Aussie Iron
Explorer
Try Tomorrow.
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Our Trip back to the Tip of Cape York.
- Thread starter Aussie Iron
- Start date
Aussie Iron
Explorer
Lets continue, we get to Mistake Creek. This is a little bit of a different prospective of the crossing, you can see that it can get a little squeezy as you come down to the creek and not a bad climb out.
Cannibal Creek is next,beautiful clear water.
Dan.
Cannibal Creek is next,beautiful clear water.
Dan.
Aussie Iron
Explorer
Lets go another step which takes to Cypress Creek. We were told by many that it would be impossible to cross as it is only wide enough for a Landcruiser type vehicle and we wouldn't fit. We were geared up to do a repair to the logs if it was needed and put another log in place. A quick measure of the width and the Canter would go on the outside logs and make it across. I'll let the video tell the rest, it was fun. (Never really trust what others say and have a look yourself.)
Dan.
Dan.
4x4coaster
Adventurer
Dan,
I've loved watching your videos especially the log bridge crossing!
I was up at the cape only a couple of weeks before you and did all the Tele Track as well.
Didn't get any video of Palm Creek, being the first crossing I was distracted, and when I crossed the log bridge I accidentally left the cover closed so just got a few minutes of black screen!
Like you, I had my wheels on the outside pair of logs as well, my wife got out and couldn't even watch as I drove over!
If you search youtube for Cape York 2013 4x4Coaster you will find my video of the trip
I've loved watching your videos especially the log bridge crossing!
I was up at the cape only a couple of weeks before you and did all the Tele Track as well.
Didn't get any video of Palm Creek, being the first crossing I was distracted, and when I crossed the log bridge I accidentally left the cover closed so just got a few minutes of black screen!
Like you, I had my wheels on the outside pair of logs as well, my wife got out and couldn't even watch as I drove over!
If you search youtube for Cape York 2013 4x4Coaster you will find my video of the trip
Aussie Iron
Explorer
Already found your video on youtube and have watched some of it. Also did some other reading of your trip, it was a pity that you ended having problems with you transmission. I hope that you have been able to solve it as you vehicle seems to be very capable. "-- my wife got out and couldn't even watch as I drove over! --" Women are like that sometime but my wife ran the hand held video camera even though some of it is a little facing the wrong direction as she was trying to watch what was going on and not being focused on taking video.
Dan.
4x4coaster
Adventurer
Graynomad - yes we definitely had a spotter!
Dan, ended up putting another used auto in as the rebuild was going to be 6k, still needs a little fine tuning with the shifts.
Liked your comments about 'being told', we were also told a vehicle like ours couldn't do the tele track!
don't want to clog up Aussie Iron's thread, but I'm interested how you managed to "drive" the 5R110 without a PCM.
I'm also suprised you managed to have issues with it behind the Cummins. The 6.4 Powerstroke guys are making 800+hp with minimal trans modifications.
I really like your rig though, very well thought out, was thinking of putting F250 axles under an old Isuzu truck with a 6BG1T as a power plant, using the trans from the truck and bolting up the F250 transfer case, but the ideal of having a frame already built for a camper is definitely appealing.
I'm also suprised you managed to have issues with it behind the Cummins. The 6.4 Powerstroke guys are making 800+hp with minimal trans modifications.
I really like your rig though, very well thought out, was thinking of putting F250 axles under an old Isuzu truck with a 6BG1T as a power plant, using the trans from the truck and bolting up the F250 transfer case, but the ideal of having a frame already built for a camper is definitely appealing.
4x4coaster
Adventurer
Flys Lo, I have a PCS TCU (Powertrain Control Solutions Transmission Control Unit) which will run the 5R110 but they (PCS) don't provide support for the product, support is only through Destroked, the company that sell the physical adaptors to bolt the trans to the cummins.
I don't think power was the issue, I think it was more to do with the controlling program needing more refinement.
Aussie Iron
Explorer
Lets cover the last 2 crossing that we tackled on the track that being Logan Creek or swamp as it may be. Couldn't get the wife to walk across to operate the video camera. There is a sign there that says crocodiles may be present and she wasn't taking the chance so the footage is from the camera on the back of my brothers Challenger. And no we didn't walk across either but did wait for a while and had a cup of tea to see if anyone else came along and crossed so we could see how deep it was but no luck.
Nolans Brook is next and it worked out not to be as deep as Logans which we didn't tarp up for but did for Nolans. A lot shallower than last year.
We traveled all the way to the Jardine river to have a look at the depth but it ended up being still to deep for the Challenger to be able to cross so the ferry was taken. The normal site seeing was done at the top. On our return trip we traveled out to Vrilya Beech very corrugated and another log bridge that we were also told would be impassible to me in the Canter but it was a lot better than Cypress Creek bridge. The Frenchmans Track through Batavia Downs was tackled west to east so we could see Portland Roads. This entailed crossing the Wenlock and Pascoe River.We have video of both these crossings if you would like it posted. Both entail a reasonable climb down to the river with an easy crossing on the Wenlock but a rough rocky crossing on the Pascoe. We were also lucky that the Creb Track was opened up and this was also under taken on our return trek. All in all it was a most enjoyable trip and certainly would be interested in an trip up there with fellow Expedition Portal members.
Dan.
Nolans Brook is next and it worked out not to be as deep as Logans which we didn't tarp up for but did for Nolans. A lot shallower than last year.
We traveled all the way to the Jardine river to have a look at the depth but it ended up being still to deep for the Challenger to be able to cross so the ferry was taken. The normal site seeing was done at the top. On our return trip we traveled out to Vrilya Beech very corrugated and another log bridge that we were also told would be impassible to me in the Canter but it was a lot better than Cypress Creek bridge. The Frenchmans Track through Batavia Downs was tackled west to east so we could see Portland Roads. This entailed crossing the Wenlock and Pascoe River.We have video of both these crossings if you would like it posted. Both entail a reasonable climb down to the river with an easy crossing on the Wenlock but a rough rocky crossing on the Pascoe. We were also lucky that the Creb Track was opened up and this was also under taken on our return trek. All in all it was a most enjoyable trip and certainly would be interested in an trip up there with fellow Expedition Portal members.
Dan.
westyss
Explorer
great videos and looks like a great trip! You really get the most out of that truck, I would for sure like to see more vids if you have them, also if you can state any modifications you did to the truck for water crossing if any and how the truck made out after, the second to last vid looked like the deepest water crossing of all.
4x4coaster
Adventurer
I'll second that! please put more vids up if you have them!
How does your canter get along on the open road? what speed CAN it cruise at? what speed do you cruise at & what sort of mileage are you getting?
How does your canter get along on the open road? what speed CAN it cruise at? what speed do you cruise at & what sort of mileage are you getting?
Aussie Iron
Explorer
Yes I like to use my Canter to its full potential and it does need a locker or the like in the front. It hasn't held me up yet as not being able to get where I want to go.The winch as yet has not been used in anger but I suppose the time will come. It is fitted with the standard air cleaner which is very efficient, for water crossings I block the drain in the bottom and apply a thin layer of grease to the seal of the bottom housing at the join to the top. If it was to be really deep grease would also be applied to join where it comes apart to tilt the cab. The water crossings last year were a bit deeper than this year and I have the Canter set up with extended breathers set at 1.5 metres ( just over 4.5 feet ) and yes if it had to be I would tackle it. I just finished going over the Canter to check it out after its trip. No water ingress into diffs, gearbox or transfer case. Front drive shaft seal is weeping, rear drive shaft seal is dripping into hand brake. Front shackle rubbers have taken a hiding from the articulation of the axle assembly and will be replaced.
This is covered in the first post of this thread.
More videos - I'll sort some more out and post up when I have them done.
Dan.
Previous trip to the Cape and more on how the Canter is set up.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/81539-We-Canter-ed-to-the-tip?highlight=aussie+iron