I trust you implicitly. Your channel and content is fantastic. I've found you inspiring. I'm sorry to watch and see the toll the trolls are taking on you. We have all learned a lot from your documented experiences. Thank you.
I don't understand the haters. I'm sitting here with a rum and coke, watching some content that I find very interesting for free. I like some of your builds better than others but I appreciate the fact that you're always trying to find new ways to do things and new variations. It's like I get to test different ideas without spending any money. But of course, nothing beats your first Canning Stock trip. That was majestic.
Sorry but you are.... One of THE BEST. MOST experienced 4x4,r in the World.... I have learned so much from you. That oneday when im able to build and go on my own adventures I will be better prepared than wat I ever would have been. Thank you. A.S.P.W
Hi Andrew. I am a South African and I absolutely love your work. You are on the nail calling some South Africans arrogant and I would even call there assumptions ignorant. Thank you for your positive and informative and educational work.
Hi Andrew, my partner and i are in the early stages of a 4x4 hiace after touring in a 2017 hiace for a few years now. We have had times that the vehicle limited our journeys. We have decided to bite the bullet and spend the money on a vehicle that both suits our needs and works for us. Its so easy to travel in and set up. I have come across these haters that say its not a 4wd and your wasting your money, my response is i am a pioneer and you will thank me when you try and buy one. Chin up keep moving forward.
Andrew, I have a Dymo label on my work laptop that says, 'Only one fool gives another fool the time of day.' It works for me at least twice a week. I watched that video and didn’t think anything at all when you get stuck things like that happen, you handled it and had all the gear.. keep up the great videos mate.
Bula Andrew, please don’t stop covering the tough bits and failures, many just show the flawless trips and sunsets, seeing the challenging times are equally, if not more valuable than the shiny bits.
Cheer up mate! Being so passionate it is normal to miss the obvious: as of today (2 weeks later) 23.000 people viewed the episode with the recovery from Namibia, 1.200 applauded and 161 felt the urge to comment, most of them in a positive way. That's 7/1.000 people, less than 1%, that left a comment and for sure much less than 2/1.000 had the urge to say something negative and stupid. The rest of us just enjoyed it quietly, 993/1.000 people it is, that had the luck to stay at home and live the adventure we don't get to have but we dream of it, quietly and respectfully, some of us (more than 52/1.000) just clapping at the end. And that is a massive positive result!
@xoverland I am a first-generation Overlander from South Africa and from watching your videos gave me the confidence to tackle some of the most challenging roads because I learned so much from you. You will rob us so much when you stop filming some of your challenges and how you tackle them.
Your problem Andrew is that you don’t know how much some people (like me) appreciate your experience and love seeing you get stuck and seeing how you use your experience to get out. Some people have low range in their cars but would not know when to use it. The know it alls who watch your videos must make their own videos. They must make a “know it all” channel. Been driving my Discovery for 2 years and have never gotten stuck because I have been watching your videos (and know what not to do). 2 weekends ago I was driving behind 3 Jeep Wranglers. They got stuck and I didn’t. The only difference between me and them is that I would ask, “what Would Andrew Do?” 😂
The comments "you shold have done this x" and "Why didn't you do x" in my opinion are not negativity, rather, it is stupidity. "Do not attribute malice to that which can be explained by stupidity" I really hope you don't get yourself into the well known RU-vid comment downward spiral. Do and film what you love, those who don't share your interest will be filtered out soon enough. Cheers.
Don't forget , Andrew , that the Loudest Voices of Criticism are usually ALSO the ones that know the LEAST . Keep it up " Sir David " . Cheers from Australia . I am currently doing a MAJOR resurrection and Resto Mod of a Series3 - 109 , as a Solo Overlander .
Andrew, I appreciate you filming your difficult moments. They are educational. I have done some off roading here in America, but watching you solve your problems has given me ideas about situations I’ve been in. About what equipment could have helped me. I’m no where near as experienced as you, do us novices a favor and continue to film your struggles for us. Fuck the know-it-alls! They don’t actually do anything, they just talk!
Andrew thankyou for your content. After travelling and living in my Hiace Commuter around Australia for several years and for a lot of those it was an ongoing build, I decided to go down the 4WD track. I have built and now travel in a 4WD built to suit my needs, like you it is a tool to get me where i want to go. It doesn't have the living comforts of the Hiace in all weathers, but it gets me to places in greater driving comfort and where i could never go before. Over the years i have fantasied about my ultimate vehicle, from an Iveco to a ute with a slide on and everything in between. So I'm following your build with baited breath
Please don't stop filming the tough bits. It's a learning experience for you and us. To hell with the haters! Thanks Andrew from the US. There are a lot of us, myself included, who don't go out to find the tough shit to drive over. I Just don't enjoy it. Thanks again.
Mongolia ?! Fantastic destination.. Made in 10 years 25 trips to Mongolia and never been disappointed Found Friends for life.. Will go again with own vehicle in future for a summer trip. BTW, brilliant video content…❤ Cheers from Germany
Please don't stop showing what you do when you get stuck. I want to see how you deal with these problems. Getting stuck is very much a part of overlanding and you are an expert that knows what to do. I want to start overlanding myself, and look to channels like yours to see how you handle these problems! Please ignore these tar road "experts" when they criticize!
100% agree. Same here. Seeing ASW stuck and how he handles this situations give confidence that and how to do the recovery. Really like it and i am thankful for this.
Please continue showing the mishaps and problems too. There is always something to learn for us inexperienced guys. I really appreciate watching and learning how to solve these situations.
Thank you for your wonderful channel. I'm with you 100% on the low range aspect. I've been involved with 4x4's in Southern Africa in one form or another. Growing up with a Natal Parks Board dad we saw all sorts of things in places like Maputaland and Northern Zululand. I've studied your training material thoroughly and used your strategies and tactics with great success. I trained up to facilitator on the 4x4 basic and advanced unit standards and trained for many years. I cannot believe you wouldn't have done everything in your immense experience to operate your 4x4 responsibly, safelyand with sympathy for environment and machine. Well done for the beautiful productions and great technical content and the ability to tickle the funny bone. I would dearly love to sit around the campfire with you and your lovely family one day, preferably in the Southern African bush. I learnt to drive very young on an FJ45 around the St. Lucia area where dad was Warden In Charge. That HiAce 4x4 van will do immensely well here. I'm sory about my rude compatriots, there also many very good hearted and decent people in my circle of friends. Best wishes for your project and safe travels! Regards, Craig🍻
I actually enjoyed watching the “stuck” portion as always I learned a lot and got tremendous value from watching the expedition. Again I am inspired by your experiences. Thank you
Andrew I'm not an Overlander as such but I absolutely love watching your videos on your trips to some amazing places and your vehicle builds from an engineering perspective. Just brilliant. Thankyou!!
Just a small mistake Andrew : the sprinter 4x4 does have a Low Range (45% reduction) but it is optional. And the clearance is 14 cm better than the normal sprinter. What it only lacks is a diff. Lock. But I agree that your Hi ace is certainly a better off-roader with all this Land Cruiser parts 😍 and keep posting recovery stuff we love it !
I love your approach to the Van Build. I love your videos of travels, and these debrief videos are excellent. Please include recoveries and don't let the negative people dictate what is uploaded. They'll find negatives on any video anyway. You're doing a great job Andrew.
Don't change love your channel. Ignore negative comments Internet is full of wannabes. Just so many videos have helped me when I get stuck yes been 4 wheeling for 30 years and still get stuck sometimes. You are a legend and thank you
Andrew, I think there are so many people that need to see the ways you get yourself out of a stuck situation. Forget the "Know it alls" comments. I've been doing the off road thing since 1983 and I travel landscapes for the scenic beauty, not the Hard Banger 4WDing. You present great content and your channel is superb.
The Africa Series has been very worthwhile and I look forward to many more years of watching you being on trips. Soon I may be able to purchase my own 4WD vehicle or go on a trial 4WD trip with a rented one. I have been following you for 10 years soon and always appreciated your integrity and wisdom.
Andrew, you really don't need to respond to critics or say anything to justify your position. The success of your channel says it all. We have all come across people who tell us how they could do our job better. Just ignore them. I am one of those people who would love to enact one of your builds. I even found an importer in the UK who had a brand new 78. I had watched all your builds and bookmarked where I could purchase all the parts to replicate (as far as possible) your vehicle. Unfortunately the plan fell apert when I took my wife to see it. I suppose your original comment still holds true - you've (both!) really got to want one
Absolutly agree, 4x4 community has some toxic people. Made a facebook video of my first gen Ford Ranger Raptor doing some offroad and got blasted from every possible angle leading to me removing it from a community 4x4 group :/ You should ignore these types of people Andrew, your channel taught me so much in terms of 4x4, builds, equipment etc. The contribution you make to the community is a lot more than these toxic people ever do. Keep up the good work!
Hi Andrew,you most probably have the most 4x4 experience in the world not only driving, camping, filming, building and photography,you are also one of the best editors and story telling and very professional in what you do, if there is one single South African that can do all of that I would gladly subscribe to his channel.i am also South African. Thank you and please keep doing what you do as long as possible
Like I said once before this Toyota 4x4 van will be a massive game changer , I hope one day the Toyota coaster will be 4x4 too imagine that a 4x4 bus camper 💯👌
Hey Andrew. Only been following you for 8 months give or take. Watched a heap of your stuff as have been a stay at home dad for a yr. Keep doing what you’re doing and ignore the keyboard warriors. You are doing, and have THE MOST AMAZING job/lifestyle that many of us are jealous about. I and many others can see you are experienced. And no need to do the “hard” tracks to prove anything. Most videos i see like that and weekends end with hydro locked engines. Broken cv’s. Destroyed tyres and rims. But those weekend warriors are just that. Weekenders. They are not travelling from one side of Oz to the other. Keep up the great content. Builds snd trips. All fantastic.
Hi Andrew, I would just like to give a positive view on the fact you show the reality of 4x4 overlanding trips and that getting stuck happens to everyone at some stage. For me one of the reasons I first watched your channel and your videos was precisely because you explained the reality of getting stuck and then how to get out of the situation. Additionally I agree with you, you do need low range for the type of trips you take. I would venture to say more people who watch your channel agree with the above sentiment but that unfortunately there will always be some negative people, please don’t let the negative few impact you and the content you put out there. Keep up the great work👍👍👍
Hi Andrew, Wouldn’t know where to start with how much I’ve learnt from your videos, travelled the world myself and even followed some of your trails. I would bet there are a lot more positive people in your groups than those who can only find fault and negativity. Please keep the breakdowns in your videos, without learning from our problems and fixing, we would still be living in trees. 🇮🇪
Good morning! My respect and admiration for your work. For the trust he gives us (overland lovers), for his experience of more than 40 years in activity. I'm looking forward to watching the Mongolia trip series! Hugs from Brazil, who are waiting for you to travel and discover our immense country. It would be a pleasure and an honor for us.
Don’t take the negative comments so seriously. I owe my Troopy to your influence. I’ve had many many days of fun in it and will continue to over the coming years.
Andrew, I love your channel! Been following your builds and adventures for almost 10 years now. I think most folks who watch for any real length of time is going to know you're incredibly knowledgeable. The overwhelming majority of us are here because we are fans. Toxic know-it-all buttholes are not a 4x4 Overland community problem, but a fairly universal one. Youll find jerks like that EVERYWHERE. Just block them when they pop up. For me, I hope you continue to film the parts of your adventures that go wrong, like getting bogged, because that stuff is important. I want to see how youre able to use your experience and ingenuity to get yourself out and fix whatever went wrong.
The keyboard is the only place some get to feel superior. I’d wager that most making negative comments rarely hit the trail or are doing anything worth while. You are doing these mental giants a service by letting them feel good about themselves for a few seconds. Keep up the interesting travels and video!
Andrew. Part of being amazing at what you do means you’re going to attract haters. ALL people at the top of their field deal with this. Don’t let them aggravate you, don’t respond to them. I don’t give them airtime your videos, heaps of people support you and love what you do. Keep up the great work.
Well ranted! I agree 100% with everything you said. Please note, anything I may have said in the past (ie. Rails on doors of Ineos Granadier are for hanging jerry cans) are purely sarcasm. I love your lifelong devotion and please continue doing what you do. Your humility shows that even the best of us make mistakes and importantly overlanding should be about reaching the destination safely and not about the destructive testing of your equipment. Looking forward to the Hiace build with enthusiasm.
It is very sad that you will show less to none of your bogs or tricky situations. We learn so much from that, all the small little things that one does not think off but make a big difference. Thank you for what we can learn from you, it is appreciated more than words can explain. Fantastic channel
Ja - my 300 TDI LR 90 turned out to be a good vehicle after I crashed it a bit for starters. Long story from the other life... Tyre pressures as a lightweight 4X on the C28 from Swakop to WHK were 1.8 front and 1.5 rear. The C28 is a big wide dirt road between Swakopmund and Windhoek - Namibia. When I adjusted the tyre pressure from 2.5 bar to 1.5 bar was able to pin it all the way back home. Defender 90 can be a twitchy beast on a straight gravel line with speed. Tyre pressure adjustment helped. My personal best time from Swakop to WHK on the C28 still remains at 2H 59m ( Edit: time is right now) on a BMW R80 airhead roadbike mongrel. Life is good!
I love that you're making this for the people! I would LOVE to replicate whatever you come up with. I've been watching your videos for a while now and I love how you prioritise FUNCTIONALITY and ERGONOMICS. I can't wait to see what you're planning!
NAVIGATING NARCISSISM 101: Ignore the shallow trolls mate. _GASLIGHTING:_ When someone _INSISTS_ that _they know what's true, real and best for you_ based on their own internally _fabricated_ constructs and projected assumptions. - Don't engage. Value your own inner peace and truth. Let the world's darkness do it's thing in the universe and steer your 'vessel' to your OWN destinations and True North.
I love your honesty. I’m on the same page as you, our cars are equipped for the toughest conditions but that doesn’t mean we are looking for it. I have low range in my car, I have diff-lockers, I have recently very gear. But that doesn’t mean I’m looking, seeking, situations where I have to use it.
Please don't stop showing your recoverys and Don't listen to the haters. Anyone who is worth your time is beyond excited to see the journey of the van build (however long that may take) We learn from eachother and adapt whats right for our style be it carvaning, off roading, hiking and everything in-between. May i make a suggestion.... Have 2 channels one for trips one for builds (its all in the algorithms)
Yes do Scotland! I went on a two week roundtrip in the Scottish Highlands with my '93 Mercedes 190E in 2018 and it has been incredibly rewarding. No offroading but plenty of wild camping at beaches and lochs. Highly recommended!
Mongolia is fantastic. We took an overland expedition - of sorts - in 2022. Eight days on Mongolian horses through the Gorkhi Terelj National Park. Ulaanbaatar was a bit of a Toyota town, although not as we expected. Hybrid cars are basically zero-rated on tax, so Mongolians import tens of thousands of second-hand Toyota Priuses from Japan, even though they’re RHD and Mongolia is LHD.
I'm looking forward to seeing that Mongolia trip, I've been fascinated by Mongolia for quite some time. I know how you feel with the Hiace. When I bought my Jimny back in 2015, I couldn't even source a snorkel for it. The raising roof sounds amazing. I think you're going to get massive interest in your vehicles if you do build them. Thanks Andrew.
Four wheel driving, I will NEVER take the hard road, always the "chicken track" because, A: I am not doing a RU-vid video, and B: because I want to get where I am going! Big thumbs up Andrew!
I’m sure that the Hiace will be amazing. You are putting all your knowledge, expertise and experience into it, how it cannot be amazing? I’m looking forward to see it😊
honestly, let people leave negative comments, I know it can be draining, but it just boosts your videos reach. You know you did the right thing, then so be it? Great work on the Africa series from Durban - ZA
First of all keep up the good work on what you do. I find your introductory and knowledge very interesting an easy-to-follow. I know your video is 3 years old. In 2005 I got a 60 series 97 model turned it into a ute then put a 6.5 l Chevy diesel motor powder weight ratio was pretty much unstoppable. On the back I had some tool boxes which I converted to a workshop on one side tools and spare parts on the driver's side I built a full kitchen and it looks funny with me sitting on the floor in Bunnings with plastic containers sorting out how I'd like my kitchen with the drawers. I even got a C channel with flat bar aluminium and made the first awning which had tent poles that went from the rock sliders to the awning to keep it up in place no ropes were needed now Greg Brown from Opposite Lock said why don't you make a vinyl bag for it I said not yet not long after that everybody's taking photos even in the exposed I should have taken patency but I didn't today you see what people have today because Chinese bungalows took photos of my canopy everything. And today when I say what I said and I have proof all they do is bag you down so now I don't worry about the idiots and keyboard warriors. In 2006 I picked up a GU Patrol 2005 model. I told the people what I want they tried to tell me different but the suspension had to be done military style all it wasn't worth it. In the end I took it to a truck place at Archerfield where I got my plates done for the rear upper hangers for the spring so they don't Bend or Flex. Again a lot of people I got backlash from but I was the one still driving while they are stuck in the bush with fuel problems. You keep up the good work Sir because I do follow you when I get the chance.
Andrew, i joined your channel recently, i respect you and the content that you share, please continue even with the mishaps, that is the only way we will learn, please ignore the rest…love your show…hope you get to read this post…
And I’m glad I’m not the only guy the kids harassed about getting stuck, but I really enjoy your shows are so informative. I like to get some of your stuff later for my G I live here California I live in Alaska and I love the Hawaiian and I’ve lived in Arizona four-wheel all over the place. I wish I could do some of the stuff you do, but I really really enjoy your program, thank you for all the helpful information. I really appreciate it.
I couldn’t agree more regarding your statements regarding touring verses seeking the highest grade obstacles. I’ve set up my 200 series with exactly that premise. I still use low every now and then. But I’m usually going fine when others in there one tonne utes are stuck. The challenge is getting to where you want to going without getting stuck. I also have a Sahara grade and I controversly think that that the KDSS and the extra electronics do work. I can’t wait to see your van come alive.
Bought my troopy and started my build with your collaboration with Ronny Dahl way back in 2018-19, sure its a much more of a budget build but there's always good ideas and something to aspire to with yours, thanks Andrew!
I would say Andrew here is the only guy in the world who brought people into 78 series to understand and like them and its because of him that's why now all over the world people like the car and use them to build their overland cars.i myself own a used one 2008 1hz and i enjoy it i use it everyday and i haven't done anything yet its expensive to build these cars for camping i use it without anything no electical no roof no fridge just troopy benches and m happy.
Actually the Sprinter can be had with a real 4x4. Iglhaut, Oberaigner and Achleitner build amazing conversions. On that note, Iglhaut also offers 4x4 conversions for the Mercedes Vito/V-Class/Metro with low range and 3 lockers. It would be quite Interesting to just take a Mercedes V-Class Westfalia Marco-Polo and have Iglhaut do their magic with it...
Yeah overlanding market regarding vans lags behind the patrol, landcruiser, defender markets. knowitalls are byproduct of the internet. You deserve a lot more recognition, sir.
You have to be like a Duck. When people piss on you, it just rolls off and you don't stink. Don't listen to the negativity. You know what you are doing and just do it.
Sorry to hear you are getting adverse comments. I would keep it real. I watched that episode in Africa and have to say I learnt from the solution to the problem you encountered with the low gear not engaging. Really looking forward to more of your travels and keen to see the build of the 4x4 hiace too.
Here in Europe, especially in Germany, there is a new trend towards luxury vans based on the 4x4 Sprinter. Prices easily go up to €250,000-300,000, or more. We need more innovations that are affordable and practical.
Well said Sir 👍👍 I agree with your feedback - the word that describes those people ‘keyboard warrior’ Please keep doing what you are doing and don’t change a thing.
You are perfectly right. Communities on the web can be incredibly offensive. I've left several groups. Rude comments from people who would never say it to my face without getting a smack. Thanks for your great videos!
Andrew love your show and comments. Any internal switch in gear box yes, we were up at Cape York 2019 my nephew revered out of our camp site when to change gears and then the gear box just locked up in neutral, end result we towed the vehicle 20km to Bamaga and had to exchange the gear box. Looking forward to your tours and builds. Cheers
I’ve been plumbing 37 years , i understand your frustrations with people who don’t fully know the facts or believe they have the answer to world hunger. You need to read some Mark Twain quotes when it comes to idiots, Keep up the good work 👍
Andrew, don’t waste time with the haters and the negative ones, they are not worth even a second of your time. Those that are haters or are negative have issues in their own lives and are best ignored when behaving badly. We all do things from time to time that seemed appropriate at the time under the circumstances and learned from those experiences. Generally it is those with little experience that tend to be negative as they think that they are all knowing. Mate keep doing you, your knowledge and experience that you share with others is invaluable to helping those starting out in over-landing etc. With age comes wisdom, and there’s no substitute for firsthand experience. Cheers mate from another old fart 🥴
I'm sad to hear that there are many rude comments about your adventure. I love just watching your videos and experiencing everything your doing. Silly that people are so judgmental, I guess there are a lot of 'know it all's' in the 4wd space though. Feel free to film anytime you may get stuck, it's very interesting to watch for all the people who aren't so up themselves.
