Over the last few months, we have subjected our previously bog-standard LandCruiser 200 Series to many upgrades before hitting the road for a 20,000km tour with our offroad caravan strapped to the back.
The many changes included a Tough Dog GVM boost, Monster Wheels and Yokohama offroad tyres, a Bendix offroad brake upgrade, a REDARC battery and inverter, an Ironman bullbar and roof rack and a set of MSA 4×4 drawers. While we have created a much better and safer towing vehicle, it came with a weight penalty and bigger tyres that sap the fuel economy.
A YARN WITH THE DIESEL GURUS
As much by chance as good management, our journey home took us south along the Hume Highway past the home of Berrima Diesel in NSW. This family-run business operates on farmland in the genteel Southern Highlands community and has been the go-to fount of diesel knowledge since the 1970s. Three generations of the Leimroth clan have fettled, saved and improved countless numbers of 4WDs going back to the flinty BJ40 LandCruiser and the G60 Patrol.
When I called ahead to see if they had time to discuss our fuel use issue and what we could do about keeping the 4.5L V8 in good order, theyreliability and operation, so we arranged to return a few weeks later.
