Which Hilux for Cape to Cairo (and beyond)

Post by **george** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:42 pm

Hi

Basically any Hilux can do what you are looking for.I did a 30k km trip in the 2.7 and no problems.My only gripe is that in a few countries like Moz,Tansania and Malawi is that the price of petrol compared to diesel is a lot more.
Personally I would look for a D4D.There is a lot of them now and spares will be easily available.
Just my 2 cents

Oupa Stig · Post by **Oupa Stig** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:03 pm

Africa is full of Hiluxes of all kinds (SFA, IFS, and newer Vigo) which have been stolen in South Africa and smuggled across the borders. Think carefully why I point this out:
Because the Hilux conquered Africa, and you'll find parts quite readily all over, because there's a big Toyota market in Africa...
Jokes aside, I'd think from a simplicity point the SFA is probably the best bet, and with a modified suspension I believe they are somewhat less uncomfortable and more capable - here the guys with such bakkies could give you more info.
The only problem with the SFA is that you will struggle to find one with genuine low mileage, which may mean spending a bit of money on the motor.
I would also like to hear some more from the guys on this subject.
Also consider fuel consumption - SFA's are thirsty!
Which is probably why the D4D is a good suggestion, if more expensive.

mcw · Post by **mcw** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:08 pm

SFA can be made to be quite comfortable with suspension kit and re fitting better seat in front from other vehicles ,I have 2008 Vigo seats in mine cost me R1350.00 rand for the seats and about 8 hours labour to fit
SFA is now very comfortable , their are also many other vehicle seats that can be used

Martin

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:32 am

I read that 4y engines are ubiquitous in SA - is that the case elsewhere?

Not just SA .... all over Africa - very reliable motor, even with high mileage!

How common are Hiluxes in the rest of the world? I know that in the USA they are almost non-existent, there's plenty in Thailand and Australia but what about the rest?

More commonly known as the Tacoma in the USA, and not uncommon.

Hoppy · Post by **Hoppy** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 10:17 am

I have prepared many overlanding vehicles for Africa trips, four of them are touring at the moment, the SFA with a 4y is the obvious choice with the IFS 2.7I a close second. 8 out of 10 vehicles i prepare are SFA 4Y's, you can buy and rig them for about ZAR120 000.00 and about ZAR 150 000.oo for the IFS. The only problem is that good un-modified SFA's are hard to find, there are two vehicles returning from a trip in the next month or so, they will be up for sale. The one is the well known "Moonspaghetti" vehicle, a seasoned traveler,check out their blog http://moonspaghetti.blogspot.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Post by **pietpetoors** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 11:05 am

I guess it is time to update that article, I wrote that some 4 or 5 years ago.

Some valid points already made, SFA used to be the best but they are getting old and good condition ones are getting scares.
Diesel ultra cheap in some countries up in Africa.

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:39 pm

might get shot for this .... probably WILL ....

the SFA's are getting older, getting more difficult to find DECENT ones out there.

On the flip side - Africa is no longer the "camel man trophy" wilderness. You can travel most places on tar. IFS is more than capable for the few sand stretches you will encounter.

but then I have an IFS camper / touring veicle :) So I may just be a little biased towards the comfort of a modern vehicle

Oupa Stig · Post by **Oupa Stig** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 1:12 pm

Get an Amarok. Like the Voetspore team. Then you can also spend all your time looking for tar roads, and gush enthusiastically for the sponsors about how capable the vehicle is everytime you hit a bit of gravel road with a spot of moisture...
Sorry, off subject, but this Voetspore series shows more people on foot than vehicles crossing remote and inaccessible parts of Africa....

Rusti · Post by **Rusti** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 5:18 pm

Hi.
I read your post this morning and was going to suggest that you contact Allan Hoppy and Francois about buying a Hilux and prepping it for you as they are hilux specialists but I see Allan's already posted a reply. They are regularly highly recommended on the forum for their expertise and I have been taking my van to them since I bought it in December.

I looked for a 4x4 for quite a while until I found an old episode of Top Gear on Youtube titled 'Top Gear killing a Hilux'. Watch that and you'll see why no other 4x4 compares to it. Im not surprised there are not that many in the states. They are very patriotic about buying American cars and prefer aesthetics to practicality. A hilux doesnt try to look pretty, it just does its job without question.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 6:49 pm

In terms of comfort remember that when a SFA is loaded as I expect you would be they are a lot better in the ride department than when empty.
In terms of Engine in the SFA 2.4 diesel or 4y,but as they say it would be wise to get someone to find you a good one.

Post by **Mud Dog** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 9:55 pm

Re "Toyota Wars" ...... a couple of years ago when an overseas visitor saw my Hilux, his comment was "Oh, you have a Taliban truck". There's a reason why these vehicles are popular in rugged terrain - tough, reliable, uncomplicated and easy / inexpensive to maintain.

Were I in your situation, I would certainly consider the already rigged one that Allan (Hoppy) mentions to be available soon.

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 9:54 am

Last year we did an 8 000 km trip.

the 200km stretch next to the Orange river was real grade 3 4x4 stuff - well a short bit was, the rest was ordinary gravel road, and one stretch of river sand.

Namibia we did 2 200 km of TAR. (we have previously chosen to do 4 000km of GRAVEL in Namibia - only 14km required a 4x4)

In Botswana we stayed on tar - okay this trip was about photography in Kasane, not about exploring the wild side of Botswana. In total we did 80km of BAD sand road - so bad it re-injured my wrists. There are large parts of Botswana that only have these bad sand tracks, and in the rain season it is a serious mud challange !! NOT for the unprepared !

During that trip we also met up with an Australian couple that is driving from Cape Town South Africa up to Europe, but taking every side road, and truly exploring the continent - from Cape Town to Caprivi (North Namibia) is about 2 500km - this couple racked up 12 000km between these two points. For this type of traveling you need a true hard core 4x4, and you need to know about recovery techniques ....

So you can really choose between the "chinese high way" or just how rustic you want to do it.

And YES, Hoppy is your guy to kit out your vehicle - he has done some stuff to ours as well :)

Obelix and Dogmatix · Post by **Obelix and Dogmatix** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 4:56 pm

Awesome and thanks for the write up and photos. I am sure that alot of guys here on the forum would not mind you posting more photos here of your trip. Good luck with your future travels

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Tue Oct 20, 2015 5:51 pm

WOW !!!

not many people that actually get to LIVE this dream.

Congrats on doing it !

And thank you so much for sharing a few photos with us. If you do decide to post a more detailed trip report PLEASE let us know where to view it.

mcw · Post by **mcw** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 2:52 pm

good choice of vehicle and good to see the fotos however far to few
on this forum the poeple actually struggle to read looking at photos is far better

Martin

Thunder02 · Post by **Thunder02** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 4:01 pm

Thanks for sharing the pictures, safe travels with the rest of your trip.

Skobejak · Post by **Skobejak** » Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:14 pm

I might have the vehicle you are looking for but it depends when you want it. PM me for more details

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:08 am

Die man het die bakkie in Aug 2014 gesoek. Hy het gister al in Uganda getrek.

swartvark · Post by **swartvark** » Thu Oct 22, 2015 7:18 am

WoW....Thank you for sharing.

Skobejak · Post by **Skobejak** » Fri Oct 23, 2015 4:37 pm

Mars wrote:Die man het die bakkie in Aug 2014 gesoek. Hy het gister al in Uganda getrek.

Oops

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 2:53 pm

Awesome pictures!

ChrisF · Post by **ChrisF** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:06 pm

WOW !!!!!!

certainly will join your blog.

RESPECT !

so few have the courage to actually live their dreams.

BushMad · Post by **BushMad** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 8:36 am

Following your blog with a significant amount of envy!

Absolutely incredible trip, a trip that one day I hope to do myself

All the best for the rest of your travels

Xtreme 4x4 · Post by **Xtreme 4x4** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:24 am

Yes...so that was my hilux....
And now im Green with Envy

But what can I say,....why Did I sell Hipster... well, I was doing him an injustice, keeping him locked up in the Concrete jungle...So now he is free and running wild in Africa with the Trekking Pole...
Glad that you enjoying Hipster and both of you are taking care of each other... Seems like Awesome and fantastic are understatements to your trip...
if you love something set it free, if it comes back............forever!!!
Africa sets your soul free!!!
Best of luck with the rest of the trip, and thank you for your kind words....
keep up the STuNNing PiCs MR Photographer!!!

Oupa Stig · Post by **Oupa Stig** » Sun Dec 06, 2015 8:10 pm

Absolutely breathless.
Wow.

Thankyou for sharing.

My dream lives on

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Tue Dec 08, 2015 6:58 am

Awesome thanks. What did your mechanic in Khartoum need to fix?

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Which Hilux for Cape to Cairo (and beyond)

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