Landcruiser 3.5 good enough for Africa?
 

hello,

A lot of travellers are using a landcruiser 4.2 and just a few the one with a 3.5 engine. Is the 3.5 good enough for africa (west & south)?

Andy

Yes

Don't know that engine. 1HZ etc are great but my 3L 1KZ-T (UK) kept overheating until I put a larger radiator in (was 3 core, now 5 core).

Just make sure you don't have any fancy alloy rims and big tyres. Plenty of 750 16s on split rims down here. (Currently in Kenya but there's also plenty in TZ, ZM, ZA and ZW)

enzo
http://www.bundubasher.com

The 3.5 litre engine is called the 1-PZ. It's basically a 5 cylinder version of the normally asprited 1-HZ diesel. The 1-HZ is a great engine (if not the most pwerful thing in the world), and I don't see why the 1-PZ should be that much different. Also, the 3.5 should theoretically give better fuel ecomomy on the road, I guess. I think the 1-PZ was mostly used in South Africa spec 70-series.

hope this helps,

Andy

Hi Andy,

Toyota is always good !! but what you should check is compatibility of engine spare parts. The 1HZ is widely used in Africa and the 1PZ is a more rare engine which has not been produced for a long time. You might need to take a few critical extra engine parts with you which are not compatible with the 1HZ parts because they might be more difficult to get in Africa.

Cheers,

Noel

hello,

Thanks A lot. I've recently bought a Toyota PZJ 75, 5 cill. 3.5 l. engine. Leaving Holland in 2 months!

Andy

Hi Andy,

We are leaving in October. Look out for blue/white HZJ75 with Dakar stickers! We will take the Atlantic route, Sahel, West coast route. What will you do?

Cheers,

Noel

Hello Andy,

I have travelled Africa up and down a couple of times (same in South America where I am now) with a PZJ. It is not as powerful ofcourse as a 4.2. In fact a lot less, but nevertheless it is a great vehicle. 400.ooo kms and no problems. Oil consumption is still 0 : 5000 km. Fuelconsumption is about the same as the 4.2

The PZJ has only been produced for 2 years but it is almost identical to the HZJ with 1 cyl cut off. Most parts can be used. Most spareparts can be found in RSA (where the HZJ can be found as well. Filters(e.g; FRAM) a lot cheaper than in EU). I only have seen PZJ´s in Zimbabwe (few). THE difference with the HZJ is the clutch, which is the weak spot of the PZJ in fact. Have heard a few people with clutch problems on their PZJ but I have never had any problem so far. It is possible to adapt a HZJ clutch for a PZJ but apparently a bit of work involved (In Zim they would do the job for about 600US all in)
HAve a good trip

Marcel

hi Marcel,

Thanks for your reply! I'm leaving Holland within 6 weeks with a old but good PZJ 75. Within a couple of days the cluth problems are history. It's indeed the weakest spot but it can be fixed. Thanks again and enjoy South America!

Andy

Hi Andy,

are you having the clutch replaced for a HZJ clutch or just repaired the PZJ´s?
Ah, and dó change the fuelfilter regularly (due to e.g. very high Sulphur concentration in african diesel)
I´ve changed it x 10k although connoisseurs say it should better be done every 5000. Heard of a few who waited for the dashboardwarning light to tell them to, but it were them who had pumptrouble in the end.

Goede reis

Marcel

hi,

We are having the clutch replaced for the HZJ clutch. That seems to be a much better - although more expencive - option.

Bedankt voor de tips,

Andy