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North Africa Topics specific to North Africa and the Sahara down to the 17th parallel (excludes Morocco)
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



Trans Sahara Routes.

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  #1  
Old 10 Jul 2002
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Wheel Sizes
In preparing my Series 60 Land Cruiser for a trans-African trip I wanted to change the 16' alloys for steel wheels. I have had loads of trouble finding steel wheels and finally purchased a selection of 16' and 17' at the weekend with the intention of putting the 17' on the back and 16' on the front with a spare of each size. Its now dawned on me that it could stress the transmission if I use 4wd (which will only be for short periods and on loose surfaces).

Am I worrying unneccessarily and would it be a solution to put a 'deeper' tyre on the 16' to make them nearer in size to the 17'?
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Old 10 Jul 2002
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Get rid of the 17's. I'm sure you can get steel wheels through Famous Four 01507 609444, Bronco 4x4 01538 39855 or Trevor Milner's. If not they will point you in the right direction.

[This message has been edited by Lamin Sambou (edited 10 July 2002).]
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Old 10 Jul 2002
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You will also have problems getting spares for the 17 inch tyres. In West Africa the 16 is on virtually all 4x4 cars. The most common are 7.5x16.

I have a 1989 Lancruiser turbo in Mali and have 9.00x16, I usually have 3 or 3.2 tonnes fully loaded and can say that they are excellent. After more than a year and 27,000km on all surfaces I havent noticed any transmission problems, but would be interesterd to hear anyone who has heard the contrary.
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  #4  
Old 10 Jul 2002
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Mangel 16" tubeless ('8 spokes, white only') cost 30 quid each - widely available (made in Brazil).

Why not stick with the 16 alloys? - unless they are ridiculously wide (quite likely with old 60s).
Also 16 steels are widely availabe from breakers for 20 quid? once poseurs move up to wide alloys/rubber. 5.5 or 6 inch rim width is what you want. Hilux ones fit

I have to say mixing 17s with 16 earns you turkey of the week, Mr B... ;-). It hurts me even to think about it!

FYI Kevin, I'm told it does put stress on the wheel bearings - a mates 80 with 9 x 16s knacked its bearings in deep south Alg last winter to the point where he could not move.
I find 750s are fine and as you say, they are everywhere.

Chris S




[This message has been edited by Chris Scott (edited 10 July 2002).]
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Old 16 Jul 2002
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Thanks Chris, it may be confusing, but I have heard the following, I still dont know which part of it is true or false.

1. The bearings on an 80 are different (stronger)to those on a 60 (on the European versions at least)

2. The 80 which is sold in Europe is different to those which are sold in Africa. In Africa they have a a "luxury" and a "heavy duty" version. The latter has different suspension, steering etc. I have seen some of these in Mali on the road with big tyres and after talking to the drivers they say they have no problems with them.

Can anybody shed some more lioght on this?

Like I said above I have them on a Malian registered Landcruiser (German model) and if the bearings go on them then I think it will probably happen on the side of a sand dune the other side of Timbuktu than outside the Toyota dealers in Bamako. This I hope to avoid.

Thanks in advance
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Old 17 Jul 2002
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All I know was matey-boy was in a European 80 - but I think it takes a while and probably some neglect for the bearing to go. I know other 80s on 900s which manage fine.

Chris S

PS. I know of a couple of nice cars for you - an R4 in Lome and and a 2CV up north somewhere...
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