What sub £2k 4x4?

Jimmy · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:13 pm Post subject: What sub £2k 4x4?

Hi all, I'm looking for a relatively cheap 4x4 to take me overlanding. It needs to be something I can use as a daily driver too, so obviously reliability is a major issue. I have my eye on this LJ78 'Cruiser at a local dealers which is currently being prepped for sale and is uber clean, but can anyone recommend anything else to look for and what to look out for with them?

Thanks in advance, Jim

Let Luce · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:53 pm Post subject:

Where are you plannign on going?

Middle East and north Africa is 'yota country so getting parts/finding a mechanic shouldn't be a problem.

We did our trip in a landy 101, paid less than 2 grand for it and had no major upsets at all.

Jimmy · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:54 pm Post subject:

Thanks Chris, yeah N.Africa is definately on the cards, and I would love to do Cairo-Cape Town someday.
After that maybe SE Asia and then who knows? Cross the Bering Strait and do the Americas? Canada and Brazil are both really tempting...

101s are cool but I don't think it'd suit me, kinda big for a daily drive and I'm a skinflint so need something that's a bit easier on the motion lotion

YotaDave · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:25 am Post subject:

I can vouch for the Landcruiser 70 series. Very rugged and reliable with a few more creature comforts than a Defender. Also have a look and the 80 series too.

Let Luce · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 11:57 am Post subject:

UK to Cape Town is a great trip, we took about a year over it. Morocco is just a short hop away really, about 3 days drive by series land rover, we did it in Autumn 2007, just a short 3 week trip though.

The 101's a bit big and thirsty for a daily drive, but whilst we were away it proved to be luxury. The advantage of not living out of a tailgate far out weighed any disadvantages it may have.

Other options, perhaps not so exciting are the Merc sprinter 4x4 or we even met a Dutch couple down in Namibia who'd crossed the Sahara round by Lake Chad in a 2wd Merc 508 (on their own!!!!!)

4 wheel drive really isn't essential, ground clearance helps a lot, as does a certain robustness in the vehicle.

DavidLovejoy · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject:

What engine is that 78 fitted with? The 2.0ltr Turbo Diesel is woefully underpowered for such a big bus, but there are so many options; from 2.0 to 4.2 derv burners. Despite having less grunt than a drunk wasp it will see fairly reasonable miles without trouble.

To be honest with 2K to blow check out a commercial Tdi 110 - shop around and find the lowest miles/best service history/less off roaded/less messed about with/not painted in military colours one that you can - expect to pay 1.5k, then blow the remaining budget on a damn good service/brakes/bearings/bushes etc. A boggo 110 will get you anywhere you want to go at a pace that lets you see the world, without using too much juice, whilst being easy and cheap to fix. It's lack of creature comforts allows you to experience life up close and personal. Don't be tempted to blow loads of wad on cr*p you don't need

Jimmy · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 7:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone, the cruiser's a 2.5TD with 83,000 (i think kms not miles) on the clock, imported in '99.
Was looking at a 110 panel van with a 2.8td Isuzu engine but the convertion wasn't up to scratch, can anyone vouch for the 200 or 300tdi engines? I've heard mixed reports on them.
Is the merc sprinter easy enough to find parts for abroad? I know that Land Rover and Toyota parts can be found without too much difficulty in the third world...

Chris, I know exactly what you mean about 4wd not being essential, although it can be useful!
I drove across Australia this time last year in a 2wd mitsubishi van, taking in many of the off road trails with success.
I got stuck twice in 3 months, both times while trying to cross river beds, and had to turn back once.
4wd would have made a couple more routes/sights possible but it wasn't essential by any means.

I'm looking forward to getting back into the 4x4 scene, I've been away from it for a few years now and it's been tearing me apart!

jonkem · Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 10:59 pm Post subject:

If the Cruiser is as good as it looks it'd be perfect for the job.

Just remember that some Toyota parts can be dearer in the UK so you need to factor that into your budget for prepping the car for an expedition. That extra cost is reflected in the reliability though so it's not simply a monetary calculation Wink

Don't rule out Patrols, lots travel from Europe into Africa all the time and even make it back as well Very Happy

I'd also echo what Dave said, 80 series can be had for that money.

Jimmy · Posted: Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:34 pm Post subject:

Jimmy · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:13 am Post subject:

Bit of a wild card, but how do the delica's fare at stuff like this? got plenty of space for a camper conversion Smile

Anyone have any (honest) experience of them?

delihustler · Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 7:55 pm Post subject:

I'm on my second Delica. The problem with the Delica would be spare parts, they don't share many parts with Pajero's. They are very comfortable and are a lot better offroad then you think they will be, plenty of room inside, it's just spares on a trip you've got planned is the problem

Jimmy · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:43 pm Post subject:

Thanks hustler, think I'll keep to the toyota plan then lol.

Seen another landcruiser on ebay, [fingers-crossed]with a bit of luck I'll be collecting it at the weekend[/fingers-crossed] Cool

delihustler · Posted: Tue Apr 14, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

I would stick to the Toyota for a trip like that

Jimmy · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 10:42 pm Post subject:

Well, I won the auction. Can't believe I found one the same colour and in as good condition as the one up top ^ !

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem...item=290309504824