Landcruiser /pajero/ prado – can these actually be taken off-road?

[chewkwMember]

Any of the Toyota Landcruiser (Prado, Amazon, V8, etc) will do as they are Not exactly for hairdressers if you are driving in Ozland.

[stumpy01Member]

For much of the world, the Land Cruiser is THE go to off road vehicle.

[thepuristSubscriber]

The rest of the world uses Land Cruisers to rescue all the stuck bits in their land rovers.

[scc999Subscriber]

Landcruiser is probably one of the most well thought of off roader in Africa, if that’s any help.
Super reliable and competent, used by many safari companies for those reasons and the added benefit that they’re confrotable as they are a modern vehicle unlike a landy.

Si

[mikewsmithSubscriber]

bigger question is can you, there are a number of organised tours out there where you do it with a group so you have some back up when things go wrong.

[ononeorangeSubscriber]

Ok thanks appreciate the quick answers! Had no idea.

Trip is on, then!!

[ononeorangeSubscriber]

Mike – told in October it’s not hard, we are going to get a half-day’s training too.

Cheers

[mikewsmithSubscriber]

Also lots of the regular hire companies have a no off road policy in any vehicle, the off road excess is huge.

[ononeorangeSubscriber]

Yes recently found that, about to take that on next

[bookwyseMember]

The Aussies have a saying that is very very true:

“If you want to go out into the desert go in a Land Rover, IF you want to come back go in a Land Cruiser.”

[mikewsmithSubscriber]

I’d also have a look at things like Sat phone hire etc. mentioned by somebody who did a long trek out there. She went in a Prado I think. You would get laughed at if you turned up in a landie and you will probably enjoy the air con in the toyota a bit more. You might need to hit some more specialist companies to get an actual off road vehicle rather than something that is there to get you up and down some graded dirt roads. Hence the other suggestion of looking for a convoy style setup.

told in October it’s not hard, we are going to get a half-day’s training too.

Just remember how far you will be from anything at all. Not trying to put you off just saying it’s remote

[ononeorangeSubscriber]

Thanks appreciate it. The size of the country we are – I admit – struggling with. We want to stay at a place in Arnhemland but their price to take us themselves in a 4wd (several hours each way) is prohibitive. Satellite phones a must.

Trying not to rise to your Landie bait, though…..! My old Series Landie could always be fixed at the side of the road. These things seem way too complicated for that. But I won’t take any more bait….!

Thanks again.

[mikewsmithSubscriber]

This helps with scale,

[bigjimSubscriber]

Drove around most of Oz and didn’t see many land rovers, toyotas are king there for sure, still lots of the really old models going around which I developed a soft spot for. Depending how long you are there for there is a big second hand market and you might not lose any money over a short period, bit of a gamble whether it would be worth the risk against the price of hiring though. You’ll have a great time, don’t let anyone put you off, just be sensible.

[ononeorangeSubscriber]

Jeez. Brilliant map though thanks. Really shows it.

[mikewsmithSubscriber]

Also for planning don’t expect to be driving in the outback at night even on proper roads as the Roos are big, also don’t underestimate how dull it is in places. Last long drives on decent roads we were disciplined to swap every 2 hrs mostly due to how bored the passenger gets. A FM transmitter for getting music into the speakers is worth it as radio reception goes downhill in places.

[chewkwMember]

mikewsmith – Member
This helps with scale,

The land! The empty space!

I have chosen the wrong country to be a legal alien … 🙁

[ononeorangeSubscriber]

Sorry I know nothing about these. Planning a trip to Northern Australia and will be hiring a vehicle to include some tracks, rivers etc. Hire company has these but I have no idea if they are Chelsea Tractors / shopping cars which will combust at the first sight of rough roads or if they are really built for it. Anybody know?

(In my world it would only be a Land Rover but they don’t have any of those, unfortunately).

[mitsumonkeyMember]

Mitsubishi obviously 😉

[captainsasquatchMember]

https://youtu.be/a5W0jNhhMWQ

Mitsubishi obviously
Prado would’ve got up if the driver had learnt how to drive it properly.

[DefenderMember]

Mitsubishi obviously

Not really a very fair comparison as the Toyota is much larger, heavier and has a longer rear overhang.

[aphex_2kMember]

The prado was one of the best selling for ya in Oz. You could use a landie but if something breaks you’re fooked out in woop woop. You’ll pretty much find landcruiser parts no bother. Enjoy. It’s bloody huge do take 2 bottles of water. Yeah watch for roos… Emus can be a pain too. Designed to miss ya bull bars and go thru your windscreen!

[ononeorangeSubscriber]

Thanks everyone!

[captainsasquatchMember]

Fill yourself on the videos from this guy. There’s a lot and they’re jolly informative.
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn10rNuMDi4[/video]

[wanmankylungMember]

I have driven a lot of off roaders off road in my time. If I had to choose one to depend on it would be a landcruiser.

[DrJMember]

Drove a Landcruiser up a wadi in Oman – essentially a sea of boulders. I’ve had a bumpier ride driving a normal car to the shops.

[anagallis_arvensisMember]

I think you’ll be fine.

[epicycloSubscriber]

I’ve lived in outback Oz on the edge of the desert and I’ve done long hauls on dirt roads (1,000 miles)

I wouldn’t knock a Landrover because regardless of what they say about Toyotas, if you’re in deep shit, the Landrover will get you out.

However if you have to drive a long way over corrugated roads (all roads are corrugated 🙂 ) to get to that shit, then my first choice would be the Landcruiser. Good airconditioning, and good dust sealing. It’s amazing how much of a dust storm you can get inside a Landrover. 🙂

One aspect if you’re not used to heat and long straight hauls, it’s dead easy to fall asleep at the wheel in the middle of the day. Stop to drink water at least every hour, and carry enough to be stranded beside the road for at least one day. Get a tarp and cord to provide shade in case of breakdown – but I’m sure you’ll be well briefed. Also a large umbrella for shade. And don’t leave the vehicle to walk for help if it breaks down – I lost a friend that way – they reckon he died within 5 hours because he didn’t take enough water (left it for his family)

The reality is you’ll notice that lots of the locals are driving around in 2wd utilities or wagons (estate car). 4wd is generally unnecessary if you’re sticking to tracks. However those utes and wagons will probably have the “country” pack, ie better suspension and limited slip diff, and it’s what I would be using.

[trail_ratMember]

Done a **** load of off roading in pajeros an land cruisers with with work.

In africa the offroader of choice is still the hilux – they are horrendous though.

Pajeros/land cruisers are super capible in sand although the land cruisers a big lumbering beast- its weight counts against it sometimes

It is superbly comfortable though.

Or paj was a bucket. Broke down on me twice. Refused to take it again .

Still have a landy at home thogh .

[epicycloSubscriber]

trail_rat – Member
…In africa the offroader of choice is still the hilux – they are horrendous though…

I’ve had 2 of those. Agree. 🙂

My son has a Pajero in Oz. He loves it, but I suspect it’s just an urban tractor.

[rickmeisterSubscriber]

Worked with outward bound in oz and was off road for two years. Nt , wa and sa. Their land cruisers were great and almost unstoppable even with water on the bonnet. Chains helped with mud and they were miles better than hilux. That pic ^^^^ pretty much sums it up.

No hesitation recommending them. They just kept hauling.

[WildHunter2009Subscriber]

Do a lot of 4WD as part of my job up in the Pilbara (North West Oz) We pretty much use use Hilux or Landcruisers exclusively. Not a big fan of the hilux to be honest, deceptively cramped for a big truck. Landcruisers are pretty much indestructable and will take you anywhere, plus spares really easy to find. Also a lot will come with dual fuel tanks which is bloody handy.

They are a cow to drive in town though, big heavy long vehicle with the turning radius of a continental plate.

The prado is a bit of an odd beast, a lot more capable than you might expect and really nice to drive but no snorkel and the clearence could be better. We call the supervisors car because there much management only.

The hire company vehicles will usually have pretty average tyres and be very careful of how many km is included in the standard hire policy. You cover some daft daft distances.

I would seriously look to buy 2nd hand and sell after. Toyotas hold value really well. Nissan patrols can be a good value 2nd hand buy. Id avoid the likes of Pajeros, Navaras etc.

[mikewsmithSubscriber]

I would seriously look to buy 2nd hand and sell after. Toyotas hold value really well. Nissan patrols can be a good value 2nd hand buy. Id avoid the likes of Pajeros, Navaras etc.

Only issue will be stamp duty (state dependent but paid when you buy a used car) and getting insurance without an address – there will also be a premium for doing it with a UK driving license.