So I guess Obelix would drive a Toyota!
and Asterix?

Incredible to think there's a whole magazine dedicated to killing boars.
I guess there must be a lot to say about driving out, shooting, loading up, driving back, lighting the barbecue, drinking and telling stories about driving out etc...

You have basically summarised the whole ethos of 'BaconBusters' Luke! Okay you have to throw in a rifle test or two! I do have to point out that I subscribed only for entertainment value for my Father who reads it and sends it on... Google it - amazing really. You can even buy armoured vests for the pig dogs to reduce the injuries they get from attacking these monsters! It is about as politically incorrect as you can get.

When we were in NZ we got talking to a guy who was in to this sort of thing. When I asked what calibre / type of rifle they used he looked at me as if I was mad, apparently shooting them is considered unsporting. So they chase them with dogs, leave the dogs to wind the pigs up a bit and then they dive in with a knife to finish the thing off with...mad. But then he was a LR fanatic so maybe that explains something.
Don't think the NZ pigs are quite as big as the one in the picture though. Come to think of it hunting monsters like that you would want a nice reliable truck that you could rely on starting every time wouldn't you?

Sorry for hijacking the thread, so to bring it back on track.
You are all wrong / deluded. G Wagen's are the true kings


Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

... Tom Shephard knows a thing or two I guess....

He does now.

Mercedes-Benz Type 463 G-Class - Luxury SUV Travel & Adventure Road Test - Truck Trend

New book out btw, unless it's already been mentioned here:
Quiet for a Tuesday: Solo in the Algerian Sahara
Looks great.

Nothing is infallible - who'd expect it to be? The best machine is the one that inspires you to go overlanding, assuming that's what's being discussed here.

Ch

__________________
Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail

Oliie,

1991 ex military defender:

Months in Africa now: 16
Things that have gone wrong in Africa:
A. Broken rear shocks (non LR related)
B. Extra fuel tank switch leaked (fixed with dental floss type stuff (non LR related))
C. Oil leak on front hub seal
D. Punctured tyre (non LR related).
E. Water tank kinda fell off (non LR related).
F. Battery system ignition wire caught on fire (badly fitted - no rubber grommet on on hole through metal, battery cut off switch saved the day(non LR related))
G: Starter motor failed in Spain on the way down on one trip.

With good preparation a landy can be fine. Can be ;-)

Every 2-3 months find a good landy mechanic and get them to look at everything for an hour. Prevention saves future headaches....

__________________
Kiwi, 7 years around Africa. Overlanding channel:https://www.youtube.com/c/roamingyak

Thanks for the link Chris, I hadn‘t seen that article.(shame I couldn’t spell his name)

OK I’m not an anorak but they call it a 463. His is actually a 461 which is a basic model with selectable 4WD rather than the full time system found in the 463, nice basic drive train……..good, however it has electronically controlled engine management (Sprinter engine)……………bad, especially given the fact that IMHO MB/Chrysler lost the plot around 1998 in the quality stakes. Hence my preference for 1991-95.

Still has diff locks front and rear but after messing about in soft sand with my 463 I don’t see them as a huge advantage. Rocks, cross axle, mud situations yes great though, allows waaay more finesse/control when compared with open axle set ups.

I’ll have to track down the book.

Here In New Zealand a Coalmine brought 10 of the latest toyota 70 series landcrusiers 4.5 litre v8 diesels
within ONe year two engines replaced!!, other stories around here of valve trouble, landrovers at same place no engines broken, just electrics
So long as you are familiar with whatever you use its ok, I drove Africa, australia, russia, could always get the landrover home

We know landy and cruiser owners and have come to the conclusion that landy garages abroad are cheaper than toyota, parts seem to be cheaper as well from what we've heard. Availability of parts is the main issue and again we've come to the conclusion that it's equally split between the two vehicles for sourcing parts overseas- depending on which country you're in.
So it comes down to the vehicle itself- I guess neither vehicle is the wrong one, it's all down to whether you've bought a pig or not. Some come well dressed and some not. 'Wasting money on extra's' , depends on the extras- if you want to live in it you will want to buy some bits and as far as I'm aware neither vehicle comes with roof tent or water tank as standard. So once again the vehicles are placed equally. It depends on what type of traveller you are- are you going to buy this equipment but spend most nights in hotels or are you going to bushcamp most of the time? Live- in gets our landy vote- lots of space and less windows for good security!
I don't see the point of 'car bashing', everyone has their personal choice. Our landy has been fantastic- maybe it's a mix of a good buy and VERY regular maintenance. What-ever you buy- enjoy it, look after it and you will be rewarded with the best experience of your life. Overlanding is not about the vehicle you drive- it's the experience of doing it that matters.

I love land rovers, they look cool and make you feel your on an adventure every time you get in one. Back when I lived in the Uk I had one, but it cost me a fortune to fix all the time. Still loved it thou even thou I knew in my heart of hearts Japanese was better.
Lets face it there is nothing wrong with the design of a landrover, its just the idiots can't put them together properly.

I'm in Australia now and there's one thing that speaks volumes other here. Go to the outback and drive where you are thousands of miles from anywhere, fuel and water is hard to get, and if your car breaks down you could be stuck for weeks. If not worse, which happens regularly here. (You're not greenlaneing in the cotswolds here.)

Now why you are there look around you how many land rovers do you see? Not many maybe 1% if that. Sure in the cities you see a good few but not out there. Why? Because Australians have learned by experience here. Land rovers just don't work here. Remember Land rover was king here once just like it was in Africa. They have lost that crown now. People will just not trust them, and will not risk there life's in one, out where it matters.

So when I do the RTW trip it will be a Land cruiser, if I was a mechanic thou with time money and the willingness to fix breakdowns on route. Then maybe I would consider a L/R. But there's no real need too. Its about the journey so I would rather spend time doing that.

Sure the toyo will breakdown I'm not saying it wont, but it will be less frequent and easy to fix than the L/R.

I see the whole Landrover Vs Toyota debate as like when Jap bikes 1st came to the UK. At 1st they where Jap crap and who would want them when you can have a Bonnie or a Norton. But other time, the quality, design and ease of use, reliability, not to mention the price won people other. Now apart from a reborn Triumph the British bike industry is dead (sad but true). This is a lesson for landrover I think !

Oh how right you are phtest. It's what I have been thinking all along. With the motor industry so deep in the poo right now even the good cars are going to struggle to survive.

I would say that in the next 5-10 years the only LR's around will be the ones that enthusiast play with, certainly not any serious travellers, companies, explorers or anyone else who wants a reliable machine.

Of course there will always be the people who won't give in but that's what makes life interesting I suppose, it's their choice. I've made mine and can relax and be content in the fact that my head won this battle, not my heart, there are plenty of other battles my heart will win.

You should let the Italian armed forces know: they buy lots of landrovers, even the Carabenieri.
Now if you want a pretty good armoured vehicle, at about 3.5 tonnes, then it's the Toy-ota LC that has cornered that market.

__________________
Dave

perhaps you ought to read about toyota in deepest africa, read this page from about post 4 downwards, nothing is better than the other

:
Which Expediton vehicles and why? - Page 2 - Land Rover UK Forums

what about this for manufacturers confidence insoem countries I am told this applies, cannot be sure?:
The Land Rover is warranty covered for off road use, and the Toyota aint.

see this and plenty more available in Australia!!! so both as bad as each other!!!
Leaking door seals new Hilux & handbrake issues with Landcruiser anyone else exp @ ExplorOz

I'm about 1/3rd way thought this book right now. great reading (typical dry humour from Mr Sheppard)

G-Wagon seems to be pretty reliable, although according to the book, he had some teething troubles when he first got it, needed a new engine or dash loom i think it was.