Wanted LC for Africa

Location

United States

My minster is moving to the bush in Liberia (west Africa) for an indefinite period of time and is looking for a LC for travel between several villages. He's looking for:
* manual transmission
* mods not necessary
* no major mechanical issues (reliability will be a factor, but as we all know, these aren't new trucks. They will need maintenance)
* no rust
* $4-6k range
* we are in Florida and it would be great to find something somewhat nearby
My questions are:
a) is it realistic to find one as described above in the price range described?
b) I recommended a 60 series, but he's concerned with the truck age. Are any 80 series LC's manual?
c) any other vehicle recommendations I can pass to him?

I will pass all comments on for his consideration. Thanks for looking and offering your expertise!
Jim

 

[cruiser_guy]

Jim, I will be going to Sierra Leone shortly for an indefinite period of time (I'm thinking it'll be 5-10 years anyway). I was there in February and while I will likely be bringing my BJ60 with me I would not suggest one for someone who is not mechanically inclined as there were almost no '60 series at all any more (I saw one driving and one in a lot while I was there for 6 weeks). The lack of '60 series may make finding parts a challenge and if parts are not found then the local "mechanics" will "make something work" which will inevitably cause an equal reduction in reliability. There were a few '80 series imported from the US (no US 'Cruisers after the '60 series were manual trannies). They also have a good number of diesel 105 series Land Cruisers (like the 100 series here but with a 6 cylinder diesel and a solid front axle). If he is not mechanically inclined I'd suggest either the '80 from the states somewhere with an auto or the '105 (which will blow your budget out of the water).

I'd think that Sierra Leone and Liberia are not far different in what it's like and what's available though I did not go to Liberia.

You can check out our website Home | Wirrell Family and contact me if you like. I've spent the last 5 years in Guatemala with my trucks so I've seen some of the "creative" repairs that the locals will do!