Hi all!

[Bender71]

Introducing myself as a wannabe Hilux owner! I want to buy an expedition trailer for my current Freelander so that I can go touring in some of the more inhospitable places around Europe and possibly North Africa. Problem is that the trailer I have my eye on requires a ride height of at least 600mm, and the freelander has no way of legally/safely accommodating this ride height (hmmm-unless I lift her by a couple of inches and out some serious A/T boots on). So, im in the market for a good second hand Hilux or Land Cruiser, but the Hilux seem to be cheaper (less trendy?) and still maintain excellent reliability/off road credentials.

S0, knowing now whay my problem is, can anyone advise me or point me in the right direction for a decent example of a used Hilux - there is one in the for sale section that was advertised December 2011 - dont know if it is still available now? Also, manual or automatic as a preference?:-)

G

[BUSHWHACKER]

Hi Graham I guess you must have slipped under the radar as no one else has replied.

Anyhoo welcome on board and enjoy your stay. Whatever you do, don't get a Freelander and expect it to pull a trailer across Africa, it probably won't even get you as far as Calais!

Some grown-ups will be along later to tell you which vehicle would be best to buy for your travels, don't expect them to include anything from Solihul or Halewood though.

[Bender71]

Hi there thanks for the welcome - I must admit that I lost the post initially but I was on the site last night looking at the for sale section (i think) and saw some of your posts:-)

OK, the Freelander has gone - replaced by a bmw 320d - dont log-off, there is method in my madness. The Beemer, like the freelander, was my daily snort to London. I bought the Freelander as a bit of a jack of all trades, master of none - something which returns decent mpg for a 4x4 and something that'll get me to places no ordinary car will when im paragliding - car ticks both boxes. Anyhow I got rid of the Freelander because it was not good for my body on long journeys - - not a good car to put lots of miles on - 20k in 9 months! Which is why I have the BMW now. So, I still need a 4x4 to fulfill the other need:-)

Im a bit smitten by the LC KZJ70 - I really like it, plus it'll take a high trailer ride height (got me eyes on a expedition trailer). Interesting to note that both the KZJ70 and the 3rd gen Surfs take the same engine - although the ealier version KXJ70 takes the non electric engine - 1KZT (rather than the 1KZTE), the the former being the stronger of the two because of it being non-electrical. Now, the problem with the KZJ70 is that it's so damn popular, and prices are ridiculous, if you can get hold of one! I may be able to get hold of one, including a Sankey expedition trailer from a guy but I think he may not sell. So, im on the lookout for a 3rd gen Surf and thinking seriously about looking into some of the 'for sale' ones on the forum, but I need one that has been modified for long-distance overlanding, and with a NATO hitch/tow bar. Any advice/comments would be gratefully received:-)

Thanks

[MWS]

Hello Graham. Welcome. There's plenty info on here and elsewhere, regarding expedition prepping. ( Speak to Overland Tonka, as he has just been out to North Africa.). You should be able to find a compatible "pin hitch" by looking for online suppliers. ( Try ex MOD surplus.)......Good luck .....Mick.