1.1 THE RIG.

Travel at your pace, go where and when you want, no fixed schedule, ... only possible with your own transport.  We have chosen a 4x4 with a hefty reputation, with almost no electronics for wading, with solid (or live) axles for extra ground clearance and with an indestructible engine.  A car already on the market for a while, known in most remote places and with spares all over the world.  Guided by reason, we have chosen for Toyota ..... no offence.

1. The base:

TOYOTA Land Cruiser HDJ80 - 1997.
In-line SOHC 6 cylinder turbo diesel 4200 cc, 24 valves.
Output: 170 bhp at 3600 rpm and 360 Nm torque at 2200 rpm.
Max speed: 165 km/h.
Permanent 4 wheel drive with central differential lock and locks on both axles.
5 speed manual gear box.
Mechanical fuel pump.
Fuel tank capacity: 95 litres.
Solid axles.
Air co.
165.000 km on the clicker.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etxtYQl-FpE


2. Modifications and Additions:

The car came with:

• TJM Airtec snorkel. http://www.tjm.com.au/index.php?nj=ln.php?i=Snorkels
• Proflex nitrogen chock absorbers. http://www.proflex-shockabsorbers.com/
• Frontrunner Windcheetah Slimline 2.2 m aluminium roof rack.       http://www.dolium.com.au/view/pg?command=cman_view_webpage&webpage_id=9&pkey=dolium

We replaced:

• the tires for BF Goodrich Mud Terrain 265/75 R16 tires.             http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/tire-selector/category/off-road-tires/mud-terrain-t-a-km/tire-details
• Black Modular US Steel rims.                                                                  http://www.silverlinewheels-tyres.com/4x4/wheels/steel
• the original aft bumper for an ARB steel aft bumper with the spare wheel on a swing arm. http://www.arb.com.au/products/customised/
• the original steering damper for an Old Man Emu damper.           http://www.arb.com.au/products/old-man-emu-4x4-suspension/steering-stabilisers/
• the springs from the suspension for heavy duty springs from Old Man Emu.
• front and aft disks for DBA brake disks.  http://www.dba.com.au/ 
• front and aft brake pads for EBC brake pads.  http://www.ebcbrakes.com/
• rubber brake lines for braided steel brake lines (this enhanced the brake performance dramatically).
• all rubber suspension bushes.  http://www.man-a-fre.com/explodedview/80seriessuspensionbushings.htm
• the clutch (at 179.000 km) for a heavy duty clutch from http://www.all-american.nl/
• the waterpump.

4x4 Extreme www.4x4extreme.be modified, replaced and installed for us:

• raised differential and gearbox breathers.
• Racor 500FG pre fuel filter with water separator. http://www.dreamaway.net/racor_500FG_Turbine_Series.pdf             http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClLjL1BR1sc

Racor filter (left upper corner).

• additional fuel tank (60 litres) for an autonomy of about 1000 km on hard surface.
• stainless steel side exhaust.
• Reinforced front axle (24 valve'r attention point).
• 8 mm aluminium plate crankcase and gearbox protection.
• tow pig tails front and aft (no winch).

Reinforced front axle, alu crankcase protection ant left front pig tail.

Aft shocks protection and Proflex nitrogen tank.

• Lexan and aluminium aft shocks protection (rocks hammer the aft shocks to smithereens),
• installed Cobra front seats (great seats: 1.000 km/day = no problem), http://cobra.subesports.com/products/cat/seats/brand/Cobra/prodID/669
• replacement of the fuel injectors and fuel lines, 
• fuel pump overhaul,
• verification of the steering knuckles and front and aft axle bearings,
• Proflex shocks overhaul.