Thread: Choice of 4WD for Melbourne to London Trip

Originally Posted by pommie

Here here. On a recent trip through Tanzania (ok so it's not Asia) - we saw dozens of roadside mechanics - each one of them with a Land Rover series or Defender of some kind in various stage of deconstruction/reconstruction. No diagnostic computers all all - but plenty of basic tools (a lot of hammers!), some basic "shop" machinery and some very strong basic 3rd world practical know how. Body work was repaired by hand, mechanics electrics too. This is also why Defenders and Troopies are also the basic Safari vehicles - they are simple to fix.

Try bashing the insides of a Prado by hand - see how far you get.

When i was in Kenya/ Tanzania i was amazed at the amount of shells on the side of the road that had been picked clean like a vulture on a buffalo carcass, and the mechanics are amazingly resourceful, they wer making suspension bushes out of old tyres ! In the Transkei in Sth Africa i saw numerous holden hq and valiant wrecks in paddocks picked clean with only a set of tyre marks on the bitumen showing where it came from.
We went to Ngoro goro crater in Tanzania in a V8 110 defender and the driver hammered it no matter what the road conditions, i felt sorry for the other guys in the FJ landlooser and series 3 wagon on leaf springs over those rough roads.

Originally Posted by isuzurover

I think his logic is seriously flawed. In most 3rd world countries they fix things with a hammer and screwdriver. EFI diesels are almost nonexistent. Is he going to fly in a toyota mechanic with the right software from another country???

While driving through Central America, we lost count of the number of ISUZU 4BD1 powered (GMC) trucks we saw. We could probably have bought an engine for $200USD - and had it fitted for less!!!

As far as I am concerned, the choice couldn't be simpler... no electrics, bulletproof, etc, etc...

According to the latest update on his site ... the Prado crusie control died an hour out of Melbourne with an "whiff of electrical smell".

Originally Posted by pommie

According to the latest update on his site ... the Prado crusie control died an hour out of Melbourne with an "whiff of electrical smell".

While I don't like to laugh at the misfortune of others... I just can't help it in this case.

I wonder when the central locking will pack it in... (and I can't understand why that was such an essential item - how hard is it to make sure the doors are locked!)

Got to laugh at the discussions here. The Land Rover / Toyota debate will never be solved - everyone has there own opinions... and here's mine!

Having driven many TDi's and TD5's all over Europe and Africa Id take a TD5 Defender - every time. I would also add that Id take a vehicle that Id lived with for a significant time before departure and had worked on myself. That way you know history, quality of workmanship and parts used.

Id also make sure that I had the laptop with me (would have that anyway), plus ECU diagnostics (Nanocom is very cheap and very good). My spares would include (over and above standard landrover "mechanical" bits, a used ecu already programmed and imobiliser disabled (again, cheap); a MAFF and crank sensor. All are small and easy to store away.

In reality though, its far more likely for the mechanical stuff (UJs, wheel bearings, oil seals) to fail - at which point the benefit of a Tdi is what???

My 2p worth...

Fuel & Range - Yep I'd agree that it's important to make sure you've got a vehicle capable of running on potentially poor grades of fuel. You also have to make sure you have enough capacity to get between fuel stops (with plenty of reserve capacity).

Toyo vs LR - To be honest, a lot of it comes down to what you know and are comfortable with. If you have a problem en-route, having a vehicle you're familiar with and are comfortable spannering will make a huge difference.

Modifications... Don't! A standard vehicle is easier to fix than a 'modified' one as parts will be easier to get hold of. Especially when the smelly stuff starts flying and you have to reach for the sat-phone, parts book and wait for DHL!

HTH

M

prado is the best by far, all other 4wds are carp!
They are goin to have the best trip ever, albeit without cruise control

What makes you say all other four wheel drives are fish ?

Originally Posted by Grimace

prado is the best by far, all other 4wds are carp!
They are goin to have the best trip ever, albeit without cruise control

Originally Posted by martinozcmax

What makes you say all other four wheel drives are fish ?