Holden Captiva (modified) Tackling Big Red Birdsville Australia

[browndogrider1962]

My only dislike is that the section the Captiva is trying to climb (driving east, and taking the right hand side track, is in fact the easy side.

If your serious, you could attempt the left side, which is the side your driving down!

[gdbrts]

@browndogrider1962 Yes indeed the right track is the chicken track, the easy one but the left one was near vertical at the top as no one had used it for some time.Nothing would have made it up the left side that day. After some regular use of several vehicles coming down the left side this would knock the top off making it easier. Captivas are by no means built for this stuff but with mods it can be done. I once took a FLHS Harley around Fraser Island back in 1996. I'm mad I know but it helps :)

[nfj611]

Thanks for that feedback.

The Captiva wasn't my first choice, I liked the new Territory but couldn't squeeze it into the budget. Luckily it's not my money paying for it as it will be a company leased car.

So I'm getting a new LX Captiva next week with those 19 inch rims. My current plan is to by a 2nd hand set of either 17 or 18 inch rims and fit some proper tyres. We're planning on doing the Gibb River road towing an offroad camper trailer next year. Do you think the Captiva would be up to it?

[gdbrts]

@nfj611 If you balance the weight between the Holden and Camper trailer the Captiva should have no problems. I have done the Gibb 6 times 4 times in a FJ45 Landcruiser,once in a Daihatsu Terios and once rode the track on a BMW GS Adventure 1200 the last time 3 years ago. Derby end is well formed but the Kununurra end is a bit rougher and rocky. I fabricated new mounts for our Captiva to run Air shocks running 140 psi which made a world of difference and gave 2 inches of ground clearance.Awesome

[nfj611]

Great video promoting the Captiva - one of the reasons I decided to get one.

Holden are insisting on selling me one with their standard wheels. I told them that I want to take it off road and want wheels/tyres to suit, but they tell me I'll have to get my own set. What wheel size and tyre type/size do you have on your car and did you get them with the car or separately?

[gdbrts]

@nfj611 The rims on this LX are 18 inch std and the new LX have 19 inch rims. There are few off road tyres to suit a 19 inch rim. The Pirelli Scorpions I fitted on the Captiva are $340 each. If you buy a Captiva be aware that they have inherent front wheel alignment issues regarding camber. Tyres wear out within 15,000 klms even after rotating every 5000 klms. Its poor design and between that and the poor dust sealing in the Captiva I would not go near another Holden. After sales support is poor

[sprebb]

went better than i would have thought. Any damage from all the rough roads? Any reason why you chose a captiva? Manual or Auto?

[gdbrts]

@sprebb Its an Auto. The springs sagged a bit after the pounding they got. A few decent stone chips and small dents after rocks bounced off the camper trailer. Went through two sets of stone guards as they just wore out.

This is not our first 4x4 and the FJ45 Landcruiser we have has worn out. I've done heaps of outback touring and knew what the terrain would be like so the little Holden was fine. Next year we'll do the Simpson along the French Line etc which will probably done in a Kia Sorento.