OFF ROAD VEHICLES WE OWNED SINCE 1983

4WD wagons Nissan Patrol–Toyota Landcruiser 60 series–Toyota Landcruiser 80 Series-Toyota Landcruiser 100 series

4WD Trucks  Mitsubishi Fuso 4×4 Canter FG 84 Turbo Diesel 4.9 Liter–Mercedes Atego 1318 AK 4X4

More details and pictures per vehicle below

OUR VEHICLES Between 1981 and 2019

CURRENT VEHICLE MERCEDES ATEGO 4X4 since 2012   

After traveling 4 years and 160000Km in our Mitsubishi Fuso FG 84 we decided to upgrade to a larger truck. It became 6 months of looking and assessing before we decided on a Mercedes Atego. Main reason more space, ability to carry a 150cc scooter inside the truck, more water, larger kitchen and larger shower and toilet.

More details about the building of our current 4×4 motorhome

Except for adding a winch, lights, and new tires, we made no modifications to our truck. Our living unit was built by Camperbouw Holland, and since then, we have traveled 175,000 km trouble-free—aside from regular servicing and a new set of Michelin XZL tires.

Yes, the XZLs are noisy and don’t drive as smoothly as other tires, but while many worry about mud and soft sand, my biggest concern is the thousands of potholes. Load rating is also crucial, and our XZLs can carry up to 5,000 kg per tire.

However, after arriving in South America, we realized that the XZLs were no longer necessary—except in the Amazon region in the far north. But with 40,000 km of tread left, we decided to continue using them. In hindsight, I’m glad we did, as they proved invaluable in Guyana, Surinam, French Guyana, and the far northeast of Brazil , especially after crossing the Amazon River.

Since we arrived in the USA have switched to all-terrain tires.

Lesson learned: We would never purchase a new truck again for overland travel. In our case the Mitshibitshi Fuso 4×4 and the Mercedes Atego. Warranty and service support effectively disappear once you leave your home country. Service costs in Europe and Australia are significantly higher than in Africa or Southeast Asia, and many aftermarket modifications pushed by manufacturers are unnecessary unless you’re entering a Dakar-style race. Despite Mercedes-Benz’s claim of parts and service availability in over 5,000 workshops across 150+ countries, this is simply not true. In many countries, parts are unavailable, and in India, Mercedes Benz wouldn’t even assist with importing them. Same applies to the USA despite that freighliner (also Daimler Benz is a leading truck company)

Mercedes Atego 1318 AK 4X4 

Why did we sell our Fuso? Just for one reason: We liked more comfort and the ability to carry a motorbike inside.

We quickly realized that the extreme off-road driving we were accustomed to in Australia wasn’t practical with a 7,500 kg truck, In fact our whole lifestyle had changed and we were much more interested in meeting different cultures and enjoying the scenery and some extra comforts such as a motorbike inside our vehicle. Hence we upgraded to the Mercedes Atego

Originally, we planned to travel the world in five years. That expanded to ten, then twenty, and now at least twenty-five years. With each extension, you prioritized greater comfort, upgrading to a larger vehicle. However, for those considering a six- to twelve-month Africa trip, this level of investment may not be necessary unless they have the budget to spare.

our Mercedes Atego is a rigid two-axle truck, originally a militarized commercial design later modified to meet your specific needs. It was one of the last militarized versions produced between 1999 and 2004. With its short wheelbase, the truck is highly maneuverable on narrow tracks, making it ideal for remote overland travel. The truck is powered by a Euro 3 (2004) four-cylinder engine, which perfectly suits your slow-travel style, averaging under 90 km per day. our priority is comfort, not speed

We chose the single-cab model, removing the middle seat to install a 40-liter Engel fridge/freezer—an essential addition for extended journeys. Powered by a Euro 3 (2004) four-cylinder engine, the Atego aligns perfectly with your slow-travel philosophy, averaging just under 90 km per day. Prioritizing comfort over speed, you’ve created a vehicle that allows you to fully immerse yourself in diverse landscapes and cultures while maintaining self-sufficiency in the world’s most remote regions.

One unique feature of your Atego is the observation hatch on the roof, originally designed for a light machine gun mount. While we had to remove  the mount after purchasing the truck, the hatch remains an invaluable asset for spotting wildlife.

The Atego has a remarkable history. The most famous model, built by Larag in Switzerland in 1998, featured a 1,200 HP engine with 5,600 Nm of torque. Weighing just over 5,600 kg, it dominated the FIA Truck Racing Championships.

Here are a compilation of photos of our truck customisation and inside fit out

 HOVER OVER  PICTURE TO STOP 

2009 – 2012 Mitsubishi Fuso Canter FG 84 Turbo Diesel 4.9 Liter.  Off Road Truck, converted into a mot0rhome

After seeing the larger trucks in Europe at the various shows and the extra room/space allowing for more water, living and storage space we were hooked on that concept. Except from the Australian Build Oka we had hardly seen overland motorhomes in Australia. However, we noticed stacks of Fuso 4X4 bushfire trucks, mining vehicles and off road tour busses in service in Australia and it became clear they have a reputation as a tough and reliable little unit. We choose for our first larger off road motorhome, the Fuso FG 84 Turbo Diesel 4.9 with a wheel base of 3460mm. Approach and departure angles are amazing and the low range is fantastic. You can crawl down an extremely steep slope in first or reverse gear without touching the brakes; and crawl up a steep pinch without touching the accelerator.

Travelling off the beaten track can be rough, dusty and demanding. This truck has all the conceivable comfort you can ask for while travelling off the beaten track, all blended in a compact vehicle that got us to 80% of all places our Toyota land cruiser would have driven us. With a range of over 2000KM we never ran out of fuel in Africa and South East Asia. The solar panels and water filtration systems provide power and clean water when remote. Protection bars front and rear and checker plate protect the truck when traversing Off Road and also while driving in the more exotic cities around Africa and South East Asia.

PREVIOUS VEHICLES

Our Off Road 4 WD Vehicles

TOYOTA 100 SERIES LAND CRUISER 2004 to 2009

In Australia the name Land Cruiser had earned a strong reputation for its high performance on bad roads, manoeuvrability, durability and as one of the most reliable 4x4s available. The interior was luxurious, with air-conditioning and an audio system. Worldwide the Landcruiser replaced Landrover and Nissan in organizations such as the UN, Foreign army’s and Local governments as domestically and overseas for rescue operations, as a relay vehicle for satellite broadcasting, but for many it also became a prestige SUV. To meet Australia’s outback and other rugged areas, Toyota created the 105 series. With rigid coil springs front and rear. We decided to replace the engine with a 6.9 Turbo diesel Chevy add Diff Locks, Rock Crawlers, a Raised suspension and any other aftermarket item available at ARB. For us this became the best 4WD we have ever owned.

Toyota 80 series Land Cruiser 1996 to 2004

Lots of luxury compared to the old 60 series. It looked and drove like a passenger style car. It had lost the traditional 4WD look. A large vehicle at 5 meters in length and 2 meters wide. Great Diesel Turbo Engine. The 60 series leaf springs were replaced with coil springs in front and rear improving driving comfort and steering compared with the 60 series. Despite the perfect on road performance the real problem area was the the low side-step and a long rear overhang, making the body scrape the ground in Off Road conditions. However  once the body lift, Diff Locks, Rock Crawlers and after-market suspension was all fitted a great Off Road vehicle going anywhere and with lots of space for extended remote travel.

TOYOTA 60 Series Land Cruiser 1987 to 1996

After the Toyota 40 series came the Toyota 60 series in 1980 and this changed the general opinion of 4WD vehicles in Australia. The 40 series were everywhere, especially after the new engines introduced in 1979.

A minor change was introduced in 1982. The major feature of this change was the appearance of the HJ60 with a 6-cylinder 3,980cc 2H-type diesel engine. Like in our Nissan MQ Patrol, the suspension in the 60-series was not the best but after we installed an ARB after market package, diff locks and rock crawlers it became an off road beast.

NISSAN MQ PATROL 1983-1987

This car has been sold with the same type of chassis since 1951 when we purchased this model in 1983. Used by many army’s in the world it looked like a good buy. (It was)  At the time and also in 2012 it was claimed that the Nissan Patrol was the first vehicle to cross the Simpson Desert, but others are not so sure. It came as a 4 speed manual and with leaf springs and ours also had powersteering and the classic blue interior trim and vinyl. The same model was sold in the Middle East, parts of Africa and the Far East as a Datsun Patrol. It was a super strong car, with a truck sound with a constant engine roar and for its time had incredible off road capabilities. The suspension was very rough and very basic, but able to tackle anything. On road and ride and handling was rough and nothing like todays sedans, bouncing aroud over every hump and lots of noise. A great car to learn off road driving and this is exactly what the boys of the Yarra Valley 4WD club did when I joined the club. It was the start of a life long love for Off Road driving resulting in a around the world trip which started in 2009 and is still going.

Please note the bigger, heavier and higher the truck, the less off road ability,

Nothing beats the off road capability of a Toyota Land Cruiser or a Nissan Patrol.

                 Toyota Land cruiser parts are available worldwide.