Car Repairs on the Road – Overland-Vehicle Breakdowns and Maintenance
No overland journey without your car breaking down or needing some kind of maintenance.
What car issues have we faced in which countries? Where have we found car workshops that understand an old Land Cruiser?
And, meet the kindest and most helpful workshops in the world when we were in need of car repairs.
The upcoming book Forever Off Track chronicles Karin-Marijke and Coen’s remarkable 3.5-year overland journey from Europe to Southeast Asia in a rugged Land Cruiser. Join them as they step out … Read more
“There is even dust in the drawers. I’m done with this Mongolian Gobi dirt!” Karin-Marijke exclaimed while she carefully removed a thick layer of fine sand from the inside of … Read more
This is part 3 of a 3-series story on how to keep your overland vehicle on the road. Find part 1 here and part 2 here. At the Chilean Automobile … Read more
This is part 2 of a 3-series story on how to keep your overland vehicle on the road. Find part 1 here, and part 3 here. In India, our jar … Read more
Japan’s enthusiastic Land Cruiser community was dedicated to making our journey in their country memorable in every possible way. Their mission was successful. They managed to get us a tour … Read more
What can happen with your winch if you don’t use it regularly and don’t do any maintenance?
How can you not drive with functioning brakes for 8 years? It was time to get to the core of the issue and fixe those brakes.
To buy new AGM or Gel batteries we drove to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where we also found a place to weld a new battery box on the chassis.
The Land Cruiser Restoration is coming to an end. Almost 100 days since we disassembled the Land Cruiser, we have our home on wheels back.
Two months in a city, it’s unusual for us. We have things to do in Bishkek! The Land Cruiser needs an overhaul and we’ll meet overlanders.
The Land Cruiser renovation is progressing with difficulty. Bureaucratic hurdles, renegotations and car part shopping in La Paz.
Is it miscommunication, cultural differences, or something else? Our Land Cruiser Restoration in La Paz, Bolivia, quickly goes pear-shaped.
After 7 years on the road, part of the chassis broke off. A restoration of the Land Cruiser was required and we found a workshop in Bolivia.
The Land Cruiser returned the factory where it was built in 1984: Toyota Auto Body, in Toyota City. Next, the Toyota Automobile Museum.
As we weave our way through urbanized Honshu, we stop in Hiroshima, make new friends and kill the clutch in the middle of the highway.
The Land Cruiser returned to its country of birth, Japan, where on Kyushu Island we are spoiled by Friendee Auto Workshop.
November 29, 2016. We make new friends, admire hellish-looking ponds, and have our first car accident in 13 years on the road.
This is part 3 of a 3-series story of the third overhaul on the Land Cruiser and how we remodeled the car with a water tank, sink, and a whole … Read more
After 12.5+ years on the road we switched from water canisters to a water tank and sink. Here’s how we did it.
To get the Land Cruiser’s bodywork welded was the first challenge in the overhaul. In Guyana we succeeded, sort of: meet the 5 welders.
Part 3 in the series Problem Solving on the Road, this time focused on the car workshop in Quito, Ecuador.
As the years go by the wear and tear of the Land Cruiser continue. A while back driving off roads became less pleasant because my door increasingly rattled. First I thought it was the placement of … Read more
Problem solving on the road, at a car workshop in Ecuador to be exact, continues with stories on idler shafts, gearbox dismantles, and tires.
It started with an odd sound, it ended with new leaf-springs, and the transfer box taken down. Here’s part 1 of our car repairs in Ecuador.
As Coen inspected wheel nuts on Ecuadorian vehicles he noticed many were missing; what does this say about car mechanics?
Weird sounds and friction came and went for years. To get to the bottom of this we visited a workshop in Peru: Fire Wheels workshop in Lima.
Our Land Cruiser’s air filter rusted through. How did the car get to sport a fancy air filter like the Donaldson Full-View Pre-Cleaner?
Tips on where to get your car fixed, on what to do in case of a major repair (overhaul), and tips on where to find workshops in Bolivia.
Searching for an excellent car workshop in South America? Here’s an impression of Ernesto’s immaculate garage, in La Paz, Bolivia.
When one of your batteries blow up and you’re in the middle of nowhere and find the kindest people who help you and trust you.
Rust is a never-ending issue with our Land Cruiser. A welder finds the creative solution of fiberglass repair where welding doesn’t work.
After the aluminum welding was done, it was time for projects that required welding stainless steel. Luckily we found the right man for this.
Aluminum welding is not a matter of course, let alone finding people who know how to do it properly. Luckily we met the Jeepeiros in Bélem.
New country, new impressions. In Guyana we appreciate the gesture of welcome when in need of getting a flat tire fixed.
When the blinker breaks off because the fender is too rusted, we know the Land Cruiser needs TLC – time for fender repair in South Bolivia.
