Clinic - SA4x4 - Overland Adventure Magazine

Chips And Cats

I have an ’08 Jeep Wrangler Sahara V6 AT. I want to remove the vehicle’s catalytic converters but someone told me I’ll experience engine management problems and that the warning...

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Topped Out Cruiser

I own a Land Cruiser 100 VX which I suspect has modified gear ratios. I say this because my Cruiser runs in the red at 140 km/h. Could it be...

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Boxing Rocky

I’m the owner of an ’00 Daihatsu Rocky 2.7 turbo-diesel intercooled. I’ve had this vehicle for 10 years; I bought it second-hand with 20 000 km on the clock....

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Cruiser Rims

I was wondering if you could please shed some light on wheel options pertaining to the Land Cruiser pick-up? I would like to change my Cruiser’s Marie biscuit tyres for...

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Unichip

I own an ‘03 Nissan Patrol 3.0 TDI GRX. I bought the vehicle about two and a half years ago with approximately 18 000 km on the clock. My driving...

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Diesel Dilemma

I had hoped to buy a Pajero GLS diesel but I’ve struck a snag. It’s my understanding that this engine can only run on 50 ppm diesel, which, unfortunately, is...

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Diesel Predicament

What are the disadvantages of using 500 ppm diesel in a vehicle that recommends 50 ppm? And if there are any disadvantages, what can be done to force our filling...

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Petrol To Diesel

I own a Datsun Safari 2.8 petrol which is exclusively used as a farm vehicle. The bakkie’s in great condition and has only done 80 000 km, but the petrol...

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Lazy Landy

I need more power from my Defender 110 2.5-litre diesel (naturally-aspirated), especially on the open road with its long uphills. Apart from fitting another engine – or turbo-charger – I...

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Disco 4 Going The Distance

I’d like to increase my Discovery 4 TDV6’s driving range; what are my options regarding an auxiliary fuel tank and how will it alter my vehicle? Gary Twiss

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Hummer Fuel Filtration

We bought our ‘09 Hummer H3 primarily for off-road and overland use. The vehicle has since done 30 000 km, of which 20 000 km has been off-road. We’re planning...

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Courier Lockers

I’d like to fit a locker to my ’99 Ford Courier 2.5 Tdi. Is there a diff-lock available for my Courier, and if so, should I fit it to the...

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Lazy Land Rover

I recently bought a Land Rover 110 SW with the 6-cylinder naturally-aspirated diesel motor (68 kW). It goes well but lacks oomph on the uphills. Would I gain noticeable power...

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More Merc Power

I’d like to know more about the Unichip conversion for the Merc ML270 CDi. Basically, is it worthwhile and will it improve my vehicle’s fuel consumption? My ML has done...

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Stubborn Colt

When travelling long distances – Cape Town to Johannesburg – my ‘02 Colt Trailbuster 2.4 SC refuses to start between stops – generally after four to five hours of driving....

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Pap Hilux 2.7i

I own a ‘00 Hilux 2.7i but need more power to tow my stuff around. I had a Unichip installed and had the engine dyno’d a couple of times but...

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Locker Front Or Back?

I drive an ‘84 Nissan Patrol SWB. It has a limited-slip diff at the rear and nothing up front. If I were to fit a diff-lock to this vehicle would...

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Towing Trailer Tyres

What should I do about my trailer’s tyre pressures when travelling in sand? Should I run normal road-going pressures or deflate the trailer’s tyres to match my 4x4? Ordinarily, I...

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Lagging Behind

I own an ‘05 Mazda 2.5 DC TD with intercooler. I’m having problems with this vehicle on uphills of a fair gradient. When making these climbs the Mazda’s speed drops...

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Exhaust Insulation

We often hear horror stories about 4x4s catching alight due to grass build-up around the exhaust system. With this in mind, would it not be beneficial to wrap the exhaust...

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Flexible Patrol

Is it possible to remove the stabiliser bars on my Datsun Patrol pick-up ZG60H? I’d like to gain better axle articulation. Will this compromise the vehicle’s ride quality and safety?...

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Prado Leak

I own an ’05 Land Cruiser Prado with the 1GR-FE 4.0-litre engine and 145 000 km on the clock. I’ve just returned from a trip to the Kaokoveld where the...

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Amphibious Hilux

I’d like to ensure that my Hilux 3.0 D-4D is completely waterproof in deep river crossings. How do I do this? Rudy Coetzee

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Lube It Up

I drive an ’07 Land Cruiser 100 Series 4.2-litre diesel. Whenever possible I fill up with 50 ppm diesel but I’m worried about long-term wear and tear on the engine....

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Frequent Frequency

Ek dink dis nogals baie nice dat ek so kan raad vra vir die manne wat weet terwyl ek hier in my huis ver van julle af sit. Ek wil...

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Hot Headed Hilux

I own a ‘01 Hilux KZ-TE 3.0 DC. I bought the vehicle second-hand, fully kitted and with approximately 170 000 km on the clock. The vehicle had never given me...

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What Wheel Width?

I’m proud to announce that after purchasing an ‘00 Isuzu 280 DT I’ve officially joined the R50k club. I bought the vehicle with worn tyres but luckily I had a...

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Colt Gets Green Light

My ’02 Colt Clubcab 2.8 TDI with 110 000 km has just developed a strange problem: the green 4WD light refuses to turn off when 2WD is selected. I’ve tried...

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Squeaking Navara

I’m the owner of an ’07 Navara 2.5-litre. At 119 858 km this vehicle was serviced and all the belts were replaced. Since then a squeaky noise can be heard...

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Jerking Isuzu

I recently bought a ’98 Isuzu 320 LX with 243 000 km. It’s very powerful and goes well on the open road. However, once we hit the uphills the power...

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Cherokee Oil Change

I recently bought an ’00 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4.0 automatic with 239 000 km on the clock, no service history and the NP242 transfer box. What I’d like to know...

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Defender Braking Down

I need help, fast. My ’08 Defender 110 pick-up is used for farming and has in the last year or so chewed through seven sets of brake pads – it...

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Colt Fan

I own an ‘03 Colt 2.8 TDI. I would like to remove the vehicle’s viscous fan and replace it with two 10” electric fans. Is this a popular modification, and...

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Rock ‘N Roll Disco

I own a Discovery 1 300 TDI that’s dangerously pitching and rolling to the side. I recently had the vehicle’s wheel alignment / balancing checked by a reputable tyre dealer...

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Crooked Cruiser

I own a Land Cruiser 100 VX with air suspension. The ride of this vehicle is fantastic, the most comfortable of any 4x4 I’ve ever driven. The problem is that...

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I recently read an expert’s response to a suspension-related query (Flexible Patrol) in your July ’11 issue. I’m attempting a similar conversation (shackle reversal and lengthening) to my Cruiser but...

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Isuzu Start Up

We own a ’97 Isuzu KB280 DC with 285 000 km on the clock. It runs beautifully and is definitely not lacking power. The trouble is starting her up. We’ve...

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Oil Hungry Hilux

I own a ’99 Hilux DC 2.7 named Bossies, which is my absolute joy. Unfortunately, Bossies has an oildrinking problem. How bad is it? Well, every time I fill up...

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Hard Starting Range Rover

I have a 3.5-litre Range Rover engine in a SWB lightweight Land Rover. For the last two years we’ve been trying to find out why it won’t start when hot....

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Ome Upgrade

I own a Nissan Navara 4.0 and would like to upgrade the suspension. My personal experience with the OE suspension is that it’s too low for serious off-road work. I...

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More Torque For My Triton

I drive a Triton 2.5. I’ve read many arguments for and against blocking off the exhaust bypass valve that re-circulates gases through the combustion chamber to produce cleaner emissions. ...

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Solid as a rock

READER DIY PROJECT: HOW TO CONVERT YOUR HILUX FROM IFS TO SFA It all began about two years ago. I desperately wanted more ground clearance under my ’00 Hilux 2.7-litre...

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Nitro Pump

I’d like to know the pros and cons of filling my tyres with nitrogen instead of regular air. It seems the advertised benefits are true, but I’m unclear as to...

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Trickle Charging

I’d like to know if one needs to keep a deep-cycle battery on continuous charge (trickle charge), or can one charge it every two to three months? I only use...

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Spluttering Colt

I own an ‘00 Colt 2.8 TD. For some time now I’ve had a problem where the vehicle starts easily in the morning, but after running for a short while...

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Triton Troubles

I recently purchased an ‘09 Triton 3.2 DC. About two months ago I bought a 72-litre auxiliary tank from Front Runner, increasing the Triton’s fuel-carrying capacity to 147 litres. Unfortunately,...

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Ranger’s Bad Vibes

I own a ‘08 Ford Ranger TDCI with a vibrating problem on the front RHS of the vehicle. I have had the tyres and shocks replaced, the alignment has been...

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Pajero Won’t Idle

I’ve had problems with my Pajero 3.2 Di-D. At 800 metres above sea level I lose power and the vehicle doesn’t idle. It also consumes about 30 percent more diesel....

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Good Sense

My ’05 Hilux 4.0 V6 has done 270 000 km. During the last 10 000 km I’ve had to replace many of the vehicle’s sensors. Is it normal for the...

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Hardbody, Hard Ride

I’m the proud owner of an ’04 Nissan Hardbody 3.3-litre petrol. However, I have a problem with my vehicle’s ride: it’s hard and bumpy on corrugated roads. I’m going to...

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