Advice Needed - 4Runner to East Africa
- Thread starter eadrivers
- Start date
@ Seattle Mike
Guess I could not be vague enough
Tell your friends that it is well worth it. Adventure of a lifetime.
@ B'kyn Mike
I am a sucker for a great adventure blog. That looked like a fascinating trip done by that couple.
Also, I test drove the FJ cruiser but found the inside incredibly cramped.
I know this may sound like blasphemy but are Toyota SUVs such as the 4Runner meant for North America "softer" than their counterparts in the rest of the world? I mean not just interior but overall build and ruggedness.
Guess I could not be vague enough
Tell your friends that it is well worth it. Adventure of a lifetime. @ B'kyn Mike
I am a sucker for a great adventure blog. That looked like a fascinating trip done by that couple.
Also, I test drove the FJ cruiser but found the inside incredibly cramped.
I know this may sound like blasphemy but are Toyota SUVs such as the 4Runner meant for North America "softer" than their counterparts in the rest of the world? I mean not just interior but overall build and ruggedness.
jca21
New member
@ Seattle Mike
Guess I could not be vague enough
@ B'kyn Mike
I am a sucker for a great adventure blog. That looked like a fascinating trip done by that couple.
Also, I test drove the FJ cruiser but found the inside incredibly cramped.
I know this may sound like blasphemy but are Toyota SUVs such as the 4Runner meant for North America "softer" than their counterparts in the rest of the world? I mean not just interior but overall build and ruggedness.
the 4runner is one of the last "true" body on frame constructed suv's
i'd say its tougher than 90% of its competition out there. mitsubishi pulled the pajero from north america, the nissan pathfinder went front and rear independent suspension and dont even ask about the explorer.
if you're looking for a rugged suv for off road purposes the 4runner is plenty tough.
this video may be of interest to you:
YouTube - 4Runner 4Ever: 2010 Toyota 4Runner Trail Grade Full Test
cheers
This is great question and a very interesting thread by the way. I grew up in Costa Rica where off-roading is a normal if you want to get to any interesting place. And driving in the city is almost like off-roading since the “paved” roads are so bad and full of potholes and uneven patches every where.
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Also, my parents lived in Africa for many years and I had a chance to visit them and driving (specially outside of any big city) is inevitably going to take you off-road. Needless to say, driving conditions there are tough and very basic with minimal resources in case of break down <o></o>
I will second many of the previous posts.
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1. If you can, your best bet is to buy a used rig (Toyota of course) locally. More than likely you will be able to sell it before you leave. If you try to sell a US model, very few people are going to be able to pay for it and if you do find some one (a rich individual or another foreigner) chances are you will not get a fair deal since a US market model just has too many bells and whistles (for the local market).
The majority of people there do not have cars period.
<o></o>
This leads into the repair and maintenance, as you allude to. Because the 4runner is mainly marketed in North America, you will have a very hard time finding good service for this vehicle over there.
Keep in mind, Toyota dealerships over there DO NOT function like the ones here in the states…they take 5 times as long and they are limited to the tools inventory and parts for the models they do sell there. Customer service is NOT a priority over there.......they make their money of big contracts, foreign companies diplomats missions and the such.....Most models over there are Diesel and have No catalytic converters and typically use much less sophisticated suspension systems than the ones marketed here. This also makes them sturdier (although more buggy like) for the road conditions over there. Needless to say a fancy 4runner engine is not the norm. Unlike the U.S., Diesel over there is like 1/2 the cost and more plenty full while gasoline is of a lower grade and usually dirty. Normally the filtering and injection systems on cars sold over there can take on the less pristine gasoline quality normally found. The 4runers U.S. engine is really more optimized for the cleaner gasoline.
<o></o>
2. I would recommend a diesel Toyota Hilux 4x4 manual tranny…those things are indestructible and every one and their dog will know how to service it you will find many buyers if needed. Also you will blend in and will not stand out. Although I like the 4runner my self quite a bit (I am currently waiting for one on order!) I would not want something this sophisticated for Africa. It just screams attention….foreigner .rich money… come and mug me…
I hate to say this but it’s true… I have lived in many developing countries and that is how things roll
<o></o>
3. If have to ship a car from the states Consider the FJ Cruiser MANUAL transmission, no power windows no nav.. .just the bare bones model but 4x4. This will be very rugged and have the least sophistication and thus you will have higher chances of finding good service. If you plan to travel outside the big city, and you need service of some sort, you might need the help of some very “artistic shop” to help you out. This is when the most basic and simple systems will be your best friend….why??? because any one can work on a manual transmission. Also for these very same reasons you will be more likely to find a buyer (if you wanted to sell).
<o></o>
4. If you must take a 4runner…..get the SR5 4x4, this has plenty of punch and has the least bells and whistles, in line with the arguments I have laid out above.
<o></o>
Best luck. <o></o><o></o><o>
</o>
<o></o>
Also, my parents lived in Africa for many years and I had a chance to visit them and driving (specially outside of any big city) is inevitably going to take you off-road. Needless to say, driving conditions there are tough and very basic with minimal resources in case of break down <o></o>
I will second many of the previous posts.
<o></o>
1. If you can, your best bet is to buy a used rig (Toyota of course) locally. More than likely you will be able to sell it before you leave. If you try to sell a US model, very few people are going to be able to pay for it and if you do find some one (a rich individual or another foreigner) chances are you will not get a fair deal since a US market model just has too many bells and whistles (for the local market).
The majority of people there do not have cars period.
<o></o>
This leads into the repair and maintenance, as you allude to. Because the 4runner is mainly marketed in North America, you will have a very hard time finding good service for this vehicle over there.
Keep in mind, Toyota dealerships over there DO NOT function like the ones here in the states…they take 5 times as long and they are limited to the tools inventory and parts for the models they do sell there. Customer service is NOT a priority over there.......they make their money of big contracts, foreign companies diplomats missions and the such.....Most models over there are Diesel and have No catalytic converters and typically use much less sophisticated suspension systems than the ones marketed here. This also makes them sturdier (although more buggy like) for the road conditions over there. Needless to say a fancy 4runner engine is not the norm. Unlike the U.S., Diesel over there is like 1/2 the cost and more plenty full while gasoline is of a lower grade and usually dirty. Normally the filtering and injection systems on cars sold over there can take on the less pristine gasoline quality normally found. The 4runers U.S. engine is really more optimized for the cleaner gasoline.
<o></o>
2. I would recommend a diesel Toyota Hilux 4x4 manual tranny…those things are indestructible and every one and their dog will know how to service it you will find many buyers if needed. Also you will blend in and will not stand out. Although I like the 4runner my self quite a bit (I am currently waiting for one on order!) I would not want something this sophisticated for Africa. It just screams attention….foreigner .rich money… come and mug me…
I hate to say this but it’s true… I have lived in many developing countries and that is how things roll
<o></o>
3. If have to ship a car from the states Consider the FJ Cruiser MANUAL transmission, no power windows no nav.. .just the bare bones model but 4x4. This will be very rugged and have the least sophistication and thus you will have higher chances of finding good service. If you plan to travel outside the big city, and you need service of some sort, you might need the help of some very “artistic shop” to help you out. This is when the most basic and simple systems will be your best friend….why??? because any one can work on a manual transmission. Also for these very same reasons you will be more likely to find a buyer (if you wanted to sell).
<o></o>
4. If you must take a 4runner…..get the SR5 4x4, this has plenty of punch and has the least bells and whistles, in line with the arguments I have laid out above.
<o></o>
Best luck. <o></o><o></o><o>
</o>
The Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is the 4runners foreign cousin. They are built on the same frames and share alot of the same parts as the 4Runner and they sold just about all over the world except North America.
Sweet rides , I wish they were easier and cheaper to import one to the states.
No telling what they cost new over there as used would probably be the way to go.Toyota Africa
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCheck out the 2nd and 3rd Gen. ones.
Sweet rides , I wish they were easier and cheaper to import one to the states.
No telling what they cost new over there as used would probably be the way to go.Toyota Africa
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaCheck out the 2nd and 3rd Gen. ones.
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Not sure what federal rules are, but I have had many employeers that would give me a contribution to buying a car there if it was less than the cost of shipping a car. Guessing that isn't something the feds will do and then a new one makes more sense.
Have you talked to people there in regards to what dealers are locally available in that country? That would allow for people to assist with thoughts on other brands as well.
Some good points here are the complexity of this car. It is not just about swapping a belt if you get "computer" problems then can it be fixed......?
Have you talked to people there in regards to what dealers are locally available in that country? That would allow for people to assist with thoughts on other brands as well.
Some good points here are the complexity of this car. It is not just about swapping a belt if you get "computer" problems then can it be fixed......?
It's a body-on-frame truck. The 4Runner frame is essentially the same frame as the Land Cruiser Prado and Lexus GX460. The FJ Cruiser frame is essentially a shortened 4Runner frame.
I've lived in Africa and I've lived in the Middle East.. I would not take a US spec vehicle to Africa, unless it was a diesel. If vehicles are hard to buy where you are going, buy a used Land cruiser or Prado in Qatar or the UAE and ship it to your destination.
The advice to buy a diesel HiLux or Land Cruiser is good - follow it. You can't go wrong with either one.
Don't expect to bring home the vehicle when your assignement is finished. Buy something you can sell there - you won't regret that decision.
Taking a US spec vehicle to Africa is asking for trouble, either from maintenance or from crime.
If there isn't a Toyota dealership where you are going, consider a vehicle that does have a dealership there. Nissan makes some great 4X4 vehicles - the Patrol is one, and it's available in diesel.
The advice to buy a diesel HiLux or Land Cruiser is good - follow it. You can't go wrong with either one.
Don't expect to bring home the vehicle when your assignement is finished. Buy something you can sell there - you won't regret that decision.
Taking a US spec vehicle to Africa is asking for trouble, either from maintenance or from crime.
If there isn't a Toyota dealership where you are going, consider a vehicle that does have a dealership there. Nissan makes some great 4X4 vehicles - the Patrol is one, and it's available in diesel.
jca21
New member
the pajero is pretty good as well.
Dusty64
New member
Would go with an older model.
Lots of good advice in this thread. I worked in Southern Africa and shipped my own vehicle over (Suburban) and had a provided "work" vehicle (Land Crusier). For shipping a POV I would go with an older model than the new 4Runner (3rd/4th gen T4R or FJ) for ease of service because:
1. I never used the Toyota dealer for service, used a recommended local shop that did great work on the Toyota and Suburban and could get Toyota parts.
2. You want to ship the type of oil/tranny fluid you will need for your vehicle. Not sure of availability of 0/20 synth for the 5th Gen and I had a hard time finding 5w30 for my Suburban.
3. Your parts list is good, that's what I shipped for my Suburban (only one other Chevy in the country).
4. Toyota is a good choice. As mentioned earlier, Africa is Toyota country. I would be hesitant on taking a new model, however, North American or otherwise, to East Africa. I've driven from Uganda to Djibuti and plenty of places for decent and jury rigged repairs. Would hate to see a local fire up the torch for an axle repair on my 5th Gen!
5. Safari racks with roof top jerry can holders, etc.., are more available for 3rd/4th gen. I used a Garvin industries rack system for a second spare/shovel/cans/hi lift jack. Don't worry about tree overhang where you are going.
Good luck, drive safe, and have a good time.
Lots of good advice in this thread. I worked in Southern Africa and shipped my own vehicle over (Suburban) and had a provided "work" vehicle (Land Crusier). For shipping a POV I would go with an older model than the new 4Runner (3rd/4th gen T4R or FJ) for ease of service because:
1. I never used the Toyota dealer for service, used a recommended local shop that did great work on the Toyota and Suburban and could get Toyota parts.
2. You want to ship the type of oil/tranny fluid you will need for your vehicle. Not sure of availability of 0/20 synth for the 5th Gen and I had a hard time finding 5w30 for my Suburban.
3. Your parts list is good, that's what I shipped for my Suburban (only one other Chevy in the country).
4. Toyota is a good choice. As mentioned earlier, Africa is Toyota country. I would be hesitant on taking a new model, however, North American or otherwise, to East Africa. I've driven from Uganda to Djibuti and plenty of places for decent and jury rigged repairs. Would hate to see a local fire up the torch for an axle repair on my 5th Gen!
5. Safari racks with roof top jerry can holders, etc.., are more available for 3rd/4th gen. I used a Garvin industries rack system for a second spare/shovel/cans/hi lift jack. Don't worry about tree overhang where you are going.
Good luck, drive safe, and have a good time.
Dusty64
New member
No worries. Good luck with your decision. Maybe I'll see ya on the road.
kingpin748
New member
Now I want to move to Africa and buy a Land Rover. Well maybe I don't want to move to Africa but I certainly want the Land Rover. Sounds like your trip is going to be an adventure. Good luck!
kingpin748
New member
I know....
