if it rains on the PDR i was told it is very slippery.

If you want to find info about fruit bat falls, Nolans etc. Buy yourself a book written by ron moon Cape york around $30. Worth it weight in Gold. Very good as it explains were you are and what you will be experiencing further down the track.

[Swanning_it]

Thanks Guys,

Always helps to ask!

Looks like I wait for the 4WD conversion :(

Ian

[YOYO]

Can i ask what a 4wd conversions costs and also what is the reason you are converting instead of trading in and buying a 4wd. Just curious to see if its something I might contemplate in the future.

[Swanning_it]

G'Day Yo-Yo,

The reasons I bought the Transit was
a) I needed 5 seats
b) I needed to be able to tow over 2.5t &
c) I wanted a tray big enough to put three bikes (1x125 & 2x80)

Look at the options.........F250, Transit, Iveco! There's not much else. At the time (2005) the ST-X Navara wasn't even released and even with the larger size, the tray is still too small. Even the Defender was too small and they drop the payload dependant on the ball load. With the Transit I can carry the 3 bikes + 5 pushbikes and have room for chainsaw, tools etc and a tinnie on top!

I'd heard the F250 had expensive gearbox problems and at double the price of the Transit not worth it. The Iveco was a better choice than the Transit with both LSD and diff locker but still only 2WD and 20 grand more. So I went for the Transit and so far it looks like the 4wd conversion will be 15 - 20 grand.

There are a few more yankee imports now but they are still way over the price all up for the Transit. A guy about 20min from me is converting a Transit at the moment so I'm watching his progress first.

Ian

[campdog]

Maybe a isuzu 4wd truck, the same as the rural fire brigades have, do everything you want and more.

[Swanning_it]

Hi Camp Dog,

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh, I've only recently talked the missus into the 4WD conversion!

I sort of ruled out the trucks (there are a few with 4WD option), as they are trucks. The Transit, although not a car like the Navara, Hilux etc, they are far more comfy and car-like, than the trucks are........and easier to park. I can park the Transit in most car spots (except underground basement parks)!

Ian

[campdog]

Hi Camp Dog,

Shhhhhhhhhhhhh, I've only recently talked the missus into the 4WD conversion!

I sort of ruled out the trucks (there are a few with 4WD option), as they are trucks. The Transit, although not a car like the Navara, Hilux etc, they are far more comfy and car-like, than the trucks are........and easier to park. I can park the Transit in most car spots (except underground basement parks)!

Ian
Can you jack up the suspension for the tele track and gunshot.

[palmman]

I am just on my way back from to tip and had a fantastic time im my 2wd falcon one toner,did the bloomfield, lakfield national park,captain billys,fruit bat and elliot falls as well as some great fishing so i say go for it as it is a fantastic adventure just do it if i can find out how to post photos i will sorry me photos seem to be to big to upload

[Swanning_it]

G'Day Camp Dog,

You'll have to excuse me as although I have had a few 4WDs in the past (last 2 Hilux utes), I'm not what you'd call a gung-ho 4WDer! I've seen your pics of Gun Shot and I reckon I'd be absolutely "packing it" attempting that. I sort of thought the by-pass track would get around those areas. Mind you I'm always game for something new, but when I see the width of Gun Shot, I really wonder if I'd get the Transit through (width wise).

When you ask "can I jack up the suspension", do you mean while it's still 2WD or 4WD? The ground clearance I've got at the moment is about 190mm and they'll lift this by 100mm. The approach and departure angles are good due to the placement of the wheels - bugger all overhang front and rear, but one thing you might be able to advise me on is the wheelbase length. My Transit is the long wheelbase model, which I gather does have some advantages but I'd worry about bottoming out over spots like Gun Shot!

Ian

[Swanning_it]

Hi palmman,

Thanks for the info, did you have any problems with traction or slipping?
The worst thing about this forum is, after reading each post I just want to pack up and go!

[campdog]

G'Day Camp Dog,

You'll have to excuse me as although I have had a few 4WDs in the past (last 2 Hilux utes), I'm not what you'd call a gung-ho 4WDer! I've seen your pics of Gun Shot and I reckon I'd be absolutely "packing it" attempting that. I sort of thought the by-pass track would get around those areas. Mind you I'm always game for something new, but when I see the width of Gun Shot, I really wonder if I'd get the Transit through (width wise).

When you ask "can I jack up the suspension", do you mean while it's still 2WD or 4WD? The ground clearance I've got at the moment is about 190mm and they'll lift this by 100mm. The approach and departure angles are good due to the placement of the wheels - bugger all overhang front and rear, but one thing you might be able to advise me on is the wheelbase length. My Transit is the long wheelbase model, which I gather does have some advantages but I'd worry about bottoming out over spots like Gun Shot!

Ian
Im a bit hesitant when it comes to places like gunshot. If it was closer to home and something broke Id be able to limp home,but thats a bit too far for me.There will be no stopping you with 4wd.

[rushy]

I used to drive around the cape in my trusty holden ute back in the early 80s we"d all jump in do a bit of bull catching or shooting for sport. We just took our time and a pinch of common sense we got to some that you wouldnt imagin.

[campdog]

I think it is possable to run a 2wd just as long as you have a bit of backup for those sticky and dusty situations. Some of those creek and dip crossings are a bit steep.

[YOYO]

I am just on my way back from to tip and had a fantastic time im my 2wd falcon one toner,did the bloomfield, lakfield national park,captain billys,fruit bat and elliot falls as well as some great fishing so i say go for it as it is a fantastic adventure just do it if i can find out how to post photos i will sorry me photos seem to be to big to upload

Yes you have got a point as far as the places you mentioned but, you really haven't experienced the tip till you do the OTL go to vrilya point, pennyfather,
Even to put the boat under the mission bridge at weipa you need a 4wd to get the boat in the water. Tracks around pundsand bayto the tip were quite boggy definetly not for 2wd. You wouldn't of been able to explore through lakefield NP and battlecamp.

[campdog]

Yes you have got a point as far as the places you mentioned but, you really haven't experienced the tip till you do the OTL go to vrilya point, pennyfather,
Even to put the boat under the mission bridge at weipa you need a 4wd to get the boat in the water. Tracks around pundsand bayto the tip were quite boggy definetly not for 2wd. You wouldn't of been able to explore through lakefield NP and battlecamp.
I saw a ford ute on the tele track a few years ago,he made it through the first crossing heading north.I dont think he got any further. Ground clearance is what stops a lot of vehicles.

[Nedly]

Hi all,

I was just looking at my Hema map of the Cape and according to their road legend, if you give the OTL a miss, it is a 2WD track all the way to the top! I was always of the impression it was 4WD only from about Bramwell Junction north! Is this correct? Is it possible to go 2WD to the top?????

Also, I read your reports about various locations and can't find them on the map! Are these spots (Nolans Brook, Fruit Bat Falls, etc) marked on any maps or are they just known?

Ian

G'day Ian,
I reckon you could get to the top in 2WD, only via the PDR though, if you took your time and used common sense.
You would have to get the suspension upgraded and I would suggest you do the trip in a "solid" vehicle.
You would also have to accept the fact that there are places you would not be able to get to.

As for locations, on the reverse side of the Hema Cape York map, 9th edition, there is an enlargement that covers from Bramwell Junction to the Tip.
The places you have mentioned are noted on this map, also, as suggested by Yoyo get a copy of the Ron & Viv Moon Cape York book.

Les

[highlift80]

Got to the tip a few years back and saw a orange XE Ford Falcon station wagon sitting in the car park couldn't believe what I was seeing, a few days later saw the same car again at the Kalpower campsite in Lakefield NP it was a couple of young blokes that were up from Townsville spoke to one of them briefly said they got bogged quite a few times and had to get 4wd's to pull em out also used 4wd's to tow em across the Wenlock and some other water crossings the suspension on it copped an absolute hammering I can only imagine that it would be sitting in a wreckers yard or something now, I have a photo of it around somewhere I'll see if I can find it.

[Swanning_it]

Hi Guys,

Thanks to all of you for the feedback.

I'm not thinking of taking a 2WD, just wasn't sure about it!

Ian

[matt#73]

My brother in-law is the officer incharge at the Bamaga ambulance station and he had a fillin staff member drive from cairns to bamaga in a hyundai:confused: Said they had trouble in a few sandy spots but stiil they made it. he also said alot of the development road is very well graded at the moment.