[lt4vette]

I'm waiting on an Overland CRD with Offroad package, and in the meantime, planning a trip of a couple of months to the Gulf country and the Kimberley's.
I chose the JGC after considering the Prado and the Discovery, primarily on value for money, and the fact my wife had two JGC's in the 90's while we lived in the US. She loved them, so a new one was an easy sell!
However, I have noticed while doing my planning, that there are very few Jeep dealers outside of the capitals. Combine that with the complex systems in current vehicles, and that WK2's seem to have their share of problems, I'm a bit concerned about getting stuck somewhere for weeks while getting parts or finding someone to fix a problem.

Has anyone here done a significant 4wd trip in country like the Savannah Way, Gibb River road, or say the Tanami track, in a WK2? If so, how did it work out in terms of vehicle issues if any, and did you take any special precautions (eg. extra spares) because it was a Jeep?
Thanks,

 

[allypally]

Check this thread
http://www.jeepgarage.org/f190/off-road-photos-cape-york-and-beyond-48955.html

 

[lt4vette]

Thanks Allypally - good referral

 

[John47]

Spare fuel filters on board are definitely on my list - as well as a couple of air filter and cabin filter elements. Aftermarket ones from Wesfil are always beside my spare tyre. Do a bit of reading on how to change them too - that's here on this forum.
No way would I consider going off bitumen with the OEM Kumho's - quality all terrain tyres are a must.
Because you won't get an 18" or 20" tyre away from the big smoke (without camping in place for a while) I would also consider a 2nd spare. Our offroad van we tow carries our extra tyre and rim.
Dealers out in the scrub are few and far between - even the dealer in Darwin hasn't had a good rap on this forum.
If you unfortunately do need parts you'll likely be no worse off than your city brothers - long waits seem to be the norm with Jeep Australia wherever you happen to be.
If you are going to clock up over 10,000k and want your vehicle serviced, consider carrying your own oil to spec if you happen to be a bit pedantic about putting the right oil in - it's hard enough to get in the city.

So far with our 2012 CRD we've only looped with the van from Cooktown through the Gulf and western Queensland, plus far western NSW - but it has done the job with ease.
And - from personal experience - our WK2 isn't as dust tight as our past Patrols have been.
John

 

[lt4vette]

Thanks John,
we'll be towing a camper trailer, so I can carry another spare in it - at least a tyre, if not the tyre and rim. What tyres did you use? I like the BF Goodrich A/T's but they don't come in the right size. and I can find precious few 265/60/18's of any brand. Did you carry oil filters too?
thanks, Russell

 

[John47]

I fitted Yokohama Geloandar AT/S in 265x60x18 size - they are wearing well, no feathering, chipping, or chunking after 18,000k. The jury is still out however, as I've had to repair 2 in their life (both plugged and still going), due to punctures - the last one from a rock that penetrated right through from the top of the tread. Yes, they've done rough dirt road work but no serious off road - I've run a few sets of BFG AT,s on previous Patrols in similar conditions and never had an issue......maybe its just a run of bad luck.
There's been a couple of tyre threads in the Export section of this forum - worth a look.
If you just carry a spare tyre case obviously you'll need the gear to remove, refit and reinflate the tyre - I always carry this stuff as part of my packed "in the scrub gear" - but thats another story that applies to anyone travelling out there - not just a new Jeep!

I've got an oil filter on board - but so far have let the dealer fit OEM - I supply my own oil because after a bit of research i found many dealers use a one size fits all oil, and I'm a bit fussier than that when it comes to the CRD engine.
I swap out the air and cabin filters though - aftermarket ones aren't all that expensive and at times its impossible to avoid the vehicle swallowing plenty of dust out there. Clean air means better fuel consumption anyway.
John

 

[lt4vette]

What oil do you use? I use Mobil 1 0W40 for my petrol engined car, but I haven't seen anything which looks to be the equivalent for a diesel.
Russell

 

[John47]

I use Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 - bit hard to get hold of but it is one of the very few that comply with Chrysler spec MS11106.
Due to the exhaust gas recirculation into the intake system and the particulate filter in the exhaust, it is critical (in my opinion) that the CRD get the right oil.
Have a read here
http://www.jeepgarage.org/f190/crd-engine-oil-revisited-61342.html

and for a a longer story from a while back read here
http://www.jeepgarage.org/f190/crd-oil-on-special-48607.html


Russell, if you are reasonably new to this forum you might not have found this yet - WK2Jeeps.com - 2011-2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee menu page
plenty to keep you busy till the new wheels arrive....
John

 

[lt4vette]

Thanks John - I use the search feature a fair bit, but hadn't found the threads you mentioned - I did not know about the menu page - it which will help a lot.
Russell

 

[John47]

Just for interest anyone looking for an OEM 18" spare wheel.
18" Original Jeep Aluminium rim for extra spare - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM - AJOR

 

[Pharmaboy]

I use Mobil 1 ESP Formula 5W-30 - bit hard to get hold of but it is one of the very few that comply with Chrysler spec MS11106.
Due to the exhaust gas recirculation into the intake system and the particulate filter in the exhaust, it is critical (in my opinion) that the CRD get the right oil.
Have a read here

Can't help wondering that the solution to that problem is to block off the EGR and take the innards out of the DPF ( or put a straight through pipe in its place)

 

[John47]

Can't help wondering that the solution to that problem is to block off the EGR and take the innards out of the DPF ( or put a straight through pipe in its place)

I wondered about that too - for about 30 seconds - and chose my solution.

However, feel free to experiment.......let us know how you get on

 

[allypally]

I suspect if you did that you will have Engine Management alerts going off.