Vehicle & technical requirements

You will need a well-maintained four-wheel drive with low range gears. It will need a minimum 50mm lift and will ideally have upgraded suspension including heavy duty springs and shocks. The more clearance you have, the fewer rocks you will hit but you’ll hit rocks no matter how high your rig is. Underbody protection upgrades are not essential but afford you peace of mind, whereas stock bash plates are often made of flimsy plastic or thin tin. They won’t provide much protection from the big rock that you didn’t quite see – better to have your sump well-guarded than have the hassle of dealing with the alternative! That said, if you’re careful, you’ll get through without additional underbody protection.

A bullbar is ideal but not because you’ll be hitting any bulls at speed. You’ll see plenty but there’s slim chance of hitting one in low range. You will be using it to fend off the endless cane grass and saplings. Without one, expect some ‘bush kisses’! You’ll get some of those even with a bar.

Expect your bar and duco to be scratched – each wet season, the track gets overgrown. The scraping of branches and saplings stands your neck hairs on end, but you get used to it! Don’t come in your brand new urban tractor if you want it to stay shiny. It will come out the other side resplendent with the patina of the bush permanently imprinted. It will be a real truck with a few scars to prove it. Most of them will polish out but wear the rest with honour – you and your rig have earnt your stripes!

You will need sufficient fuel for approximately XXXkm of travel with most of this in low range. You will need a long-range tank(s) and/or jerries for extra fuel. Don’t fall into the trap of presuming you’ll get the same fuel economy you do on the road or even off road in high range. Better to have a little to spare than be worrying about running dry.

If you’re not at least a little mechanically minded, then this trip isn’t for you. You’ll need to know how to change tyres, plug punctures and have a well-appointed tool kit (sockets, spanners etc) with at least basic spares (bolts, nuts, auto-elec wire, terminals, tie wire etc.) to deal with likely electrical and mechanical issues.

You’ll be willingly supported by your fellow travellers plus Colin or Ronnie who have pretty much seen it all in terms of what can go wrong. A basic understanding of mechanics and auto-electrics helps but if you’re not so strong on that front, get your workshop to ensure your vehicle is well-prepared and ready.

Every vehicle on the tour is required to carry spare parts and tools, including the following, as a minimum:

• Radiator hose kit
• Fan belt kit
• Fuel filter
• Electrical fuses
• Hand tools – socket set, spanners, screw drivers etc.

A good recovery kit is a must. Snatch straps, tow ropes, tree protectors, shackles etc. will all likely get a workout. A functioning and well-maintained winch is not essential, but it will afford you some confidence in those trickier situations. Maxtraxx or equivalent are very handy and often make some difficult sandy sections more easily traversable. And don’t forget a long-handled shovel. You’ll be needing that for toileting but best not to be digging your vehicle out of a bog with your bare hands!

Every vehicle on the tour is required to carry a recovery kit including the following, as a minimum:

Good quality A/T tyres are essential. They must be relatively new with at least 60% of tread remaining. You will need two spares on a rim,  and a spare tyre carcass in case you damage your other spares. Careful driving will reward you but even with the most gentle crawling across sharp rocks, you can expect to need a new set of tyres at the end of the trip. Sidewall damage is almost unavoidable but challenge yourself to protect your tyres and rims.

Lanny Garratt is the owner of Tyres Plus Kununurra and has built a great reputation in the Kimberley for customer service! Lanny will check your tyres and give you an honest opinion of their suitability to cope with the tour. The terrain is a mixture of many shaley loose rocks, fixed sharp rocks, wet mud, corrugation and more.

Every vehicle on the tour is required to carry a  the following, as a minimum:

• A puncture repair kit
• A minimum of 2x spare tyres with at least 60% life (the two spares need to be on rims with a third spare tyre either on or off a rim)
• The other four tyres on the 4WD  need a bare minimum of 60% life.

Just Over the Hills recommends all guests take advantage of Kununurra 4WD Spares’ offer of a ‘pre-tour inspection’. We know you know your vehicle, however Kununurra 4WD Spares knows the conditions your vehicle is about to endure! At the cost of $50 (for Just Over the Hills guests) you have peace of mind that you have done all you can to prevent far more expensive break downs on the track. We’re happy to book your vehicle in for you.