Santanas were/are supposed to be better than Defenders.
I wanted to buy a new one, but production stopped before I did.
What engine is in yours?
I wanted to buy a new one, but production stopped before I did.
What engine is in yours?
Ultimate vehicle for your ultimate adventure?
- Thread starter Tony
- Start date
A person of simple tastes, I like a Toyota Forerunner that's been lifted up a bit on better suspension and tyres.
Open the tailgate and reverse up to a picnic table, rig a tarp over that and you have accommodation like at the Four Seasons ... need to take your own concierge though. Roomy enough to sleep two (three at a pinch) if it is really raining. But, it will go anywhere and be fixable if it breaks
This one's not mine. But, I had/have a plan to buy one and park it somewhere in Salt Lake City one year, somewhere in Nevada the next, then gradually, year by year working my way up the Rockies. Like a completely portable holiday cottage, popping to and fro by plane for fortnights and weekenders at different times of the year ... stop off at a motel if it gets too cold in ski season, or if we just needed showers and matresses for a night
Those are fantastic vehicles. Our Island has many, some in dreadful visual condition. But despite that, they run well, so superb quality!
I feel sorry for you US people, Defenders are so hugely expensive!
I feel sorry for you US people, Defenders are so hugely expensive!
Check with after-market auto shops.
Some vehicles, like the GMC Suburbans, have fitted tents which attach to the open back of the vehicle.
I know they exist, never read a review.
Some vehicles, like the GMC Suburbans, have fitted tents which attach to the open back of the vehicle.
I know they exist, never read a review.
The number of those vehicles, type Suburban, you can count on one hands fingers in Europe.
In Sweden we guys do not turn our head if a topless lady drives by in a cabriolet, but we certainly turn our head if a US larg-ish truck drives by!
In Sweden we guys do not turn our head if a topless lady drives by in a cabriolet, but we certainly turn our head if a US larg-ish truck drives by!
Don't know about better, some areas have been improved, others less so or still the same as the old Series 3....
These cars had an Iveco 2.8L Sofim motor that is in many of the vans, campers, and light trucks. It is a pretty good unit and probably the one area that it is clearly above the Defenders (especially the latter ones)
Other improvements are the driving position.. centred. Wider rear door, so you can get upto a pallets width in it. The chassis is painted and coated in a layer not unlike Raptor bedliner paint.
I don't find the leaf springs too bad.. I put 4 leaf parabolics at the back and Trialmaster shocks.
It does suffer most of the Defender woes though. Leaks... what should remain in drips out and watch should be outside drips in...
Fit and finish is just as approximate ad the LR cars... they rust just like Landy's.. just in different places.
As it's basically an European parts bin.. Lots of Landy in the running gear, gear boxn and transfer box...Suzuki in the trim, Ford key and locks etc... Getting spares is a bit of a treasure hunt. But not too bad due to the help of the active FB community.
All in all though it is a tough Tonka toy that brings a smile to my face everytime I drive it.
Oh and the biggest plus of all is the price... A similar age 110 (2007) with the 60,000kms I had when I got mine last year would have cost me over 25,000 € three times the price of the Santana. Can't see where the extra money is warranted.
Already own my ultimate adventure vehicle, a Series 3 109 SW converted from new by Martin Walter to a Dormobile. There's a bit of work to do though as i currently have a bare repaired chassis awaiting sand blasting and galvanising before simply bolting it all back together!! What could possibly go wrong.............................
It (conveniently) came with a donor vehicle that had a nice new Marslands chassis under it so just moved cross member a bit to take six pot engine. Rest of the donor was, to be fair, good for nothing!!
Having been given a free hand to choose any vehicle and any destination, it is interesting to see how almost everyone who has responded so far (myself included) has focussed on the vehicle (even down to which engine or fuel) rather than the destination.
Having spent more time than is healthy on long term expeditions and hanging around on the road and on the net with overland travellers, there is definitely a spectrum ranging from;
(a) those for whom an expedition is just an opportunity to put the “beast” that they have spent a small fortune and all their spare time (or just paid someone a medium to large fortune to do it for them) honing, through it’s paces
and,
(b) those who focus on the destination and/or journey and for whom a vehicle is just a means of getting there.
Like most of us with a Y chromosome I am probably guilty of focussing more on accumulating and fettling tangible stuff which is a lot less daunting than looking at a map of the world or a continent and deciding where to go next. Fortunately the other half of Team Nomad is far better at the dreaming and ideas stuff and has an endless list of potential destinations, things to do and the best time to go - as an additional plus, she has almost no interest in handbags or fancy footwear - which is just as well as I got her a pair of steel toe-capped wellies for her birthday!
At the risk of straying further from the brief set by Tony, IMHO honest pre-expedition self-appraisal and communication between team members is essential to ensure that everyone understands what everyone else is hoping to get from the trip, what their concerns are and what skills they have. Most people (and most vehicles) can put up with anything for a week or two but a decent “shake-down” trip is essential preparation for any long-term expedition to ensure that the vehicle and kit are working as they should but also to ensure that all expedition team members understand and are comfortable with life on the road.
I met a British guy in Addis Ababa who had spent five years carrying out a nut and bolt rebuild and camper conversion of an ex-MOD Land Rover Forward Control dreaming of driving it to South Africa where he was planning to retire to. The vehicle was a thing of wonder but a third of the way through his trip he realised that he hated life on the road in Africa and just wanted the journey to be over as soon as possible. He and his vehicle made it to South Africa and even if it did not go as planned, at least he actually did get to follow his dreams, unlike all those lavishly prepared vehicles which never actually go anywhere.
I rarely go to Land Rover or Expedition shows these days because I get cross at the cynical exploitation of punters who get sucked in to believing that accessorising their Land Rovers (in the UK it is almost always Land Rovers) with roof tents, snorkels, winches etc. and all manner of gadgets and gizmos is essential before their vehicle can navigate across slightly muddy field.
Rant over and back to the questions;
Vehicle;
I've spent a lot of time living out of my Tdi engined Defender 110 in some of the sunnier parts of the world and while there are other vehicles at least as capable, it works for me. It does have numerous "expedition" modifications which have been useful but are by no means essential. IME, the more seasoned the overland traveller, the less mods and gizmos their vehicle has.
A rooftent is not ideal when it gets colder so for cooler climes, a Tdi engined ex-MOD 130 Pulse ambulance (basically a very long wheelbase Defender with an insulated box on the back), converted as a camper van would be great but a bit unwieldy for daily use.
Destination;
Wherever Mrs Nomad tells me we're going - it makes life easier and she has done a good job planning expeditions so far!
I have come across quite a few 'travellers' whilst in remote places that seemed to treat the journey as a challenge the whole way - so, if there was a rock strewn wadi they'd go through it instead of using the bridge 50m further along. Now I like a bit of off-roading but when you're 200 miles from the nearest garage/workshop in desert heat it's not the time to be testing your vehicle's capability.
Trekking has risks; there's really no need to increase them unnecessarily.
In most cases, when we've been trekking, the 110 is overkill for 90% of the journey. But then we'll spend a short time getting away from the main routes and pull up on a secluded beach or next to a lake where few other vehicles could make it and spend a few days to ourselves; that's what the truck is for
Trekking has risks; there's really no need to increase them unnecessarily.
In most cases, when we've been trekking, the 110 is overkill for 90% of the journey. But then we'll spend a short time getting away from the main routes and pull up on a secluded beach or next to a lake where few other vehicles could make it and spend a few days to ourselves; that's what the truck is for
I have come across quite a few 'travellers' whilst in remote places that seemed to treat the journey as a challenge the whole way - so, if there was a rock strewn wadi they'd go through it instead of using the bridge 50m further along. Now I like a bit of off-roading but when you're 200 miles from the nearest garage/workshop in desert heat it's not the time to be testing your vehicle's capability.
Trekking has risks; there's really no need to increase them unnecessarily.
In most cases, when we've been trekking, the 110 is overkill for 90% of the journey. But then we'll spend a short time getting away from the main routes and pull up on a secluded beach or next to a lake where few other vehicles could make it and spend a few days to ourselves; that's what the truck is for
Completely agree - I think it was Chris Scott who gave the sound advice - “don’t d!ck about in the dunes”!
My idea of a dream destination is getting deep into pristine desert or bush, a long way from civilisation. Fortunately here are still places on this crowded planet where you can drive all day without seeing another human (in Southern Africa or Australia, this would be the cue for a Toyota owner to chirp in with a Land Rover broken down or stuck in first gear, low range gag!), which is great but requires a very different mindset from hooning around with a group of mates or on a ten day organised tagalong tour to Morocco etc. where getting stuck or breaking something is just going to cost a few beers to whoever pulls you out.
Broch, IIRC you have previously got out into the Algerian Sahara which looks amazing compared with the thin strip in Morocco. About 10-15 years ago my mother got down to the Hoggar mountains on a recce trip with some friends (and bizarrely ran into Chris Scott doing the same!) and it looks great, but sadly the last time I checked, the security and political situation in Algeria made it difficult, if not impossible to travel there independently and certainly not via Morocco. Tantalisingly close and definitely on the bucket list though!
I drove the little Volvo Valp the C303's forunner I believe whilst in Norway and that was great fun and a very capable vehicle for sure. At the moment I'am driving a Nissan Patrol Y60 swb and I love it. I still lust after that Volvo though
Yep, but that was some time ago when I was young and immortal and it was a lot safer
The Moroccan Sahara still has a lot to offer though IMO; maybe I just like deserts!
Lovely mountains and mountain tracks in Morocco.
Food is interesting too, but gets boring the third day.
Food is interesting too, but gets boring the third day.
Oh come on Janne, there is a huge range of food in North Africa (including Morocco) that is shared with other Arab countries and with influences from Turkey, Greece, Italy and Spain and visa versa. You could live there years and still be trying new cuisine. Tourists tend to be just offered Tagine - but even that has a great many variations.
But, we have drifted off topic as is our wont
I did a two week trip in Morocco, driving. 25 years ago. A group from Sweden. We rented French made 4x4, ex army stuff. Flew in to Marrakesh, then drove off. organized trip.
Yes, good grilled goat/sheep. Plus Tagines. But the spices of the dishes are so similar..... Our guides cooked the casseroles every evening.... Grilled meat for lunch.
I still make Tagine today. Even pickle my own limes! Make it at least once a month. That and Shawarma, lamb or chicken.
I can recommend Morocco to do a bit of 4x4 and cultural experiences. Just avoid that tourist trap place outside Marrakesh! The one where they show the dances, horseriding and such.
Yeah, I was there. Twice.....
(Slow learner!)
Yes, good grilled goat/sheep. Plus Tagines. But the spices of the dishes are so similar..... Our guides cooked the casseroles every evening.... Grilled meat for lunch.
I still make Tagine today. Even pickle my own limes! Make it at least once a month. That and Shawarma, lamb or chicken.
I can recommend Morocco to do a bit of 4x4 and cultural experiences. Just avoid that tourist trap place outside Marrakesh! The one where they show the dances, horseriding and such.
Yeah, I was there. Twice.....
(Slow learner!)
Yep, but that was some time ago when I was young and immortal and it was a lot safer
The Moroccan Sahara still has a lot to offer though IMO; maybe I just like deserts!
I’ve had the good fortune to have spent many months exploring just about every desert on the African continent and the Middle East, but I’m still happy to return to Morocco when I get the chance to get a desert fix.
It can be touristy but with a bit of planning, it is possible to escape from the organised 4x4 tours, raids and rallies and the legions of grumpy French snowbirds who flock to the south in their RVs to avoid the winter cold. Its just a bit frustrating to see the dunes stretching away into the distance on the Algerian side of the minefields.
Unlikely to be possible anytime soon but a few months working east across the Sahara from Morocco to Egypt and then up through Sinai and the Levant and back into Europe via Turkey would be a cool trip. Loads of desert and millennia of history.
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