Last night there was this re-run of a TopGear episode where they did 1000 miles from Bolivia to Peru in 3 locally bought 4x4's.
Great tv.
Clarckson was driving a Classic RR and both the vehicle and him had its fair share of altitude sickness and overheating problems.
May drove a suzuki and needed a new back after the trip, the car had some deadly electrical problems.
And Hammond had a landcruiser 40 series without brakes, no roof and generally beaten to death.
Now and again you could get a glimpse of the support vehicles for the camera crew/mechanics, .... a few V8 Cruisers.
Anyway all 3 beaten up vehicles made it through the jungle, deserts and high altitudes with just minimal/critical repairs along the way.
Great backup indeed!