Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Africa

[robpark]

Hi,

A friend of my daughter is planning an overland trip to South Africa, via West Africa, early next year. There will be two adults and a small child.

First, although they've decided on a Landcruiser - which one? I'm tempted to suggest an 80 Series, but a 95 would seem a more economical choice?

Petrol or diesel?

LHD or RHD?

Also, do they buy a vehicle and then kit it out to their own spec, or would it be 'better' to buy an already kitted 'expedition' vehicle.

I believe the budget to sort the car out is up to £10k - it this realistic?

I appreciate that there is an element of 'how long is a piece of string', but all advice would be appreciated (they are currently reading everything they can get their hands on!)

Cheers.

 

[Beau]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

I have not done any long trips ect, but the choice of vehicle can be either one, or which one you get a better deal.

I own a 90 series and enjoy it. I would say it is perfectly capable of doing the trip and would be a very comfortable drive.
The 80 series however would be more of a better choice if you will be undertaking some heavy off roading ect and is also bigger than the 90 series so may be more comfortable inside. This though also depends on the route you will be taking.

You can pick up a decent 80 series and good condition 90 series for around the same money, 4-5k which will then leave you with 5k to spend on other stuff, which is more than enough to prep the cruiser. The hardest bit will be to source a good cruiser first at a good price, with service history ect which has been well maintained.

 

[Gary Stockton]

West Africa I'd be tempted to go for an 80 as they are more common therefore spares and local knowledge would be better. And I'd only consider a diesel, as fuel is commonly available while petrol is less so. I'd look for a decent UK 80 here (hens teeth are becoming easier to find though) and do it to spec - and probably speak to Greg and Julian for advice and budgets - both are members here and both specialise in this area.

Good luck!


---
I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=55.906454,-3.242106

 

[misterpaul]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

For 3 maybe the extra space of the 80 would be welcome on a long trip.

I would go with diesel - better economy and fuel availability. Also if you need any mechanical assistance local mechanics will probably be more familiar with Toyota diesel engines.

On the west coast I imagine most countries will be LHD. What do they plan on doing with the vehicle afterwards though? If they buy LHD and register it in the UK trying to sell it here afterwards might not be so easy. I've done the east coast route which is split RHD/LHD and it wasn't really a problem driving a RHD truck in LHD countries.

From personal experience I would say that it would be cheaper to buy a kitted out vehicle rather than doing it yourself. Oh, and did I mention that I have just such a vehicle for sale

 

[ignat]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

Recently finished that route, in a 95.

Perfectly capable vehicle for the terrain. An 80 would do the job too, but the extra offroad ability isnt really needed.

It was just two of us, and there was plenty of space. Could easily have made space for a third.

Main advantage I can see with an 80 is it is easier to work on. However, we had nothing major go wrong. Just needed to clean out the radiator from driving in too much mud in Salisbury Plain.

LHD vs RHD - depends on if they want to sell the car in SA. Cannot import LHD's there anymore

Get some issues by police for having RHD, but its only to try extract a bribe, which you dont pay.

Also, a warning on getting an "expedition prepped" truck. You might end up getting a winchbar, winch, 6" lift etc etc etc which wont be necessary at all. ESPECIALLY if you have a child with you, you wont be venturing very far offroad

We ventured offroad alot and never once needed a winch ...

So I would say they get either a 95 or 80 and just get it in excellent mechanical condition, sort out sleeping, eating arrangements etc, then they are good to go. leave the winch bars and spotlights etc etc

Honestly, we could have done the trip in a Corolla. Just would have meant we would have had to take a few less interesting routes.

 

[Beau]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

As said, there is no point having a winch and a bull bar ect IF you will be sticking to the main roads, however if you can see yourself venturing off the roads then a fully kitted up 80 series would do the job brilliantly for you.

 

[fridayman]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

We are doing a 12 month trip with a small child, and I ended up buying a 95. I started out looking for a decent 80 with service history... good luck with that. Having driven a couple of 80's I think the 90 might actually be a better vehicle for me, because I use it as a daily driver too.

I am kitting out my own vehicle for 2 reasons: first, because I have the time and I want to know how my vehicle works; second, because I want it setup right. Our setup will be lift kit, some chassis/body protection (sliders/bar/skid plates), some fueling mods (for economy and towing power), snorkel, onboard fridge/freezer, onboard electricity (12/240), navigation equipment (probably tablet with mapping software), communication equipment (sat phone), and then a properly kitted offroad camper trailer (one that can zip shut to keep bugs out, with good mattress, pullout kitchen, pumped water supply and good quality canvas/suspension/brakes/tow hitch).

 

[dyladams]

I have been thinking about doing a similar trip to Cape Town. What are the thoughts about the 100series TD? They might cost a little more, but they are not stupid expensive.

Would have thought that the 100 series might have a few electrics that could cause issues but I have seen them all over southern africa.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[misterpaul]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

Also, a warning on getting an "expedition prepped" truck. You might end up getting a winchbar, winch, 6" lift etc etc etc which wont be necessary at all. ESPECIALLY if you have a child with you, you wont be venturing very far offroad

We ventured offroad alot and never once needed a winch ...

So I would say they get either a 95 or 80 and just get it in excellent mechanical condition, sort out sleeping, eating arrangements etc, then they are good to go. leave the winch bars and spotlights etc etc

Honestly, we could have done the trip in a Corolla. Just would have meant we would have had to take a few less interesting routes.

I don't have a winch or a huge lift, and agree that you don't really need them for Africa. I have a bull bar and spot lights but my truck came with them. My point about buying a vehicle that's already prepared is that when you're selling a vehicle you don't get your money back on these features. The bar and spotlights also aren't essential, but some other things are. The trick is working out what's essential for you and then if you can find a truck being sold with those things you'll save a heap of cash over doing it yourself.

And yes, you're right about the Corolla. Most Africans aren't driving around in kitted out 4x4s...it's amazing where they can go with a 2wd Hi-Ace.

I have been thinking about doing a similar trip to Cape Town. What are the thoughts about the 100series TD? They might cost a little more, but they are not stupid expensive.

Would have thought that the 100 series might have a few electrics that could cause issues but I have seen them all over southern africa.

Does anyone have any thoughts?

From what I saw quite a few travellers are using 100s now, I suppose as good 80s get more difficult to find 100s are becoming more popular.

 

[Philip A]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

80 series are bulletproof and are the vehicle of choice for whoever runs long distances over bad roads here. 70 series are even stronger, but so noticeably less comfortable that they are used mostly for very rough conditions (and rougher drivers...). 90 series are considered as "town cars" here. I'm not saying that a 90 series won't make the trip, all I'm saying is that here in Africa, the 80 rules. There must be a reason...

 

[robpark]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

Thanks for all the comments and advice, it's all very gratefully received

.....I'm certainly favouring a diesel 80, but suspect a good 90 series would be easier to find

 

[isle of man]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

Thanks for all the comments and advice, it's all very gratefully received

.....I'm certainly favouring a diesel 80, but suspect a good 90 series would be easier to find

Hey Rob small world!!!

 

[robpark]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

Hi Peter, small world indeed ....how's life treating you, still got the silver TJ?

 

[isle of man]

Re: Advice please - vehicle? UK - West Africa - South Afric

Indeed the Mafia is here but sadly mothballed - I'm busy with the Buggy in competition now, in fact at CF this weekend for a tootle about!!!
For my sins have succumbed to the functional/practical looks of the 75 and stumbled to this site as I build it for expedition use.

I hope to find you and your family wel,


Good luck,

Mr. H