Advice Needed - 4Runner to East Africa

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eadrivers

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I am going to East Africa later this fall for work and can have a vehicle shipped over for the duration of my two year stay there. I am interested in getting a 2010 4Runner as I need a true off road 4X4 vehicle (currently own a 2003 Dodge Durango - I hesitate to bring it). It will be hot 90 -110 F, dusty, sandy, rocky, by the sea, and rough roads (when there are roads). The SR5 is within my budget but could seriously consider a stretch into the TE sans nav system as it may be pretty useless for where I am going. I have a couple of questions. I hope you guys don't mind.

1. The vehicle will not have access to a toyota dealer for atleast two years. Are there any routine "must dos" during this period that only a dealer can do? i.e., reset electronics, engine timing, etc. Any advice here is much appreciated.

2. I need a years worth of common spare items. Here is what I had in mind - filters, brake pads, water pump, alternator, fuses, bulbs, fuel pump, maybe a spare battery, anything else? Are any of these things overkill based on your experience driving the 4Runner so far?

3. There are times when I will need to carry lots of extra unleaded gas in jerry cans. For you off roaders out there, how do you carry your extra gas on the 4Runner? On the roof, in which case is there a special rack that you use or is the stock one ok? Or on the rear, in which case is there a special mount? Which is safer?

4. For those of you in the Washington DC/Baltimore area, have any of you used United Buying Service (UBS)? I have not had an opportunity to look at their price book but apparently their pre-negotiated prices with one dealer in Fairfax, VA are competitive. I am just wondering if anyone had actual experience using them.

5. I can purchase the vehicle tax and registration free if right after I sign the papers, the vehicle goes from the dealer to the shipping company. This means that the vehicle will be broken-in in the conditions I spelled out above. I asked a toyota sales person about this, and he told me that it is not good to break the vehicle in such condition and I should drive it a couple hundred miles in the US first. I think this is BS but is there any truth to what he is saying?

I should stop there. Again, wonderful forum and I look forward to hearing any advice you all may have. Thanks!
 
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eadrivers said:
All-

I am going to East Africa later this fall for work and can have a vehicle shipped over for the duration of my two year stay there. I am interested in getting a 2010 4Runner as I need a true off road 4X4 vehicle (currently own a 2003 Dodge Durango - I hesitate to bring it). It will be hot 90 -110 F, dusty, sandy, rocky, by the sea, and rough roads (when there are roads). The SR5 is within my budget but could seriously consider a stretch into the TE sans nav system as it may be pretty useless for where I am going. I have a couple of questions. I hope you guys don't mind.

1. The vehicle will not have access to a toyota dealer for atleast two years. Are there any routine "must dos" during this period that only a dealer can do? i.e., reset electronics, engine timing, etc. Any advice here is much appreciated.

2. I need a years worth of common spare items. Here is what I had in mind - filters, brake pads, water pump, alternator, fuses, bulbs, fuel pump, maybe a spare battery, anything else? Are any of these things overkill based on your experience driving the 4Runner so far?

3. There are times when I will need to carry lots of extra unleaded gas in jerry cans. For you off roaders out there, how do you carry your extra gas on the 4Runner? On the roof, in which case is there a special rack that you use or is the stock one ok? Or on the rear, in which case is there a special mount? Which is safer?

4. For those of you in the Washington DC/Baltimore area, have any of you used United Buying Service (UBS)? I have not had an opportunity to look at their price book but apparently their pre-negotiated prices with one dealer in Fairfax, VA are competitive. I am just wondering if anyone had actual experience using them.

5. I can purchase the vehicle tax and registration free if right after I sign the papers, the vehicle goes from the dealer to the shipping company. This means that the break in will be in the conditions I spelled out above. I asked a toyota sales person about this, and he told me that it is not good to break the vehicle in such condition and I should drive it a couple hundred miles in the US first. I think this is BS but is there any truth to what he is saying?

I should stop there. Again, wonderful forum and I look forward to hearing any advice you all may have. Thanks!
Click to expand...

to be honest...

i would buy a land cruiser. a bj70 to be specific. you can purchase it in east africa (i accessed toyota africa website and clicked on tanzania for example purposes).

its got a 4.2L diesel with a 90L tank, with an optional secondary 90L tank giving you a total of 180L of diesel available. has a snorkel, solid axles, front and rear locking diffs, manual tranny with 2 speed manual transfer case, and most importantly, was built to work/drive on the most inhopsitable environments around the world.


also, because its locally available you should be able to maintain it no problem.

personally i hate carrying fuel on the roof, but that really depends on the terrain you're driving in. up here in BC theres alot of tight wooded trails where branches can knock the jerry cans about. if you opted for the pick up truck based version of the land cruiser 70 you would have a bed where you could securly strap down your jerry cans out of harms way.

i've never heard of united buying service as i am canadian but i'm sure someone from the states will chime in shortly.


i personally would be hesitant about breaking in a truck in the terrain you've suggested. however, i've taken my 4runner Trail edition off roading when it only had 600km on the odometer and it has no problems.


again, i'd seriously consider a land cruiser 70 in pickup format if i were going where you were going and doing what you were doing.


in any case have fun and stay safe :D
 
Ditto what jca21 said; as the 4Runner is "North America only" I'd buy something where you are going, not where you are leaving.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Trail Edition but I wouldn't have bought it if I was going to use it in Africa because the aftermarket outfitter don't support it yet. Instead, I'd have done some homework on what is available there and might even look into a slightly used, previously outfitted vehicle since it only has to last 2 years.
 
jca21 is giving sensible advice.
I strongly advise against taking a vehicle from here to Africa. Not only will it be a major headache in terms of shipping, taxes, registration, import, service, parts etc, but they may just decide not to let it in the country. If you are determined to do it, be very sure you are able to licence a left hand drive imported vehicle in that country, and be sure to speak to someone who has done it. Import duties? Even if its technically and legally feasible, its Africa, and the bush culture will decide whether they like you and allow it in or not... (I grew up in Africa, this is how it goes)

So, I also highly recommend buying a used vehicle locally, a LandCruiser 80, 100, 70 (available in single cab pickup, there is a rarer double cab conversion or more recently a wagon), or lastly the current or previous LandCruiser Prado. Also consider current generation Hilux double cab 4x4 (with a 3.0 D4D turbo diesel engine!) All depends on your budget. Unfortunately, you will get less car for your money there too, for +-$30,000 will get you a well used 2003/2004 Prado (judging by South Africa prices).
Africa is Toyota country, you shouldnt have too much trouble finding something to suite you, but I think its more important to have something sold and supported locally in terms of parts and service (and local bush mechanic know how!)
 
@jca Thanks for your thoughts on this.

Buying locally maybe more hassle that its worth, in the sense that they are not made to US specs so that when it is time for me to return to the US, there is no way to get it US street legal. In addition, the country I am going to does not have a toyota dealership. The Landcruiser is out of my price range, so I am planning to stick to the 4Runner for now.

Also, I want to note that there is some driving on paved roads, although it may be dusty and hot.

Again, thanks for your advice though.
 
Are you sure you an easily get gasoline there? When I've been in emerging countries, diesel is much more plentiful.
 
@ Dwullfusa and Seattle Mike,

Thanks both of you for your response. The vehicle will arrive in county duty free and with no problems clearing local customs as I work for the feds and will have diplomatic status while in country.

Advise from people already there is that there really are very few vehicles to purchase locally and what is available is usually old and costs double what we would pay in the US. It is strongly advised that we bring our own vehicles for the duration of our stay there. Oh, and driving will be on the US side :) I have regular access to US grade unleaded gas, albeit at only one location.
 
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my take on the situation is that you should still purchase a locally available land cruiser. i never said you have to get a new one, you could probably snag a used one in the price range you are looking at as well as sell it for close to what you paid for when you leave.

this being:

A)toyota resale value is good world wide, so buying a used and selling it used 2 years down the road wont be so bad. you will lose out a bit of course, but the losses will be marginal compaired to the hassle and finances involved with shipping and other fees.
B)taking a new US spec 4runner to africa, beating the piss out of it for 2 years, and then bringing it back doesnt sound like a wise idea. again i'd opt to pick up a used land cruiser locally and drive that and sell it there.
C)like jharris has stated, diesel is much more plentiful in developing countries. not only that, i'd argue diesel is much more plentiful EVERYWHERE else around the world BESIDES north america. which leaves me with the statement again that a diesel based truck would be your best bet.
D)the 4runner only has an 87L tank (which is approximately 23 gallons), and of course it runs on petrol, not diesel. i normally drive city, highway, and weekend off road. on average i get 12.7L per 100km meaning i get about 600km on a full tank give or take a few kms. thats only about 373 miles per tank in US measurements. considering a landcruiser can be fitted with a secondary 90L tank, the total of 180L vs the 87L MAX available on the 4runner is huge. you will have to carry less spare fuel in jerry cans which means:
1)you wont have to run the risk of fuel being stolen (crime is a problem everywhere around the world
2)the risk of danger to your self is greatly reduced as diesel has a higher flash point, which means, correct me if i am wrong, less chance that it will ignite in the case of heat exposure or accident.

the 4runner trail edition is a fantastic vehicle. by far one of the best that i have driven in my life time. however, for the purposes you described i will again, strongly suggest picking up a local, used, landcruiser 70.
 
eadrivers said:
@ Dwullfusa and Seattle Mike,

Thanks both of you for your response. The vehicle will arrive in county duty free and with no problems clearing local customs as I will be working with the feds and have diplomatic status while in country.

Advise from people already there is that there really are very few vehicles to purchase locally and what is available is usually old and costs double what we would pay in the US. It is strongly advised that we bring our own vehicles for the duration of our stay there. Oh, and driving will be on the US side :) I have regular access to US grade unleaded gas, albeit at only one location.
Click to expand...

if you are set on taking a vehicle from the states i am going to suggest picking up an FJ cruiser over the 4runner. heres why i'm saying this.

A) after market support is HUGE. winch bumpers, rear steel bumpers with tow shackles, tire carriers, etc all are plentiful. a lifted, snorkeled, and bumpered FJ will be much more capable than a stock TE.

B) the biggest problem i see is over heating the transmission. whether you buy the 4runner or the FJ, make sure it has a good transmission cooler installed before you arrive to africa.

C) i'd suggest atleast performing the scuba mod (relocating the rear diff breather) before going to africa. water in your rear diff and being miles from help doesnt sound like a great idea. with the diff mod done it'll provide a small peace of mind when travelling through high water.

if i was stuck with taking a 2010 4runner trail edition to africa i'd perform the following modifications to it:

-transmission cooler
-scuba mod
-lift kit
-larger, wider, more aggressive tires
-remove the spare tire and place it in a roof rack
-use the spare tire space and see if an auxillary fuel tank can be added by an off road specialist shop


spare parts wise, i'd say the biggest things of concern would be hard to find parts such as electronics. things like hoses, clamps, fuses and such could probably be had locally as these things are generally universal.

good luck to you sir :cheers:
 
The fact that shipping, licencing and availability fuel is no hassle for you does change my position a little. But only a little. Now I would recommend finding the best darn low mileage LC80 you can find here. Give it a solid check over and preventative maintenance of cooling system, tranny, diffs etc. Mods and parts are plentiful in any country, you can add additional tanks, lift, winch, full platform roof rack, tent and on and on. And the petrol engine used here, the 4.5 I-6 is the same as used there so parts should be readily available ( although most there would by the 4.2 diesel in the GX and turbo diesel in the VX spec)

More importantly (to me) would be that you are mitigating your financial losses (depreciation, wear and tear etc) substantially, and its the kind of car you may keep forever after this, because of the stories that will go with it. Not to mention, its already a cult car!
 
Thanks dwulffusa!

Honestly, I have been going back and forth a little whether to buy a new car or get something used. I am still very open to getting a used car and will take a look at the model you recommend.
 
I've lived in South America and blending in a little might not be a bad idea for an American. The best rig I have ever had was a '72 Landcruiser named Evita. She got me everywhere at about 55 mph max.
Not saying you should go old school on your rig, but showing up with a new flash TE might not be the best idea. Unfortunate that these are things we need to consider these days, but that's the world we live in.
Why not snatch up something sweet like a hilux or anything Toyota with a turbo diesel and bring it back here when you are done.
Just my 2 cents.
 
eadrivers said:
@ Dwullfusa and Seattle Mike,

Thanks both of you for your response. The vehicle will arrive in county duty free and with no problems clearing local customs as I work for the feds and will have diplomatic status while in country.

Advise from people already there is that there really are very few vehicles to purchase locally and what is available is usually old and costs double what we would pay in the US. It is strongly advised that we bring our own vehicles for the duration of our stay there. Oh, and driving will be on the US side :) I have regular access to US grade unleaded gas, albeit at only one location.
Click to expand...

Foreign Service? If so, congrats! I have friends trying to get in and they mentioned a spot in Africa as being a possible destination. If it's the same spot, I'd get something with armor plating ;)
 
While I know that this is a 4Runner forum I would also recommend taking a look at the FJ Cruiser which is also by Toyota.

There's a report on another forum about one being driven from California north to Canada and then back down to South America by a young couple. I believe the trip took more then 6 months and it was chronicled on that forum - here is the link: Across the Americas in a FJC - Toyota FJ Cruiser Forum Here is a second link that goes into even more detail: A Long Drive

Also, there are several members on that forum who live in the Middle East; as far as I recall I have never read anything negative from them about the FJ Cruiser considering some of the extreme conditions that they drive in.

Whatever choice you make I'm sure it will be the right one for you.

Good luck!

Mike:artist2:
 
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