Thanks Scott and to all others who replied. Looks like my spam filters were zapping your reply notifications. I'm not planning to buy one but am writing a book on vehicle overlanding (see my profile) having written similar books on motorcycling and edited one for pushbikes. Right now I am researching domestic NA options for the 'which vehicle' section.
.... the Thai built Toyoto HiLux / Vigo with the 3.0 Diesel - in a dualcab (crewcab) and 4x4...
Funnily enough that is the workhorse (in 2.4) that I'm eyeing up for my next couple of desert trips. I'm surprised to hear the locally-built Tacoma does not compare. My last Hilux trip did not end so well as you can read later in OJ.
It looks like Cummins + Dodge is a favourite so I'll look into that.
...Can you still get diesel Jeeps (Wrangler/Cherokee) in Britain?
Yes - plenty. They've just introduced a Patriot with a CRD engine that claims 50mpg (UK). Dont know if you're aware but diesel in the UK is among the most expensive in the world at $2/litre. Luckily veg oil at half the price has lately become tax exempt (being 'food') and works fine mixed 1:1.
Chip, I'll answer your questions for what I imagine will be most of the prospective readers.
... more than one companion?
No but big groups/families are being addressed - as well as less obvious vehicles. Check this lot out:
http://www.welcometotheworld.org.uk/
More than one vehicle?
Usually or initially no
...self-contained for more than a week?
It's at the extreme end but at times yes
... camping regularly
Yes
... transport by boat?
Most probably yes
.. challenging routes?
Yes - at times (especially in Africa) there is no choice
... I am guessing you are partial to diesels.
I think we all are for the long drive Lynn. A solid, pre-electronic diesel simplifies life greatly although I'm aware mid-sized diesels are rare in the US - if not Canada.
Thanks for the links; I spent a day on expeditioncampers.com and will no doubt be going back - and Turtle Expeditions have sent in some material for the book.
...My Ranger was a pile of junk...
There are a lot of ex-Landrover owners around who feel the same way - but LRs are as popular as ever. I tried the new Defender out the other day on a course - amazing agility with TC but that's only part of the story to life on the road.
Sometimes I read the same complaints about Jeep [ie: 'junk'] but wonder if that was from the AMC era? Brit cars have certainly had a few eras of their own and it seems many new vehucles are more fragile than what I consider 'golden era' around late 80s to mid-90s when mechanical tech peaked just before electronics started getting cheaper.
I get the feeling we're better off in Europe with our choice of suitable overlanders and know-how; from normal 4WDs right up to inexpensive ex-military MANs and MBs. A lot of Brits like to dress their LRs for 'expeditions' but the Germans are somethimg else.
We went here a couple of weeks ago - an annual event
http://www.abenteuer-allrad.de/
and the campsite/car park was an overlanding show in itself.
There is a bit of a gap in between filled by Mog$$$$, less common Ivecos and the like. Check this page out; they're all for sale:
http://bernard.debucquoi.com/annonces.php
A mate is eyeing up a Renault B90, but look around and you'll find a picture of one blown over in Iran which on that suspension does not surprise me
Thanks again - any more ideas keep them coming.
Here's a little
cadeau from Egypt, 2004
http://www.sahara-overland.com/Sfiles/RolloverBeethoven.mov
Ch
