Thread: Choice of 4WD for Melbourne to London Trip

to quote...

Fuel capacity [2 x 90 litre tanks fitted as standard] and fuel economy were a major factor. I was surprised at how thirsty some of the competition was. Land Rovers in particular dropped out of contention here. The Land Rover was my sentimental favourite when I started looking - I had visions of ‘Born Free’ with Elsa the Lioness in Africa. But sadly they are now either too soft for this trip [Discovery and Rangie] or too harsh and uncomfortable [Defender]. All are too thirsty and lack power. The tank capacity is less than half the Prado and thus its range is less than half !

errm? something i missed? last time i looked the disco deefer deisels were about the most economical you could get? he must of been reading on the toymotor forums a little too much!

oh well i wish him luck.. especially with prado spares in remote locations..

Thanks

Steve

Originally Posted by 5teve

to quote...

Fuel capacity [2 x 90 litre tanks fitted as standard] and fuel economy were a major factor. I was surprised at how thirsty some of the competition was. Land Rovers in particular dropped out of contention here. The Land Rover was my sentimental favourite when I started looking - I had visions of ‘Born Free’ with Elsa the Lioness in Africa. But sadly they are now either too soft for this trip [Discovery and Rangie] or too harsh and uncomfortable [Defender]. All are too thirsty and lack power. The tank capacity is less than half the Prado and thus its range is less than half !

errm? something i missed? last time i looked the disco deefer deisels were about the most economical you could get? he must of been reading on the toymotor forums a little too much!

oh well i wish him luck.. especially with prado spares in remote locations..

Thanks

Steve

I am planning a Melbourne to UK trip too, although through the Trans-Siberian highway rather than through Asia. ( http://www.wrongwaydown.info )

A major criteria on such a trip has to be how easy it is for a "local" basic mechanic to fix up in remote locations... you need a "basic" vechicle. So a diesel engine is important, plus no computer, reliable engine, and "simple" and obvious mechanicals, "fixable" electrics, plus easily fixed boltable body work, easily extendable accessory mounts. IMHO the choice is obvious - TDI Defender.

On the fuel economy - a 2007 Prado does 9.3l per 100km, and in a recent economy drive I was on - Tdi defenders were around 10.x litres per 100km. So the choice is really quite marginal.

OK - so a Prado is more comfy ! Nice.

On an amusing note - my mate (first hand contact not a friend of a friend!!) had a recent Prado, and blew up his petrol engine when water was ingested into it, via a large hole in the front wheel arch. The "hole" was factory fitted when they installed the "factory" Toyota bull bar. He went through hell with Toyota - but eventually his insurer wrote it off - despite it being only a couple of years old. Oh did I mention - this wasn't a river crossing - it was driving through a large puddle in Elwood - suburban Melbourne ! Oh what a feeling !!!

Errrm did I miss something as well. The Prado he has bought was already reasonably modified, so compared to my current stock D2, it would look a little on the "soft" side. Put a stock Prado against my D2, different kettle of fish as would be a modified D2 against a modded Prado. Overall would seem quite clear that he doesn;t know much about 4WD's in general. Also my D2 is currently doing about 9.6L/100kms....nuffin to be sneezed at ,

Regards

Stevo

I thought the 05 prado engine was quite heavy on the electrical side of things? I have heard of many of them dying for some pretty half hearted reasons. I wouldn't want one of those breaking down in the middle of some of the said countries.

Xav

Jon has obviously, as many people do, got fuel consumption confused with fuel range.

Roger

I don't know much about Toyotas but I thought the Prado was the soft-roader option to the tougher proper Landcruiser and the 75 series.

Don't know a lot about travelling in Asia, as my experiance has been Africa and Middle East, but in both of those areas Landcruisers are pretty popular, so if Asia is the same he will be able to get it fixed along the way.

Excellent trip though.

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...

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...

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.