We just bought a hyundai galloper 99, with only 133.000 km on it. Is this a car we can rely on on our trip from Germany to South-Africa?
We will be driving the west-route.

Also; any tips for what should be done about the car before we go? Something we need to buy etc.?

Looking forward to answers.

A few of the people I work with have Gallopers, V6 ones mainly. Mechanically they are just an old Mitsubishi Pajero so typically reliable overall. Although my friend has head cylinder head issues (apparently quite common, overheating causing the head gaskets to fail and potentially causing more damage)

It's impossible to say reliability wise, you could buy a brand new Toyota and it shit itself within 6 months, even more common place with 20 year old 4x4s that have had a dozen owners.

Good luck with your new purchase though!

I travelled through China with a couple who had driven one from the Netherlands without a problem until the rear diff exploded in Tibet and it had to be towed to Nepal where they sold it.
With something that old it is impossible to say but they have a good reputation so I would get it looked over by someone who knows they are doing and if they say it is generally good head off.

Any vehicle will get you anywhere on this planet. My wife and I rode two old and beaten classic Vespas from Capetown to Nairobi in three weeks. It was mostly tarmac and very easy going.

Many years later i took one of those scooters and participated in the Budapest to Bamako Rally (actually Guinea Bisssu that year). Three weeks an lots of trails, pistes and riding offroad and sandy beaches.

Your greatest advesary will allways be time. The less you have, the more self reliant you will need to be (parts, tools, skills, a reliable vehicle).

I've seen some truely old, beaten and unreliable cars make the trip. Being capable is not the same as suitable though.

If you choose to go the eastern route (easiest), everything except for maybe parts of Sudan, Ethiopia and Northern Kenya should be all good tarmac. Maybe a fe
W short patches of potholes further south, but nothing to worry about.

If you would have felt comfortable driving the car from Norway to southern Italy and back, three times, then go ahead.

Africa has actual mechanucs that know how to fix things. Not like Norway where all they know is to plug a compuer into a car's OBDii port and order whatever repkacemenr component the computer tells them.

Bringing your own diagnostic tool, workshop manual, parts fiche diagrams, and a parts catalogue is a good idea.

Service the car, maybe in a less expensive country in Europe. Don't be satisfied with just your next regular, but take the next one after that as well. Replace all parts that ware out (brakes, brake lines if old, arms, ball joints, etc). Start
With fresh tyres. Replace all fluids, including transmission (even if it says that it is service free). All plugs and filters...

Ask the dealer what are the most critical and prone parts to break. Research the web. Bring a spare. On my bike, for instance, I always bring a spare fuel pump and a relay known to brake. You might get away by bringing a used part, but have it tested.

If you have all the time in the world, then just go and sort things out en route.

Toyotas is a poular brand in Africa, especially the fourrunner and landcruisers. Many love the HJ60 (pre computer page and no limp mode).

A hundai, I'm sure will do just fine.


If you take the central or western route, expect to put your car to the test.

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