SA4x4の October 2019 の目次

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.…

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…

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…

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…

• 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…

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.…

• 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…

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.…