Hardtop or CrewCab Pickup

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading this forum for a while to get some ideas for an expedition vehicle. Now soon I will be in the position to purchase a 110 for conversion to an expedition vehicle. The plan is for my wife and I to travel from the UK to Singapore, via some of the "stans", Mongolia, China, Vietam, Laos, Thailand, Singapore etc, then on to Australia and finally NZ.

My question is, in your opinion, should I get a 110 hardtop (better security etc) or a crewcab (as we will need to carry a guide in china and possibly a couple of other places from the limited research I have done)?

I am planning on getting a 300TDI, as from research this is best for self mechanics etc.

Also would it be better to buy a converted vehicle or start from scratch?

Thanks for your advice in advance.

C

Never done an expedition in my life. Never thought of doing an expedition. So ignore me if thou does wish.

However, as you say, hard tops are more secure. Now several 300tdis will have sidewards facing seats in the back. Could you not leave one of those free for the guide? Admittedly not comfortable, but it doesn't have to be. Its an expedition.

Another idea is to get a station wagon and leave a single forward facing seat in there. Remove the other two. More storage space than the crew cab and more secure.

And the majority of people seem to conver the vehicles themselves, this way they get exactly what they want.

Again, never done and expedition, I know nothing, just my tuppence worth.

welcome to the zone. we are planning exactly the journey hopefully next year. we personally have a 110csw 200tdi which is very easy to work on, i amcurrently building a trailer to carry all that we are liable to need, will be fitting a fridge in the motor and cooking facilities in the trailer, how far are you along with visas etc.LEE

Not very far along at all. The plan is to get the vehicle and do some smaller trips to Iceland, Morocco and Scandinavia. Then do the big trip which will be in about 3 years time.

CSW is probably a good compromise - will have to look into it a little more. Also need to get the missus to drive it as she things "it well be to big"! She thinks her mini is big at the moment!

howdy, ive the same problem with my wife,exept her car is a range rover p38 and is about the same size in length but yet she cant comprehend this,,,
also get a tape and show the missus that from centre hub front to centre hub rear on the mini the exact same as a 110.....
i keep telling my missis that its a height issue...
well ill keep on trying