I think that while the LR is probably more likely to have mechanical issues, the parts will be easier and cheaper to get and the maintainance in the bush is likely to be easier

__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014

This is my view too i think the shogun is up to the job but if somthing dose go wrong i'm not sure i'll be able to get the parts and i think somthing without an ECU would be better.
I think it's a 300 engine in the 110

If it's a 300 Tdi then go for the Landy without a doubt. Give it a good service, look at all the bushes and joints, fuel lines, brake lines etc. Give it a really good going over and it'll be fine. Easy to cheap to get in tip top condition.
Cheers,
Matt


Just had very nice home made chicken soup and really nice bread. But I'm about to go out for a bike ride. I feel quite full.... !

__________________
www.mattsavage.com
VIAIR - 12 & 24 volt compressors and systems. Tyre levers, Land Rover parts, Sand Tracks, Allisport Intercoolers, Overland Prep, and much more...

Please dont post this kind of stuff its not useful at all.

Any car is just as reliable as how the owner takes care of it.

Servicing a defender is childs work with the right tools which are all very basic and a properly prepared defender will last just as long as a shogun would in the field. Both good cars but one is made for an rural setting with a dealership or parts link and the other is made to be able to run on a shoe string in the middle of no where.

There is a hell of a lot of serious problems with a shogun that could go wrong compared to the defender and even then finding parts for it would be a nightmare.

I don’t have an axe to grind either way, not having a preference for either make.

From your description you have pretty much sorted the Shogun but maybe more importantly you now “know” it. I.E. any new noises, vibrations, creaks, groans etc will be obvious to you. Same can’t be said of the LR. Even though you say you know LR’s you don’t know this one as you know the Shogun. You have spoken about head gasket/parts availability. Does that mean the Shogun you have has an engine prone to head gasket failure? A spare head gasket kit is no big deal to take with you surely? The Shogun also has age on it’s side.

Also why do you think 16 inch wheels are an advantage? 15 inch has an advantage over 16’s in that you can fit larger/higher profile tyres for the same overall diameter. Result being increased volume of air which allows you to air down to a lower psi without compromising tyre integrity. If it’s replacement availability thats a different story.

That is the thing i was thinking about the availability of 16 inch tyres as 16 inch is more common.it's not a big worry though.As for the head gasket they are a weak point on shoguns and often lead to the hole head having to be replaced which could be a problem.The one good thing i have on my side is time as we are traverling as long as the money lasts so i'm talking to parts dealers to see if they can ship parts to me if needed and i think i'll go from there.

We've sent all sorts of parts to people travelling all over the place. The world is a small place when you're talking about shipping parts!

Cheers,
Matt

__________________
www.mattsavage.com
VIAIR - 12 & 24 volt compressors and systems. Tyre levers, Land Rover parts, Sand Tracks, Allisport Intercoolers, Overland Prep, and much more...

just use the one you know best and are going to be the most comfortable in -
You will be driving it and enjoying yourselves and the trip for a much larger proportion of time than you will be fixing anything - dont plan the entire trip around failure!

parts for mitsubishis seem pretty well available in Tanz, kenya, Uganda anyway and you can get some fairly random stuff quite easily.

the bearing in a small tensioner pulley for one of the engine belts disintegrated on my 16 year old Isuzu engine in kenya - walked into a small spares shop in nairobi and the guy pulled one of the shelf behind him.
I've also met a couple of others doing the long trip in Shoguns, so you're in company.

__________________
www.simba4x4.com

Thats good to hear about the parts it is my only real worry i plan on doing more fishing and living than fixing the truck but you never know what can happen and if all dose go wrong then we'll get a truck down there and carry on as long as we can

I am entiltled to post what I want. if it is unsuitable the moderator will deal with it. you have basically said the same as me only in more words so wind your neck in and try folowing your own advice and only post relevant stuff instead of personal attacks.

It is well established (in the circles of those that know what they are talking about anyway) that some cars are inherantly more reliable than others, particularly when extreme environmental considerations are taken into account.

it doesn't matter how well you service it, take a morris minor into the desert and you'll have problems. the same goes for one type of 4x4 vs anpther

__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014

given the amount of work you have done on the shogun I think that is the choice for all the reasons already given. It is one of the more credible off roaders rather than falling into the chelsea tractor sector.

I had suprising trouble getting hold of 7.50x16s in west africa but I think the theory of swapping to this size is sound. I took 2 spares and tubes but still had to buy 2 on route to the Gambia and back.

In my experience it is the non standard stuff that usually fails. manufacturers own stuff has generally been far more comprehensively tested on their own vehicles than any aftermarket product.

It amuses me a great deal to read articles in mags on how to prepare your vehicle for overlanding. usually sponsored by manufacturers of the stuff they purport you need they are full of all kinds of frivolous rubbish. (not including you in this Matt if your reading it, I could spend a lot of money in your shop if only I had it!!!). You won't find any of it on the vehicles of people like Chris Scott or Tom Sheppard or other serious overlanders

The most technical my H60 gets is the electric windows, the only bit to fail in Africa, the electric windows!

The jury is out on aircon. some say it reduces your interaction with your surroundings because you just drive along in air conditioned comfort. It also makes acclimatisation much more lengthy and difficult. on the other hand, when it's 45 in the shade airconditioned comfort has it's attractions!! personally I would rather do without it, my wife and kids might disagree!

__________________
1990 Landcruiser H60. Full rebuild completed 2014

Hi all,

Having read your post I would take the Shogun.

I would ensure that everything was thoroughly checked and overhauled incl radiator condition. No half measures. As you have already "upgraded" to OME shocks take at least 2 spares - they work hard and can pop unlike the older oil based types used on defenders which are (if OE) bulletprof in my humble experience anyway.

I currently have a 10 year old 160,000 mile Mitsubishi L200 and ran a 110 300tdi for 12 years and several desert trips. My gut feeling is that the Mit is a well engineered vehicle, maybe not so tough in extremis, but I would have no qualms about even a tough desert trip with it, so a gently driven trans africa should be fine.

The key is thorough preparation, followed by sensitive driving. Upgrades come second.

The LR is an unknown quantity and to me any aggro caused by parts problems would be outweighed by more security, relaative comfort (!) and aircon...prepare and take some spares...

Good luck whichever way,

Andrew.

The Shogun is a diesel, yes?
I've got a 2006 diesel Pajero/(Shogun) in Egypt and I'm constantly having problems finding oil and fuel filters. Every one here is petrol.
I've had to convert the fuel filter sender that fits in the bottom of the filter to that of a diesel Hyundai Galloper so I can use one from that instead. Plus I've found the oil filter for the same vehicle just fits straight on without modification.
I just change them more often than required but there's plenty of Hyundais here and virtually no diesel Pajero/Shoguns.

Just a thought.

The shogun is a deasil but my one is a 1997 mk2 so not as moden as yours i'll be taking plenty of filters with me so i don't think that will be a problem