Witnessed 6 broken down vehicles in Lesotho (1 Disco Sani Pass, 3 Hilux, 1 Taxi, 1 LC200) all drivetrain related. In fact EVERY time I go I see drivetrain issues.
Enroute to Moz, I was convoy with a LC76 4.2 NA. Both cars were filled up at same station. I had a much heavier load but uphills had to slow down to 60-70km/h as the LC lacked torque. My right leg cramping from barely touching the pedal. When we stopped, the Patrol used about 1.5l less. Driving at night I noticed how the LC's lights would aim at the ground then sky, like a kid playing with a torch. The Patrol by comparison was more like the gradual motion experienced on a large cruise ship. My lights moved slowly. Overall I'm now happier than ever, after seeing around 4 broken vehicles in Moz due to weaker suspensions (all IFS, and all Toyota, Moz is a big Toy dealership ;) ), broken wishbones, cv's, side shafts etc. I'm convinced you NEED double solid axles. Above that I really wanted a LC76 and with respect I love them, but the fact that in this "class" LC / Patrol / Defender the petrol 4.8 patrol used LESS fuel than the diesel handled the dunes easier etc. Means I made the right decision. In this league we all get around 17l. Sealevel is addictive that Patrol um...goes bloody fast! Even my kids were smiling with the engine singing along at 5000 rpm - and SOOOO smooth. No temp issues, nothing.
Swaziland coming soon
So VS the Pathy, it won't last (neither will any other IFS / IRS car but I believe the Pathy is physically stronger) doing these type of trips, VS LC I paid 60% the price and feel like I have so much more. Thats ex the sunroof, leather, electric mirrors, autobox, cc and cc, discs all round and 6 airbags and double the power. The Patrol is a 76 and LC200 mixed.
Put simply the Patrol feels the light bumps and irons out the bad ones.
Thanks again to this excellent forum and personally Peter Connan for entertaining me over the years
I'm one VERY happy Patrol owner.
