General Info, Setup & Equipment
Rafiki is an Xtra-cab Toyota Hilux, 2013 Le Cap Model, D4D, built in December 2014. I'm its second owner and its mileage was 90K km. I bought it near the snowy town of Chamonix, in France, on the 13th of February 2021. It's my first car ever.
Creation of RAFIKI
My priority number one has always been to buy a reliable 4x4, and not a good looking vehicle. I always dreamt of a pickup truck, and since I rented one during my first overlanding experience in Southern Africa, there was no doubt anymore. Also, what's better than looking at what the locals drive in the regions I was ready to overland? The Hilux, along with the Land Cruiser, are the most driven ones.
After tones of drawings, drafts and a few tattoos on the expedition vehicle of my dream, I knew specifically what I wanted; so I started to order gear and equipment in April 2021. The build started in October the same year. Rafiki was born and the journey to my dream was on.
I chose to call my 4x4 Rafiki because it means 'my friend' in Swahili (the most widely spoken African language in Sub-Saharan Africa), and 'companion, friend' in Arabic.
Current Main Equipment
EXTERIOR
1 rooftop tent - 'Bundutop' by Bundutec
1 shower cube - 'Bunducube' by Bundutec
1 suspension kit - Raw 4x4 Africa
1 load bed rack - Front Runner
1 roof bars - Front Runner
1 solar panel (offered by Bundutec)
5 AT tires - Kumho
1 snorkel Hilux + cyclonic head - Equipaddict
1 pair of recovery boards - Maxtrax
3 parts skid plates - Rival
1 hi-lift jack
INTERIOR
1 dual fridge / freezer - Snowmaster
1 AGM auxiliary battery (offered by Bundutec)
1 portable power pack - National Luna
5 ammo boxes - Front Runner
1 20L water jerry can - Front Runner
2 20L fuel jerry cans - Front Runner
1 spade - Front Runner
1 fuel pre-filter - Racor 500FG
1 table - Decathlon
1 chair - Front Runner
2 shelf modules - Tailgate Gear
Load Bed Storage System
Again, I wanted to keep it simple. The first reason is because I didn't have the budget to buy a fancy bedslide drawer system and the second one is that I just like to keep it simple. That's it. My top priority is to have a good truck which can bring me literally anywhere -isolated or not- and as long as possible.
So I opted for a basic rail system with clips along with a set of good straps stowing; note that the system is fixed on a marine plywood board. I then place the ammo boxes and jerry cans in between each rail (3 rails in total) and strap each item. Please see some pictures of the build below:
