60 series all the way, especially in Africa. The 80 is an SUV, the 60/61/62 is a 4WD tank with even more space inside. Oh, and non-turbo unless you're in a hurry? Plus if blending in means anything to you, a 60 stands out less than a newer 80 series and they are very common in much of Africa. Fuel economy with the 3B/ 2H / 12H-T diesels is reasonable, plus those lovely old engines run on just about anything.

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In comparison, are Pajeros any good ?

This Landcruiser looks ready to go

1991 TOYOTA LAND CRUISER AMAZON EXPEDITION VEHICLE on eBay, also, Toyota, Cars, Cars, Parts Vehicles (end time 19-Jun-08 10:47:36 BST)

Perhaps someone here knows about the vehicles history.

Paul Driver
Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK

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Paul Driver
www.guesswhereweare.co.uk

I've got a Pajero, a turbo diesel one.
I wouldn't really put it in the same class as a Landcruiser. I've driven mine many times in sand and it does perform very well. However, it hasn't got the axle articulation to do well on rocks and ditches.
Most of my time is spent on road and it, again, performs very well, plenty of power, nippy enough and goes round bends ok.
Mine also has a limited slip diff and a rear diff lock plus heavy duty suspension, steel wheels instead of the alloy ones, dual batteries and the jerry can stuck on the back.

It's fine enough, the price was right when I bought it (duty free) but it doesn't feel as "robust" as a Landcruiser and is somewhat smaller inside.
It's good enough for what I want it for at the moment but it's more aimed as a "softroader" than a true expedition vehicle.
You don't see that many of them around in Africa and those you do are often the Hyundai version of the old model, the Galloper. Thus spares aren't so available, I've had problems getting something as simple as a fuel filter.

Heh Mak,
Not sure if we've seen you out there or not, but here's another Egypt picture to let the others no how lucky we are.

Also an advert for the car, it will be for sale in the UK in Jauary.
First time trying to post pictures, so not sure if it will work.

JT

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JT http://leeandjames2013.blogspot.hk/

Not meaning to hijack, just experimenting.
JT

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JT http://leeandjames2013.blogspot.hk/

Yep, we are lucky to have such a playground so close by. I've spent many a happy few days scaring the crap out of the wife and kids by going off into the desert and pretending not to know where I am, just so I can drive around for longer.

Are you finishing the teaching thing and heading back then? I've moved out to El Rehab so don't catch a glimpse of your car whizzing along the ring road in a morning any more.

To post a picture I put it on Photobucket, copy the image link given when it's on there, then just paste the link here in the text, and the picture appears. The second one of yours is a lot bigger.

Hi James

Good to see you here too.
We were the family at Karens Camp....
Ironically, Mark and I worked for the same company years ago. 'Tis a small world.

Graham
Smith Family Odyssey

Sorry.... LC 80's Rock, but are too wide for the holes in W Africa.... ,James...

Hi Graham,

I'm no sure if this link will work, but with a short search I found Auto Trader UK - TOYOTA Landcruiser Amazon 4.2 TD GX=

It's a 96 80 Series GX for 3 200 Pounds. That is the sort of vehicle I'm after. I've been searching for the same thing in South Africa and the price here seems to be around 3 times that for the same thing. Fuel economy is something I am pretty set on, so a VX would also do. I know how expensive fuel in in the UK, but in sunny South Africa it has doubled in the last 4 years, and will probably continue to increase.

I am also re-locating to the UK, so I would like to keep the vehicle after the trip.

What size tank did LA sport fit for you? I heard that the big tanks (170l) often break their mounts and get leaks.

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Dawie du Plessis
www.pictureafrica.org
www.photographersa.co.za

Hi Freeflyd

That is a pretty cool car... Manual with Turbo!!!
When I was looking 2 years ago, they were like hens teeth!!!!

LA fitted a 170L - the chaps in Nelspruit had it on both their cruisers and no problems with lots of off roading too. I have not had problems, so I guess it depends on the actual fitting centre.

Good luck

Graham

The 60 series is getting a bit long in the tooth now and from what I can gather they're quite hard to get hold of in the Uk right now.

My 80 series is no SUV, it's genuinely bigger inside (and out) than a 60 series, its a turbo and its automatic. And IMHO it's great. So can't endorse what was said previously but each to their own.

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pigapitcha

http://www.jljphotography.co.uk

Steve,

We have built up an overland travel machine based on 79 series 2002 model Land Cruiser. See the photo on the "adventurers" page of destinationsunset.com

Any questions I will be pleased to help.


Cheers

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Chris

This is a very popular discussion among overlanders. I think it's sometimes irrelevant which one is best, because whatever kind of Landcruiser you will choose, it will probably go strong for at least your trip. Probably lots of other brands will suffice too.

Other interesting questions are also:

* What kind of travel is it
(for Asia you probably don't need such a heavy vehicle as when one plans to travel through Central Africa in or right after the rainy season)

* how exactly are you planning to travel
(Because if you tend to take regular dirt roads and only sometimes go off-road, you probably like some more luxury then a real hardcore 79 troop carrier which does not drive as comfortable as an 80 series.)

* Which cars are easy to find around the place you live
(spending twice the money on a car which is may be a small factor better is probably not worth it)

* how many persons you're travelling with?
(because if more then 2, a HJ60/HJ61 might be a better option than a 70-series Troop carrier)

* how long will the trip be?
(because if it's very long, you maybe want something bigger)

* Is another fun factor important eg. by limiting the off-road capabilities of the vehicle?
(If so, you can maybe decide to buy something not so obvious, just for the fun of it, eg. a 2CV or a 504 Danjel, or a W123 (which is what I use)

I met lots of overlanders on my trips and lots of talks were about the vehicles. Lots of people tend to have found the perfect vehicle for overlanding, but most of the time this is true for THEM.
Sometimes people get arrogant about it, they tend to persuade other people -they- have the right car. But what is 'right'. Based on 'what'?

Some have big trucks, I once met a german guy in an old firetruck, yes they have a shower and lots of space, but -if- you want to take small tracks, this is no option. This might be interesting for one person, but not for the other.

Some drive to Capetown in a 2CV, is this the 'right' car? For them it is, because they probably love to be in trouble with the car and find a solution in the middle of nowhere.

So, in my opinion it depends on the questions above, and probably more?



NB
I am planning a RTW too and I'm thinking about setting up a site to just talk about it and review all kind of options, who's interested in helping?



Jurgen

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http://300td.org - The weblog of a W123 on veggie oil

IN east Africa there are plenty of 80's: the GX and VX versions. They are very popular withNGO's and diplomatic staff and are often sold after their term has finished - however they hold their price to well.

I also am looking at the different car websites and am counting my pennies. To paraphrase Jurgen: What is right for you is usually what you can afford! I took my 3L 4Runner out to Africa and spent the last 3 years shuttling between SA and Kenya - however it is, alas, now too small for my growing family (growing in width not number!) and it is marooned in harare - so I am also on the look out.

Jurgen, I'll pitch in if you want.

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Enzo

@Bundabasher: Let's talk about it when I'm back from my upcoming trip.

The idea is to create the content with all of us, the obvious strength of the community, eventually moderated. This would be wise anyway, as people who have actually travelled with a certain vehicle, know the ins and outs.

Thanks!
Jurgen

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http://300td.org - The weblog of a W123 on veggie oil