4 X 4 Magazine 201308

Tent review Expert advice Camping accessories
MAGAZINE
www.4x4i.com
HAMMER A BARGAIN CLASSIC LAND ROVERS AT AUCTION
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NOSTALGIA
Nissan Patrol memories
WORKSHOP
Fitting a split charge
BUYERS CHOICE
Forester v X-Trail
August 2013 4.40 The original Off-road and 4 Wheel Drive magazine
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COOL RUNNING
Off-road adventure
by Toyota Land
Cruiser in the
wilds of Iceland
CAMPING SPECIAL
GET OUT THERE! Expert advice Camping accessories
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www.4x4i.com August 2013 5
OPENING TRACK
OFF-ROADING WITH US THIS MONTH
Badge
engineering
In the end, sales gures mean little to the real enthusiast
We went to the experts to get the low down on
the very best camping accessories available.
Phil Bonds advice starts on page 50
Gisli Jonsson of Arctic Trucks is our guide
through the dramatic Icelandic wilderness.
Our Norse saga starts on page 18
Our Bob gets the hammer down at a special
auction for Land Rovers on page 92. He
came away empty handed, but it was close
Leaving your
Porsche, BMW
or even Audi key
ring casually
positioned, logo-
side up, on the
bar probably
says more
about you than
the admittedly
somewhat retro
styled Jeep
option
I
nteresting piece of news this month was to hear that Jeep had produced its one millionth
Wrangler. The iconic 4x4 rolling off the Toledo production plant in Ohio looked great in shiny
black paintwork, loaded with extras and destined for a lucky owner in Florida. When it arrives at
its new home. You suspect it will spend little time off-road, and much more with the top down,
stereo up, cruising the beaches. Can you still drive on Daytona Beach? If so, thats probably the
most off-road the vehicle will manage, but so what? Its damp, grey and with a persistent drizzle
outside as I write this, and so to be honest, I am somewhat jealous and would much rather be
pottering about, getting a sun tan in a Jeep. Maybe thats what most owners do with them, and
explains why from that one million-vehicle pool, only a meagre 6987 Wranglers have made it to the
UK. Seems a particularly small number for what is such a great enthusiasts machine. And that got
me thinking.
We had our rst drive of the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee in the last issue. Already an impressive
luxury off-roader, it seems to have got even better. Whats more amazing is the price. Its a real value
for money machine, and thats a comment from someone who knows that lucky lottery ticket apart
I will never be able to stump up the 35 grand needed for the new Jeep. But when you compare
that to the cost of top end BMWs, Audis and Porsches the VFM quota seems to rise signicantly.
And thats before you start comparing it with the latest Range Rover; spec that up, and itll cost you
two and a half Grand Cherokees, maybe three! Add to that the fact that the Grand Cherokee will
knock spots off the German Euro SUVs when it comes to off-road ability, and its a bit of a head-
scratcher. Why so few Jeeps sold in the UK? The new Grand Cherokee deserves to be a big
success in the UK and indeed in Europe, but will it get those deserved sales gures?
Sadly, we doubt it. Is it just brand snobbery? Do consumers still think of the Jeep as a gas-
guzzling Yank tank? Or is it the fact that for many, leaving your Porsche, BMW or even Audi key ring
casually positioned, logo-side up, on the bar of your local probably says more about you than the
admittedly somewhat retro styled Jeep option. It probably says you are a dork, to be honest. One
thing is for sure, however, if you are one of the 6987 UK Wrangler owners, or you become one of
the lucky owners of the new Grand Cherokee, we know that driving it is probably a thoroughly
enjoyable experience every time you get behind the wheel. Numbers mean nothing really, its about
personal choice and choosing a Jeep seems a good move to us these days.
Heres hoping that you also feel choosing this magazine is a good move. This month weve been
on a fantastic drive across Iceland in the original Tonka Toy off-roader, the Toyota Land Cruiser, and
then crawl under canvas looking at whats available for the camping enthusiast this year. There are
some great new tents available, after all, who wouldnt want to sleep in a wigwam? Camping and
4x4 ownership go together perfectly, dont you think? Much like this magazine and the vehicle
parked outside your home whatever the badge on the bonnet.
Nigel Fryatt, Editor
YOUR 4X4 LIFE 90
6 August 2013 www.4x4i.com
18
CONTENTS
AUGUST 2013
4x4 by
cargo
ship
Classic
auction
bargains
Focus on 2008 Jeep Cherokee
Torque Talk BORDA news
Oddball: Mitsubishi Jeep
Latest Club News
COVER STORY
ICELAND BY ARCTIC TRUCK 18
If you really enjoy wilderness off-roading, with the experts, then
a trip to Iceland to join the team from Arctic Trucks is a must.
We sent Hils Everitt to find out more
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42
30
70
76
HUBB SHOW REPORT 14
One of the first adventure overlanding shows of the year is the
HUBB UK adventure travel show. Fully illustrated report
NOSTALGIA: LOST PATROL 30
What ever happened to Nissans Patrol? In the beginning it was a
worthy, if somewhat basic, off-roader and we loved em!
LAST PATROL 34
This is what has happened to the Patrol, and not everyone is happy
THE VISIT: ARBIL 36
Sarah Harrington-James visits the guys in the Midlands
CAMPING: TENT REVIEW 42
We went to Nene Overland to review the tent market
CAMPING: EXPERT CHOICE 50
Theres so much that you could take with you on a camping trip,
but what is the Expert Top Ten choice?
CAMPING: PERSONAL CHOICE 56
Contributor Robert Pepper gives his personal Top Ten choice
CAMPING: ACCESSORIES 60
A review of all the latest camping accessories on the market
ADVENTURE: KAPP2CAPE Part Two 68
Our intrepid duo have now made it to Africa. With mixed results
TECH: DOING THE SPLITS 70
How to fit a split charge system, when you need additional power
SPORT: SCOTIA WINCH CHALLENGE 76
Winch challenge competition at its very best. Alan Coutts reports
BUYERS CHOICE: SUBARU OR NISSAN? 98
Two medium-sized SUV favourites: the Forester and X-Trail
REGULARS
OPENING TRACK 5
Jeep sales in the UK
NEWS & VIEWS 10
Wranglers hit the 1,000,000 mark
LITTLE AT LARGE 17
Our Hils speaks out
OUR 4x4s 82
Its goodbye to our Toyota Hilux
COOKES COLUMN 114
Tanks for the memories
News & Views
INSIDE THE WORLD OF 4X4
1,000,000
TH
WRANGLER
Iconic Jeep hits signifcant milestone
GREAT TO SEE a vehicle that was conceived
back in 1941 continues to roll off the production
line, destined for another 4x4 enthusiast. This
month saw the production of the 1,000,000th
Jeep Wrangler JK, and as you would expect, it
was quite an occasion for the Chrysler Groups
executives and plant employees especially as
only a few years ago they were wondering if
anything would be rolling off the line ever again.
All one million Jeep Wranglers have been
built at the Toledo, Ohio plant, as Mauro Pino,
Chrysler Groups Vice President of Vehicle
Assembly Operations explained at the rollout:
Since this facility opened eight years ago, the
Toledo workforce has built every one of those
million vehicles with pride, passion and a focus
on quality. We all look forward to building the
next million.
The black 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 10th
Anniversary Edition, was bound for a customer
in Sarasota, Florida. A special-order limited-
production vehicle, the Wrangler was loaded,
as they charmingly describe it in the States,
with hardcore off-road equipment for its
enthusiasts including the Rock-Trac 4x4 system
with 4:10 axle ratio and next-generation Dana
front axle.
The Toledo plant is located on the same site
of the Stickley Plant complex, built back in
1942, and which two decades later started
production of the original Jeep Wagoneer, a
model that can be reasonably argued to be the
rst ever SUV. The new production line is now
gearing up to produce the 2014 Jeep
Cherokee, rst details of which we revealed in
the June issue.
The Wrangler has always been a rm
favourite with this magazine, and were glad to
see production continues and that we will again
have a Wrangler at our 4x4 Of The Year group
test later this year. Sales in the UK have never
quite hit the heights, indeed we have only seen
6987 Wranglers here. Last months First Drive
of the latest Grand Cherokee conrmed that
this premium Jeep model will be very
competitive in its market, and we have high
hopes that the 2014 Cherokee can make its
mark both in the UK and continental Europe.
These are new models, but its great that the
old timers like the Wrangler is still selling well.
Top: The one millionth Jeep Wrangler JK rolling off the
Toledo, Ohio, production line, fully loadedof course
Above: The production complex is built on the same
site as the original Stickley Plant, which started making
vehicles in 1942. It is here that arguably the worlds rst
SUV, the Jeep Wagoneer (above), was rst built
VIRTUAL
REALITIES
PAGE 12
HUBB
SHOW
PAGE 14
CAMPING
PRODUCTS
PAGE 60
FOR MOTORSPORT ENTHUSIASTS, the
news that the new Range Rover Sport has just
beaten the record for the production SUV
class at the Pikes Peak hill climb in Colorado,
USA, is a cause for celebration. This has to be
the worlds most challenging hill climb, a 12.42
mile climb that includes 156 corners and rises
some 1440m to the summit, which is at
4300m. Its not for nothing that it is known as
the Race To The Clouds. This was a serious
record attempt, and JLR had Pikes Peak
expert Paul Dallenback behind the wheel of
the Sport. Dallenback has won the event three
times, and you should check out the You Tube
clips of the open wheel specials that these
guys use to compete when the ofcial event is
run. Getting into the cossetted connes of a
Range Rover Sport must have been very
different for him, even if the model had the
5.0-litre supercharged engine delivering over
500bhp although whether the unit was
delivering that amount of power at the rareed
heights towards the end of the course is
unlikely! The Range Rover completed the
course in 12 minutes 35.61 seconds, which is
an average of 59.17mph. Remembering this is
a production 4x4, you can compare that with
the outright record of 9 minutes 46.16
RANGE ROVER STORMS PIKES PEAK
CENTENARY SCOTT EXPEDITION
BRITISH POLAR EXPLORER and Land
Rover brand ambassador, Ben Saunders,
along with teammate Tarka LHerpiniere will
be retracing Captain Robert Falcon Scotts
ill-fated Terra Nova Antarctica expedition,
some 100 years after it was rst attempted,
writes Sarah Harrington-James.
This is the latest challenge for Ben who
has been leading polar expeditions for more
than a decade and skied solo to the North
Pole in 2004, where he still holds the record
for the longest solo arctic journey by a
Briton. He has been a brand ambassador for
Land Rover since 2008 and the Scott
Expedition, which starts at the end of
October, is being sponsored and promoted
by the manufacturer along with technology
co-partner, Intel.
There is a common misconception that
everythings been done in Antarctica, but
what fascinated me for years is that the
reality is very different, said Ben at the Scott
Expedition brieng at The Travellers Club,
London. In an age where Antarctica is
increasingly in the spotlight and increasingly
accessible to tourists, one of the most iconic
journeys in polar history remains unnished.
The Scott Expedition will be the rst time its
been attempted, let alone completed, since
the Terra Nova expedition more than a
century ago. In terms of sheer human
endeavour, Captain Scott and his team set
the bar so high that their achievement has
never been surpassed.
As well as nancial and logistical help,
Land Rover supplied Ben with two Discovery
4s. These were used during extensive
training exercises to remote bases on the
Isle of Skye and in Greenland, with the latter
being the nal dress rehearsal and the last
chance for Ben and Tarka to make sure they
can tolerate each others company cooped
up in a tent! Mark Cameron, Brand
Extension Director for Land Rover said: Ben
was given a choice and he chose the
Discovery due to its comfort and versatility to
carry the kit he requires and its capability to
go anywhere. Ben epitomises the values of
Land Rover, the spirit of adventure and
performing in all-terrain, so we always knew
wed support him for his next big idea.
Ben and Tarka will be sending back daily
updates, blogs and photos from their tent
which can be seen on www.scottexpedition.
com. The expedition will also have its own
You Tube channel: www.youtube.com/
scottexpedition
Left to right: Explorer, Tarka LHerpiniere, Land Rover
Brand Extension Director, Mark Cameron, Captain
Scotts grandson, Falcon Scott and Land Rover brand
ambassador, Ben Saunders
seconds which is held by Rhys Millen (off-road
racing legend Rod Millens son) in a specially
built Hyundai Genesis Coupe race car with
900bhp and 800lb ft of torque. Coincidentally,
Paul Dallenback will be driving the 2013
version of the Hyundai at this years event,
which is held at the end of June. The
production record for the Range Rover will
certainly do much to underline the Sports
abilities to potential American customers.
News & Views
JIMNYS IN MONGOLIA
THE HEAVEN CAN Wait, Im Busy
fundraising tour of a bunch of retired 4x4
enthusiasts in two Suzuki Jimnys has now hit
Mongolia. This is one of the remotest sections
of the tour, and totals an impressive 2300
miles across Mongolia and back into Russia,
aiming to reach Vladivostock by the end of the
month. At that point the drivers can take a
rest, as the Jimnys will be put aboard a
container ship for the 30-day trip from
Vladivostock to Vancouver, Canada.
The expedition is the idea of retired
businessman Leslie Carvall and the crew of
70-year olds are travelling alone with no frills,
luxuries or any support team. Mongolia has
meant a slower pace over some of the worst
roads in the world, yet the little Jimnys have
proved their reliability with a broken shock
absorber bolt being the only running repair
needed. The crew stopped at one of Suzukis
larger dealerships at Novosibirsk in Siberia
who quickly repaired the shock absorber, gave
both Suzukis a major service and a well-
needed valet. To date, the guys have crossed
16 countries and across three continents and
can be monitored on Google Earth. There are
regular updates to the website
www.heavencanwaitimbusy.com with
interviews and video clips of the challenge.
This is a charity project, raising money for
Save The Children and the Oakhaven Hospice
in Lymington, Hampshire, and so all donations
are gratefully accepted via their JustGiving
page. We wish the guys well through
Mongolia. The roads in Vancouver are a lot
smoother
VIRTUAL DESIGN
NOW A REALITY
WE HAVE SEEN Jaguar Land Rovers virtual
design facility rst hand and were seriously
impressed with what it could do. Standing in
the cave you can appreciate the design of a
vehicle in a high quality 3D representation that
you can move, or that you can move around
in. Its even possible to sit on a real not
virtual car seat and position yourself inside
the new design to check sight lines, head
room etc. Engineers can come down with a
design for a new part, slip the details into the
computer and see if it will t in the space
designated. It allows for virtual prototypes to
be built in the computer, without the need for
any actual physical vehicle to be constructed.
At the time, we did ask whether JLR would be
prepared to rent out the facility. The question
was treated with some disdain at the time, but
it seems now that the company has
announced a massive ve-year programme
with four leading UK universities alongside the
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research
Council. The extensive 10m academic
research project is aimed to advance the UKs
role in developing virtual simulation
technologies and was unveiled earlier this
month by the Secretary of State for Business,
Innovation and Skills, The Rt.Hon Dr Vince
Cable MP. This is apparently the rst stage of
a 20-year programme that is aimed to put the
UK at the leading edge of virtual simulation.
Bob Joyce, Jaguar Land Rover Engineering
Director, explained to 4x4 Magazine: While
we already utilise a wide range of
sophisticated virtual engineering tools and
processes to design, engineer and test our
new vehicles, we are keen to enhance the
future capability of virtual simulation and tailor
them for automotive product development. We
want to make advances in the simulated driver
and passenger experience, including more
realistic imagery, sounds and even
smells. These projects will help us analyse
increasingly complex cars at whole vehicle,
system and component levels, as well as
enhancing the high performance computers
that industry will use in the future to mine
increasing amounts of more complex data. If
they need some extra nance to fund the
project, they could offer public
demonstrations. It was truly fascinating to
experience and is undoubtedly a major reason
why JLR has been producing its recent string
of market-leading vehicles over the last few
years.
MORE MINI 4X4
MODELS ARRIVE
THE RANGE OF 4x4 MINI models has now
reached 10, with the ALL4 system now
available on both the MINI Cooper
Countryman and MINI Cooper Paceman.
The ALL4 system has an electromagnetic
centre differential and distributes drive force
at continuously variable levels between the
front and rear axle. Its electronic control
system is integrated directly in the DSC
control unit (Dynamic Stability Control), and
these models are available with either six-
speed manual, or automatic transmissions.
Prices for these new additions to the range
are 19,365 (OTR) for the ALL4 Countryman
and 20,175 (OTR) for the ALL4 Paceman.
This extended range probably means that
the MINI now has one of the most extensive
ranges of any small SUV on the market, but
somehow its hard to see potential SUV
owners, looking for the versatility of 4x4,
comfort and space for the family,
considering one of these models.
Sponsored by
And nally...
Prots continue to rise for Jaguar Land
Rover. Revenues for last years nancial
year show revenues up 17 per cent.
Prot before tax increased by 11 per
cent to 1,675m for the scal year
(1,507m last year). The company
generated positive sales growth in all
regions: China up 48 per cent, Asia
Pacic up 27 per cent, UK up 20 per
cent, Europe up 18 per cent, North
America up nine per cent and other
overseas markets up 19 per cent.
Suzuki has a new dealer marketing
initiative based on fresh, friendly and
more informal style and use of language.
The new campaign adopts a more
relaxed tone in grabbing the attention
across a new range of point-of-sale,
direct mail and other marketing material.
Youll be seeing the results soon.
Chevrolets all-new small SUV, the Trax
has been awarded the top ve-star rating
by the European New Car Assessment
Program (Euro NCAP). The Chevrolet
Trax is the seventh Chevrolet model to
receive Euro NCAPs top ratings.
Former international rugby player,
Lawrence Dallaglio was announced as
Land Rovers latest global ambassador
joining The British and Irish Lions team
on the 2013 Tour, of which Land Rover is
an Ofcial Global Sponsor.
Volkswagen is the latest manufacturer
to enter into partnership to build a
vehicle plant in China. Shanghai-
Volkswagen is expected to produce four
million vehicles per year from the
Changsha plant by 2018.
Next month we take a look at the UK
4x4 tyre market. We are also looking at
Towing, and what 4x4s have won the
Caravan Clubs prestigious 4x4 Tow Car
of the Year award. All in the next issue,
on sale Friday 26th July.
Subscribing to 4x4 Magazine is the
easiest way of never missing an issue its
also the cheapest. Why pay more when
you can have your regular x of 4x4 stories
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4X4 OFF-ROAD QUOTE OF THE MONTH

It doesnt matter if you get stuck in Iceland; there is always
something bigger to get you out!
SOURCE: Gisli Jonsson of Arctic Trucks, explaining to Hils Everitt his off-roading philosophy.
Hils story of driving across Iceland starts on page 18
D-MAX TOWING CAPACITY INCREASE
QUITE SIGNIFICANTLY, ISUZU UK has
announced that the towing capacity of the new
D-Max has been increased by 500kg. This
means that the D-Max will be able to tow a
maximum braked load of 3.5 tonnes, with the
new certication applying to all Isuzu D-Max
pick-ups registered in the UK from 1st July.
This increase has been made, according to
Isuzu, due to customer demand. What is
important to realise here is that there is no
technical or practical changes to the pick-ups
specication, it is merely a change in the
certication. In the last few months, Toyota has
done the same with the Hilux, raising its
capacity from what was often criticised as a
meagre 2500kg to a more competitive 2800kg.
Isuzu it seems has raised the bar higher. In our
2013 Pick-up Of The Year test (January 2013
issue) the top pick-ups for towing were the VW
Amarok at 3200kg and the Ford Ranger
Wildtrak at 3350kg. This new certication puts
the Isuzu D-Max rmly at the top of the list
until, one can assume, either VW or Ford look
at a new certication. Supply of both these
excellent pick-ups remains a problem, and this
move from Isuzu will certainly not do sales of
the D-Max any harm. The Isuzu D-Max range
includes single, extended (with rear-hinged side
access panels) and double cab body
congurations.Double cab models are
available in four specications: Isuzu D-Max,
Eiger, Yukon and Utah.Prices start at 14,499
(CVOTR) for the entry-level Isuzu D-Max 4x2
single cab and rise to 21,999 (CVOTR) for the
top-of-the-range Isuzu D-Max Utah 4x4 double
cab automatic.
BUDGET KORANDO
NOW AVAILABLE
A NEW LOW cost SsangYong Korando SE is
available. This highly competent SUV is now
available at 14,995 on the road. The model is
the 149bhp 2.0-litre turbodiesel model. The SE
features Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)
with Hill Start Assist, Active Rollover Protection
(ARP) and ABS with Electronic Brakeforce
Distribution (EBD). It comes equipped with roof
rails, tinted glass and rear parking sensors,
while inside there are electric windows, a
leather covered steering wheel and gear shift,
air conditioning, cruise control and a Kenwood
MP3 CD and RDS radio with iPod and
Bluetooth connectivity, remote audio controls
and six speakers.It is also available through a
special purchase scheme: In the current
economy, customers tell us they want an
affordable car, a competitive purchase plan and
the peace of mind of a long and quibble free
warranty - thats exactly what the new Korando
delivers, Steve Gray, marketing and
communications director of SsangYong told 4x4
Magazine. The result is a car that is not only
fantastic value at just 14,995, but also comes
with a level of standard equipment many of the
so called value brands dont even have on
their options list. For those looking for a family
SUV, this new price Korando will appeal.
HUBB UK Show
TWO + TWO = FOUR
T
he emergence recently of 4x4 shows
that are catering for the true overland
adventurer as opposed to the usual
Land Rover shows for those wanting to bolt
bits on and renovate their vehicles has been
a welcome addition to the annual show
calendar.
And this year another such adventure event
appeared on the 4x4 map. HUBB UK, run by
Horizons Unlimited (www.horizonsunlimited.
com), is new to us, but has evolved from what
was once billed as the UK Summer Travellers
Meeting, for overland travellers on two wheels.
For 2013 organisers Sam Manicom and Iain
Harper opened up the event to 4x4s.
Traditionally, it was a meet for bikers to get
together for several days and share
experiences over a campsite barbeque with
equipment stands featuring bikes and all the
accessories possible. Those stands were still
around, but this year were joined by the likes
of Nene Overland, Frogs Island, Overland
Cruisers, Adventure Overland UK and 4x4
Overlander, plus Adventure Trucks who had
ventured to the UK with its overland trucks
and bikes all the way from The Netherlands.
The campsite was packed with small tents
and bikes, but in among the two-wheelers
was a ne array of 4x4s with various examples
of roof and ground tents and pop-up campers,
or towing caravans. In one shady corner, a
lovely Land Rover 101 Forward Control was
spotted in camouage bodywork, blending in
perfectly with the surrounding trees.
The venue was new, set within the grounds
of the 17th century Donington Park
Farmhouse Hotel; a stones throw from the
famous Donington Park race circuit. Its an
attractive space with a pleasant at and
beautifully grassed campsite with clean,
modern shower blocks and a superb barn
with the Overlanders bar and food hall.
An annual overland travel meet for two-wheelers has
now expanded to include adventurers on four wheels
to celebrate all that is best about adventure travel
Words and photography: Hils Everitt
Within the barn complex HUBB UK also
featured presentations from speakers under
the headings Get Inspired, Get Ready and
then Gear Up. Get Inspired included our
own correspondent Toby Savage, who gave a
talk on his Long Range Desert Group
adventure across the Sahara in WWII Jeeps,
as featured in 4x4 Magazine (August, 2012). In
the HUBB Zone the Frogs Island Team
demonstrated 4WD mechanics under Gear
Up and a debate on Land Rover versus Land
Cruiser always a hot topic...
According to Sam Manicom, this years
HUBB was a great success. The feedback
we are getting from expedition vehicle guys is
that they get the concept of the HUBB UK
event. Its a place where you get together with
like-minded people, regardless of their
numbers of wheels, to trade ideas,
suggestions and experiences and to have fun.
The fact that it is a four-day event with
four-day or weekend-only passes is what really
helps this all to happen. We have been
delighted with the way that expedition vehicle
travellers have opened their arms to those
who use fewer wheels, he said.
It was a bold move to invite the 4x4
fraternity to join the well established HUBB
motorcycle brigade, commented Toby
Savage, but HUBB UK organisers, Iain and
Sam, managed the job well. Most of us there
were able to relate to two- and four-wheel
activities. I thoroughly enjoyed the star
speakers, and the highly amusing Ed March
whose tales of riding a Honda C90 to the
Arctic Circle was one of the most amusing
talks I have ever heard! commented Toby.
Doesnt matter how many wheels youve
got, an entertaining overland adventure
appeals to all like-minded people. 4x4
Top: Cool retro rst aid box from Frogs Island
Above: The luxury overland option comes in a Camper
conversion on a Defender from German company
Bimobil; adaptable for all pick-ups. Right: Choosing the
right accessories for your trip is vital; Frogs Island has a
vast selection plus showed off the popular roof pop-ups
Above: Like-minded show organisers were in
attendance, forming a strong overland community.
Below: The old ways are still the best for some; the
well-travelled team from Classic Land Rover Campers
THE NEW AGRICAN FROM N & J
HILS EVERITT
breakaway from the norm and a nod to the
European market, where the Grand excelled.
The Grand Cherokee has more European
customers than all the Jeep models and
therefore it needs to have the best on-road
manners we can provide, but be safe and hi
tech with an overall level of general renement,
he added. Mixing excellent off-road ability with
rened on-road manners is something we
applaud and trust the Jeep, along with Toyota
and Land Rover, will continue to produce such
vehicles. The Middle East will always be a
strong market for such vehicles (the locals tend
to favour Toyota there), so that will keep them
ticking over on the production line.
But it looks as though the smaller, more
affordable examples will lose their 4WD
excellence along the way as the new
Cherokee demonstrates. I wonder how long
the Evoque will keep its off-road technology,
as it will never be required by 99 per cent of
owners? The emerging markets, which have
all the buying power, will probably dictate that
one. Jeeps Ellis quoted African sales of Jeep
growing by 100 per cent in 2012; EMEA in
general will be about 50 per cent; with
individual markets such as Russia at 124 per
cent and Middle East 40 per cent; these areas
obviously cannot be ignored, especially as he
says they do listen to customers views.
To that effect, the 2014 Grand has actually
now got a cloth option, as customers love the
GC but asked for a more affordable entry level
model that wasnt quite so upmarket. Ellis
forecasts they will sell less than ve per cent of
those, but even so, wanted it to be there to
appease loyal followers.
Even as a traditionalist, the future of the softer SUV from
Jeep makes perfect sense to me. Im even looking forward
to the launch of the new Cherokee
No need to
compromise
H
aving brought you a review of the
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee last
month, and extolled the virtues of
my beloved, albeit ageing, WJ
model, then read Bob Cookes less-than-
enthusiastic comments about the new
Cherokee due here later this year, I feel the
need to draw a line under the Jeepey theme
with a few comments about what is going on
in the minds of the Fiat Chrysler hierarchy.
Of course, at any press launch of a new/
revamped vehicle, the guys in charge are
abundantly enthusiastic about their new models
and the future prospects for their brand. Here
at 4x4 Magazine, we are all fans of the iconic
Jeep and its heritage and so when we hear that
the future is bright, the future is auto-engaging
4WD, city-slick luxury and Evoque-esque
styling its bound to stick in our craw a little.
I really do sympathise with Bobs view, as
he has owned Cherokees for as long as I can
remember and used them in the best way
possible, both as a daily drive and on regular
weekend off-road forays with his mates. But I
really cant say I dislike the new Cherokee or
its lack of any obvious nod to previous
off-road prowess.
For a start, as much as we may rail against it,
the market for 4x4s en masse is for good-
looking, imposing vehicles that look safe to
transport the kids to school. I accept that and
have to live with it. Car companies are following
the Land Rover way; and I am a fan of the
Evoque, particularly the fact that it is actually a
very capable off-roader, although it will rarely get
the chance to demonstrate that outside the
connes of the off-road testing routes at
Eastnor Castle and the Heritage Centre in
Gaydon. It also looks great and we needed
something to get away from the bland styling
clichs that had begun to invade our market.
Jeep wont sell non-Wrangler or Grand
Cherokee models in any numbers unless it
bows to the modern trend. SUVs, in the
modern sense not the true traditional sense,
are the biggest-selling sector of the motoring
market and motorists want them. They want a
combination of tough yet stylish looks,
comfort and that indenable cred factor.
Jeep has gone to great pains to make sure its
latest offerings have the best on-road
manners, as Chris Ellis head of the Jeep
Brand EMEA (Europe Middle East and Africa),
announced at the press launch. The new
Grand has just that: the bow to all-round
independent suspension, way back at the
launch of the WK in 2005, was a major
The Compass has not done well and there
is every indication that it will discontinue here
in the UK, going the way of the excellent
budget Patriot which we really did like and
mourn its passing. The hope is that the new
Cherokee will redress the balance and do
better here in the UK, and I cant criticise them
for this way of thinking; it is dead right. It is just
a shame that we actually dont have a superb,
mass-friendly, medium-sized Jeep off-roader
to match the likes of Freelander 2 and Evoque
even if the latter will never see decent
all-terrain service.
Before you scream, Erm... Hils... four-door
Wrangler at me, that represents a real niche
market, and styling and lack of true on-road
nesse puts the mighty Wrangler (along with
the Defender, of course) out of this bracket.
The Wrangler is here to stay in its excellent
form, as long as the Americans continue to
buy it in shed-loads, but we all know the
Defender is about to morph spectacularly...
So, I look forward to driving the new
Cherokee. The styling doesnt offend me, and
it does at least have a locking rear diff in the
4x4 Trailhawk version, so that is some way to
appeasing us. And I hope it sells better than
the very disappointing Compass. Ellis didnt
comment on forecasts for Cherokee, but
expects to shift 1500 new Grand Cherokees in
Limited Plus mode, as the most popular in the
UK. And we are assured that it wont lose its
true heart: It will not be a new balance
between on/off-road performance; we are
increasing both; it will always be a no-
compromise solution. Well, theres a happy
thought. Hils
Icelands interior is off-road adventure not to be missed, and if you can experience
its magnifcent and mind-blowing scenery under the expert guiding and driving of
our good friends at Arctic Trucks you are in for the treat of a lifetime
Words and Photography: Hils Everitt
I
t wasnt quite what our guide Gisli
expected. We knew there was
some snow but not quite this
much, he laughed as he started to
rock the Toyota Land Cruiser 150 Series
60th Anniversary model, attempting to
get over the huge wall of snow.
Gisli Jonsson of Arctic Trucks, based
in Reykjavik, had bulldozed through the
deep snow and slush earlier in the
deserted region of Icelands
Blaskogaheioi valley with little
resistance. But as the snow became
more compacted, even the mighty
Arctic Trucks modded Toyota with its
38in AT405 Radial studded tyres
couldnt just rumble through the
seemingly impenetrable wall.
A few run-ups were needed, plus
some gentle (increasing to rhythmic)
rocking, to get us through and we were
back on our way again. It was a grey
and wet day, but horrible weather in
Iceland doesnt make too much
difference. It is an island of such sheer
beauty and diverse landscapes that
even when the skies are grey and
overcast, and its intermittently drizzling
with rain, the sheer scale and majesty
of its features more than make up for
the lack of blue sky and sunshine.
This was my second tour with Arctic
Trucks into the interior of Iceland. Four
ADVENTURE
Arctic Trucks
covered in snow, others streaked and
dotted with it, a pattern rather
reminiscent of the kind of chunky
sweater favoured by Scandinavian TV
detectives.
We also had the privilege of being
joined by Gislis partner Felicity Aston,
who, by sheer coincidence, comes from
just down the road from me in Kent.
Apart from the distinction of hailing from
a great part of the UK, Felicity is an
amazing lady. Among her many
achievements, she is the rst woman in
the world to ski across Antarctica alone,
has raced in the Canadian Arctic, led a
team of women across the inland ice of
Greenland, searched for meteorite
craters in Quebec, skied along a frozen
river in Siberia and spent three years
working in the Antarctic, where she met
Gisli. With these two on board there
was a feeling of total safety and
condence, in that, if anything went
wrong, there were two of the most
experienced people in the world at
extreme survival on hand. Gisli did,
however, have a radio so it was unlikely
wed be in big trouble. As Felicity put it:
It doesnt matter if you get stuck in
Iceland; there is always something
bigger to get you out!
Before we hit the deep snow that
proved a challenge for our highly
capable Land Cruiser, Gisli took us on
the highway from the capital to Icelands
largest natural lake, Thingvalla.
Nowadays, it feels pretty remote,
with a snaking tributary leading from the
lake towards the mountains in the
distance weaving through grassland
sitting on volcanic rock. But, back in
Above: At six psi
the increased tyre
footprint makes light
of the deep snow
Above: Gisli
Jonsson; probably
the most experiened
Antarctic driver in
the world
ADVENTURE
Arctic Trucks
years ago I was treated to a three-day
drive towards the Myrdalsjkull glacier
in the south, in the vicinity of the
infamous Eyfjallajkull, the offending
volcano that spectacularly erupted in
April 2010 and put paid to any air ight
over Europe for a week. That time we
were in two trucks: the Top Gear North
Pole Hilux and a Land Cruiser. We
encountered the most incredible
landscapes, from lava elds to lush,
pastel-coloured grassland, geysers
aplenty, stunning mountains in every
available hue and vast, wind-blown
glaciers, taking in every conceivable
physical feature you might encounter in
an A-Level Geography lesson.
This latest trip was very different. For
a start we only had a day to explore
and, rather than venture south east
from Rekyjavik, we took the highway
north east towards the Langjkull
Icecap with the intention of
experiencing parts of the famous tourist
route, the Golden Circle. This tour
didnt take us through the varying
landscape of that rst trip but, instead,
treated us to a drive through snow-
laden valleys lined by soaring rocky hills
and mountains, some completely
930AD, this was the seat of Icelands
parliament (Althingi). It was considered
the most convenient place for all the
heads of the various regions to meet
and discuss politics and strategy. They
met on its shores at Thingvellir every
summer until the end of the Old
Commonwealth in the 13th Century;
but it continued to function as a court of
law until 1798.
The area is considered one of
Icelands most important historical sites;
and its natural environment is unique in
the world. Thingvellir sits on the junction
of two tectonic plates on the Mid
Atlantic Ridge, and both are pulling
away from each other. As we took a
stroll to marvel in the splendour of the
place, we could see the junction clearly;
and it is more clearly visible here than
anywhere else in the world. Their
movement is causing new ssures and
gullies, creating a surreal landscape of
towering craggy rock lining a at plain.
Its a thought-provoking place, and
we could have spent more time
wandering around, admiring the
geology and imaging its bustling past,
but time was ticking on and we needed
to head off towards the mountains on
Above centre: Heavy
duty winch wasn't
required on this tour;
skilful driving did
the trick
Above: New, studded
38in AT405 Radials
designed by the
team at Arctic Trucks
are impressive
Above right: Toyota
Land Cruisers are
specially modded for
interior tours
the road to the glacier.
We skirted the immense lake and
headed into the interior. The tarmac ran
out and we hit loose gravel that
crunched and popped under the
studded tyres. The road started to twist
and turn and we soon left any evidence
of civilisation behind. The road became
progressively narrower and began to
rise slightly in parts. Above the dense
clouds were a mix of menacing, darkest
grey and uffy, white bilious puffs of
cotton wool as you would expect on a
summers day. It may have been the
middle of spring, but it certainly felt like
winter as the outside temperature
started to drop and tiny water droplets
gathered on the increasingly mucky
windscreen.
We knew we were not in for a
glorious day in which to revel in
Icelands splendour, but there was still
that feeling of immense wonder and
amazement at how beautiful this
incredible country is.
As we cruised along the tracks the
snow became more prevalent on the
anks. And then we came to a barrier
blocking half the road with the sign in
Icelandic and English: Road blocked.
Gisli just shrugged his shoulders and
said: I have no idea what we will nd,
but we will get through, no problem I
am sure, he smiled, with obvious great
trust in our silver Land Cruiser
bedecked in the new Arctic Trucks logo;
a map of the island that adorned both
doors and the bonnet.
As we blasted along the gravel with
Gisli thoroughly enjoying himself, we
found out a little bit more about this
It feels pretty remote, with a snaking
tributary leading from the lake towards the
mountains in the distance weaving through
grassland sitting on volcanic rock"
amazing man. We had been told
beforehand by our friends at Arctic
Trucks that he had Been to the South
Pole several times and been travelling in
the Icelandic highlands since he was
young. What they didnt tell us was
that he has driven more miles in
Antarctica than anyone else in the
world, while supporting expeditions and
helping to set up many fuel depots
there. Along with our guide from the
previous trip four years ago, he helped
Top Gear make its record-breaking
drive to the magnetic North Pole. He
also instructed the Walking with the
Wounded team (the one that included
Prince Harry) for their North Pole
expedition and, in 2012, assisted BBC
Blue Peters Helen Skelton on her Sport
Relief Polar Challenge that involved
travelling 500 miles across Antarctica.
These challenges prove immense for
those who undertake them but, for
Gisli, they are a walk in the park. Driving
across Antarctica with nothing but white
in front of you, however, is very tough,
he says. Its difcult to hold your
concentration when it is miles upon
miles of snow and nothing else for days
on end, he adds, smiling.
Gisli is also part of the Arctic Trucks
Research and Development team and
is heavily involved in designing new
systems to make these awesome
trucks even more capable. He also
works on various military trucks and
modications for the United Nations
Land Cruisers. As a former Iceland
off-road racing champion he loves
blasting along the tracks through the
sprawling mountains; you can tell by the
big grin on his face. As we drove further
inland, however, conditions started to
get tougher, the wet slush we had been
ploughing through morphed into deeper
snow, gradually becoming more solid
ahead. It was time to slow things down
a little, jump out and lower the tyre
pressures.
Arctic Trucks uses its own brand of
tyres, designed by Gislis brother, that
are manufactured, along with much else
these days, in China. The AT405 38in is
very new to the market and proving
very popular among the Icelandic
off-road fraternity.
Gisli lowered the pressure from 22 to
16psi in the biting cold that had now
descended upon us and off we set
again, deeper into the Blaskogaheioi
Above: Stunning
view from the
Langjkull glacier
looking west. Off-
roaders' paradise
Left: Early slush
allowed Gisli to pick
up some speed
before it got serious
Below: The
spectacular
Barnafoss Falls
named after a
particularly tragic
legend
ADVENTURE
Arctic Trucks
region. We had started our tour in
standard four high and, as the snow
was still only a few inches deep, Gisli
left it as it was. We had some great fun
blasting through the slush that lay over
the snow beneath, creating a vast and
spectacular spray. The landscape
became more and more dramatic as we
bounced and battled along the at
valley oor, anked by towering
mountains strewn with snow, but
punctuated by deep black rocky
outcrops jutting through the white.
Some of the cairns that Gisli pointed
out date back to the Vikings, marking
out horse trails through the mountains.
At one point in Icelands history, this
valley was believed to be the lair of
gangs of outlaws who camped out up
in the mountains. In the early 1800s a
group of farmers trekked out there but
found no evidence to support the myth.
They were probably a century too late,
laughed Gisli.
We ventured on, Gisli gripping the
wheel tightly as we hit some bigger
lumps of snow. As we got deeper, the
snow became more difcult. It was time
to drop the tyre pressure again to 6psi
and lock the Toyota into four low.
Were driving on about three to four
metres of snow, remarked Gisli, then
ferocity until the fat studded tyres lift
you over the top. Its all about feeling
and grip, shouted Gisli, above the
cacophony of engine revs and snow
spray.
That didnt always work, however, as
conditions were far worse than Gisli had
expected and we ground to a complete
halt a few times. Time to untie the
shovel from the roof rack, dig a suitable
hole around each wheel, and then try
again. At one point this took several
attempts, but eventually we made it
through. Our route took us past signs
pointing towards Prestahnukur, a
sub-glacial (and currently pretty
dormant volcano) and OK, at 1198m,
which is a shield volcano, that means it
is made almost entirely of large,
low-prole uid lava ows, resembling a
warriors shield.
Its quite eerie, as I remembered from
my previous Icelandic trip, driving
through a huge remote landscape that
is lled with volcanoes. Icelanders are
used to them erupting periodically, in
varying degrees but, for us visitors, its a
little unnerving.
After the big one in 2010, another
bigger eruption occurred, but it was
never reported outside Iceland as the
dust cloud blew northwards, therefore
not affecting anybody apart from the
Icelanders. We have many, but they
dont always get reported, muses Gisli.
But theres one that denitely will, if it
goes off; it is well overdue for a major
eruption and will cause utter chaos
throughout Europe, he predicts. That is
Katla on Myrdalsjkull in southern
With nothing but white in front of you is very tough. Its
difcult to hold your concentration when it is miles upon
miles of snow and nothing else for days on end"
below that is 80 metres of ice. As we
climb higher towards the glacier the
snow is deeper and we could be on up
to 800 metres of ice.
Driving through this terrain
successfully, and meaning you dont
need to worry about the road blocked
signs, requires special mods for which
Arctic Trucks is renowned. Gisli reckons
38in is the smallest tyre you can get
away with in these conditions. Its trucks
for these interior tours are treated to a
variety of modication programmes.
Our 60th anniversary model features
the aforementioned brand new 38in
tyres, a 40mm suspension lift front and
back, body lifted 60mm from the frame.
Wheel arches are extended and there
are other body mods to make sure the
wheels are free and unrestricted.
Dropping those tyres to 6psi
increased the footprint to the optimum
and the Toyota literally oated over the
snow. We could sense a boat-like
movement of the vehicle as we
ploughed along. It was getting tougher
and tougher to penetrate the deep,
crisp snow, so both front and rear air
lockers were introduced, but it still
required Gislis expertise, gently rocking
the Land Cruiser to get over the
obstacles.
We were ploughing ruts about two
feet deep, but at some point the
build-up of snow that was created in
front of the Radial tyres brought our
progress to a halt. Engage reverse for
about 20 feet, back into Drive,
accelerate gently: then, as you hit the
wall, rock the Toyota with increasing
Above: Several
attempts were
required to grind
through the deep
snow
Top: Gorgeous Husky
poses on the glacier,
waiting for a fast and
furious ride
Left: Heading
west back towards
civilisation on more
friendly gravel
There were no crevasses to worry
about as the terrain is still evolving, but
it was wise to take it steady and
carefully; you can never take a glacier
for granted. By now the weather had
really deteriorated, with a erce wind
that blew a swathe of snow across the
top of the ice. I took a turn behind the
wheel and could feel those huge tyres
oating above the ice with the odd tiny
bump as we crept over the small ridges
created by the wind.
Unfortunately, visibility was becoming
a big issue. We were at 900m by now
Iceland, part of my previous tour. There
have been minor eruptions that didnt
break through the ice, plus a ash
glacial ood that burst from the glacier
thanks to increased seismicity in
recent years, so something could well
be brewing down there.
It was a sobering thought, but one
that didnt seem quite so immediately
threatening as we ventured on further
north and were soon approaching our
Ice Cap at Langjkull. Still rmly in four
low with all axles locked up we inched
onto the glacier at a slow steady pace.
and the cloud was low and Gisli felt that
any further progress would not be
worth it, as it would just get more and
more difcult to see our route. With
great reluctance I turned right and
headed back down the glacier towards
the deserted valley below.
We thought we were still utterly
alone, until suddenly in the gloom
ahead a shiny turquoise Land Rover
Defender 110 clad in fat tyres came into
view. Ah, laughed Gisli, that will be
the husky rides. Sure enough, a pack
of huskies, all tied in a line, appeared
through a break in the mist close to the
110, which had obviously brought some
clients up here for an exhilarating ride
across the glacier. We looked around
and, in the far distance to the west, we
could just make out two grey lines of
dogs racing across the ice ghting the
wind. They are beautiful animals and it
was a pleasure to see them up close,
but we couldnt help a little tinge of
disappointment that we didnt have the
glacier to ourselves.
As we headed head down off the
glacier the weather improved slightly
and the track leading us off became
more apparent, so an increase in speed
was ne. It was getting dim and we had
a fair way to go to get back to
civilisation, and Gisli wanted to show us
a few of the tourist spots on the popular
ADVENTURE
Arctic Trucks
Top: Snow and ice
just succumbs to
TLC in a perfect
setting for high-
speed action
Above: When
conditions get really
tough, even the TLC
needs extra muscle
power form Gisli
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EXPERIENCE ICELAND
EXPERIENCE ARCTICTRUCKS!
Arctic Trucks Iceland | Kletthals 3 | 110 Reykjavk | Tel: +354 540 4900 | Mob: +354 617 8000 | experience@arctictrucks.com
Only few people have had the opportunity to sit behind the wheel of a powerful 4x4
in one of the worlds most unique places. Arctic Trucks has now made it possible to
experience the remote areas of Iceland in cars that are known all over the world from
the BBC television showTop Gear.
ArcticTrucks offers guided self-drive tours in Iceland, in cars just
like the one James and Jeremy took to the Magnetic North Pole!
GUIDED SELF-DRIVETOURS
www.arctictrucks-experience.com
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US ON
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Golden Circle trail. Although the snow
had been very deep and difcult earlier,
the route northwest from the glacier
was strangely snow-light and we soon
found ourselves back on a gravel track.
We shifted the dash dial back to 4H,
disengaged both air lockers and
re-inated the tyres to 16psi, just in
case we hit any more deep snow on the
way back to the tarmac.
We didnt, so the going was fun, fast
and furious on the gravel track,
interrupted occasionally by some slushy
snow, and loose sharp rocks, to be
avoided at all costs. The scenery
continued its magnicent theme of vast
valley oor lined with soaring mountains
and friendly volcanoes, as we headed
west towards the 518 route that would
take us to our rst touristy spot at
Barnafoss, home to a beautiful waterfall
that stretches for just short of a mile.
We parked the 150 Series, which
looked totally cool, and from another
world, among the small smattering of
saloons and the odd mini bus. A short
stroll took us to the waterfall or, to be
more precise, a series of rapids formed
as the River Hvita forces its way through
a narrow rocky chute that once had a
natural bridge across it. Barnafoss
translates as children falls. Legend has
it that two children fell from the bridge
into the water and died. Their mother, it
seems, demolished the bridge by
casting a spell. However, natural
bridges do collapse due to their
supports being eroded by the force of
the water. A more likely explanation
perhaps but in Iceland, you can never
be sure...
Force of water is something you
experience a lot in Iceland. Infamous for
its geysers, there are natural thermal
springs that burst from the ground all
over the place. One particular spring on
our tourist route was the
Deildartunguhver spring. Here, 180
litres of water are produced per second,
which is the largest output of any
thermal spring in the world. And the
water temperature is pretty impressive
too at 100C (212F). Standing close to
the springs you can feel the intense
heat radiating from the earth beneath
the plumes of billowing steam. Water
GOING TO
ICELAND
Many thanks to Arctic
Trucks and the amazing
Gisli and Felicity for
spending a superb day
with us. Visit www.
arctictrucks.is/www.
arctic-trucks.co.uk or
email info@arctictrucks.
com/experience@
arctictrucks.com for
details of their guided and
self-drive tours. There is a
photo gallery from Hilss
2009 trip on their
website. Visit www.
felicityaston.co.uk for
details of her books,
speaking gigs and
adventures.
from here has been used for central
heating since 1925 and is pumped
through 46 miles of pipes to the
surrounding villages of Akranes,
Borgarnes and Hvanneyri. On the way
to the springs we jumped out of the
Land Cruiser at Reykholt, where one of
the most important people in Icelandic
history lived in the Middle Ages. Snorri
Sturluson was a famous poet and
politician whose records of the Old
Norse language and of medieval
mythology are like the bible to modern
Icelandic scholars.
As the light faded further and heavy
rain lashed onto the Toyotas
windscreen, we ended our guided tour
and headed south on the 518 to join
the main A1 highway towards Reykjavik
at Borgarnes. Despite the rain and low,
menacing dark clouds, it was a lovely
drive that skirted the Borgarfjrur
coastline then led to the long tunnel
under the Hvalfjrdur fjord.
We packed a lot into a one-day tour,
but it really doesnt take long to get into
Icelands interior from the capital to
discover one of the planets true
wonders of the world. If you can get
yourself to Iceland, get in touch with
Arctic Trucks and hire a guide to whisk
you off to some of the most magnicent
scenery and mind-blowing geographical
features you will ever encounter. And its
all achieved in a truck that will equally
impress, piloted by off-road drivers who
are probably the best on earth. 4x4
ADVENTURE
Arctic Trucks
Above: The
magnificent
Blaskogaheioi valley,
rumoured to once be
the home of bandits
Below: TLC 150
Series 60th
anniversary spec
blends in perfectly in
so many ways
F
unny how these things
happen. One day last month I
noticed a particularly well
looked after Nissan Patrol,
early 1990s vintage. Its light blue
bodywork looked surprisingly rust free,
and despite its age, it appeared
remarkably at home in traffic that
included all the latest jelly-mould
lookalike SUVs. It brought a smile and a
heh, look at that! comment to my
bemused passenger.
What followed a few days later was
an email from our exiled Brit contributor
based in Australia, Robert Pepper,
commenting on the fact that hed just
driven the very latest 2013 Nissan
Patrol. Since it was no longer available
in the UK, he didnt think that we would
be interested, but offered me a report
just the same. Amazingly, the new
model has a 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine,
with a seven-speed auto box, theres no
diesel option. That sort of spec seems
completely anachronistic to us UK 4x4
enthusiasts (and you can read Roberts
thoughts on the new model at the end
of this feature), but it did get me
wondering; what really happened to the
Nissan Patrol?
Regular readers will know that we
bemoan the fact that modern SUVs all
seem to look the same these days.
Amusingly, whenever you delve into
Japanese 4x4 history you can have
similar thoughts. The Nissan Patrol, for
example was actually rst built back in
1951, it was a jeep and it looked like
all the other jeeps from other Japanese
manufacturers, notably the Suzuki
Jimny forefathers we featured in the
April issue. The rst generation Patrols
Whatever happened to the Nissan Patrol? The big, boxy, no-nonsense off-roader with few
pretentions but a big heart and plenty of muscle. Editor Nigel Fryatt considers a forgotten master
PATROL LOST
lasted until 1960, when the design
changed (and in this writers opinion
started to look similar to Daihatsu
jeeps), continuing until the third
generation arrived in 1980. This was the
rst proper Patrol that we all got to
know in the UK; square, slab-sided,
box design, with thumping great
straight six engine options.
The models that we got into the UK
were actually built in Spain by Motor
Iberia (then 84 per cent owned by
Nissan), and this magazine had to wait
until 1986 to do its rst full off-road test.
We had the seven-seater version, rather
charmingly called the Estate, with its
2.8-litre petrol engine offering a
reasonable 120bhp and perhaps
surprisingly, only 149lb ft of torque, and
was available with a four-speed
gearbox, with low range transfer box. If
Above: One of our
original test Patrols.
Boxy and very basic.
Those were the days?
NOSTALGIA
Nissan Patrol
Top: Later models,
more rounded, but
still good off-roaders
Above right: While
Ewan McGregor and
Charley Boorman
took the limelight
on their motorbikes,
Nissan Patrols took
the supporting role in
the 'Long Way Down'
Expedition
Left: Nothing beats
cubic capacity? The
2.8-litre 120bhp
engine of our early
test Patrol
you had the diesel version you got an
overdrive fth. The Patrol had a claimed
3500kg towing ability, which remains
very impressive nearly 30 years later. Its
age is more obvious, however, when
you are reminded that the suspension
was semi-elliptic leaf springs and live
axles front and rear. We described the
on road ability as quite acceptable,
which is indicative of what we
compared it with. Driven today, we
might feel differently. On road, the Patrol
remained as a two-wheel drive, gave
reasonable fuel consumption and a top
speed of 90mph. Off-road, while we did
criticise the performance over very
rough ground, primarily because of its
long wheelbase, we did consider it
similar to a Land Rover when crawling
in low ratio through the mud, especially
if it was towing a trailer. Overall we were
very pleased with the model, declaring
it good value for money (our 1986 test
version was 10,750 on the road).
It was the start of our very positive
experience with the Patrol. Daft
adjective to use in many ways, but the
Patrol always appeared very honest to
us on the magazine. It had no
pretentions to be anything other than a
big, bold, somewhat brassy workhorse.
Its this reputation that over the years
has seen the model sold extensively
across the globe. It may surprise you to
know that under various guises, the
Patrol has actually been built in India,
Iran, Italy, Morocco, Pakistan,
Philippines, South Africa, Spain,
Washington (UK!) and, of course,
Japan. The model that Robert tested
later in this issue is actually the sixth
generation, but we are no longer
included in that target market.
Our prime Patrol time was probably
in the mid to late 1990s. The familiar
boxed design remained, but had at
least been softened a little with a new
front grille and round rather than
rectangular headlamps. We tested a
three-door version in April 1996, the
year that the UK got the new
turbodiesel version after some years
enjoying the 4.2-litre six-cylinder diesel.
NOSTALGIA
Nissan Patrol
petrol, 4.2-litre diesel and 2.8, 3.0and
4.2-litre turbodiesel, one variant
including an intercooler. As an aside,
the bigger capacity petrol engine has
become something of a favourite for
tuners in the Middle East. Some Patrols
have been tuned to produce a
phenomenal 2000bhp+ for the
awesome dune racers (see our feature
in the October 2011 issue).
One more signicant change in the
Patrols history occurred in 2004 when
the model ceased to be made available
in Japan, due to poor sales. The
beginning of the end, perhaps? More
signicant, in my view, actually occurred
at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010,
when the production version of the new
Nissan Juke was unveiled. The styling
was a quantum leap from the square
box 1980s style of the Patrol, and to
give the company credit, didnt then
and probably still doesnt, look like any
other SUV on the road. There are
stories that claim that when the Juke
was unveiled, initial orders in the rst
month were actually 10 times what the
manufacturer had budgeted for. And, of
course, Juke production started in the
UK. To say the Juke has been a
success is something of an
understatement. Built with various two
and four-wheel drive versions, the
intelligent 4WD system is indeed that,
and has impressed us as a drivers
vehicle in various 4x4 Of The Year
events. Expensive and clever TV
advertising is obviously having some
It seems that emissions were a problem
even then, and Nissan decided to drop
the big ol thumper that we were really
rather fond of. The new engine
impressed, however, and we declared it
one of the best diesel engines currently
available in any 4x4.
Its interesting looking back at the
test in 1996, that we considered the
model a strong competitor to a Land
Rover Discovery. When tted with
decent tyres (we were particularly
critical of the OE rubber tted to our
test vehicle) off-road performance was
said to be good. The tester also
commented that the Nissan boasts a
higher level of trim and build quality
than the Discovery, and that the Patrol
edged the Land Rover for on road
performance. Praise indeed.
We got all worried when we went to
test the restyled version in 1998,
generation ve, no less; as it looked as
though the Patrol had gone soft.
Thankfully we concluded that the
softening, the rounding of the front in
particular, was the only bit that had
gone soft. The changes were obvious
for Nissan to be able to challenge the
Toyota Land Cruiser Colorado/
Amazon a decision that ultimately
could be seen as a reason for its
demise, particularly in the UK. It never
really matched the Toyota in terms of
comfort and equipment levels.
The fth generation Patrols had a
long list of engine options, depending
on the market, from 4.5 and 4.8-litre
effect, and it is understandable that
Nissan should now concentrate on the
smaller SUV, rather than the great
lumbering Patrol. Indeed, the UK is
Nissans second European market, just
behind Russia, with the Juke and the
Qashqai dominating (with both two and
four-wheel drive models, obviously).
But the Patrol does still exist, now for
sale in Australia and the Middle East,
but for how long? Is the Nissan Patrol,
in its simplistic big engine/big boxy
body format, something that us
traditionalists still value, now a 4x4 of
another age? Sadly that seems to be
the case. 4x4
Above: Nissan
ensured that as the
body design got
smoother and more
rened, so did the
interior. It was a
pretty good place
from which to go
off-roading
WWW.TUNEMYDEFENDER.COM
A DIVISION OF THE MAN FOR LAND ROVERS
Visit our Website for further details and more great prices. All prices plus VAT.
All parts can be purchased in our online shop.
Fitting available here at the Thatched Garage, Sussex, BN8 6RD.
info@tunemydefender.com - 01825 841148
Tuning packages available for all Defender models from 2002 to the present day.
Serck Motorsport Intercooler
(Defender TD5, 2.2 & 2.4 TDCI) 295
ITG Air Filter (Defender/Disco TD5,
Defender 2.2 & 2.4 TDCI) 42
Janspeed S/Steel exhaust
(Defender 90 2.4 TDCI) 495
Sfs silicone hoses
(Defender TD5) 109
Sfs silicone hoses
(Defender 2.4 TDCI) 129
EGR Blanking Kit
(Defender / Disco TD5) 50
SuperPro Bush Kit
(Defender 2002 on) 144
SuperPro Bush Kit
(Discovery 3 / RRS) 149
LED Headlights (Defender) 715 Clear 70mm Led Light set inc 95mm
fog & reverse (Defender) 550
SVX Style Rear Clear Led lights set of
6 (Defender) 395
Xenon Light Kit, Inc 2x Wipac Crystal clear
Lights, 2x Ring Xenon Bulbs (120% Brighter),
2x Stainless steel headlight Rings 75
Recaro Cross Sporster CS Heated Seat
(Defender) 1062.50 per seat Black Leather
with Dinamica Black Suede
Recaro Seat Adaptors
(Defender) 60 per seat
Momo Jet Steering Wheel
(Defender) 175
Momo Nero Steering Wheel
(Defender) 175
Momo Millenium Sport Steering
Wheel (Defender) 175
Steering Wheel Boss 36 spline or 48
spline (Defender) 41.67
Skytag Vehicle tracking system
(all Vehicles) 104
2 Lowering Springs
(Defender 90) 250
-1 Front -2 Rear Lowering Springs
(Defender 110) 260
Koni Shock Kit front & rear
(Defender 90/110) 395
Front Uprated Anti Roll Bar 25.4mm
235
Rear Uprated Anti Roll Bar 28.0mm
235
Daytime Running Light Bumper (Defender)
250 Not supplied with end caps
KBX Premium Grilles & light Surround
From 173.91
KBX High force wing top Intakes
From 43.47
KBX RH Sport side air intake
From 39.99
KBX NAS Lamp Guards From 15.32 LED Spot Lamp
was 199 Now 50 / unit
NOSTALGIA
Nissan Patrol
T
he vehicle here is the Y62
Nissan Patrol, and it is not
popular with the Aussies who
own its immediate ancestor,
the Y61 GU Patrol that has long been a
highly popular and revered vehicle for
touring off-roaders. And the reason for
this displeasure is because the Patrol
has switched segments. Its changed.
The Y62 is built for the citizens of the
Middle East who buy more Patrols than
anyone else. These guys like their cars
big, petrol and powerful, so the new
Patrol sports a 5.7-litre V8 petrol engine,
seven-speed automatic gearbox and
manages to make the Discovery 4,
Range Rover and even Toyotas Land
Cruiser look small by comparison.
Theres no diesel option, and for a car
that size that means hefty fuel bills and
short range. The traditionalists, and
theres plenty in the Patrol fraternity,
bemoan anything electronic and without
solid axles, so the Y62 disappoints on
both counts. On my Facebook page,
one commentator summarised it
perfectly: It has lost the essence of
being a Patrol. It's not designed with an
attitude of off-road ability and toughness
rst, other stuff second.
But is that true? Few of these people
have seen one let alone driven it. But I
have, and also done some pretty rough
off-roading in it. So heres the answer.
This car is quick in a straight line,
0-100 in under seven seconds. But it is
far from agile, as any form of spirited
driving starts to squeal the tyres and the
stability control light will quickly
illuminate. It also understeers more than
any car in my recent memory, and to
make things worse, the automatic is
prone to unwarranted downchanges
out of corners, which given its seven
speeds and abundance of torque, is
disappointing. On the other hand, the
ride is excellent across all surfaces,
theres plenty of power, its quiet and
rened and the electronics keep the car
impressively at while cornering.
Overall, the Patrol is a rather
unrewarding car to drive on-road it will
comfortably, but joylessly, cover the
overlanding miles.
Inside the vehicle there is nothing
done particularly well, and some things
done poorly. In general, the dash
controls are a little last minute with
related buttons in different places. The
While we no longer see the Patrol in the UK, it still lives in Australia and
the Middle East. But is the latest 5.7-litre version a real Patrol?
Words and photography: Robert Pepper
Below: Old meets
new, but has the
latest Patrol lost
something as it's
grown bigger?
right-hand-drive conversion budget
didnt extend to moving the gearshift to
the right so its a little stretch to reach.
The seats should hold the passengers
more rmly, but are easily adjustable.
Our test model was the Ti, which didnt
have even have satnav. Nissan has, in
the Pathinder, designed a superbly
versatile second/third row system. In
the Patrol, the engineers have not
bothered and followed design
conventions last seen in the 80s. The
second row is a simple 40/60 split but
only two child restraints. The third row
seats three in the Ti spec, and it folds
down but doesnt latch down and
wont fold at. Thats really unforgivable,
and also poor is the massive D-pillar,
which intrudes on cargo space. But the
overall impression is of space, so if you
want your interior huge, the Patrol is
your wagon.
Off-road the Patrol is good, but not
superb. The traction control is a little
slow and ineffective compared to the
current state of the art, and the car
needs more clearance. The rear
cross-axle locker appears to disable
traction control on the front axle, but its
good that its there. The adaptive terrain
system makes little difference, although
wed need more time in different terrains
to fully test it. As with any car of this size
your line is limited due to the size, but
thats not a Patrol criticism, just a
general issue. The Patrol is a good
off-roader and certainly can handle
rough terrain, but is not quite up there
with the likes of the Discovery 4 or
Toyota Land Cruiser.
So why the disappointment?
Because the Patrol has moved market
segments from rough off-roader to a
powerful tower, cruiser and big wagon.
Its not bad at its new job, but not a
classic, which will pick up awards and
the hearts of the buying public.
Perhaps thats why Nissan havent
pushed it any further than the Middle
East, so will this be the last of the
Patrol dynasty? 4x4
Above: Patrol has
selectable, electronic
off-road terrain mode
control
Above and right:
Driven carefully, the
latest Patrol still has
ability when things
get rough
With a fresh and new marketing approach, Arbil, one of the UKs leading
manufacturers and distributors of lifting, winching and jacking equipment,
is investing in the future of its 4x4 sector. We nd out more...
Words and photographs: Sarah Harrington-James
I
ts fair to say that industrial estates
arent glamorous places to hang
around and are there to serve a
purpose. But looks can be
deceiving; often the really interesting
stuff goes on behind the unit shutters
and Arbil certainly ticks that box.
The rm has several sites in the West
Midlands and one in Bristol, with its
main 4x4 HQ based in Stourbridge.
From rst impressions, this is a
non-descript red brick building that
contains ofces and a work-in-progress
trade counter, until I was given the full
tour by Sales and Technical Manager,
Gareth Williams. Through a maze of
corridors, storage and despatch areas
and across vast warehouse oors, it
was then that the bigger picture
emerged. With 50 years of experience,
Arbil is one of the leading manufacturers
and distributors of lifting, winching and
jacking equipment in the UK, supplying
Premium partners
diverse markets such as 4x4, rail,
defence, towing and recovery and all
of this became clear on my walkabout.
The majority of these markets have a
distinct crossover with the 4x4 side of
the business; hooks, turnbuckles and
coupling links supplied to the marine
industry, building sites and MoD are
also useful to 4x4 owners, as well as
shackles, tree strops and webbing
slings used for recovery and lifting
purposes. Whats more, over in the
service department, customers
winches and jacking products are lined
up ready to be reconditioned and/or
serviced, proving that Arbil is just as
dedicated to the aftersales side too. Its
impressive stuff.
Focusing on the 4x4 side, Arbil has
been the ofcial long-term sole UK
importer and distributor of WARN
winches, Hi-Lift jacks, Safari snorkels
and most recently, ARB 4x4
THE 4X4 VISIT
Arbil 4x4
Above right: Gareth
holds an example
webbing sling ideal as
a tree strop and for
recovery. The colour
of each indicates the
weight rating. Arbil
can sew in a hook/
master link
Left: A display area
shows a variety of
items useful for
manual handling
and lifting
accessories, which has now completed
the rms portfolio. All of these
companies offer international warranties
so that if, for example, your newly-
bought fridge develops a fault while
youre on safari in Africa, a quick call or
email to Arbil will tell you where to
source a replacement en route. We are
signicantly investing in our 4x4 side
and have around 70 dealers including
Devon 4x4, Nene Overland and Flat
Dog, that support us and our
customers, comments Stephanie
Bergin, Arbils Corporate Marketing
Manager. What probably stands us out
from our competitors is that we dont
focus just on one type of 4x4 like Land
Rover we also stock products for
Mitsubishi, Toyota, Nissan, Suzuki and
Jeep.
American rm WARN has been in
partnership with Arbil for some 23 years
and sees itself as the premium brand
market leader for winches. Recently
WARN has launched what it calls the
next generation of winches the
all-new Zeon that is far different to any
other on the market. Its symmetrical for
a start and comes with a quieter motor,
steel or synthetic rope and satin black,
cast aluminium housing. The WARN
Zeon also has an IP68 rating, which
means its the toughest against dust,
water and crud and so shouldnt let you
down. Stephanie explains: WARN are
very good at listening to its customers
and took all comments on board to
create this totally re-engineered product
which has taken years of research and
development. When WARN build a new
Below left: Arbils
Ford Ranger demo
vehicle (left) is
equipped with a huge
array of products,
including drawer
systems
winch they do it right and make it to
last. The company has also recently
relaunched its entry level Tabor range
with sub-500 pricing to appeal to
winching newbies.
Taking on ARB accessories was a
no-brainer for Arbil. The Australian rm
has been established for over 35 years
and was started by 4x4 enthusiast,
Tony Brown, who originally created
custom-fabricated products, such as
bull bars and roof racks, in his garage.
The brand is so well known and
respected Down Under that ARB
products are often ordered by
customers at the same time as buying a
new 4x4 from a dealership. Perhaps
soon it will be no different to here in
Blighty; Gareth reveals that Arbil has
recently provided ARBs Old Man Emu
suspension for a Toyota dealers demo
vehicle. Indeed, the ARB underbody
protection that is on the Edotor's Hilux
was actually tted by Toyota main
dealer, Jemca Croydon.
The ARB accessories brochure is
bursting with items to serve almost all
4x4 owners from recovery equipment,
underbody protection, fridge freezers
and compressors to Safari snorkels and
Air Locker diffs. Arbil has a demo 2008
Ford Ranger pick-up that its dealers
can borrow (its been featured in 4x4
Magazine in July 2012) which is
CONTACT
Arbil 4x4
Providence Street
Lye, Stourbridge
West Midlands DY9 8HS
Tel: 0845 600 4556
Web: www.arbil4x4.co.uk
equipped with an astonishing 75
products from the ARB range! The
Ranger is literally ready to go anywhere,
do anything and sports essential stuff
such as an air compressor, tyre deator
and a recovery kit. The load area has
been kitted out with an extensive
drawer system plus a fridge freezer and
up top, theres a Simpson III two-man
roof tent. But of course, this is only
scratching the surface...
Stephanie says: Pick-up sales in the
UK are ever increasing and were still
trying to understand why that market
shift is happening. That said we want to
be known for the fact we can service all
4x4 vehicles and will continue to stock
the products that the market dictates.
As Arbil is investing signicantly in the
4x4 side of the business and looking to
double its sales, a relaunch of the rms
website is currently in hand and should
be live at the end of June. This will
incorporate all brands that Arbil
distributes and will be more than just an
online catalogue. Alongside this, Arbil
will continue to support its dealers at
local and national 4x4 shows and most
importantly, meet its customers, to
understand their perception of the
brands the company sells. This
feedback will be integral to Arbils
continued bright future. 4x4
Top right: The new
WARN Zeon winch
certainly looks the
business!
Top left: Using the
cab-mounted air
compressor, Gareth
shows how the tyres
can be reinated
Inset: Gareth
demonstrates ARBs
tyre deator for when
differing off-road
terrain is ahead
Above right: Arbil has
a second warehouse
site close to its 4x4
HQ that holds even
more stock
THE 4X4 VISIT
Arbil 4x4
CAMPING
Tent review
It is offcially summer, so that means it must be time for a camping feature. Good
accommodation for your individual needs is very important. With the help of Nene
Overland we look at some varied tent options, which include some new options
Words and photography: Hils Everitt
Main: We have
looked at a wide
variety of tent
options, to cater for
all tastes. But be
honest, you want a
Tentipi, don't you?
I
f you are a 4x4 owner and enjoy
the outdoors, then camping is a
great way to breathe some fresh
air and discover those delights that
the UK, and the rest of the world for
that matter, are offering. Good camping
is reliant on good accommodation that
suits your specific need, and that is
where the tent comes in. There is a
variety out there to suit 4x4 owners and
their requirements.
Over the last couple of years another
form of outdoor accommodation has
sprung onto the UK market. Well, we
say sprung but this form of tent has
been around for centuries, we just have
adapted it to the modern world. The
Tentipi company is Swedish, but you
can get hold of one via UK agents, one
of which is Nene Overland.
This particular form of high comfort
camping is de rigeur these days, but
there are still other options if the larger
living/bedroom-in-one isnt quite what
you need. We asked Chris Hill, Nenes
expedition specialist, his views on the
various options, which include the new
Tentipi.
MODERN TWIST
TENTIPI
The Nordic Adventure series of the
Tentipi is a superb range that is all the
rage and appearing everywhere at
shows and campsites. This is the luxury
way to camp, in that you have as much
heat as you can handle perfect for our
increasingly dire UK summer climate
loads of room, a perfect living area
under cover for all your camping
companions and a cosy place to sleep
and efcient drying area for the
inevitable wet outdoor gear.
The Tentipi comes in four sizes
5/7/9/15, although Chris reckons that
you need 7/9 for a family of four/ve,
and in three models Adventure, Classic
and Event with prices ranging from
580-14,154. The beauty of this
accommodation is the heating element.
You can have a blazing log re on the
go or a wood burner (model 5 in nylon
is the basic version with no provision for
a stove). The Tentipi has a double
vented cap to allow heat and smoke to
escape and model 7 upwards are made
from a cotton mix that is totally UV
resistant, waterproof and breathable so
no condensation when all becomes
warm and cosy. Putting in a oor, wood
burning stove and drying rail means you
have everything you need for
comfortable, warm, dry camping
essential these days...
Its a design thats been around for
1000s of years, says Chris, but with a
modern twist and you can add porches
to increase size. The only downside is
that its so comfy that you cant always
get rid of everybody when you want to
go to bed!
It looks like it could be hellish to
erect, but it really isnt; there is just one
pole and takes about ve minutes, once
youve marked out the area you need
with pegs. And it can pack down into
just a cargo bag, so easy to transport.
Of course, with the Tentipi you need a
fair amount of extras, such as the stove,
possibly camping beds, a box for your
logs, axes for splitting logs, and many
treat themselves to the traditional
reindeer skins to make those nights
around the stove even cosier.
As well as porches there is an inner
tent that can be attached to make
things even more snug, plus a comfort
oor that zips in. Putting all this together
can take a while, but once done, its
done and can all be folded away intact,
so next time its a piece of cake to
erect. Id advise people to put it all up
in the garden before they set off for the
rst time, saving time and energy once
you have arrived at your campsite,
suggests Chris. They may seem
expensive, but once you have one, you
wont regret it, and neither will your
mates.
TENTIPI: Nine-
person with optional
porch - good for a
family of five. Cozy
with wood stove and
camp beds - loads
of room for mates to
join in; packs down
small with portable
extras, and simple,
quick to erect in a
few minutes
CAMPING
Tent review
CAMP FOLLOWER
TRAILER TENT
This is another new product that more
people are turning their attention to for
the annual camping trip. The trailer tent
is different to towing a trailer with a roof
tent attached; this is trailer and tent in
one structure. From the outside it looks
very compact when folded up on top of
the trailer, but it is amazing how big the
standard tent is and it can morph into a
huge area, depending on what
accessories you want. Here we have the
3DOG Tent Trailer, which comes in dinky
ScoutDog or, as in our example, the big
boy TrailDog.
A trailer tent is for those who want
everything, a base for an extended
period, including the kitchen sink, says
Chris. And he means that literally. A sink
and stove forms the trailer rear door
that swings out and you can build your
kitchen area and extra living room
around that. The trailer itself provides
good storage space for your tent poles,
tables and chairs and all equipment,
including the ladder for access into the
principle bedroom.
As opposed to roof tents, the
TrailDogs main sleeping area on top of
the trailer is open with no door, but all
door and windows to the enclosed unit
have roll-down covers; theres also a
sewn-in oor we like that. You have
the option to make the whole area an
open bedroom for the family or
separate bedroom and living area for a
couple. The main bedroom can be
made private with a divider, either with
fabric or a mosquito net. The trapdoor
under the mattress for getting stuff out
of the trailer when youre inside and the
big mattress has rubber springs
underneath for extra comfort.
It can take a while to set up and you
need two people to get the tent off the
trailer, and it takes a while to pack it all
back, but as a home from home with
space, water and electricity on tap its
great as a big, comfy base camp,
although is not cheap. The 3DOG Trail
Dog trailer tent is 10,420 (plus VAT).
Nene's demo tent is available at 8995
(plus VAT) - worth considering. You can
make it as big or small as you like. You
get 11 square metres as standard,
which can be divided up, and with the
extension available that can go up to as
much as 36 square meters big
enough for a great party.
The other beauty of the trailer tent, as
opposed to the roof tent, is that you
can unhook the trailer and go off
exploring in your 4x4 without having to
take it all down. The tent can also be
removed from the trailer so that the
trailer can be used as a cargo carrier
when youre back at home.
Without any extensions, the basic
tent can be put up pretty easily for a
one-night stay, so it is quite exible if
you arent planning on putting down
roots in one place and creating your
adventure house. The chassis is
hot-dip galvanised steel and side panels
are anodised hollow aluminium. The
draw bar, which can be tted with a
cargo box, is long enough to
accommodate a bike rack.
Its a tough trailer which can
accommodate 16in M/Ts with 300mm
ground clearance 570mm fording
depth, 32deg departure angle and
45deg side tilt with 1500kg. Unladen
weight is 300kg and 1500kg
permissible mass, so easily towable.
TRAILER TENT: Huge
living area with
everything, including
the kitchen sink (and
stove), and can be
extended; sleeping
area vast and
comfy with rubber
springs... luxury
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MODEL SHOWN
CIG1220
(20'x12'3")
HEAVY DUTY INSTANT GARAGES
UP TO 24' (7.3M) LONG
CIG1220
ZIP CLOSE DOOR
bricks not
included
Great for temporary or permanent use as a garage/
workshop for vehicles and general storage
Extra tough, triple layer waterproof cover. Fully UV
treated and manufactured to provide long term protection
against rain, wind and sun Heavy duty powder coated
steel tubing, for stability in all weathers Ratchet tight
cover tensioning keeps cover tight - no need for guy ropes
24' (7.3M) LONG GARAGE
INSTANT
GARAGES
MODEL SIZE (LxWxH) EX VAT INC VAT
CIG1216 4.9 x 3.7 x 2.6M 299.00 358.80
CIG1220 6.1 x 3.7 x 2.5M 349.00 418.80
CIG1224 7.3 x 3.7 x 2.5M 399.00 478.80
.00
EX.VAT
299
.80
INC.VAT
358
FROM ONLY
SHED - ZIP CLOSE DOOR
INSTANT SHEDS
MODEL SIZE (LxWxH) INC.VAT EXC.VAT
CIS88 2.4 x 2.4 x 2.4M 159.98 191.98
CIS612 1.8 x 3.7 x 2.4M 189.98 227.98
CIS1212 3.7 x 3.7 x 2.6M 229.98 275.98
.98
EX.VAT
159
.98
INC.VAT
191
FROM ONLY
CIS1212
CIS88
HIGH AND MIGHTY
ROOF TENT
Were back with 3DOG here for a new
roof tent now available at Nene. They
also stock the well-known Hannibal a
particular favourite of Chriss as it is
fabricated from marine-ply baseboard
and ARB products. The TopDog roof
tent from 3DOG is bigger than these
and another difference is that the
detachable porch comes as standard,
rather than as an accessory.
I also like the fact that you can x it
to roof bars on your vehicle, instead of
having to t an expensive roof rack,
says Chris. That brings the price down
as the TopDog will not be a cheap item,
at a couple of grand or so (prices TBC),
but then roof tents arent traditionally
anyway.
Erecting a roof tent is easy peasy with
two, and ne with one. One thing Chris
points out for this mode of camping is
that: You need to be reasonably t, and
happy to climb up on a roof; they are
quite heavy when rst lifting before
momentum kicks in, he warns, adding
that in high winds or pouring rain it can
be quite unpleasant on top of your 4x4.
You also have to take it all down if you
want to explore in your 4x4, but one
youve got it off pat, its not a huge
problem. The tent platform is tted with
mounting points just in case you want to
store it hanging on a rope hoist from the
garage roof. Yes, really.
As for comfort, well the mattress is
LIGHTWEIGHT OPTION
SWAG GROUND TENT
Another new product, and a ground
tent for the quick getaway for one night
or for those who want to travel light and
be even more exible, is the Swag tent
from Australian company ARB. It looks
the cutest of them all and is an excellent
progression from the original Swags,
which the company says was felt a little
claustrophobic for the Aussies. The new
SkyDome model provides more
generous dimensions in length, width
and height and has plenty of mesh for
good ventilation, reducing
condensation, especially good for those
warmer climates Down Under. Not that
we suffer from that much here, but
great if you want a sturdy small tent that
can cater for warmer climes, for when
you venture abroad and want
something pretty quick and easy with a
little bit of luxury.
That luxury is the built-in mattress. It
really is quite substantial and comfy. It
does mean the Swag rolls up bigger
than your normal two-person
accommodation on the ground, but its
not too bad, and denitely smaller than
the humungous Oz Tent. This latest
Swag comes in single and double
models and a great little optional extra
is the Boot Swag, a really neat piece of
kit to keep your footwear dry. It looks
like a small doggy kennel and sits
alongside the Swag with a neat little
external carpet for standing on when
you put your boots back on. Brilliant,
smiles Chris.
The ARB Swag Skydome is 458.33
(plus VAT) and is made of water and rot
proof canvas in a Sandstone hue,
tested to Australian Standards so its
gonna be good, and features large side
doors so both occupants have their
own entry and exit point. Now that
really is handy for those early hours
comfort excursions apart from anything
else. A heavy-duty PVC base has
welded seams, is waterproof and rises
75mm up the sides to stop any
seepage from puddles or light ooding.
There is good room for two with
dimensions at 2150x1400x850mm and
it weighs 14kg, which is easily portable;
in fact it comes with a soft-grip carry
handle. A downside is that it doesnt
have a porch, but there are head and
foot awnings for ventilation, which could
be used for protecting small items from
the elements. We like the wide brim hat
holder, four integrated pockets and
internal hooks for torches, lamps or
keys.
It takes a few minutes to put up with
ve small, elasticised poles to insert
externally and you can move it around
before deciding its nal resting place
and hammering/gently pushing in the
pegs into the soggy, soft British earth...
We, and Chris, like the new Swag as
a simple ground tent for the singleton/
couple who like their adventures more
basic, and it will deal very nicely with
our entertaining weather. It costs a bit,
but will last a very long time.
SWAG: Small,
perfectly-formed,
tough, easy peasy
to place and erect,
comfy; not cheap, but
then may see you out!
ROOF TENT: Bigger
than your average
roof tent with roomy
bedroom and awning
as standard; the
ideal adventurer, but
a pretty penny
big, 1.8x2.20m, like the trailer tent, and
is 10cm thick not bad. The
detachable living area has a fully
integrated oor to avoid any humidity,
but can be removed, as well as the
walls, when it is lovely and warm
outside. A storm hood on the side of
the bed ensures good ventilation and all
windows can be closed securely. Like
the trailer tent, the windows are
comprised of mosquito net, window foil
and canvas, and doors can be closed
with canvas or with insect protection if
you want some air but not those pesky
bugs. Additional awnings can be
bought, such as the sun sail, which
acts as a roof over the 4x4s tailgate to
increase your covered living space.
Both trailer and roof tents are made
of Australian Canvas, a mix of cotton
and polyester, so strong and breathable
and is waterproof up to 750mm, plus
very difcult to tear. The base plate is
constructed of weather-proof wood
veneer with waterproof glue; a feature
Chris likes as opposed to composite
wood that some roof tents use.
Composite can crack and can have
metal coating which makes it very cold
to the touch not great (and can give
you a static shock) wood is a great
insulator.
The 3DOG roof tent is 4250 (plus
VAT. Nene's demo version is now
available at 3299 (plus VAT).
CAMPING
Tent review
position it where you want when its up
before pegging it in.
The easy erection is due to an
internal aluminium sliding frame
attached to the Poly-Cotton canvas and
it folds easily and quickly when put
away, although the tent bag is pretty
huge, so you have to make sure you
have enough room in your 4x4 as well
as all the camping gear, which may
include camp beds.
If heavy-duty is what you want, then
this is a good tent and will last for years,
and it needs to as they are not cheap.
There are various options from RV-1
through to 5, which sleeps four to ve
people. The Oz RV1 is available at
408.33 (plus VAT). It looks quite ugly
and is a bit cumbersome, but for a
family that doesnt want a trailer and
needs something heavy duty, it works,
offers Chris. You wont see many of
them in the UK, however, as it just
hasnt really caught on.
So there you are, ve different options
for the 4x4 camping trip, appealing to
different needs for those who who crave
different adventures and terrains. For
more details call Chris on 01733
380687, online at www.neneoverland.
co.uk, or check out Nene's tent
website, www.rooftent.co.uk. Chriss
favourite? The Tentipi, of course. 4x4
TENT TESTING
TENTIPI
Adaptability to environment
Home from home features
Ease of use
Value for money
Comfort
3DOG TENT TRAILER
Ease of use
Value for money
Comfort
3DOG ROOF TENT
Ease of use
Value for money
Comfort
SWAG TENT
Ease of use
Value for money
Comfort
OZ TENT
Ease of use
Value for money
Comfort
UNDER DOWN UNDER
OZ TENT
And nally we have an old favourite, the
Oz Tent. We have featured and
reviewed the tough, boxy Aussie-
designed and built ground tent in the
magazine before and found it a tough
old bird that doesnt look very pretty,
but will cope with the extreme
conditions that the Aussie Outback
offers. Its the quickest to put up; well,
the basic sleeping box is at 30
seconds, as you just lift it off the ground
and there it is, but then you have to put
poles in the awning and peg out the
guys, although it doesnt take too long.
Its actually been around for 20 years
now, and made of Stop Poly-Cotton
canvas with a modular design which
means you can attach all sorts of
accessories. Inside, it is very basic with
a ground sheet but youll nd it
hardwearing and storm-proof. The
added extras are a Deluxe Side Panel
with door, front Panel, a solar Reective
Fly Sheet and a Side Awning. A front
awning can be added which can be
aligned to your 4x4 to create a
waterproof living area with access to
your kit. It can be lined up to your 4x4
easily, but can stand alone so you can
move away for your trip away with no
problem. And, like the Swag, you can
OZ TENT: An, old favourite, that's almost indestructible and the joint
quickest to erect, and can be added to, but not quite so easily portable
4x4 Equipment
Fridge Specialist
Exmoor Trim
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Roof Racks
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4x4lifestyleshop.com
NEWLand Rover Equipment and Lifestyle Gear Website
Dress your Land Rover
for the outdoors, including you.
4x4 accessories and lifestyle equipment to enhance your outdoor experience.
Backed by 25 years of dedication, passion and experience.
4x4lifestyleshop.com
WAXOYL
The Original
Please call our sales team on
+44 (0) 1733 380687 for advice.
CAMPING
Experts view
Whether youre a newcomer to the delights of
camping or hardened regular, you need the right kit
to help you along with your adventures. It pays to
get the experts view of what equipment you need
Words: Sarah Harrington-James Photography: Sarah Harrington-James and APB
F
or some 4x4 owners, taking
their trusty steed on an
overland expedition to some
far flung corner of the globe
for the sort of adventure that is worth
bragging about to the grandchildren is,
well, a complete no-brainer. But in
recent years, the rising interest in these
types of holidays abroad has seen more
and more guided trip organisations pop
up, as well as those that specialise in
pre-expedition preparation courses.
With this in mind, its no wonder that
APB Trading has made a name for itself
in the overland travel equipment sector.
Having been established for over 40
years, Phil Bond developed the
company primarily aimed at Land Rover
owners, before diversifying in recent
years to cater for all types of 4x4
vehicles. Although there is a large,
well-stocked store on site that sells
probably everything you could ever
need for a camping trip, his business is
also a handy one-stop shop that caters
for vehicle t-outs, servicing, repairs
and rebuilds.
We have sourced an extensive
range of overland travel equipment
mainly from South Africa and are
exclusive UK importers for a number of
companies such as National Luna,
Campmor, Eezi-Awn and Nordisk. We
do pride ourselves on quality products,
particularly with the wide range of roof
and ground tents that we supply and
keep in stock, which are some of the
best on the market, says Phil, an
experienced 4x4 overland adventurer
who has travelled most of Europe,
CAMP FOLLOWERS
Top right: APB is the
exclusive importer
for National Luna
fridges. This is
a stainless steel
74-litre version
Above right: A good
night's sleep is
essential. Check out
the Kampa bed
Left and right: Jerry
cans and water cans.
Just don't get them
mixed up!
North and South Africa. Hes seen 4x4s
that have been totally over-prepared,
but stresses it is possible to do an
expedition on a shoestring by planning
ahead and sharing equipment with
others on the same trip.
Its very important when youre
taking your own vehicle that it is
prepared properly and all maintenance
checks have been done. The wheel
bearings need to be in good order and
repacked with grease and the propshaft
bearings checked and/or replaced.
Following that, general servicing is a
must, suggests Phil. Fitting an amount
of underbody protection is a good idea
too, along with a long-range fuel tank
and several water containers. But not
only that; make space for a good basic
tool kit and spare parts, such as tyres
and an air compressor, engine oil, air
lters and fuel lters the latter being a
must in countries such as Africa where
there is a very high sulphur content in
diesel and dirty fuel is commonplace.
Security is also an important factor on
trips to unfamiliar parts of the globe,
which is why APB can supply lockable
drawer units, chests and safes to hide
your expensive kit away from prying
eyes. While were on the topic, APB
often black out the windows from the
driver back for the same reasons, while
also helping to reduce the temperature
inside the vehicle as well.
Often customers call up APB with a
list of essential items to buy that their
overland expedition organisers issue
them with. However, Phils aware that
some people also prefer to trawl the
internet for bargains, but in doing so
can end up purchasing sub-standard kit
that either doesnt work properly or only
lasts all of ve minutes. Although
premium quality products have a price
to match, its important to remember
that its an investment that is
guaranteed to last. Study the kits
available and do some research and
dont just buy the rst thing think of
quality and practicality, advises Phil. If
youre on a serious trip youll want a
good kit thatll look after you. The
ground tents that APB stocks are a
good example and range from 360 up
to 1224. The Campmor varieties come
with a double-skinned roof and a heavy
weight 550g sewn-in groundsheet that
continues up the side walls by 4-5
inches, so if theres a rainstorm outside,
it wont rudely awaken the otherwise
soggy occupants on the inside. It may
CAMPING
Experts view
Top: Phil Bond, in
his fully stocked
warehouse
Above right: Simple
twin burner from
Campingaz
Left: Weekender
50-litre fridge
sound obvious, but its best to practice
putting up said tent in Blighty before
disappearing off on any adventure
making sure one of these sessions is
in the rain as well as try out a
selection of pegs to cater for the
differing terrain ahead. APB also
supplies Eezi-Awn roof tents for those
travelling through game reserves who
dont wish to be a big cats dinner, or
need to be up off the ground away from
any slithery natives.
Once the tent is chosen, the next
step is to consider bedding material and
this all depends on the forthcoming
expeditions climate. Phil says: We do a
whole range of Nordisk thermal sleeping
bags and can supply the correct type
for the temperature youre going to be
in, remembering that a womans body
temperature is colder than a mans so
youll need different versions. We also
provide down slippers, so that if youre
in a cold camping area it makes life
more comfortable. As well as sleeping
bags, APB stocks roll out mattresses
and handy fold up camp beds of varying
heights.
What about the camp kitchen?
Expedition organisers should advise on
what is needed; cooking on an open
re adds to the whole atmosphere but
in some European countries this isnt
allowed. Which is where stoves come in
handy Phil sells a great deal of these
such as the user-friendly Frontier, which
you can add a hot water heater and ue
sections to. Cast iron Dutch ovens are
just as popular, along with two-burner
portable gas cookers from the likes of
Campingaz and Gelert. Then youll
need to decide on which cooking
EXPERT
TOP TEN TIPS
1
Check over your vehicle
beforehand
2
Always take some basic spares
and a good tool kit
3
Do not compromise on the tent
and sleeping gear
4
Practice putting up your tent
before you go
5
Take a choice of pegs to cover
all types of terrain
6
Make sure youve got
something to cut rewood
7
Take tinned and dried food
as an emergency supply
8
Always carry a sparker,
matches and kindling
9
Buy good cooking
paraphernalia and a
quality stove
10
If access to clean water is a
problem, consider a Life
Saver bottle
utensils to take, but the one item that is
essential is a decent folding knife. After
this, a useful multi-blade saw for cutting
wood, plastic and metal, such as the
inexpensive EKA three-way Combi Saw.
A lot of people will gather their
rewood while theyre travelling during
the day and strap it to the roof rack so
that when they reach camp in the
evening, they have enough for
DEVON
Devon 4x4 Off-Road T: +44 (0)1769 550900 E: info@devon4x4.com
www.Devon4x4.com
The James Baroud range of tents has been developed over a period of twenty years by a
group of very experienced expedition specialists to meet their exacting requirements. Built to
ISO standards in Europe they are designed to withstand the most extreme conditions making
them the first choice for experienced travellers.
The hard shell range of tents comes with their patented automatic opening system which
allows the tents to be open within 10 seconds and closed in less than 30 seconds, such is the
quality of the James Baroud tents that they are supplied with a 5 year warranty.
Full 5 years guarantee
20 years of outdoor trip experience,
used in development.
Rated to withstand a 120 km/hr wind
Built to exacting ISO world standards
UK's exclusive distributor of
R
e
a
l
s
e
r
v
ic
e
&
a
d
v
ic
e
fr
o
m
th
e
R
eal 4x4 specialists
CAMPING
Experts view
cooking, says Phil. You must carry a
sparker as well and keep it in reserve in
case your matches get damp and
always keep some kindling in a sealed
plastic bag. The nal must have if you
know that youll be travelling in areas
with no access to clean water, is
purifying tablets or alternatively invest in
a 4-litre Lifesaver bottle. This clever
worlds rst product removes all
bacteria, viruses, parasites and other
microbiological waterborne pathogens
without the aid of iodine or chlorine and
is often used by the military and in
disaster zones.
Hopefully you should now be red up
and ready to rumble for your next 4x4
adventure, brimming with useful
knowledge! Just remember though: no
matter how much kit you have, you
should be the priority so always look
after yourself rst. Think ahead and take
a few creature comforts that are sure to
make you feel rather smug when youre
travelling through the harshest of
terrain. 4x4
EXPERT
TOP TEN
PRODCUTS
1
Campmor/Eezi-Awn ground or
roof tents (from 360)
2
Nordisk thermal sleeping bags
(from 84.18)
3
Frontier stove (139.98)
4
Dutch oven (from 28.50)
5
Braai Grill cooking grate (99)
6
EKA Combi Saw (32.42)
7
Portable air compressor (101.10)
8
Water containers (from 19.95)
9
Steel jerry cans for fuel storage
(from 15.72)
10
Lifesaver water bottle (119.46)
CONTACTS
APB Trading, Unit 38, Hartlebury Trading Estate
Hartlebury,West Midlands DY10 4JB
Tel: 01299 250174 Web: www.apbtrading.co.uk
Above: APB has
a comprehensive
range of Eezi-Awn
roof tents available
Far left: Assortment
of traditional jerry
cans
Left: Excellent
Frontier stove with
hot water heater and
flue section
Right: Worth
investing in a decent
water purifier like
the Lifesaver option.
It could do exactly
that...
We specialise in Travel Equipment and Expedition
Gear. Our products are built to last; we are not part of a
disposable society. Many of our items are designed and
made by master craftsmen; they will endure and become
part of your legacy. Take a look at our web site or see us
at Bushcraft and Land Rover Shows.
The past is behind, learn fromit.
The Future is ahead, prepare for it.
The present is here, live it
Adaptable, durable & resourceful
www.bush-pig.co.uk
CAMPING
Experts view
Left and right: The
smallest things
can often make the
biggest difference.
Run out of tent pegs
and you'll have
problems
ENTHUSIASTIC CHOICE
After the expert, we asked the enthusiast. What are the ten most important things
(excluding the tent) that you should take on your next camping weekend?
Words and photography: Robert Pepper
T
he question is simple what
ten items would I take for a
weekend camping with the
family? And by camping, Im
referring to remote camping with no
facilities, not an official organised park,
because thats not camping, thats living
in a tent. Well, our checklist runs to
much more than ten items, and starts
with the tent, but leaving aside
accommodation and the obvious such
as food, the list starts to get more
interesting. Id put the checklist itself as
item number one to ensure you dont
ruin everything by forgetting something
essential, but thats kind of cheating.
So, heres my actual list based on many
years of enjoying the great outdoors.
1.CLOTHING
Obviously youll be wearing something,
but when camping youre rather
exposed and so you really need
all-weather gear. Never be without kit
thatll survive a downpour, and nights
can get much colder than you expect.
Include sunhats, a beanie, layers you
can add or remove, gloves and stout
shoes.
2.WEATHER PLAN
Wet weather plan/hot weather plan
rain or storms can ruin a camping
weekend. And sometimes so can
extremely hot weather, particularly if gas
stoves are then banned. Of course,
thats more likely for those of us
camping in the Bush. For those of you
back home in the UK, its more likely to
be wet weather planning (Ouch. Ed)
3.TENT TOOLS
Always have a decent mallet, spare guy
ropes and pegs because the average
tent doesnt come with many spares,
and youll often need to batten down
the hatches. No fun getting up at 1am
in a storm to x a tent, but if you have
to, its better to have the equipment to
keep everything well xed to terra rma.
Left: For serious wild
camping, you'll need
to think about your
water supply. There
are some clever
storage options, like
this 'behind the seat'
water tank
Below: Additonal
tarps are always a
good idea - given the
UK weather. Good fun
for the kids as well!
4.LED LIGHTS AND
HEADLIGHT
A weekend away means at least one
night, which means darkness. LED
headlamps are invaluable, providing
great light exactly where you need it
and stop you fumbling about. I wouldnt
be without one, and LED lamps are
brilliant (literally).
5.WATER
Youll need plenty of water for drinking,
washing, cooking and cleaning. It must
be carried in strong containers, and at
least two so if one is damaged or
contaminated then youve not lost it all.
If the weather turns and youre wet and
cold, a cuppa tea is all you need to
revive spirits. Finding youve run out at
that point is no fun at all!
6.STORAGE SYSTEM
You want a system of whats where,
easy to get to without disassembling
the entire vehicle. This doesnt mean
building a complete set of drawers next
to your tent, but it does mean not
having everything in a mess.
7.TABLE
A good table can be used for cooking,
map reading and planning, wine
decanting, all sorts of things. They also
fold down nice and small. Youll regret
it if you end up doing everything on the
oor.
8.WET WIPES
The best shower youll get when remote
camping is a swim, but thats not
always possible. It is, however, entirely
possible to stay nice and fresh for days
using nothing more than a change of
clothes, deodorant and some wet
wipes which can be burned later in the
campre.
9.GIVE ME SHELTER
The tarpaulin is about the most
massively useful thing an overnight
camper can have. Partly it has great
practical value you can use a tarp for
shade from the sun, shelter from rain, it
can be a mat, a working oor for tools,
a place to put luggage on instead of the
mud, and can even be used as a
survival tool for signalling or a makeshift
sleeping bag. And it can be an
adventure toy for the kids.
10.SPARES
There are some items that you
absolutely must have, and for these,
where possible, double up. For
example, two small stoves, not one big
one. Spare pegs, spare tent poles,
extra food and water, batteries,
anything, which if broken or lost would
really cause problems. Experience will
mean your spares box will grow. Youll
be surprised how valuable a cable tie
can be when you havent got one.
So theres ten useful items. Being
based in Australia, Im tempted to add a
car fridge, but while thats hugely
tempting its not actually necessary. Nor
have I mentioned toys for the kids, but
thats easily taken care of. Just nd
another couple of kids and turn the
whole lot loose. Theyll soon work out
their own fun with no need for parental
interference. A few things I dont think
are needed expansive kitchens,
washing up systems (a collapsible
bucket will do), any form of heater or fan,
oodlights and generators. If theres a
common theme to the dont bother list
itll be avoiding big, bulky and heavy.
Remote camping is rather minimalist, yet
that doesnt mean discomfort. Still,
everyone has their own style of camping,
and to develop yours start off on
daytrips with the minimum, then work up
to overnighters and then weeks. Buy
quality, take less stuff rather than more,
and spend some time thinking about
storage and your system rather than
buying and buying. Your process will
soon become second nature, leaving
you time to really appreciate the freedom
that comes with camping rather than
worrying about the mechanics of
camping itself. 4x4
All set up we have a wet-weather plan and shelter, spares of critical kit
like poles and pegs, extra food, multiple water supplies and lots of clothing
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GREAT ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR TRIP
LIGHT IN THE HEAD
Having a decent head torch is a vital accessory for all campers
and the range available is vast. Try Devon 4x4 Princeton Tec
head torches, the one shown here is the Scout. Its a
lightweight option and the hinged lamp housing allows you to
direct light where you need it, or you can detach the light from
the strap for use on your cap, backpack strap or belt. It has
different mode settings so you can conserve battery power
(its powered by four 2032 Lithium coin cell batteries). Its
available at a reasonable 24.95 (inc VAT). Call the team at
Devon 4x4 to nd out more. Call them on 01769 550900.
Website: www.devon4x4.com
NEW BAROUD TENT FOR UK
We have a separate tent review feature elsewhere in this issue, but had to
include this new James Baroud roof tent option. They are actually French
in design and build, and have been available for some 20 years, but they
are now available exclusively from Devon 4x4. There are a lot of benets
from a roof tent as it is simple to erect especially important when you
need to get that sorted ASAP to get out of the inclement weather! These
are quality products. Call the guys at Devon 4x4 to nd out more. Call
them on 01769 550900, or check out the movie clips on the website.
KEEP DRY IN THE SHADE
The Rhino Sunseeker Awning is an
easy to operate, roll out awning that
will shade the side of your vehicle in
a matter of moments. When not in
use, it is stored in its own heavy
duty PVC bag. The awning comes
complete with telescopic poles, guy
ropes and pegs. Most importantly, it
mounts to most roof rack systems,
including Rhino-Rack crossbars,
with the aid of an included tting kit. Its a sensible size, 2.5m
long and 2 metres wide. If needs be, you can purchase
extension pieces as well (pictured). The Rhino Sunseeker
Awning retails at 259.59, and the Extension 127.05. Call the
guys at TBR UK on 01832 275396 or go direct to the website.
Website: www.tbruk.com
TRADITIONALISTS
Lets face it, camping does allow you to search out those clever gadgets and
products that you just love to own. The 1948 Original Equipment Company is just
the sort of place to go to get quality equipment for your camping expedition. The
companys name is based on their own 1948 Land Rover; just like that 4x4, the
stuff this company sells is built to last. Check out the website for more details. We
were impressed by the Survival Bottle (29) and the Survival Knife and re starter
(35). And when the weather gets bad and you are stuck in the tent, check out the
Freedom of the Hills deck of cards (7). The website is packed with top quality stuff
we love it!
Website: www.originalequipmentshop.com
BIKE CARRIERS
For many, camping is the rst step and then its a case of
exploring, often by bike. Its essential therefore that you get
yourself a sturdy and reliable bike carrier for the rear of your
vehicle, and for that its worth contacting the guys at Pendle
Bike Racks. These tow bar mounted racks hold the bikes
away from the bodywork, with different arm offsets available
depending on your vehicle and the number of bikes you want
to carry. Its worth remembering, although it seems pretty
obvious, that with these tted you cannot use the vehicle for
towing. The Pendle Bike Rack range starts from around 114
up to 175, depending on the
offset. We would advise that you
contact the guys at Pendle for their
expert knowledge on exactly what
you require. Call them on 01282
699555, or check out their
comprehensive website.
Website: www.pendle-bike.co.uk
SITTING
COMFORTABLY
Now heres something we can
thoroughly recommend! If you are
camping, then having a decent chair to
relax in is essential. And we dont mean
those rubbish, cheap offerings that you
often see at motorway service stations.
What you want is a Rhino camping
chair. Its padded, high back design with
its solid, heavy-duty arms is a superb
place to sit. It comes complete with a
very smart carrying bag and an
impressive ve-year warranty. It is
priced at 60.90 (inc VAT). Call the guys
at TBR UK on 01832 275396 or go
direct to the website for more details.
PIG OUT, IN STYLE
One of the delights of camping has to be the
food. And a proper BBQ is much better than
just a tin of beans in a saucepan on a gas
burner! The Bush Pig Braai is a raisedfolding
BBQ (Braai)that burns wood and charcoal.
The Braai comes complete with legs (to keep it
from damaging the ground), lid and removable
grill. The available cooking area is a sizeable
500mm x 250mm. When you have nished
cooking, the unit can be used as a re boxto
provide warmth, and when you nally retire, the
lid is put back on to prevent hot ash and
embers blowing about. The website price is
50, and optional extras include a selection of
interchangeable grills, a hotplate and a carry
bag. Call Mike on 07811 740080 or buy direct
from the website.
Website: www.bush-pig.co.uk
FIRESTARTER!
Now for many, a box of matches or a cigarette lighter will be
all you need, but there are times when that is not available,
and certainly if you are overlanding away from the local corner
shop then having another way of starting a re is essential.
The Magre is just what you should carry. Developed by military
survival experts and for only 10.38 (inc VAT) this is one of those no
brainer items for your essential camping list. The Magre is available
from Devon 4x4 and it comes with re-building instructions. And you have
to admit, it is a lot more fun to get the kids to understand how you build a
camp re without the use of a gas lighter! Call the team at Devon 4x4 to
nd out more. Call them on 01769 550900.
QUICK STEP
All the best ideas are so simple. If you
go camping then its likely youll carry
something on the roof of your 4x4, and
for even the tallest that can be a real
stretch to reach. The Bushranger Quick
Step solves this to give you easy access
to the roof area for loading or unloading.
The Quick Step is a sturdy steel
construction; it unfolds and hangs over
your vehicles wheel, then quickly folds
at for easy storage. The Quick Step is
adjustable to suit tyre sizes up to
31x10R15 or 265/75R16. The RRP is
55.95 (inc VAT). Call the guys at TBR
UK on 01832 275396 or go direct to
the website for more details.
SENSIBLE
STORAGE
Keeping everything neat and tidy is
the best way to enjoy your camping
experience, especially important if you
are on the move and touring. A
sensible option is to check out the
Hannibal Wolf range, available from
Devon 4x4. This is a well-respected
brand, and these boxes are tough
and stackable. The box shown here is
52cm x 40cm x 24cm and retails at a
reasonable 30 (inc VAT). Call the
team at Devon 4x4 to nd out more.
Call them on 01769 550900.
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ADVENTURE
Kapp2Cape Part Two
Second part of our story of two adventurers who turned a dream
into a reality overlanding from northern Europe to the bottom of the
African continent. Plans had to be changed, but the dream lives on...
Words and photography: Sheelah Turner and Oyvind Helgerud
DUE SOUTH
A
frica starts at the ferry port at
Algeciras, Spain. Dont be
fooled into thinking you have
to cross the Straits of
Gibraltar to experience African time or
African efficiency. The ferry crossing
was a fitting finish to our time in Europe
the rain and wind delayed the
incoming ferry by a few hours, and so
our 0800 departure turned into a 1200
departure. The 45 minute crossing
turned into one hour and 45 minutes as
the ferry battled its way through swells
and waves to deliver us to Ceuta, the
autonomous Spanish city that is
actually a small exclave, located on the
north coast of Africa, which shares its
border with Morocco. When we
docked, to finish what had been a
dreadful crossing, the main ferry door
wouldnt open, so we had to reverse
out on a narrow gangplank, starting
with the large trucks at the back. But at
least, finally, we were in Africa.
MOROCCO
Our rst real border crossing of the
adventure was relatively hassle free
although we did somehow end up with
a helper who directed us from one
booth to the next, and apparently
negotiated a good deal on the
insurance. The rain persisted across the
Straits, and our time in Chefchaouen
(waiting for our travelling companions)
was spent sitting in the restaurant. We
were desperate for the sun!
But that wasnt the worst of the
weather! A comment from my father,
But how cold can Morocco really be?
came back to haunt us.
We headed south in search of sun
and warmth. Our route towards Midelt
took us through the unexpected
greenery of forests and rolling hills. But
we were in for even greater surprises,
when we encountered snow! Any
thoughts of camping lay frozen on the
ground, but fortunately we found a gte
a homestay up on a hill. Now, well
fed, warm and dry, we could admire the
snow-covered surroundings.
We headed towards Gorge du Todra,
on our way up to Lac Tislit. The gorge
was rather picturesque and we climbed
into the Atlas Mountains towards Lac
Tislit, with recent signs of snow evident.
We returned via Gorge du Dades a
very different but equally stunning gorge
after taking an off-road piste to avoid
the snowed in road.
Our explorations in the south
continued with a visit to Erg Chigaga,
which is supposedly the largest dunes
in Morocco. Then we took a three-day
off-road piste across the desert
landscapes from Zagora to Merzouga.
Mystical and magical, this offered us a
wonderful opportunity to wild camp
away from civilisation. While we did
meet a few other off-road vehicles,
most of the time we were on our own
enjoying the wide-open expanses.
All through Morocco, we got on well
with the locals and used markets to do
our grocery shopping. These markets
ranged from small village set-ups, to the
large market at Rissani, where we also
had the opportunity to buy livestock!
Tempting, but we resisted.
The cooler winter weather was
drawing in, and night time temperatures
in the Atlas Mountains were rapidly
descending beyond -10C. It was time
for us to bid farewell to the deserts and
mountains, and head for the warmth of
the coastal areas. And it was here that
Morocco changed for us.
The huge inux of retirees from
Europe France in particular in their
kitted out campervans was evident.
Some campsites we passed could
accommodate up to 1000 campers.
Local markets disappeared, and were
replaced by large supermarkets. This
was the European version of Morocco.
Left: The sun sets
at Lac Tislit - that's
camping at -2degC!
Right: Our first
foray into the Atlas
Mountians. Exciting
stamps in our passports. The border
with Mauritania lay a mere 2200km
away.
Not content with following the
coastal road, we again ventured inland,
this time winding through some lesser
travelled routes towards Icht. The
scenery was enchanting, with roads
winding up and down through the
mountains. Our most memorable
camping came when we stopped in the
tiny village of Targa n Touchka. Here,
the informal campsite lay on top of a
little hillock in the middle of a bowl, with
mountains surrounding us on all sides.
Thankfully, we managed to nd a
charming campsite away from the
heavy tourist hustle and bustle, which
overlooked the ocean. We felt
saddened, but we were also glad that
we had taken the time to explore the
inland areas of Morocco rst. For us,
that is the true Morocco.
The only major city we visited in
Morocco was Rabat, and that was to
arrange our Mauritanian visas. It was a
long day, with much patience required
to deal with the informal system
operating at the Embassy. Thankfully,
by sunset, we had freshly inked
Top: A peaceful
Bedouin camp in the
western Sahara
Left: Crossing the
Tropic of Cancer.
Given all the world's
hi tech satnav
wizardry, this
significant global
position is marked
with a pile of stones
and hand-painted
sign. Perfect
WESTERN SAHARA
We could feel as we crossed the
unseen boundary between Morocco
and Moroccan-occupied Western
Sahara a certain military presence. The
people were guarded, and less openly
friendly. The desert landscape was
stark, harsh. Cities were fewer and
further between. The wind picked up
and became our constant companion
for the next two weeks. It was tough
travelling. Our thoughts went out to the
cyclists we saw along the way.
Our most memorable stop was a
small Bedouin campsite that we found
between Tarfaya and Laayoune. It was
basic, and with as many luxuries as
they could provide in the desert
landscape, including brackish water for
ablutions. A communal tent gave us a
quiet place to rest out of the wind.
Travelling further, we stopped in
Dhakla. We camped our tiny vehicle
amongst the enormous vehicles of the
French retirees, several of which were
converted busses! We made friends
with some expats whove lived in
Dhakla for almost eight years, and
spent a international Christmas with
them; eight people of eight nationalities
sitting around the same table.
And then, it was off to the border.
Time to venture into Mauritania. It is
quiet at the moment they all said. Itll
be easy they all said. And so we were
in for an enormous surprise when we
reached the border and joined the
ADVENTURE
Kapp2Cape Part Two
queue with 125 vehicles ahead of us.
After only seven hours, we nally
passed into the Moroccan border post.
With numerous exasperated Malians
and Senegalese, we made our way
from one ofce to the next. An hour
later, we entered the 5km wasteland
that is No Mans Land, sticking closely
to the bumper of our new Austrian/
German friends.
And so, waiting in No Mans Land to
enter the Mauritanian border post, in
yet another queue, we watched the
sun set. This was not what we had
planned.
MAURITANIA
We were spat into Mauritania in a most
unceremonious way. Completing
border formalities in the pitch black
was something we had actively tried to
avoid. Blatant requests for bribes from
the customs ofcial was intimidating,
but since everyone had an interest in
getting home before dawn broke, we
kindly declined and he relented. In
convoy with our Austrian/German
friends, we headed to Nouadibou to
camp for the night. Exhaustion quickly
overwhelmed us, and even the
nightclub music thumping next door
could not disturb our sleep.
The political instability of the region
quickly became obvious. We had
wished to explore Atar and Chinguetti,
in the days before the Arab Spring, but
we received mixed messages about
the current state of safety and security.
Only a few weeks before, a French
national had been kidnapped in
southwest Mali near the border with
Above: This sums up
exactly what we had
travelled so far to
enjoy; wild camping.
Magical
Mauritania. We erred on the side of
caution, and decided to continue down
the coastal road to the Senegalese
border.
We were, nevertheless, determined
to at least see something of Mauritania!
Our only real option was the Parc
National du Banc dArgiun (pronounced
locally as ban-dar-gin with a hard g as
in gull), located about 200km from
Nouadibou on the road to the capital
city, Nouakchott. This park is a World
Heritage listed site and lies on the
migratory route for birds moving
between Europe and southern Africa.
We spent one night in a traditional
Mauritanian low white tent, enjoyed
some bird watching, explored the
desert terrain and rejoined the tarred
road to Nouakchott.
The police and military checks that
we had grown accustomed to in
Western Sahara continued; our stack of
gifts and novelties growing thinner by
the day. While requests were non-
threatening, it was unnerving at times to
be greeted by an individual dressed
from neck to toe, with head wrapped
completely in a headscarf, and eyes
covered by dark sunglasses.
We treated ourselves to a
guesthouse in Nouakchott, Jeloua. It
was a welcome retreat from the
relentless wind and sandblasting of the
last two weeks. We wandered the
streets taking care of business, and
enjoyed a delicious meal at a delightful
French restaurant and patisserie
opposite the guesthouse.
Our trip to the Senegalese border
was uneventful. The tarred road, which
had been so well maintained between
Nouadibou and Nouakchott,
deteriorated into a potholed slalom
course. However, as we were travelling
on New Years Day, there was very little
other trafc.
By lunchtime, we turned off the main
road and headed to the border at
Diama Dam, avoiding the notorious
border post at Rosso. The public
holiday played in our favour again, and
we were the only travellers passing
through. With relatively little hassle,
although a few unreceipted fees
needing paying, we completed all
formalities including an ice cold Coke
and car insurance in an hour and a half.
All that was left for the day was a 50km
drive to the campsite at Zebrabar;
welcome to Senegal.
SENEGAL
Senegal was such a welcome change
from the relentless wind. The days were
long and lazy, hazy sunshine lled the
skies, and steamy temperatures meant
we could change into sandals and
short sleeves. Zebrabar, just outside St
Louis, gave us a chance to relax,
recharge, and explore the local area.
After three months on the road, we
have crossed 12 countries and were
now in our fourth African nation; we
realised we were a little tired.
Senegal gave us the rst real
opportunity to do some bird watching,
a little hobby that we have. While
exploring what the country had to offer,
we kept a running list of the new birds
we had seen. Parc National des
Oiseaux du Djoudj is a Ramsar site (The
ADVENTURE
Kapp2Cape Part Two
Ramsar Convention was The
Convention on Wetlands of International
Importance, especially as Waterfowl
Habitat) and is the rst real wetland
stop for the migratory birds after
crossing the Sahara desert. A very
basic community campsite provided a
perfect base, and we explored the park
by vehicle as well as taking a pirogue
tour to visit the pelican breeding colony.
A pirogue is a locally made canoe, cut
from a hollowed tree trunk.
We toured off the beaten track to visit
Podor and Ile a Morphil, which lie on
the Senegal River and are the northern
most points of Senegal. The kindness in
an area trying to encourage tourism
was overwhelming: a restaurant owner
took down his fence so that we could
camp the night in his back yard; a local
musician became our self-appointed
guide around the village; the ferry owner
refused payment as he was just so
pleased to offer his services; people
working in the elds waved as we drove
by. It will remain one of our most
memorable experiences.
We somehow ended up passing
through Touba, Senegals second
largest city and the holy city of
Mouradism and burial place of its
founder. We stopped to look at the
Great Mosque, which is exquisite, and
got whisked away on a tour. It was
rather abrupt, and the many hands at
the end asking for money was
somewhat annoying.
As a digression, we had a love hate
relationship with Senegal. The people
were incredibly friendly but the litter was
astronomical. Everywhere. In most
places, people just threw their rubbish
on the ground, or dumped their
household waste in common places,
usually near water. Some places there
were efforts to collect, but the
collections were deposited outside the
cities and covered with plastic to
prevent it blowing away. Still an
eyesore, still environmentally unfriendly.
Strangely, the markets were slightly
better, and astonishingly, the Great
Mosque was spotless. The guides were
even picking up dropped litter!
So, reaching Campement Hotel du
Wassadou, was like stepping into
paradise. Calmness and serenity
pervaded. The staff were welcoming,
attentive, and our campsite under the
large trees was a stones throw from the
Gambia River. We did a sunrise boat
trip, relaxed in hammocks, and enjoyed
sundowners from the viewing area over
the river. The bird life was abundant,
and fellow guests charming.
Near to Wassadou is Parc National
Niokolo Koba and the largest national
park in West Africa and its somewhere
we had long looked forward to visiting. It
was an enormous disappointment. Both
after the beauty of Wassadou, and our
experiences of national parks in southern
Africa, we were greatly saddened.
Everything was severely neglected: hotel,
campsites, bird hides and especially the
roads. Our planned three or four night
stay turned into one night.
Before travelling to Dakar, we
ventured to the edge of the Sine-
Saloum delta, to a charming little town
called Palmarin, nestled among the
baobab trees. Our base here, Djidjack,
was a relaxed spot between delta and
ocean. We basked in the heat under
the trees, swam in the pool and strolled
along the beach.
Here, under the baobabs, we planned
our next step. By this stage, the French
military had dropped into Mali, and the
area was feeling generally unstable and
changeable. Teachers from the French
school in Bamako, Mali, had been
evacuated, and we spent much time
talking to them. Personal preferences
mean different people make different
decisions based on the same
information, but our trip was about
exploring, not racing. While other
travellers elected to continue traveling
down the west coast as fast as
possible we opted for a safer option:
shipping the vehicle passed the problem.
And so the rst stage of our adventure
nished in Dakar. With help from new
found friends at Hotel SouSoum, we
found a shipping company and loaded
our vehicle into a container bound for
Cape Town, South Africa. It was not the
way we had expected to arrive, but the
beauty and the challenge of an
overlanding trip is that plans change. It
had been a fantastic adventure so far,
and now we would continue from Cape
Town. This was no longer a dream, this
was our reality. 4x4
Above: The Great
Mosque at Touba
is very impressive.
The marble used
was imported from
Europe
Left: The first part
of our African
adventure ended
when we packed up
out trusty Toyota and
had it shipped to
Cape Town
DOING THE SPLITS
We visit 4x4 specialist Matt Savage to see how to ft a leisure battery and keep it
topped up with a split charge system, essential if you are overlanding
Words and photography: Rob Hawkins
A
split charge system enables a
second battery to be
recharged by the vehicles
battery. If you are familiar with
vehicle electronics, then the method of
supplying charge to the second battery
is quite straightforward. There are
however, some potential problems that
can arise, so its not simply a case of
connecting a lead between each
batterys positive terminal. The second
battery must only be recharged when
the engine is running and only when the
dynamo or alternator is producing a
sufficient amount of power.
Consequently, there must be some
means of switching the charging of the
second battery on and off. This can be
when the engine is running via a relay
switch. One of the most effective
methods weve discovered is to fit a
voltage sensitive relay. This only allows
Wiring diagram
This is the
general layout
of the wires,
inline fuses and
voltage
sensitive relay
that form a split
charge system.
However, our
step-by-step
guide reveals
how they
should be tted
TECHNICAL
Split Charging
the second battery to be recharged
when there is a sufficient amount of
voltage (usually over 13.3 volts) being
supplied by the vehicles battery. High
voltage is only generated when the
engine is running.
Suitable fuses must be tted along
the wire between the vehicles battery
and the leisure battery to prevent the
risk of wires burning out and causing
res. The type of fuse depends on the
amount of current that will be drawn
and the rating of the wiring.
One of the biggest problems
concerning a split charge system is
recharging a at second battery. If the
second batterys voltage is very low (i.e.
when it is at), then the amount of
current drawn to recharge it may blow
the fuses in the split charge system. It is
important to check the voltage of the
second battery and either stop using it
Right: Andy Chapman
of 4x4 specialist Matt
Savage checks a split
charge system is
recharging the second
battery
when it becomes low (e.g. around 10
volts), or only recharge it using a mains
electricity supplied charger if it is at.
Some modern vehicles may prove
problematic if a split charge system is
tted. The drop in voltage when the
second battery is being recharged may
trigger dashboard warning lights or
ECU error codes. Similarly, older
vehicles with a dynamo may struggle to
recharge a large capacity second
battery, especially if the headlights,
heater and other equipment are being
powered at the same time.
The following information applies to
4x4 vehicles with a negative earth (the
negative terminal on the battery is
connected to earth). If you have an old
vehicle with a positive earth, check with
a specialist to see if it can be equipped
with a second battery and a split
charge system.
Cable: The wires that connect the vehicles battery to the second
battery and recharge it must be sufciently thick to ensure they
dont melt. Use a wire thats rated higher than the inline fuses to
ensure the fuses blow before the wiring melts
Split Charge Parts
Second battery: A leisure battery with a high amp output thats
designed to slowly drain is ideal for powering lights and other
electrical equipment. Expect to pay around 100 for a 100-amp
hours leisure battery
Relay switch: The charging of the second battery needs to be
controlled via a relay switch. A voltage sensitive relay (VSR) is ideal as
it only recharges the second battery when the supply to it is sufcient
(usually more than 13.3 volts), indicating the engine is running and
the vehicles battery is being recharged by the alternator or dynamo
Two inline fuses: In the event of too much current being drawn
by the second battery, its safer to blow a fuse than melt the wiring
or damage the relay, so inline fuses rated below the amperage of
the voltage sensitive relay switch must be tted. In most cases, 40
amp fuses are tted
TECHNICAL
Split Charging
5 6
4
3
2
1
Left: Find a suitable location to t the second battery.
Ideally, it needs to be close to the vehicles battery, but
this may not be possible. It also needs to be securely
tted with a clamp to ensure it cannot be moved
Above: The second battery must be equipped with an
earth lead, which needs to be connected to an earth
point on the vehicle, such as the chassis or bodywork.
Use a proper lead and terminal connector
Above: The second battery must have a breather tube,
which is vented to the atmosphere (outside). When the
battery is being recharged, it produces hydrogen, which
is explosive, so it needs to be vented safely
Right: Using a short length of wire, connect one inline
fuse to the vehicles battery (live/positive terminal) and
the appropriate connection on the voltage sensitive relay.
Keep the lengths of wires short
Left: Most voltage sensitive relays have an earth
connection, so make sure a wire from the VSR is tted to
the chassis, bodywork or vehicle battery. A wire may already
be tted to the relay or you may need to t one yourself
Above: Fit a second inline fuse close to the positive
terminal on the second battery, and then route a wire
from it to the voltage sensitive relay. Make sure the
wiring is rated higher than the fuse to ensure the fuse
blows before the wire melts
TECHNICAL
Split Charging
Voltage Sensitive Relays
8
If you want to power electrical
equipment such as lights, a cigarette
lighter and a fridge from the second
battery, then each component needs to
have a fuse. The easiest way to do this
is to buy a universal fuse box and
connect it to the positive terminal on the
second battery. The photograph here
shows a fuse box we found on eBay for
15, with LED lights that illuminate when
a fuse blows. We acquired a positive
lead from a scrap car and this can be
connected to the fuse box. Wires can
then be routed from the fuse box to
equipment such as lighting or a fridge,
but make sure the correct rated fuse is
used in each case.
7
Above left: Securely mount the voltage sensitive relay
to ensure its wires cannot be loosened. Start the engine
and use a multi-meter or voltmeter to check the second
battery is being recharged
Left: With the engine running, connect a multi-meter
to the terminals on the second battery to measure the
voltage. It should read 13-14 volts when the second
battery is being charged. Switch off the engine and check
it again it should read around 12 volts
Using the power
This voltage sensitive relay is very simple to connect, with a fused wire from the vehicles battery and another to the second battery, plus an earth connection (the black wire).
It will only charge the second battery when the voltage to it exceeds 13.3 volts and will stop charging if the voltage drops below 12.8 volts
TOOLS USED
Crimping tool
Multi-meter or voltmeter
Wire cutters
COSTS AND CONTACTS
Matt Savage 4x4
01629 735555
www.mattsavage.co.uk
Voltage sensitive relay: 26.40
w w w. t r a v a l l . c o m
Travall | Gosforth Road | Derby | DE24 8HU | United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0) 1332 387630 | Fax: +44 (0) 1332 292333 | info@travall.com
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We provide next day delivery to UK mainland and two day delivery to much of
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Exterior Accessories
Annual event lives up to all expectations
as a full entry list tackles some of the
most challenging sections around
Words and photography: Alan Coutts
SPORT
Scotia Winch Challenge
A l t li t ll t ti
Heather
Highs
P
erthshire is one of the UKs
beautiful counties; a land of
gently flowing hills, forests
and impressive lochs. It has
rich farmland, famous fishing rivers,
and wilder highland regions; classic
Victorian picture postcard scenery.
Throw in a bit of early morning mist,
and your weekends sorted. The Scotia
Winch Challenge Club runs the biggest
off-road challenge event of the year,
near Aberfeldy, where 40 teams get
ready to rock and roll over an off-
roading paradise of bog, grassland,
rocks, heather, tumbling forests, and
grassy glens, all spread out over the
longest runs of any Challenge event in
the UK. You can go for hours without
leaving a section or seeing another
team, and thats the sort of experience
you only get with 10,000 acres to play
with; sadly, you cant avoid seeing the
multitude of windmills on the horizon, a
sign of these alternative energy times.
The clubs tireless organising team
work hard to create this off-road
sensation; in one form or another,
theyve been doing it ever since the
early days of the legendary Argyll forest
challenge. The competitors change,
the cars improve, the sections vary, but
this is the SWCC back at its best with a
mix of stages that can stop the best of
challenge 4x4s in their tracks, from long
pine needle stabbing runs to shorter
testing punch hungry sections that thrill
but dont spill. How tough? If you like to
go large, they dont come much bigger
Main: Alan Falconer
and Steven Woods
keep their Defender
special steady over
the rocks
Above: Pete Witman
and Andy Chaplin
in a D&G Chevvy
powered buggy
Right: John Sales
and Dan Thomas use
Saley winches on
Johns latest buggy
in the unlimited
class - as you might
expect!
than Pete Whitman and his massive
D&G buggy, a Chevy-powered, Bogger-
shod four-wheel steer mammoth that
takes some stopping. The usual way
to halt it is by banning cars of this type
from an event, but the Scotia Challenge
has an unlimited category where crews
can bring their best cars and let them
ght it out in their class. Andy Chaplin,
one of Britains best co-drivers, sat in
for this race, and for the rst time ever,
this buggy got well and truly stuck. A
cheerful Andy explained: In 21 years of
off-roading, this is the rst time weve
never managed to winch out under our
own power; but the mammoth sized
hole we were in was over two metres
deep, and still sinking. Our wafe
boards are down at about the eight-
foot level, and we were stuck there for
hours. Thanks to the competitors and
marshals who rallied round to save us
from this Chevy-heated spa!
The standard class sees plenty of
modied action as well, and this year a
couple of Cumbrian crackers won this
category. Teams Derek and Ian Bousted
plus David Tarn and Marc Hogg made
sure the trophies will sparkle in those
Northern winters, by taking the podium.
The father and son Team Bousted
use hydraulic Saley winches on their
well-modied Land Rover, and their
experience took them through some
brutal sections at a determined pace. I
watched them at section eight, a stone
quarry ridged section where the chance
to roll over into the trees was always
Top: Eventual
winners, Jim
Marsden and Mark
Birch winching hard
in a GP Defender V8
Above: Grant
Lawrence and
Graham Stirling
carve a track
through the mud
encrusted trees in a
modified Toyota Land
Cruiser
Above right:
Co-driver Simon
Holiday shows deep
joy in the mud as
he gets the winch
ready on former AEe
Challenge Champion
Martyn Campbell's
Suzuki SJ
Left: Cockpit clutter
in John Sales buggy
an option, but the dynamic duo made
it safely back down. Martyn Campbell
and Simon Holiday were wing deep in
mud near section 30, steadily winching
their Suzuki SJ through mufn tops of
glistening soil. It began with a gentle run
through heather, then into waterlogged
swamp with trees and tufted grass
criss crossed by moss lled drainage
trenches that sucked the water down to
just below the surface. One punch set
among a box section of larch was an
invitation to darkness, as it was a metre
SPORT
of soft mud, but most teams made it
out to a springy surfaced run through
young trees, to tackle a tight churning
climb up a broad lipped mound to the
exit. Near the control area, two rocky
routes faced competitors, the track
strewn with large boulders and the
bleached bones of long dead deer. The
Smiths carefully manoeuvred their Land
Rover-axled Suzuki up the narrowing
trail, winching smoothly as required.
Once out, they head for the swamp
sections, clearing the section where
Whitman came to grief. The distance
between sinking through the surface
and skimming over the trembling bog is
only luck plus a metre, and a lighter car
helped. Drive straight towards it, and
the cars sink axle deep in the queasy
surface. Andrew and Shauns Suzuki
headed over to the left, up and along
a ridge, and reversed carefully down to
the punch - tricky, but do-able. Card
marked, it was then downhill through
rocky heather and out across the forest
road into a deep woodland section,
reached across a glutinous drainage
ditch that required the wafes to be
broken out again, before a sprightly
drive along a winding rebreak into a
deep forest section among twisting
pines. Muddy but magnicent, out they
came. Their reward? Second overall
in the unlimited class, and entry to
the popular King of the Valleys race in
Wales, a prize put up by the AWDC and
Neil Whitford. The overall winning team,
Gigglepin 4x4, had already qualied for
the KoV, and so donated this prize to
the next team, which was the Smiths.
A poignant feature of the Scotia is
the Andrew Guinan Winch Challenge
Scholarship, awarded each year
to a team who deserves to take
part. Andrew was a popular young
competitor who passed away while off-
roading, and this worthwhile scholarship
is in his memory.
Great event, good company, glorious
sunshine, and tough as you can handle.
Theres always a winner, and hes been
close before, but this time, on top form
in the Team Gigglepin Defender V8,
Jim Marsden and Mark Birch took the
honours. 4x4
SPONSORS
This event was supported by
Gigglepin 4x4, X-Eng, MIB Off
Road Ltd, SE Tyres, Ruftraks,
Delta-tek, Goodwinch, Baymed
and King of the Valleys. These
guys are worthy of your support
for their support of the sport.
For more event information go:
www.scotiawinchcc.org.uk
Top: Irish Team Ivan
Mclintock drives the
Defender 90 through
heather while co-
pilot Neil McMichael
path finds
Below left: John
and James Aitken
drive a traybacked
Defender 90
Below right:
Jonathan Sayer and
Dale Fisher in a
Defender 90 follow
Mark Campbell's
Suzuki winching
through deep mud
in a boggy forest
section
SPORT
Steering Column Lock
Most stolen
Defenders have
the ignition barrel
ripped out
(surprisingly easily).
Our solution
sleeves the barrel
in steel. It is
permanently ftted with nothing to
lock / unlock giving 24h peace of
mind. 69.99
X-Engineering Buy on line and see full details at:
X-Defend Pedal Lock
There are several Pedal Locks available for Defenders.
They suffer from two big problems. First, they are fd-
dly and slow to ft and second - where on earth do you
store it in a Defender when not in use?! In the event of
a crash, it will become a 20kg steel missile!
The X-Defend Pedal on the other hand seucres
to the foor. When not in use it folds fat
against the foor & seat box. To lock you just
slam it against the pedals. It can lock / unlock
in sub 4 Seconds! To ft all up to Td5. Tdci
version under development 169.99
Gear Stick Lock
Using a unique bayonet
action and push button
lock for fast ftting,
it locks the gear &
transfer levers in 5th
High Range. Models to
ft LT77 and R380 Gear-
boxes up to Td5. Tdci
version in development.
69.99
X-Trouser
Defend your Belt Loops! At last
a replacement door catch which
DOES NOT tear the belt loops &
pockets off your trousers!
24.99 a pair
X-Tendoor
X-Brake Disk Handbrake Conversion.
It will hold your LR on a 45 deg slope, even
covered in mud! Fits all models 1983 to
current 254.99
X-Plug Axle Drain Plug
With Ultra-Magnet - will
even catch broken
crownwheel teeth!
21.99 a pair
X-Cap
Replacement for the
plastic fll cap on Pre Td5
Defenders. 8.99
X-Fan
A simple way to convert to electric
fans. Kit supplied with a thermo
switch to control 1 or 2 fans at the
ideal temperature for Land Rovers
36.99
Extend the opening
of 110 rear doors for
easy loading. 11.99
X-Defex Anti Roll Bar
Can be locked for driving on
road or unlocked for
off road - giving the
best of both worlds.
289.99
www.X-Eng.co.uk Tech Support: 01403 888388
Monthly reports on the exploits of
our personal feet of 4x4s
Our 4x4s
TOYOTA HILUX HL3
Spec: HL3 D-4D
Mileage: 21,098
MPG: 32/33
Costs: None
Arrived: October 2011
JEEP CHEROKEE
Bob Cooke
Spec: 4.0 Limited
Mileage: 71,235
MPG: 20.2
Recent costs: 8.49 trailer socket
Arrived: July 2011
LR DISCOVERY 3, 110
Robert Pepper
Spec: Discovery 3
Mileage: 80,642
MPG: 23.3
Arrived: March 2012
TOYOTA RAV4 XT-R
Sue Loy
Spec: 2-litre
Mileage: 44,602
MPG: 34
Recent costs: MOT, and full
service 896 (details next issue)
Arrived: June 2012
Y
ou may recall in the
March 2013 issue of 4x4
that I waved goodbye to
my Ford Maverick. I
challenged myself to run a capable
4x4 on a shoestring budget, and I
pretty much managed it for an
enjoyable eight months. The
Maverick was surprisingly good
off-road, but didn't quite deliver
what I wanted. The main problem
is that I really wanted a Land
Rover Discovery. I paid 500 for
the Maverick and thought there
was no way I could get a
Discovery for that.
However, I boldly stated in
March that I'd sell the Maverick in
the winter, to maximise income,
then see what I could buy in the
spring. It required a level of
patience that I'm not really used
to, but I actually did it.
But why did I want a Discovery
so badly? When I told Editor Fryatt
of my plans, he laughed and said
I'd only get a complete wreck.
Glancing at the classieds, I was
forced to concede he might be
right.
The answer stems from the fact
that I had my school work
experience at Lode Lane back in
1993. Scary to think that's over 20
years ago. I rather naughtily got
the chance to drive a Discovery
200Tdi automatic prototype at the
Eastnor Castle proving ground
most 15-year olds don't get that
much excitement on work
experience! From that moment on,
I simply had to have a Discovery.
I found a likely candidate on
Ebay. I spent literally hours
trawling various websites,
magazines and forums to nd
what I wanted. Depressingly, tidy
Discoverys were making good
money, even during the 'off'
season. L75 NAL was listed in the
parts section of Ebay, with a
one-line description and only one
poor photo. The opening bid was
500. I watched the listing,
thought about it a lot, and
eventually decided not to bid.
No-one else did either. I now did
that rare car-purchasing thing and
had a good long think. The spec
was spot on a three-door 200
Tdi with the side graphics and
standard steel wheels. My
favourite of all Discoverys. I
contacted the seller and received
a bit more information and a few
more pictures. There was accident
damage to the rear quarter but it
was described as pretty solid and
running well. There was tax and
test until September. I offered
450 and this was accepted.
A few days later, I headed to
Northamptonshire from my rural
Welsh home. This was a
complicated trip involving hiring a
car one way, catching a train, then
VW TIGUAN
Hils Everitt, Editor at Large
Spec: Escape 2.0-litre TDI
BlueMotion 4MOTION
Mileage: 4982
Recent costs: None
Arrived: December 2012
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
200TDI
Ian Seabrook
Spec: 200Tdi 3-door
Mileage: 179,254
MPG: 30
Costs: 450 purchase
Arrived: May 2013
Twenty years later...
Land Rover Discovery
Ian Seabrook
a bus, then walking a bit. It still
proved cheaper than getting a
company to transport the car to
my door.
I nervously approached the car,
in the pouring rain and began to
wonder what on earth I'd done.
The seller was friendly though and
a quick test drive left me condent
it'd probably get me home. I
handed over the money, signed
the V5 and prepared for a
170-mile drive.
Naturally, this cheap-as-chips
Disco is not perfect. Second gear
synchromesh has disappeared,
but thankfully I drive a lot of old
classic cars and double-
declutching allowed for crunch
free changes. The transmission
was a bit noisy at motorway
speeds too. However, it pulled
well, sat happily at 70mph and all
of the electrical equipment
seemed to work. I didn't really get
a chance to have a proper look at
it until the following week, due to
other commitments and poor
weather. I'm not disappointed.
There's very little rust, which is
quite remarkable.
I'm dead chuffed to have nally
purchased my 'dream' car. I'm
annoyed with myself for taking
quite so long to do it two
decades in fact but good things
are worth waiting for, or so they
say. A little mechanical and
cosmetic improving is certainly
called for, but further more serious
long term plans depend on how it
behaves between now and the
MOT. Fingers crossed. We'll be
letting you know.
A little light work
Jeep Cherokee
Bob Cooke
T
he only thing I
generally tow behind
the Cherokee is the
Hotchkiss, and since
last years summer wasnt much
better than this year, the poor
old thing which really needs a
dry and sunny day to provide
the necessary driving enjoyment
hasnt been out of the garage
for at least 10 months.
However, since we have
experienced a few sunny days
and theres the prospect of a
few more to come, it looks as if
we may be able to take the
Hotchkiss out one weekend
soon, so I decided it was time
to do something about the
dodgy trailer lighting socket on
the Jeeps tow bar. Off-roading
mud and water splashes had
taken their toll on the sockets
contacts, which hadnt been in
the best state when Id acquired
the car. I figured it was time to
clean the socket out with a wire
brush and a strong blast of
cleaning air from my
compressor. However, when I
saw the state of the contacts
after a years negligence I
realised there was no alternative
but to replace the socket.
Halfords provided the
necessary. For little more than a
ver I could have bought a nice
black plastic one that would
have been a straight swap for
the original, but the shiny silver
metal one caught my eye and I
thought wow, thats the one for
me. Im not sure it was the right
choice. It got so hot in the sun
that I could hardly handle it, and
I can imagine it freezing solid in
the winter. Still, it was only eight
and a bit quid and it does look
good.
Simple enough task. Or so
youd think. Three little bolts
hold the socket in place, which
should just unscrew. I sacriced
a toothbrush to clean the muck
off the exposed threads behind
the backing plate, and even
sprayed on a splash of release
agent to ease the disassembly.
Waste of time. The bolts would
not budge, thanks to having
been rusting into place over the
Jeeps 18-year lifespan.
I could in fact have left the
socket casing in place and
simply replaced the contacts,
theres a little tag inside the
casing that has to be freed after
which a quick turn to the left
releases the central section
containing the contacts, which
can then be withdrawn. Having
spent the extra for the bright
metal casing, however, I had no
alternative but to take an angle
grinder to the xing bolts.
A quick peek into the back
end of the socket revealed
similar corrosion on the
contacts. I could simply have
cut the wires away, but I dared
not lose any length of cable
because the original installers
had left no slack, so I reached
for my little electrical screwdriver
and started undoing the screws
clamping the wires in place.
Another simple enough task
These contacts looked just too
corroded to be worth cleaning
except that these screws were
also so solidly rusted into place
that the rst screw simply tore
the end off my little
screwdriver. I reached for a
heavier duty item and after 20
minutes managed to loosen all
the screws. To my surprise
and relief I found that the
bare ends of the wires, once
freed from their clamps, were
still clean and free of corrosion.
The replacement socket
came with a clear diagram of
which of the seven colour-
coded wires should go where,
but I simplied the procedure
by removing only one wire at a
time from the old socket and
wiring it straight into the
corresponding contact on the
new one. The rubber-backing
pad from the original socket
tted the replacement perfectly,
after which it was just a matter
of replacing the sheared-off
original bolts with some nice
shiny new ones and xing the
new socket into place. Though
maybe I should have tted a
dull but probably more practical
plain black plastic one the
shiny metal one looks more
than a little pretentious on the
back of a grubby old Jeep.
OUR 4X4S
Running reports
M
y original decision to
buy the Hilux was
really by a process
of elimination.
Returning to the Editors chair of
this magazine after (quite) a few
years absence, the Alfa GTV on
the drive and Lotus Elise in the
garage didnt quite seem suitable!
My first thought was that I would
get a Jeep, and this was thanks
to the excellent bargains available
on the second generation Grand
Cherokee (something we
highlighted in our Buyers Guide
last month). However, Hils already
had one of those on the
magazines fleet, and with Bob
having a Cherokee, we seemed a
little Jeeped out. There was no
chance of me getting a Land
Rover, Id have one of the latest
models tomorrow if my Lottery
numbers came up, but back in
the real world the thought of a
Discovery or ancient Range Rover
filled me with dread Then it
came to me that I should have a
pick-up. Once decided, the
option as to which one? was
simple. It had to be Toyota Hilux.
It also had to be a double cab,
Goodbye Hilux
Toyota Hilux HL3
Nigel Fryatt
so that I could have the pick-ups
useful load carrying capacity, yet
still have a four-door vehicle
capable of carrying four adults. I
also went for the 2.5-litre
turbodiesel engine, just to keep
the insurance down a bit. The
engine has run faultlessly, and
delivered a reasonable 33-
35mpg, interestingly regardless of
how it is driven or whether thats
lots of short urban trips, or long
motorway drives. We have used
the load carrying capacity a lot,
and one of the trucks nal treks
while under my ownership will be
the day after this is being written
when it will take four adults and a
signicant amount of sailing gear
from Surrey to the north west of
Scotland for our holiday, which
this year is cruising around the
Inner Hebrides. Well, its off-road!
The truck has been well looked
after by Jemca Toyota, my local
main dealer based near Croydon.
A big thanks has to go to Glen
Kebble, one of Jemcas senior
technical advisors whose helped
with a number of projects on the
vehicle, including actually tting
the ARB underbody protection
kit. This is a tough, no nonsense,
series of shields that bolt in place
of the Toyotas rather imsy
shields and give you that extra bit
of condence when off-road. Glen
also spotted immediately when I
trundled into the garage one
morning, sounding something like
a Sherman tank, to quickly
deduce: Your cats been stolen!
It seems this is one of the
downsides of pick-ups, in that
The off-roading ability of the Hilux was signicantly improved when a set of Cooper
Discoverer Maxx tyres were tted. The 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine has run faultlessly
scum balls seem to be able to roll
underneath and remove the
catalytic convertor even when
the vehicles parked on your drive.
When calling my insurance broker
Adrian Flux about the loss, it was
apparent that it is a pretty regular
occurance and it was all sorted
quickly. The cost? A new Hilux
cat, tted, costs a cool 1200.
The new cat is actually
DataTaged now, along with many
body parts and the chassis of the
Hilux. If it is stolen, and then
recovered I can prove that it is
my vehicle even if it was
resprayed and re-registered. I can
even prove its my door should the
whole thing be split for spares.
The DataTag process is going to
be something that you can do as
a DIY project soon, and Nene
Overland will be selling the kits it
seems. Worth considering
whatever 4x4 you own.
Off-road, Ive enjoyed the way
the Hilux seems to almost
contemptuously lumber around.
You have to be aware of its size,
its wheelbase and the fact that
the rear tow bar does protrude a
long way, but it is highly capable,
with great engine braking torque
for controlled descents. Add a set
of amazing Cooper Discoverer
off-road tyres and it seems to be
able to go everywhere I want it to,
thats for sure.
During my ownership, weve
had a couple of heavy periods of
snow, and then its fun just to go
out for a drive because you can.
The snow was so heavy at times
that the rear load bed actually
lled up, and as we know the
temperature seems to remain so
low that it wouldnt melt, so it was
a case of jumping in the back and
shovelling it out! That has been
solved now, as I have tted the
excellent Mountain Top cover
(featured in our July issue). Pretty
simple to t, and looks great, and
makes the vehicle more functional
as you can lock things away
when on your travels.
But now I fancy a change, as is
often the case when you are an
enthusiast, so the Hilux is now
ofcially up for sale. If you are
interested in the truck, drop me
an email with your contact details
and I will be in touch (4x4.ed@
kelsey.co.uk). What next? Well,
lets see, it still cannot be a Jeep,
its never going to be a Land
Rover of any kind, so that just
means Well, Im actually not
quite sure at the moment, but
youll be the rst to know.
The life and times of the Editor's Hilux: underbody protection from ARB, Autoglym cleaning and protection session, log carrier, Mountain Top added (which saves the load bed being
lled with snow - left) and used as a photographic 'extra' during our 4x4 Of The Year group test. To be fair, the Toyota has been a trusty, and highly reliable, servant to the magazine
Tel: 01904 728461
www.trailmasters.com
For
2013 Wild
in Wales
dates, see
our website
for details
argan tours.co
4x4 overland expeditions
Fully catered adventures
Morocco, Western Sahara
Portugal, Corsica
www.argantours.com
Muddy hell
Land Rover Discovery
Robert Pepper
I
do not like mud on my 4x4s.
In fact, I hate it. Mud damages
bodywork and mechanicals so
I clean my 4x4s as soon as
possible, usually directly after the
trip before the mud has a chance
to bake in hard. The wash is
exactly that, a wash, not a wax
and polish by any means, more of
a rinse.
To my mind, driving around with
a dirty 4x4 is not a badge of pride,
it is sign of laziness. If youre
inclined to show where youve
been and what you do then you
dont need to leave the car lthy to
do that. It is easy enough for the
initiated to pick a 4x4 used for
off-roading regardless of how
clean it is, and I think it a better
look to have a tidy vehicle with
subtle clues to many past
adventures than a wheeled mud
bath thats clearly only had an
excursion or two. That said, I do
love mud driving, just not the
aftermath. Im past the stage
where I feel the need to drive a
giant bog hole just because its
there, but if its along the way on a
trip then itll be conquered.
It is quite easy to clean the
muddy body of a 4x4, and thats
best done at your local carwash. It
helps to wear old clothes
another reason to do it
immediately post-trip - and even
eye protection against splatter. I
start with a high-pressure hose,
directed at an angle to the body
panels. The mud will easily wash
off, but it is harder to clean the
more important parts which are
the mechanicals and that means
spending some time under the
vehicle. Here again the high-
pressure hose is useful, but you
must be careful not to destroy
wiring or force water in through
seals. If in doubt, ease off the
pressure. As a general rule, I
probably spend about a third of
the time on the bodywork and the
rest under the vehicle cleaning out
mud in around the suspension,
transmission, wheelarches, brakes
and everywhere else. To shift
difcult mud let the vehicle soak a
while, and use truck cleaner such
as CT-18. Simply placing a garden
sprinkler over a vehicle works
wonders too, if water restrictions
allow, and if it rains hard on the
drive home the wheels do a
decent job of kicking up spray to
loosen mud.
Once youve nished, the
carwash itself may be more than a
little muddy. The average car
washer doesnt wish to step
gingerly over piles of cowpat-sized
mud, so be a good citizen and
clean things up before you go.
Some carwashes have banned
overly muddy 4x4s, and even if
that doesnt happen you are
representing your recreation so
the extra couple of minutes spent
cleaning is well worthwhile. While
on the job you can also check for
any damage, tyre conditions and
anything else that needs a
look-see. If you have been mud
driving then check the wheels for
an accumulation of mud, which
can throw out the wheel balance
and cause wobbles at speed. If
you are feeling particularly keen by
all means dry the vehicle then
polish it, as a smooth, clean body
is a good way to minimise damage
by mud and scratches. It is also a
good idea to hose off dust from
dirt road driving as although that
doesnt have the damaging effects
of mud, if left on it will aid
scratches and has a habit of
nding its way inside the vehicle.
Another reason for a clean is
heading off corrosion. This may be
as a result of salted roads, or a
beach drive. Even if the vehicle
looks clean, apply plenty of clean
water to wash away those
damaging elements.
The interior is harder to clean
so dont get it dirty! This starts
preparation, including heavy-duty
rubber mats, bags to put muddy
gear in like straps, plus rags and
water to wash hands. Leather
seats are easier to clean than
cloth too, but should be quickly
wiped with specialist cleaning
agents. In general, a little cleaning
is best done frequently than a lot
infrequently. A bit like off-roading
itself!
If your 4x4 has been off-road, and especially if it's been wading through muddy water,
then a serious over and under body wash is essential. It pays to clean up afterwards
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March
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THE 2012 BRESLAU
EXPEDITION TRAILERS
OFF ROAD OLYMPIAN
We meet the man who used a grinder
to take the lid o his 1990 Discovery
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COOL CATS!
We take take both the 100
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BUYERS GUIDE: MULTI-TOOL GROUP TEST
Driving a 60s Classic
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All Mod cons
VW Tiguan Escape
Hils Everitt
I
ts only when you hop in and
out of older vehicles and
brand spanking new ones
that you really appreciate the
innovations and mod cons that
motorists expect from a vehicle
these days.
I have been hopping between
my early 2002 Jeep Grand
Cherokee Limited and our
long-term VW Tiguan Escape
quite a bit recently. Although
Tiggers (as a Winnie the Pooh
fan I just had to call it that) in
Escape mode aint half bad as a
little off-roader, it will never match
the prowess of my Grand, that is
a given. But, as for on-road drive
and the modern luxuries, it beats
my old bus into a cocked hat,
which is why I am beginning to
yearn for something perhaps a
little more up-to-date on my
driveway.
First up, the satnav in the VW is
a good one. Yes, I have my own
little Michelin model but I often
forget to take it with me to stick
on the Jeeps window and have
to go back inside to retrieve it as I
am used to having the VWs
already there. Sticking the
Michelin on the windscreen isnt
always easy; it has been known
to fall off and half the time I cant
see it very well in the sunlight, yes
I did actually have that problem
recently, as summer poked its
wee toe in the water. The VW
system is good, clear and
precise, although it does have the
odd tendency to grossly
overestimate your arrival time;
leaving me concerned I am going
to be late for my appointment
even though I sort of know where
I am going and how long it should
take. I always have a map in the
car anyway and usually plan the
route beforehand; am an
old-fashioned girl at heart. Tiggers
does get the timing right when
youre getting closer; it performs a
kind of catch-up, and you
suddenly lose about half an hours
travelling time, which is a relief.
I love the windscreen wipers,
which are highly sensitive and
work brilliantly, reacting to outside
conditions without me really
thinking about it, a big difference
from my Jeep, in which I have
found myself forgetting they dont
react in quite the same way as the
VW and suddenly realise I do
actually need to have an input.
Reversing into my driveway (on a
sometimes busy road with cars
haring around the blind bend way
too fast) is easy with the VWs
reverse parking sensors and very
clear screen; I get irritated in the
Jeep now, when I have to rely on
swivelling my head between door
mirrors to reverse into the
narrowish space.
The Vee Dubs auto hold is
brilliant at the trafc lights on the
steep hill in my town. My auto
Grand is ne here too, but when
in my manual MX5 I now nd
mucking about with handbrakes
and clutch control just a wee bit
of a nuisance. Oh, how modern
driving habits have changed us
and our precise control of our
vehicles. Then there is the neat
little handbrake lever instead of
the humongous great thing in the
Grand, the auto headlights option,
touch screen ICE, mobile phone
connection and, to top it all, much
improved consumption gures.
Tiggers has well and truly spoilt
me and its due to go back this
month. How am I going to cope
with being forced to adopt
ancient motoring styles again...?
Your 4x4 Life
BUYING, OWNING & LIVING WITH
W
e received a great email from
reader James Marr, which
started: My wife and I are now
living in our 4x4... no, happily
we havent fallen on hard times. We are
making a trans-Americas journey in our Toyota
Land Cruiser (Azalai conversion), from
Argentina up to Alaska. Quite a journey, Im
sure you will agree. It seems James had the
vehicle converted in 2011 and then they
cadged a ride on a cargo ship to Buenos
Aires. Well let James take up the story:
Not long after Grande Africa slipped her
lines in Le Havre docks, we were punching
into a force 12 howling up the English
Channel. During the next 24 hours we barely
advanced from our position abreast of the Isle
of Wight. At 42,000 tonnes deadweight, and
214 metres long, at least the vessel carried
sufcient bulk to absorb the punches. Even
so, waves buckled the sides of two forward
containers, busting open the doors of a third.
From the bridge windows I gazed at the
emerald and white spume whipping across a
deck piled with containers, wagons, a
bright-red re engine and two rather fancy 20
metre Fairline yachts. On the deck behind the
bridge, cars destined for Dakar and Freetown
were crammed door to door, variously
shedding bonnets and bumpers, wing mirrors
and wipers already truly African in
appearance. The wind icked their plastic
hubcaps, sending them skimming over the
deck like so many dinner plates.
For the next two days, the 11 passengers,
mostly overlanders like us, blundered and
staggered back and forth. Included were two
Belgian motorcyclists riding BMWs; a second
Belgian couple driving a former military
communications truck; and a French/
Columbian couple globetrotting in a
Volkswagen California.
By early evening of on the 9th January,
eight days after departing Le Havre, Dakar
surfaced on the horizon. In the warm, saline
breeze, a beaded bottle of beer to hand, we
watched the sun sink into the Atlantic. When
the crew turned on the deck lights shoals of
sh gathered in the pools of light. A pod of
dolphins came to feed, their silvery forms
darting this way and that, occasionally
breaking the surface with a hiss and a splash,
before diving to the depths of the ocean. At
ve in the morning we glided past the old fort
on Gore Island. I stared from the cabins
window. Daniel Houghton and Mungo Park,
both 18th Century explorers, began their
quests to nd Timbuktu from Gore Island. In
that half-light it was easy to imagine them
pacing the walls of the fort, brooding over what
fate awaited them in the hinterlands of Africa.
We tied up at Grimaldi Shippings own
quay. They have ve boats a week coming to
Going overseas
CALL FOR 4X4S! Send in your details today
We want to expand this section of the magazine and to include more readers 4x4s. We have had a great variety of 4x4s sent in to
us, ranging from rebuilt Wranglers, immaculate Fiat Pandas, hard-working Land Cruisers and some wild and wonderful pick-ups.
Plus there was the Discovery that delivers organic lamb pies from the Shetlands to London restaurants! But we want to hear from
more of you. Tell us about your 4x4, whether its modied or completely standard, new or very old, just send us in a few pictures
and details of your vehicle, when you bought it and what it is that makes it the ideal 4x4 for you.
You can email some details and pictures to 4x4.ed@kelsey.co.uk or write to us at: The Editor, Your 4x4 Life, 4x4 Magazine,
Kelsey Publishing Group, Cudham Tithe Barn, Cudham, Kent, TN16 3AG.
Looking forward to hearing from you, after all its Your 4x4 Life. Nigel Fryatt, Editor
P92: AUCTION PRICES P96: CLUB NEWS P98: BUYERS GUIDE
Dakar. The morning air carried the heady
odour of spices, wood-smoke, garbage,
shmeal, and that earthy tang that never fails
to tickle the nose of an Africa enthusiast. As
the last to board in Le Havre, our Toyota Land
Cruiser blocked the stern exit from the cargo
hold. I drove it down the ramp and parked on
the quayside, observing a procession of cargo
being discharged. A French truck, its rear axle
locked solid, had to be dragged, screeching
and smoking, from the bowels of the ship.
On the evening of the 12th January
Freetown, a sorry-looking place occupying a
series of pointy hills, emerged from the haze.
Villas stared out to sea at the mouth of the
river, giving way to a shoreline of shanties,
where children and black pigs rummaged the
layers of garbage lapped by the sea. The city
centre displayed a ragged, concrete outline
dotted with minarets and the occasional palm
tree. At the quay outside Maritime House,
three patrol vessels, Sierra Leones navy,
appeared welded together by rust. The ships
crew worked 24 hours to clear the cargo. The
ship was in lockdown against stowaways and
thieves. Despite the increased watch, in the
night, chain-link securing seismic cable reels
to their steel pallets was stolen. In the morning
the captain visited the market and bought
them back.
Grande Africa sailed from Freetown at
16:00 hours. What a relief. It was Friday the
13th, anything could have happened! Soon
the coastline was lost to the mist, and our
yellow, sulphurous exhaust. We celebrated
another birthday. It was the turn of Larry, the
bosun, to cough up for the beer. The musics
heavy beat hammered in our chests as we
pounded towards the setting sun.
At 08:22 hours on the 15th January we
crossed the middle of the world, and the ships
crew organised another party. It was called the
Celebration of the Seven Seas; all of those
who had not previously sailed across the
equator were obliged to suffer various rites of
initiation. The ships crew had their hair shaved
off and kissed a dead sardine. The passengers
consumed a vile mixture of seawater, Tobasco
sauce and additional ingredients, which
remain an ancient mariners secret. We were
each awarded a certicate by the captain.
Deck games were organised. A pig turned on
a spit and steaks slapped on the BBQ.
A few days later, we docked in Vitoria,
Brazil, happy to have crossed the Atlantic. In
the evening we struck out for Vitorias
booming waterfront, discovering a band
playing on a stage beside the beach. Palm
trees swayed to the music. On the 27th
January, our 25th day since leaving Le Havre,
we began the steam up the Rio de la Plata. It
took us eight hours to reach Buenos Aires. We
cleared customs by early evening, parked our
vehicles beyond the port complex and
wandered into the city for a beer. Only then
could our adventure really begin.
We hope to hear more from James as he
travels across South America. You can follow
his blog on: http://cityofmythsriverofdreams.
com. Maybe you havent managed quite such
an epic voyage to start an overlanding trip!
Wed still like to hear from you and your 4x4.
Send details and a few pictures to the usual
address.
James Marrs Toyota Land Cruiser is just dwarfed by the huge cargo ship that took him and his wife acorss the ocean
to Buenos Aires. We hope to hear more from James as he continues his overlanding adventure in South America
Marketwatch
MONTHLY 4X4 PRICE REVIEW
I
ts unusual for a truly classic four-wheel
drive to turn up at a general auction, but its
always worth checking the upcoming
catalogues of specialist auction houses.
Brightwells of Leominster, for example, have
classic vehicle sales as well as specialist 4x4
auctions, so there can be some crossover.
Land Rovers are something of a staple diet at
their weekly 4x4 sales, with dozens of
Defenders, Discoverys, Freelanders and
Range Rovers going under their hammer every
month, but the big interest last month was the
seriously broad range of Land Rovers that
were represented. Star performer was a 1955
Series I; the mileage, understandably, was
unknown and it needed a bit of work, but
none the less went for 900. A sparkling
example of a well-restored Land Rover
appeared in the form of a 1960 Series II,
painted in Land Rover green with a canvas
canopy and an MOT to May 2014, but it didnt
attract enough bids to satisfy the seller, and is
presumably being put up for sale privately
since it hasnt reappeared on the listings for
forthcoming sales. The blue 1970 2.3 petrol
hardtop with overdrive installed was less
precious, the fact that is has a current MOT
not to mention being exempt from road tax -
obviously helping things along, so it eventually
went for 1350. Also surely in the classic
league is the 1978 Series III 88-inch Safari,
also with a long MOT, which sold for 4700.
Worth watching out for is the grey1985 C
Land Rover 90 3.5 V8 County Station Wagon
thats been hardened for off-roading. As well
as the protective chequer plating it has
heavy-duty suspension, detachable tow bar,
disc brake conversion and a CB radio, as well
as a Superwinch, while the engine has been
A Range of Rovers
If youre looking for a Land
Rover, check the auction houses.
Brightwells, for instance, puts
dozens of Defenders, Freelanders,
Discoverys and Range Rovers
under the hammer every month
and occasionally something a little
older turns up
tweaked by the fitting of an Edelbrock
carburettor. Bidders on the day perhaps didnt
appreciate the value of these modifications, so
the best offer of 2850 didnt get close to the
reserve; as of last month it was on offer at
Brightwells post-auction buy now saleroom
for 4600, but theres always a chance that it
will appear again at a forthcoming auction.
SALE OR NO SALE?
One of the frustrations of bidding at auction is
that you dont have any idea of what reserve
value the seller has placed on the car until the
bids reach that gure. Quite often the hammer
goes down on what you consider to be a
perfectly sensible bid, only to realise that you
havent actually bought the car, you have to
wait until the seller either agrees to accept
your bid or asks you to negotiate a gure
closer to or at the reserve price, which
could be a lot more than youd expected. For
instance, in the case of that desirable 1985 90
V8 the reserve was over 1000 more than the
nal bid. Bidders only nd out if their offer has
met the reserve when the auctioneer says the
magic words on sale or now selling. The
auctioneer will occasionally give a clue with a
youve got a long way to go yet, but all too
often potential buyers are disappointed when
what theyd hoped would be a bargain turns
out to be a missed opportunity. A check of
one weeks worth of missed opportunities at
Brightwells reveals, as well as that 90 V8, 12
Defenders dating from 1994 to 2010, eight
Discoverys from 1996 to 2009, two
Freelanders, two Freelander 2s, four Range
Rovers and seven Range Rover Sports. The
1996 Discovery, a 300 Tdi seven-sealer, is a
particular case the 113,782 miles isnt
unusual for a car of that age, it has a good
service record, an MOT to May 2014 and
equipment includes side steps, tow bar, twin
sunroofs and air conditioning, and it would
have sold for 1400.
In comparison the red 1998 Discovery 300
Tdi with 164,000 miles, also with a good
service history and some MOT, was something
of a bargain selling for 800; at the other end
of the spectrum a 2010 Discovery TdV8 HSE
with 45,000 miles with its heated black leather
seats, three sunroofs and privacy glass was
relatively even more of a bargain at 27,000.
Freelanders prove popular, the many that
easily reached their reserves last month
ranging from the 2002 Td4 GS with 95,000
miles offers enhanced by the fact that it had
road tax valid until September that went for
2000, better than 90 per cent of its book
value, to the 2011 Td4 GS with 48,000 miles
that sold for a mere percentage point less than
its book value at 14,000.
Some Range Rover Sports also have what it
takes to clear the reserve hurdle. For instance
the pair of 2010 3.0 TdV6 models, an HSE
with 59,000 miles selling for 28,000, an SE
with 54,000 miles going for 25,500, in both
cases some 95 per cent of book value.
Older Range Rovers had a mixed reception.
The obviously non-standard1999 4.6 HSE
with 172,000 miles, desirably red with
red-piped cream leather but badged as a
Vogue and featuring an uncerticated LPG gas
conversion, sold for 1100, well over its book
value, while bids for the 1994 Tdi SE a
genuine Vogue fell well short of the reserve.
Is 4250 really too much to pay for a car that
old? An enthusiast might well cough up that
much with the knowledge that the car had just
been rebuilt assuming it was a good rebuild
with new cross-member, new headlining and
new suspension, but a general auction
audience might need more convincing.
A pristine Land Rover Series II was too hot for most bidders and will presumably now be put up for sale privately
A popular choice at the high end
T
here are two likely reasons why the all-new Jeep Cherokee of 2007 didnt sell very
well in the UK, even though it offered excellent family practicality and genuine
off-road capability at a price that undercut most of its SUV rivals, factors that ought
to have made it a sure thing. One reason may be that the styling is just too over
the top for more conservative British tastes. Jeep had obviously had second thoughts about
its softening of the Jeep image in the previous model, so the replacement was a serious
return to the concept of a big, chunky estate with proper off-road ability. That chunkiness,
allied to the in-yer-face grille and headlamp treatment, may well have left British buyers,
softened by the more curvaceous lines of other urbanised 4x4s, cold. Theres also the
unhappy fact that Chryslers fortunes had taken something of a downturn at the time, and
there just werent as many dedicated dealers as there once were. The Cherokee was
available only with the 2.8 CRD turbodiesel with auto or manual transmission and with
Limited specification, and whether you like the styling or not, theres no doubt that it offered
a lot of good-value luxury. Priced at under 26,000 new - undercutting the Freelander, BMW
X3 and Nissan X-Trail, the Limited specification includes electric windows, satellite
navigation, 17in alloys, cruise control, climate control, leather upholstery, electric seat
adjustment, electronic stability programme, 6-speaker audio, automatic screen wipers and
tyre pressure control. Now you could buy an 09 example with little more than 80,000 miles
on it for under 9000; youll have to look hard to find one because theyre quite rare, and we
have seen lower-mileage models of that age going for 10,000-13,000, but we cant help
thinking that even the 15,000 youd pay for a reasonable mileage, well-maintained 2010
example would give you an awful lot of distinctive and very capable car for the money.
Buying Guide Archive
What are you looking for?
We have run a number of detailed
Buyers Guides, useful if you are
thinking of changing your 4x4, or
buying for the rst time. Back Issues
are available by calling 01959
541444 or online at: www.4x4i.com
FOCUS ON: Jeep Cherokee
GO FOR: 2.8 CRD Limited
AIM TO PAY: 12,000
BMW X5 2000-2007
Issue July 2011
Daihatsu Terios 1997-2005
Issue May 2011
Ford Maverick 1993-1996
Issue August 2011
Hyundai Sante Fe 2001-2005
Issue March 2011
Jeep Cherokee 1993-2001
Issue November 2011
Jeep Grand Cherokee 1999-2004
Issue July 2013
Kia Sorento 2003-2009
Issue June 2011
Land Rover Freelander
Issue February 2013
Nissan Patrol 1998-2009
Issue June 2010
Range Rover 1970-1995
Issue January 2013
Range Rover Sport 2005-2012
Issue June 2013
Subaru Forester 2002-2007
Issue October 2010
Toyota Land Cruiser 1998-2006
Issue January 2012
Vauxhall Frontera Sport 1991-2001
Issue December 2010
GROUP BUYERS GUIDES
The Grand Choice (1000 4x4s)
Issue October 2012
Buying a budget 4x4 (under 3000)
Issue October 2011
Pick-up Buyers Guide
Issue March 2013
COMPARISON BUYERS GUIDES
BMW X5 v Volvo XC90
Issue May 2013
Honda CR-V v Nissan X-Trail
Issue April 2012
Mitsubishi Shogun v Grand Cherokee
Issue May 2012
Toyota RAV4 v Suzuki Grand Vitara
Issue June 2012
LR Discovery v Toyota Land Cruiser
Issue July 2012
LR Defender v Jeep Wrangler
Issue August 2012
Porsche Cayenne v VW Touareg
Issue April 2013
Suzuki Jimny v Mitsubishi Pinin
Issue September 2012
Range Rover v Mercedes-Benz ML
Issue November 2012
TORQUE TALK
THE June issue featured two articles on training
drivers to use 4x4s safely off road; BORDA
featured their new 4x4 Safety Awareness
course and the AA DriveTech report covered
that organisations work-based course. Id like
to follow this up and take you through a typical
course from the trainers viewpoint.
BORDAs most popular course is the one
day Standard level for professional users in the
work place. This course starts way before the
customer arrives, as a Professional Training
Provider we have to meet certain requirements
of HSE and PUWER, which states that
everyone must receive training that is
appropriate and effective, and we must ensure
that we train on a site that has an Authorisation
Permit providing Statutory Empowerment to
drive contrary to the Highway Code, as would
any motor sport venue where racing might fall
into the same category. We then establish that
the course covers the training needs, and
make sure learning to use the vehicle in a safe
and proper way covers all the potential
situations likely to be encountered in a working
day. Best practice here is to use the learners
vehicle, as it is the most appropriate. If the
driver uses a Land Rover 110 on mud terrain
tyres, completing the course in a centres Ford
Ranger with road tyres (the two vehicles I
personally use for training) is not appropriate
and of course, vice-versa.
When weve done the groundwork and the
day arrives to deliver the course, and all the
house keeping is covered and weve had that
all-important rst cup of tea or coffee, we can
Need to get something off your chest? Or just have a comment to share? Just let us know
Email TORQUE TALK at 4x4.ed@kelsey.co.uk or were happy to receive good, old-fashioned, letters!
Send to: The Editor, 4x4 Magazine, Cudham Tithe Barn, Cudham, Kent, TN16 3AG
CROSSING THE BORDA
start on the real stuff. It is important to learn
what are the learners expectations, what
previous experience they have and a nal
check on whether the course we are about to
deliver is the right one for the job.
We then discuss the different types of 4WD
vehicles and check whether they know where
the vehicle they use ts into the range, its
strengths and weaknesses and whether its t
for purpose. With this information we can start
to deliver our course. Do the students have an
appropriate licence, especially if they tow
trailers? What is their companys policy on
wheel changing, do they work alone, do they
have communication and what happens if
theyre not back when the yards locked up at
5.30 and everyones gone home? Once safety
and policy issues are out of the way, we can
discuss the drive systems and how they are
used. This usually brings us to the second
cuppa to reect on the information given so
far. We never set a time on the classroom
element, because we are trained to recognise
the different learning patterns of individuals,
some absorb theory sessions quickly, others
are more practical. Its not about showing
everyone how good we can drive, a common
fault with untrained trainers; its about having a
vast knowledge of the subject and having the
skill to pass this knowledge on to others.
After the classroom, we can now go and
look at the vehicle. Is it well maintained, are
the uid levels correct, does it have any loads
rmly secured and where are the vulnerable
areas likely to be damaged by any un-trained
drivers? With all this checked were ready to
look at the controls and then head out for the
off-road course.
Firstly, its learning how to use the controls.
This may be by demonstration if its a BORDA
centre vehicle or from the passenger seat if its
the clients vehicle. We always ensure that the
controls are understood before we are likely to
need them in earnest. We concentrate on
using clutch brake control to start off without
relying on the handbrake and general
smoothness of driving. This mastered, we will
head into areas that require an awareness of
hazards and good steering control, which is
one of the areas we nd most difcult to
master. We can introduce the ups and downs,
ditches, ruts, side slopes and all the areas
covered in the training syllabus. After the
practical element we have to decide whether
the learner has learnt sufciently to operate the
vehicle safely and whether they are equipped
with the appropriate knowledge and skills to
apply the training on different sites and in
different conditions. We dont want to
conclude the day with any certication if we
feel the student hasnt reached the required
standard.
I hope this gives an explanation to the
background behind a professional organisation
like BORDA, and if someone tells you they can
do a proper and professional job without
proper accreditation and facilities, I would
advise that you look elsewhere.
David Heaton
BORDA Chairman
ODDBALLS
FORGOTTEN 4X4S
MITSUBISHI JEEP
You might think the 4x4 in the photos is an all-American Jeep.
But youre be wrong: its a Mitsubishi. Paul Guinness explains
W
hen the first-generation Shogun went on
sale in the UK in 1983, many Brits
assumed this was Mitsubishis first foray
into the 4x4 market. Wed had
Mitsubishis (badged as Colts) offered to us since
1974, but these were saloons and hatchbacks, with
the odd coupe or estate thrown in for good measure.
Go looking for an all-wheel drive Mitsubishi in the
European line-up of the 1970s and youd find the
cupboard well and truly bare.
But if Britain and the rest of Europe werent used to
Mitsubishi producing 4x4s prior to 83, Japan certainly
was. In fact, since the early 1950s Mitsubishi had
successfully produced its all-wheel drive Jeep, badged
as a Mitsubishi and built in Japan under licence from
American Motors Corporation.
The Mitsubishi Jeep range was quite extensive, with
soft-top and hardtop, short-wheelbase and long-
wheelbase and petrol and diesel versions all available
by the start of the 1960s. Buyers also had a choice of
four-, six-, seven- or nine-seater layouts, oor-shift or
column-shift for the gearchange, plus various trim
levels. But there was no disguising the sheer age of
the Mitsubishi Jeep, an old design by any standards.
This Japanese Jeep was, of course, closely related
to the Willys Jeep of World War II, the vehicle that had
kept the Americans mobile throughout their
involvement in the conict, no matter how tough the
terrain. And its Mitsubishi derivative was equally
capable.
Successful as the Mitsubishi Jeep was in Japan,
however, the end of the 1970s saw it facing new
challenges and nding life difcult in an ever-evolving
4x4 market. By then the vehicles ancestry already
dated back more than three decades. And no matter
how much Mitsubishi used such phrases as It works
like a horse, drives like a car, the Jeep was always
going to be little more than a wartime leftover and all
that meant in terms of roughness and an alarming lack
of creature comforts.
A market for the vehicle still existed, of course.
Advertising copywriters claimed They dont come any
tougher than a Mitsubishi Jeep, and they were right.
Many buyers still praised it for its indestructible nature
and its appetite for sheer hard work. But what
Mitsubishi really needed was a new, more upmarket
4x4 that could take on the fresh challenges of the
1980s.
The all-new Pajero/Shogun couldnt come a
moment too soon, which makes it all the more
remarkable that the Mitsubishi Jeep remained on sale
in its homeland until as recently as 1998. Whod have
thought it, eh?
Club World
MONTHLY CLUB ACTION
Whats your club doing? Louise Limb goes clubbing to nd out
what is happening in the 4x4 Club World. If your club has news
or forthcoming events it would like us to promote, then just email:
4x4.ed@kelsey.co.uk - marking your message Club News
Red Rose LRC welcomes
Race2Recovery Car 440
www.redroselrc.co.uk
MAY, IN RED Rose Land Rover Club land,
saw a packed St. Chads Church hall eagerly
awaiting the arrival of Race2Recovery Dakar
heroes Justin Birchall and Jonathan Koonja,
plus car 440, the Land Rover donated by the
widow of Gordon Chapman, the man behind
Orange Plant. Justin, the man at the wheel of
QT Wildcat modied car 440 and nearly a
Dakar nisher but for the efforts of a sorry
mate didnt see you taxi driver, originally
learned to drive the Pennine Land Rover
Club way, following his dad round the
draughty trials we hold here up in the
northern fells.
Navigating for Justin in the Dakar had been
triple amputee Tom Neathway, a true hero,
doing the Dakar with a trick set of legs as
Justin put it, and sending their daily data
back to the prosthetics guys in the UK via
satellite. Slides of the parc ferme revealed a
hive of activity as much for the spare arms
and legs as the vehicles, and Tom it seems
was rather envious of the superior technology
beneting the disabled competitors from the
USA. Lets hope fundraising for
Race2Recovery can get our guys and girls a
chance at these even better legs, eh?
There wasnt a seat left in the house as
Red Rose gave the team their usual warm
and enthusiastic welcome, questions after
Justins fascinating talk running nearly as
long as the slideshow and there was
Land Rover Series 1 80in, original and best
IF YOUR APPETITE for Land Rover sport is unquenchable, the recent, very successful Wye and
Welsh ALRC Nationals would be your denition of heaven. Feedback on Facebook reveals some
glowing praise for the Wye and Welsh event team, plus, in a trawl through the 36-page document
that makes up the Final Results (well done there Dave Barrell!), theres one trophy that really stands
out from the rest of the gleaming silverware and that is the Off Roader Sports Shield. Presented to
Charles Darby of the Southern Rover Owners Club, it conrmed that the 60-year old 80in Series I
ex-re engine known affectionately as Flame that Charles has kept on top form for the last 30 odd
years is indeed the most consistent and best all rounder, achieving the highest overall result in the
big three, RTV, CCV and Comp Safari. Well done, Flame! Oh, and of course, Charles Darby...
Photo courtesy of Ralph Coulson at www.bosuncam.org.uk
personal delight when yours truly managed
to persuade the auction for the sketch I had
done of Car 440, rise up to a magnicent
160. Not bad for a church hall on a
Tuesday night! The lucky auction winners Ian
and Audrey Simm had Justin sign the work
and kindly offered to help out by taking my
nished painting of Dakar nisher Joy down
to the Nationals for a further Race2Recovery
auction. Prints from this painting are now
available to buy, which will further help
Race2Recovery. These are available from my
website www.louiselimb.com. Looking
forward to the War of The Roses at the end
of June, Red Rose Land Rover Club certainly
knows how to put on a decent show!
Land Rovers are not the only 4x4s...
A VISIT TO the Land Rover Spring Adventure
at its new site in Harrogate revealed a huge
gathering of the northern and central Land
Rover clans, clubs travelling from Worcester
and even further aeld to compare diffs and
share a pint around a campre, as well as take
part in the Red Rose LRC Challenge of the
Roses. Some ne classic and military Land
Rovers, courtesy of the Land Rover Series 2
Club and the Ex-Military Land Rover
Association took your correspondents eye
while stretches of Tangiers Orange and
Sandglow signalled a good showing of G4
and Camel Trophy vehicles and my personal
favourites, the Land Rover Classic Camper
Forum Carawagons, made the dream of
classic camper ownership look possible.
However, amongst other, er, non-Land
Rovers, The North East 4x4 Club also brought a
very tidy blue Jeep Wrangler and Hull 4x4 some
meaty looking Nissan and Mitsubishi trucks,
while the Yorkshire 4x4 Response guys and girls
could be found searching the grass for a small
component which had parted company with an
otherwise perfectly reasonable Suzuki SWB
Grand Vitara. Mmm, somewhat embarrassing.
Jeepey Jamboree is coming to Yorkshire!
www.jeepey.com
THE 100 PLUS ACRES of woodland trails,
rocky terrain and water lagoons that make up
Parkwood Off Road Centre at Tong between
Bradford and Leeds, are set for another
exciting visit by Jeepey Clubs famous annual
Jamboree. The weekend of the 27th and 28th
July sees the Jeepey Jamborees sixth year of
fun for all, from the novice to the extreme
off-road fanatic and includes punch challenge
sections, treasure hunts and all the usual
entertainments, as well as the chance to kick
tyres with Jeep owners from all over the UK
and Europe.
Therell be a Show n Shine event open to
all Jeeps new, old, modied, standard and
including the original Willys Jeep. Even
Remote Controlled 4x4 toys will be welcome
as there will be places to play with them,
including a rock crawler course. Parkwood is
one of the few sites that offers routes suitable
for all Jeeps from standard to modied
ensuring a good days off-roading for all Jeep
owners, and its only ve minutes drive from
the M62 Junction 27.
Camping and basic facilities will be available
while refreshments and hot food will be on sale
throughout the weekend. The club supports
the Yorkshire Air Ambulance with this event
and over the last ve years they have raised
over 5000 to keep those yellow choppers in
the air. Its only 70 for the weekend pre-
booked online, with reductions for Jeepey Club
members, so whats keeping you?
Cheltenham and
Cotswold ROC take
on a Husky
Taking part in a British Army
Motorsports Association ( BAMA)
Magnum Spirit challenge event at
Millbrook Proving Ground, two
members of Cheltenham and Cotswold
Rover Owners Club found their Land
Rover had more to contend with than
just the ground and the speed and
efciency of the military teams. The
Army had also entered a 7.6-ton Husky
Tactical Support vehicle. However,
small can be beautiful and as Rob
McCausland of CCROC writes, we
had the last laugh as it got stuck a
couple of times and caused the closure
of two checkpoints, which couldnt be
reached as it was blocking the way.
COUNTRY MATTERS
If ever there was a car designed to please country dwellers it would have
to be the Subaru Forester. The arrival of a smarter updated model will put
many older Foresters on the second-hand market but would it prove as
practical as the equally well-supported Nissan X-Trail?
BUYING USED
8000 - 26,000
T
he original Subaru Forester
caught our attention, even if
only because it was such an
oddball vehicle blending
ditchwater-dull styling and old-gent
interior with the superb performance
and handling provided by the
companys rally-proven boxer engines
and permanent four-wheel drive,
especially when equipped with the
turbocharged engine. By the time the
third generation Forester appeared it
had become just another mainstream
4x4 blending seamlessly with the many
other SUVs crowding the countrys
roads, and while the driving experience
was still good with excellent ride
comfort and taut cornering behaviour, it
no longer boasted a high-performance
variant, at least as far as the official
imports were concerned, to enhance
the overall image. As we commented
on the then new Forester in our 4x4 Of
The Year contest for 2009: Subarus
traditional presence in the rugged
estate car sector has taken a new twist,
with the all-new Forester joining the
broader mid-size SUV brigade. Exterior
styling is not too dissimilar, which isnt
really a great recommendation,
although the interior at least looks
higher class despite some fit and finish
quibbles. Where the original Forester
had impressed us with its remarkably
good off-road ability, the later model
seemed significantly less competent, in
spite of retaining low range gearing in
manual-transmission versions, even if
only because it looked and felt more
road-biased than its predecessor.
The fact that the Forester didnt
excite us doesnt make it a bad car, just
one that needs to be appreciated for
aspects such as good safety features,
practicality and good reliability rather
than for its style and performance
potential, and for the many who ask no
more than that from their family
transport, the good news is that the
arrival in dealer forecourts of the heavily
facelifted Forester for 2013 should
mean an inux of the previous model on
the second-hand market, with a
consequent easing of prices.
In contrast the Nissan X-Trail
managed to retain much of the style
and character of the original when the
new model was presented in 2007.
Where many SUVs are patently little
Above: The Nissan
X-Trail was designed
from the start to be an
off-roader for people
wishing to enjoy an
outdoor lifestyle
something like the 54,000-mile early 08
example we spotted going for 9995 at
Tynemouth Motor Company (0191 270
3050), a clean car with a full service
history.
This generation saw the rst diesel
engine in a Forester, a 2.0-litre unit also
of boxer design offering rather noisy
performance, but if you imagine the
power output at 144bhp makes it
sluggish compared with the petrol
engine, youd be wrong it has much
beeer torque and driving through a
six-speed manual has the ability to get
the Forester from standstill to 60mph in
10.1 seconds, half a second quicker
than the petrol version, and it even
manages a slightly higher top speed.
Naturally these tend to command a
higher price than the equivalent petrol
version, like the 10,950 being asked
for the metallic white 58-reg 68,000-
mile 2.0D X by the Marlow Motor
Company (01494 259679). The diesel
arrived later in the launch year, and
brought with it an intermediate-
specication variant, the XC which has
the bigger alloys, enhanced stereo and
other upgrades but lacks the leather
upholstery of the XS, a 2010 model with
41,000 miles could be yours for not
much more than 15,000 from Ian
Grieve of Falkirk (01324 409240), while
youd pay around 500 more for an
XSn of the same age, we saw a
30,000-mile example at Harveys Car
Centre of Haywards Heath (01444
831641) going for 15,995. The XSn
more than road cars with four-wheel
drive, few even bothering to add any
hint of off-road prowess in their styling,
the X-Trail was designed from the
outset as an off-roader for people
wishing to enjoy a sporting outdoors
lifestyle, featuring a wipe-clean boot
oor with matching rear seat backs, a
boot area shaped to take a mountain
bike and enclosed sills to ensure that
trouser legs or stockings didnt get
muddied when stepping out of the car.
The second-generation version of 2007
did ease gently towards the
mainstream, for instance in the way the
kinky idea of having the instrument
panel in the centre of the dash, with a
useful little phone-charger cubby ahead
of the steering wheel, was replaced by
a completely conventional arrangement,
but the original idea of outdoors lifestyle
practicality is retained in the very
practical at boot oor and drawer
facility. The Nissan also continued to
pay more than just lip service to its
off-road ability, with higher-specication
versions being equipped with an
enhanced four-wheel drive system that
includes hill descent control and hill
start assist.
THE RIVALS
SUBARU FORESTER
For all its lack of character the Forester
does have a lot going for it, starting with
the safety-conscious construction, the
frame having been designed to absorb
forces from front, side and rear-impact
crashes and even the base X version
being equipped with front, side and
curtain airbags, earning it good ofcial
safety ratings. First models on sale in
the UK early in 2008 were powered by
the 2.0-litre petrol boxer engine
developing an unexciting but adequate
147bhp, with a ve-speed manual or
four-speed automatic transmission
the automatic lacking low range. The
specication of the entry-level model
indicated that the Forester was being
aimed upmarket, including electric
windows, cruise control and climate
control air conditioning, which explains
why you could be asked as much as
10,000 for a well-maintained
low-mileage early example. The
top-specication XS boasts an
enhanced 7-speaker stereo system,
bigger alloy wheels and leather
upholstery with heated and electrically-
adjustable seats, our pick would be
Above: The shape of
the Subaru Forester
is a matter of taste;
for some it lacks real
character - for others
its pleasingly esoteric
BUYING USED
8000 - 26,000
badging indicates that equipment
includes satellite navigation, this from
2009 becoming the XS NavPlus with
Bluetooth and voice control; pay
10,000 for a high-mileage early XS
example, up to 23,000 for a low-
mileage 2012 NavPlus as seen at Essex
Subaru (01371 876622) in smart sage
green metallic.
As often happens when a new model
is announced dealers offer good deals
on run-out examples of the previous-
generation car, so look out for nearly
new and even new car offers, but
tread carefully. We spotted one dealer
offering a new 2.0D XC with 50 miles
on the clock for 25,995 a saving of
nearly 3000 over the list price, a
bargain as long as you realise that it is
the older model; similarly Essex Subaru
were offering a new 2.0D XS NavPlus
with just 10 miles at 26,990 a lot of
car for the money, but not all that much
less than youd need to get into a truly
new 2013 model. Indeed, Subaru is
making much of the fact that the very
latest versions are similarly priced to the
previous model due in the main
thanks to a far better exchange rate for
the importer.
NISSAN X-TRAIL
In a rare scoop we managed to get one
of the new Nissan X-Trails for our 4x4
Of the Year contest for 2008 before the
ofcial launch, which was worthwhile
because the car impressed us so much
that it won the soft roaders section
outright. We said of it: While others
steer their image from one extreme to
the other, Nissan has stuck to its guns
and gone for unapologetic 4x4
evolution. The X-Trails traditional
edge-heavy styling continues, but the
sleight-of-hand trick is bigger overall
dimensions in which more
accommodating seats and restyled
facia have instilled a more prestigious
feel.
From the start the Nissan offered a
large almost bewildering range of
models. Most popular power choice is
the 2.0-litre dCi turbodiesel, but check
the output some have the mild
147bhp version, others have the lively
170-horse upgrade. Theres also a
2.0-litre petrol engine, available only in
the base Trek, and a punchy 166-horse
2.5-litre four. A six-speed manual is
standard, though there are 6-speed
automatic diesel and CVT automatic
Specifications
Subaru Forester
2.0i
Engine: 4cyl/1995cc
Power: 147bhp/6000rpm
Torque: 146lb ft/3200rpm
2.0 D
Engine: 4cyl/1998cc
Torque 258lb ft/2400rpm
Transmission
2.0i: 5-speed manual/4-speed auto
2.0D: 6-speed manual
4WD: Permanent
Suspension:
Front: Independent, MacPherson struts
Rear: Independent, double wishbone, coil springs
Brakes:
Front: Ventilated discs
Rear: Discs
Steering: Rack and pinion, power assisted
Performance: 2.0i 2.0 D
Top speed (mph): 115 118
0-60mph (secs) 10.6 10.1
Dimensions
Length (mm): 4560
Width (mm): 1780
Height (mm): 1740
Wheelbase: (mm) 2615
Kerb weight: (kg) 1465
Braked towing: (kg) 2000
petrol versions. The entry-level Trek
specication includes alloy wheels,
electric windows, climate control and
Bluetooth integration and matches the
Foresters front and side curtain airbags;
it also has drinks holders chilled by the
air conditioning. Even so, early versions
can be had for under 8000 for
instance the metallic silver 2.0dCi with
87,000 miles and full service history
priced at 7495 at Tidy Cars of New
Milton (01425 628827); make sure
youre getting a 4x4, though, because
there are also two-wheel drive versions.
The mid-range specication is the
Sport, which adds 17-inch alloys, front
fog lamps, cruise control, rain sensing
wipers and automatic headlamps and a
6-CD auto-changer, as well as a
panoramic sunroof. Keighley Trade
Centre in West Yorkshire (01535
663622) put a 7989 price tag on a
smart metallic grey 09 dCi Sport with
full service history.
The top specication is the Aventura,
with luxurious features including leather
Above: The Subarus
boxer at four engine
design is certainly a
unique powerplant
among SUVs
Left: This is a later
2008 model Forester,
gone is the iconic
bonnet scoop
on offer at 19,000 at Nissan London
West (0203 199 0618).
As ever its worth looking for
nearly-new offers at main Nissan dealers,
for instance Chorley Group of Blackpool
(01253 298833) were offering a
170-horse Tekna on a 13 plate and with
just 50 miles on it as a new car for
23,995, a claimed saving of over 5000
on the list price of an extras-packed car.
DRIVING
SUBARU FORESTER
One of the aspects that has always
impressed us with the Forester is that,
in spite of its uninspired styling and
rather dated-looking interior, it is a really
good car to drive. Perhaps it has
something to do with Subarus sporting
background with the Impreza, but
whatever the reason the seating
position is good, the controls perfectly
placed, the gearshift slick and positive
and the ride comfort better than youd
expect from a car exhibiting such crisp
handling; the powered steering lacks
feel, but it doesnt lack precision. Part
of the reason for the good handling is
the layout of the boxer engine, which,
because it sits lower than a
conventional four-cylinder engine, gives
the car a lower centre of gravity and
therefore less tendency to exhibit body
roll in fast corners. Naturally its the
turbodiesel youll want powering the
car, and although this can be relatively
noisy on tick-over and under hard
acceleration compared with other
modern more conventional
turbodiesels, its not so rackety as to be
annoying, and quietens down nicely
once cruising speed is reached.
Off-road the third-generation Forester is
as competent as any other four-wheel
drive when it comes to coping with
muddy tracks and wintry roads, and
while the automatics dont have low
range gearing, premium versions do
have hill descent control and hill start
upholstery with electrically heated and
powered seats. Thornham Car Sales of
Oldham (01706 648074) were offering a
pristine one-owner 170-horse diesel
with black leather and full service
history for 10,950. Look out for
versions with the Extreme badging;
these are easily spotted by the roof
lights integrated into the chunky roof
rails. Expedition or Explorer badging
means satellite navigation and rear view
camera among other minor equipment
enhancements.
An update during 2009 saw the
range trimmed to a base Acenta, with
equipment broadly similar to the
previous Sport, powered by the
170-horse turbodiesel, and a top-spec
Tekna with equipment matching that of
the Aventura Explorer, though note that
some have the 147-horse turbodiesel
which, seemingly illogically, isnt as
economical as the more powerful but
also more efcient 170-horse unit.
Available Car of Castle Donington (0800
996 1350) were offering a one-owner
2010 Acenta in pearl black with 56,000
miles for 12,700, we also saw a silver
2011 Tekna 170 with just 24,000 miles
Specifications
Nissan X-Trail
2.0i
Engine: 4cyl/1997cc
2.0dCi
Engine: 4cyl/1995cc
2.0dCi (170)
Engine: 4cyl/1995cc
2.5i
Engine: 4cyl/2488cc
Transmission: 6-speed manual/CVT automatic
4WD: Permanent
Suspension:
Front: Independent, MacPherson struts
Rear: Independent, coil springs
Brakes:
Front: Ventilated discs
Rear: Ventilated discs Antilock
Steering: Rack and pinion, power assisted
Performance: 2.0i 2.0dCi 2.0dCi (170) 2.5i
Top speed (mph): 114 117 124 120
0-60mph (secs) 10.7 10.8 9.7 9.5
Dimensions
Length (mm): 4630
Width (mm): 1785
Height (mm): 1680
Wheelbase (mm): 2630
Kerb weight (kg): 1450
Braked towing: (kg) 2200
Above: The Nissan
X-Trail has enough
off-roading ability to
suit most owners
Left: There are a
variety of engine
options for the X-Trail.
The problem with
each is that they are
all rather thristy
BUYING USED
8000 - 26,000
aids. It does have better approach and
departure angles than the original, but
still lacks overall ground clearance so
its best to steer clear of trickier terrain.
NISSAN X-TRAIL
Nissan has also built some excellent
sports cars, but thats not what makes
the X-Trail good to drive. It has more of
that upright good-visibility 4x4 feel about
it and it exhibits a little more body roll
than the Forester, but it still presents a
comfortable driving position and handles
very well with good feedback from the
lightweight but positive electric power
steering. The taut handling does come
at the expense of rmer springing and
damping, but that really only becomes
noticeable when driving over badly
potholed roads or when hurrying along
off-road, and never reaches annoying
levels of crashiness. The interior has a
pleasing match of colours and textures,
the metallic nish of the centre console
silver in mainstream models, titanium
in the top-spec variants contrasting
well with the two-tone greys of the
dashboard. The X-Trail proved its
off-road abilities in our special Urban
4x4s off-road feature in the February
2008 issue where the traction aids of
the intelligent 4x4i system tted to
higher-specication models hill
descent control and hill start aids as well
as traction control drove the Nissan
into second place behind the all-
conquering Freelander II. The cars main
off-road disadvantage is the low ground
clearance, which limits the difculty of
terrain it can comfortably handle.
CONVENIENCE
The Forester has a comfortable
ve-seater passenger compartment
with good rear legroom, accessed by
wide-opening doors; the Nissan has a
more upright rear seating position with
a little less legroom, and a narrower
rear door opening. The Subarus
tailgate lifts high to reveal a usefully
deep and wide luggage compartment,
but with no more practicality than youd
nd in any conventional estate. The rear
seat-fold function is easy to use, giving
a more or less at load bay but being
carpeted it would be difcult to keep
clean in a muddy environment. There is
also a fairly high lip that luggage has to
be lifted over, which may make it
awkward to load and unload heavy
items. Better news on the inside is that
the centre consoles slide-forward
armrest covers a particularly spacious
compartment that can take an A4-size
laptop. In contrast the Nissans
load-bay practicality is its strongest
point, particularly in the way the rear
seats fold down to give a long, at load
oor with a hard-wearing, easy-clean
surface that is set rather high but
theres no lip for cargo to be hoisted
over. The tailgate opens well out of the
way to reveal a wide opening and
wheelarch intrusion is kept to a
minimum, one reason why it has a
signicantly larger load area than the
Forester. The reason for the high level
of the boot oor is that there are a
couple of slide-out drawers
underneath, ideal for hiding valuable
items or storing smaller items that
would otherwise be rolling about in the
back note that some cars will be
missing one of the drawers, which was
a pay-for option. The Nissan also has a
usefully high payload allowance and a
good 2200kg towing allowance
courtesy of the strong low-down torque
of the turbodiesel engines.
RUNNING COSTS
Here the Nissan is at a disadvantage,
because if the Subaru provides less
than exciting performance, thats
balanced by the better fuel
consumption of the 2.0-litre
turbocharged diesel, with a claimed
47mpg compared with the 44mpg of
the admittedly much more exciting
170bhp Nissan unit; the lower power
Nissan engine is even less economical.
There may be a temptation to go for
the 2.5-litre petrol X-Trail to enjoy
performance and renement, but not
only is the fuel economy questionable
at a claimed 29mpg, but the 450 road
tax might detract somewhat from the
driving pleasure. Maintenance costs,
however, could put the Nissan back in
favour because more independent
garages will have experience of the
conventional Nissan engines shared
with a range of Renault cars - than of
the Subaru boxers.
Above: The Nissan
X-Trail has a rather
bland interior, it is,
however, hard-
wearing
Left: Clean, simple
design lines,
especially from the
rear three-quarter
LOAD BAY PAYLOAD TOWING FUEL TANK
VOLUME CAPACITY CAPACITY
SUBARU FORESTER 450/1660ltrs 540kg 2000kg 60ltrs
NISSAN X-TRAIL 480/1775ltrs 600kg 2200kg 65ltrs
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
SUBARU FORESTER
Though reliability is generally good,
excessive clutch wear was a problem
on early diesels, so its important to see
if maintenance records show that a
replacement has been tted; in any
case make sure the clutch bites
strongly and smoothly when it should;
ooring the accelerator in top gear at
moderate speed should show up any
tendency for the clutch to slip. Make
sure the diesel starts smartly, idles
smoothly and pulls strongly, since rough
idling, hesitant acceleration or excessive
black smoke from the exhaust under
hard acceleration could point to a need
for expensive injector replacement.
Wed advise against buying a car tted
with an LPG conversion in the wake of
reports of excessive valve wear,
requiring a costly repair that could well
outweigh the fuel savings. Knocking
noises when driving over potholes could
point to worn bushes in steering or
suspension links, listen also for groans
that might indicate a failing wheel
bearing. Make sure all the electrical
features are working, particularly the
satnav on high-specication cars.
NISSAN X-TRAIL
The main concern appears to be the
tendency, as on many modern diesels,
of the diesel particulate lter to clog up,
so make sure the DPF warning light
isnt illuminated on a test drive. The
problem occurs usually on cars that
arent regularly driven on long distances
at motorway speeds; when the lter
builds up a layer of soot a
regeneration procedure is required
involving taking a long drive with a high
engine speed to clear the congestion
in other words a long fuel-inefcient
drive in third or fourth gear. Check for
excessive black exhaust smoke,
particularly from the higher-power
170bhp engine, which could point to
wear in the ne-spray injectors or
impending failure of the turbo. The
diesels do rattle to some extent on
tick-over, but listen particularly for any
extra clattering which could indicate a
loosening timing chain. Also listen for
excessive transmission whine from the
rear, which could point to looming
differential failure. Check that all the
electrical items work properly, including
the rear screen wiper and high-level
brake lights, as the contacts
sometimes fail.
VERDICT
Its a bit paradoxical that the Subaru
Forester is aimed at country dwellers,
yet in truth lends itself stylistically to
urban use, while the Nissan proves
popular in a city environment when its
whole reason for being is to provide
transport for country-life enthusiasts.
That issue aside, theres little to choose
between them in terms of outright
off-road ability which is moderate in
both cases so it boils down to
questions of performance and
practicality, at which the X-Trail holds
the better hand, or economy and
reliability, which is the Foresters trump.
If the load area is unlikely to be used to
carry muddy boots and mountain
bikes, the Forester has the edge on
ve-seater interior comfort with its
well-shaped and supportive seats. The
Nissans rear seats arent quite as
comfortably shaped, but theres no
question about the value of that
easy-access, easy clean long load bay
if you need somewhere to put an
oil-dripping outboard motor or wet
scuba gear. For us it would also be a
question of image, an area in which the
Forester has never excelled; the X-Trail
may not have bush-bashing off-road
ability, but at least it looks the part, and
so gets our vote in this particular
comparison. 4x4
SUBARU FORESTER MPG
2.0i 37
2.0 D 47
NISSAN X-TRAIL
2.0i 32
2.0dCi 39
2.0dCi (170) 44
2.5i 29
SUBARU FORESTER
For Against
Excellent equipment Bland styling
Enhanced safety features Dull performance
Good fuel economy High boot lip
NISSAN X-TRAIL
For Against
Good performance Bland interior
Versatile load area Narrow door bins
Good off-roader image Fiddly stereo controls
Above left: The
Subaru has good
equipment levels,
including roof bars
and smart alloys
Below: The rear of
the Subaru makes
this a comfortable
four seater, with
ample rear legroom
4
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DAIHATSU
FOURTRAK TDX
INDEPENDENT
1996, 117,000 miles, 1,250.
2.8, diesel, service history.
Tax until July 2013, MoT until
February 2014. New cambelt
2012, towbar. Located in Brackley.
01280 702097. Northants (RB)
DODGE
NITRO
2008, 33,000 miles, 10,850.
2.8 turbo automatic, 4WD, FSH,
ABS, A/C, E/W, E/M, cruise control,
reversing sensors, trip computer,
privacy glass, immaculate
inside and out, MoT and Tax.
01406 330589 or 07801 414589.
Lincolnshire (CB)
JEEP
CHEROKEE
1999, oers. 2.5 Sport, petrol,
low mileage,very good condition
for age, a few age-related marks.
To view please call or email
w.hall@blueyonder.co.uk. Can
send pictures via email. 07974
248109. South Yorkshire (CB)
CHEROKEE
2001, 189,500 miles, 2,500.
Limited edition. Quick sale due
to ill health. 07432 039185.
Caerphilly (CB)
WRANGLER GRIZZLY
2003, 45,446 miles, 6,300.
4.0, 3 door, manual, soft top,
petrol, metallic silver, drivers
airbag, alloy wheels, immobiliser,
passenger airbag, radio and CD
changer, full size spare wheel,
steering wheel rake adjustment,
3 owners. 01404 891309. Devon
(RB)
LAND ROVER
10/FC
1975, 5,800. Ambulance, right
hand drive, original specication,
fully tted as an ambulance. Very
good condition, 12 months Tax
and MoT. Owned for 12 years.
02083 934012. Surrey (RB)
88
400. Special, massive amount
of work done, all Range Rover
mechanics with coil springs,
complete less engine, Perkins
adaptor plate tted. 01651
806306. Aberdeenshire (AB)
88 SAFARI STATION WAGON
1979, 31,630 miles, 2,150 ono.
2 1/4 petrol, 7-seater, overdrive,
free-wheel hubs, good chassis.
Bit noisy in reverse hence
price. Please phone for more
information: 01691 830325 or
07971 853373. Shropshire (RB)
CAMEL TROPHY DEFENDER
110 300 TDI
1994, 109,000 miles, 16,000.
A genuine model built by Land
Rover special vehicles. Support
vehicle Mundo Maya in 1995.
Russian team vehicle selection
tests in Spain, 1996. Virtually FSH
with receipts. Regularly serviced
and maintained. 01325 333852.
Co. Durham (RB)
DEFENDER
1999, 64,000 miles, 5,750.
110 high cap pick-up TD5. Green,
2 owners from new, checker
plate, lined back and accessories,
good condition and good
chassis, drives superb, MoT end
November 2013. Contact John.
07789 713839. Teeside (CB)
DEFENDER 130 CREWCAB
1998, 168,000 miles, 5,299.
MoT and Tax, winch, spot lights,
ally chequer plating on bonnet,
wings and sills, immobiliser,
tracker, CD, radio, music
streaming, hands-free. 07760
338888. Kent (RB)
DEFENDER 130 DOUBLE
CAB PICK-UP
2005, 108,000 miles, 9,950.
With Ifor williams canopy,
gamekeeper spec, colour
coordinated wheels canopy etc,
360 roof lamp, one owner, well
maintained, very clean for vehicle
of this nature, tow bar, electrics,
drives superb. 07985 395337 (CB)
DEFENDER 130 TD5
2004, 49,500 miles, 11,000.
Single cab dropside pick-up with
tarpaulin cover and zipped sides,
MoT until November. Remapped
by Alive Tuning for better
low end torque, new Coopers
265/75/16 tyres, rims recently
refurbished, PTO Super winch,
just serviced including all oils etc.
02893 351080 or 07970 974604.
Co Antrim (RB)
DEFENDER 300TDI
1995, 56,000 miles, 4,200.
FSH, in very good condition, all
MoTs available since I bought the
vehicle in 2009. Yearly service and
original Land Rover parts used. 4
original alloy wheels with good
road tyres as new steel wheels.
07834 117435. Co Fermanagh, N
Ireland (RB)
DEFENDER 90
3,900. E registration. 07812
004520 (CB)
DEFENDER 90 300TDI
1999, 44,000 genuine miles,
7,000. 7-seater, new rear seats,
seat belts and side windows
tted. New Land Rover alloys
and BFG All Terrains. Radio/CD
player. 8 months MoT, 4 months
Tax. Very good sound vehicle.
07703 259358 or 07703 259358.
Cumbria (RB)
DEFENDER 90 COUNTY
2008, 56,000 miles, 13,995
no VAT. Hardtop, silver, FSH,
electric windows, stereo with
MP3 aux, dog guard, chassis has
been treated, good tyres. 12
months MoT, 5 months Tax, really
good condition. 07917 862629.
Northamptonshire (RB)
DEFENDER 90 COUNTY TD5
2001, 104,000 miles, 10,000.
A county station wagon
transformed by a main dealer,
with every upgrade and
improvement carried out. Extras
include aircon, central locking,
remote alarm, heated front seats,
electric windows, heated front
windscreen. 01915 365606 (CB)
DEFENDER 90TDi COUNTY
1994, 127,000 miles, 4,800.
Dark green Land Rover County
with white roof in good original
condition. 01275 876547. North
Somerset (RB)
DEFENDER XS
7,000 miles, POA. 54 plate,
over 50,000 spent, has it all.
Please contact me for more
details: 07787 898386 (RB)
DISCOVERY
1994, 190,000 miles, 650.
Mk1. Please save me from the
scrappies. Rusted driver's oor
pan, needs a new one. 300TDi,
nearly ne wradiator, wiper motor,
pads all round, 4 alloys, 1 steel.
Good tyres. Collection only.
Contact Gary. gary_bradford@
btconnect.com. 01656 663243.
Wales (CB)
DISCOVERY
2004, 137,000 miles, POA.
Genuine factory spec G4 in rare
borrego yellow, special edition,
just serviced, 12 months MoT,
Tax January 2014, full G4 extras
including snorkel, Mogul seats,
cruise control, twin sunroofs, di
lock etc. 07879 118777 (CB)
DISCOVERY 2
2003, 64,000 miles, 6,899.
TD5 GS, 7-seater, 12 months MoT
and Tax, tow bar and electric,
excellent condition, climate,
cruise, twin sunroofs. 07918
942220. (AB)
LAND ROVER 90
1990, 4,750. Pick-up Ifor
Williams canopy, rebuild with
receipts, heavy duty, galvanised
chassis, no expense spared,
Goodrich tyres, Tax and MoT.
Also 110 pick-up 1986, Tax and
MoT, still earning a living, 1,200.
07761 234010. West Mids (CB)
LAND ROVER SERIES I
1955, 3,500. 86in model.
Canvas tilt and hard top. 2,000
spent at Land Rover specialist
on springs, axles, steering etc.
Was a good runner before going
into dry barn storage in 1994. Tel:
01758 720081 or 07785 366388
(Dorset) (CB)
SERIES I
1954, 6,444. 2.0 petrol, family
owned for 28 years, Tax and MoT
exempt, MoT September 2013,
Tax end December 2013, must
go to a good home, had new
battery and petrol pump, good
condition for year. 07817 771
7782. Derbyshire (CB)
SERIES IIA
2,995. Heavy duty recovery
outt from new, original and
unmolested. 07711 712527.
Buckinghamshire (RB)
SERIES III
1980, 83,500 miles, 3,100.
SWB, green, canvas top, with
new canvas truck cab. MoT until
March 2014, Tax until July 2013.
Very good condition , all original,
drives perfect. FWH, heater
works! Chassis excellent, very
clean original Land Rover. 07771
931307. Kent (RB)
SERIES III
850. Ex-Belgian Army, LHD,
24V (with spares). Needs new
footwells, tilt, general tidying.
Only 1600 4x2's made. Project.
Can email images. 07789 366857.
Powys (CB)
SERIES III
1981, 7,900 miles, 2,500. 2.25
petrol, has a Fairy overdrive, Fairy
free-wheeling hubs and Fairy
Capstan winch. Bodywork is
good, couple of small dinks and
the odd rust patch but straight.
Chassis is good but has been
patched over the years. New
rear cross member and spring
mounts tted. Also new HD rear
leaf springs. Has new battery,
alternator and more. 07866
730374. Isle of Wight (AB)
TD5 SPACE FRAME COMP
SAFARI RACER
1,495. It's a Bowler type. 07711
712527. Buckinghamshire (RB)
TRADE ADVERTISERS CALL: 01959 543506
MITSUBISHI
MITSUBISHI PAJERO SWB
1994, 2,000. L registration,
2.8, intercooler TDI diesel sports,
good tyres, bullbar, sidesteps,
towbar, auto. Long Tax and
MoT, alloys, CD player, sunroof,
overdrive. Private registration
plate. 01327 438476. Northants
(RB)
RANGE ROVER
P38
1998, 31,430 miles, 7,500.
Like new, estate stored, never
in an accident. Original XMA
3 registration included. MoT
August 2013. Auto, sunroof,
power windows and locks. Rioja
red with grey leather interior.
07850 740621. Yorkshire (CB)
RANGE ROVER
45,000 miles, 2,950. Rare,
sell or swap, 2 door. For easy
renovation, needs re-paint,
interior needs refurbishment.
History, very sound. Please call
Lou: 07527 742452. Essex (RB)
TOYOTA
HILUX
2010, only 21,000 miles,
15,995. 2.5 turbo diesel pick-up,
Full service history, in excellent
condition, private owner, not
been used commercially. ARB
underbody protection, data
tagged, mountain top rear load
cover. Additional wheels and
Cooper o-road tyres available.
07786 937790. Surrey (CB)
LAND CRUISER
1995, 5,000. 3.0, electric
windows, sunroof, central
locking, alarm, stainless
steel exhaust, bull bar, new
Compomotive alloys, 33 x 12.50
Maxiss Bighorn tyres, 2" iron man
lift, service history, MoT and Tax,
immaculate rare Land Cruiser.
01214 477277 or 07778 322555.
West Midlands (RB)
WILLYS
JEEP
1957, 26,000 miles, POA. LHD,
superb rare unmolested original
condition. Original handbook,
jack, ttings etc. Truly wonderful
with excellent original bodywork
and interior, been meticulously
maintained. Drives superbly and
commensurate with mileage.
07929 895140. Nottinghamshire
(RB)
M201 AND JEEP TRAILER
1957, 11,500. Complete and
ready to go, fully serviced and
MoTd. Low mileage, Worthing
winterised canvas, Bussell rack,
spade, axe, original German
Jerry can. Trailer is also topped
with a Worthing canvas. Email
Bryan: bryanprestwood9306@
btinternet.com or call: 01382
320269. Dundee (RB)
ALL OTHER
VEHICLES
FOERS IBEX
1997, 50,330 miles, 19,800.
Fully prepared, 6.2, V8 GMC,
blue printed, diesel engine with
Whipple supercharger. Alloy
radiator with twin fans, GM 4L80E
gearbox, Dynatrack pro-rock 60
axles with ARB air lockers, Warn
8274 high mount winch and
many other extras. 01361883159.
Berwickshire (RB)
VEHICLE PARTS
DAIHATSU FOURTRAK
GALVANISED CHASSIS
950. Oering a galvanised
chassis, new cross tube, complete
with front and rear axles, steering
gear and new poly bushes Ring
for more details: 07039 509370
(RB)
ISUZU BIGHORN BREAKING
1994, POA. 3.1 TD, all parts
excellent, alloys and big tyres, like
new, leather interior, 10 CD multi-
changer, all body parts. Please
call for details, no texts: 07585
149112. Gwynedd (RB)
LAND ROVER DEFENDER
WHEELS AND TYRES
300. Set of 5 Cooper Discoverer
STT mud terrain tyres on silver
steel wheels LT265/75R16 in very
good condition. Also plastic Land
Rover bull bar to t Defender
40. Buyer to collect Preston are.
Email: lynn.lee775@btinternet.
com or call: 07936 903099 (RB)
LAND ROVER LANDMARK
ALLOY WHEELS
1,750. Suit Disco 4, 4 x o 20
inch Landmark alloy wheels with
black/chrome centre caps and
tted with 255/50/20 Yokohama
Advan ST tyres. Bought new last
May and only used through the
summer! 07905 721250. Bristol
(RB)
LANDROVER PARTS
Oers. Rear lens only, believed
to be 'pork pie' from Landrover.
Wipac S.170 wrote on lens. Please
text me if no reply and I will call
you back, thanks. 07909 178909.
Lancashire (CB)
MITSUBISHI PAJERO LWB
ROOFRACK
1994, 165 ono. Alloy/chrome,
cost 450 new, top quality
bargain, rare, these hardly ever
come up for sale. Also Rover P4
steering wheel, in very good
condition, complete with chrome
ring and badge, only 45. 07522
580800. Hampshire (RB)
RANGE ROVER DOG GUARD
16 plus postage. Buyer can
collect if preferred. 07043
235883. Warwickshire**
RANGE ROVER ROLLING
CHASSIS
1972, 1,250. As new, comes
with V5 in my name. VIN plate,
number plate and other bits.
01988 840200. SW Scotland (CB)
SET OF 4 RANGE ROVER
18in ALLOY WHEELS
150. And tyres for 2003-
2008 model, very good clean
condition, tyres all serviceable.
Will also t Discovery 2 with
hub rings and 90/110 with hub
adaptors (all also available if
required). Call Richard: 07941
344909. Surrey (RB)
STAINLESS STEEL HIGH A
BAR
139 ovno. For Toyota Land
Cruiser 100 (1998-2003) including
spotlight brackets and all
securing brackets. In very good
condition. Email: jpjones1953@
hotmail.com or call: 07789
275976. Merseyside (RB)
THULE ROOF BAR SYSTEM
45. In black for larger vehicles
with gutters. In very good
condition with all ttings. Email:
jpjones1953@hotmail.com or call:
07789 275976. Merseyside (RB)
MISCELLANEOUS
REGISTRATION PLATE
2,000. Registration plate: KEV
17Y. Please call: 07860 246900.
Hertfordshire (RB)
REGISTRATION PLATE
Oers. Cherished plate, KMW
8X. Please call: 07811 929678.
Berkshire (RB)
REGISTRATION PLATE
1,800 ono. B12LY K, on
retention including brand new
plates made up to spell BILLY K.
Call Chris: 07790 615063. South
Yorkshire (RB)
SPARE WHEEL VINYL COVER
25. Spare wheel black vinyl
cover for G-Wagen in fair
condition. Tyre size 205 x 16.
01475 726360. Renfrewshire (RB)
VARIOUS ITEMS
Various. Land Rover hard tops
x 2 include safari doors for LWB
100 each. Soft top hoops and
support 50. Rear cross member
plus 2 outriggers x mod shape
50. Bedford passenger double
seat brown stripes 40. 01258
830245 or 07867 988311. Dorset
VARIOUS ITEMS
Various. Brockhouse ex-MOD
Genset trailer 1-ton 7ft 2in x 4ft
4 in 900x20 tryes 250. Range
Rover VM 2.4 diesel turbo been
stood 250. Call Andy: 01258
830245 or 07867 988311. Dorset
WINCH
Only 12 each (I have 3)
postage extra at cost. 10 metre
long, 1,200lbs, brand new, still in
box. 07976 421725 (RB)
WANTED
LAND ROVER DISCOVERY
Mk 1
Wanted. Diesel, MoT failure, can
be rotten but must start and
stop easily and have a low range
gearbox that works perfectly. Will
pay up to 500. 01423 863427.
North Yorks (RB)
STEERING WHEEL
Wanted. Removable steering
wheel (locking) to suit Land
Rover Defender 90, Ken Slavin
used to sell them I believe, good
price paid, also need a front
runner roof rack, no other make
please, also a copy of LROI 2012
December issue. 07931 857604.
Kent (RB)
All this in the September issue of 4x4 Magazine.
On sale Friday 26th July
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BOB COOKE
The north Norfolk coast is a haven for birdwatchers.
Fortunately theres also lots for those of a more
monstrous mechanical turn of mind to enjoy
TANKS FOR THE
MEMORIES
I
do enjoy a drive along the north Norfolk coast
and only partly because with its twists and
turns the A149 is a delight to get some speed
up on in a good-handling car. The main
pleasure I get from a drive along this stretch
of charmingly rural tarmac is that there is some
hands-on all-wheel drive interest at either end.
At the Western extremity lies the seaside
resort of Hunstanton, one of the attractions of
which used to be a chance to take a ride out
into the Wash in a six-wheel drive World War II
DUKW, an amphibious craft based on a GMC
truck with a body by New York yacht
designers Sparkman and Stephens. The
DUKW was the rst vehicle in which tyre
pressures could be adjusted by the driver,
allowing them to be softened for beach driving
and pumped hard for tarmac. Sadly the
Hunstanton DUKW has at last succumbed to
the ravages of salt and old age, and the
operators, Searles Sea Tours (01485 534444)
have retired it after deciding its not worth
repairing. Anyone with deep pockets and a
desire to keep some D-Day history alive is
welcome to make them an offer
Over to the east is Sheringham, which is not
far from another of my favourite points of north
Norfolk interest, the Muckleburgh Collection,
the worlds largest private collection of
militaria, including 25 tanks in working order,
many of which were out and showing off their
all-terrain prowess over the rst weekend of
June at their annual military display
extravaganza. Its worth visiting any weekend,
not only to marvel at the sheer bulk of some of
the bigger tanks in the display halls, but you
can also get a ride in a tank, or even drive one
of the less monstrous tracked vehicles.
The tanks in the exhibition halls dwarf the
smaller motorised exhibits, which naturally
include a 1943 Willys Jeep - and an even rarer
pleasure in the form of a DKW Munga, a
post-war four-wheel drive car used by the
German army. Though powered by a tiny
980cc three-cylinder two-stroke engine, the
Munga is a mean off-roader with permanent
four-wheel drive and low range gearing. I was
keen to see how the Munga coped with
permanent four-wheel drive, since it doesnt
have a centre differential and is therefore likely
to suffer from transmission wind-up. I trawled
the Internet in search of an explanation. Well
it just goes to show how useless the Internet
can be at times, none of the Munga-related
sites I found had any real detail of how the
Mungas transmission works. I eventually
found a German site that gave a simple
explanation wind-up doesnt bother the
Munga because of its light weight, short
wheelbase and the exibility of the rear axle
half-shafts. Fair enough. However, I did nd
one gem that appears to have been lifted from
one enthusiast site and repeated on several
others, in which the Munga is described as a
light four-wheel drive vehicle the German Army
needed to replace the Land Rovers they had
used before the war.
Its as well to remember that there have
been other wars since the unpleasantness of
1939-1945, which takes us back to
Hunstanton. Searles may no longer have the
DUKW, but they can still take you for a ride in
a wartime amphibious craft the Vietnam war,
that is. Its an LARC (Lighter, Amphibious
Resupply, Cargo), its big and it still has the
sharks-face paint job it sported in military use,
so its aptly named the Wash Monster,
providing a suitable maritime counter to the
land-conquering monsters of the Muckleburgh
tank collection. Bob
Land Rover Side
Steps From154.99
Discovery 3&4 Side
Steps From 198.00
Selection Wheel
Covers From 50
Van Accessories
From 35.00
Wind Deectors
From 36.00
Honda CRV Side
Steps Only 154.99
Audi Q7 Side Bars
From 210.00
Roof Racks From
Only 105
Rear Styling
From20
Chrome Trim From
20.00
HummerCatBack
ExhaustsForm 720.00
Pick Up Tonneau
Covers From 320
Swing Away Wheel
Carrier Under 201
OEM Accessories
From35.00
Bonnet Guards
From Only 45.00
Freelander Side
Steps From 210
Roof Accessories
From 24.99
Large range of
Spoilers From80
Stainless Steel Side
Bars From 145
Stainless Steel Roll
Bars From 110
FULL RANGE ONLINE
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