Hi,
Looking at possibly purchasing a 2004 DII with approx 50,000 miles to export and use in West Africa. I've been reading through these forums and notice a few people stress to use premium fuels. Where I'm going we don't have premium fuel... and even the regular fuel is quite dirty and not regulated at all.

How would the DII handle this? And is there any additional servicing you think it would need because of this? more regular fuel filter changes etc?

thanks!

 

Wow! As far as I know the V8 does not handle bad fuel very well. I know mine is a bad fuel detector, it lets me know every time!!

If it were me I'd wait and get one with a TD5 once there.

If that is not possible they will adapt to regular fuel but that gives you retarded timing and even less economy. On top of that the fuel injection system gums up pretty quickly on cheap fuel and that can lead to misfires and weak performance and even less economy. If you had to do it make sure you have a supply of Techron or Seafoam available at all times and keep adding that with every tank of gas.

 

My D2 has had a steady diet of regular gas since purchasing more than a year ago. ECU adapts, vehicle runs fine and has plenty of power.
......

 

At the risk of being banished I am going to suggest you buy a Land Cruiser.

 

I agree. At the very least I would find a super clean TD5 in country, but a Toyota would be the smarter buy regardless.

 

You're banished Frank

Landcruiser, whatever next eh

 

I would first enquire as to the availability of makes of trucks and spares, then consider what is best for the particular terrain. A TD5 is a good choice but it must be low mileage and auto IMO and be careful of where you buy it.

In all honesty it is unlikely LR will have any presence in Africa whereas Landcruiser, Nissan etc may have, so Frank may be right, but hell, who'd want to admit it eh .

 

Havnt looked into it but I'm betting there's actually a fairly decent surplus of land rovers. Won't speculate on particular models but the British and Japanese have had a pretty solid monopoly on African trade for a long time.

 

Better yet a diesel Land Cruiser. Or maybe Offroad France could find a nice diesel DII where he lives, arrange the purchase, and ship it for you. In his spare time. For a small fee ...

If you are hell-bent to buy a petrol DII and ship it add an inline fuel filter. The DII fuel filter is integral to the fuel pump. I'd also live with it a couple of years to get the kinks worked out before shipping it, even one with only 50k on the clock. And even then you'd be playing with fire.

Are you sensing a theme here? You don't say where you live. You may not be in the U.S. Plus I see it's your first post so we should be gentle with you, but some of us struggle to keep our beloved DIIs on the road in the States. I'd rather not try in West Africa.

Good luck.

 

Thanks for these replies and advice. I'm not set on a D2 but I saw this one as a good deal (in the UK) and it looks really nice and fun to drive. However, you guys are right that there are way more Toyota spares and mechanics in west Africa and I'm not really up for a project vehicle .... so, regretfully, I might keep my eye out for a diesel cruiser.

Appreciate you helping out a new forum member

cheers