Off to Morrocco!

[DitchCrawler]

I've been invited to join a group of 4X4's on a trip to Morrocco, never been before, and need a bit of advice on any simple mods i may need to do to the truck before I go. I've got to fit a set of tyre's anyway so they will be top notch,any suggestions? I'll get the belts changed just in case and have a good look around the truck, anything else? Is the air cleaner OK for sand/dust? any bashplates needed? Anybody got any cheap bits lying around to trick it up a bit

Its a 3rd gen 3.0TD, auto, 1996, 110,000km's

Travelling with a very trick Landy 110, a sorted 90 soft top and a Nissan patrol 4.2 ltr diesel

Thanks for any advice

Paul

[Gizmo]

I've been invited to join a group of 4X4's on a trip to Morrocco, never been before, and need a bit of advice on any simple mods i may need to do to the truck before I go. I've got to fit a set of tyre's anyway so they will be top notch,any suggestions? I'll get the belts changed just in case and have a good look around the truck, anything else? Is the air cleaner OK for sand/dust? any bashplates needed? Anybody got any cheap bits lying around to trick it up a bit

Its a 3rd gen 3.0TD, auto, 1996, 110,000km's

Travelling with a very trick Landy 110, a sorted 90 soft top and a Nissan patrol 4.2 ltr diesel

Thanks for any advice

Paul

need to look at some of the overland websites that advise on what gear/emergency stuff you should take with ya just in case

[lclascaris]

I'm planning a possible trip to Morocco next year, & I was advised by an overland specialist to fit gas shocks as the standard oil filled type probably won't last on the terrain. I have already fitted a Safari Snorkel to my 3rd Generation for the sandy conditions in Morocco.

[DitchCrawler]

I have already fitted a Safari Snorkel to my 3rd Generation for the sandy conditions in Morocco.

The Safari snorkel, is this something you can buy from toyota or an independent, or is it a garden shed mod easily done with duct tape and stikky back plastic

Gas shocks? any recomendations mid range not to expensive?

Paul

[lclascaris]

Safari Snorkels website is www.safari4x4.com.au/

It can be purchased from various suppliers like Frogs Island 4x4 or Scorpion Racing.

As for the Gas shocks there are loads of brands to choose from & it all depends on how much you want to pay for them. Do a search on this forum & It might also be worth looking at www.yotatech.com for owners reviews on 3rd Generation set ups as there are loads of 3rd Generation 4Runners on there with various pros & cons.

[DitchCrawler]

As for the Gas shocks there are loads of brands to choose from & it all depends on how much you want to pay for them. .

I suppose i'd be looking for a bit of advice there as well, i come from a 2 wheel background and have formed opinions about Ohlins, WP, Wilbers etc and generally know what i'm getting for the money in terms of performance and servicability, but for cars i normally go for the factory fit option because its easy, this is my first attempt at prepping a 4x4 and even though its a low key trip I'll be kicking myself if I get a bit of simple prep wrong and either spend far too mutch or two little on a vital component.

Paul

[marky]

Waffle boards if you get stuck in the sand & Bribery money for the Border police. Oh & bucket & spade

[lclascaris]

I suppose i'd be looking for a bit of advice there as well, i come from a 2 wheel background and have formed opinions about Ohlins, WP, Wilbers etc and generally know what i'm getting for the money in terms of performance and servicability, but for cars i normally go for the factory fit option because its easy, this is my first attempt at prepping a 4x4 and even though its a low key trip I'll be kicking myself if I get a bit of simple prep wrong and either spend far too mutch or two little on a vital component.

Paul

Paul, I have spent hours on the internet trying to choose the best shocks for my 3rd Generation & I still have not come to a conclusion yet as to the best set up for my Surf. Apart from the trip to Morocco my Surf will spend most of its time on the road so for me road comfort is important. It also depends on if you want to raise the suspension or keep it standard height. This is what I have found out so far.

I think I would prefer to keep the standard height because I have read that owners of 3rd gen 4runners in the USA have experienced CV problems unless you use a diff drop kit. Which is more money & more work involved.

Procomp shocks: are very popular with members from this forum, some people have said that the outer casings rust & it's best not to use the boots that are supplied, but then that concerns me with the sand & stones in Morocco. I would prefer a metal shield like the Genuine shocks.

Old Man Emu: I thought that this was going to be the best option but then I read that alot of owners have experienced the 3rd Gens sagging or leaning to one side.

Bilsteins: 3rd Gen 4runners in the USA rave about these but give a harsh ride.

Ranchos: not found a lot about these yet, just that they are expensive.

It seems that the best & most recommended set up on the 3rd gen 4runners in the USA is OME shocks with Toyota Racing Development springs but this is big money.

I was going to order some Bilsteins with the part numbers recommended on there website & I got a quote of only £40 + vat each as I work in the trade which I thought was a very good price. But then I got onto Bilstein's website in Germany & they recommend different part numbers & they were about £90 each. So it's turning out to be a bit of a nightmare
Hope this helps a bit & if you want any more info with regards to my findings, please feel free to PM. Regards Lewis

[Peter Graves]

HI,
Have been to Morocco loads of times going again all of October, leave on 4th Oct and back on 5th Nov.

Best advise is to keep as light as possible on wide as poss tyre, I have a LR 90 I don't take waffle boards as they are to heavy a long recovery rope will be better as you are going as a group.

Std shocks will be OK unless you are doing a rally raid at high speeds.

Down air to 1bar when on heavy sand, but watch out for rocks and side wall damage, remember a good compressor to pump them up again and blow out air filters etc.

When are you going and what route?


Peter

[dirtydog]

guy i bought my surf off took it to morrocco, the air box/filter was FULL of sand when it was serviced!!!
take spare belts etc with you incase they snap.

[DitchCrawler]

HI,
Have been to Morocco loads of times going again all of October, leave on 4th Oct and back on 5th Nov.

Best advise is to keep as light as possible on wide as poss tyre, I have a LR 90 I don't take waffle boards as they are to heavy a long recovery rope will be better as you are going as a group.

Std shocks will be OK unless you are doing a rally raid at high speeds.

Down air to 1bar when on heavy sand, but watch out for rocks and side wall damage, remember a good compressor to pump them up again and blow out air filters etc.

When are you going and what route?


Peter

Hi Peter

Thanks

Good info that, I must admit the temptation is to carry everything I can, i would normally do this kind of trip on my bike and so are normally restricted with what I can carry, in the truck though there will be loads of room and the temptation is to make it "home from home" if you know what I mean

The tyres on the truck are the original ones from import, so will be changed anyway, any reccomendations, bearing in mind this is only a short trip and at all other times the truck only has light off-road, towing and alot of commuting to do?

The shocks are a bit tired now, so I will change them now anyway. No rally raiding being done, just a bimble around finding nice places to drink the G&T's

Does a snorkel help with dust?

What compressors do people take? Electric 12 or 240 used with a generator? Exhaust/engine driven?

We will be going late december/early Jan not sure of any routes yet but we wil drive all the way from the channel ports rather than taking the tub to northern spain, that way we can divert to the picos if we feel like a bit more rough stuff on the way back.

Have a great trip, and let us know how you get on!

Paul

[Peter Graves]

Hi Paul,
I use BFG MT's at an all year tyre 35x12.5x15 or 255x85x16 depends on where I am going and what I do.

I use a Viair compressor from http://www.mattsavage.com/acatalog/compressors.html

I change my alternator belt and take the old one as a spare, also filters Fuel, oil, and air a UJ Joint for the prop, Tape, Water, Oil, Spare Fuel 5lts as I can hold 120lts on board tanks, a greese gun, a few spare bulbs, nuts and bolts, wire, food, first aid kit, workshop manual, GPS, Maps, tent Etc duplicate all documents and take originals.

My 90 is well kited out for off road so don't have any problems with terrain that we cross.

I have travelled across France and Spain to Morocco a few times but it costs more that way so I take Ferry to Bilbao and drive across Spain.

If you go near Merzouga (Erg Chebi Dunes) look in to see my Friend Ali http://adventureswithali.com/

Watch out for snow on the North side of the Atlas if you decide to head back over them as you could well get cut off. and take some warm clothes as it gets cold at night.

A snorkel with the head facing backwards is very good if you are behind some one in a convoy.

Take your own G&T as it is hard to find and expensive if you do find it.


Peter

[Rob]

I'm off to Morocco with Trailmasters in March. Here's part of the prep sheet they sent me (see pic). I'll be part of a group with a support vehicle so I guess that's why they don't mention much about tools etc.

My Surf is basically stock apart from +2" springs and shocks (Procomp ES3000s)

[Peter Graves]

Hi Rob.

They do the basic routes and are OK you should have some good fun. not sure about taking a extra 40lts fuel as you are in convoy if you run low you have a tow nr by. 2 lrg cans of fuel are heavy, and you get better mpg as you travell slower, the sand will sap power and fuel but you won't be on it day in day out will be a bit from Zegora to Erg Chebi, and Mhamid Dunes the rest will be tarmac or rocky tracks with fantastic veiws.

Diesel is easy to find, even on the tracks you will see some one selling it from a 40gln drum but petrol is harder to find.

Kids will be every where after Bon Bons, but I take out Stilo's and writing paper better for them.

TM do a few different routes, all are good.


Peter

[Rob]

Thanks Peter. I've done quite a bit of reading so far and I'm not expecting anything challenging to be honest - Morroco seems to be the 'starter' country for the budding Saharan traveller My Surf already has a range of 500+ km most of the time which is over 300miles so i agree, 1 can of fuel should be fine.
Cheers.