Overland vehicles

[adpsimpson]

Hi all,
Planning an overland journey in Africa, in 2 years time, of somewhere near 20,000 miles with mixed on road, off road and bad road terrain.

We're currently looking at available vehicles and I've been particularly impressed by Landcruisers I've previously driven and seen in harsh environments. However I've also got good experiences with Hilux pickups, and according to Wikipedia older surfs are basically the same vehicle as a hilux while newer ones are closer to the Landcruiser.

So, the questions. Have any of you done long overland distances in a surf? How does it compare to other vehicles out there? Do the older, Hilux based vehicles have any real advantages or disadvantages over the Landcruiser?

[adpsimpson]

bump... My first post, so it appeared on page 4 after moderation... Not likely to get too many views

Andy

[Chillitt]

Do a search for Bundubasher on here. He's been everywhere!

[Sancho]

Here he is:

http://www.elphick-pooley.co.uk/

[RodLeach]

I'd probably go for a landcruiser mate.


Better offroad. expedition style roof racks go straight on rather then fabricating your own one.

the surf fuel tank is pathetically small.

Very comfortable but then i'd hazard a guess a Land cruiser is aswell.. plus it has more room for keeping your things in out of harms way.

[24Seven]

I would go for a 80 Series Landcruiser if it was me.

I have 1993 Hilux Pickup and a 1998 90 Series Landcruiser and love them both, but as prices for 4x4's are so low now I would go for the LC every time for a 20,000 mile trip.

Edit, if you have the cash a later 100 Series (GX) without the self level suspension maybe an idea also.

Some links for you if you have not found them already.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/4-wheels/

http://www.tlocuk.co.uk/forums/

http://www.tbruk.com/

[MattF]

I'd agree with Wod and 24seven and go for the L.C. They seem to be the slightly preferred option with those in the warmer climes.

[Antony_James]

I would go for the LC all day, I wanted one initially, till i realsied i cudnt afford one



Look at that beast ...

[TobyJug]

yep 80 series 4.2 TD

every time.....
Or a 75/78 troopy but they are even more....

here is a nice cheap gorgeous one...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...tab%3DWatching

[Apache]

6 hours to go and no bids!

That's a steal!!!

[Sancho]

That looks awesome. I wonder if the rather lovely looking young lady comes with it?

I think hilux2.8 has a pretty special overland vehicle. V8 with all the toys:

[adpsimpson]

That one on ebay looks lovely, been watching a few and they are going pretty cheap just now, but... not as cheap as hiluxes, which also tend to be in much better condition/lower mileage - like the top few listed on this site, or this one which just sold for £600 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=320325507085

Also what are people's feelings on an automatic? I'd thought you wouldn't want anything except a manual for any real off road bits, but many (including the ebay one) are auto.

[Sancho]

Also what are people's feelings on an automatic? I'd thought you wouldn't want anything except a manual for any real off road bits, but many (including the ebay one) are auto.

Almost everyone will tell you that auto is much better for offroad. Certainly on surfs, the autobox is also pretty much indestructible whilst the manual is a little dodgy (mostly the flywheel).

[Sancho]

or this one which just sold for £600 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...m=320325507085

Interesting grille on that one, looks like a 1st gen grille. Maybe standard on the very early 2nd gens.

If you want an ancient 2.4 for £600, we could find those all day long. Give us an idea on budget and those of us stuck at work with nothing to do can probably come up with better than that.

[RodLeach]

Interesting grille on that one, looks like a 1st gen grille. Maybe standard on the very early 2nd gens.

If you want an ancient 2.4 for £600, we could find those all day long. Give us an idea on budget and those of us stuck at work with nothing to do can probably come up with better than that.

I think the grille is a Jap import hilux pickup mate.


To be honest, If i was putting all my hopes on a truck to survive an overland trip.

I wouldn't bother with a 2.4. I dont really trust mine that much. Id hate to be covering thousands of miles a day an spending more time with my eyes on the temp guage then the surroundings.

You'll find offroading a lot easier with an auto. Its almost impossible to mess anything up.

The surf will be playing 2nd fiddle to the Landcruiser all day long on those kind of trips. I can appreicate the LC's are more expensive but they really will handle anything you throw at them.

Dependant on how extreme the trip is really...