that sir, is a mighty fine truck! The 12HT is not a common engine over these parts though.

did you get hold of a factory new one?

A close friend has recently faced difficulties with the electronic fuel injection system of a recent generation LR Freelancer. Basically the system limited engine revs, thus limiting speed to 80 km/h, because of low quality diesel fuel that he had bought in the Pyrenees (!). In the end he had LR service tow the car all the way back to the dealership in Lombardy and cover for a temporary replacement vehicle for his trip.

Those systems are for sure useful to prevent damage but also getting all the more complex to the extent that taking an EFI vehicle for an overland trip in countries where quality of fuel can be dreadful can become a costly adventure. I guess proper electronic preparation just as improvements to suspension and alike are in order, if possible. So IMHO the simpler the better.

Having mentioned that, I happen to have a LR Defender 300 Tdi up for sale on this very forum. Unfortunately it's not a pick-up truck, but at least it has none of those electronic innovations. Have a look, I'm also in Switzerland. should you wish to take it for a road test.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...6-300tdi-70861

'landrover' and 'electronics', 2 words that should never been seen in the same sentence!

Interesting link, even though it seems to contradict your recommendation!

I especially like the map of worldwide sulphur content in diesel, do you know whether the quoted figures are regulatory limits or actual measurements in the fuel? I know Iranian diesel stinks of sulphur to the point of smelling quite different from European diesel, but I never noticed any significant increase in smoke output.

Having a new generation EFI Euro 4, 5 common rail blah blah diesel would be terrible for overlanding. Even if one didn't have any problems, fuel quality, filter condition would become a constant obsession. I think for many years, pre common rail mechanical injector / VE rotary pump engines will be the overlander's choice.

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4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
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I go into a bit more detail in post 7 here

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/europe/

We talk here about an car who is able to handle an trip to senegal. Here it really doesn't care what car you take, just because of the plan to travel once to mauretania and "maybe till senegal".

We don't talk about to choose an proper vehicle for an tour operator who mostly drive in africa for the next 100`000km.

You not even need an additional fuel tank to use these "better" fuel stations who are available, you don't had to use barrels on the roadside for reaching Senegal.

So i don't see an contradiction there.

I did a 20`500km transafrica by an modern diesel based car, had to used these barrels on the roadside in congo too. And yes, we reach south africa over the west. You can read our experience in details at Trans-Africa

Surfy

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About Overlanding, Travelogues, Equipment
Trans-Africa over the west coast

It actually has a low range box (only on the manual gearbox) and rear diff lock. But I agree with you about it's complexity and reliability.

Thanks again for all the inputs, I'll stay focused on the pre Euro 3 Hilux (idealy 1998-early 2005), mainly diesel, maybe petrol or in second choice an Isuzu D-Max.

I think that a manual gearbox is the way to go or are automatic good too ?

Yes it was, thanks and man I miss it! I was fortunate enough to get it with the 12HT in perfect condition already in it. However it was owned by a pig hunter and the body work, interior and the tray was trashed, the running gear was replaced also.

The 61 series Sahara Wagons are around but hard to find, I agree. The HJ75 / HZJ75 series utes would be hard to find also. A mate in France found and bought a 61 series Sahara Wagon with the 12HT in mint condition last year for 5000 Euro, he loves it!

Guess you just have to want one enough to start sourcing the parts! It's quite an easy build and once you have it all together.............

Quote:
Originally Posted by ar1814
Thanks again for all the inputs, I'll stay focused on the pre Euro 3 Hilux (idealy 1998-early 2005), mainly diesel, maybe petrol or in second choice an Isuzu D-Max. I think that a manual gearbox is the way to go or are automatic good too ?

Good choice, I'd look for the 2.7 petrol engine 2000 Toyota Hilux RZN174R, a few pints to consider, get freewheeling hubs and put mags on it, the difference in handling is huge, unsprung weight ect ;-) Keep away from the Isuzu!

Good luck!

Bien noté. Il est malheureusement hors budget pour moi. Je vise un véhicule autour des CHF 10-15'000 hors potentiel équipement supplémentaire.

Ceci dit, ce Defender a l'air en excellent état et plus que bien équipé. Sans compter le prix qui a l'air dans ceux du marché.

Merci pour la proposition :-)

Nice preparation of your Landcruiser. I like how you modified it :-) Thanks for the link !

yes, you could drive a bmw to mauritania now if you wished, and I would rather take one of those than an Amarok! I was assuming the OP wanted to go off tarmac, but that was an assumption on my part. If it was the case they were going to follow the tarmac all the way I wouldn't even bother with a pickup, I'd take a camper van and be comfortable.

sorry, I was referring to the spec for the 8speed auto and assumed the manual was the same!

Gotta wonder why a car would need an 8 speed gearbox!

A Dmax will have the same fuel issues as any other euro5 engine of course but seem a well thought of truck. never driven one (bit too blingy for me) but we've had a couple of troopers which were excellent. The Dmax is one of those trucks you never hear much about, which is usually a good sign!!

Actually the 2.7 litres petrol doesn't seem to be available in Switzerland. With a petrol engine I can only find 2.5 litres (140 hp). Is that the same engine just smaller ?

It wont be the same engine although it may well be very similar. Toyota also made a 3.4 Lt V6 that are available here in Oz and in the US strong & smooth motors! I had 4 Hilux's over the years a 2.8 Diesel, 2.4, 2.7 and 3.4 V6 Petrol's, of which, I liked the 2.7 and the 3.4 V6 the most.

I didn't think about country specific regulations for the same model cars, Toyota Hilux's are very tough cars regardless, petrol or diesel. Stick to basic models, try not to be too concerned about cosmetics, dents ect will make the car cheaper to buy but it won't hinder it's performance, after all is not a show pony it's for going bush right?

Low K's and good maintenance records are what I look for. The reason I get petrol motors in Hilux's is, they are quieter, smoother, a bit more powerful, less service intervals and petrol is cheaper than diesel here.

I found after a search it's not so easy in CH, might be easier to find one in Germany or France provided its not too expensive to import?

Cheers Dave

That seems to be a VAG trait - why have something simple and tried and tested, when you can massively over-complicate it and make repairs 3 times more expensive for owners.

In my experience 80% of the cars sitting in the hard shoulder with hazard lights on and a family sitting on the verge are Audi, VW, Seat...

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4.5 years around Eurasia in a Toyota Hilux|http://eurasiaoverland.wordpress.com/
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Its a modern VAG trait, I had a lovely mk3 diesel golf, non turbo. Never gave a bit of bother mechanically and never got looked after.

I made the terrible mistake of buying a Passat for a'good' car. Some halfwit designed it with an intercooler just inside the massive plastic bumper about 6 inches above the ground. With no protection, cue 2 replacement intercoolers, it also had the most stupid electronic boost valve on the turo that I replaced 3 times. Also the suspension on the front, the 2 arms, have to be replaced totally when the rubber bushes wear out. Piece of cr!p would be my opinion of it. I would never buy another VAG product due to all the extra complexity.

As regards the above, well I have a 1991 80 series landcruiser, not a Hilux, I actually had a mk3 Hilux for the farm and I never found it overly comfortable on a longer drive so I bought an 80 series as well. I do agree with the argument for avoiding all the Dakar rally look, I've kept it pretty much stock, except for a bullbar and winch on the front, but I put that on because its useful for home. The only other visiable modification that can serve any purpose is a snorkle. What the attraction in roof tents is I do not know, and as for covering it in stickers like a bread van or a rally car, no thanks.

I wouldn't touch anything with a euro 4/5 engine for a trip, regardless of what Surfy achieved (personally I think he was lucky). Never mind the diesel quality, how are electronic mishaps going to be fixed on the road, yes you can trace them MOST of the time with a laptop and suitable software but where are you going to find the sensors etc to fix them. Remember all the normal mechanical problems can still happen to, you are only adding a whole lot of (totally unnecessary) extra parts to break too.

Added to that, in a big new Landcruiser 200, local people are going to think you are either a super rich foreigner, to either be milked or suspicious of; or that you are a gangster; or that your just a t!t in a big shiny yoke going 'look at me' same as we all think when some clown in a big expensive car is trying to push out of a junction at home.

The last bit is just my 2 cents worth, its not meant to offend anyone, but I have always felt a bit happier at least trying to blend in where ever I go. I don't wear flash clothes, or like 'bling' and am instantly untrusting of anyone like that. People who engage in ostentatious displays of wealth tend to garner that reaction the world over, especially in rural areas where people are naturally conservative, often poor and at the very least 'thrifty', no matter if your in Ireland, Germany, Romania, China or wherever.