Best Engine for an around the World Trip

fxk142 · 07-02-09, 06:12 AM

I don't know if any of you guys have seen the documentaries Long Way Down, and Long Way Round? Basically Ewan Mcgreggor and his friend Danny Boyle ride BMW motorcycles from London east to New York, going through Europe, Mongolia, Russia and the US (Long Way Round). In Long Way Down they ride form the northern tip of Scotland to Cape Town South Africa.

My question is, knowing that LandCruisers are used all around the world, what would be the best engine for a trip like this? Keeping in mind that I would want more power then the stock 3FE I have in my FJ62 now, and possibly would need to get parts in remote places in the world. So this is a true expedition rig.

dgangle · 07-02-09, 07:51 AM

best engine? how about a jet turbine? 500-something MPH in air-conditioned comfort at 35,000FT. That would be the best way.

boots4 · 07-02-09, 08:25 AM

It's definitely going to be a diesel since everywhere else uses more diesels. They are stronger (thicker blocks generally), can run on alternative fuels, and last for a long time. Among the many things to consider would be great fuel filtration for those times you get some bad stuff. The expedition forum or an expedition site might offer better insight on preparation for this kind of trip like supplies, parts, navigation, desired drivetrain, etc.

Randy88FJ62 · 07-02-09, 08:31 AM

Mosey on over to the diesel thread and overland expedition.

2mbb · 07-02-09, 08:48 AM

Check out these folks...24 1/2 years travelling the world in an FJ60. http://www.weltrekordreise.ch/a_starte.html

Also you should check out the magazine "overland journal". It has great articles about expedition travel.

I don't understand the need for "more power" especially on an expedition/excursion. Isn't the point to experience the journey? Reliability and simplicity need to be the key factors.

Yspen · 07-02-09, 09:06 AM

Will have to be diesel and 2H would be my first choice .

GLTHFJ60 · 07-02-09, 09:11 AM

I disagree. I would choose a naturally aspirated 1HZ coupled to an H55 for overland travel. Not a ton of power, but it has tons of low end torque and they still produce those engines every day.

lehiguy · 07-02-09, 10:03 AM

What's the matter with the engine you have now? F motors will run on anything with an octane rating higher than that of grapefruit juice.

Dieseler · 07-02-09, 11:14 AM

2nd the HZ

KayakPanic · 07-02-09, 02:52 PM

are you going to do the engine work if something goes wrong?

or are you going to HOPE that someone knows about your engine whenever you break down in the middle of now-here?

quality diesel is probably much, much easier to source around the world and may be cheaper... plus it gets alot better MPG than a gas engine.

bring lots and lots of oil filters, air filters and fuel filters whatever you choose...

if you need more power than a 3fe with automatic trans, then switch to a 2f with a 4 speed...

i also second the notion that in most places you will not be going as fast as you would like or hope. people have different definitions of what "roads" are.

i think the above link says it all: thoses folks have a Guiness World Record for most countries visited with one vehicle, most kilometers, etc!

T-bones 60 · 07-02-09, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2mbb

Check out these folks...24 1/2 years travelling the world in an FJ60. Worldrecordtour, Index, Start, Begin, Overview, Guinness Book of World Records, Toyota, LandCruiser, Emil Schmid, Liliana Schmid

Also you should check out the magazine "overland journal". It has great articles about expedition travel.

I don't understand the need for "more power" especially on an expedition/excursion. Isn't the point to experience the journey? Reliability and simplicity need to be the key factors.

The answer is above!

Mace · 07-02-09, 03:20 PM

2F...

motoloco · 07-02-09, 04:09 PM

A 2F and 4 speed will net you less power than a properly tuned and geared 3FE/auto. A diesel would most likely be the best for fuel sources.

KayakPanic · 07-02-09, 04:26 PM

i guess that depends on your definition of "power."

my definitioon of POWER is TORQUE, which you would have much more of that power with a 2F and 4 speed...

maybe not as much PASSING POWER...

Mace · 07-02-09, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoloco

A 2F and 4 speed will net you less power than a properly tuned and geared 3FE/auto. A diesel would most likely be the best for fuel sources.

Where do you get this nugget of info from?

Tapage · 07-02-09, 04:38 PM

I would recomend use the engine that it's more familiar to you ..

You will found yourself stuck in the middle of nowhere with a engine ( or Cruiser ) failure and folks around you, few trying help with no idea what to do .. and others trying get your buck easy .. with the same absolutely no idea what to do to solve your problem ..

So know first now the plataform that you wanna use and then you can start a trip ..

One more thing . .. X3 ( or was 4

) ini the 1HZ and H55F .. the best milleage in the most popular engine around the world ..

Tofudebeest · 07-02-09, 05:13 PM

2H turbo'd or 12H-T, then throw in a Frybrid WVO conversion system and you can run on damn near anything, for pennies, including what you find in drums behind restaurants. Frybrid is the best WVO system you can buy, Elsbett is a close second.

KayakPanic · 07-02-09, 05:14 PM

...this is from the above link of the Swiss couple...

"Because the condition of their LandCruiser deteriorated more and more, and because the possibility of overhauling it in East Malaysia's Sarawak popped up, they sent it without hesitation from Penang to Borneo. During the following three months, the car was taken apart completely, derusted and repaired. It was the first engine overhaul after 381'800 miles of driving."

Hendrik · 07-02-09, 05:38 PM

My personal Toyo fave is the 12HT, but I would go non-turbo diesel - 1HZ or 2H.

Elbert · 07-02-09, 06:43 PM

diesel.....simply for the availabilty of fuel.

roscoFJ73 · 07-02-09, 06:56 PM

Im for the 1HZ. Set up right,you can almost guarantee it will run for for years without failing.
As for power, the 1HZ would be more than adequate for a trip like that.
Once your out of western europe,the roads just get crappier.

The best reasons to use diesel is that you dont have to carry so much and it is much safer refuelling by the roadside with diesel.
The Swiss couple are virtually driving a mobile bomb with all that petrol stored up on their roof rack.
I would hate to be stuck inside after a rollover with all that leaking everywhere

The Long Way Down team used Nissan patrol turbo diesels,probably with the 3.0TD which is having a lot of problems in oz.

My preference would be a HZJ75 or 78 troopy bought in europe with LHD.
No lift,standard 750x16 tyres on split rims. Lockers not important.

motoloco · 07-02-09, 08:11 PM

I get this "nugget" of info due to the fact I have owned and daily driven over 10 of each. I think I'm qualified!

Mace · 07-02-09, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motoloco

I get this "nugget" of info due to the fact I have owned and daily driven over 10 of each. I think I'm qualified!

There are many who would disagree with you.

BiG BoB · 07-02-09, 09:28 PM

For me it would be one of the last 1HZ powered trayback cruisers.

Japan really did prolong the life of the US auto industry by not selling them there... I'm sure they would have killed off the pickup's of your big 3

motoloco · 07-03-09, 12:20 PM

There are many that have trucks that run like shit, those that have spent the time to get the 3FE 62's running right can attest to the significant gain in pwr, they never will run like my cummins, but, 65mph up a 5% 4mile long grade at 8000' on 35's is not too bad (geared of course, unloaded, no winches or heavy bumpers). It is better than I have been able to get my 10+ 2f's to run in an equal sitsuation. I have never been able to get a 3fe'd 80 series to run that well either. That said, I have been in some trucks with BUILT 2f's that are a lot stronger than any 3fe I have driven. Sorry for the hi-jack.

Gwynley · 07-03-09, 01:07 PM

I'm using a 2h to go from London to Cape town. Simple, loads of spare parts in Africa and the local mechanic fix it with a hammer.

There are few other alternatives to buy in the UK as well...

Diesel is easier because you have better range per litre (so you don't have to carry so much weight) is safer to have in jerry cans, and no spark plugs to worry about when swimming.

The nissans in longway down had a fair amount of issues with their turbo's in the desert.....

orangefj45 · 07-03-09, 04:32 PM

2h with the h55f hands down.

simple setup, extremely reliable, parts are readily available anywhere in the world and decent fuel economy.

sure, you could get more power out of the other diesels but ............

Tapage · 07-03-09, 05:23 PM

The 2H it's a great engine .. but these days are getting older .. and are not all ( or at least not here in Panamá ) all parts are available always ..