“Godzilla” Set-Up

 

Initial Routing Plans

By recommendation it makes more sense to fly to the Cape from Jo’Burg (either at the start or finish of this tour), rent a car and drive the spectacular Garden Route. South Africa’s famous wine growing region and southern coastal roads are a must see. I hear you can’t leave the country if you have not been there.

 

LIST OF FARKLES

A full list of all the included extras on
the standard vehicle is:

Front bull bar
Winch with 4t nylon rope and remote control
Spot lights (2×6″ connected to vehicle headlights)
Safari snorkel
Rear bull bar with two spare tyre carriers
Additional 6th tyre
Tow bar
Roof rack (Frontrunner)
Big steel storage box on roof rack, custom made
Eezi Awn rooftop tent (largest size, 1.4m wide)
Solar panel and link to 2nd battery
Awning 2.1m long
Inverter (800W) with multiplug to charge 240V accessories inside the
vehicle
Duel battery system (manual crossover and charge)
Cd/radio player with AUX for iPod (JVC)
3 additional 12V DC lighter sockets
2 long range fuel tanks (246 litres total for all 3 tanks)
Water tank (40 litres) (Frontrunner)
Engel Fridge/freezer (80 Litres) with 240V and 12V supplies (electrical
point in the rear)
Fridge Slide (Front Runner)
Draw system in back with 6 storage boxes (Frontrunner)
Compressor
High lift jack
Spade
Fire extinguisher
2 triangles
Reflector jacket
Table (slides under roof rack) (Frontrunner)
2 spare back shocks (Toyota)
GoPro camera fitting on roof rack (no camera)
Various spares (fan belts etc.)

 

2013 Preparations – Vehicle purchase

Through a 4 x 4 forum I stumbled across a Toyota Landcruiser 80 Diesel that is outfitted with almost every conceivable extra  needed for the bush. “Godzilla” has been from South Africa to Europe and back and has almost 400,000 km on the teller. Having spoken to the sellers in Durban at length I felt comfortable enough to buy this beast. Landcruisers are without a doubt one of the most dependable and sought after 4×4’s but every part on a truck has a limited life span. Theoretically the engine should be good for another 250,000 km as I believe it to have been maintained properly. Not being a “wrench” I really need something I can rely on. The proof will be in the pudding. My scheduled departure from Thailand is the 23rd of April when I fly to Amsterdam and onto South Africa May 1, 2014. In Thailand I met and became friends with a great couple from Johannesburg. I won’t mention his name but Ben has been kind enough to assist me with the purchase & registration of the Cruiser.

As a kid I read a book about a Dutch boy visiting the Kruger Park.
I wanted to be that boy and now have the opportunity to be just that; many moons later.  Having the time to explore South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Victoria Falls in a self sufficient vehicle will be a dream come true. Having just found out that the average night temperature in June/July ranges from 4o to 8o C it will be a cold dream in places. A warm sleeping bag will therefore be a must. Purchases like that for every day use will be done in Durban eliminating having to schlep bulky items. There are so many huge National Parks in these countries, private & public. I can only go by descriptions and recommendations online. It will take some time to sift through it all.

 

The Landcruiser now dubbed; “Godzilla”

To get lost is to learn the way. ~ African proverb