VW LT40 4x4 in Africa - views?
 

Hi everone
A few years back I drove my VW LT 40 4x4 1989 from Sweden to south India and back. It's a TurboDiesel truck around 4000 Kg. Everything worked our great.
Now I'm planning to drive from Sweden to South Africa.

Any input on driving such a heavy truck in Africa (Sand/sahara) and also difficulties (i guess)to find parts. Or should I go for a Toyota LandCruiser?

best regards
anders

Hi Anders,
Let me get this straight, you're thinking of changing your faithful van that you know, love and TRUST for a car that's the same length, consumes as much, in which you can't stand up, cook, or sleep (without modifications)??
Last year I did about 30000km around WA in a 5 tonne (the registration papers say 3.5T) 4x4 Iveco Turbo Daily motorhome. It was the only Iveco I saw!
Now obviously your LT won't let you do Atar -Tidjika, but you'll get through the Parc D'Arguin without problems, we convoyed with a Transit and a Ducato, both 2wd.
Get yourself a GOOD compressor (see relevant thread) so that you no longer hesitate to let down the tyres, a couple of stout boards to put under the tyres and of course a shovel.
We saw LTs in Mauri, Mali, Burkina, and lots of them in Ghana; very popular as Tro-Tros. Ok they were 2wd but the chassis is the same. If you're really concerned about spares take a few yourself (there are plenty of expedition spares lists available on the web).
Among the usual stuff we took extra front suspension bushes just in case.
I think it's also wise to make an arrangement with your favorite VW dealer to DHL any parts needed to the nearest city; sometimes it's quicker than waiting for a mechanic to find the part in the "market".

The LT35, LT40 and LT50 all share the same chassis and running gear, the TLC is a great car but is designed for only 3.5 tonnes; keep your van, it's tougher for overlanding. If you want to go dune bashing you need something lighter...

Happy preparations
Luke

One other tip: when you go to buy insurance in the relevant countries go on foot or in a taxi!
When they see a van they charge commercial rates, if the registration papers say camper van or camping car (get an official translation into french) they look at "puissance fiscale" as they should.

Hi Luke
Thanks for your fast and interesting answer. Probably I´ll keep my old VW. It always works and its a sturdy construction, although a little uncomfortable. But it's always interesting to get another opinion.


cheers
anders

You'll probably make it to SA with an LT 4x4. I must say though that roads are in relative good shape between Europe and let's say Cameroon. Some of the roads in Cameroon, Congo-B, Congo DRC and Angola are 'a bit more technical'. That's where I think the TLC will give you more comfort (i.e. Peace of mind, not getting stuck in every next hole, ... .) then your mobile home.

But then, I have no idea how those vans compare off road to TLC's and Landrovers. So maybe it's not all that bad.

Hi Luke
I also have 4X4 Turbo daily, any problems I should know about? Mine has 8.25 R16 XZL tyres which I am having problems replacing, can you get them in France? Please contact me
Thanks
Bruce

[This message has been edited by cedar (edited 03 March 2005).]

Anders, Ive seen a few VW 4x4s around in WA, just do everything you can to keep the weight down and you will be fine.

Bruce, Is it possible to fit 9.00x16s or is there not enough clearance ? - it will also affect the gearing.
Cheers,
Grif

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Ex RAF Regt, Ex Dragoman, LRE Instructor,
LR 90 300 Tdi Overlander
Suzuki DR650 Overlander
..and Bloody Nice Bloke!

[This message has been edited by Gipper (edited 28 February 2005).]

Hi Bruce,
Well done! glad I'm not alone.
Problems: they're slow, noisy, the cab rusts (civilian version) and the chassis is a lorry style ladder jobby which is designed to twist... If you put a separate body on the back make sure it's a 3 point mounting!
Mine weighs 5 tonnes and on our 30000km jaunt around WA it averaged 15l/100km with which I was happy. I'll email you direct in the next couple of days (if you haven't been spammed to death, take your address off quickly)
Grif, you saw mine at Ryans, I was running 235/85/16s on the front, there's not much room for bigger on the civilian version. The Military and the stripped chassis versions come with 9/16s as standard. Funny thing is that the speedo over reads by about the difference between a 7.5/16 and a 9/16. Implying that it is geared for the 9/16. One day I'll take a grinder to the bodywork and squeeze on the 9/16s; trouble is I'm running twins on the back...

Hi Rob, yes my Iveco is sulking at me from beneath a metre of snow in the garden, now I've got to figure out a way of adding a seat and a bed for the new arrival http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif
You're brave wanting to tart up a Lada estate (is it possible?)
Rambling, sorry.
Happy trails
Luke

Hi Luke, Is the bodywork in the way for 9.00x16's ? It would run much better on sand with the taller tyres.
I remember you had a Dual set upon the rear.

Robbert, if it makes you feel any better, I once saw a Dutch (Nutter) guy drive a Lada Cossack into a deep river - over his bonnet - with no snorkel - he realised it was getting a bit deep for it - just as the engine stopped - I pulled it out - with a Land Rover of course - we then took the spark plugs out and turned the engine over - water came from the spark plug holes - not good - so we put the plugs back in crossed our fingers and turned the key - it started first time - about a month later he drove it around Morocco ! Pretty Tough little Vehicles....
Cheers Guys
Grif

Hi grif,

Thanks for the support... .

I'm actually feeling quite well about traveling with a lada estate. Now even better ;-).
It has all the good features you know: coil suspension, beam axle, disco balls, red leather gaiter over the shift stick, and women seem to like it ...

Enjoy,

ROb

It's the bodywork on the front, particularly the well that forms an internal step when the door's open.
The other issue is at the rear; if I want to put bigger tyres I'll have to increase the offset of the wheels to stop them touching, or go back to single wheels with no offset. Do you know by chance the max load and pressure of a 9x16 XZL?
The final hesitation is availability, we picked up 3 almost perfect 235/85/16 XZLs from the heap behind the Euromaster truck in the Dakar camp. 7.5 and 235/85 tyres are more easily found if the worst happens and you have to find a replacement.

Anders, I believe your LT is on 16 inch rims, this should be good news for you. If your timing's right, try and link up with a rest day of the Dakar, it's an amazing circus and for spare tyres there's nothing cheaper.
Generally speaking the security guards just wave you into the camp if you're in a foreign car.
Good luck
Luke

Bruce

These guys sometimes have 8.25 xzls

http://www.4x4cars.nl , no connection just emailed them a couple of times

But according to my michelin guide (to tyres :-]) They do not make them anymore

But the 8.25 size is very close to the 255/85/16 tyre that is available in many tread patterns - admittidly its not a size you will get in africa easily but then neiter are 8.25/16 or 900x16

Thats why I run my truck on unimog tyres as they are actually quite widely available (i've had a conversation with continental's africa guy who says to call him if I get problems getting them while on the road)



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Rich
LR101 300Tdi Ambi 'Tiggurr'