Moving from UK - 4x4 Advice

I won't offer advice on the vehicle but I will suggest, as strongly as possible, that you get yourself an EPIRB.

Here are a few:
www.ja-gps.com.au/epirb.html

Enjoy Oz, it has it's negatives but it's probably the best country on the planet in which to live - you made a good choice :)

Enjoy your trip too.

Mike Harding

jnewlife

If Toyota is your choice I would go for the Landcruiser TD 80 or 100 series. More space, more reliability and better suspension than the 4Runner or the Hilux Surf(which is a Grey Import into Australia).

If buying a 4x4 in Perth be aware that many very well used vehicles are ex-mining company vehicles which may be dressed up to look good for resale. When making your purchase pay the RAC a fee to inspect your vehicle before signing on the dotted line. Airconditioning in vehicles is a must for Aussie travel.

If you would be prepared to go to Melbourne to buy a vehicle I can put you in touch with a 4x4 wholesaler who will get you the best deal

Welcome to Australia, it is a great place.

Cheers

jnewlife,
For touring you have to take lots with you for six months and perhaps a cheap place to sleep so i would consider Toyota troop carrier for the trip you propose.
Cheers Mark

I live in WA, and I would go east to buy the truck. Firstly they are cheaper there and you do not have to worry as much about what they have been used for.

Enjoy your move.

Regards

Col

Hi
my advice is get the toyo LC diesel and buy it from either Melbourne or Sydney. Ensure you buy good AT tyres, Engel fridge, dual battery, sat phone and recovery gear. And this is the starting list. l wouldnt atempt a six month trip round oz in a vehicle as cheap a AUS10k, but you should be able to pick up a good vechicle from $15 - $25K. Happy Motoring

cheers
Barn

Hi, As per the previous posts... I agree with your Toyota choice. I have a troop carrier so am bias!!!

Troopies have heaps of space and you can sleep in them too, so you have accommodation where ever you go.

If you get a troopie, get a 4.2L diesel at least. The 4 litre ones are getting a bit dated.

One suggestion I would make, as you say you are a beginner to four wheel driving is do a four wheel driving driver training course. These are really handy and will teach you the basics about your particular vehicle, how to use it and how to get out of trouble if you get stuck. Really important if you are travelling by yourself.

Hope you enjoy our (and yours soon) country. It really is fabulous and has some fantastic places to see.

sdr00y

Having owned a 4runner and lcruiser, I would recommend the cruiser or troopie. The 4runner/surf repeatedly broke in places after rough trips. The 60 series Lcruiser carries bigger loads and rarely gives problems. We have found it to be considerably cheaper to own overall. The LC is much better made and doesn't use much more fuel.

Toyota: Landcruiser TD or Troop Carrier (volumes of space).

You can get a Toyota Carrier already set up for camping.

Why sell it at the end of the trip? What about weekends away and holiday camping?

Rather than choice of vehicle at this stage, what you need to think about is what you need in a vehicle, the choice may fall out of that preocess. Plenty of resources on this site will assist, but expect to pay more than you are thinking if you want something reliable.

G'day J
80 series diesel Cruiser - go for the non turbo. Cheaper. Less to go wrong. Since you're not towing the non turbo should be fine for what you're wanting to do.
You'll love this big country of ours.
Cheers from the Moose

Hi J
Just a different line of thought.
Have you considered the option of buying in UK and bringing something out with you in a container, along with whatever else you may be bringing (furniture etc).
I am sure that there are many suitable vehicles available although they may not necessarily be Toyota. What about good Defender TD or TD5 110's with full metal cab set up for camping.
It may be worth a look.
For what it's worth IMHO I wouldn't look at the 4Runner or the Surf (which is actually brought into Australia as a second hand import from Japan and not all parts are interchangeable with the Aust vehicles)
Good Luck

Disco

Hi,
Toyota landcruiser or Nissian patrol will definitely do the job. Spares are available widely for both. Deisel is preferable as there are some areas where petrol is difficult to get or not available at all. Whatever you get it MUST be in good condition. People die every year in the deserts and there are plenty of close calls. The auto clubs all have guides to help prepare for remote travel. It is essential that you always have sufficent water (5l per day per person) and food to survive for a week or so. The water is a good idea even on the black top. While all of the places you have listed are well travelled and it is likely that someone will assist you, be prepared. Be aware that station owners and other travelers are not obliged to provide assistance. So if someone is helping you they are doing so because they feel like it. In some areas it is easy to get lost for a bit hence the food and water. In many areas if you stray off the main track there are no signs so getting unlost can be difficult sometimes.

Some handy hints. These are suggestions to get you thinking. My wifes rel's from the UK often visit so this is the gist of what I tell them if they are going outback. It is not meant to be insulting so if you have done your research you can stop reading now but people here often forget that common knowledge here is not common in the UK.

1) Your vehicle must be in good order. Carry basic spares ie fan belts hoses etc and know how to fit them.
2) Refuel often. Don't wait till you are running on fumes as it could be 400km to the next town.
3) Carry a decent map of the area you are in and use it.
4) Carry plenty of water (at least 20l)
5) If a local says a beach or whatever is not passable, believe them. It is amazing how many people ask, don't like the answer, go anyway and complain they are stuck for hours.
6) If at all possible arrange to meet or call people at set times so someone knows you are missing. Oz is a big place. If you are lost or broken down somewhere remote there will probably be no cell phone coverage (except sat phone). If no one knows you are missing they will not even be looking. Even when they do know it can take days to find people.
7) It is recomended that you stay with your vehicle if lost broken down as it is easier to spot from the air.
8) Leave the wildlife alone, most snakes and spiders are venomous. If some place is sign posted for crocs it is NOT safe to swim at any time even if you can't see one. Crocs are ambush hunters and they are very good at it.
9) Listen to rangers in the National Parks.

Have a good trip. This is not meant to put you off but you should take care. Most problems/dangers can be avoided but you will be in remote arweas and stuff can happen. I can tell you it is a very lonely feeling to be 500km from anywhere and broken down.

Steve

Wow, thanks guys for all the advice... looks like the general advice is go for a cruiser - should have guessed as the most ex bleep ve :) I have read stories of Brits who have been lost or died because of lack of preparation\getting bogged down\ not staying with car so I'm aware of the dangers (if not the massive size of Oz - you could drive the length of Britain in about 18 hours!).

The max i will have available to spend is $20K, so providing I get it AA\RAC checked before I buy I should be OK with a deisel cruiser? I am going straight to Perth so don't really have the option to go East. I will keep in mind the ex-mine tip as well pesky car dealers.

If I can't afford $20K for cruiser, what other options are there - I guess the obvious one is work for a while in Perth and save a few more $'s (sounds boring!!)

Thanks again for all the advice
j