Hero builds at 4xOverland
Vehicle builds and milestones
It's been 51 years since my obsession with 4x4s began, and 32 years since I made 4x4 adventure broadcasting a career. Currently the odometer reads 20, 4x4s. I've driven about 1,5 million kilometres across 22 countries on five continents. The video below was shot in 2018, when the build count was 14. Then follows a list of all 20 vehicles, and each page containing links to products fitted.
1974
I believe this is the very first picture of me and a 4×4. February 1974, my father took delivery of a brand new Range Rover. This was photographed outside our home near the village of Eynsford, Kent, England. It marks the official start of an obsession. It was purchased 30 January, 1974, Range Rover suffix-C V8, 3560188Y C.
1975
In 1974 the family emigrated to South Africa. A trip in the Range Rover to Botswana soon followed. Here I am again, head out of sunroof, in the Chobe National Park overlooking the Chobe River floodplain. The official start of another obsession - overland exploration. I was 15 years old.
1982
My first 4x4 purchased in May 1982. The very first pic of me off-road, within days of me taking delivery of 35502492 suffix-A Range Rover. It was a 1971 model, had 40 000 miles on the clock and was in very good cosmetic and mechanical condition. It had some rust in the footwells, but was very 'clean'.
1984
'Overland' for the first time on a trip out of my home country. This was to the Namib Desert and here is me well stuck in the sand. This old super-8 film is the very first time I used a winch. It took two hours to dig myself out after the winching failed. It was October in the Namib, and the hottest time of the year.
1987
It was on Gwynn's first trip with that an accident occurred deep in the African bush. Near Ngoma in the far northern reaches of Botswan, I had to repair the entire front end to be able to get the Range Rover home. The insurance company wanted to write it off, but I took the cash and repaired it myself.
1989
4x4 number 2, and Land Rover #2. After respraying the Lodi Lincoln Green, its replacement arrived and 4x4 Number 2 - a Land Rover One-Ten V8. My first ever brand new 4x4 which would be the centre of my 4WD life for the next eight years.
1990
I married my sweat heart Gwynn on the top of a mountain and the only way to the top was to ferry all the guests up in a convoy of 4x4s. This video runs from the recce, wedding and honeymoon in an extraordinary place, all alone among elephants and lions.
1993
1993 was the year my first book was published. It went on to be sold in South Africa uninterrupted for 24 years. This was the first edition.
As a result of the book I was asked to drive and review a lot of 4WDs and was even given some long term vehicle loans. The two most memorable ones were a Landcruiser Prado 2nd Gen, and a LR Discovery-4.
1998
4x4 number 3, and Land Rover #3. This Range Rover was called the Classic to distinguish itself from the new P38 which was launched in 1996. It had the 'soft' dash, later to be built into the Discovery, and air suspension designed for the P38. It was a 1996 model. I didn't keep it for long and only did one big trip in it. The air suspension was so complex, how would I fix if if it went wrong in the bush? I did not have sufficient faith in it to take it on very hard expeditions.
2000
4x4 Number 4. The search for my next 4WD that would fulfil my desires was long but fruitful. In 2000 I was offered an ex-demo 290GD by Mercedes South Africa. Offered to me at around two-thirds its real value, I learned to adore the G.
I sold it after 127 000 kms, several major expeditions and three years, after which I was made a can't-leave-it offer. But I was then left high and dry. Seller's remorse. I had no idea what to get next.
2004
4x4 Number 5 and Land Rover #4.
The G was going to be a hard act to follow and it took several years for that to happen. In the meantime I tried a two-year-old Discovery V8. I knew when buying it that it would be a stop-gap while deciding on my next path. I kept it for about 9 months and did very little to it or with it. Ergonomically the Disco was cramped, with little packing space, a nice driving position and great off-road. But also a little dull.
2005
4x4 Number 6 and my first Land Cruiser.
My long-term relationship with the Land Cruiser began with one that was not a success. It was also my first intro into the ute/pickup was well as my first intro into major vehicle modifications. It was based on a Land Cruiser 1HZ-powered VJ79 single-cab converted into a double-cab. (Double-cab Land Cruisers were not yet available). It was grossly underpowered for its weight. I kept it for about 20 months and was the major attraction in two TV series.
2006
4x4 Number 7 and Land Cruiser #2.
This time a new 105 GXL 4,5 petrol. I was going to have no more under-powered 4WDs. I set about to make the engine use less fuel and did an engine top overhaul with new valves, head grinding and a chip. And it made all of a 1% improvement. What an excellent but thirsty 4WD. So thirsty that is was no good as a long distance overlander. It couldn't carry sufficient fuel for the desert travel I was used to doing.
2006
4x4 Number 8 and my G-Wagen #2.
Unhappy with the Cruiser 105's fuel issues, my next 4x4 arrived in the form of a six year old Nato-spec Mercedes 290GD for sale in Lesotho. I bought it to try and bring it into South Africa where I lived at the time. It is the best off-roader I've ever owned by quite a long way. It had skinny tires, unmatched clearance and lockers front and back. Its mudding ability was extraordinary. I sold it after two years because there was no path to legal ownership in South Africa.
2008
4x4 Number 9 and Landcruiser #2.
In 2008 the new shape 70-series was introduced and Toyota South Africa made getting a new one irresistible. I liked it, but missed the 105's handling, space and ability. I loathed the steering wheel and it was under-powered with its 1HZ engine. It was in this that I did my very first solo expedition, crossing the Kalahari in 2008. I never fell in love with my 76.
2009
4x4 Number 10 and Landcruiser #3.
This was a pre-owned 105 with 1HZ 4.2 diesel, to which I added a small low-pressure turbo-charger that gave me a vehicle that I loved and one of the best 4x4s I've ever owned.
2011
4 Number 11 and Landcruiser #4.
In 2010, while driving my LC105 on a solo trip traversing the Namib desert, I was inspired to come up with the idea for an integrated flip-up roof-tent camper conversion for Troopcarrier. Until 2011, Troopcarriers were not yet available in South Africa. Toyota South Africa first loaned, then gave me the very first one imported into South Africa. And the Alu-Cab Hercules and all its copies are today the offspring of that inspiration.
CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH THE VIDEO
2012
Not counted in my list of owned 4x4s, worth a mention. My relationship with Land Rover that had been severely battered because of my candid appraisals of their vehicles, was temporarily mended when their new South Africa marketing chief contacted me and asked if I would be interested in a long term loan of a Discovery-4. I welcomed this with excitement. The LR4 is a great all-rounder. It does so many things, so well. Pity about its electric air suspension and oversized rims!
CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH THE VIDEO
2017
4×4 Number 12 and Landcruiser #5.
In Australia, the huge and diverse 4WD accessory market greeted me with so many exciting products I had never had access to before. And also the full range of Land Cruiser 70-series with the 4.5 V8 turbo-diesel engine. So I bought a Troopcarrier and built it with all I had learned from my African 1HZ Troopy. It turned out to be the best overland tourer I’d ever built, and ever driven. The Troopy is the unmatched compact, two-person adventure tourer
CLICK IMAGE TO WATCH THE VIDEO
2019
4×4 Number 13 and Landcruiser #6.
The restoration of a 20-year old, tired and abused Land Cruiser 1HZ 105 in Cape Town, South Africa began in September 2019. The idea was that an African-based tourer would be available for yearly expeditions. With the mechanical rebuild complete, it was sold in 2021 due to travel limitations imposed by the Covid pandemic. It was replaced in 2023 with a Troopcarrier.
2020
4×4 Number 14 and Landcruiser #7.
Thinking I could make a version of the Troopy overlander even better, I tried with a Landcruiser VDJ79 chassis-cab 4-door, with a stretched chassis and camper on the back. It was better than the Troopy in some ways, but in many, not as nice to drive and as an overlander, not as versatile. The chassis was really good, but the camper was a disappointment. And so it never filled me with a longing to get in it and get out, which is the hallmark of any great overlander.
I did not to keep it for long.
2021
4×4 Number 15 and Land Rover #5.
In a quest to find my 1972 Suffix-A Range Rover that I owned from 1982 to 1990, I found and purchased a 1975 Classic in Melbourne VIC, and then drove it 3550 kms across Australia to my home in Perth. A year later we it drove the Canning Stock Route! This was my third Range Rover Classic and this project concluded early 2024.
2021
4×4 Number 16, Landcruiser #8.
This was my third Troopy. Delivery took place July 2021. I turned this into the ultimate 2-person overlander, without increasing the GVM. It has completed the Canning Stock Route and several shorter outback adventures. One of my absolute all time favourite builds. I'm not sure if I will ever better this one.
This project concluded December 2023.
2024
4x4 Number 18 and Landcruiser #9.
2024 started with the purchase and building of a model new to the Landcruiser range; the 2.8, 4-cyl with auto gearbox, in a Troopy body. The series celebrates my love of Land Cruisers, especially the 70-series!
This project concluded December 2025
2024
4x4 Number 19 and my first joint build with another company.
Teaming up with EGON and Bus4x4 Toyota, I'm want to see if Bus4x4's HiAce is suited to real overland adventure. Conclusions so far is that it's a really good off-roader, with excellent clearance, low range, big wheels, a worthy payload - and its roomy a van!
This project began in March 2024 and I see it as the most exciting and challenging build of the past decade.
Project is due for completion, end 2026.
2026
4x4 Number #20.
A daily driver off-roader on a budget. Based on a Suzuki Jimny 5-door, built for off-road fun and weekend trips close to home.
Project is current
2026-2028
4x4 # 21 and 22 are already planned.
Both are the extremely successful HiAce 4x4 by Bus4x4. One will be built here in Australia starting July 2026 and the second, if all goes to plan, in South Africa beginning early 2027.
Make sure you join my private community to be part of by builds. @aspwexperience.
