Some 4x4 advice

Ok guys after much research I'm thinking of buying a Land Rover Defender TD5. It seems it's one of the only 4x4 today that you can still get running if it breaks down in the bush. Parts are also readily available in SA and very affordable if you go to places like Landy Online and British 4x4.

I will so do most the mechanical work myself so labour won't be a problem.

What are your thoughts.
 
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TheGuy said:
Ok guys after much research I'm thinking of buying a Land Rover Defender TD5. It seems it's one of the only 4x4 today that you can still get running if it breaks down in the bush. Parts are also readily available in SA and very affordable if you go to places like Landy Online and British 4x4.

I will so do most the mechanical work myself so labour won't be a problem.

What are your thoughts.
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Best of British luck. I see what we had to say didn't add up to much...a turbo diesel through Africa is not the wisest choice, but whatever floats your boat...
 
Yeah I came to the conclusion that a V8 petrol is best ;) Has the torque of a diesel with the power of a petrol, and the consumption of an aircraft...
 
rorz0r said:
Yeah I came to the conclusion that a V8 petrol is best ;) Has the torque of a diesel with the power of a petrol, and the consumption of an aircraft...
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The thing is, that people very quickly forget the quality of diesel available through Africa is generally bloody awful, and if you are going to go the petrol route, take a car that isn't fussy about octane rating. Going the V8 route is going to cost an arm and a leg in fuel prices, unfortunately.

I was about to go up to Zambia with my brother and a rough calculation we were looking at between R8 000 and R10 000 in fuel, alone, and that is in a 6 cylinder averaging around 12 l/100. The sensible route would be to take a 4 cylinder 4x4, and even if I would recommend a Subaru Forester, there is also nothing wrong with going the Toyota route. Going Land Rover is begging for trouble up North.
 
That's why I liked the Jeep GC with it's hemi v8 ;)

I knew it was a post from Fazda when it recommended a subaru...
 
rorz0r said:
That's why I liked the Jeep GC with it's hemi v8 ;)

I knew it was a post from Fazda when it recommended a subaru...
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Of course I would recommend a Subaru...coz it's the best!! :D:D

BTW...ground clearance on a Cherokee = 200mm and on a Fozzie 225mm...:p
 
Fazda said:
Best of British luck. I see what we had to say didn't add up to much...a turbo diesel through Africa is not the wisest choice, but whatever floats your boat...
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Well parts for a Land Rover is still a possibility in Africa but with a Forester there is no chance. Also with Land Rover a lot of the things you can do yourself like if you break a a side shaft you can still remove it and continue on.

The Diesel is also important as I heard that you mostly get Diesel in Africa.
 
TheGuy said:
Well parts for a Land Rover is still a possibility in Africa but with a Forester there is no chance. Also with Land Rover a lot of the things you can do yourself like if you break a a side shaft you can still remove it and continue on.

The Diesel is also important as I heard that you mostly get Diesel in Africa.
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I don't mind you ignoring the advice, but all that I can say is that there is a hell of a lot better chance of getting a Toyota sorted out in Africa, than almost any other car. Nothing wrong with an old Landy if you want to do your own work, but taking a turbo diesel into Africa is not the cleverest thing to do!

Let us know how it goes.
 
Get a Toyota bakkie, spares are available in most African countries. The old 2.4 diesel goes forever. The speeds you do in Africa are very slow. No need for a 400hp 4x4. did a survey a few years ago and my average speed was about 22 kmh going up to Tanzania and back. Stay away from any form of turbo. Heat and dust kill these things.
 
Thugscub said:
Get a Toyota bakkie, spares are available in most African countries. The old 2.4 diesel goes forever. The speeds you do in Africa are very slow. No need for a 400hp 4x4. did a survey a few years ago and my average speed was about 22 kmh going up to Tanzania and back. Stay away from any form of turbo. Heat and dust kill these things.
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At LAST! Some sensible advice!!

I doubt if the OP will take it, however, as he seems to have made his mind up before posting the question...:rolleyes:
 
The Land Rovers are good. Make sure you know what you want to do with the car.
Like someone mentioned, turbo's don't like dust... so put on a snorkel to get in cleaner air.
The ride comfort in Land rover will always be better than any Toyota (excluding the cruiser GX/VX) :p
Parts are not as expensive as one would think. (if you shop around)

I own a Range Rover 4.6HSE Vogue. Bit heavy on the juice, cheaper to service than my jetta, don't like water, but a absolute pleasure to drive. :D

How deep into Africa do you want to go?
Also make sure that most of the cars on your expedition have the same tyre sizes.
 
spiderz said:
The Land Rovers are good. Make sure you know what you want to do with the car.
Like someone mentioned, turbo's don't like dust... so put on a snorkel to get in cleaner air.
The ride comfort in Land rover will always be better than any Toyota (excluding the cruiser GX/VX) :p
Parts are not as expensive as one would think. (if you shop around)

I own a Range Rover 4.6HSE Vogue. Bit heavy on the juice, cheaper to service than my jetta, don't like water, but a absolute pleasure to drive. :D

How deep into Africa do you want to go?
Also make sure that most of the cars on your expedition have the same tyre sizes.
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I'm with you.

Landy country. Kingley would not have driven all over africa with a defender if it was such a difficult 4x4.

If you drive one you will know when I say:
First gear, dif on, feet off the pedals. Steer and smile boys steer and smile.
:D :D

I love my landy. :)
 
Get yourself a good second hand Jeep Cherokee. They are really good off-road. We have the 3.7lt Petrol version and we have gone to some places I thought we would never get out of. There are lots of other options, but I am familiar with the Jeep, so would be my choice.
 
TheGuy said:
Ok guys after much research I'm thinking of buying a Land Rover Defender TD5. It seems it's one of the only 4x4 today that you can still get running if it breaks down in the bush. Parts are also readily available in SA and very affordable if you go to places like Landy Online and British 4x4.

I will so do most the mechanical work myself so labour won't be a problem.

What are your thoughts.
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If you really have to buy a landy (I can see you are stuck on them) do not get a TD5. There is a reason the british military do not use TD5's. The 2.5 litre 4-cylinder 300TDi versions are much simpler to fix than the elctronically controlled TD5 models.

I would also prefer models prior to 1994 when BMW and other companies took over making things more complex.

Ideally I would suggest getting a Toyota, landcruiser or something like that as they are almost indestructible.
 
ponder said:
If you really have to buy a landy (I can see you are stuck on them) do not get a TD5. There is a reason the british military do not use TD5's. The 2.5 litre 4-cylinder 300TDi versions are much simpler to fix than the elctronically controlled TD5 models.

I would also prefer models prior to 1994 when BMW and other companies took over making things more complex.

Ideally I would suggest getting a Toyota, landcruiser or something like that as they are almost indestructible.
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+ 1000
 
ponder said:
If you really have to buy a landy (I can see you are stuck on them) do not get a TD5. There is a reason the british military do not use TD5's. The 2.5 litre 4-cylinder 300TDi versions are much simpler to fix than the elctronically controlled TD5 models.

I would also prefer models prior to 1994 when BMW and other companies took over making things more complex.

Ideally I would suggest getting a Toyota, landcruiser or something like that as they are almost indestructible.
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I've been reading a lot on landy online and they guys say that if you look after the car then they are rock solid.

What I don't understand is Land Rover is supposed to be made for these kind of situations.

I'm just trying to make double sure but the problem is my heart has been set on one since I saw the Camel Trophy when I was still a little boy.
 
Don't forget that watching the Camel Trophy with all the backup behind it is one thing, doing it alone is another.

Certainly they put those Landies through hell and they did bloody well, BUT they had an army of help that was always just off camera.


I still say that going for something that can be repaired anywhere in Africa would be the sensible thing to do - and that would probably be a Toyota of some sort.
 
This Land Cruiser is currently on its way up through Africa - it had over 300 000 km on the clock when they left SA.

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Fazda said:
This Land Cruiser is currently on its way up through Africa - it had over 300 000 km on the clock when they left SA.

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I had a look at LC and you cannot get a early 2000 model for R150 000. You can get a Hilux with very high mileage for that price range.
 
Nanfeishen said:
Defender, Series 3, Landcruiser or similar

NB: just pick one that has the LEAST amount of onboard electronics.
The country mechanics, farmers, rangers and various other mechanical characters you will encounter in small out of the way places will be able to work on the vehicle in an emergency situation. Especially when you get away from large towns.
Dont ever think you wont break down in Africa.
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+1 ... and the older Diesel engines, Tdi and Td5 in the Defenders can handle a little 'dirty' diesel, which you will encounter in Africa
 
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