Hilux. how to prepare?

[banano]

hallo.

In June Im going to mauritania and wondering what mainly take care about when preparing my Hilux for such a trip.
what spares to take, should I use inner tubes or not? ect...
mayby you can help?
My hilux is 8 years old and allready done about 170.000 km.

thanks
Cheers
Peter

[ctc]

You will find plenty of Hilux's in Mauritania and therefore spares especially in Nouachott. I would therefore not stress too much about carrying a lot with you.

Better get a thorough service at a trusted garage before you go and tackle any weak spots.

Re tubes I would take some. If you run tubeless tyres you'll find it very awkward to reseat a tubeless tyre post punture / tyre coming off rim at low pressure, unless you have a tube. Especially when it hot and your tidal window is diminishing on the beach piste!

If you run tyres with tubes then try and get the tubes which have a very long valve (approx 3 1/2 inches) exiting the wheel hub. These will not slip and get dragged inside the wheel so easily, when running at low pressures.

[Bundubasher]

I'm prep'ing my '94 4runner which based on the Hilux Chassis and running gear.

I'll be getting a MAJOR service (inc. replacing all lubricants etc) before we leave and sorting out any problems/dodgy parts that present themselves then and there.

As to tyres and tubes: 6 x new Michelin XZL and 12 x HD (Airstop) Michelin tubes. I do not expect to do alot of pure sand driving and so am looking for a tough tyre with tough sidewalls.

I'm looking hard at upgrading the radiator from 3 to 5 core and will be giving my clutch special attention.

Otherwise I've got HD shocks and springs and I'll try not to exceed my GVM. Hope this points you in the right direction.

------------------
Enzo
BUNDUBASHER.com

[banano]

thanks for replys.

now I run a tubeless tyres 265/70R16
but before I leave I would like to put in them inner tubes.
what do you think about that size?
quite strange for mauritanians i think, but I will take 2 spare wheels and 6 spare tubes. Do you think thats enough?
About service I plan to change all the oils and regrease bearings, hubs and other suspension parts.
What do you think about cooling system in my hilux? should I do something with the radiator before I leave? I never had any overheating problems... but in July in the sahara I supose its gonna be a little hot

cheers
Peter

[Robbert]

Hey,

Do your self a favour, and don't mount the tubes, but carry them as spares.

I've done like 25 000 km's in Afrika on tubless tyres (bfgoodridge AT's) not a single puncture/problem so far, and if punctured in the tread, they can be repaired without taking them off the rim. Tubless develops less heat/friction then tubed tyres, and that's what leads to punctures in all these tubes.

265's are wide for the sand I think, especially since the Hilux has not such a big engine. Keep it light and all'll be fine.

Rob

[Bundubasher]

No the rad rebuild is specific to my vehicle - my 3.0 TD often runs v. hot under a load and so I am just taking precautions that's all.

Tubeless are great I hear, but I'll be running tubed as I'm using a set of Landcruiser steel split rims (16").

------------------
Enzo
BUNDUBASHER.com

[banano]

and what about a tyre comming off the rim at low preasures?
some people say that its better to have tubes because tyre have harder to come off the rim, is that true?
I hope to keep my hilux light (about 400kg+3persons) is that much or not?
I realy like to have 7.50R16 but simply have no money for new tyres like that...
Hope that my 265/70R16 Bridgestones HT will do the work

sory for my silly questions but that wiil be my first desert expirience.

Peter

[ctc]

Ref Tubes. You dont actually have to fit the tubes. Just take a few with you in your spares box to fit in case of an emergency. I agree with previous posts that running tubeless is a lot easier (until you get a puncture or come off the rim).

Re six wheels I would just carry five and I'd also stick to the standard R16 x 7.5 because you will be able to buy another if you wreck one. However if you want to use your wider tyres then taking six is perhaps a good idea as you will have difficulty finding any replacements.

[banano]

so the plan is to take six wheels with no tubes inside, and a few tubes as spares for an emergency.
I have one more question.
do I need hi-lift jack and sand plates?
(let me explain my route: nauadhibou, atar, guelb er richat, terjit, timinit, tidjikja, nauakchott, nauadhibou) - something like that.

thanks a lot for your help.

[Robbert]

A good compressor and a shovel are more important then a High-lift and sand plates. Personally I wouldn't leave without something like sandplates (I have fancy alu ones, but there are plenty of cheaper DIY alternatives out there).

A would advice to take only five spare wheels, eventually a sixt spare tyre (not on a rim(my sixt spare is always been a pain, and to expensive to throw away))

Good luck,
Rob

[banano]

thanks guys for your advices.
Now things a little changed, I have the opportunity to borrow from my friend 5 wheels with 265/70R15 Fulda ATs with kevlar tubes (first heard about something like that)
Mayby you know something about kevlar tubes? are they so good as it sounds?
He have done on that wheels atlantic route and have no even one puncture.
BTW. only 33days left for my departure

cheers
Peter Banasik