UAE off-road specialist trains local mechanics in Toyota 4x4 conversions
Local Toyota specialist Safari Engineering hosted Alan Page from the United Arab Emirates last week as part of a training initiative to certify Namibian mechanics in advanced off-road vehicle conversions.
Page, originally from Australia and now executive director of EnduroCo, visited Windhoek to provide hands-on training at Safari Engineering’s workshop. The programme focuses on converting Toyota Quantum vehicles into fully capable four-wheel-drive off-road vehicles.
According to Page, EnduroCo has spent the past six years refining its conversion technology, which is now used in 38 countries worldwide.
“We convert this vehicle from two-wheel drive to four-wheel drive,” he explained.
The conversion process involves extensive suspension and drivetrain modifications. This includes raising the suspension by 150mm, installing parabolic leaf springs, fitting heavy-duty shock absorbers and redesigning the engine cradle to accommodate a front differential, drive shaft and lower control arms.
The heart of conversion
“The heart of the conversion is the redesigned and re-engineered cradle for the engine,” Page said.
All heavy-duty components are supplied from Australia and are designed for rugged environments. The completed vehicle offers both high-range and low-range four-wheel-drive modes, as well as a central differential lock.
Page said the converted Quantum combines the off-road capability of a Toyota Land Cruiser with the ability to transport up to 14 passengers.
The vehicles are engineered and tested according to Australian off-road standards and have an increased gross vehicle mass of 4 200kg, although testing has reportedly been conducted up to 4 500kg.
Safari Engineering founder Brian Kibble believes the conversions could transform Namibia’s tourism transport sector. “I foresee more clients using Quantum 4x4 buses as tourism in Namibia continues to grow,” he said.
Kibble added that tourists could potentially travel directly to destinations such as Deadvlei without changing vehicles.
Founded about 17 years ago, Safari Engineering specialises in Toyota repairs, engine overhauls, gearboxes and differential work. Kibble said the company also plans to expand further into Namibia’s mining sector while continuing to support wildlife conservation initiatives.
