Table of contents for July 2018 in SA4x4

In our TRAIL SAVVY column on gravel road driving, in the May issue, we recommended shifting to four-wheel drive if you have a part-time 4WD. Reader John Smuts disagreed, saying his Ford Ranger Supercab is more stable in rear-drive only. As you can see below, he has supporters, including Adriaan Smuts, who has weighed in with a sound technical argument which supports the experience of the Audi Quattro, which took over rallying in the Eighties. The bottom line is that if you have permanent 4WD (and a centre diff) then the system works at higher speeds. Part-time 4WD systems will only derive benefit from driving all four wheels at lower speeds (say, below 60km/h). Do you agree? GRAVEL ROADS #1 I have experienced the same as John when driving offroad.…

Simply put, wheel alignment refers to the adjustment of the wheels angle perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other. Well aligned wheels will ensure stability and a vehicle that tracks straight along a flat road. To ensure maximum stability and tyre life, wheel alignment must be adjusted relatively frequently and can be affected by bad road surfaces or a hard knock. Below, we have listed some factors of relating to wheel alignment and their effects. Camber: This is the angle of the wheel, measured in degrees, when viewed from the front of the vehicle. If the top of the wheel is leaning out from the centre of the car, then the camber is positive; if it's leaning in, then the camber is negative. If the camber is out…

The departure of GM from SA, and with it the Chevrolet brand, left an SUV-sized hole in the Isuzu line-up; fortunately, the new custodians have now filled it with the Thailand-built Aussie-spec mu-X. The Trailblazer was no great volume seller in the mid-size ladder-on-frame bakkie-origins market here. This is properly dominated by Toyota’s Fortuner, with the Ford Everest taking the rest of the lion’s share, and the Pajero Sport now vying for the scraps. Not that the Trailblazer was bad, as it was quite a decent looker; it’s rather that the Chev nameplate had lost currency, and the interior plastics and finish were a bit low-rent. More critically, the Duramax 2.8-litre diesel (co-developed with Italian firm VM Motori) promised class-leading outputs of 144kW/500Nm, but was rather gruff on delivery; and,…

IN THE MIX Acid stratification is a major issue that reduces battery life and performance drastically. These new Discover Mixtech Marine/RV batteries from Enertec eliminate that problem completely by preventing acid build-up and allowing the electrolyte to circulate 360 degrees, resulting in as much as three times the battery life. The company claims that it’s the most significant improvement in battery tech in 50 years! R1499 021 553 1879 salesdbn@enertec.co.za  www.enertec.co.za RECOVERY ESSENTIAL This 12 000lb Mac Afric 12V Winch is ideal for regular use in commercial environments and is also perfect for vehicle recovery. The robust device features a free-spooling clutch, remote control, and a mechanical safety brake. Supplied with a roller fairlead and steel cable. It’s got more than enough pull for any situation. R6895 0861…

The main crossing from Nigeria to Cameroon on the West Coast of Africa is the stuff that overland legends are made of. The Mamfe Road is only one hundred kilometres long, although it takes most well-prepared overlanders a week of slogging to cover that distance. As the monster mud holes are big enough to bury even six-wheel-drive vehicles to their axles, many lesser vehicles remain stuck until they are dug out by a virtual army of locals, or rescued by tracked Caterpillar machinery. All of that is in the dry season. Traversing the West Coast of Africa in the wet season is completely impossible, primarily because of this one road. However, as I learned recently, none of that is true anymore. In January 2016, a Chinese crew finished rebuilding the…

Over the years, the quality of his African Outback products made him the first choice to assist in equipping many high-profile overland expeditions, including those of Kingsley Holgate, actor and motorcyclist Ewan McGregor’s and Charlie Boorman’s “The Long Way Round” world-expedition on two wheels, and Johan Badenhorst’s Voetspore team - which has been exploring the world with 4x4 vehicles for almost 20 years. Kingsley Holgate, arguably South Africa’s most famous explorer and travelling humanitarian, who models himself on David Livingstone, has many fond memories of Adolf built up over their long friendship. Speaking on behalf of himself and his ‘crazy bunch of adventurers,’ Holgate said: “We remember our dear friend Adolf with great respect and fondness. Not only did he assist with his engineering wizardry in supplying the Expedition Landies…

After all the years of doing the Rust de Winter Jamboree, I still don’t think the friends that I drag along for this trip realise what they’re letting themselves in for. How about having to share a caravan with me for starters, and being dragged behind a flailing bakkie in a mud sled for the second course...? This year, I got buddy Graeme de Proft to sign on as co-driver. He was not properly warned. The event is a complete riot, and while some take it seriously, others go there for the fun – and we belong in camp 2. Hosted by the 4x4 ATV club at their campsite near the Rust de Winter Dam 100km north of Pretoria, the annual Jamboree is a family-friendly gig that gets more popular…

DONOVAN MARAIS 2011 JEEP WRANGLER SAHARA JK About: I am an outdoors type of person – an animal-rights activist who loves spending time outdoors with my friends and family discovering new and uncharted places in my Jeep. Occupation: Technical Integration Manager at Sage Pay (ZA) and founder of www.4x4junkies.com Modifications: 2.5-inch AmadaXtreme suspension lift, 33-inch mud-terrain tyres, 8000lb Warn winch with synthetic rope, custom steel front & rear bumpers, custom steel rock sliders, LED lights (headlights, taillights, spots, flood lights plus a 300W light bar), 10th anniversary bonnet, snorkel, Brad Harrison plugs all round, dual-Band 2-way radios, carry bags in boot, specialised recovery gear. Future modifications: Dyno and chip re-program to accommodate for modifications, underbody protection for diffs and driveshaft. Previous vehice/s: Nissan Hardbody 3.0D 4x4, Mazda Drifter 2.5 TD…

MAHINDRA AUTO WILL FLY Good day Mahindra SA, I have noted that the new Scorpio SUV S11 is offered with an 88kW/280Nm engine, but only with a manual transmission. I have two questions. First, do you plan to offer this SUV in SA with the more powerful 103kW/320Nm engine that you use in the Pik Up series? Second, do you plan to offer this SUV in SA with an automatic transmission? You clearly slotted this SUV in the price bracket below the other branded SUVs in the market, which works very well for sales. However, 80% of all 4×4 SUVs sold are automatic, for obvious reasons – think city traffic and the ease with off-roading (no burning clutches, etc.). My suggestion is, drop the leather seats, color-coded bumpers, use a…

“It appears that the striped coats of zebras have an adaptive function to reduce the risk of parasitism by those organisms causing sleeping sickness and other lethal diseases” In the next of our ‘often seen but largely under-appreciated’ group of animals, I would like to share with you something of the singularity and amazing environmental adaptation of ‘horses in striped pyjamas’. So convinced was I as a child that zebras were indeed horses in striped pyjamas, that I recall asking my mother why they were allowed to stay in their pyjamas all day but I was not! To my five-year-old mind, this seemed grossly unfair. An answer, if there was one forthcoming, is lost in the mists of time, and the etiquette of attire for zebras and me still differs…

TWO FLAVOURS OF X Mercedes-Benz’s eagerly-awaited X-Class bakkie has finally been launched here in South Africa. It’s available in two guises – Power and Progressive. The more low-key of the two is the Progressive, with understated 17-inch alloys and standard halogen headlamps. The Power package, available only on the X250d 4Matic models, steals the show with a sportier look and an upgraded interior. Features like LED headlights, keyless entry, chrome trimmings and leather seats and finishes set it apart. Every bit of the interior has been given the Stuttgart luxury treatment, but neither package feels genuinely premium, as a Merc should. At launch, two power plants are available, both based on Nissan’s 4-cylinder, 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel platform. The baseline X220d kicks out 120kW and 403Nm, is mated to a 6-speed…

RUGGED NEW LOOK Though the new shape Hilux was only released three years ago, a redesign is a welcome change to the current SUV-inspired design. American models such as the larger Tacoma have enjoyed a rugged, squared-off nose and this shape is filtering down to our local Hilux and RAV models. Sheet metal along the flanks is unchanged and base workhorse models will not yet acquire the new grille. Interiors are largely unchanged. The new ‘Dakar’ limited edition Hilux will be the first in SA to wear the new mask.…

Having worked at SA4x4 for over four years and explored local trails in countless ‘trail reviews’ and travel stories using production test cars, it’s safe to say I’ve been around the block. The Cederberg and Tankwa have long been special places for me to escape hasty Cape Town and its ills. The offer of a camping trip through our own little ‘outback’ comes like a welcome wink from my favourite waitress. Yet I can’t help but think I’ve already explored the region well, and am unconvinced a group of guys in old trucks have anything to show me. As always, I head into the unknown hoping for the best. As it turns out, this adventure would be tough to conquer, with a total of nine trails over seven days –…

In my personal view, Starlings are divided mainly into two categories: those that I like, and those that I don’t. Happily the second group is small compared to the first, as you would expect from someone who has a keen interest in birds. To be exact, my don’tlike list of starlings contains only two birds, namely the European Starling and the Indian Myna. The one thing that these two rascals have in common is that they are both not endemic to South Africa, and they were introduced to our part of the world by people like Cecil John Rhodes. Heaven only knows why - we already had a fine list of good looking starlings flying around the countryside. One can only speculate about what motivated him to bring these two…

Arguably the most popular 4WD topics around the camp fire are either tyres or suspension, or both. Now that we have fitted a heap of vehicle protection gear to our Ranger, which has added considerable weight, our truck is a bit low to the ground and the skinny wheels and road tyres look out of place. In this next instalment of our Ironman 4x4 Bush Truck build, we fit an uprated suspension system. Suspension Of all the accessories that you could possibly fit to your 4WD pride and joy, a fully matched suspension upgrade kit is one of the most expensive. Although your replacement bull bar looks good when you approach your vehicle in the parking lot, once you’re driving, it is largely unnoticed. The same can be said about…

I jumped at the chance to take the newest Prado for a jaunt to Arniston and surrounds on the Cape east coast. I’d driven up there in a Ford Ranger and 200 Series GX Land Cruiser in the past year, and it’s a great destination for exploring fishermen’s rock- and sand tracks along the coast, driving gravel, and cruising on some excellent hilly tarmac – notably the R316 to Bredasdorp via Napier. The sort of varied terrain one expects owners will want to tackle in their new fourth-gen J150 Prado. The press launch had included a drive up Sani Pass from KZN and into Lesotho, which this familiar body-on-frame SUV had despatched with ease. This latest exercise was more about taking a longer look at the daily operation of the…

TOUR DETAILS If you enjoy travelling without a set itinerary and exploring new areas, then this recce trip is for you. Come and join us as we explore the shores of Lake Malawi in search of the best camping spots and activities that the area has to offer. Lake Malawi, also known as Lake Nyasa in Tanzania and Lago Niassa in Mozambique, is an African Great Lake and the southernmost lake in the East African Rift system, located between Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. It is the ninth largest lake in the world and the third largest and second deepest lake in Africa. It is home to more species of fish than any other lake, including at least 700 species of cichlids. The Mozambique portion of the lake was officially declared…

Simon Pringle Simon’s trundle to the top of the Grabouw/Elgin Country Club’s 4x4 route gave him a spectacular but devastating view of the Cape’s dwindling dams. His 2006 Hilux 4.0 V6 4x4 has Ironman 4x4 suspension, a snorkel and an aluminium canopy. Phil Venter Phil likes two things in this picture very much. One is the love of his life, and the other is his girlfriend! He may be young, but he says buying the Isuzu KB was one of the best moves he’s ever made. Marius Verwey This Disco 4 HSE SDV6 needed to stretch its legs, so Marius took it along Breedtsnek Pass in the North West. Apart from the General Grabber AT3 tyres, the Landy is stock standard. Marius says it’s a pleasure to drive both on…

There’s no point in driving around with your roofrack/ 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 roofrack/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 – 1 MB 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. (No driveway…

At the Rust De Winter Jamboree (see elsewhere in this issue), steep rocky inclines were the name of the game - and more than a couple of folk came short. There are several fundamentals that are vital in climbing a steep, rocky slope safely: traction, momentum and line choice. The first and most important aspect of hill climbing is maintaining traction. This is achieved in two ways: line choice and tyre pressure. On rocks, especially, it’s a balancing act between deflating tyres for traction and maintaining clearance. Where clearance is not an issue, you may drop as much as 50% or more below road pressures; but be extra careful on off-camber sections where a soft tyre can roll off a rim. For added traction, make sure that your differential lock…

POWER UP FOR UPDATE Teased earlier this year, the new ‘Ranger Raptor’ was to offer a 2l twin-turbo diesel with 500Nm and 157kW, placing it above the Wildtrak 3.2 in Ford’s Ranger line-up. Good news is that the potent and efficient 2l mill will now be offered lower down in the range, mated to a 10- speed automatic transmission. There is no confirmed launch date, but early 2019 is likely. The updated bakkie will come with a refreshed and wider grille, minor suspension tweaks and cabin updates. Existing engines – including the 2.2-litre diesel and 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel – will carry over unchanged.…

GOING ROGUE Nissan have launched their tough 2.5TDi engine into double cab 4x4 versions of the NP300 Hardbody, offering a great value, basic bakkie to both budget conscious leisure buyers and commercial customers. The 2.5l turbodiesel engine pumps out a modest 98kW and 304Nm, but majors on reliability and ease of servicing. A range of additional luxuries such as black alloy wheels, Rogue decals, black-embroidered leather seats and a plush carpet set combine to make the Rogue special edition. It will also be equipped with an upgraded audio system including Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation. No word on pricing yet, but expect it to be slightly more expensive than the 2.4-litre petrol double cab which retails for R323 900.…

DAY 1 Climbing the Cunene valley There’s no easy way to escape the Cunene River valley from Serra Cafema. Behind you, the in-your-face, belligerent landscape of the Zebra Mountain ranges of Angola bristle with intent, while ahead of you, a massive mother of a climb lurks along a winding sand-trap of a track. That’s if you’re on a bike. But, get into one of the Isuzu KB double-cabs, and you’re as strong as a bull, and neither the Kirk brothers (Pistol) Pete or Graham (Captain Loose Wheel), nor Gerhard Thirion (our Wilderness Safaris guide), has any skaam about making this abundantly clear as they steam past us on the uphill. On the fat bikes, it’s a war of attrition as we duel amid sand dunes up the infamous Rocky Pass.…

There are few people who touch our lives only briefly but still leave a lasting impression. Far-sighted entrepreneur and avid adventurer, Adolf Waidelich, who died tragically by suicide in November 2017, was one of those people. His passing left a legacy which can be measured by the impact he made on the lives of others. He was very practical engineer who, with his comprehensive range of innovative equipment and accessories designed and made for off-road travellers, contributed materially to making dreams of travelling to far-flung parts of Africa a reality for thousands of people. But Adolf was also a dreamer, with a deep love for Africa and its vibrant history. Adolf’s rise to prominence came as the groundswell of interest in overlanding and serious 4x4 adventures started to take hold…

Do you have a magic shot in your photo collection that captures the essence of overland travel? SA4x4 is keen to promote adventure travel the world over, and to share those amazing memories with all our readers.Trawl your image banks and share those moments in time on SA4x4’s Facebook or Instagram pages, along with your name and a short description of what you are seeing and where. Action, wildlife, landscapes – we want to see it all. Take a look at some of the best entries on this month’s cycle. HOW TO ENTER Tag @SA4x4 on Instagram, and use the hashtag #SA4x4OverlandImages If Instagram is too 21st Century, email your pic to editor@sa4x4.co.za  with the subject line Overland Images and we will post it to Instagram for you.…

Price R979 600 ENGINE (1KD-FTV) Cylinders/Capacity 4/2982cc Bore/Stroke 96.0/103.0 Compression ratio 17.9:1 Aspiration Turbocharged Fuel Diesel Power 120kW @ 3400rpm Torque 400Nm @ 1600-2800rpm TRANSMISSION Shift type Automatic 1st 3.520 2nd 2.042 3rd 1.400 4th 1.000 5th 0.716 Reverse 3.224 CONTROLS Steering type Power assisted rack & pinion 4WD type Permanent with rear and centre diff-locks CHASSIS/SUSPENSION Chassis type Ladder frame Suspension (F) Double wishbone, coil, KDSS Suspension (R) Multi-link, air suspension, KDSS Adaptive variable suspension Rear Turning circle 5.8m MEASUREMENTS Height 1890 Length 5010 Width 1885 Wheelbase 2790 Front/rear track 1585/1585 FUEL INDEX (L/100KM) Fuel capacity 150l (87+63) Combined 8.5 (claimed) Range @ average 1764km PERFORMANCE 0-100km/h 11.7 secs Top speed 175km/h RECOVERY POINTS Front Yes Rear Yes LOAD AND TOWING CAPABILITIES Kerb weight 2430 GVM 2990 GCM 5490…

Back in the early 1980s, BF Goodrich introduced an unconventional tyre that would forever change the way we thought about off-road traction. They called it the T/A Mud-Terrain: “T/A” borrowed from their successful line of street-performance offerings, and the rest for the type of terrain it would call home. It was the first such tyre with an aggressive tread design, deep voids, and radial construction. The impact was such that, in the following years, nearly every tyre manufacturer in the genre would introduce a variant of BFG’s original design. In 1984, the company rocked the four-wheel drive community with a 35-inch version: a massive tyre for the time. This new ‘miracle’ tyre provided extra ground clearance, and, at low air pressure, its soft sidewall deformed like a warm marshmallow. However,…

This month’s Readers’ Rides prizewinner gets a set of Opposite Lock 100W halogen Long Range Driving Lights worth R3995, plus a recovery kit bag worth R395. The lights are 225mm in diameter with a steel body, black epoxy powder-coated finish and stainless steel rim. They feature a hardened shock resistant glass lens with a protective polycarbonate cover, and are backed by Opposite Lock’s 2-year national warranty. Opposite Lock’s range of 4x4 accessories includes Tough Dog suspensions, Lightforce Driving lights, OL bullbars, VRS winches, recovery gear, and more. Find them on www.oppositelock.co.za or contact 011 697 0001. TERMS & CONDITIONS: Email your Readers Rides entry to editor@sa4x4.co.za. Only hi-res images (1MB or larger) will be considered – no cellphone pics. Please provide a description of the vehicle and the place. Remember…

This month has been extremely busy for the Broject Jeep, and it’s on track to be an awesome rock crawler for the lucky winner at the end of the year. Here’s what the Bros have been up to, from the horse’s mouth. Events We attended only one event this month and that was the highly anticipated and highly successful Jeep Topless day. The Broject drove in convoy with 120+ Topless jeeps, set up camp at the Perdeberg venue and sold a number of t-shirts and soft shackles (entries) to true Jeep enthusiasts. June will be far busier, as we are all set to attend the Wildebeest Challenge in Robertson on 2 June, the Jeep Track day at Century City on 23 June, and the next Dust Series event in the…