Meet "Moka" the lone galloper
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We drive a Hyundai Galloper MKI and although it's listed as built in 1998 on the cars D.O.T documentation we presume that is not true; she's older in the inside. Assembled Hyundai Precision & Ind. Co. factory, it holds its own. The Galloper is based on the Mitsubishi Pajero. She grew up on the sloped and muddy vineyards of Piedmont hauling personnel, material and grapes up, down and across fields all day long . She is a feisty vehicle despite her questionable reputation.
Awesome elasticity and KISS mechanical features make this car an awesome all rounder. She has 300,000 Km on the clock and we work to keep her going for many, many more. She truly has a heart and soul. Yes we do talk to her; especially Alberto. We like her rugged design and the feeling she gives us through her vibes.
Awesome elasticity and KISS mechanical features make this car an awesome all rounder. She has 300,000 Km on the clock and we work to keep her going for many, many more. She truly has a heart and soul. Yes we do talk to her; especially Alberto. We like her rugged design and the feeling she gives us through her vibes.
SPECS
The Engine
The Galloper mounts a D4BH L4 engine. In english: a 4 cylinder straight line engine.
In other words we love it. It has fantastic elasticity, which translates to dealing with ascents well and distributing power as you want it to. Also it will climb a 10° paved ascent with no throttle input in first gear with no load other than the driver without stalling. However Beto thinks it is underpowered for some, more demanding use.
The intercooler is top-mounted and the turbo does lend a tiny extra breathing room.
MECHANICAL DRIVE
It is a body over chassis construction with independent front suspension on torsion bars and live rear axle on load rated coiled springs by OME. All on Old Man Emu Nitro Sport Gas Shocks.
We've added a full size, aluminum alloy roof rack along with a raised air intake coupled with a pre filter.
The seating set up is separate driver and passenger seats w/seatbelts and a rear passenger 3psn bench w/seatbelts which is often used as a nap station on long hauls as we rotate driver, navigator and morale officer positions.
The Galloper mounts a D4BH L4 engine. In english: a 4 cylinder straight line engine.
- Displacement 2.5L (2,476cc)
- Power 78 kW (104 hp)
- Torque 240 N·m (177 lb·ft) at 2,000 rpm
- Engine type Inline 4-cylinder SOHC
- Fuel system Distribution type jet pump (ind. injection)
- Combustion chamber Swirl type
- Compression ratio 21:1
- Lubrication System Pressure feed, full flow filtration
- Intercooler Type Aluminium Air-to-Air, Top-mounted
- Turbocharger Mitsubishi TD04-09B
In other words we love it. It has fantastic elasticity, which translates to dealing with ascents well and distributing power as you want it to. Also it will climb a 10° paved ascent with no throttle input in first gear with no load other than the driver without stalling. However Beto thinks it is underpowered for some, more demanding use.
The intercooler is top-mounted and the turbo does lend a tiny extra breathing room.
- The Galloper is currently mounted with a 12v Optima Red Top battery which runs the numerous cars' electronic components:
- radio
- power windows
- mirrors
- stock lights and headlights
- no ABS
- no ESC
- no nothing
MECHANICAL DRIVE
- 2WD (rear), 4x4H, 4x4L (LR gears).
It is a body over chassis construction with independent front suspension on torsion bars and live rear axle on load rated coiled springs by OME. All on Old Man Emu Nitro Sport Gas Shocks.
We've added a full size, aluminum alloy roof rack along with a raised air intake coupled with a pre filter.
The seating set up is separate driver and passenger seats w/seatbelts and a rear passenger 3psn bench w/seatbelts which is often used as a nap station on long hauls as we rotate driver, navigator and morale officer positions.
C rew N otes
I have had this car since... well before I got my drivers licence. I fell in love with all its aspects. Yes, it is a loud, rumbling and lumbering whale, smelly, slow off roader that when you crank the engine it registers on the Richter Scale and THAT is why I love her to bits. Those adjectives are the symptoms of a true grit, die hard piece of engineering art which will never let you down and always get you home safe. |
Alberto clearly not posing for a photograph on the Bosnia - Montenegro border crossing.
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I've had many arguments and discussions with my friends where where they were driving brand spanking new VW Golfs or gorgeous Alfa MiTo's. I got myself a growling and hissing beast. I got last laughs, my buddys' MiTo's engine self destructed after just 80K kilometers. I still have to remind him he was in a lose/lose situation. He didn't do the proper maintenance and well.... Alfa's.
My argument even before I ever conceived the idea of getting into overlanding I prioratized the fact that I could go anywhere with the Galloper. No need for speed, but liberty. Liberty is what it's all about. That was what I wanted the most from my life and these vehicles provide that.
I have a very strong personal connection with the car. I really do feel her through the steering wheel, pedals, shifter and mainly my ass (looking foraward to comments on this one...). We have been through thick and thin (check out some stories here) and I have learned so much about the car I feel comfortable saying I know her through and thorough.
The promise and vow I made to myself and her is that I will treat her well, I will protect her and she will protect me. I will never give her away and let her be driven only by those I do trust. I will maintain her and cure her to let her rip the world and show us the way.
She is more than a vehicle, she is our travel companion."
Alberto
p.s
(in truth I absolutely adore Alfa Romeo as a manufacturer, what gear head doesn't??.
Both for their history, heritage and design)
