What Expedition Landy??
Discussion
I'm planning to go travelling down through Africa next year, and I'm trying to decide on a suitable vehicle.
I have various criteria/thoughts, in no particular order:
There's only 2 of us going (so it doesn't need to be massive), and we'd like to be as comfortable as possible. I'm not talking air-con, but we're both 6ft+.
I want it to be as cheap as possible, as it may get stolen, blown up or need to be abandoned.
I want it to be as reliable as possible, or at least easily fixed. It seems to me (after a bit of research) that the 200 series engine is the simplest modern TDi with fewest reliability issues.
It doesn't need to be unstoppable off-road as we're not going rock-crawling.
I'm starting to think 200 series Disco/Rangey, but are they much more mechanically complicated/fragile than Defenders. Assuming no air suspension etc.
Or do I just put some decent seats in a 110 and pack some ear defenders??
[heresy]Or look for a Toyota[/heresy] Which are rarer and 2+ times as pricey for similar age/mileage.
I have various criteria/thoughts, in no particular order:
There's only 2 of us going (so it doesn't need to be massive), and we'd like to be as comfortable as possible. I'm not talking air-con, but we're both 6ft+.
I want it to be as cheap as possible, as it may get stolen, blown up or need to be abandoned.
I want it to be as reliable as possible, or at least easily fixed. It seems to me (after a bit of research) that the 200 series engine is the simplest modern TDi with fewest reliability issues.
It doesn't need to be unstoppable off-road as we're not going rock-crawling.
I'm starting to think 200 series Disco/Rangey, but are they much more mechanically complicated/fragile than Defenders. Assuming no air suspension etc.
Or do I just put some decent seats in a 110 and pack some ear defenders??
[heresy]Or look for a Toyota[/heresy] Which are rarer and 2+ times as pricey for similar age/mileage.
Defender absolutely de rigeur! THE iconic African overlander.
Loads of specialist shops to kit you out with tents / showers / water systems / kitchen sinks / etc., I think some will even do you a use or return expedition spares kit. Dead easy to work on with limited tools and internationally recognised (although I understand the Land Cruiser is popular in Africa too).
I admit they are probably not as comfortable as others but what would you rather have on all those sunset photo's on the African plains after a hard days travelling other than a Defender?
I also think you get more of a bond with a defender as it has such history and heritage. And therefore when you bust it you don't mind fixing it so much as it all adds to the adventure.
Perhaps i'm being overly romantic here but I love mine (far the better than the boxster I sold it for). Keep us posted anyway mate I keep thinking of doing the same but work / mortgage / etc always seem to get in the way - might just get me motivated
Edited fur spelin
>> Edited by DRG on Tuesday 13th July 22:49
Loads of specialist shops to kit you out with tents / showers / water systems / kitchen sinks / etc., I think some will even do you a use or return expedition spares kit. Dead easy to work on with limited tools and internationally recognised (although I understand the Land Cruiser is popular in Africa too).
I admit they are probably not as comfortable as others but what would you rather have on all those sunset photo's on the African plains after a hard days travelling other than a Defender?
I also think you get more of a bond with a defender as it has such history and heritage. And therefore when you bust it you don't mind fixing it so much as it all adds to the adventure.
Perhaps i'm being overly romantic here but I love mine (far the better than the boxster I sold it for). Keep us posted anyway mate I keep thinking of doing the same but work / mortgage / etc always seem to get in the way - might just get me motivated
Edited fur spelin
>> Edited by DRG on Tuesday 13th July 22:49
DRG said:
Defender absolutely de rigeur! THE iconic African overlander.
I know, I really want one too.
DRG said:
Loads of specialist shops to kit you out with tents / showers / water systems / kitchen sinks / etc., I think some will even do you a use or return expedition spares kit. Dead easy to work on with limited tools and internationally recognised (although I understand the Land Cruiser is popular in Africa too).
But is a Disco/rangey that much more complicated?
DRG said:
I admit they are probably not as comfortable as others but what would you rather have on all those sunset photo's on the African plains after a hard days travelling other than a Defender?
Ah! The memories...a sore arse, ringing in the ears...
DRG said:
I also think you get more of a bond with a defender as it has such history and heritage. And therefore when you bust it you don't mind fixing it so much as it all adds to the adventure.
Perhaps i'm being overly romantic here but I love mine
You are DRG said:
Keep us posted anyway mate I keep thinking of doing the same but work / mortgage / etc always seem to get in the way - might just get me motivated
This happened the last time I planned it. Definitely going this time though as it's our last chance.
What is your budget?, sorry to be so blunt but it would help me think up some additions.
My immediate choice would be a 110 defender.
It may be cheaper for you to buy a pre semi/prepared vehicle.
How long will the trip last? you may be talking extra water and long range fuel tanks.
First inclusion would be a full lenght roofrack to give you somewhere to store extra gear and fluids, even a roof tent.- marginally safer than sleeping on the ground although if it were me i would opt for sleeping in the vehicle which also gives the chance of quick gettaway from charging pradators!
May want to think about getting a superchip installed to give the engine the ability to carry all the extra weight at a reasonable pace.
Polybushes ( off-road, red or blue can't remember ) will help a lot.
Crikey the list of possible additions is endless and rather fun to think of so i think we need a budget.
BTW it may be better to just get an updated intercooler rather than superchip, increases power and torque by roughly 40% for about £350!
Water purifier
sand mats
shovel
mud terrain tyres
Gps
jerry cans
driving lamps
detroit lockers
underbody protection
rocksliders
second air tyre inserts
dc-ac converter
split battery and managment system
winch-handheld or vehicle mounted, recovery kit
roof consol with hf/cb radio
satelite phone
2 inch lift
uprated shocks and suspension
engine fan override switch + twin kenlowe fans
bullbar/a bar
OOH this is fun, wish i could do a trip!
Nearly forgot:
Air compessor for times when you will have to deflate and reflate all 4 tyres, footpump will kill you in the heat.
Awning for shade which you could make from pie? with rolled up fabric inside and no, probably best just some canvass to attatch to the side of the vehicle.
Foldup chairs
cooker - saw a good one the other day somewhere enclosed in a case and mounted on the back door.
Will you be taking a gun?, if so then gun rack.
What else?
I stumbled across this site which gives the pros and cons of using different land rover variants for expeditions - quite informative.
www.landyonline.co.za/off_road/vehicle_preparation.htm
>> Edited by bilko on Wednesday 14th July 16:17
My immediate choice would be a 110 defender.
It may be cheaper for you to buy a pre semi/prepared vehicle.
How long will the trip last? you may be talking extra water and long range fuel tanks.
First inclusion would be a full lenght roofrack to give you somewhere to store extra gear and fluids, even a roof tent.- marginally safer than sleeping on the ground although if it were me i would opt for sleeping in the vehicle which also gives the chance of quick gettaway from charging pradators!
May want to think about getting a superchip installed to give the engine the ability to carry all the extra weight at a reasonable pace.
Polybushes ( off-road, red or blue can't remember ) will help a lot.
Crikey the list of possible additions is endless and rather fun to think of so i think we need a budget.
BTW it may be better to just get an updated intercooler rather than superchip, increases power and torque by roughly 40% for about £350!
Water purifier
sand mats
shovel
mud terrain tyres
Gps
jerry cans
driving lamps
detroit lockers
underbody protection
rocksliders
second air tyre inserts
dc-ac converter
split battery and managment system
winch-handheld or vehicle mounted, recovery kit
roof consol with hf/cb radio
satelite phone
2 inch lift
uprated shocks and suspension
engine fan override switch + twin kenlowe fans
bullbar/a bar
OOH this is fun, wish i could do a trip!
Nearly forgot:
Air compessor for times when you will have to deflate and reflate all 4 tyres, footpump will kill you in the heat.
Awning for shade which you could make from pie? with rolled up fabric inside and no, probably best just some canvass to attatch to the side of the vehicle.
Foldup chairs
cooker - saw a good one the other day somewhere enclosed in a case and mounted on the back door.
Will you be taking a gun?, if so then gun rack.
What else?
I stumbled across this site which gives the pros and cons of using different land rover variants for expeditions - quite informative.
www.landyonline.co.za/off_road/vehicle_preparation.htm
>> Edited by bilko on Wednesday 14th July 16:17
Paul Marsh from www.footloose4x4.com would be a good bloke to talk to. He spent 14 months living in a roof tent while on a 44,000 mile epic trip through Africa.
bilko said:
What is your budget?, sorry to be so blunt but it would help me think up some additions.
I don't have one. Not in a "money's no object" way, but I want to spend as little as possible, striking a balance between cost and reliability/comfort.
The reason for spending as little as possible is basically cos of potential loss of the vehicle (ie theft, damage or terminal breakdown), but also because of the way the Carnet de Passage (basically car passport, to stop you selling the car in a country without paying import duty) works. You have to guarantee the possible liability for import duty with the issueing firm (AA or RAC in this country). You can either leave a deposit of the maximum they are likely to have to pay out or there is a firm that will guarantee it for you for 5 or 10% of the value of the deposit. The deposit is based on the new cost of the car, and can be up to 3 times it's cost. In 1997 on an 11 year old 2CV they wanted £7000 deposit!!
bilko then said:
Let's go shopping
That comes later. At the moment I'm trying to clarify what I actually need/can get away with as far as the vehicle goes.
bilko said:
My immediate choice would be a 110 defender.
That's the way I'm thinking, if only cos they're commoner, simpler and the bits to modify them are easily available. >>I went to see Footloose4x4 last time I was looking at going, they were very friendly indeed.
>> Edited by mechsympathy on Wednesday 14th July 20:22
from experience, fit a fuel cut off tap in line, somewhere under your seat or near by.Always turn it off at every moment your stopped near people.This way, if your car jacked or its nicked,which is becoming the most popular crime in the African outback,the gun waving thugs will not get more than a km or so, but far enough away so as not to shoot you.
Its a good trip, north to south but make sure you have a satellite phone over any other bit of kit, and keep it stashed out of sight,the locals can be so welcoming but you can not keep your eyes of 30/40 people in one go...its only natural for them to take anything thats not fastened down.
Its a good trip, north to south but make sure you have a satellite phone over any other bit of kit, and keep it stashed out of sight,the locals can be so welcoming but you can not keep your eyes of 30/40 people in one go...its only natural for them to take anything thats not fastened down.
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