Member Since: 07 Oct 2010
Location: Kent
Posts: 127
Iceland - Advice welcome
Looking at going to Iceland with the D4 this summer.
Without going over the top, what sort of prep to the vehicle would be required?
Has anybody been an got any top tips?
Thanks
Ian
22nd Jan 2012 9:21 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
RAI for river crossing & that's about it.
22nd Jan 2012 10:28 am
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6369
very good MT boots like BFGs as terrain is like on the asteroid in places easy to shred normal tires in pieces in no time
some rope should you be force to check the depth before crossing river (get it attached to the car will not get drowned)
underside protection like that from Devon 4x4 including the tank and front wishbones
D4 two air intakes two snorkels??? not LR RAI as it is not waterproof
lots more camping equipment and roof rack for sure
22nd Jan 2012 11:07 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
Most of the non Tarmac icelandic roads are not as hardcore as peeps think, was there 03 in a standard 90 with RAI & standard road tyres. It's a bit disconcerting when you think you're in the middle of nowhere, then behind you appears a campervan or bus. The only issue we faced was depth of rivers for crossing but they were fine because snow that winter had been light.
22nd Jan 2012 11:14 am
grzesiul
Member Since: 11 May 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 6369
reassuring but I always go prepared than sorry later on
22nd Jan 2012 11:17 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73056
Don't rely on your mobile phones to work. The coverage is main towns/city and round the ring road, not the interior. You're not allowed to go "off piste" so generally you won't need a satphone as fair amount of tourist & local traffic. If you go off piste or wild camp they can get stroppy about it.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Þorramatur for the curious - site won't make it a link, thanks to "Þ" character.)Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
Member Since: 13 Nov 2006
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 129
Hi Higgers.
We did this back in July 2008 in our D3.
Vehicle prep was a Mantec sump plate (we'd already fitted this prior to deciding to go to Iceland), General Grabber AT2 tyres, replaced the space saver spare with a full size wheel and took a Jerry can for extra fuel - this turned out to be unnecessary. While we did encounter a couple of scary river crossings I never considered that a snorkel or RAI was required.
We did drive across the interior on our own which isn't recommended. This was a fantastic drive, though very long. Bizarrely while doing this we came across an elderly Icelandic couple towing a caravan with a Kia Sorrento. Just a nice weekend out for them.
My top tip - go! It's a fabulous place to visit.
Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions, and I'll try to answer.
David.2014 Defender 90.
Suzuki Jimny - lifted 2".
SWMBO's BMW Mini JCW.
Member of The Scottish Off Road Club.
22nd Jan 2012 10:58 pm
AAA.Happy.Disco1.Fan
Member Since: 04 Nov 2010
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 2895
Re: Iceland - Advice welcome
DrLex wrote:
Yup; avoid Þorramatur in Jan/Feb.
Or any time AT ALL ?
Þorramatur consists of many different foods, including:
Kæstur hákarl, putrefied Greenland shark
Súrsaðir hrútspungar, the testicles of rams pressed in blocks, boiled and cured in lactic acid.
Svið, singed and boiled sheep heads, sometimes cured in lactic acid
Sviðasulta, head cheese or brawn made from svið, sometimes cured in lactic acid
AAA
22nd Jan 2012 11:59 pm
WINDSWEPTISLANDER
Member Since: 21 Jul 2011
Location: Way up north
Posts: 523
I've been to Iceland twice, loved it twice. First time was is a stock hilux, second time with a modified 90 and a stock jeep. You need to be prepared to do some river fording, and if you plan to do the old F910 then you will definately need a jerry can. I think that's probably the most serious road though. It is illegal to wild camp, some of the roads are patrolled in the evening, the F910 being one such road - looking for stragglers.
Having been twice I would be happy going with my D3 stock. I might consider getting 17" wheels for is as the roads can be relentlessly bumpy, make sure all your bushes are in good condition. I would also consider a snorkel, more for the incredible ammounts of dust that tends to be flying about. Most fuel stations have free carwashing facilities to help you combat the dust.
I would have no issues croossing the interior myself, there is always a steady run of folk coming and going, what I wouldn't go without is breakdown insurance of some sort. Last time I had to tow the Jeep hundreds of miles along the south coast. The first time we went we took the lonely planet guide and tried to do all their 'must see in iceland' things, acheivable in a fortnight.
If I was going again I would avoid Rekjavik, it just wasn't for me, though I'm sure some people love it.
Also worth thinking of going later rather than earlier in the year. Going last week of August + first week Sept we saw the northern lights (which I am used to - but these were exceptional) and as it was getting a little colder at night again there was less water coming down the rivers (Locals told us we had chosen our dates well)
I could ramble on about Iceland for ages, for me it is a first and second best holiday memry and I loved every moment. Feel free to get in touch if you want to hear more ramblings. Or with any specific questions
20th Mar 2012 2:44 pm
andyFisher
Member Since: 30 Dec 2012
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 22
Did you get there?
Only just saw the post.
We have loads of info so if you want to ring and have a chat please feel free.Cheers
Andrew
4th Mar 2013 11:49 am
fishinmad
Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: St Ives
Posts: 877
I am off to Iceland Salmon and Sea Trout fishing in September, we are driving to a very remote lodge apparently 300 km of the drive is off road.
We have hired a FFRR and D4 for our party of 8, the hire company told us the cars are standard other than tyres but they know the route and said they will be fine, we will need a 4x4 and the height as some wading is required!
The hire cost of the D4 for 10 days is around Euro 1,100 I would guess a lot cheaper than taking your own car if you include new tyres etc.
I have been dithering about changing my D3 to a D4 for ages now, so I guess I really will get the try before you buy experience so can finally make up my mind!
I can’t wait!!Club Narpy Torch
“No return to boom and bust†Gordon Brown when chancellor
He has been proved right, now there is only bust!
4th Mar 2013 12:28 pm
andyFisher
Member Since: 30 Dec 2012
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 22
Off road driving on Iceland is illegal; however a lot of the roads are rough tracks and what we would treat as off-roading. The price to hire sounds OK. HOWEVER make sure that the hire insurance covers driving in the wilderness as a lot of the hire insurances DO NOT cover you to drive in the highlands or other wildernesses (of which there are many). You can get your vehicle to Iceland via two routes: (1) container it - this cost about £1400 return to Reykjavik - you will have to fly and taxi to get it. Or drive via Denmark (Smyril line) for around £1800 for a D4 plus two passengers plus cabin return. (42 hour crossing) If you want to look at some Iceland photographs you can look on flicker ("http://www.flickr.com/photos/venture4x4/collections/") or on our website at venture 4x4 co uk.
Have a brill time it is truly amazing.
If you want any more info you can PM me Cheers
Andrew
4th Mar 2013 1:17 pm
WINDSWEPTISLANDER
Member Since: 21 Jul 2011
Location: Way up north
Posts: 523
That hire price is really good from my experience, both times I went it looked cheaper to buy and take your own car. It would take me a week of travel to get there with my car now.
Do you mind telling me where you got your car hire from? At that kind of price I would be there again in a heartbeat. When I looked the cost of a defender for a week was about 3k.
4th Mar 2013 1:29 pm
fishinmad
Member Since: 30 Jan 2012
Location: St Ives
Posts: 877
Here is the company we used: http://www.geysir.is/ look under large vehicles and you will see the D4.
We have not used them before (or been to Iceland) so don't know if they are any good.
Hope this helps Club Narpy Torch
“No return to boom and bust†Gordon Brown when chancellor
He has been proved right, now there is only bust!
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