What Order of Upgrades Would You Make

[Dalko43]

Where in West Africa are you going?

My take: gasoline 4x4, especially 4runner/prado, is not the best option. The 4.0l will chug through fuel once you have it moderately built and loaded up. You'll be lucky to get 300 miles of range, which might be sufficient for most areas, but that doesn't leave you a lot of leeway for tangential explorations or safety margin.

Have you considered renting/leasing or even buying a used Hilux or Ranger? Those vehicles are all over the place in Africa.

 

[Latetom]

Our plans six months ago was to drive from Spain/Morocco to South Africa along the West coast of Africa.

Our mileage hasn't been great for the last five years but the 4Runner was what we could afford and provided what we wanted in a vehicle.

Never have given a thought to buying or renting outside of the U.S. It hasn't always been easy going from one country to another with our own vehicle -- and have been stopped from entering Thailand. Our vehicle is a home to us (we don't sleep in it but we do spend a lot of time in it) and renting a new home every time we enter a new country or buying a vehicle every continent, etc. didn't make monetary sense to us.

Currently our 4Runner is parked at the Marrakesh International Airport and if we are ever able to continue our drive around the world we most likely will head to the U.K. or ship our 4Runner to South Africa and explore the southern countries of Africa before going North or to South America. At our age of 70+ we are beginning to slow down but we both hope to drive another couple of years.

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Latetom]

Continuation of above post.

I have given a lot of thought to what I would buy and drive if I had my current experience and this was 2016.

I believe I would give a lot of thought to a Tacoma pick-up with double cab and locking cover over the bed of the truck.

On an overnight ferry from Sicily to Tunisia a Greek with a beautiful Hilux asked me if I would trade vehicles -- he was in a group of eight vehicles that had driven from Greece and were going to spend 10 days driving Tunisia. His Hilux looked great and yes I would like to own one. If my wife and I had given ourselves more time to prepare for our trip; say a year rather than six months I would have given thought to buying a Hilux in South Africa and having it outfitted there and beginning our trip from South Africa.

But rather than spend time debating what vehicle to buy, what to do to it, we decided to buy a Toyota, make some quick upgrades -- and go see the world.

 

[tdferrero]

Perhaps I've skipped over it, but what are your plans for sleeping arrangements during your trip?

 

[Latetom]

Our sleeping arrangements are to find a bed somewhere. We stay at hotels, Airbnbs, places we find on Booking.com, camp grounds with cabins, etc.

We carry a tent and sleeping bags and have used them only once in Australia to be near a trail head so we could hike at basically sunrise. Nearest hotel was two hours a way.

 

[racingjason]

I checked out your website and see that you went with the BFG All-terrains for tires. My opinion (but I know it is shared by others) is that the ATs can be problematic in mud. I have literally have them on 3 of the 4 4wd vehicles I have right now so I do like them but they clog up in the mud and turn into muddy slicks in no time. We travelled in Southern and East Africa last time so mud was not going to be as much of an issue but I still choose Cooper ST/Maxx's over the AT's. All that being said, you have the new tires so a set of tire chains (or even a pair) could make a big difference if things get bad.

If you decide to ship out to South Africa contact Kenco Logistics in Cape Town. They did a fantastic job for us and we plan on using them again. Keep your tent and sleeping bags, camping is fantastic in Southern Africa.

 

[luthj]

It depends on your usage, but MTs are inferior to ATs on every surface/condition except for mud. This includes dry pavement, snow, rain, etc. If you don't plan to see lots of mud, a set of quality chains will provide the same as, or greater traction in mud. Albeit at the cost of having to install them.

 

[Latetom]

Racingjason and luthj, I haven't given any thought to driving in mud so thanks for bringing it to my attention. As for my ATs -- I don't believe I could have driven on any better tire no matter their cost. I got 50,000 miles on my first set of tires and not all of these miles were highway miles

I do like both you suggestions on chains for mud.

However, since we have written off a drive along the West African coast we most likely won't invest in chains. If I do, which tires should I put them on when needed: front or rear?

Racingjason, thanks for the name of Kenco Logistics. Except for our first shipping from LA to Sydney we have had good luck with the people we found to work with but much rather use someone with a good recommendation.

Stay safe, healthy and don't go out to catch the C19 virus.

 

[Dalko43]

Continuation of above post.

I have given a lot of thought to what I would buy and drive if I had my current experience and this was 2016.

I believe I would give a lot of thought to a Tacoma pick-up with double cab and locking cover over the bed of the truck.

On an overnight ferry from Sicily to Tunisia a Greek with a beautiful Hilux asked me if I would trade vehicles -- he was in a group of eight vehicles that had driven from Greece and were going to spend 10 days driving Tunisia. His Hilux looked great and yes I would like to own one. If my wife and I had given ourselves more time to prepare for our trip; say a year rather than six months I would have given thought to buying a Hilux in South Africa and having it outfitted there and beginning our trip from South Africa.

But rather than spend time debating what vehicle to buy, what to do to it, we decided to buy a Toyota, make some quick upgrades -- and go see the world.

Either he doesn't understand what the 4runner is (basically a gasoline prado) or he was joking...people overseas who own/drive trucks/SUV's generally own/use them for work/overlanding not just show.

The 4unner is a great vehicle, but the second you load it up you'll become range limited...just plan accordingly.

A moderately used Hilux with a main and aux tank isn't that expensive and will leave you worry-free for your travels...my 2 cents.

 

[Latetom]

A year later and after yesterday's second vaccine shot we have a new plan.

Fly to Marraskeh, pick up 4Runner, drive Morocco & Western Sahara for three wks and then ship 4Runner to South Africa. Life has its disappointments and not driving West Africa will be one of mine but at 70 & 73 its time to be realistic. And 5+ months in Southern Africa isn't all that bad.

Have decided to purchase

two oil filters (currently have one spare but will change oil in Morocco)
front wiper blades (replace spares I installed in early 2020)
D-handle shovel
mosquito nets for use in tent and possibly less expensive lodging
camp stove

LED front & fog lights, dome light and two rear hatch lights (front interior already replaced w/LED)
Rear bumper w/swing away tire -- maybe
Bull bar (needs to also comply with European laws) -- also a maybe

Last two if I can arrange will have done in South Africa.

Any thoughts or recommendations are always welcomed. Thank you to everyone who has helped me by making your recommendations. Best to everyone.

 

[Latetom]

Dalko43 -- I have looked at more than one Hilux during our travels. Issue with the Hilux is someday we will return to the U.S. and its my understanding that the Hilux doesn't meet U.S. vehicle requirements.
While on an overnight ferry to Tunisia I was parked in front of a group of seven Greek owned vehicles/drivers -- one being a very nicely outfitted Hilux. He wanted to trade his Hilux for our 4Runner. The 4Runner was sold in Australia many years ago. Parked at a camp and a guy about my age wandered over and he told me how he used to own a 4Runner and wished they were still available in Australia.
Yes, if the Hilux was available in the U.S. I may have chosen it rather than our 4Runner.

 

[direwolf82]

I'm a little confused, you say you aren't mechanically inclined and are probably more prone to breaking stuff with tools than fixing. You then say you have a hundred pounds of tools and parts. Did I misread that?
You could probably get rid of a bunch of tools, the spare parts I would keep for remote areas, if you found someone to do the work wouldn't they likely have tools?
I'm just curious, haven't been outside the US and don't know what places are like in reality. The trip sounds awesome!!

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Latetom]

Direwolf82, I am confusing because I will turn 70 somewhere in Morocco if all goes as plan - age has advantage but not necessarily in talking in plain language.
I carry a set of basic tools - screw drivers, pliers, wire cutters, etc. that I know how to use -- nothing that will help me yank an engine or a transmission and fix it. I have traveled and required repairs in enough 3rd world countries to learn the mechanics are amazing in making a repair good enough or better to get you where you can get a standard repair. I also know that these 3rd world mechanics don't always have the best tools so if I show them mine they can work faster with better result and I have been known to leave a specific tool like a vise grip with them which brings a bigger smile than my money.
Its the spares like an alternator more than the tools if you exclude recovery gear or my new high lift jack and base is probably closer to 25 pounds.

In my next life I am going to make sure I have mechanic knowledge, am a technology nerd and more.

 

[direwolf82]

Direwolf82, I am confusing because I will turn 70 somewhere in Morocco if all goes as plan - age has advantage but not necessarily in talking in plain language.
I carry a set of basic tools - screw drivers, pliers, wire cutters, etc. that I know how to use -- nothing that will help me yank an engine or a transmission and fix it. I have traveled and required repairs in enough 3rd world countries to learn the mechanics are amazing in making a repair good enough or better to get you where you can get a standard repair. I also know that these 3rd world mechanics don't always have the best tools so if I show them mine they can work faster with better result and I have been known to leave a specific tool like a vise grip with them which brings a bigger smile than my money.
Its the spares like an alternator more than the tools if you exclude recovery gear or my new high lift jack and base is probably closer to 25 pounds.

In my next life I am going to make sure I have mechanic knowledge, am a technology nerd and more.

Gotcha, that makes sense. Better tools definitely has better potential for speed and quality of work.
Ha! Yeah, if your carrying enough gear to pull and rebuild a motor or trans trailside that would be a bit overkill.
On the opposite side of it if you did have more mechanical knowledge now you would be stuck bringing more tools and more parts and more weight, tradeoffs as always I suppose.


Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[Latetom]

Love your last sentence! I am going to use it when people rag on my lack of mechanic abilities.
Stay warm (I am in TX), safe, healthy and masked.
And please keep posting.