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15 Jan 2008
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Just bought my Land Cruiser.
Well, what can I say,
This is one awesome piece of machinery.
It's a 2005 LC3
3.0 Liter diesel.
164bhp, and enough torque to go.
Fuel economy is in the 30's to the gallon. 
The first thing I really noticed when driving it is just how smooth it is.
This rolls over the speed bumps, and the holes in the road like they just don't exist.
Inside the cabin, you would be hard pressed to realise it is a diesel, and not petrol.
This is so quiet,
I just fell in love again ! 
G.
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15 Jan 2008
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Location: Ireland
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???
Whats with that black smoke coming out of the back of it......?????
Only messing - well may she wear!
You going to do anything to it
Definetly needs the windows tinted...
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15 Jan 2008
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Location: Ghana
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You have to speak to ARB/TJM about front and rear bumpers... But then you need a winch to go on the front... But then it get's heavy... So you have to upgrade the springs... Never ending cycle of upgrades will kick in!!! Congratulations on it, looks great and something different to the 80s and Defenders and occasional 78 :-)
You could drive it to CT totally stock as an interesting contrast to all us over-kitted people (although I would look for a set of steel wheels).
Gil
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15 Jan 2008
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Hello Niallo,
Yes for sure, tints are 1st on my list.
Then who knows.
We will plan a short run to Fez, Rabat, Cassablanca hopefully this year.
Long term for 2009 is for me and the wife a run down to Cape Town in our Toyota, and with my son and his eldest in his Toyota.
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15 Jan 2008
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Hi Gil,
I think I would skip the winches for now.
I am tempted to fit a good full size bar to the front.
Not sure weather to simply fit steel wheels and keep the existing tyres as they are all almost new.
Or another set of more off-road orientated tyres.
I feel the smoothness, and the comfort, the quietness, of this current setup is great,
Also, I am not entirely sure that these current tyres, Dunlop Grand Trek, would not be capable anyway.
I don't plan to go off-the-beaten track too much, and would stick to surfaced roads where possible.
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15 Jan 2008
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Also wouldn't really bother with the winch! Was just making the point that once you start... it never stops!!!
I would only go with the steel wheels as the alloys are almost guaranteed to be stuffed up by a zealous wayside tyre master - happened to me with a company car stupidly equiped with expensive alloys. Nothing at all wrong with Dunlop Grandtreks - we have got good mileage from them in the past, and I just did a trip on Roadgripper Dunlops which are also OEM fitment on 105 cruisers - they work just fine. My work car (105 cruiser) came with Grandtreks and I have no complaint at all, though now on Maxxis 751, which are cheap and so far just as good as BF, Goodyear, Continental, Bridgestone which we have tried. For a trip like you plan I would stick with an AT type tyre. One of my colleagues with a 105 on Michellin A/T tyres has got the best mileage I have ever seen from an all terrain tyre - well worth considering.
There is a lot of theories talked about making sure your tyres are "available" in Africa - so long as your rims are not crazy wide and you stick with 16" you will find something that rolls along! But I would not go with 15"/17" or pimped 18 'cause that might be difficult!
Gil
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16 Jan 2008
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Thanks Gil,
No prob's about loosing the winch,
I would probably take 4 snow chains, AKA African mud chains with me.
If the going got seriously sloppy.
They might be a pain to put on just for short distances, but probably not as frustrating as getting bogged right down
The wheels 'n tyres on now are 17 inch standard.
I should probably look in the local classifieds for a set of 16's
I know 15's are the ideal off-road / on-road rize, because of the huge range available.
However, I am almost sure the 15's will not go over the brake calipers.
My son has 16's on his Toyota Surf, with 33 inch Goodrich MT. They look the business !
So when the crappy rain gives up for a day I will jack my LC up and try his spare 16 inch on my front and rear hubs.
I have had Maxxis previously, what a fantastic tyre I thought they were.
They offer huge value for money, and I would not hesitate to buy 4 off, if I pick up 4 x 16 inch rims.
Graham
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16 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by uk_vette
Hi Gil,
I am tempted to fit a good full size bar to the front.
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Sorry to piss in the bonfire, but weren't they banned a few years ago in the UK, for safety reasons? - something to do with the pedestrian lobby?
__________________
Dave
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16 Jan 2008
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This car is sold as a Prado in Australia. I have an '06 model except it has a 4 litre petrol engine. Be very careful replacing the front struts with aftermarket units from TJM, I had one snap in two and the whole front corner of the vehicle dropped down onto the rubber bump stop on a recent outback trip. Of course it was miles from anywhere when it happened approx. 100km South West of Innanincka in South Australia. The second strut broke 60km from home at the end of a 6000km trip.
TJM's national dealer network was useless. The car now sports ARB struts and springs. All up the temp repairs, tow truck and replacement springs cost me near on $2000.00 AUD.
BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Apart from that little hiccup the car has been fantastic, covering many bush miles and as a daily commuter to work on the black top. You can hardly feel the auto box shifting.
Glen
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC
Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
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16 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout
Sorry to piss in the bonfire, but weren't they banned a few years ago in the UK, for safety reasons? - something to do with the pedestrian lobby?
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,
No.
Just after new vehicles registered after May 2007.
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16 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by loxsmith
This car is sold as a Prado in Australia. I have an '06 model except it has a 4 litre petrol engine. Be very careful replacing the front struts with aftermarket units from TJM, I had one snap in two and the whole front corner of the vehicle dropped down onto the rubber bump stop on a recent outback trip. Of course it was miles from anywhere when it happened approx. 100km South West of Innanincka in South Australia. The second strut broke 60km from home at the end of a 6000km trip.
TJM's national dealer network was useless. The car now sports ARB struts and springs. All up the temp repairs, tow truck and replacement springs cost me near on $2000.00 AUD.
BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apart from that little hiccup the car has been fantastic, covering many bush miles and as a daily commuter to work on the black top. You can hardly feel the auto box shifting.
Glen |
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Hi Loxy,
Thats a real let down in both senses of the word. 
Sure wouldn't like to be out in the bush when that sort of stuff breaks on you.:confused1:
I am inclined to just leave the suspension just as it is.
I had thought about perhaps a 1 inch body lift, but now I think just some taller tyres perhaps.
The LC3 already rides quite high, so perhaps NO to a body lift.
G.
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17 Jan 2008
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Fuel
Is that vehicle going to manage the extra low grade dirty diesel in Africa? just be careful with the filters etc etc.
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17 Jan 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Surfer
Is that vehicle going to manage the extra low grade dirty diesel in Africa? just be careful with the filters etc etc.
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Hi Surfer,
I understand the standard fuel filter on European diesels is 5 micron, at best.
Good point !!!
It may be worth it for me to fit an additional in-line filter of perhaps say 10 micron, to catch the crud, before it gets to the fitted vehicle filter and blocks it.
As an off-topic comment, my son-in-law, runs his '97 Toyota Surf on 50 % veg oil, (new and used depending on what he can get) and 50% pump diesel.
It is all mixed and cycled through a 200 liter drum and a 1 micron filter. Pump delivers 200 gallons / hour so filtered for 1 hour ensures a 5x pass through the filters.
He hasn't had a problem in over 3 years, and only once changed the filter about 2 years ago.
Having clean fuel can't be overstressed
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18 Jan 2008
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Quote:
"Originally Posted by Walkabout
Sorry to piss in the bonfire, but weren't they banned a few years ago in the UK, for safety reasons? - something to do with the pedestrian lobby? "
,
Quote:
"No.
Just after new vehicles registered after May 2007."
Assuming we are talking bull bars here, how sure are you about that statement. My understand of the ban is that it is illegal to manuafacture or / and fit bull bars to any vehicle after the date the ban came in and punishable with up to a £20k fine and up to I think a year in prison. I looked quite closely at it because after 8 years of no problems, I cleverly bent my bull bar two days are the origonal ban go live date. The two exceptions I found was 1) I can replace mine with a new one because its an accident repair and therefore exempt as I can show I already had one prior to the ban coming into force 2) I believe the ban got postponed because of issues but don't know until when.
Anybody know anything else on this?
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18 Jan 2008
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Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
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Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
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Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
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Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
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helps answer the question - Why Go? Inspirational stories by veteran travellers Greg Frazier (5 times RTW), Peter and Kay Forwood (193 countries), Tiffany Coates (Mongolia Mayhem) and Rene Cormier (University of Gravel Roads).
Get Ready! covers planning, paperwork, medical and many other topics! "Inspirational and Awesome!" See the trailer here!
What stuff do I need - riding gear, clothing, camping gear, first aid kit, tires, maps and GPS? What don't I need? How do I pack it all in? Lots of opinions from over 150 travellers!
break down language barriers, overcome culture shock, ship the bike and deal with breakdowns and emergencies."Just makes me want to pack up and go!" See the trailer here!
Grant demystifies the black art of Tire Changing and Repair to help you STAY on the road! "Very informative and practical." See the trailer here!
Ladies on the Loose! For the first time ever, a motorcycle travel DVD made for women, by women! These intrepid women share their tips to help you plan your own motorcycle adventure. They also answer the women-only questions, and entertain you with amazing tales from the road! Presented by Lois Pryce, veteran solo traveller through South America and Africa and author of 'Lois on the Loose', and 'Red Tape and White Knuckles.'
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Motorcycle and travel books to inspire and inform you!
The definitive guide to planning your motorcycle adventure! This insanely ambitious 2-year project has produced an informative and entertaining 5-part, 18 hour video series. "The ultimate round the world rider's how-to!" MCN UK.
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