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Overlanding Condor

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:08 am
by Johan Havenga
I read Ali's article on their Kaokoland trip with great interest as The Pope (Ali's dad) did the trip in a similar vehicle that I own.

This trip has always been on my bucket list, but I always felt that the Condor is a bit lightweight for the trip.

Apart from the small mishap on Vanzyls Pass, I gathered that the Condor performed well.

I would like to hear from Ali and other what preperations, alterations and upgrades can be done to do such a trip. In particular how much fuel was carried and where as I only get 380km range from a 70l tank. (6 extra jerrycans maybe)

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:13 am
by ChrisF
Johan a couple of tour operators use the 4x4 Condor in Namibia.

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:28 pm
by Haboob
You will need enough fuel to do about 1 000 km's plus a little of normal driving, depending if you want to drive around the Hartmans Mountains, if I remember correctly.

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 9:33 pm
by Thunder02
Met a guy in Chobe,runs a safari company,only uses Condors .He has a whole fleet of diesel ones.Not much mods except long range tanks fitted.Very able :thumbup:

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 2:23 pm
by emilevdh
A local tour operator uses mostly Condors and one or two old Landy's to take tourists up Sani Pass (not that Sani Pass is very challenging anymore, but they have been in user for quite a few years)

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 3:18 pm
by Johan Havenga
Yes I know these vehicles are quite popular with tour operators. Even contractors transporting staff on the open cast mines! I've got a that offered me a good price for mine.

However these cars are not without their flaws! One of them is the fuel consumption/range! Another is ground clearance which I've addressed with the Camil shocks and slightly bigger BFG's!

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 8:53 pm
by pietpetoors
That fuel consumption is not much worse than a 2.7 Hilux. The Hilux has a 80 l tank which helps a little bit. Some jerry cans will do the job

Bigger tyres helps with ground clearance but I also think the Condor is limited by its wheel arches for tyre size.

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:37 pm
by Johan Havenga
Yes, went from a 205/70 to a 215/75!

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:39 pm
by deonj
We've toured Namibia twice with a 3000D 4x4, towing a 1000kg off-road trailer with RTT. Around 6000-7000km each time. In June / July 2010 we travelled up to Kaokoland via Purros, to Marienfluss, Syncro, Opuwo, Epupa, Ethosha, Katima, Vic Falls, home - four weeks. Did not go over Van Zyl's (we were going West / East but wouldn't have done it with a trailer anyway) but did go over Marble Mine pass or whatever it is called, North to South. Not nearly in the same category but no problems. Towed the trailer everywhere, including through deep sand. Car pretty much standard with minor mods e.g. 215/80 tyres, extra blade in rear leaf springs, Bilstein shocks (front with coil spring, similar to Camil), extra 45 liter Front Runner fuel tank, Lynx bash plates (Charles). Bought car new with Gearmax difflock already fitted. A year or so ago did the SAC gasflow/freeflow exhaust. Fritzie did +/- same trip in 2008 with 3000D 4x4 towing Imagine caravan - do a search and read his trip report. If not towing, I've read of a few Condors that traversed VanZyl's with no problems.

Re: Overlanding Condor

Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 7:48 pm
by Tyrone D4D
I actually saw a very nice 2005 2.4l petrol 4x4 today for R99000.