Toyota Land Cruiser/Hilux??? HELP!!!
 

Hello everyone, I'm after a little advice.... :helpsmilie:

I've always wanted to do an epic overland trip, and always thought of myself as a "110 man" having driven LRs in greenlanes in the UK in the past.

However I've just returned from a 10 day drip around Namibia with some friends in a hired 100 series LC with a petrol V8 coupled with an auto box.

While this vehicle was perfect for this short trip, it was VERY thirsty, and wanted to know what peoples opinions are of these vehicles (and others) as my knowledge of the landcruiser is limited. Is the 100 full of electronics to go wrong? Is the auto box problematic? Or should I be looking at a different model all together?

Basically, I'm looking to know, which is the 'optimum' model/engine/gearbox combo for an Africa+Asia trip? I have a budget of about £7k for the initial purchase and am looking to slowly equip and 'learn the vehicle' over the next 2 years. I am in the UK.

Is a twin cab Hilux a suitable alternative? Roof rack and a truckman type top and I guess you're mostly sorted.

hilux is a different beast to a LC , you need to travel in one to appreciate.
Yes a V8 petrol is very juicy , consensus is diesel better alternative.
for 7k a landcruier would be fairly ancient , and very high mileage, not that its a deal breaker , if in good condition , and you can check the reliability during prep. manual gearbox better than auto . HTSH

Toyota Land Cruiser/Hilux??? HELP!!!
 

Have a look over on the landcruiserclub.net for lots of useful info about the different types problems etc.

The 100 series is pretty loaded with electrics but does seem to be a good overlander. Surfy on here has one and has completed an Africa trip and is currently in South America and posting reports on the Hubb

£7k would get you an 80 series which is a little older than the 100 but immensely popular for overlanding. (I leading group of 6 80 Series trucks later this year)

Another option is the 95 series prado or Colorado in the UK. Much cheaper not quite as big or good off-road but a viable alternative


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Your vehicle joice should depend - on what you plan to load to the car. And where you plan to drive.

If you just add a small ground tent, a passive cooling box and some camping chairs & cooking equipment and want to stay on normal tracks - you have a much bigger list of cars who are a good option...

In my opinion many travelers on limited budget waste to much money for car and outfitting. And use the same tracks at the end than the locals who drive there with their 2wd vehicles (with standard tyre size)...

Surfy

I must agree with Surfy... .

We did a tour around the Caspian Sea, including lots of really bad roads in a Lada station wagon we payed 700€ for. Simple maintenance and despite its reputation very little mechanical issues (much less then on my discovery when traveling Africa).

Any sound and somewhat robust vehicle will do given that you don't overload it and take it easy.

If you are intending a lot of europe etc , then maybe a Van would be a better bang for the buck , as Surfy & Robbert says people tend to use a sledgehammer to crack a walnut , most locals dont drive around in huge 4x4 with difflocks and winchs , its very much a western bling thing , look at when the old series 1 were on real expeditions , with little modern logistical back up or communication , which we now have . The problems now are not terrain , but paperwork, and security. JMHO

Cheers for all your replies, is there any land cruisers I should stay Away from?

Also does anyone know of a good 'expedition Style' truck tops for a hilux double cab? Ideally with roof bars and side lockers? Is it possible to get hold of something like this that would be removable from the vehicle while I'm in the UK? Whichever vehicle I end up with will be my daily drive as well as a project!

The techie info about the Landcruiser is located in the area for all light weight vehicles.
In there you can find such info as this thread:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ow-works-72312

have a look on Hilux Pickup Owners Club for good hilux info. there are some expedition builds in the modifications section, but for your budget I would go for a good 80 series cruiser, than a beat up old hilux. remember hilux are commercial vehicles so many have been abused, and many of the older ones have now been exported, wheras most landcruisers haven't been. Although many 80s are now old enough that they have been abused so be careful what you choose, but a bit of patience should buy you a good 80 for your budget

I'm not really interested in creating a gin palace to cruise around Africa in, but I would like certain creature comforts... a split charge system and (beer) fridge, a roof tent would suit me fine.

I'm a trained electrical engineer and work as an aircraft mechanic so am pretty capable of carrying out work myself, am just looking for advice.

So to sum it up, is essentially any LC suitable? And it will come down to personal choice between the hilux+truckman top and LC??

:-) I think that's about correct. All are suitable. What you like more is personal preference. Personally I would feel more comfortable with a LC and rooftent than with a Hi-lux and camperbody, not because of the Hi-lux, but because of the camperbody. A hi-lux with rooftent would be another option. Cheaper than the camperbody I think.

Sit down and list out what is important to your for trip then use that list to pick a vehicle that suits your needs.

Before I bought my Landcruiser I was thinking of a defender 110, I knew I wanted to sleep inside rather than in a tent so need something big enough. I then thought a bit more and decided I wanted a bit of comfort and AC for under £5k as I was out of work. Looking around defenders were too expensive with AC and the cruiser fitted the bill nicely :)

Hi Matt

I did a trip with a LC80 a few years ago and went through very much the same dilemma as you when deciding which vehicle to go for.

Have a look at my website and PM me if you want a chat.

Rgds

Mark