Icelandic 80 Cruiser thread (1 Viewer)

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Thank you very much! The pole idea to check for snow depth is a really good idea that never crossed my mind...
 
One of the most important thing in traveling in Iceland is knowing the weather forecast. Winter weather here can change incredibly fast and become life threatening in no time if you are not careful. Summer weather is usually not life threatening unless you are in the middle of the highlands without a tent and not properly clothed for wet outdoor activities. It can snow in the highlands in June and heat can go below zero even though its daylight all day and night during this time of year.

two other very important things to have are WISDOM and STRENGTH.
WISDOM of knowing when to turn around and head home instead of keep going and possibly risking your life (and the lives of the Icelandic SAR team members that go out to help when you do) and STRENGTH to actually follow the gut feeling that said wisdom can give you and head home :)

its a very good idea also to leave a trip plan and estimated arrival date/time with someone that stays at home. this narrows the search area for the SAR teams -if- something happens and you need to be found and rescued.

the Search And Rescue teams in Iceland are all volunteer based. you can read about them here: http://www.icesar.com/

Kjartanbj's list is very good for the actual parts and accessories to have. On top of the list for me is GPS and VHF radio and knowledge to use both. Then all the other things. And never travel alone :)
 
One of the most important thing in traveling in Iceland is knowing the weather forecast. Winter weather here can change incredibly fast and become life threatening in no time if you are not careful. Summer weather is usually not life threatening unless you are in the middle of the highlands without a tent and not properly clothed for wet outdoor activities. It can snow in the highlands in June and heat can go below zero even though its daylight all day and night during this time of year.

two other very important things to have are WISDOM and STRENGTH.
WISDOM of knowing when to turn around and head home instead of keep going and possibly risking your life (and the lives of the Icelandic SAR team members that go out to help when you do) and STRENGTH to actually follow the gut feeling that said wisdom can give you and head home :)

its a very good idea also to leave a trip plan and estimated arrival date/time with someone that stays at home. this narrows the search area for the SAR teams -if- something happens and you need to be found and rescued.

the Search And Rescue teams in Iceland are all volunteer based. you can read about them here: http://www.icesar.com/

Kjartanbj's list is very good for the actual parts and accessories to have. On top of the list for me is GPS and VHF radio and knowledge to use both. Then all the other things. And never travel alone :)


I never leave my web wheeling basement alone. :lol: J/K

All very good practical info for any wheeling really.
 
yes, Never ever in Iceland I would travel alone, altough having a powerful rig, you can get stuck or broken down

Gps is essential, visibility can be virtually zero, without gps you would be stuck and have to wait , to much of a risk driving off a cliff or something

Cell phone , preferably from 2 of the bigger company's here in Iceland is good to have

VHF with at least the Icelandic 4x4 club channels , more if you can :)

Here in Iceland is a very good Vhf repeaters network that the Icelandic 4x4 club has built up over the years , I also have in my vhf radio the channels of the Icelandic Search and rescue teams for added probability of being heard in case of emergency

Of course this is something that has to do with traveling in Iceland, but good to know :)

you guys have completely different conditions
 
Really interesting info. Thanks for sharing!
 
Always been a big fan of those rigs......and keep the pics & stories coming. Thank you so much for taking the time to post up and share with everyone. Very interesting :cheers:
 
All very good tips....thanks guys.
 
yes, Never ever in Iceland I would travel alone, altough having a powerful rig, you can get stuck or broken down

Gps is essential, visibility can be virtually zero, without gps you would be stuck and have to wait , to much of a risk driving off a cliff or something

Cell phone , preferably from 2 of the bigger company's here in Iceland is good to have

VHF with at least the Icelandic 4x4 club channels , more if you can :)

Here in Iceland is a very good Vhf repeaters network that the Icelandic 4x4 club has built up over the years , I also have in my vhf radio the channels of the Icelandic Search and rescue teams for added probability of being heard in case of emergency

Of course this is something that has to do with traveling in Iceland, but good to know :)

you guys have completely different conditions


What are your thoughts on the mat tracks? They seem good for snow but it sounds like they arent popular there?

Also, as to tire size, do you find that there is a minimum size and width you want there for an 80 series?
 
What are your thoughts on the mat tracks? They seem good for snow but it sounds like they arent popular there?

Also, as to tire size, do you find that there is a minimum size and width you want there for an 80 series?

Mat tracks aren't useful here , have to drive sometimes very long distances so you would be very limited

and for tire sizes , I would not want smaller tires than 44" considering my rig is about 6600 pounds fully loaded with gear and oil , but it really depends on usage

I'm using Dick cepek fun country 44" tires , not very good on road, but in snow they are awesome

Some go even bigger

46" on this one :)
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but the main thing is bigger is usually better, but it really depends on weight

bigger tires = better weight distribution when aired down
 
I prefer cepeks tread instead of the Irok, much less tendency to dig itself down into the snow when wheelspinning, just crawls slowly forward, of course depends on snow conditions
 
I don't think we can get dick cepek fun country's here in the U.S. any more.

I think they got 'em all
 
Absolutely love these trucks especially the 80 series mods!
 
driving off road is illegal yes. No wheeling outside of the roads in the summer please! but some of the roads (and river crossings) are scary and you can visit some beautiful places even though you drive on the roads.

Have to chime in here: the people off Iceland have a very different understanding of the word "roads" than most of us do.
I followed this "road" for about 8 hours with my 6month pregnant (now ex-)wife driving shotgun.
It was in my hj61 with only 35/12.5 R15 MT tires. Even aired down it was a very bumpy ride.

Notice the small poles marking the road ahead, sometimes there are 500 meters or more between them. This stretch was one of the nicer ones, with only small rock, when we got to the worst parts I didn't took any pics.

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Italians in problems this summer, towed this one out, unfortunately damaged engine and there was a waterfall comming out of the camper when we opened it up
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600hp engine in this one
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Broke a wheelbeering and damaged the spindle and birf couldn't fix in on site
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This is something only in Iceland =)
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My old truck Hilux with 22-re
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Enough for now :) keep the comments and questions comming :)
will try to answer what I can
 
Great pics! Thanks for sharing! Who makes the flares for the 80's? :cheers:
 
Companies here in Iceland that make them, they're quite expensive I think nowadays as they're just special order , my flares are modified version on the most popular flares that were made for the 80
usually part of them are on the rear doors, my are one piece in the rear and also my oil filler has been moved so it's not a part of the flare
 
www.brettakantar.is and www.formverk.is make fender flares for example

brettakantar.is have a big list of car makes they make fender flares for, but even if it is'n't on the list they might have some or be able to make one for that particular make but it's $$$
 

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