LC 78 - Rowlands and Hordon

[benoverland]

Hello all,

I'll also put this into the 70 series section. I'm new to the club. I've driven a few overland trips and am now in the market to purchase a new LC 78 for a planned Africa trip. I want new (no buying other people's problems), I want LHD, since parts of West Africa can be problematic at the border with the RHD and avoiding 'presents' at checkpoints is easier the fewer excuses you need to offer, and I want UK registered, since it's just easier all round from an insurance, carnet, why are you on a British passport and your car is registered in X, point of view.

All roads seem to point to Rowlands and Hordon. But, I would appreciate any views that you expert folks have. Good, bad, indifferent - or even 'my goodness you are an idiot why don't you buy a 20 years old Defender with blacked out windows'.

Keen to hear any views - thanks ever so much.

Ben

 

[Ben Stratford]

Hi Ben,
When considering such a trip, I’m sure you are aware of the temporary importing and exporting of the vehicle from country to country etc. with some countries requiring a cash deposit of a percentage of the vehicles value up front which is returned when exported to the next country. Not all countries do this but some do. Egypt used to be 700% of the vehicles value, not sure what it is now. Anyway, the point of this post is to make sure you know this and if not, perhaps a prepared older vehicle may be more attractive so it could have a £5k value for example rather than a £60k new one. Sorry for the rambling but I am sure you get the point
Cheers, ben

 

[benoverland]

Hi Ben, thank you. Appreciate the insight. You are right and were I a more confident mechanic I would probably take that route but I’m not. I am planning to take a course before I go but my skills are currently limited to servicing 1980s Ford Escorts, so…

If you’ve done a trip, would love to have a chat. The carnet/TIP regulations are mixed and often unclear. I was planning on avoiding Egypt for that reason but even if Sudan gets some semblance of peace in the next two years I think travel across the country will be impossible. I am hoping that the Port Sudan Road opens again (to get the ferry to Jeddah) but that’s also dependent on things calming down in Ethiopia and the situation there is looking grimmer by the day. So I imagine my options out of East Africa are either shipping from Mombasa or the long drive back to Durban.
Thanks again, appreciate all/any advice

Ben

 

[Ben Stratford]

Ok fair enough Ben, a new car is perhaps less likely to fail. Good that you will be taking a course so you can perform checks and recognise when something is not right etc.
but if something does go wrong it’s what parts are available in the middle of nowhere and the knowledge of the local mechanic that will get you going. Fortunately most Toyotas are relatively simple.
I have driven in several countries in Africa but not travelled from top to bottom but have been researching constantly for a few years. It seems that the west African route is the only viable safer option now as you said.
Our plan has been to ship to Cape Town and drive southern African countries up to Zambia which would require much simpler paperwork, then store the vehicle in Namibia for future trips. But life things keep getting in the way so its unlikely to happen now.
It wont stop me preparing the vehicle though just in case a window of opportunity occurs.
Have you done any other expeditions of a similar nature? Will you be travelling as a single vehicle or with others? If alone then vehicle recovery equipment and training become much more important.
Personal safety and first aid kit and training and if necessary an emergency comms / evacuation plan must also be arranged. How do you envisage vehicle prep, would you do this yourself or engage a specialist?

 

[benoverland]

Hi Ben,

Your plan sounds ace. It sounds like we are of like minds, at least with a longing for the smell of the red earth - although I think your technical skills are significantly superior.

We’ve travelled a lot of Africa with a backpack, including multiple land borders. We driven in SA and also did a solo, unsupported East Africa trip - Uganda and Rwanda - in a Hilux overlander with roof tent. So, some experience, but not expert by any level. Although we can drive off road, on sketchy tracks, navigate borders and deal with changing security situations.

We also live in Asia (past 11 years) not that necessarily means anything but we do know our way around, have also driven Hiluxes around the Philippines and Thailand and I’ve motorbiked across India and Cambodia in my younger years - when I less aware of my own mortality.

Your points are well made. Thank you. Winches are essential and I have a couple of mates in the security industry (ex Army) who have given some security advice and we know some folks along the route. But none of it really prepares for being there - for example, a French couple just shared an awesome video of the road from Nigeria to the Cameroon border on the West Africa Facebook group.

I’m going to have experts do the main build, not least because I’m not living in the UK and I need to keep working to pay for it. Then, it’ll be leave work, put everything in a shipping container and go from there. Our broad plan is to do some Europe and maybe a Morocco or Turkey trip with a basic build (so get the mechanics done and a basic internal fit) and then go from there. I know it’s way too easy to order all the gizmos and find yourself with a 4 ton truck that won’t go uphill.

I’d be keen to chat/stay in touch to get your perspective and advice. Plus, if you know experts in the trade, any recommendations would be tremendous.

Thanks

Ben

 

[Ben Stratford]

Hi Ben,

Your plan sounds ace. It sounds like we are of like minds, at least with a longing for the smell of the red earth - although I think your technical skills are significantly superior.

We’ve travelled a lot of Africa with a backpack, including multiple land borders. We driven in SA and also did a solo, unsupported East Africa trip - Uganda and Rwanda - in a Hilux overlander with roof tent. So, some experience, but not expert by any level. Although we can drive off road, on sketchy tracks, navigate borders and deal with changing security situations.

We also live in Asia (past 11 years) not that necessarily means anything but we do know our way around, have also driven Hiluxes around the Philippines and Thailand and I’ve motorbiked across India and Cambodia in my younger years - when I less aware of my own mortality.

Your points are well made. Thank you. Winches are essential and I have a couple of mates in the security industry (ex Army) who have given some security advice and we know some folks along the route. But none of it really prepares for being there - for example, a French couple just shared an awesome video of the road from Nigeria to the Cameroon border on the West Africa Facebook group.

I’m going to have experts do the main build, not least because I’m not living in the UK and I need to keep working to pay for it. Then, it’ll be leave work, put everything in a shipping container and go from there. Our broad plan is to do some Europe and maybe a Morocco or Turkey trip with a basic build (so get the mechanics done and a basic internal fit) and then go from there. I know it’s way too easy to order all the gizmos and find yourself with a 4 ton truck that won’t go uphill.

I’d be keen to chat/stay in touch to get your perspective and advice. Plus, if you know experts in the trade, any recommendations would be tremendous.

Thanks

Ben

Happy to discuss, will send a PM

 

[Gr8Yota]

With regard to vehicle purchase RHAS offer you an easy way to purchase a vehicle and they seem to have a good reputation. I imported a LHD GRJ78 in 2022 from Dubai, did all the paperwork etc myself and saved a fair amount of money back then, but I think the savings now may be negligible? I also looked at buying via the EU dealers, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium, this was a quicker way to get one than direct from Dubai (where nearly all the EU stock comes from) but added about £10k.

You’ve not said what engine/drivetrain you want? I believe you are unlikely to still get a VDJ, the GR is now available with manual or auto and the GD auto only (the HZ is still available but you won’t get it through IVA )

my build thread outlines my import etc

 

[The_Papa_Neil]

With regard to vehicle purchase RHAS offer you an easy way to purchase a vehicle and they seem to have a good reputation. I imported a LHD GRJ78 in 2022 from Dubai, did all the paperwork etc myself and saved a fair amount of money back then, but I think the savings now may be negligible? I also looked at buying via the EU dealers, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium, this was a quicker way to get one than direct from Dubai (where nearly all the EU stock comes from) but added about £10k.

You’ve not said what engine/drivetrain you want? I believe you are unlikely to still get a VDJ, the GR is now available with manual or auto and the GD auto only (the HZ is still available but you won’t get it through IVA )

my build thread outlines my import etc

You will get a LHD hz through the iva.

 

[Gr8Yota]

You will get a LHD hz through the iva.

That’s good to know if you’re sure. If it is a new vehicle it has to comply with current emissions so I decided to play it safe with a 1GR