xtfritz
Observer
This is a general all call to anyone who has dealt with expedition LC's overseas and tap their experience (just a little).
I'm in the midst of planning a trans-southamerica trip to go from Maturin, Venezuela to Quillota, Chile that will for the most part go through the Amazon basin, Andes of Bolivia, wetlands of Paraguay and Pampas of Argentina before facing the Andes again across the Atacama. I say this since this is to describe more or less the climates that we'll see as part of our trip.
We plan to purchase or ship vehicles to Venezuela and here is where some different opinons are surfacing in our small group over which models/engines to go by. Our first option is to purchase an FJ72 (short wheel based 'machito' - petrol, though I may have the number wrong), an FJ78 (troopy style, w/ petrol engine), a 60 series LC (not much experience w/ these in terms of reliability/parts), an FJ40 (again, lack of experience) or our current arsenal (bought and paid for) '07 FJC and '08 FJC TT.
My thoughts are that the FJC would be 1) too much of a target for theft, etc. 2) too new of a vehicle w/ too many electronics and gizmos to risk in high water crossings and suffer ill effects from bad gas, etc and a host of unknown long term issues (too new). The FJ72 and FJ78 are the "tried and true designs" though I would prefer the diesel model (comments??) and they would only really be available in Venezuela, meaning we're buying a vehicle used and trusting our lives to it. FJ40's have the glamour of being old and still around but what about parts, upgrades, etc needed to make it worthy of 9000km through swamp and pampas? Could we swap a 4.2L TurboD into a 40? Are there enough upgrades to make it comparable to the 'newer' 70 series? Finally, are 60 series up for the task or are they an inbetween cheap and ready solution that also come with caveats?
I understand everyone has their opinion and most people haven't driven all of the above. The 40's seem simple and field maintainable. Everything else seems more and more complicated parts wise and skimpier mods made by manufacturers trying to tell the 4WD community that they need electronic items.
Thoughts anyone? and YES I really REALLY would like your opinion. That's what a forum is for
Cheers,
Chris
I'm in the midst of planning a trans-southamerica trip to go from Maturin, Venezuela to Quillota, Chile that will for the most part go through the Amazon basin, Andes of Bolivia, wetlands of Paraguay and Pampas of Argentina before facing the Andes again across the Atacama. I say this since this is to describe more or less the climates that we'll see as part of our trip.
We plan to purchase or ship vehicles to Venezuela and here is where some different opinons are surfacing in our small group over which models/engines to go by. Our first option is to purchase an FJ72 (short wheel based 'machito' - petrol, though I may have the number wrong), an FJ78 (troopy style, w/ petrol engine), a 60 series LC (not much experience w/ these in terms of reliability/parts), an FJ40 (again, lack of experience) or our current arsenal (bought and paid for) '07 FJC and '08 FJC TT.
My thoughts are that the FJC would be 1) too much of a target for theft, etc. 2) too new of a vehicle w/ too many electronics and gizmos to risk in high water crossings and suffer ill effects from bad gas, etc and a host of unknown long term issues (too new). The FJ72 and FJ78 are the "tried and true designs" though I would prefer the diesel model (comments??) and they would only really be available in Venezuela, meaning we're buying a vehicle used and trusting our lives to it. FJ40's have the glamour of being old and still around but what about parts, upgrades, etc needed to make it worthy of 9000km through swamp and pampas? Could we swap a 4.2L TurboD into a 40? Are there enough upgrades to make it comparable to the 'newer' 70 series? Finally, are 60 series up for the task or are they an inbetween cheap and ready solution that also come with caveats?
I understand everyone has their opinion and most people haven't driven all of the above. The 40's seem simple and field maintainable. Everything else seems more and more complicated parts wise and skimpier mods made by manufacturers trying to tell the 4WD community that they need electronic items.
Thoughts anyone? and YES I really REALLY would like your opinion. That's what a forum is for
Cheers,
Chris
