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For my tuppence worth, I own a Toyo Bruiser 80 series with all the kit, 4.2 diesel, had it for 10 years, I had 300 di disco from new, with all the same kit, ( old man Emu) winch etc, BFG s, my son still has this car, both done 300K miles, they are both 94 year, the difference? The disco has been as reliable as you can ask, the Toyo disappointing, however the whole wear and tear bit, the Toyo is streets ahead, original headlining etc however, secondhand parts are far easier for the L R, I like both, one thing I like, the Toyo came with all the lockers from the factory, they work, are quick, reliable. Ultimately I have a hankering for a classic Rangie, more style, road presence, so I would like to build another car, ( the Rangie) but I don't have time, ( 66 and spending as much time over landing as I can) anyway, the Toyo affectionados are as good a bunch as the Landy guys, have fun, Bill Westley

Good show, very interesting people, great attitude and as previously said not the "being sold to " spirit, the biggest and only complaint from me, the toilets, they were disgusting , disgraceful, the show was worthy of better and more were obviously were needed, and maybe some of the users have a better aim. Will definitely plan to go next year but to get the best from the show and get the "experience" I will want to stay for the two days, I attended two seminars, one about Bushcraft, very good, and another by Andrew Pierre White, again very good. I'm sure we all have our own ideas about over landing and camping and we do what suits us, but I enjoyed seeing other peoples way of doing things. Well done to the organisers. Regards to all

Hi, have you resolved you problem? I may be able to offer you a solution, but if its done, no probs. Best regards, Bill Westley

Biaching? young Nick is co-driver, that is.... in charge of refreshments etc etc. he was great at the "Croisiere Blanche" but I dont know how he'll cope with welsh Wales, but then, Morrisons is only down the road

I fancy this for perhaps next year - so anything I can learn about it (besides one of the chalets having a pool ) would be greatly appreciated! Hi, its all been said really, get your booking in, now! its a popular event and getting more so with the northern froaders (German/Dutch/ Belgians) go onto the "Les-Vans" Tourist website sort out your " Herbegment" I think that means accomodation, get your truck ready, thats it. The paper work from the GRM sometimes comes through in English but you'll get by with "menu French" The GRM have a fond regard for the Brits as we are usually not "high maintenance" and of course the Brits always work in a team, which sad to say not all others do. I notice that in your pics you have a nicely sorted disco, will you use this? no probs if you do but you might want to do something about the rear bumper if you havent already. If you go in a group or go on your own dont worry you'll have ball at what I think is one of the most demanding technical drives of your life, this is not a "Bash and Crash" you'll be needing all your concentration and driving skills, a winch could be handy but on the climbs ( they call it a Montee Raid) which are very difficult they normally have a winch truck in position for those who can't manage it. The longest climb recorded on our Brantz was 1.5 kms!!!! not straight up, but that is a long way. A Brantz or similar is really essential or you'll find yourself playing "follow my leader " with someone who you dont really know if THEY know where they are! Also if you stay outside the village go in to "Les Vans one evening and enjoy the ambience of this lovely town.Thats it, go and have fun, as previously stated this is my favourite event, hope its yours too. Best Regards Bill Westley

[ Don't forget your cozzie for Wales in 3 weeks I believe the soft Welsh water is much kinder to your crackers too !! I will be there, Hugh will not, he is 'froading in Oz as we speak, lucky devil, I WONT be takin the cozzie as I've heard that it rains in Wales just a lot, I was gonna practice my binge drinkin before it goes out of fashion or gets out of my price range, the good thing is the good value of the event, well done the organizers (#33# Club)

This is true, you would'nt have seen Hugh or me in the pool, as we had our own, remember? the one underneath our balcony with the lovely young Italian things with the foul mouths. Also Hugh finds it difficult drinking and eating in the pool, the crumbs off the crackers get soggy, me ? I just concentrate on getting it all ready for the next day, (yeah right!)

Yep, but usually there are three groups of start points not in the village itself, about 30 to 40 mins travel, so each day is a different start point and each day three start times, 7.30, 8.30. then 9.30 for the late starters, I suggest that you start early then you are to be sure to finish the roadbook, then back for a shower then into the pool for a dip, job done!!!

Hi to all, I echo Peter's remark, this is a "must do" event, and it can run to loadsa money what with the weak pound, but, economies can be made by using cheaper accomodation, NOT having the meals and generally self catering, the whole package really is good, from the 'froading bit through the great evenings in "Les Vans" ( the host village) the attitude of the locals, all great, go and have a good time, for me, its the best event of the year! Last year our group rented a house and we catered for ourselves, we have stayed in hotels, but for me, we enjoyed the self catering option more. Worth noting is the weather can be very nice, warm and sunny, don't forget your cozzie, Best regards to all, Bill Westley

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I have one in the style quoted, love it, also love land rovers, would love to have a rover on the front of the 'cruiser as quoted ( Iknow its a bit flash but it DOES look good), any ideas?

I agree with the above, I have a "Q" and in a way I am "proud" if thats that right expression of it. I also took lots of photos of the original build as a record of the work done. when it went through the SVA Iwas rather pleased. A "q" plate would not prevent me from buying a vehicle that I wanted, in fact I feel it might be a bonus at least the motor would be up to scratch! Happy 'froadin, regards to all Bill Westley

IMHO I think its as easy as driving to Spain, just a little further, its a very popular trip for 'bikers who travel lighter than us. I have been on two organised trips, one as a punter and the other as a "marshal" and once with some friends on our own trip. My preference is for to go along with friends, I would suggest a least one other truck, its a great adventure and I would love to go again, the first pleasure is the preparation and planning, the second is the trip, and the third is planning the next! As long as you sensible about things, no problems, the Morroccans are tourist friendly (its how a lot of them earn their living) and the frontier is nowhere as hard as it was, you wait till you see all the holiday homes in Marrachech!!! building every where. Safe trip. Best Regards Bill Westley

I've got the 35" on my hybrid, love em, on and off road, used 'em in swampy conditions, they were great, long term? who knows? I had BFGs 33x12.5 loved 'em, these are better, I've got the Creepy Crawlers.

I'm up for the engine, if its a 4.2 turbo I'm your man, how much when and where? Best regards, Bill Westley

This is the type of story I like, you need a few "winners" in life, makes you get the feelgood factor don't it?

I don't know any of the hitches shown above, but I do know the truckers "dolly knot" which you really need someone to show you "in the blood" Tbh whats wrong with ratchets? strong, good tension, also if you are gonna use rope you'll need a lot, for my money, ratchets, ( I am an LGV owner/driver althouigh that gives me no authority) Ropes on the other hand are not user friendly, and on a wet day are a pain, hope this is of help, Best regards Bill Westley

Hello all, are any going to this years Trophy? we are booked in and I was nosy to see if any others are going too. Hope so, maybe see you there , Best Regards Bill Westley

Brunel in mine, very pleased with the performance and after sales response, the other I had was a Fearn full width jobby, also very good. Thats my tuppenceworth, Bill Westley

These exact symptoms happened to me on my 3oo tdi Hybrid, turned out to be the panhard bushes although they were hard to detect to be faulty in the normal way. Very satisfying when you've cured the problem though. Best Regards to all, Billy Westley

MMM..MORROCCO!!!! I'm off 27th Dec, it's an incredible adventure, easy to plan, easy to go, Marrakech is a"must do" leave your truck at the campsite/hotel and get a taxi in, booze is the only dear thing in Morroco take it with you. buy local food, bread etc it's a great way to off road, as always be security minded, there is always some armpit who wants to spoil your day, whatever you decide, have fun, Best regards Billy Westley

http://peter.kutschera.at/LR/LandRoverDict.pl take a look at this site for some useful translations, hope you don't need it, I've been up and down France for the last 20 years and I still love it. All the obvious things are still relevant but I've found you can't beat the Michelin maps, the yellow series, they have good detail and are not expensive in the supermarkets. Have a good trip, i'm sure you will. Best regards Bill Westley

I think it is Richard Baker at Stondon Massey, 01277822001 Best Regards Bill Westley

[ Will fitting a bigger oil cooler fix this problem? Or is the ZF just not up to pulling such big loads with such a modified RRC (it also use quite a lot of LPG when i drive it with heavy trailers ) Any suggestions which oil cooler? i was thinking putting 2 militairy style series engine oil cooler paralel, in front of the rad because they hold a bigger fluid capacity. and I;ve got them lying around. Cheers Bowy Hi, I had a similar problem with an auto Disco, I used a P38 oil cooler with a pacet fan on it, and it was wired through the temp switch, so when the oil got too hot, on the fan came, I also used bigger pipes from the 'box itself to the cooler, local Hydraulic shop made them for me, as I had found that the diesel engine vibration tended to crack the standard pipes, all I had to do was weld a standard hydraulic fitting to the ZF fitting that screwed into the box (2, one out, and one in) that was OK but if I were to do it again I would use the oil/water type of heat exchanger and not the R/R type again. I think your suggestion to use the military coolers must be worth a try as the standard ones don't seem to get rid of enough heat when towing. Best Regards, Bill Westley