Dirty Des - New member introduction.

[Dirty Des]

Good day All on the Forum.

May I introduce myself to you. Dirty Des (long story that goes back a while)

Based in Witkoppen, Fourways, work for a large mechanical/agricultural engineering company in Sunninghill.
Interests are mainly to do with horses, having ridden and taught professionaly for many years, now a weekend happy hacker. I raced bicycles, rode motorbikes all my life, now on an adventure bike to take to me across our beautiful country and neighbouring states. Qualifier FGASA Field Guide and a member of SANParks Honorary Rangers.

Have my original 1979 Toyota Hilux 1600, one of the first floor shifts to reach Rustenburg where is was bought for the massive sum of R4000. Not sure how many times the clock has turned, I drove it for close on 400 OOO, even over Sani pass in 1980, was the shorted route to Durban from Quthing in Lesotho for a long weekend and back, then gave it to my aged father to drive until he passed away and I got it back. The engine had pistons, rings and bearings done while he had it and its has 2 clutches in its life.

My current Hilux is a 2000 2.7i, 412 000km, just changed the clutch for the first time, this one pulls the horse box and bike trailer. Its a 4x2, however its been where most 4x4 skrik to go including to East Africa and everything in between and most surrounding countries. I'm a construction site manager so we go places.....
Running original engine, had one minor gear repair, my fault for trying to get it out of deep sand in Mozambique on hard tyres, and original diff. Shocks have been changed 3 times, the prop-shaft universals have been replaced and its had a few dents knocked out, otherwise, just oil and filters. Seats could do with a recover to make it pretty.

Had a KZTE in between and have had a few 2.4 Diesel "Kannie-doods" as well for work. the 2.5 D4D are soft in comparison.

Don't like the new shape, front end looks like it belongs on a boat, still trying to get my head around maybe a Legend 45 Dakar S/C if I can find a clean one, just in case the 2.7i decides its time out, but a good friend of mine, a country Vet has one that done 780 000 and still going strong so I believe mine has many more k's to offer!

[Mud Dog]

Welcome Des!!

There's a reason why Toyotas are so popular! The 2.7 is a particularly hardy motor.

[Froll]

Welcome Des.

[FIRSTGEER]

Howzit and welcome Des

[TertiusK]

Welcome Des!!!

[Bosfebok]

Welcome Des!

[Haboob]

Welcome Des,
That 2.7 does not give up easily...