Just returned from a great trip to Wilbinga which is approx. 100kms north of Perth.

I went with a mate of mine who has a Jeep Cherokee and his work mates. I didn't realise his work mates vehicles were all jacked up, big wheeled Land Cruisers and Patrols etc. I felt VERY small up to them and unprepared in my 18" Continental UHP's but I thought, sod it I'm here now, lets give it a go!

Anyway, with the tyres down to 16psi the Freely went really well in the sandy tracks. We had a 'sweeper' vehicle behind us and we all had UHF radios to warn us if any vehicles are approaching from the opposite direction or nasty hazards ahead like awkward rocks.

Then came a massive dune... The bigger cars (V8's) sailed up them with ease. My mates Jeep failed on the first try but the Freely did really well and made it up FIRST TIME!!! Unfortunately the Jeep over heated at this point, so after a while we went onto the beach where the terrain became rockier and I just had to keep taking a deep breath and wait for a crunch. I hit a few underneath but not as much as I was expecting, and they were fairly large as well.

The Jeep over heated again so we split from the pack and decided it was best to come home and leave the bigger boys to have fun along the beach.

It was a BIG lesson today as to what the Freelander was capable of and with some 17" rims and All Terrain tyres it would be even better I'm sure.

I am now the proud owner of a few battle scratches from the bushes but nothing that can't rub out I'm sure.

Anyway, here are some pics to share with you all.

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated

Looks like a good day out, bit sandy, beaches, the sea (hopefully shark free) , sun shining down

I wonder if I'll meet the requirements for emigration  Former Mod/Member, with the most post & Chicken George Arch nemesis

Looks excellent and a good day out, but sod the driving let me relax on the white sand by the blue sea and a blue sky in warm sunshine with a few cans.

Im heading north next week to do some similar driving/fishing etc.. Keen to hear any tips as it'll be the first time I have had my FL2 on sand.

Hearing lots of people saying that the first thing I should do is deflate the tyres. Personally I think that I would only deflate them if im struggling (aint broke tdont fix it mentality).

How did you approach it?

Good stuff!

My Avatar picture is from the top of the dune at Wilbinga! A great day out.

What was the deal with the Jeep? I know it was a hot day but surely it should be fitted with a big enough radiator to keep it cool?

FreddyFL.

I let the tyres down as soon as I parked up (16psi on sandy track; 14psi on the sand dune).
It would be best to do this BEFORE you get stuck as it does take a while to let tyres down if you haven't got equipment to do so, like a set of Stauns for example.

I used GGS mode for the sandy tracks which worked really well but you will need Sand mode for getting up a dune or for any soft sandy parts.

I bought an AV Bushranger tyre inflator for $180 which worked well.


Liberty555

Awesome - I recognise your avatar now!
Not sure about the Jeep. We are guessing a faulty temparature gauge, as he recently bought a new water pump, but it kept boiling up every few Km's.
We nursed it slowly to a Jeep specialist in Wangara, and luck would have it, the owner was there with the gates open so it was parked up safely that night. Then he had the pleasure of being passenger in a 'proper car' for the rest of the journey home!

Great shots sounds like you had a fantastic time, will the Jeep now be traded for a Freelander?. Gone, 2007 TD4 SE Auto Baltic blue, clear side repeaters, full sized alloy spare.

English by birth..... Yorkshire by the grace of God.

cripes one day on the beach and the black paint has been sand blasted off to leave the white primer. make it look like you bought a white car  At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Let your tyres down first. The car travels a lot easier and cooler. With the tyres up, it works way harder and you will get stuck in the really soft stuff. Turn the dsc off.

Nice pics. Looks like a great day out - if not for the troubles with the Jeep. I once made the mistake of leaving the tyres up, thinking I could let them down if need be. Never again - it's pointless trying to deflate the tyres once you are stuck in soft sand. Deflating them at this point actually makes it worse as you are lowering the vehicle, often on to its belly. Always best to deflate first and worry about inflating them later. A pian perhaps, but better than getting stuck.

Looks like a great day out!

Sounds like you wouldnt buy a jeep! 7/2010, Freelander2, HSE, TD4, Auto, Santorini Black, black interior, premium pack, side steps.

It turns out the Jeep just over heated, but by doing so now needs a new head gasket and a few other things doing to it.
$2500+ worth of damage that day. Needless to say he is going to get it fixed and then start looking for a 'better' vehicle to take off road with later in the year.

The Freelys temp gauge never went over the half mark all day

EDIT: Now $7000 worth of damage I heard Yet to hear what went wrong with it though.