[X]

KELSEYAdmin

1413 POSTS 0 COMMENTS

NigelFryattNigel Fryatt – editor

Toyota Hilux HL3 Some weeks ago, while driving my truck one evening, I was a little concerned when the ‘low fuel level’ light came on. The worry was because according to the actual gauge, I had a nearly full tank. This meant that one of these things was incorrect, but which one? Since it was late, and I was in very rural Norfolk, and it was very, very cold outside – the temperature gauge actually said minus 9degC – I didn’t want the error to be the amount of fuel in the tank. Just an electric glitch on the low fuel light, surely…

Get the full story

Hils BlogEncouraging times ahead perhaps – from both manufacturers and TV companies. Fingers crossed, that’s for sure

Some interesting stats from the AA have appeared in the motoring news pages recently regarding our recent UK fuel sales. As mainly diesel lovers here at 4×4 it doesn’t surprise us (and probably won’t surprise our readers and 4×4 owners who are predominantly diesel users) to learn that, in the last five years, forecourt sales of petrol have dropped by 20 per cent.

Last year 17 billion litres were sold, compared to 22 billion in 2007, which is a hefty decrease. On the other hand, sales of diesel increased from 14 billion to 16 billion litres, as prices have risen and the use of smaller and diesel-powered vehicles has increased. In Spring 2009, the price of a litre of petrol was £1, but if you spend £20 at the pumps today, you get less than 15 litres; not surprising that diesel is on the up and smaller vehicles are on the increase. Another interesting fact is that, in 2000 only 10 per cent of new cars were diesel; and last year, according to the Petrol Retailers Association, a whopping 50 per cent of new cars were diesel. And the outlook for fuel prices isn’t getting any better as, at some point, there will be economic recovery which means those City stockbrokers will be predicting greater oil and fuel demand, which only has the effect of pushing up prices even further, as commodity values increase. It’s a vicious circle.

Get the full story

new Subaru Forester When the new Subaru Forester goes on sale in the UK this May, it will be the fourth-generation of the SUV and is expected to quickly become the Japanese brand’s most popular model. Last year, the Forester accounted for 170,000 sales globally – 27% of Subaru’s total sales – with 15,000 sold in Europe. Since the Forester was introduced in 1997, European sales in the SUV-C segment have increased eightfold.

Model line-up

There are six trim levels for buyers to choose from, all with a generous level of standard equipment: XE and XE Premium is available on all naturally-aspirated petrol models; X, XC and XC Premium on all diesel models; and XT, the highest specification, is standard on 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol versions of the new Forester. Lineartronic is available on XE and XE Premium models and is fitted as standard to XT versions.

Get the full story

A little light workIt’s often the small things that make such a big difference. Get caught out at night in your vehicle and need a torch, and if you even have one, chances are the batteries are flat. This could be a simple, inexpensive answer. Ring has produced a rechargeable torch that simply slots into your cigarette light, or 12v socket. You can charge and remove, or even leave it in the socket as an additional interior light. The RRP is only £5.99. Pretty good value, don’t you agree?

MUD covers and consolesA couple of new products from the guys at MUD UK. Firstly they have teamed up with LeafSeat brand to launch a new seat cover, designed for all Land Rover Defenders. The Defender LeafSeat seat cover design is unlike the traditional seat cover design, thanks to its hinged ‘Leaf’ feature that folds to shield the vehicle interior from becoming damaged or dirty and then folds down to trap the dirt/wet. The LeafSeat leaf movement allows either a clean or dirty seating surface to be presented in seconds giving instant and additional protection for the vehicles occupants no matter what they’re wearing or the state of the vehicle interior. LeafSeat is available to fit Defender front seats only and costs £53 (inc VAT) per seat.

After seat covers, we are now looking up to the new Defender roof console which creates useful storage space. The twin overhead storage bins are complimented by a central binnacle that can be used for mounting a single DIN accessory or a bank of switches. The console has a factory fit finish and installation does not involve removal or cutting of the headlining. It’s priced at £159 (inc VAT). The console, the seat covers and much more are all available by going to: www.mudstuff.

NEW MAN AT NENEThere’s a new face at Nene Overland as Chris Hill joins to add his comprehensive overland, expedition and special vehicle parts and equipment knowledge and experience. Chris has detailed experience on both Land Rover and all the more popular 4×4 trucks, particularly Jeep, Toyota and Ford.

This is the perfect fit for a company such as Nene Overland, who since 1988 has focused on 4×4 vehicle sales, specialist builds and equipment. If you are considering an overland vehicle build, or would just like some initial advice regarding a forthcoming project, then Chris is your man. You can contact him on [email protected] or call 01733 380687.

Spring clean, anyone?Not everyone’s favourite pastime, but after the winter we have just had, getting all the salt and grime off your beloved 4×4 is something of a must. The muck that ends up on your expensive alloy wheels can cause a lot of problems and so getting them clean is important. Britemax has a new ‘Grime Out’ degreaser which the company claims dissolves brake dust, engine grease, embedded dirt in rubber, bugs, tar, salt… It is said to be ideal for extremely dirty vehicles, and most importantly, it does not contain acids or heavy solvents and is fully biodegradable. Available at motor factor outlets the RRP is £10.99 for a 24oz bottle, or you can find your nearest stockist by going to: www.britemax.co.uk

Hilux on the pullGIVEN THAT TOYOTA’S Hilux sometimes gets a ‘bad press’ for its towing ability, it’s amusing to see exactly what it can do when pushed. Or pulled… This picture shows a Sainsbury’s truck failing to move when the recent snowy conditions hit East Sussex. The Hilux was supplied by SLM Motors of Uckfield and it successfully pulled the truck – which can weigh up to 44 tons – up the incline and therefore allowed both it, and all the other traffic to go about their business. The publication of this picture and reporting of this incident has nothing to do with the fact that the Editor of this magazine is a very proud owner of a Toyota Hilux pick-up…

LET PETROL GO!Today, we have to cope with the ever-increasing cost of petrol, so if there was an alternative that was around half the price, shouldn’t you consider it for your 4×4? We went to visit WCRLPG to find out the latest about this alternative fuel option

Words: Nigel Fryatt
Photography: Nigel Fryatt, WCRLPG

There was something wonderfully appropriate when Mark Wain showed us under the bonnet for our first view of one of his LPG conversions. It was fitted to a lightweight Land Rover of late 1970s vintage; technically simple, and easy to understand and appreciate, the conversion looked as though it was designed to be there. There was nothing add-on about it… apart from the fact that the LPG vaporiser was a little bit cleaner and more shiny compared to the rest of the Land Rover’s hard worked engine. A neat conversion and it had been completed by Mark’s 14-year old son, Joseph.

It was appropriate as the origins of LPG-powered cars are thought to go back to the 1940s and the fuel was being used due to a shortage of petrol. Today, there’s a similar shortage, not of petrol admittedly, but of the cash to pay for it. Not surprisingly therefore demand for LPG-conversions is keeping Mark Wain very busy, and most of that business is on 4×4 vehicles, which is why we were there to find out more. With petrol costs rising inexorably, is this the way you should go with your 4×4? Time for an admission here, this author has little experience of LPG powered vehicles, so we went to Mark’s Norfolk premises with an open mind, and a lot of questions. The time spent there was certainly eye opening and has convinced me that LPG conversions and 4x4s go together pretty well, and that the number on our roads is likely to grow.

Get the full story

Finding your bearings It’s not all about satellite phones and high tech GPS devices. Sometimes, it’s just that Morocco’s warm winter sun is so overwhelming. And you can get there with a Land Rover, a compass and a map – such are advantages of back to basics overlanding

Words: Ros Woodham    Photography: Ros Woodham and Jimmy Hayes

Beneath the weight of our expedition gear, the 1984 Land Rover Santana 88in sank onto its rear axle. The rear leaves had long ago lost their significant curve, but she was in good company beside the other ageing and overloaded Mercedes queuing up to cross the Moroccan border.

The idea for this expedition arose as a challenge. My Series III had been off the road for several years and I needed a reason to revive her. My co-driver, Jimmy Hayes, dreamt up the idea and was probably the only other person willing to undertake this journey in ‘Trucky’. To complement our 28-year-old steed, we had decided to use conventional navigational techniques: a map and compass. We believed that travelling in a classic vehicle would help penetrate the cultural barriers that a more modern 4×4 might present, and the absence of technology would promote communication. We planned a loop crossing to Melilla from Almería in Spain and heading south towards the Erg Chebbi dunes in order to spend Christmas in the Sahara. West from Merzouga to the Todra Gorge, where we would travel north crossing the High Altas towards Fes, and our final waypoint in the mountain village of Chefchaouen for New Year. Our return to Europe would be a shorter ferry hop from Ceuta to Algeciras.

Get the full story
Prev1...414243...142Next Page 42 of 142