Since 1976 I have owned three 4wd's and have traveled most parts of Australia. See trip page

Land Rover Series 11A SWB

I started with an Ex Army Series 2A Land Rover in which I did many trips including the Simpson Desert (1979) and Cape York (1981)

Late in 1977 I joined the Land Rovers Owners Club in which I am still a member 

Over the 7 years of ownership the only major expenses were a clutch ,broken rear diff, numerous twisted axle half shafts and a broken main leaf in a front spring.It was a very impressive 4wd in the bush but very slow on the highway.One of the advantages of owning a Land Rover is that you can almost fix anything with a big hammer and an adjustable spanner!!

Following the 8 week trip to Cape York and Northern Queensland in 1981 I decided that the Land Rover was not ideal for such longer trips and something a bit more comfortable and with more room would be desirable.See pictures

Toyota Hilux RN46

After much research I finally purchased a new Toyota Hilux single cab ute in April 1983 The Hilux was fitted with the 18R petrol motor and had been optioned up with an ARB Bull Bar as well as a Brahma Fibre glass canopy (cost $11 300 ).

The Hilux was a very good and reliable 4wd the only thing I didn't like was the suspension. I fitted Bilsteins gas shockers and after market suspension which made the ride a bit better. I set the back up with a false floor so that I could store equipment underneath and sleep on top of the false floor. It went on many hard 4wd trips in the State forests close to Melbourne and in the Victorian High Country as well as some longer trips to the Kimberley Region in Western Australia ,trips to Fraser Is in Queensland ,Tasmania and Kangaroo Is.

 Over 9 1/2 years the only things that went wrong were : replaced the clutch(twice), repaired the rear diff pinion bearing, a broken rear spring leaf and a collapsed front wheel bearing.Not bad for the amount of hard 4wd trips it went on. See Pictures

Toyota 4Runner RN130

By 1992 the Hilux was  starting to need some money spent on it and so I started to look at upgrading to a 4 Runner  .I had been impressed with the comfort and ease in which a 4Runner on an Easter trip with us could tackle some very steep 4wd tracks

Eventually after many months looking ,in November 1992 I purchased a new one with the 22R 4 cylinder engine and Air Conditioning for $32500 (about $4000 more than the asking price of 2 year old models with about 50,000 km)
This has been even more reliable than my old Hilux as in 17years the only problems I have had with it is a blocked fuel filter ,Carbie rebuild,distributor rebuild ,faulty rear window motors ,a clutch and some rear wheel bearings It has proved to be a very capable comfortable 4wd with the only draw back being the lack of wheel travel in the front due to the IFS.See Pictures