Lots of different views here on the subject and I can see both sides of the fence.
I have had some great trips up the Cape over the last 30 years. Most of those trips were in old Cruzas.
40s, 45s, 47s 55s, a 2 stroke Zook to name a few. Very basic foodstuff, basic swag and a tarp. The old tracks ( if you could call them that), that were horrendously hard on the vehicles. Fuel consumption and power were pretty bad. The old petrol and diesel motors had a fair amount of torque but absolutely no power. I don't remember the vehicles being uncomfortable or hard to drive but by today's standards they were. No aircon, no power steering and oil chewers. The travelling was slow, very slow. Breakdowns happened, but we could fix them. i know i couldnt operate on most modern cars like I could in the old days. The vehicles would get hung up and bogged often. We couldn't afford a winch electric PTO or manual winch but we were patient and wise with our driving. We only had a snatch strap and shovel. Made a windlass once out of branches and rope on a recovery once.
Our ice supply would last about five days for a two week trip. Cold beer was a luxury but replaced by goonies of warm port. We would go fishing, shooting and crabbing all day with a litre of water and a couple of oranges in your pocket. I don't remember being hungry, we did eate a lot of fish, crabs, Crays and oysters. I used to chuckle at the old four ex add years ago when the bushies joked about being sick of seafood and will kill for a steak.
We used kerosine lanterns for lighting and played cards most nights for entertainment. Cooking was all done over wood fires, bread was made from damper.
Bathing was done at twilight in the ocean with a close watch out for crocs but they were few and far between those days.
Once every 4 days or so we would drive about an hour back to a cold freshwater creek to (cool down some Berra in the river) restock on fresh water and have a good bath. We used old beer kegs in those days to store our fresh water.
I remember a graduating to tents (expensive back then) I also remember how the old petrol bush freezer gave us more options for food and drinks. ( we were spoilt). I also remember camping with the tucker box freezer and generator. Wow, that was a big change, now we could take bread and have a few cold beers. I still have the old battle scarred tucker box, it still works but looks very secondhand.
About 15 years ago I decided it was time to catch up with technology, we bought a 1988 Diesel Troopy. 2 x 90 litre fuel tanks. The power was awesome, 75 kwatts, now we could actually get to 100kmh on the bitumen and it had aircon. It was a major step up for technology for us.
I have always been sceptical of modern electronics in 4wds. For that reason, when we got rid of. The old Troopy, I narrowed my search down to either a 4.2 Pootrol or 80s, 105s Cruza. I only wanted a live axle front, and basic diesel (1hz) engine. I didnt want a 100s Cruza, No offence to owners of IFS vehicles but I like to stick with what I know.
We bought a 105 stock as a rock. Once again a major step forward in technology for us but really, buying a 2003 Cruza in 2009 was hardly keeping up with the Joneses.
Driving on coils, having a winch, and putting on other fruit made it more comfortable for us. Yes, I know power in the 1HZ is low but going from a 2H Cruza with the aerodynamics of a Besser brick to the 105 1HZ wagon was a big step in additional power.
About 5 years ago we bought a 250w solar panel, 95 litre 12 v fidge and making a home made OZ pig made more advancements once again. Now we pack luxuries like shredded cheese for pizzas, fancy herbs, dips and all sorts. Cryovaccing meat helped a lot too.
Then comes the CT with quick setup, 4 burner stove, 100 litre water tank with a sink/kitchen area. Chemical toilet. You know what I am saying.
We love our 4wding to great camping spots but now, I am a little older and wiser and don't have to prove how competent a 4wder I am by going on extreme tracks anymore. Maybe I am just getting old but I try to look after what I own these days. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of battle scars on the Cruza but I am a lot more careful and wiser with my driving these days.
I know for Southerners, traveling through Cape York is an exciting adventure, but to be honest, the extreme pioneering that we did many years ago was very different. To be honest, the OTT and others are like a 4 lane highway in comparison to what they were 30 years ago. Once again, no offence to fellow Swaggers.
I am no expert, but IMO, and once again no offence to Swaggers, with some decent and real 4WD experience, decent tyres and a couple inches of lift, any 4WD will do the OTT and subsidiary tracks without any difficulty whatsoever. Yeah having a winch is helpful but not mandatory. I know I prefer Cruzas and Patrols but that is because those were the vehicles that could capably accomplish these tracks many years ago. The poor old Landrovers were capable back then but if you needed to get back to Cooktown to get parts you would only get parts for the Patrols or Cruzas as Cooktown was a very small town with limited options.
I have very fond memories of those trips, I cannot compare them to trips with the modern technology. Don't get me wrong, I love travelling with cold beer and all the luxurious food we take now but we wouldn't see anyone for the entire 2 weeks, now everyone travels up there because the tracks are so good. It is getting really hard to camp up the Cape without neighbours.
I often cast an envious glance at the new Patrols, 200s and 76s Cruzas with all of the power and the fruit. I still wouldn't know what to do if there was a problem with the engine on one of these things but as I Sid before, we don't drive to the extreme areas that we used to. I think for some people, having a 4WD is a statues symbol. We have all seen them decked out with every available bolt on ARB piece of fruit available. Thousands of dollars spent on lifts, bullbars, winches, turbos, lockas, everything. Have a Close look at some of these vehicles and their paintwork is immaculate, the winch cable is perfectly spooled on as it has never been used. Even the bar work is polished. I have never really understood why some people have this setup. Once again, no offence.
Anyway, short story long, I loved the good old days but now at my age, I am somewhat happy with the way technology has changed things.
I am sure plenty will agree and disagree but that is my 2 cents worth (actually probably about$2.00 worth by the time I post this)
Muz.
