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Originally Posted by ridgerunner
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Was going to suggest that, many links are dead - least they were last I checked. General info is good regardless of time, but make sure they have a good handle on current conditions. Not from some website 5 years old. Conditions change quickly.
Other than above - esp the same thought on the turbo - couple of things to consider. The roads will be tough on the suspension and brittle/unsupported wiring. Fuel is often poor and contaminated - provisions should be made for additional filtering. They should inspect any fuel prior to filling - clear tube works - and make sure they are filled from what was inspected. Security screens on windows are wise, as are brush screens over lights etc. If it can be screwed off it may be if left unattended.
They need increased and reserve fuel, electrical and cooling capacity (although in general LCs are decent here). Obviously a split system. Good lights - night driving should be avoided but they need good patterns as well as distance. Good Cloth seats - cloth.
Dont go to heavy on roof storage or height. Make sure interior is provided with tie downs/nets. Think ship storage. Watch anything that looks military - inc vehicle paint color - avoid ammo can storage etc. Go with two locking security compartments. One accessable, one hidden well. if they can be water proof, even better. As far as the advisability of firearms, as you said - THEY need to understand wholly this issue - wholly.
As far as Books - The Vehicle Dependent Expedition Guide by Tom Sheppard is good, if a little dated. Was online at RGS.com. Couple of others that are good - one by a guy named Pierre(?), check some of the Overland Travel sites. Check out Turtle Expeditions for some box layouts, theres a German Company that does Mog campers that had some good ideas online. There was a Tatra or Pingzauer site that had some long range camper examples as well.
Which of the three is best? Any cruiser would be good, sorts out to preference and intended usage - more comfort/less nimble with a box. People have been traveling the continent sucessfully for quite some time with lesser vehicles, its. Check out some of the Land Rover Series Trucks that have gone around the world. In Africa, the availabilty of parts and repair stations are much better now than they were 30 years ago. With the advent of international air freight, not nearly the issue it used to be - tho you can still get in a pickle. Currently, the roads are often worse.
They'll have a good time. Major threat is traffic - accidents are what will give you most issues. Maybe thats why the guys mentioned above converted RH to LH drive - to conform with local traffic? Since they are SA, so they dont fall into old RH habits? Was told Virgin Islands had more accidents per capita because they drive LH vehicles but RH laws.
Luck
Alac