Southern Africa 4×4 – Off-road Trips & Vehicle Mods

The first trip in my new Land Rover Defender Hardtop TDi was a exploratory 4×4 trip up the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa and entering Mozambique at the Kosi Bay Border Post where we explored the coastline around Ponta De Ouro, Mozambique.

Stop-over’s included:

• Ndumo Game Reserve (Maputoland, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa)
• Tembe Elephant Park (Maputoland KwaZulu Natal, South Africa)
• Kosi Bay Nature Reserve and Kosi Bay Mouth
• Ponta De Ouro, Mozambique

General Remarks:

Maputoland and the Elephant Coast on the Northern Natal Coastline is a paradise for any 4×4 enthusiast and a must-do for any 4×4 trip in South Africa. Many of the best spots on the Elephant Coast can only be reached by 4×4 vehicles, which not only ensures a measure of unspoilt beauty but also makes the experience of getting there just a little more rewarding.

Ponta De Ouro, Mozambique was definitely the highlight of the trip. Once you enter Mozambique the drastic changes in road quality; people and landscape, changes your mindset from travel to exploration! If you are planning a 4×4 trip to Mozambique ensure your expedition vehicle is in very good working order.

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All 4×4’s and offroad vehicles should have a differential or diff. A diff transfers the power from the drive-train to the vehicles wheels. As the differential gets hot with use, it needs to breathe or equalise the pressure build up with the outside air pressure. To achieve this a differential breather is uses. It consists of a one way valve that lets air out but prevents water, dust and anything else from entering the differential. However when a hot differential is cooled suddenly as when a 4×4 drives through water, the difference in temperature causes the air pressure in the diff to drop sharply. As the diff breather is a one-way valve, this causes whatever is surrounding the diff to be sucked in through the oil seals. With the case of a water crossing, water is sucked into the diff where it mixes with the oil and causes all sorts of problems.

Extend 4×4 Differential Breathers

To overcome this you would need to extend your breathers to a point where they can breathe pure air.

Step 1 – Parts Needed For 4×4 Differential Breather Extension

I bought these two fittings from a local store for R10 each. 1/8 inch thread to 6mm. This should fit most Toyota Hilux’s.

Toyota Hilux Diff Breather

To mount my Maglite just next to the gear levers I used some ordinary clips you can pick up at any hardware store. Drilled the holes and used normal interior vehicle screws to mount the Maglite mount clips the right distance apart. Maglite 2D cell clips right into its DIY Maglite holder/mount with absolutely no rattling around.

Fun at Signal Hill In Pietermaritzburg with the Landie. It is totally unstoppable!

Took delivery of 1999 Toyota Hilux 2700i a few weeks ago and are now working through the little fixes it needs.

To date it has had fixed:

• New Clutch
• Gear Box Seal relaced to fix leak

It still needs the following done to it:

• Power Steering Box Leak
• Blower resister
• Aircon regassed
• Replace Radiator pipe

Also planned upgrades are: Dual battery System, Spotlights, Extend the differential breathers: front and rear, install winch etc…
Here are some photos of the Toyota Hilux 2700i