Table of contents for October 2019 in SA4x4

SA4x4|October 2019

ED’S LETTER

In the 4x4 world, when a car as potentially game-changing as the Defender is re-launched, there is a lot of hype and excitement. To be offered an early chance to showcase the talents of the latest from Land Rover is an honour, and here it is! Testing has shown its breadth of ability in all sorts of places, from harsh desert to rocky trails and serious mud baths. There’s an all-new chassis, not the Discovery chassis we all thought would underpin the new vehicle. The images show not a huge amount of suspension articulation, certainly not on the level of previous-gen Ranger Rovers and their ilk. But that all matters much less these days, as modern traction control systems compensate. We don’t have all the details yet, but our prediction…

2 min

SA4x4|October 2019

FROM OUR WEBSITE

ALONE FROM PUROS TO KUNENE Comments hans1: Can my wife and I drive safely alone from Puros to Kunene? By ‘safely’ I mean vehicle-wise, with a Fortuner and Cooper Discoverer tyres. What would the best route be, and how long would the drive be? SA4x4: In the absence of comment from other readers, this is our advice: This is a remote region, so read about conditions in all the travel guides you can lay your hands on. Before setting out, you should be 100% sure your vehicle is properly equipped, recently serviced and you know how to handle mechanical breakdowns. You’ve covered the tough tyres angle, but still, have two spares, a puncture repair kit and compressor. We usually do not advocate solitary vehicle travel. Rather go with at least…

3 min

SA4x4|October 2019

PART 1: Safety first

Having bought your dream 4x4, it is time to head out into the deep blue yonder. No doubt you have bought everything that looks ‘cool’, from the rooftop tent and awning, to the roof rack on which you have bolted the obligatory axe and high-lift jack. Hopefully you have also completed a 4x4 training course, at least to Level 1, with a reputable training institution. That will ensure you understand the basic principles of off-roading. Let’s face it, the biggest fear most newbie off-roaders have is getting stuck. As many of the older hands will admit, if you have never been stuck you either haven’t been properly off-road or you are simply not trying hard enough! It seems to be a fact of life that the 4x4 industry is ego-driven.…

3 min

SA4x4|October 2019

WE HAVE LIFT-OFF!

Take a deep breath. Pause. Close your eyes, and quiet your mind. The wait is finally over. The Defender is here, reimagined and forged anew for the 21st century. Land Rover has spent a good few years teasing the 4x4 world with snippets and scraps from the development process and, over the past few months, we’ve seen plenty of updates as the next-gen Defender was put through its paces around the world. According to the marque, the prototypes were put through 62 000 tests, withstanding 1.2-million kilometres of travelling through intense heat, numbing cold and dramatic altitudes. But enough about the past – the future is here, available in 110 and 90 variants, and they’re freaking cool. Ground up Surely, one of the biggest challenges facing the new Defender is…

5 min

SA4x4|October 2019

BOKKEVELD BACK ROADS

The Bokkeveld is a must-see on anyone’s travel itinerary if long stretches of open country get your imagination going. I had an additional incentive: the chance to test a brand-new circular gravel-road route that neighbouring farms in the Nieuwoudtville region have put together. But one thing’s for sure, the corrugated R355 that links Ceres and Calvinia is a stern test for any 4x4 suspension and, right now, the back end of my test car, a Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6, is bucking about on the corners. I was beginning to wonder why I had pleaded for an SUV instead of a bakkie. Yes, I was a single passenger in a seven-person people carrier with a scant 80kg in luggage, and I was pushing on a bit, but I did get to…

9 min

SA4x4|October 2019

FEISTY FORTUNER

Toyota lent us a stock standard 2019 Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4x4 for this Bokkeveld tour. We got to drive the automatic version, which is priced at R692 700. LIKES: Spirited engine performance mated to the cleverly-ratioed six-speed automatic gearbox, solid build quality, upmarket finishes and cabin ergonomics, easy-to use infotainment system (excellent quality audio), great ground clearance plus very good approach and departure angles, good boot size with back seats folded up, roof air-conditioning ducts for rear passengers and plentiful power sockets. NOT SO GOOD: The unloaded ride quality is stiffer than I would have liked, though the tough ladder-frame chassis and four-link rear suspension works far better when there’s a mild load. The tread pattern of the standard fitment Dunlop Grandtrek AT 265-60 R18 tyres is too…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

MAPESU PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

This 7 221ha reserve forms part of the Limpopo Valley Conservancy that borders the Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also inside the Greater Mapungubwe Transfrontier Conservation Area (GMTFCA), a 5 909 square kilometre transnational conservation zone uniting South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. The area’s tremendous biodiversity is thanks largely to its varied habitat. Mapesu is situated within the mopane veld dominated by Colophospermum mopane (commonly called the mopane tree, butterfly tree or turpentine tree) on the Archaean Beit Bridge complex. The reserve consists of undulating plains with a number of drainage lines and some hills (Limpopo Ridge Bushveld) in the East and South. There are plenty of waterholes (artificial, some solar-powered), including one natural dam/wallowing hole, creating wallowing spaces for rhino, buffalo, and elephant. The…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

FRONT RUNNER’S LAND ROVER DEFENDER 130

Driver: Ryno Cloete The kit list: Roof rack 45-litre water tank with tap 20-litre jerrycan with bracket 20-liter water tank with bracket Axe with mounting brackets 2-metre side awning Gas bottle with bracket Potjie with bracket Transit bag with three Wolf packs Wolf pack with lockable bracket Stratchets and various tie-down rings Rear load bin rack Front Runner tent Quick-release tent brackets Sliding table Sand Trax with brackets Spade with brackets Braai grid on spare wheel Cargo slide Various Wolf packs on cargo slide Snomaster 66-litre fridge Intervolt dual-battery system LightForce spotlights Warn Tabor 10 winch…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

# SAFERTHANSAFE

Setting out on their most recent ‘Beyond the Aukoerebis’ expedition, professional adventurer Peter van Kets and world-renowned photographer Jacques Marais knew that fitting their Isuzu support vehicles with Dunlop Grandtrek tyres from Sumitomo Rubber South Africa (SRSA) was a non-negotiable. Having tackled the ‘Beyond the Desert Edge’ expedition with vehicles fitted with Dunlop Grandtrek AT3G tyres, they knew that for complete tyre confidence, Dunlop Grandtrek was the obvious choice. The plan for the expedition was to trek, mountain bike and kayak through some of the most remote and rugged sections of the Ais Ais Richtersveld Transfrontier Park and Kgalagadi. Fortunately, there was no terrain out-of-bounds for their Isuzu double-cab support vehicles, fitted with Dunlop Grandtrek AT25 tyres. Incidentally, these tyres carry the stamp of approval from car manufacturer Toyota –…

2 min

SA4x4|October 2019

TRICKY FOXES

The Fox Racing 2.5-inch internal bypass shock absorbers on the Raptor are very high-tech for a production vehicle, let alone a bakkie, and so they should be. As an aftermarket fitment the matched coils and dampers would cost some R25 000 per corner. The shocks are 2.5 inches in diameter, like those specified on the first-generation stateside Raptor F150, so they have plenty of cooling ability, and they carry a warranty for the lifetime of the vehicle. The key difference is that they feature progressive damping. Most conventional shocks have linear damping, which means no matter where in the stroke, the damping and rebound characteristics are the same. With the Fox Racing internal bypass system, fluid flow through internal piping and valving is regulated so that damping forces increase exponentially…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

ALSO IN THE RUNNING…

VW Amarok 3.0 TDI V6 4Motion Canyon Double Cab Price R799 000 Cylinders/capacity/cc V6/1 968 Power kW 165kW @ 3 000rpm Torque Nm 550Nm @ 1 400 – 2 750rpm 0-100km/h 8.0 secs Fuel index (combined) 9.0-litres/100km Kerb weight 2 053kg GVM 3 080kg Dimensions (L/W/H/WB) 5 254/1 954/1 834/3 097mm 4WD type Permanent Suspension (F) Independent, coil Suspension (R) Live axle leaf spring Slotting below the Highline-Plus and Extreme variants, the Canyon is a more off-road ready contender in the Amarok stable with smaller 17-inch wheels, black wheel arch cladding and large ‘Canyon’ decals. Apart from the classiest interior in the business, you’ll be blessed with the marvellous 165kW V6 diesel (180kW on overboost), mated to a slick 8-speed automatic.…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

SMART UPGRADE

After a recent assignment on the Wild Coast, I made a pit stop at the RSI SMARTCANOPY headquarters in Pietermaritzburg. I arrived canopy-less, after enduring two weeks of gruelling load bin packing and unpacking, but left far better equipped for all future expeditions. The folks at RSI have been kind enough to outfit our bright blue Isuzu D-Max with a state-of-the-art, stainless steel RSI SMARTCANOPY, in a superb matt-black finish. It includes features such as universal load rails, a rear window reinforced with anti-theft mesh, and a positive pressure air vent on the roof, which is designed to keep out the dust when on the move. We also managed to specify a few tasty optional extras, principally a superb RSI SMARTKITCHEN of the latest incarnation, which is neatly tucked away…

2 min

SA4x4|October 2019

GOOD TO GO!

One of the big worries, when on an extended overlanding trip through Africa, is the condition of the fuel that one might fill up with along the way. However, this shouldn’t be something that gives you sleepless nights. Travellers will know that in remote areas you don’t always find normal filling stations, and when the fuel you brought with from home runs out, often the next resort is to buy locally available fuel along the way. There are never any guarantees about the quality of this fuel – it isn’t always clean or pure, and is often contaminated by water and sediment. Water and dirt are common in fuel when it is stored in cans and drums (including your own jerrycans). These contaminants block fuel filters, corrode components and can…

3 min

SA4x4|October 2019

ENTER & WIN!

Email an image of your 4x4 in an overland location (or post it on Instagram), and be eligible for the Readers’ Rides prize. The prize is a Desert Product Full Recovery Kit which retails at R2 595 at any one of the 27 4x4 Mega World stores distributed throughout South Africa. The set consists of a 9m/8 000kg Snatch Strap, 5m/10 000kg Pull Strap, a Recovery Safety Strap, a 2.5m/12 000kg Recovery Bridle, a pair of leather gloves, two 4.75ton Bow Shackles and a recovery bag to keep it all together. For more 4x4 Mega World products, phone 011 454 2558 or go to www.4x4megaworld.co.za HOW TO ENTER: Email your Readers’ Rides entry to editor@sa4x4.co.za. Or post them on our Instagram page using the tagline #SA4x4Readersrides.We prefer hi-res images (1MB…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

FORUM

HUMANITARIAN TRIP IN BOTS No matter the country, rural areas are a great challenge to work in and even in a well-equipped country like Botswana, certain regions do not receive the government attention and resources they need. Which means that when you go overlanding you need to be prepared for everything from hard sun, to heavy rains, to corrugations that will remove your kidneys. So in June/July one Defender and one Patrol undertook a task to drive from Cape Town to Maun, then around the Okavango Delta and through a private concession, which is something we’ll never forget. It was a great task and the expensive toys did well. Of course, challenges like these don’t come without surprises, but this is why we do what we do, right? The aim…

4 min

SA4x4|October 2019

Home sweet home…

In much the same way that we have different styles of houses, birds too have different types of nests. Similarly, features unique to the climate – air-conditioners in hot climates, double glazing and underfloor heating in colder climes – are replicated in the construction of nests. Clearly birds have neither fans nor heaters, but they do choose sites and materials adapted to their individual environmental niches. In this article we will focus on just a few of the remarkable ‘homes’ created by our avian cousins. The ones which come to mind first, based on the sheer intricacy of their design, have to be the nests of the various weaver species. As the name suggests these nests are constructed by the intertwining of pieces of grass until a ball-shaped nest emerges.…

3 min

SA4x4|October 2019

BASECAMP BASICS

basics… again I have often been asked to help people with the Garmin program BaseCamp. It has been around since 2011, if I am not mistaken, but there is still some resistance. It is the upgrade of the old Garmin program called Mapsource. In my opinion, BaseCamp is not as easy to operate as Mapsource was, but it is similar, and does have more functionality. Once you get started, it will begin to make more sense. What is BaseCamp? It’s the operating system (program) that allows one to manage Garmin data. It allows you to store, view, organise and edit your data on a computer, and not on the device itself. Data comprises your waypoints, routes (planned routes) and track logs or breadcrumbs (of where you have travelled). BaseCamp also…

4 min

SA4x4|October 2019

AUDI Q3 35 TFSI S TRONIC

Audi’s second-generation Q3 has finally reached our shores, and it’s all grown up. After a couple of quiet years from the German auto marque, we’ve been able to see Audi’s expanded range of vehicles embrace a new, fresh and aggressive design language, best embodied in the Q8 that SA4x4 tested a few months ago. The Q3 follows suit with angular, flared architecture that’s a far cry from the rounded designs of the past. Audi calls the car ‘more selfconfident’, and honestly, that’s a good way of describing it. The front grille is large and imposing, and the front and rear lights mirror each other very nicely indeed. At launch, it’s only available in one derivative – 35 TFSI S tronic – but that’ll change next year. In line with the…

2 min

SA4x4|October 2019

THE FULL ROUTE

As is fitting in a vehicle such as the Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4x4, I took a circuitous back roads trip of 990km, a third of which was on dirt tracks, starting and ending in Bot River. The outward journey was via Van der Stel Pass, Villiersdorp, Worcester, Ceres, Op die Berg, Katbakkies Pass, the R355 towards Calvinia, De Bos-Uitspankraal turn-off, right fork to Soutpan dirt track after 9km and left turn to Nieuwoudtville (67km distant) after 12km. The return journey followed the Moedverloor Pad from Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm to the R364 between Calvinia and Clanwilliam, passing Traveller’s Rest and through Pakhuis Pass. From Clanwilliam it was tar all the way home via Porterville, Wolseley and Worcester. Total distance excluded the 125km of the Bokkeveldberge Circular Route, all on gravel…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

TRAVEL SAFE

As a lone traveller through the boondocks, Globalstar kindly sent me the SPOT X 2-Way Satellite messenger to test. While its raised keyboard characters took time to make friends with my clumsy fingers, I soon got used to it and it’s comforting knowing you’re always in touch via satellite SMS with your base crew (wife or significant other), and that your exact position can be known to them at all times. What’s more, it has an SOS function linked to the globally responsive IERCC for dire emergencies. The SPOT X retails for R3 999 and monthly service packages range from R195 to R230 per month. Visit www.globalstar.com/en-za.…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

RHINO POACHING IN SA

In 2018 the Department of Environmental Affairs data showed 769 recorded rhino poaching incidents in South Africa, down from the 1028 rhinos poached in 2017. In the first six months of 2019, data shows 318 rhinos were poached. The decline does not mean rhino are now thriving, as this still represents up to two rhinos being killed every day. It is clear that the cumulative impact of the poaching crisis is taking its toll, as well as the effect of the prolonged drought on food and water resources. The decline in the number of poached rhinos may demonstrate that the anti-poaching work taking place is having an effect, or it may also demonstrate that, with significantly fewer rhinos surviving in the wild, it is getting harder for poachers to locate…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

Let’s get the show on the road!

I read all about last year’s Desert Stormer Xtreme Adventure (DSX) in the July issue of SA4x4. Journalist Andrew Middleton perfectly captured the extreme nature of the event and I just knew I had to enter for the next annual trip. I sent the article to all my 4x4 mates at the time to get them to sign up. Fast forward nearly a year and it is only me who can make it. If you – like many South Africans – have a well-kitted off-roader but can’t take time off for a three-month bush trip through southern Africa, then these types of 7-10-day trips are for you. The key is to just sign up because if you don’t there will always be another mod to use as an excuse for…

23 min

SA4x4|October 2019

THE CRAG MASTER

The Ranger Raptor is Ford’s smallest offering in their Raptor line and the only Raptor available in SA, built in SA. Largely based on the Everest SUV chassis, this highly modified and reinforced reiteration of the Ranger is designed for off-road hooning, showcasing unique suspension and an extremely high-tech driveline. We’ve already driven it flat-out in Australia and locally on a Northern Cape salt pan and surrounding dunes. So it’s now well known that the Raptor can do speed, but how will it fare in a rock-crawling scenario? In the interest of well-balanced off-road reporting, we pitted our test unit against the challenges of Tierkloof 4WD-trail in Rawsonville, one of the Western Cape’s more technical rock trails. Exterior Ever seen a rear-drive Ranger 2.2 sporting a hood scoop like a…

8 min

SA4x4|October 2019

TEST DATA • R262 900 • 11 450km

Engine Cylinders/Capacity I4/1 996cc Valves 16 Bore and stroke 84.01 x 90.03 Compression ratio 16:1 Max power 157kW @ 3 750rpm Max torque 500Nm @ 1500 – 2 000rpm Transmission Shift type Automatic with manual override Low range Standard Final Drive 3.73 1st ratio 4.696 2nd ratio 2.985 3rd ratio 2.146 4th ratio 1.769 5th ratio 1.52 6th ratio 1.275 7th ratio 1.00 8th ratio 0.854 9th ratio 0.689 10th ratio 0.636 Controls 4WD selection type Rotary dial Steering type Electric power assist Wheels 17-inch alloy 4WD type Part-time Chasis/suspension Chassis type Ladder frame Suspension (front) Independent double wishbone, coil Suspension (rear) Live axle, Watts linkage, coil springs Turning circle 12.9m Tyres BF Goodrich K02 285/70 R17 Measurements (mm) Length 5 398 Width 2 028 (excl. mirrors) Height 1 873…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

Bush Lapa Mammoth

Using their expertise in building a large variety of off-road trailers and bakkie-based camper conversions, Bush Lapa has taken the next step with an epic off-road motorhome. Based on an Iveco 4x4 double-or single-cab chassis, the Mammoth offers up to four people the space, versatility and capability necessary for the longest overland journeys. Powered by a 3.0-litre, 110kW diesel engine, the Iveco Daily 4x4 features solid axles front and rear. It is able to carry up to 3 700kg on the rear axle, making it a perfect base for the Bush Lapa camper. One of the major benefits of a built-on camper design is that access to the cab is always quick and easy, making it a much safer solution than a roof-top tent in remote areas. Standard equipment on…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

OFF-ROAD SERIES WHEELS

The Road Rage Off-Road Series Wheels range was first introduced to South Africa 11 years ago by passionate 4x4 enthusiast Willie Randles. These stylish aftermarket wheels for the off-road enthusiast are distributed by WR Off-Road Industries. Beyond just looking good, this quality range of wheels are cast to the highest standard to ensure they can take the abuse of a heavily loaded overlander, whether negotiating the sand roads of the Namib or jolting through Joburg’s biggest potholes. Made from aluminium and available in diameters from 16- to 20-inches, they are designed to take the hard knocks and the rigours of overlanding. They are designed with an extra thick bead, which is there to prevent tyres from debeading even when deflated. And, compared to many other aftermarket wheels out there, they…

3 min

SA4x4|October 2019

THE NEXT STEP

A fuel filter funnel will cleanse fuel down to 50 microns. The next step against fuel contamination is to plumb a fixed Racor pre-filter kit into your vehicle’s fuel line, just before the OEM filter. This pre-filter will filter the fuel down to 10 microns and remove 98% of any suspended water in the fuel. Effectively it works to separate water, trap water and filter the fuel, all in one. In most installations this in-line filter is fitted before the OEM fuel filter, which then does the final job of removing any further impurities down to 2-5 microns. The manufacturers prefer this type of installation. Fitting a Racor fuel filter/water separator is both cost-effective and proven in the field, with a cost of R3 000-R4 500 depending on the vehicle.…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

SEEN & HEARD

TO THE WILD: 100-DAY OVERLAND ADVENTURE THROUGH SOUTHERN AFRICA Experience a family’s 100-day overland adventure through the eyes of adventurer Michael Parfitt, as they explore southern Africa in a Land Rover Defender – proving that normal people can do incredible things. This photographic, journal-style book takes readers along on the 18 000km journey through South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Swaziland, as well as coast-to-coast across the African continent. More than 500 stunning colour photographs allow readers to immerse themselves in the landscapes and incredible fauna and flora. Set in the great outdoors, the book also includes 34 easy-to-follow illustrated bush cooking recipes. For 4x4 enthusiasts the book shares a number of tips and tricks, as well as honest equipment reviews. A must-read for any serious wildlife or outdoor enthusiast…

2 min

SA4x4|October 2019

ME & MY 4x4

GEOFF CRAIG 2009 Toyota Fortuner 3.0 D-4D 4x4 Occupation: Sales Rep for a fuel additive company. Modifications: Where to start? Let’s take it from the bottom up, as that’s how you should modify your vehicle: Cooper ST MAXX rubber, FJ Cruiser mags powder-coated black, Stofpad bash plate, gearbox plate and lower control arm plates and box rock sliders, Real Steel fuel tank and transfer case bash plates, EFS suspension with uprated coils for towing (rear) and to support the Ironman 4x4 bull bar. Have also fitted a Ramsey winch, Hella spotlights, Snomaster dual-battery system, RTS ORRA licensed DV-2135s, Escape Gear seat covers, Front Runner fridge slide in the boot with a National Luna 52-litre Weekender for short trips, Front Runner roof rack, 45-litre water tank, dual jerrycan bracket, Eezi-Awn 2…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

OVERLANDER’S CODE

In response to a growing number of complaints about how we conduct ourselves in the wilderness, we decided to draw up and promote a code of conduct for overlanders. We’d like to include your input, comments and debate, so please send your suggestions to editor@sa4x4.co.za. FIREWOOD Take your firewood in with you; don’t chop down trees or gather dead wood within parks or wilderness areas. KEEP QUIET We go to the bush to appreciate the sights and sounds of the bush. No music, and nothing louder than a spoken conversation. RESPECT LOCALS – LAWS AND PEOPLE Obey the rules of the place you’re travelling through. Respect locals and their traditions; if they don’t like having their photos taken, don’t take photos. SUPPORT LOCAL TRADE Your spending money at the local…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

VITAL STATISTICS

What is wheelbase, and how does it affect your rig off-road? We take a look at the pros and cons of different vehicle lengths, and how to alter your driving approach to match. People with shorties are always adamant that their vehicles are the best off-road. Lighter, nimbler in tight situations and in general more fun. Long wheelbase pundits claim extra packing space and more stability under certain conditions. So, what exactly are the strengths and drawbacks of a short or long wheelbase vehicle and what would best suit your needs? First things first: wheelbase simply refers to the distance between the centres of the wheels of your vehicle. A short wheelbase (SWB) version of the same vehicle will handle and react to inputs completely differently to a long wheelbase…

6 min

SA4x4|October 2019

GEAR

TECH FOR TYRES This Michelin Tyre Pressure Monitoring System easily mounts to your windscreen, harnessing the power of the sun to stay charged. The unit wirelessly communicates with either four or six sensors in your tyres, giving you real-time readings and alerts when there’s a sudden loss of pressure or rapid increase in temperature. Tyre Alert has a special offer for the first 10 buyers! 4-WHEEL: R2 950 6-WHEEL: R3 500 082 636 9979 info@tyrealert.co.za www.tyrealert.co.za BRIGHT & SHINY Keep your tip-top the Mac-Afric 180mm Electric Polisher, packing a 1 400W kick and a variable speed setting. The handle can be reconfigured for left- or right-hand use, and you’ll be able to give your car, bike or boat some much-needed TLC in the form of a gentle polish for a…

2 min

SA4x4|October 2019

UPDATE

MERCEDES GLE Sleek middleweight Just in time to take on BMW’s latest X5, the GLE (previously ML) features brand new engines, a high tech interior and svelte styling. The GLE is available as a 300D with a two litre 180kW/500Nm four pot, a smooth 243kW/700Nm straight-six oil burner or a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol with 270kW and 500Nm. The only petrol option so far offers up a 48V mild hybrid electrical system that can provide an extra 250Nm of torque in short bursts, while all engine options are mated to Merc’s own nine-speed torque converter automatic. Two 4WD options are available, with the 300D featuring a fixed 50/50 torque split technology, while six-cylinder versions receive a more advanced Torsen-type centre differential able to send 100% of power to either axle. An…

5 min

SA4x4|October 2019

BOKKEVELDBERGE CIRCULAR ROUTE

This ‘just-launched’ spectacular dirt track route starts and ends at Grasberg Guest Farm (Mandie Kotze – 083 7722 918), just 12km north-west of Nieuwoudtville. It takes in a 480-metre descent down Hel-se-Pad Pass (see details at: www.mountainpassessouthafrica.co.za),traverses about 60km of the one-of-a kind Knersvlakte, and then heads back east up a picturesque kloof out of which you eventually climb up a jeep track pass (about 300 metres) known as Bloukop. The return route is along an elevated plateau back to Grasberg farm. The route is about 125km long and can be done at a relaxed pace in about 3.5 hours. The roads are predominantly public throughways and there are therefore no costs involved, but you do the route at your own risk. There are a few rules: the Kotzes and…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

POACHERS BEWARE

When the full moon is out in that triangle at the northern tip of Limpopo, just where the borders of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe meet, it seems a signal is sent to all the skelm cigarette smugglers and rhino poachers in the region. Taking advantage of the extra light, they step up plans to cross borders, cut fences and carry out shameless animal massacres. It’s easy to understand why. This is a region of massive game reserves and stretches of no-man’s land which adjoin the Mapungubwe National Park. It’s a sparsely populated landscape of wide river valleys and rocky outcrops, dotted with those magnificent upside-down trees, the baobab. But after years of incursions and severe animal losses, the owners of Mapesu Private Game Reserve are striking back. This is…

9 min

SA4x4|October 2019

OPPOSITE LOCK’S KITTED REVO HILUX

Driver: Pieter Swart The kit list: Apart from a host of third-party body armour, including a bull bar, rear protection bumper, canopy and all-terrain tyres, Pieter’s vehicle was fitted with a few dedicated Opposite Lock goodies… Fully-adjustable Tough Dog suspension InterVOLT in-vehicle battery system LightForce 201 LED Genesis driving lights Outback 4WD interior roof console Additional equipment: Front Runner roof rack Front Runner cargo slide Front Runner load bin rack Rhino Man canopy Snomaster fridge/ freezer Front Runner flip pop tent Tungsten 9 500lb winch Takla seat covers PIAK wraparound rear bumper PIAK front replacement No-Loop bar NOCO Genius Booster Pack…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

KNOW YOUR KNOTS

We use knots everyday for a multitude of purposes, and just about everyone knows the granny knot; it must be the most widely used knot throughout the world. If you are sitting around the campfire feeling a bit bored, or you’re fed up with your friends’ tales of, “I’ve been there, done that”, here are a few useful knots to practise. They each have a strong point when it comes to specific lashing needs; it’s worth knowing which will prove most handy. Two pieces of terminology you will hear when it comes to knot discussions are these: ‘Bight’ (this is where the rope is folded back on itself to form a loop), and ‘Live end’ (this is the end of the rope). For ease of demonstration, where two ropes are…

4 min

SA4x4|October 2019

LIKES

• Amazing ride comfort both on- and off-road • Refined cabin • Speed-sensitive steering (light at low speeds, firms up progressively) • Stability at high speed • Ability to decimate speed bumps and road chatter • Wide-ratio gearbox is superbly programmed • Engine feels sprightly and sounds great under hard acceleration DISLIKES • In low-range, gearbox is reluctant to change up in auto and manual modes • Side steps look cool but are body-mounted and protrude far too much • Black alloy wheels with protruding spokes are susceptible to stone chipping and scratches on the trail • Slightly laggy traction control system…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

ALSO IN THE RUNNING…

Toyota Hilux GR-Sport 2.8 GD-6 Double Cab Auto Price R707 400 Cylinders/capacity/cc I4/2 755cc Power 130kW @ 3 400rpm Torque 450Nm @ 2 400rpm 0-100km/h 10.8 secs Fuel index (combined) 8.5-litre/100km GVM 2 910kg Kerb weight 2 100kg Dimensions (L/W/H/WB) 5 345/1 855/1 815/3 085mm 4WD type Part-time Suspension (F) Independent, coil Suspension (R) Live axle, leaf Though more of a BNG (bold new graphics) upgrade than anything else, the Hilux GR-Sport does have improved suspension over the standard model and an aggressive look. The Hilux also has proven reliability and is extremely capable off-road. GR package slightly updates the interior too.…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

BUSH LAPA MAMMOTH

STANDARD EQUIPMENT • 3 x 105Ah deep-cycle batteries • Stainless steel water tank with level gauge • Two 140W solar panels • Toilet, shower, wash basin • Gas stove • 220V Victron charging system • Ctek Smartpass D250 DC-DC charger • 1 double bed, 2 single beds SPECIFICATIONS Vehicle type: Iveco 4x4 single or double cab Power: 110kW/350Nm Engine: In-line 4-cylinder turbo diesel Gearbox: Six-speed manual with a two-speed reduction transfer case allowing 24 forward and 4 reverse gear ratios Axles: Solid axles front and rear, each with diff-lock Suspension: Parabolic leaf springs with stabilisers Drivetrain: Permanent 4WD with a 32: 68% front: rear torque split. Length (without spare wheel): 7 050mm Width: 2 105mm Height (rooftop & solar & aircon excluded): 3 100mm Height (with aircon frame): 3 400mm…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

FOUR THINGS TO LOOK FOR IN AN OFF-ROAD WHEEL

• Load rating: Make sure the load rating of your wheel exceeds the weight placed on it at each corner of your vehicle. If your vehicle’s loaded mass is too close to your wheel’s load rating, the stresses of off-road driving may break the wheel. • Protruding spokes: Some wheels have spokes that protrude outwards. You may think this looks cool, but the spokes will quickly get curbed, scratched and stone-chipped. • Centre bore specific: Having a specific centre bore negates the need for a spigot ring to make the wheels fit properly. The lack of a spigot ring means the wheels will never vibrate and the balancing will always be spot-on. • Discreet valve mount: If your valve protrudes too far, it may come into contact with the terrain and be torn off…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

THIS MONTH’S WINNER!

Brandon Danks @lets_get_lost_za_ Although this picture was taken by his mate, Justin Du Toit, lots of credit has to go to Brandon for kitting this 2013 Ford Ranger 3.2 with an ARB bumper, Warn winch, custom rock sliders, an RSI Smartcanopy, Mickey Thompson tyres, and plenty more. It’s one heck of a rig! Ryan van der Merwe @tortoisethelandy Tortoise seems like an appropriate name for a Land Rover Defender, doesn’t it? Nash the Labrador seems to like it. Ryan and Kim’s 1998 300Tdi 110 has more than 300 000km on the clock, and it’s still going strong. He just recently had a minor restoration done, and fitted rock sliders and LED headlamps. Not bad! Clare Doolan @khakiclare If you want to properly explore Iceland, says Clare, you’ll need a 4x4.…

1 min

SA4x4|October 2019

Submit your photo & WIN a Fredlin hoist

There’s no point in driving around with your roof rack/ rooftop tent if you’re not on holiday. Save fuel (and wear & tear) by installing a Fredlin hoist. This proudly South African product solves the problem of where to store your roof rack/ rooftop tent, canopy, or even a sports car hardtop: up and out of the way! The Fredlin hoist fastens securely to your garage roof or carport, is easily installed and can be operated by one person. TO ENTER One Fredlin hoist will be given away every month to the lucky reader featured in Me & My 4x4. Simply send a photograph – 1MB or larger – and the answers to the categories shown above, to editor@sa4x4.co.za. Vehicle and driver must be featured together in an off-road setting.…

1 min