The 1957 Series 1 Land Rover pics I posted above.. is actually underneath all a 1991 Toyota Hilux., except for LR panels. About 9 years ago I bought a cheap dented Hilux twin cab petrol 4x4, took off all the body except for floor plan, firewall, inner guards and grill. Then I shortened the chassis by 610mm and welded it back up. Fitted new 2" lifted leaf springs, remove 3 rear leafs. New shocks. Bolted on a box frame up and over where door hinges were, then bolted the LR dash on that (cut off the rusty S1 bottoms). Plopped the rear tub over the back wheel and bolted it on. Mounted both doors to suit that height.. filled the side gaps (which actually helped make a handy 270mm gap for gunbags behind the front seats and tub. Then bolted the gaurds on, fitted the slim headlight LR grill and a S2 hood. A lot of brackets and bolts. Painted it army green and poked a boat fuel tank under the seat, other side a big portable hand winch. End result a super reliable, higher, and 200% softer ride, Land-Lux.. or Hi-Rover... Lots of fun in it, very light, short and goes almost anywhere, with tough multi ply steel belted Army michelin tyres, and no punctures for the first 5 years.. then 2x had chucks outa side walls in one week lol..
Land Cruisers - We've always had 4-6 Toyota 4x4s in camp for our safari company, mostly Cruiser 60series, then 80s, 75s and a few twin cab HiLux's, all have been super reliable. The 80 series wagons were very comfortable and capable,, all with 2" lift coil springs and 265 or 285 tyres.
Re Land Rovers - over the earlier last 15 years I've owned 5x TD1 and TD5 Discoveries, loved em, even though each one had very annoying little problems.. Examples to mind.. alarm stuck on over a rough road (fuse out forever fix),.., thought I need a new head (but was just a main air pipe inner wall colapsed),,, engine seized and no turn over, trucked it to mechanic (was a just a AC seized tensioner pulley.!!). 3 roof linings fell in, but can be replaced,... one TD5 in the Arnhem land bush the rear door failed to open for a week of safari, plus the passenger door failed to open (fine bull dust in BMW car locks) as door seals on inner side , not outerside, so fun getting gear and clients in/out. Fuel pumps, Water pumps. Burst transmission pipe sprayed oil straight onto a red hot turbo, massive clouds of black smoke 3x times bigger than the car (how it didnt catch fire was amazing),, Each time I sold, I said never again... but... but they look nice outside and inner, and ride is super comfortable, economy was also good. A knowledgeable mechanic, and tow plan... and then a delight to own. Father in law bought at TD6 and in 4 years has treble paid for it in repairs., but he loves it... (and cant sell it).
LR Defenders... well ,, they are great safari vehicles..!! Nyati Safaris at Coutada 14 had a few, good rigs. One stopped in the tall grass, but it was a big Eli skull stuck underneath..!!
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