BigO
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- Aug 4, 2012
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Glad you like the film guys. I get a lot of enjoyment out of watching the people and places as well. There are more films on my website here: Expedition Films
Enjoy.
Enjoy.
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The Great Game Expedition - Overland Across Central Asia 2013
- Thread starter BigO
- Start date
BigO
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- Aug 4, 2012
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Hello Everybody,
I hope you are well.
No sooner have I escaped Baluchistan in Pakistan (a particularly dodgy, but friendly part of the world currently) than I've hit problems with my 4x4 in Iran.
Unfortunately my Land cruiser 1994 VX Auto 80 series is not so well. I'm currently stuck in Zahedan, Iran with potentially a failed gearbox, transmission or both.
I'm looking into my options for finding replacement parts in case the Toyota mechanics here can't fix it.
Does anybody have any contacts in Iran for toyota parts or a country nearby? Apparently Iran isn't bless with a big second hand parts market for 80 series.
It's quite an urgent issue I've got due to visa implications, so any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Jon
I hope you are well.
No sooner have I escaped Baluchistan in Pakistan (a particularly dodgy, but friendly part of the world currently) than I've hit problems with my 4x4 in Iran.
Unfortunately my Land cruiser 1994 VX Auto 80 series is not so well. I'm currently stuck in Zahedan, Iran with potentially a failed gearbox, transmission or both.
I'm looking into my options for finding replacement parts in case the Toyota mechanics here can't fix it.
Does anybody have any contacts in Iran for toyota parts or a country nearby? Apparently Iran isn't bless with a big second hand parts market for 80 series.
It's quite an urgent issue I've got due to visa implications, so any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Jon
- Joined
- Jul 15, 2012
- Messages
- 2,178
Also have a read of this thread.
http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/showthread.php/49774-Autogearbox?highlight=transmission
http://www.landcruiserclub.net/forums/showthread.php/49774-Autogearbox?highlight=transmission
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BigO
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- Aug 4, 2012
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Hi All,
It's been a challenging couple of weeks. I was basically stuck in Zahedan which was the worst possible place. No freedom to move about due to security escorts. No internet at the rubbish hotel. And initially no local sim to make calls. It meant no comms to make arrangements. I had to got to Kerman for a couple of days to get everything underway. The Toyota lads in Zahedan wanted to help but ultimately it was too hard and I lost over a week with them and no progress. It took nearly 2 weeks but I'm now in Tehran with some gearbox specialists looking at the truck. It was a 48hour drive from Zahedan to Tehran in the world's slowest freight truck.
Hopefully I'll know if a day or two what the problem is. Then it's a matter of replacement parts or not?
The Toyota LC club in Iran have been a great help.
I've lined up a replacement gearbox, transmission from the UK if need be. However it's not cheap and I would prefer to source closer to Iran. I've got a few tips for parts. We'll see what we need soon enough.
I've got a couple of weeks left on the visa and the ability to extend. the challenge is that I've meant to be in Istanbul by Dec 24th to catch a flight to Paris for xmas.
It sure isn't boring around these parts. A little more stress than I really needed though. She'll be right!!
It's been a challenging couple of weeks. I was basically stuck in Zahedan which was the worst possible place. No freedom to move about due to security escorts. No internet at the rubbish hotel. And initially no local sim to make calls. It meant no comms to make arrangements. I had to got to Kerman for a couple of days to get everything underway. The Toyota lads in Zahedan wanted to help but ultimately it was too hard and I lost over a week with them and no progress. It took nearly 2 weeks but I'm now in Tehran with some gearbox specialists looking at the truck. It was a 48hour drive from Zahedan to Tehran in the world's slowest freight truck.
Hopefully I'll know if a day or two what the problem is. Then it's a matter of replacement parts or not?
The Toyota LC club in Iran have been a great help.
I've lined up a replacement gearbox, transmission from the UK if need be. However it's not cheap and I would prefer to source closer to Iran. I've got a few tips for parts. We'll see what we need soon enough.
I've got a couple of weeks left on the visa and the ability to extend. the challenge is that I've meant to be in Istanbul by Dec 24th to catch a flight to Paris for xmas.
It sure isn't boring around these parts. A little more stress than I really needed though. She'll be right!!
BigO
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- Aug 4, 2012
- Messages
- 38
Hi All,
Here is the link to my recent post on my woes in Iran. http://bigoadventures.com/?p=3114
Disaster Strikes in Iran, The Nightmare before Xmas (in Zahedan) & The 6 Disciples of Boris.
I'm getting close to the end of my visa and hopefully close to fixing the problem here in Tehran. I'll post the update from my website when it goes live.
Jonny
Here is the link to my recent post on my woes in Iran. http://bigoadventures.com/?p=3114
Disaster Strikes in Iran, The Nightmare before Xmas (in Zahedan) & The 6 Disciples of Boris.
I'm getting close to the end of my visa and hopefully close to fixing the problem here in Tehran. I'll post the update from my website when it goes live.
Jonny
BigO
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- Aug 4, 2012
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Hello All,
A Happy New Year from Dogubayazit in Turkey.
Looks like I'm out of the Iranian fire and into the 'Dog'ubayazit box. Haha. Sorry poor joke but it made me laugh.
Well I've finally made it out of Iran. It wasn't quite the way I'd planned it.
With a 3rd gearbox failure in 5 weeks it was time try and find another solution. So after sleeping in the car again I was picked up by my trusty recovery truck driver Amir and we headed northwest 300kms to the border with Turkey. At 5pm today in a first for the expedition I pushed Boris over the border into Turkey near Dogubayazit. Not exactly a triumphant entry / exit but successful nonetheless.
Now the word is out and I'm trying to source a new gearbox system, a new mechanics and a truck transporter (to wherever the mechanic is) Erzurum, Anakara and Istanbul are the likely options, with Istanbul being the favourite.
How long will I be in Turkey is difficult to predict. My lonely planet says its not so straightforward for me to leave without Boris, even temporally.
It looks like all those fans that were getting worried their daily fix of expedition drama was going to end have had a reprieve. I think its safe to say I will not be making it back for the 11th of January anymore. I suggest you all put January 18th in your diary for the time being. And perhaps the 25th the way things have been going.
I will updated you all as the adventure continues...
Big O, Boris and Kiwi Ted
Meanwhile here is the latest blog from Iran.
Merry Flippin Xmas - A Letter From Boris
And a picture of the crew taken at 2am the morning the gearbox failed for the 3rd time!!
A Happy New Year from Dogubayazit in Turkey.
Looks like I'm out of the Iranian fire and into the 'Dog'ubayazit box. Haha. Sorry poor joke but it made me laugh.
Well I've finally made it out of Iran. It wasn't quite the way I'd planned it.
With a 3rd gearbox failure in 5 weeks it was time try and find another solution. So after sleeping in the car again I was picked up by my trusty recovery truck driver Amir and we headed northwest 300kms to the border with Turkey. At 5pm today in a first for the expedition I pushed Boris over the border into Turkey near Dogubayazit. Not exactly a triumphant entry / exit but successful nonetheless.
Now the word is out and I'm trying to source a new gearbox system, a new mechanics and a truck transporter (to wherever the mechanic is) Erzurum, Anakara and Istanbul are the likely options, with Istanbul being the favourite.
How long will I be in Turkey is difficult to predict. My lonely planet says its not so straightforward for me to leave without Boris, even temporally.
It looks like all those fans that were getting worried their daily fix of expedition drama was going to end have had a reprieve. I think its safe to say I will not be making it back for the 11th of January anymore. I suggest you all put January 18th in your diary for the time being. And perhaps the 25th the way things have been going.
I will updated you all as the adventure continues...
Big O, Boris and Kiwi Ted
Meanwhile here is the latest blog from Iran.
Merry Flippin Xmas - A Letter From Boris
And a picture of the crew taken at 2am the morning the gearbox failed for the 3rd time!!
BigO
New Member
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- Aug 4, 2012
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- 38
Can anybody recommend a reliable mechanic in Greece.
Due to Turkish customs regulations I can not leave Turkey without my car unless I leave it with customs. Suffice to say I can't then get it fixed while I'm out of the country. As I might have to return to the UK getting my car into the EU (ie Greece) is an option I'm considering.
It also means less hassles with freighting my secondhand parts to an EU country rather than Turkey which could be a little unpredictable time and cost wise with respect to customs clearance.
I'm currently looking into freight options to Greece as a result and thus the need for a mechanic.
Due to Turkish customs regulations I can not leave Turkey without my car unless I leave it with customs. Suffice to say I can't then get it fixed while I'm out of the country. As I might have to return to the UK getting my car into the EU (ie Greece) is an option I'm considering.
It also means less hassles with freighting my secondhand parts to an EU country rather than Turkey which could be a little unpredictable time and cost wise with respect to customs clearance.
I'm currently looking into freight options to Greece as a result and thus the need for a mechanic.
SimonD
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Try these if you have internet access and google translate. http://www.toyota4x4.gr/viewtopic.php?f=12&t=14 and these guys have a good reputation - https://www.facebook.com/Tuff.Off.Road
BigO
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Here is a further update on my woes in Iran.
A Motivational Speech from Kiwi Ted – Fire It Up Big O!!
I've been in Turkey for 10 days. Tomorrow I head for Greece to meet a mechanic and parts that are coming from the UK.
A Motivational Speech from Kiwi Ted – Fire It Up Big O!!
I've been in Turkey for 10 days. Tomorrow I head for Greece to meet a mechanic and parts that are coming from the UK.
verashelton
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looking old car
BigO
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Hi All,
I finally made it out of Iran and then crossed Turkey on the back of two other trucks to the Greece border. In Greece I had a new gearbox from the UK flown out and installed. While I was waiting I had to return to London to work for two weks before returning to Greece to continue the drive home. The gearbox first went on November 24th and I got back on the road properly on January 26th. Thanks to everybody in Iran, Turkey and Greece for their amazing help.
I was a few weeks later than planned but I managed to make in back to London in one piece. After 9.5 months driving to China and back I've now parked up and taken a well deserved break from driving. 24,000 miles will do that to you.
Here is the blog of my arrival back at the gates of the RGS. http://bigoadventures.com/?p=3352
Jonny
I finally made it out of Iran and then crossed Turkey on the back of two other trucks to the Greece border. In Greece I had a new gearbox from the UK flown out and installed. While I was waiting I had to return to London to work for two weks before returning to Greece to continue the drive home. The gearbox first went on November 24th and I got back on the road properly on January 26th. Thanks to everybody in Iran, Turkey and Greece for their amazing help.
I was a few weeks later than planned but I managed to make in back to London in one piece. After 9.5 months driving to China and back I've now parked up and taken a well deserved break from driving. 24,000 miles will do that to you.
Here is the blog of my arrival back at the gates of the RGS. http://bigoadventures.com/?p=3352
Jonny
- Joined
- May 20, 2010
- Messages
- 5,808
Well for anyone interested .
Borris sat for some time. I went to have a look at him with the intention of maybe buying him.
A deal was agreed and I chose to put him through an mot after doing the work needed to get him through.
He's done a couple of green lambing trips since. He had too much history not to give him the chance of some more adventures.
Here he is.
Borris sat for some time. I went to have a look at him with the intention of maybe buying him.
A deal was agreed and I chose to put him through an mot after doing the work needed to get him through.
He's done a couple of green lambing trips since. He had too much history not to give him the chance of some more adventures.
Here he is.
Absolutely "flippin" marvelous Karl, to coin one of BigO's (or was it Boris himself?) own expletives
What a truck, it needs a map sticker on him, showing the route...
Well done Karl
