[Willem Stoltz]

Willem Stoltz on 17th June 2019 at 2:45 pm

I want to buy a 4×4 for overlanding and exploring around Southern Africa, what will be most effective, manual or automatic……

[Gerd Kopanski]

Gerd Kopanski on 19th June 2019 at 3:26 pm

Hi Willem

I did overlanding (in SA and Namibia) with a Pajero 3.2D-ID SWB in Automatic.

What a brilliant experience with no changing up and down on gravel roads before and after bends (of which there are quite a lot), no sand and deeper sand patches, as well as short up and downhills etc .

It depends entirely on you whether you prefer tranquility while driving or constant gear shifting and de-clutching. Even in deep sand , automatic in the 4×4 context is preferrable, provided you can override the auto box.

In summary , normal overlanding with a manual or automatic box 4×4 is a personal choice, however if you maybe  progress later to serious rock obstacle driving or the van Zyl’s pass experience  a manual might be preferrable.

[Gerd Kopanski]

Gerd Kopanski on 19th June 2019 at 3:33 pm

Hi Willem

I did overlanding (in SA and Namibia) plus Sani pass and Lesotho and lots of gravel  roads in Kruger with a Pajero 3.2D-ID SWB in Automatic.

What a brilliant experience with no changing up and down on gravel roads before and after bends (of which there are quite a lot), no sand and deeper sand patches, as well as short up and downhills etc .

It depends entirely on you whether you prefer tranquility while driving or constant gear shifting and de-clutching. Even in deep sand , automatic in the 4×4 context is preferrable, provided you can override the auto box.

In summary , normal overlanding with a manual or automatic box 4×4 is a personal choice, however if you maybe  progress later to serious rock obstacle driving or the van Zyl’s pass experience  a manual might be preferrable.