There's an Aus made vehicle that's missing from the list Ian - the Oka,
which for me is the ultimate offroad behemoth. The WA cops use them
for their desert patrols, and they would appear to have the ultimate in
ground clearance [short of one of those mining truck monsters].
Regards, Laurie.
On Friday, February 24, 2006, at 09:01 PM, Ian May wrote:
g'Day all
The question of what is the ultimate birding vehicle is like a
question I asked an old mate of mine, what is the best outback 4WD?
Alex replied, "that’s a bit like asking me what the best political
party is. Nearly everyone thinks their choice is best but once you
strip away the spin and BS, what you have left is useless most of the
time and very expensive to maintain".
Yeah right I said. For about 20 years, Alex had the responsibility
for dragging many stranded visitors out of the South Australian
desert, from Oodnadatta to Innaminka and south to Arkaroola after they
took what was considered their ultimate off road vehicle a little too
far off the road.
For what its worth, here is a summary of his experience.
Mitsubishi Pajaero/Holden Rodeo/Rav 4 etc. The source of much
plastic pollution across the desert
Nissan Nevara/Pathfinder/Toyota Hilux etc etc. Objects better used
for the study of metal fatigue and passenger stress than rough country
driving.
Subaru (The ultimate birding vehicle blah, blah?) Well not for long
after an inch of rain on the Strez or Birdsville track. When the
going gets tough fuel consumption is about as good as the V8. Have
you tried looking through the windscreen with binoculars? And the cost
of parts!!!!
Susuki! What? They make good motorbikes and outboard motors. But try
buying parts in the bush. Need a windscreen? And, don’t run out of
gears. Excellent golf buggies though.
Toyota Landcruiser/Prado Blah blah blah. Remember the jingle "Toyota
tough! That means tough on the arse and tough on the pocket."
Nissan Patrol? Sorry Tony! Can’t resist. Rebadged Lancruiser. The
drivers mostly evolved from a scene in Mad Max II. If you like eating
dust you will love a Patrol.
Landrover. With the best centre of gravity and power weight ratio, if
you have access to two things, (1) your own oil well and (2) your own
team of mechanics, Landrover is the ultimate off road vehicle. And
because the body panels are made of aluminium, when bogged in Lake
Eyre they make good landmarks as the wreckage lasts much longer than
steel vehicles.
What then is the ultimate 4WD?. Alex said, after a flood like 74, if
the engine starts when the key is turned, that’s good but in a drought
like the one we have just had, the one that takes you through the
bulldust in comfort is best.
Hope that helps..
Regards
Ian May
St Helens, Tasmania.
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