"LCs are for the lazy old gits, like me"

If you are lazy then I am positively subterranean.

In my tour experience LRs never fail to get through the dunes but like any 2.5 they are at the limit as ctc and Roman have found which makes driving effortful if you do it for a living. And that articulation myth is long obsolete by the time you've added H/D coils to carry a desert load: see the 80/Discovery/61 ascent at the end of 'Algeria 2000' vid (OK, we all broke bits...). Anyway TLC (+ Merc-G, Pinz, Mog, etc) offer OE axle diff locks to get round this (not that they - or radical articulation - make much difference in the dunes, like Runner said, it's driving styles and adapting to your machine (+ tyre pressure and all the rest...)

Anyway, getting back to cts question: Your choice in the UK may be limited but why even consider a petrol six on LPG (except they may be cheaper to buy). Go for the diesel six TD imported from Japan if not from the UK, or an African/Australian spec 105 (100-ish body with a 78 engine and trans). That willbe a vehicle to last.

I hear the more sophisticated and complex 3-litre four Prado/Hilux engine is very good and can be much more economical, but the car itself is a bit small and flashy for a desert hack.

CS

Forgot to mention - my TLC/LR views (and much else besides) have been refined since the 2000 edition, so don't take that as the last word

[This message has been edited by Chris Scott (edited 28 April 2004).]

__________________
Morocco Overland 4 (2025) • Trans Morocco Trail