Transit 4x4
 

Hi All,
Does any one have any experience or comments to make on the Ford Transit 4x4??
Some friends (and their 3 kids) are in the early planning stages for a UK to Cape Town and back trip, and they've asked my opinion on the transit. It would be a bit too tight for them all in a TLC 80 or similar for a year + and they don't have money to burn, so it seems it could be a good option to me.
For example, they've found a 1994 2.5DI LWB 4x4 Transit, it has hi/low and diff locks.
What's the chances of getting spares if need be?

Any thoughts??

Happy travels to all
Sam

county 4x4 transit
 

They are converted by a company called Countytrac,

Ford Transit County 4x4 - Review - Countytrac Ltd - Ford Transit 4x4
Anyway I looked into getting one and was told that the early ones with leaf springs all round are hard to get bits for. I then bought an Iveco Daily 40-10 4x4 as they are built by Iveco and parts are readily available. this ones on ebay
Ford Transit County 4x4 camper van 4wd camper motorhome on eBay (end time 15-Aug-09 19:29:46 BST)

Graeme

spare parts out of the uk are probabily non existant, difficult in the uk

look on mobile.de for merc 4x4 vans , theres an interesting already converted one there (814 i think) for 12k euro

you fall into the standard trap, there isn't alot of 4x4 options between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes

if you went roof tent plus sleeping inside there are a couple of iveco 4 tonne panel vans around at present or what i think is a lifting roof one on mobile.de

rich

Hi Graeme,
Thanks, i did have a look at that. I've got no doubt the Iveco is a much tougher vehicle, i don't think the transit even has a chassis! It can't be ideal putting all those forces at the spring/damper mounts through such thin (probably rusty) metal. I think price is going to play a big part in their descision though, i just don't want it to turn into a false economy if they end up having to ship parts too often. The transit should be pretty 'bushfixable' though, i would have thought??

Sam

Thanks Rich, i i guessed it probably wasn't ideal.
Are Iveco parts easy to come by in Africa, or would they need shipping anyway?

remember the transit is a 3rd party conversion, not a ford factory unit so that might add complications

try a merc

Truck Ad: Detailed Item Page

i think there is dealer support in north and southern africa

not sure abou the middle bits we probabily need sam rutherfords input here

rich

Ford parts?
 

We had a 2.5 ford transit engine in our Range Rover and thankfully it never let us down on our way to Cape Town. However, when then timing belt tensioner bearings went in South Africa heading north, I tried to order a new one locally but it was practically impossible and in the end I got one fabricated in a local machine shop. Anyway, in all our travels we never saw a Ford Transit in East or Southern Africa (Exception - Zambia but no spares available). If budget is serious consideration you may wish to buy an old Merc Panel Van/Camper without 4wd. We met 2 dutch guys who converted a merc panel van (no 4wd) into a camper and had very little problems taking the Eastern Route South. Our experience was 4wd was only necessary to find the best camping spots and in wet weather. (Eastern route only)
Richard

false economy
 

Others are right when they talk of false economy. if you cant afford a decent 4x4 then just go for a decent 2wd as others say 4x4 for is not essential. you are right when you say transits have no chassis so if you but one you must check them for rust they do love to rot! I say save up some more money or get a 2wd that is newer. up to 2000 transits had mechanical fuel pumps electric ones cost £1500!

Graeme

Thanks guys, all good stuff, i'll pass on all your comments.
Here's hoping they can go for the Iveco or Merc 4x4! I can think of more enjoyable things than getting a very heavy 2wd through the desert....again!!:helpsmilie:

p.s. the plan is down the west and back up the east. Situation permitting, hoping to start Algeria, Niger......

tell them to keep an eye on mobile.de, there is also a large vw (lt something or other) which is 4x4 and goes for reasonable prices.

Transit?
 

I’ve used a Transit County and IMHO I would steer well clear of them. As others have pointed out it was a 3rd party conversion which was pretty crude in it’s execution. Even when new it wasn’t the most reliable thing. A 1994 vintage one would be pretty fragile by now.

I would think a new(ish) 2wd Transit would be a far safer bet.

Go for a 2wd Merc. Or if they can afford it a 4x4 Merc. Sprinter.


Russ