Toyota Hilux Double-Cab - ZA registered - 1997
- Make: Toyota
- Model: Hilux
- CC: 2,400
- Gearbox: Manual
- Fuel: Petrol
- Country of Registration: South Africa
- Year of Registration: 1997
- Current Location: Pietermaritzburg, Natal, South Africa
- KM: 251,350km
- Date of last service: Full service in October 2011
History:
This Double-cab Hilux has been owned since March 2006 by a British ecologist, who each year has spent several months on his research programme in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve in Botswana and also travelling in Nambia, Lesotho and South Africa.
It was customized in 2007 with a wide range of fittings and equipment, making it possible for two people to be self-sufficient for up to two weeks in the bush. The Hilux has been lovingly maintained and is in excellent condition. The engine has only 251,350 km on the clock and uses less than a litre of oil per 10,000 km, even when working hard. A new clutch has just been fitted and the vehicle comes with four new tyres and three good spares.
Extras:
Modifications, Fittings and Accessories described below would cost around 80,000 Rand in South Africa - £8,000/9,200Euros.
Large aluminium canopy, purpose-designed by the owner and manufactured and fitted by a company specializing in modifying 4x4s into ambulances. This canopy is very tough and lets in little dust. It has a Fixed Fluorescent Light and Point for a Fridge or Second Light, both supplied from the second battery.
4.7-tonne Tabor Winch
Aluminium roof carrier on top of the double cab with two 65-litre plastic water containers within fitted security brackets. This carrier is designed also to take two safari tents and two safari boxes.
Rear aluminium roof carrier on top of the canopy carries two spare wheels, a spade and a shovel, all in security-fittings. There is additional room for firewood or other supplies.
The third spare wheel is housed underneath the rear.
Gravity-feed stainless-steel tank inside the canopy carrying 180 litres. Even heavy-laden and in sand and other difficult conditions, along with the standard tank of 70 litres this gives a range of at least 1,250 kilometres and in all probability 1,400 km.
Also in the canopy is the second battery, controlled by a dual-battery system in the cab.
To deal with the extra weight of the large canopy, petrol and water, as well as all the equipment, it has been fitted with Old Man Emu Suspension system and also has strengthened springs.
Camping Equipment: The tents and all the other equipment described below are mainly in very good condition. To buy all this from scratch in South Africa would cost at least 25,000 Rand (£2,500 2,875 Euros).
Howling Moon Bigfoot 3m X 3m Canvas Safari Tent
Howling Moon Crow Tent 2.5 x 2.5m Canvas Safari Tent
Free-standing Awning, poles, guys and pegs
Ground Sheets and Fine-meshed Matting
Safari Boxes (12)
25-litre water containers
Double Roll-up Mattress with canvas zip-up carrier, pillows, sheets, pillowcases, blankets
Director-style Camp Chairs (2)
Kitchen Equipment: Stoves, 2 x 5kg Gas Bottles, small stove and cylinders, pots and pans, crockery and cutlery for five people
Medical Kit (wide range of bandages, plasters, anti-burn and freeze-bags, medicines etc)
2 x Fluorescent Lamps, one of which can be run from the point in the canopy and the other from the cigarette-lighter in the cab
7-tonne Jack, Tools
Tow Rope and Tree Protector
Bow Saw and Tomahawk Axe.
“With the addition of extra mattresses, bedding and two chairs this vehicle and all the equipment will enable a party of four to travel comfortably together.”