Paint job:

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Fact is, the new Land Cruiser LC79 Bakkie has a front track 4” wider than the rear track (or axle). This was apparently done to accommodate the larger V8 Turbo Diesel engine, which absurdly may not even become available in Southern Africa.

Common sense dictates, and some seem to have experienced this already, that the narrower track in the back may present a problem, especially in sand. In our specific case we have added worries, because Wohni definitely has a higher centre of gravity than a non-converted Bakkie would have – plus – we will more often than not travel on the limit of gross weight, thus exaggerating any phenomenon and/or occurrence.

Wheel Spacers

The obvious thing to do would be adding wheel spacers at the back. However, a 2” extension of leverage on each side is no minor alteration and may or may not cause havoc in difficult terrain. Doing a quick thumb suck I guesstimate the increase in forces applied to be approximately 3-4% each side, yes?

On a positive note, we are ‘only’ concerned about the rear and hence don’t have to deal with reinforcing ball joints, etc. Also, as far as roll stability goes we would definitely have an added bonus. Still, forces on the diff, bearings and the axle itself are reason enough to be concerned.

I feel somewhat between a rock and a hard place about this, but tend towards going for the added benefit of the spacers versus the minor risk of breakage, hoping that Murphy is not around when push comes to shove.

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts and/or input.

All the best

Tommy

Amended 27/10/2008 - Interesting threads and discussions about this:

@ ExplorOz

@ Expeditionportal

@ Landcruiserclub

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Because I like to sleep straight and steady and because I’d like to be able to use every drop of water, especially from a flat tank and for some various other reasons, including that I may be full of nonsense, I want the camper straight and level when stationary. That may be a bit over the top, but hey, caravans have been kitted out with leveling devices ever since. Admittedly, caravans are usually stationary for much longer periods than a camper, nevertheless, that’s no reason to abstain from this convenience, especially if the solution is reasonably simple.

Leveling Jack

Rummaging around between the shelves at Bushwhackers, the Namibian sister to Campworld, I found something that looked pretty much the same as what I had in mind anyway and what I also had sketched up a while ago (see picture). They’ll set you back short of 700 bucks each and weigh in at around 5kg each. We tested them on a caravan and they were easy and smooth to operate. All that’s needed are either jack-points at key locations and/or a slight modification of the lift arms to fit your already existing jack-points. They also sell all sorts of miniature water levels, which will aid you in getting it right.

I suppose a good place to store them is either right at/on the entry door to the cabin or any other place where they are easy to reach and immediately accessible, as leveling will be the first thing to do once a place for the night(s) has been chosen, yes?. Grab the jacks, wind them until steady, have someone check the water level(s), adjust … voila … shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes. Whaddayafink?

So long,

Tommy (trying to keep it straight)

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Pursuant to the experiences described in ” Garmin GPS or Why Me? ” I felt the urge to publish the following list of things to consider when buying a GPS:

1. Make sure what your requirements are, research available options and talk to somebody who knows (apparently not me).

2. I f you decide to buy i.e. a Garmin, go to an official Garmin dealer and make sure he has actually sold a GPS before.

3. Insist on features and compatibilities as per your requirements and let them give you a demo.

4. Make sure the software that comes with is it is up-to-date and/or that the latest applications, maps, etc. are loaded on the device.

5. Make sure that you will be able to upgrade and/or load additional features at a later stage by yourself without having to go through a nightmarish rigmarole in cyberspace.

6. If you are a Bushwhacker, you might want to consider devices with Routing, Recording and/or (Back)Tracking abilities.

7. Don’t buy a GPS at HiFi Corporation, Incredible Con-Artists and/or the likes. The sales people hardly know the difference between a Flat Screen and a Laptop.

8. If your GPS tells you that you are three kilometers off the main road, which has been in existence since 1954, you might have bought a lemon.

Feel free to ad to this list at anytime - the likes of me will highly appreciate it. After all, a good GPS will set you back by a considerable amount.

All the best

Tommy

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The day before I delivered the Landcruiser to J-Bay, and unfortunately in a hurry, I organised a Garmin GPS to be built in properly by Schroeder. I was actually lured by a special deal for a Garmin Nüvi 250 advertised by HiFi Corporation. Due to time contstraints I skipped the usual thorough research, which turned out to be a mistake, and rushed to the shop to grab the GPS. I should have known better and especially listened to the alarm bells inside my head. The salesman had an answer to EVERY question, usually something like “yes yes” or “no no”, generally quite short on communication and giving me the impression that he wants to get rid of me and my questions.

Anywho, it turned out I purchased a GPS without routing and/or tracking abilities and trying to upload the Tracks4Africa Maps turned into an unsolvable nightmare. The latter may be due to the Garmin 250’s capability/compatibility and/or my incompetence and/or due to the fact that you seem to need some sort of map viewer software (Mapsource), which comes on a DVD, which again is only available to South African buyers and/or when bying some or the other Garmin Maps product - hmmm. Trying to download and activate the software from Garmin ended up in being subscribed and registered to numerous portals with endless new product numbers and and and. What a f***up.

Related Links:

• Tracks4Africa FAQs
• Garmin Support

I eventually instructed Schroeder to organise the proper Garmin, the 710 I believe, and have the T4A maps loaded, because I’m really getting tired of a GPS constantly telling me that I am about 3 kilometres off the main road, which has been in existence since 1954 mind you.

Cheers & Beers

Tommy

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The Ol' Cap'n

With the price of crude oil soaring and the world economy in crisis, with financial gurus advocating frugal financial and investment strategies, when the sensible thing to do would be to pay off the horrific mortgage, lay low and squirrel away pennies, what do we do - “we” buy a Land Cruiser to supplement our stable of petrol-guzzling modes of transportation.

At 16 litres / 100kms I imagine that the Voyager perhaps falls short of a meaningful contribution to saving the planet. Undoubtedly the Vespa scores a few points in this department although one can’t exactly pile a family of four on it for a picnic in the bush.

And then there’s the 1948 Opel Kapitän. Frought with one mechanical ailment after the other, the mechanic has seen more of it in the last year than we have (haven’t laid eyes on the ol’ cap’n since January 2008), but dang that’s a really cool car!

Charming Speciman

And there’s the rub; charming speciman that my spouse is, he has a twitchy ignition finger which results in a trade-in (or two) every eight to twelve months. The Audi went for the Ford Ranger, which went for the VW Microbus (which, mea culpa, I wrote off - note that you cannot flip a VW Microbus onto its roof on a gravel road and expect it to keep going, also note that if it ain’t strapped in it’s not going to stay in so just buckle up, okay?), which was replaced by the Range Rover, which went for the Mitsubishi Outlander, which went for the Land Cruiser. In between my Clio went for the Scenic, which went for the Voyager. And all this in less than 5 years… sigh… but, as long as he keeps on trading cars and doesn’t contemplate trading me in for a younger model, it’s hunky-dory with me.

Have a good one

Doris

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Window cutouts (too high?) … and some windows removed (huh?):

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Pop-up roof mechanism adjustment, Bullbar fitted:

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Claus Schroeder’s very own baby is a Hummer, which has been stretched by 40 cm and has received the standard cabin conversion. Apparently and contrary to common prejudice and believe, the Hummer seems to be quite the capable off-roader. Although I have never driven or experienced this one, or any other Hummer for that matter, I dare say from my own experience that the automatic-transmission-engine-combination should do quite well off-road, especially in sand.

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Claus Schroeder’s very own baby is a Hummer, which has been stretched by 40 cm and has received the standard cabin conversion. Apparently and contrary to common prejudice and believe, the Hummer seems to be quite the capable off-roader. Although I have never driven or experienced this one, or any other Hummer for that matter, I dare say from my own experience that the automatic-transmission-engine-combination should do quite well off-road, especially in sand.

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