You don't need to spend Mega Bucks
 

My wife and I have just returned from a Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Magadan 21k trip in our 20 year old Toyota 4Runner.


I bought the truck 6 years ago for £1900 and before I left in April I replaced tyres,shocks, rear springs, brakes, alternator, batteries and timing belt. I made the roof box out of plywood mounted on Thule roof bars. Changed all oils and set off in April returning 10 days ago.


Despite more than a third of the miles of the trip being off road on dash shaking corrugations, blinding dust, the odd quagmire and scary potholes the only problem was replacing front Stabilizer Bar Links.


Driving sympathetically and changing filters and oils when required we returned in one piece. We slept in the back of the truck and never had any problems by doing so.


We estimate the trip for just over three and a half months and 21k cost 5 and a half thousand pounds plus a thousand for all our visas. Despite being OAPs on a fixed income we think it was worth every penny. Don't get carried away with bling. We took an extra spare wheel and 2 20lt jerry cans that were not necessary.


If cash is your big worry even big trips can be done without breaking the bank.


Boycie


Parked on the cliffs east of Magadan


http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...1&d=1409764006


In the eastern Kazakhstan steppes.


http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...1&d=1409764006

Similarly my KZJ95 avoids all the bling and sensible maintenance and worked as well as the defender 110 with a £80k preparation bills which was on my first trip (ex Dakar vehicle so very ott for Morocco).

My only overland mods have been a slight suspension lift done by the Moroccans and a frontrunner rack I picked up for £150 brand new

top work, totally my ethos as well:thumbup1:

Same for us...we have a 4runner [or Surf] and have just started our big trip..the truck cost £1700 and we spent a bit on prepping it..we my be a bit overloaded but all is good... Well done on your trip and choice of truck..

Thats is what all this bikers here at HuBB show us too:

Just get a well maintained car, a tent, a cooker und some small camping stuff and you can start such a trip. It not even have to be a 4x4 or an suv.

For shure, if there is enough budget arround, you can beef up your setup and comfort level as you like. Watertank, fridge, but too beefing up the travelling vehicle.

At the end of the day the trip itself count, not the level of comfort you had, during your journey.

Beeing well prepared is luxurary - but i would alway go the luxuaray path, if I`m able to afford it.

To sleep in a good bed, to have a cooling box, to know you can handle bad track situations are well prepared - let me sleep better. I guess otherwise i had end up more in hotels, than beside a track during my journeys..

Surfy

Really cool! Yes I allways say you dont need to spend big bucks to travel. Great you made it :)

Chris Scott went round morocco in an old Merc, a 190 I think:thumbup1:

Great to read, pleased you had a great time. It is a testament to Toyota 4x4 build quality of that time.

I truly hope when I'm an OAP I can do what you have done.

Another vote for the Toyota 4Runner/Surf. A much maligned, but very able, vehicle that can be picked up super cheap.

Started overlanding Africa in 2004 and my 3.0L 4Runner, after a few f**k ups, is still going strong. For lightweight 2 pax expeditions it is perfect!