New to 4x4 and having the Cruiser vs Hilux debate!

[Jackal]

Hi guys,

I'm planning to go on a trip through Africa, around 30,000km, for around 3 months, starting in South Africa and heading up about as far as Kenya and then coming back so need the right machine. Ideally I'd like to find a vehicle that has already had most of the overland modifications done and the more extras included the better because I am literally starting from scratch and have nothing. I've been doing a lot of research into buying a 80 or 100 series Land Cruiser but also now considering going for a Hilux instead so thought to see what advice I can get from you guys.

Looking forward to learning loads and meeting more off road enthusiasts on the forum.
Carl Snyman

[Mr_B]

If you can afford a petrol Land Cruiser, you can't go wrong... the only benefits I can think of it that the Hilux is cheaper to mod and kit out, lighter on fuel and less expensive to repair... but again, for overlanding, if you got the bucks a 4.5EFi Land Cruiser is the ultimate!

Mr B

[ZIETS]

Losers drive Cruisers

[CasKru]

If you can afford a petrol Land Cruiser, you can't go wrong... the only benefits I can think of it that the Hilux is cheaper to mod and kit out, lighter on fuel and less expensive to repair... but again, for overlanding, if you got the bucks a 4.5EFi Land Cruiser is the ultimate!

Mr B

Welcome to the forum. With the distance you are going to travel you probably have to take along a lot of kit. The LC has a higher load capacity. Other than that I see no advantage in taking the LC above a Hilux.

[Riceburner]

Hilux would be cheaper and better IMO. I had both and would take the hilux anyday.

[Mr_B]

You got to compare apples with apples... compare same generations...

LC 80 = IFS Toyota more or less
LC 100 = Vigo Toyota

You got to be honest, the Vigo 4L V6 can compare very favorably with the LC100, which, in my opinion is a very plasticky vehicle... so there I'd take the Vigo 4L V6 auto... but if you compare a 2.7 IFS to a LC80 4.5 EFi, it's a no brainer... the LC80 wins the overlanding contest hands down...

Bottom line buy the best you can afford and enjoy it... whether it be with a LC, Hilux SFA, Hilux IFS or Hilux Vigo...

For overlanding deep into Africa I'd stay with a petrol... the quality and availability of diesel can be dodgy in some places!

Mr B

[OOOOMS]

Then on the other hand petrol is not alway freely as available as diesel.

I would also go for a manual vehicle rather than auto. Towing a manual can be done!

For economy go for the 3.0 D4D, the cruiser will kill you in juice!

[george]

Another tip is to use a 2 liter see through container.First let them through the diesel or petrol in the container to see if it is polluted.
Personally I would go with a Hilux.Lighter on fuel and more comfortable.
If I am forced to go in a cruiser it will be the 76 series Station Wagon

[Spartan]

Personally I would go with a Hilux.Lighter on fuel and more comfortable.
If I am forced to go in a cruiser it will be the 76 series Station Wagon

Kyk jy moet jam kry boet

[Traveler]

I'd only consider a Croozer if it was a 76 - absolutely George.

I'd go with Mark's proposal the 3.0D4D, that engine has now found itself into the Prado.

[OOOOMS]

I'd only consider a Croozer if it was a 76 - absolutely George.

I'd go with Mark's proposal the 3.0D4D, that engine has now found itself into the Prado.

The 76 is a donkey, and heavy on juice....

[Family_Dog]

Hilux would be more ecnomical and certainly tough enough for the occasion!

Mr B, you really underrate the 2700i IFS! I would not hesitate to crawl through Africa with White Fang!


-F_D

[legend35]

I would agree with Eric.The IFS very reliable.

[Mr_B]

No Eric I don't underrate it, it's an excellent vehicle easily capable of a serious African overland trip... but a LC80 4.5EFi will do the job even easier...

If you can afford the fuel bill, the LC80 is an awesome beast! Comfort and power in a solid package!

Interestingly I noted that the Prado is officially called a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado... so technically Eric you are a Land Cruiser owner!

Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Lan ... to_2002.29

Mr B

[Family_Dog]

Mr B, the Pradio has got Land Cruiser badges stuck all over it, all courtesy of Toyota! But it is more comfortable than most Cruisers, more agile, lighter on fuel, and apparently more reliable if I look at all the various Cruisers for sale that have had engine overhauls, head overhauls, gearbox rebuilds etc. Could be they were abused or people were fitting turbos to them to get them up to a V6 Prado power/weight ratio.... !!


-F_D

[African Child]

Oaks in my opinie gaan dit maar weereens oor hoe jy pak en wat vir jou werk. Die volgende is maar net my gevoel en wat vir my werk of nie. .

Cruiser

* Dakpakspasie is beperk
* Cruiser het maar minder pakplek binne
* Gevaar in n ongeluk van swaar bagasie
en toerusting om rond te val in die cab. .
* Geraas en rattel van bagasie in cab, dryf
my na drank!
* n Stasiewa bly altyd deurmekaar binne op
n lang trip, soos jy goed van buite na binne
pak raak die stasiewa vol gras en grond binne.
* Brandstof verbruik.....
* Coilsprings agter.

Altwee voertuie is natuurlik fantasties en die Cruiser word nie verniet King of Africa genoem nie maar ek verkies die Hilux.

Hilux
* Dakspasie van cab + canopy is grooter vir rooftoptent & dakrak.
* Veiligheid van bagasie wat jou nie kan tref in n ongeluk.
* Stilte.....net stilte...behalwe vir Delaray, Delaray wat speel soos jy oor Angola se grens ry.
* Cab bly netjies binne want meeste goed wat jy in en uit pak is agter in die bak. Op n reen
oggend kan jy gou vinnig oppak en die natgoed sommer in die bak gooi. Maklik om die bak
skoon te maak inplv. matte!
* Brandstof verbruik....bietjie beter.
* Bladvere kan meer gewig dra.

[Jackal]

Thanks for the comments African Child, some really interesting advantages there.

[Spartan]

the Pradio has got Land Cruiser badges stuck all over it, all courtesy of Toyota!

Mr B jy moet oplet in die klas boet

[Mr_B]

Ja ja... like I said my comments are personal opinion... and will always bow to the overlanding knowledge of a oke like Leon... the been there done that boys!

I still like a Land Cruiser! Specifically the bakkie and 76!

[African Child]

Kyk ek sal self nie omgee om so nuwe V6 Cruiser bakkie deur Afrika te neem nie. Lekker uigekit, ai man ek kan myself nogal in een voorstel............of nee wat praat ek! Sal my ou Tjommie net te veel mis.........dalk in n ander leeftyd op n ander tyd en n ander plek....

[yotaman]

Agree with Eric - the 2.7i is truly legendary and certainly one of the most reliable. It has proven itself many times over in this fantastic continent and will continue to do so for a very long time. There's just something about those big four pot engines...they don't break!