New User

[joova]

Hi,
Not sure where this will be posted, but basically I just signed up to the forum. Am planning a couple of overland expeditions through the Sahara and possibly beyond, and am considering using a couple of Hilux Surfs for this purpose. Have been reading a lot of posts on the forum, and thought it was the right time to become a registered user, so that I can reply to posts as well as post questions myself.

Cheers
Joost

[lord_flashart]

Welcome to the forum!

One thing you definitely have to do is post up pics of your trucks, any mods done and then the expedition itself!

Thanks,

Ray.

[madmanc]

Hey welcome to the Forum and good luck with the Expeditions.

[wiggy]

Hi
Quite a few folk on about doing the same kind of thing this year

[che2318]

hello...and welcome!

an expedition through across the sahara.....perfect reason to run about in a surf!

[evildwarf]

Hi and Welcome to the Nuthouse

[JUDWAK]

welcome dude

[Rustinho]

Welcome to the forum! Must admit to a tinge of jealousy for your trip.

[joova]

Thanks for all your replies, great hospitality so far!

It's a bit of a long term project to keep me busy at the weekends, probably leave in the fall of 2011. I haven't bought the vehicle(s) yet (similar to a post by Tony-c which I couldn't reply to as I hadn't been accepted as a new member yet), but have started looking and hoping to buy in next couple of months.

In terms of modifications, am planning:
- new suspension with 2" lift (hoping that roughtrax will get their desert fox suspension lift kit back in stock)
- replacing radiator, water pump, rad hoses, belts/pulleys, alternator and possibly starter motor, and taking those replaced as spares
- all terrain tyres, hopefully BFG, and if I can find it, 16" steel rims

Those are the main changes, hoping to keep costs down initially (which is partly why I am planning to buy a Surf and not the LC80)

will most definitely be posting pictures, and questions/queries as and when I get stuck.

Cheers

[che2318]

Thanks for all your replies, great hospitality so far!

It's a bit of a long term project to keep me busy at the weekends, probably leave in the fall of 2011. I haven't bought the vehicle(s) yet (similar to a post by Tony-c which I couldn't reply to as I hadn't been accepted as a new member yet), but have started looking and hoping to buy in next couple of months.

In terms of modifications, am planning:
- new suspension with 2" lift (hoping that roughtrax will get their desert fox suspension lift kit back in stock)
- replacing radiator, water pump, rad hoses, belts/pulleys, alternator and possibly starter motor, and taking those replaced as spares
- all terrain tyres, hopefully BFG, and if I can find it, 16" steel rims

Those are the main changes, hoping to keep costs down initially (which is partly why I am planning to buy a Surf and not the LC80)

will most definitely be posting pictures, and questions/queries as and when I get stuck.

Cheers

sounds a good start.

how much you looking to spend on the initally surf purchase?


there were a couple for sale on autotrader that looked in pretty good nick.

[joova]

Looking at spending around 2k for the Surf (2nd Gen) in decent condition, with some service history and reasonable mileage... seem to be quite a few around on ebay/autotrader, based on the sold prices on the ebay auctions, that should be possible.

Any advice with regard to what I should look out for specifically? (apart from what's mentioned in the buying advice post)

Cheers

[Calos]

Ello and welcome



Sounds like you've got most of your research done, envious of your trip though hehhe

FLEXING..

cal

[Apache]

Replace your rear wheel bearings before you go - they are difficult, if not impossible to change 'on the road' as it were, and can be a 'game over' scenario - trust me, been there, would have bought the T-shirt if it happened somewhere they sold T-shirts. Take a spare fronts - they are easier but are just as terminal if they break. Take a spare back too, you will probably be able to get to a garage on one thats giving up but if they're fresh they should be fine.

I am probably going to do some more overland some time, but have been considering taking a slightly different approach. We've been talking about buying a very cheap 2nd gen, servicing it (all fluids, cleaning rad etc) and making sure the basics all work, then if it breaks 'out there' somewhere, we give it to a local and get a cheap flight home.

[MWS]

Hi!

Hi and welcome....Must say I admire your sense of adventure! Im sure there are people on this forum, far better qualified to give advice, but one thing that I would suggest is to spend some time researching every mod available to give you as much cooling as possible...Keep us all informed and post loads of pics....Cheers....Mick.

[Don Logan]

Replace your rear wheel bearings before you go - they are difficult, if not impossible to change 'on the road' as it were, and can be a 'game over' scenario - trust me, been there, would have bought the T-shirt if it happened somewhere they sold T-shirts. Take a spare fronts - they are easier but are just as terminal if they break. Take a spare back too, you will probably be able to get to a garage on one thats giving up but if they're fresh they should be fine.

I am probably going to do some more overland some time, but have been considering taking a slightly different approach. We've been talking about buying a very cheap 2nd gen, servicing it (all fluids, cleaning rad etc) and making sure the basics all work, then if it breaks 'out there' somewhere, we give it to a local and get a cheap flight home.

Wouldn't you have issues with the carnet if you left the country minus the truck you bought in? Or is it only certain countries that issue carnets?