My HDJ80 Overland Build

[Higgy]

That looks fantastic... Gives me hope and inspiration... have a great trip....

 

[Michael Clark]

Truck landed in Cape Town a couple of days ago. Should clear customs tommorrow and we fly out on Thurs!

 

[GeekOKent]

Happy days!

 

[TheoM]

Awesome build, enjoy the trip !

 

[nick_the_fish]

Have fun! Send photos.

 

[Michael Clark]

Well, just returned from our 6 week jaunt around Namibia and Botswana. And all I can say is WOW

Namibia really is the ultimate 4x4 destination - every terrain, landscape and surface imaginable - so wild and remote. Traditional, pretty much untouched Himba tribes and there is game there too. Not as much as Botswana, but the landscape there is a bit more as you would expect Africa to be.

For me though, Namibia is out of this world. And if you get to see real WILD animals, as we did, its even more special.

If anyone gets the chance, go there. It easy to travel, not scary and not too expensive.

 

[chapel gate]

And the 80?.

 

[Michael Clark]

Faultless of course Its an absolute beast. It took an absolute hammering. Probably 5000 miles of proper off road driving (corrugatios, rock, sand, bomb holes, water, mud) and no issues whatsoever.

Only bad luck was a Gemsbok (large Antelope) ran into the side of me at about 35mph in the Kalahari. He staggered off with a limp so hope is was OK.

And I have a large dent in my rear drivers side door! - If anyone has a spare and rear arch moulding!

 

[TheoM]

Try Mabuasehube next !

 

[Olazz]

Mike I assume you left the truck in Africa and will be returning for more !

~if its in Cape Town I hope you booked it into JB's for a service!

 

[Michael Clark]

Mike I assume you left the truck in Africa and will be returning for more !

~if its in Cape Town I hope you booked it into JB's for a service!

I toyed with the idea but I wanted to make too many changes to the truck (as it was only just finished in time). Plan is to ship end of next year and leave there for 2 years (as you can extend the carnet for an additional year)

More Namibia, northern Botswana, Zambia and Tanzania are what is planned for that next installment.

 

[thelal]

Did 6 weeks seem like enough. Was it a lot if driving or got enough mix to enjoy it
What were shipping costs and where to where

 

[Michael Clark]

Of course 6 weeks not enough but all that work commitments allow! Yes a lot of driving - 6000 miles but was part of the fun. Only about 5% was tarmac, most narrow sand, gravel, rock, mountain passes, river beds etc...

Was a bit of a whistle stop tour, but certainly great for getting a feel for those countries I know I want to go back with more time, especially Namibia.

Costs about 3500 shipping there and back. Similar cost to renting, but I dont think many of the rental vehicles would have lasted the type of routes we did.

 

[Gr8Yota]

Only bad luck was a Gemsbok (large Antelope) ran into the side of me at about 35mph in the Kalahari. He staggered off with a limp so hope is was OK.

And I have a large dent in my rear drivers side door! - If anyone has a spare and rear arch moulding!

“Dents are like tattoos but with better stories”

 

[thelal]

Good info. Thanks for that
On my list on next few years

 

[TheoM]

Getting there. View attachment 149481

Apologies for bumping such an old post but is that the 30L Engel drawer fridge ? How would you rate it in general ?

 

[Michael Clark]

Its a Waeco DC30.

Very good. Will freeze but no separate compartment

 

[TheoM]

Thank you for the reply.How did it cope in our hot African conditions ? The idea is to only use it as a fridge in conjunction with our usual fridge freezer in the Troopy(ie it must be able to cool stuff down till about 1degC in up to 48 degC ambient temps) . Being a drawer itself, there is no need for a tilting fridge slide etc etc, so I am very keen.I have looked at the Engel 30L drawer also but there is no stock in ZA currently ... strangely these fridges are not known/used in ZA ?

 

[Michael Clark]

Yes more than adequate. We had 40 degree days and there was still a layer of ice on the roof of the fridge