If you can get mercs over there go for a 208/408.
I'd go for one of these over a transit any day.
They all turn on a sixpence due to the rack and pinion steering.
Solid motors and as you said parts every where.

Hi FunkyFro - the mercs a plentiful in OZ, ie mercedes 313CDI, which still (just) fits in a container (if letting the air out of the tires will give me another 65mm), and should have enough grunt w. 95kw and 300Nm of torque to get up the mountains...

I read in your introduction that you've done a lot of travelling with a Merc yourself, not sure where you have or haven't been, the times that you did get stuck, was this due to lack of ground clearance, lack of rear diff, no front wheel drive or all of the above?

I could probably get the merc lifted a bit and a rear diff lock shouldn't be too hard to organise either…

The idea of travelling in a proper 4x4 obviously really appeals to my maleness, being able to go 'everywhere', but don't want to go down the big truck route, and starting to realise the limitations of having 4 in a converted landcruiser… possible but perhaps not the best choice for being on the road for 18 months…

Roger - thanks for your feedback on RoRo, great tip on Singapore to India RoRo, will certainly look at that. It would be great if every crossing is RoRo, but there are a few unpredictable crossings, such as Darwin to Dili (somie have been lucky to hitch a ride RoRo, others have had to do container), and if the shit hits the fan in Pakistan as we're about to cross from India to Iran, we need a backup plan there, which could possilby be shipping from India to Iran or Dubai (or shooting up to the stans via China and dropping down into Iran from there)… in short, too many unkowns to travel with an oversized vehicle… plus, i like the idea of keeping things 'small'(ish)!

"I read in your introduction that you've done a lot of travelling with a Merc yourself, not sure where you have or haven't been, the times that you did get stuck, was this due to lack of ground clearance, lack of rear diff, no front wheel drive or all of the above?"


Pure driver inexperience!!!

Would not touch the Ford. Ford are useless at support especially in countries where the van is not sold.
Go with the Sprinter it is sold worldwide and has better track record of reliability.
The landcruiser will be cramped - dont do it. Too long on the road and friction will heat things up too much.

Would definitely go container every time for security - the extra dollars are worth it for peace of mind rather than handing over keys and trying to seal off the sleeping compartment.

Forget the 20ft container - difference between cost of 20 and 40 is insignificant. Plus a lot easier to get a 40ft high top which gives you the extra height you were looking for with a sprinter. 20ft high tops are v rare.

We travelled in a Ford through the americas (Top to bottom) - it was kitted out by Sportsmobile and had a 4x4 conversion. The clearance was needed more than the 4x4. It fitted in a container (hi top) - but it was hell to get serviced especially common rail diesel. So avoid electronics.

Good lights - 360 degrees is more important than 4x4 (lights are better than an audible alarm). Actually a great water filter is probably the no 1 requirement way above 4x4.

Neil
Index

Funny you should say that… my wife isn't too keen on Ford either… One reason i was looking at transit is because there's a company in Oz that does a 4x4 conversion for transit, the Mercs (bar 1% of the ambulances, so rare) are all 2x4 and no-one does conversions…

I might have to let the idea of 4x4 go for this trip…

Good feedback on 4x4 versus lights and water filter Neil, i need that at the moment, putting things in perspective…

I'll certainly look into the cost comparison between 20' and 40' hitop, this would open up the possibility of LWB, although i don't want to become the traveller with the big fat RV… it's a fine balance :-)

come-on guys - any more votes for the landcruiser with camper option? anyone? 230 viewing, and no opinions?

With four travellers that configuration of Toyota will be a real pain.

Have you seen the conversions of the same model station wagons to 6x4, remove the bit behind the second row of seats, put a tray back on with your camper.

BTW there is a 4x4 Transit for sale in one of the Aus 4x4 Trader mags at present.

The T1 Mercs were not sold in Australia.

The other thought I had was go to Europe and buy a 4x4 Sprinter or T1 Merc Campervan and do the trip in reverse. If you own the vehicle for more than a year overseas you can import it - just have to be aware of converting to RHD - I've done that twice.

Or just get one in the UK, they are quite plentiful here. Given the choice I would go with a Sprinter.

Getting a Transit converted to 4X4 doesn’t sound a good idea. You just know the conversion will be the weak link. I’ve used a 4X4 Transit County. They were an official Ford conversion carried out by County Tractors. When you looked closely at the conversion it was a real bodge.
First time I used it in anger it broke. Ride/handling was pretty nasty too

Haha! Sounds familiar, my last big trip with a 2x4 during 4 months saw me stuck only once - at the first camping spot - not being careful where i parked!

Do you think it's worth getting the Merc lifted? There a company in Zaire that supplies springs that lift it 45mm