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Whats the best vehicle for a Central Asia overland trip? Whats the best vehicle for a Central Asia overland trip?
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Light Overland Vehicle Tech Tech issues, tips and hints, prepping for travel
Under 3500kg vehicles, e.g. Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Subaru etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

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


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #16  
Old 13 Oct 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigO View Post

The 3.0TD 90/Colorado/Prado options are a modern and therefore potentially more difficult to fix, right?

Jon
.
But as probably a little newer, less likely to break down, in my opinion.
The thing with the 4,2L 80 series is the amount of diesel they drink.

vette
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  #17  
Old 13 Oct 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChrisC View Post
First of all, as I said previously, a Prado/Colorado is more than capable of this trip 4 up and loaded. Just make sure you prep the vehcile well and replace the suspension if necessary.
100 series would be a great choice, but will be pricey.
.
Exactly.
You should be looking for economy also.
Sure you can buy an 80 series, and have a second tank fitted to give you 1000km.
You can also have the same tank fitted as Twobob mentioned, to a Prado, and have a 1600 to 1800km range.
Carrying loads of diesel isn't the real answer, I feel economy should also play a hand in "range"


The Prado has a 90 liter tank, and you can fit an additional 160 liter sub-tank, totaling 180 liters.
On tarmac, which will be most of your trip, you could expect 10km/liter, but loaded, I guess 8,5km per liter.
impressive.

vette
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  #18  
Old 13 Oct 2012
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I own a 3.0TD Auto Colorado and have travelled 10000's of KM in the company of 80 series Land cruisers of various types over various surfaces and I can tell you there is very little difference in fuel economy.

In fact a late 24 valve manual 80 used less fuel than mine, like for like and the 12 valve auto only used a small amount more.
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  #19  
Old 13 Oct 2012
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In my Central Asia bike trip this summer, I saw ZERO Land Rovers. Hence unlikely to be many people who stock parts etc. Every 4x4 was either an old Russia thing or a Toyota Landcruiser, either an older one or some really rich guy driving a new shiney one.
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  #20  
Old 4 Nov 2012
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Hi

All the Toyotas are a good bet. I'd go for an 80 series though over the Prado. Have you sat in the back of one? OK on leg room but something about the way you can't see forward made me feel v.sick that I'd never had in any other car. Suggest checking it out but it sounds like you've made your mind up anyway.
Another tip for that part of the world is a picture dictionary unless you can speak/read the lingo.
Have fun now.....
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  #21  
Old 5 Nov 2012
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fuel for the LC 80
Traveled 30,200 miles ,through the stans ,siberia, from and back to the UK,
worked out we did 30miles to the gallon, which is not bad, In our LC 80,1996,
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  #22  
Old 7 Nov 2012
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Originally Posted by Allchin View Post
30miles to the gallon in a LC 80?!
Are you sure you weren't confusing miles with kms?!
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  #23  
Old 7 Nov 2012
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fuel
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Originally Posted by ilesmark View Post
Are you sure you weren't confusing miles with kms?!
Im sure its miles, the fuel pump was serviced before we left ,and the working out was done by my husband, he has the workings out somewhere.!
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  #24  
Old 8 Nov 2012
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LC80 proved itself again!
Hi there,

I've just completed a London to Cape Town Overland expedition in a Land Cruiser 80 series prepared by Julian Voelcker and further pimped by 2 very capable Engineers. We had 3 LC80's on this expedition and one 100 series who done equally well! The poor lads we met with a Land rover Defender 110 wasn't that lucky!

You need to spend about 5k for a decent base vehicle and then start adding the extras. To be honest you probably won't need all the stuff we've added but you'll be wishing for that when the hits the fan!!

Budget to spend another 10k to get your vehicle 100% ready or buy a fully kitted one that just completed a similar journey....wink wink!

You'll need spare parts and have to service regularly!! Don't skimp on oil and ATF changes! For fuel efficiency install an intercooler if possible and keep your weight down!! Leave the luxuaries at home!

Keep it simple and keep it easy.

Hope this helps - PM me for more info

Regards,

Andre
GDS
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  #25  
Old 12 Jan 2013
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Hi Everybody,

I've brought a 1994 Toyota Landcruiser 80 series 4.2l turbo diesel. I found it via Julian Voelcker. It is Boris, the very first car that Julian ever prepared. Boris went around Africa for two years and the previous owners decided to sell.

Julian is once again preparing Boris for Central Asia. As Boris came with kit he was 10k and then I expect to spend another 5-6k getting refreshed to go again. I don't think you can get away with much less that a 15k budget for a well prepared LC these days.

Boris comes with range of accessories.

- Patriot roof rack
- Extra fuel tank
- Water tank
- Marine water filter
- Outside shower system
- Compressor
- 12v split power system
- 240v inverter power system
- Fridge
- Winch
- Rear storage system
- A range of tools and spares

You can check out a picture on my website.
http://bigoadventures.com/the-expedition-vehicle/

Thanks for all the assistance over the last year or so.

If anybody is in Central Asia this year get in touch via the website and maybe we'll get a chance ot meet up.

Cheers
Jon
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