Car Parts and Accessories

There are some spectacular 4×4 mountain routes in Southern Africa, and the scenery and plantlife to be seen en route make them well worth tackling. The Sani Pass in Lesotho (Kaoko Scale rating 3) and Van Zyl’s Pass in Namibia (Kaoko Scale rating 4) are two well-known (and notorious) routes. (more…)

Snow is not a common occurence throughout most of Southern Africa, the only exceptions being the Maluti Mountains of Lesotho and parts of the Drakensberg, KwaZuluNatal. Off-road driving in snowy conditions requires the off-roader to make use of the same techniques as for driving on sand and mud. (more…)

Adding a canopy certainly helps to protect your luggage. There are two types of canopies available: 1) the colour-impregnated, UV-stabilised, epoxy resin (or glass-fibre) canopy, and 2) the steel canopy. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs. (more…)

When you are buying a 4×4 for regular use in the bush, you will need to decide whether the vehicle’s suspension system should be fitted with leaf or coil springs. (more…)

It is important to cover these conditions together as they invariably occur together. Throughout most of Southern Africa, we are faced with fast-flowing rivers and streams that quickly become torrents during the rainy season. Mud invariably follows, and can be dangerous. (more…)

You are bound to get stuck at some time or other, so be prepared for it. Vehicles tend to get stuck mostly in sand or mud, although there are exceptions. I will focus here on techniques to recover your vehicle from sand and mud. (more…)

At one time, the market was flooded with cheap Chinese and Russian jerry cans. These cans were made from inferior metal that rusted easily and caused serious damage to engines because rust contaminated the fuel. It is therefore better to invest in the more expensive South African or German jerry cans. Even so, when pumping petrol or diesel over to the main tank, you should always cover the filler hose with an old nylon stocking to filter out any unwanted particles. (more…)

Mesh cover for the radiator No 4×4 vehicle should be without a mosquito metal mesh cover fitted to the radiator. On a Land Rover, it can be attached to the grill; on a Land Cruiser, a light frame into which the mesh is mounted can be added to the front of the radiator. Most other vehicles will use either of these methods to cover the radiator. The mesh cover effectively prevents grass seeds and insects from clogging up the orifices in the radiator. (more…)

The spare wheel: The question of where to keep the spare wheel is always a problem. The best idea is to attach it to the tailgate of the vehicle or, in the case of single- and double-cabs with rails, to the side of the rail. It is important to find the right place for the spare wheel, as it could obstruct your visibility in the side mirror. (more…)

These tents have become very popular in Southern Africa as they are easy to erect and store, and safe from prowling wild animals and crawling insects.

• The attaching brackets that hold the roof tent to the vehicle’s roof should be flared and delta-shaped, as these are stronger. The frame should be made from aluminium. (more…)

GPS: A GPS (Global Positioning System) is an extremely useful navigational tool which can be used in conjunction with a map to programme your entire route. If you use 1:50 000 maps for accurate measurements, you will never get lost or be uncertain of your location again. A GPS also improves safety in that, if someone falls ill or some other problem occurs, you can radio an aeroplane or helicopter for assistance and they will be able to pinpoint your exact position using their own GPS. (more…)