4x4 gurus near London?
 

Is there a garage/specialist near London (or southern UK)? I'd like to get a few ideas pointers from someone who actually adapts/configures vehicles for the desert: bash plates, racks, mechanical mods/requirements, that sort of thing.

I could (and would like to) do what needs done myself, but there's a few things which I'd best get done properly. And there's nothing like having someone who actually understands the mechanics (and the realities) to keep me on the straight and narrow and my feet on the ground.

I have a Toyota surf 3.0L

TIA

tF

Hi,

This list contains all the knowledge there is, not only near London, so why not asking the guys here?

Actually, in London there's not a single outfit worth a try, maybe except Brownchurch, but they specialise in landrovers. They make, however, excellent roofracks for all vehicles.

For other jobs and bits your nearest port of call would be Footloose4x4 in Peterborough. FrogsIsland4x4 in Abingdon near Oxford could be tried, too, but I've heard not all their previous customers were happy.

Speak to Paul Marsh at Footloose 4x4 in Peterborough. He's travelled across six continents and prepared hundreds of vehicles. And he's a good guy, too!

Jojo

Hi Roman
 

"...This list contains all the knowledge there is, not only near London, so why not asking the guys here? ..."

Well if anyone here can e.g. advise on and/or reliably fit a cooler to my automatic transmission, that would be nice. :-)


" ...London... not a single outfit ... maybe except ... "

Thanks for those pointers, I gotta start somewhere!

cheers
tF

I'd rate frogs island4x4. excellent quality, maybe a few unhappy folk, but on the whole., a darn good outfit.


However.... don't go to scorpion racing (on the inner ring road in London), just don't venture anywhere near them. stay away.

search for threads on LR4x4, ORRP and the like, or watch "race to dakar" with Charlie borman and Ewen Mcgreggor. you'll see why!

Tf,
there is a guy on here (Bundubasher/Jeremy) who owns a surf in southern africa and will be the guy to advise on expedition type mods to your vehicle - check some threads and see his website, it is interesting! I am also in Africa but the western part, so cannot really help with London area advice, but as others have said you will get plenty advise, and an AT cooler shouldn't be a tough one. But, don't expect professional vehicle equipment salesmen to keep your feet on the ground!!! Although Matt Savage is a genuinly helpfull type guy who sells stuff and modifies/preps vehicles, but not in the SE! Surf forums in USA might well also be good for advice where I would guess the vehicle is more common?
Gil

Hi,

These guys are in West London and have the expertise and the kit you require:
thinkauto

I'd put the oil cooler in front of the main radiator in line with the stock cooler. Another useful option that can be easily fitted at the same time - an A/T oil temp gauge.

I love Roman
 

Roman, you always seems to know where to get everything for anything! I would love an updated links page with your comments for each place that you know of (and might have used).

London is sadly lacking in good places to go - it pays to get things done outside of London for anything that involves lots of labour.

Those of us in London should get together every so often and swap info...?

Darrin,

You are too kind http://www.zen59375.zen.co.uk/public/blush.gif
I am sure you have forgotten more than I have ever known about this stuff. But if I can help with anything, just let me know.

Meeting more often than once a year at Biling is a good idea (and maybe it would work better for us than last July).

Hi,

For an oil cooler, try Kenlowe (http://www.kenlowe.co.uk/)- I've fitted their kits to a few 80 series LCs, and I'm pretty sure they will do a kit for the surf.

Have you been in touch with the Surf club? We linked up with a few members down on Salisbury Plain a couple of years back - they know Surfs better than most and I recall one guy that ran a workshop near Basingstoke that worked on nothing but Surfs, although mostly for off roading in the UK.

Having said that, what they won't know about you will be able to find here.

I've dropped a line to my contact at the club and will hopefully get the name and number of the guy near Basingstoke for you.

Updated info on London proximity LC specialists
 

Hi guys,

Are there still no LandCruiser specialists near London? I've got an 80s series LC which I'll be shortly taking across Africa and need to make some mods and maintenance. - new shocks, roof rack, diagnostic on leaking gearbox and replace seals and kingpins (apparently??). Also this is based on a non-toyota mechanic's opinion so a more expert-based opinion would also be great.

Thanks!

A lot of surf owners inhabit the hilux owners club forum, hpoc, they reckon it's better than the surf forums.

a little further north on the Norfolk suffolk border in a wee place called Harleston is Waveney Landrover. Don't worry about the name, they have prepped all my trucks and recently renovated my HJ60 landcruiser. Jono there really knows his acorns (and nuts and bolts!!)

Give Julian at overland cruisers a shout, he is THE landcruiser guru!