Surf Newbie - Morocco Preparation

[Crayzi]

Hello, after working out that I should actually be posting in the New user section, before I can post anywhere else, I can get on with introducing myself.

My name is Ray (Crayzi)
I have just bough a 2nd Generation (95) Auto 3Lt SSR-X Limited for a trip to Morocco in April. 100k Km

Thanks to the recommendations in the forum I have arranged a visit to Tony (4x4 Toys) to start the preparation process.

If there are any users that can offer advise or recommendations, I would be very grateful.

I am also looking for equipment for the trip, accessories for the Surf, such as roof racks, Spot lights, and most importantly.... experienced advise.

I am based in Hertfordshire (Welwyn Garden City) and would love to meet up for a chat and if there is a bit of tame green laning to cut my teeth on, ill be interested.

Looking forward to meet new friends.

Ray

[Koi]

Hi Welcome to the forum, just up the road from you

[Shalershasker]

Hi and welcome mate, Tony would be about the best place to start, there have been a few people on here that have done trips and no doubt will be along to offer some advise as well.

[adpsimpson]

Hi and welcome. We're planning a similar trip, but are a bit further on in the prep.

Roofrack/roof bars are up to you to do, as the Surf can't take any natively. You can either get Thule ones that clamp onto door frames, or get some bars off a breaker. We used bars from a Kia Sedona, they fit perfectly and there's plenty in scrap yards, apparently 406 estates work well too.

You'll want a good service (all the fluids, possibly the timing belt depending on when it was done, etc), raised differential breathers (easy), perhaps a snorkel as much for dust as water, and a decent storage system in the back. You'll probably need a way of carrying spare fuel, as the tank will only get you 250 miles, and a second spare wheel (can carry one underslung and one on back).

If the surf's in good condition, that's the basics done, although it's possible to do far more (new bumpers, winch, jack points, rock sliders, intercooler, split charge battery system, fridge...). Search around, there's lots of info on the forum.

[Apache]

There's other options for the roof rack too. Depends on how handy you are. I made mounts from ally blocks tapped M12 (NOT right through) and bolted them onto neoprene gaskets to the roof through to stiffener hoops in the roof, then bolted the rack onto that. That method enables you to use pretty much any rack or tray you fancy, and is as strong as hell. Downside is it's permanent.

[wiggy]

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/ and Bundabusher at http://www.elphick-pooley.co.uk/index.htm might be a help

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/body.htm Fuel tanks etc

http://www.toyotasurf.asn.au/techsite/diy.htm

[Don Logan]

Have you got the book 'Morocco Overland' by Chris Scott and have you been on the www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/ forum? It's mainly for bikes but there's a big 4WD section. Have fun.