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Left or right-hand drive for overland 4x4? Left or right-hand drive for overland 4x4?
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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Old 19 Jun 2010
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Left or right-hand drive for overland 4x4?
Sorry if this has been covered before, I did do a search I promise!

I'm making the jump and buying a Hilux (possibly two) to act as a support vehicles for biking and kayaking expeditions that'll hopefully give me many years of overlanding joy too.

I'm interested in people's thoughts on whether to get a left-hand vehicle or not. I'm based in the UK but obviously hope to spend most of the time with the vehicle a long way from UK roads, It won't really be getting used as a daily drive whilst in th UK either.

I (think I) know the complications and requirments of importing, modifying and registering a left-handed vehicle in the UK. It almost seems like a no-brainer to go with a leftie if it's available, but I'd like to know if I'm missing some potential drawbacks.
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Old 19 Jun 2010
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If it is easy enough to register in the UK, then it shouldn't be a problem I would think. Personally, I would see whats available and make my decision based on that, instead of deciding left or right first. When someone buys a vehicle they always think they will keep it 'forever', but this is not always the case. So for eventual resale in the UK, I would probably stick to RHD rather...
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Old 21 Jun 2010
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If you come across a LHD in the UK (as opposed to buying one overseas and then bringing it in), it may well not fetch as high a price as RHD when you come to sell it but bear in mind it will probably have cost you less to buy than the equivalent RHD in the first place.
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Old 22 Jun 2010
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Second hand vehicles seem pricey in France compared with the UK, but how easy exporting it would be to there for more profit I don't know, unless you bought and sold it there.
LHD in the UK, or RHD abroad IMHO is no big deal if you're not aiming to overtake cos you're driving slowly and seeing the sites.
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Old 23 Jun 2010
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Importing a vehicle into the uk thats left hand drive is no problem at all.
Selling a LHD in the uk if its set up for overlanding should be ok as well, as most people wont be wanting it for the uk..
Using a LHD in the uk is fine, you get used to it, likewise a RHD abroad.
Its down to how whats availabel really..IMHO !
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Old 7 Jul 2010
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From a purely practical point of view, I would choose LHD. There are certain countries which don't allow you to enter with RHD vehicles. Oman and Saudi are the two main ones, but Azerbaijan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan sometimes make a fuss too.

Old LHD 4x4s are generally more expensive than RHD models as there is a better market for them in Africa and other developing countries.

But, if you've no interest in visiting the above mentioned countries, I would go for a RHD as you will have a far wider choice and will probably end up with a better truck for the money.

BTW I've been overlanding for more than 3 years non-stop in a '93 Hilux pickup - great car for sure.

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