I've ridden quite a few of the tracks between Tazzarine and Zagora and from memory they were very rocky. Shouldn't be such an issue in your HiLux. This was before SatNav took off so no tracks to share and it's probably changed since then with the new road.
Meandering round Morocco in a Hilux
- Thread starter Northern jock
- Start date
We decided to head into the hills, away from sand and muddy creeks today, camping high in the hills somewhere.
So we went along a great wee track, mostly first or second, odd bit of 4wd.
Then, high up and near the top, there was a channel eroded by the rain so we part filled it with rocks, into low ratio (which was difficult to engage) and over we went. Back into high but could only get 4H so drove on and pulled off at what would make a stunning camp spot.
I tried again to select 2H and the lever separated from the transfer box, no big force involved.
So, I had a lever totally disconnected and I was in 4H. I removed the trim and the gaiter but couldn’t easily work out how to reconnect it and given where we were, I didn’t want to play around and get stuck in neutral.
So, we turned round and headed back down the pass in 4H and got back to town where there’s a 4wd doctor.
He sent us off for lunch, we will return shortly and hope all is fixed.
Onwards and upwards.
So we went along a great wee track, mostly first or second, odd bit of 4wd.
Then, high up and near the top, there was a channel eroded by the rain so we part filled it with rocks, into low ratio (which was difficult to engage) and over we went. Back into high but could only get 4H so drove on and pulled off at what would make a stunning camp spot.
I tried again to select 2H and the lever separated from the transfer box, no big force involved.
So, I had a lever totally disconnected and I was in 4H. I removed the trim and the gaiter but couldn’t easily work out how to reconnect it and given where we were, I didn’t want to play around and get stuck in neutral.
So, we turned round and headed back down the pass in 4H and got back to town where there’s a 4wd doctor.
He sent us off for lunch, we will return shortly and hope all is fixed.
Onwards and upwards.
My Pajero swb got stuck in 4H in the middle of Botswana. I figured that of all the options, that was the best one to be stuck in (4H was fine on hard surfaces, no transmission wind up issues), so drove on and fixed it when back in civilisation. Having said that, I bet your Moroccan mechanic's very comfortable working on a Hilux, so there's probably a decent chance that he'll fix it.
Hilux can get windup on tar so I needed it sorted but yes, compared to being stuck in neutral or low it was a good result!
Mechanic fixed it, it feels different but he is sure it’s fine. So heading west again to find a bush camp.
I asked him how much and he said as you like so I gave him Dhs300 and he was happy. Nice guy, used to work in Dakar vehicles, photos around his small workshop.
My old, very old 1979, Hilux had a similar issue doing some off roading in Wales many years ago, stuck in 4WD, fine on loose ground but, the transmission wind up on tarmac sounds mechanically destructive.
I took the front prop shaft off to get home.
Great pics by the way, proper adventure.
I took the front prop shaft off to get home.
Great pics by the way, proper adventure.
So, the old road to N’kob (I keep mixing the letters up the wrong way) had been largely dug up and is currently replaced with either earth or thick gravel as they start the replacement. Very slow so our plan of turning right and heading up high to camp had the be abandoned, just too late in the day now.
So, camping just outside Knob in a small walled campsite, very nice wee place. Not what we were after but I’ll take it.
I wouldn’t fancy that road on a big loaded bike, be hard work.
While waiting for the Hilux to be sorted in Alnif we went for lunch and there was a French group on a bike tour, KTM 450’s, all dressed up brightly apart from one old lad in his twat suit.
So, camping just outside Knob in a small walled campsite, very nice wee place. Not what we were after but I’ll take it.
I wouldn’t fancy that road on a big loaded bike, be hard work.
While waiting for the Hilux to be sorted in Alnif we went for lunch and there was a French group on a bike tour, KTM 450’s, all dressed up brightly apart from one old lad in his twat suit.
Did you know Pajero in Spanish means ‘Wanker’. It’s why they renamed it Montero for their market. Great car
You just can't get away from those TWAT suits
Mitsubishi have SuperSelect for 4H on tarmac
Hilux doesn’t and will wind up as Al says
Correct, I could drive my L200 in 4WD on the road, useful in the wet as the rear end gets a bit ‘drifty’ on empty pickups, lock the centre diff if off road, can’t do that on a Hilux.
Enjoying this thanks!
I suspect we saw some yesterday, dune buggies on steroids, 2 that I saw were on Dutch plates and they were pressing on with an engine sounding a lot bigger than a rental one. And, I think, only a driver in each.
Yep, that's why I love my S5 L200, just leave it in 4H all winter, no issues as it has a centre diff
Great write up....
An excellent get-home tip. Did the same with my 60 Series Land Cruiser when I bent the rear propshaft on a rock. Removed it, selected 4H and drove home with front wheel drive.
Sorry for the hijack - but might be useful to someone some day. Back to Morocco!
No hijack, always worth mentioning what may seem obvious to one but be a solution in the back pocket to the next man
Years ago when I was driving the overland Africa trucks I removed the prop shafts from a mate’s truck in the night, we were camping next to each other.
He started up first in the morning and couldn’t work why his engine was good, gears good but he didn’t move!
Anyone got a dime?
Classic film
Classic film
Just East of Ouarzazate.... which way are you heading?
Stopped here, looks like a nice spot to camp, a few miles off the road between Tagounite and Mhamid
Very nice and remote.
The first pic showing the Hilux parked in #118 is superb.
