Pickup for overlanding
 

HI well I've got another kid on the way and the trucks just not going to be big enough for me my wife three kids and two dog so we are now lookiing for somthing new.
I'm thinking of a Nissan D22 double cab Pick up we just done a trip around namibia for a month and hired one down there and was really suprised how well it handled the rough gravel roads and the the off road sections,
The only reall issues we had was when decending to the river beds it would ground out on the break over point but i think this can be fixed with a slight lift and bigger wheels the other thig was it was a bit under powered but it this is because it was a non turbo engine and i think the uk spec ones are all turboed?.
So what I'd like to know is dose any one have exspiorence with the Uk spec 2.5l D22,
whats it's good and bad points and is it a viable option for an Overland truck for a trip say to mongolia, or even a north to south africa trip
thanks for your help
Gary and co.

Havn' there been engine problems with the Nissan in the UK.

The pickups don't have the payload of heavier 4x4s and with 5 onboard even if 3 are kids then with all he kit required you might be up near payload limits

Thanks for the info on the D22 I will have to rethink that one Maybe I'll look in to a Mitsubishi L200 as i know the engines well.The thing with the pay load isn't such an issue as the extra items we have to carry for the kids isn't so much weight but bulk and having owned and traveled in large 4x4's and also in a pick up I'm sure it's the right option for us but I'm just not sure which one to go for.

Have you considered defender 130 Double cab HCPU , or Hilux Double cab PU , IMHO both a better option than Mitsi and definately better than the D22 :thumbup1:

I would love a defender 130 but for the mony I've got I can get a mint L200 or ford ranger ect or a knacked 130 as for the toyota i could get one but they all seem to be high milers compeared to the l200 and the ranger the nissan is now not an option due the the engine problems.

I thought one of the benefits of the modern 4 door pickup's was their large payload being one tonne even with a top on the back? or am I missing something :)

Pick Ups
 

Hi Gary

If the D22 has had the improved parts or replacement engine fitted then I would definately consider one. Fairly good all round pick up.

Other pick ups to consider - all old shape:
L200 - see www.Hullfreedomtrail.com they performed well on drive out to West Africa, with very few faults.
Toyota Hilux - great reliable truck but a little underpowered!
Mazda/Ford Ranger - good reliable truck

For the money you would spend to get the above you could also consider a Toyota Colorado/Prado 3.0td - would think a LWB 5 door model should have enough room.

Make sure whatever you choose is very well checked/prepped.

Hi chris
Thanks for the reply I'm really looking at the old shape L200 or the ford ranger now.I'm leaning towards the L200 as I done my a trip last year through easten europe A 10,000km round trip with my wife two kids and two dogs in a 1997 mitsubishi shogun towing my sankey trailer.The mits had the 2.8l engine and it was fultless.As the l200 has a similar engine I think it is a wise choice.
Gary
By the way chris I see you are from kent are you near brands hatch by any chance as that where i from.

Pick up
 

Hi Gary

I'm near West Malling, been down here for nearly 6 years now, travelled about abit before that, but was brought up around Beckenham most my younger life!
See you are in Italy now or are you back in Blighty?

west malling I know it well.I'm still in italy near to tuscany I'm a farm manager here but I come back to England quite a lot and I stay with my brother on his farm near brands when I'm back we should meet up for a beer and a chat.have you done any overlanding through africa?.

Trans
 

Hi Gary,

I did a Trans, London to Cape Town in '98, ended up spending a fair bit ok time in Southern Africa, got home to UK mid 2001. Travelled in an ex-utility 127, which we were fortunate enouhj to sell and released our Carnet. Then purchased a Toyota Land Cruiser 80, more by luck than judgement. Awesome vehicle and the affair started!

pm me next time your back to arrange to meet for a beer or two.
Chris

O.K nice one

Just found some Santana ps10's for sale at really good prices and low miles on the clock's so whats your thoughts on them it looks really what I'm looking for as in it around the same size as a 110 but the back door is bigger it has all round parabolic springs so the load wieght should be good I know it will be a bit bumpy when it's not under load but I can live with that and I'd still be able to tow my sankey.I understand they are sieres technology but i can only see that as a plus for traveling?.

We had a L200 doublecab (2003) and after abusing it on south american roads one side of the the chassis broke in 2 (just above the rear wheel). Heard more stories of broken L200 chassis too. For the rest the L200 was a good car, just be careful how to load it, not too much weight to the rear. Our problems is surely whe have a 500 kg camperunit (although quite small,floor 2 m long, so still sticking 50 cm out)
Have a Ranger doublecab now with the same unit and have done another 35000 south american km without problems. The longer wheelbase guarantees a better weightdistribution.