We worked on the principal, change it here in the garage or face a breakdown and change it at the side of the road, in the sand or bush. Take your pick. In fact I am now a fully qualified Geek on the 110 defender 1995 hardtop. I know just about every nut and bolt, plug, rivet and screw. (Sad isn’t it). 

 

The prep was quite comprehensive, we decided to change any ancillary component that could cause a problem. If the removed item was sound then it was a good working spare. All ancillaries were changed, water, lift and power steering pump, alternator, filters, oils, injectors, radiator, intercooler, turbo, clutch, brake and clutch master and slave cylinder, cam belt (why have cam belt on a Landy what’s wrong with a big duplex chain) front callipers, discs, pads, shocks, rear mounting brackets, exhaust, it was endless and sole destroying but necessary. To top all this to get it in the garage I had to take the hard top off so it looked quite sad for a few months. But when finished a coat of paint made it look much better. We wanted a robust working presentable finish, one we could touch up as we go. So a fancy metallic paint job was totally out of the question. We used best possible Dulux applied with a brush and 4” roller. While not showroom finish it is quite acceptable and tidy and a sight cheaper than a spray job. (Tip, if you do this add varnish to the last coat)

 

The Landy came with high suspension, big wheels and BF Goodrich all terrain tyres. We fitted two side lockers to maximise storage, two additional fuel tanks giving a total 285 litres plus another 80ltrs capacity in cans if we need it. At 20mpg this would give us a range of some 1600 miles. More than we would need but it should pay dividends when fuel is cheep and we can load up to maximise the savings. 100 litre water tank with purifier, water pump for filling, Two big auxiliary batteries with a split charge system, Compressor, auxiliary heater, 5 tone front winch and a detachable 2 tonne rear winch. Inverters for 240V, Solar battery chargers, and more to come. (Note, the solar panels were too small. You need min 60W)

 

We are now fitting electrics and will soon start to fit out the interior with some sort of racking. The roof rack has to be modified to take the tent and spares locker.

 

26-8-08

Most of the electrics are done apart from the roof switch panel, refitted the diesel injector pump but still a missfire at low revs. Not looking good if it cant be cleared it means the head off. 

 

1-9-08

Most of the electrics are now fitted (unless I can think of some more to add) The fuel system is fitted,  two additanal 95ltr tanks, piped up to fill the main vehicle tank with an electric pump direct into the main tank. Another pump in the o/side locker with pipe work to fill the tanks if we are not at proper pumps so we can pour the derv into a bucket and pump onboard.

The water tank is simmler, pump outside to fill with an internal presure pump to curculate the water to the heater/shower etc. The water system is tested  but I have yet to test the fuel system for leaks.

The control panel in the cab is now neary complet and just to add two volt meters radio and CB.

We passed the MOT on Sat 30th, so that is good news. But the bad news is that the engine has a small knock on number 4 pot. I have never known a knock get better only worse so it  looks like eather a strip down or a new lump. It can only get better. Or so they say.

 

15th 10 08

I am a happy bunny, took the old engine out. Not happy with the small knock  at low revs. Fitted a recon engine and all is well. Runs like a top. The roof rack is close to completion, the rear rail had to be removed to take the tent and I want to put checker plate over the front half of the floor to keep the sun of the roof. Also need to mount fastners for the 4 jerry cans.  Upwards and onwards, Sandy will be on the road this weekend.

 

29th oct 2008

Things are moving forward at a quick pace now. The roof rack is all but completed. The checker plate floor is fitted and not stopping at that point I made it into a checker plate lockable box. When will I ever learn to leave things as planed. Two double jerry can holders are fitted at the front of the rack. Just to mount the four spot lights and get some likely looking lads around to lift it into position then mount the tent. 

Having now driven a few miles and happy with the driving aspect a lot of the pressure is off. Few teething problems but nothin major or to worry about.

Shortly I will be making and fitting the interior rear section for storage, this is anticipated to consist of shelving with PVC H duty boxes held into position with elasticated straps. We hope to have an emergency sleeping area in the center should it be needed.

 

17th 12 08

The interior is just about done, we have decided not to have racking on each side but storage boxes stacked up retained by a quick release strap. Much less work and it we dont like it we can modify as we go along.  Fuel and water tanks are covered in and have acess doors above them.  240 v is fitted with external socket (for if we ever get to a site with electric). I read somewhere that if you find a socket, dont expect electric, similiar with a tap!!!!!  Its Africa, things are not always what they look at first gance.  Have I a lot to still learn!!!!!

 

22nd 12 08

25ltr Fridge is fitted but the 40ltr freezer will not fit into the slot without an awful lot of work. We need to change the 40ltr for another 25ltr.

 

 

08/03/2009

 

The work still  is ongoing and  I will update at intervals.

 

It has been some time from my last addition to this page and we are now in  Kenya so we have done some things right but not all.

 

 

Anty roll bar, fitted 28mm from Scorpion. Great move, handled great.

 

Shocks, buy the very best. You will not imagain the beating they are going to get. Standard Landrover are not up to the mark.

 

Suspension,  Replace it all. Heavy duty with 2" lift and on the rear fit the 130 helper springs.  If not it will sag! 

 

Brakes, fit new calipers all around regardless of how good they look, they get a right royal hammering.

 

Bushes, once more renew them all but use the plastic ones not the rubber.

 

Tyres, we went for BFG Mud Terrain, once more they take a right royal pounding but they have proved themselves the best. They dig you out of the sand, take rocks in there stride, sharp edges. This was one of the best moves we made. (Now in Bots and tyres still going stong)

 

Fuel tanks.  We fitted two 95ltr tanks inboard and four cans on the roof giving 345ltrs.  Fuel is not in short suply on the East side. Extra fuel is needed but not to the extent that we allowed for. If you have the standard tank and 100ltr extra you will be fine. We spent quite a bit of money that was not needed.

 

Winch.  dont know yet but we have used once only and that was to pull another car out of the sand. A lot of weight to carry.  If you get stuck invaluable, if you dont its  a lot of money and weight but it dose give peace of mind. (now used 2nd time  to pull someone out of the water in Bots Photos on web site)

 

Spare wheels. Two are needed, but we mounted one on the bonnet and one on the rear door. With hindsight I would still take two but mount them on a rear frame fastened to the back of the car along with two jerry cans and high lift jack. No strain on the door and everything  is accessable. And bonus, you can see over the bonnet!!!!. (Sometimes helps a bit)

 

Navigation.  Garmin 266C cracking unit. but do buy the memory stick for it and load it with Tracks4Africa. Now tracks is a MUST.  You can find the camp sites, garages, shops, fuel etc etc.  and it shows all the roads and tracks. Tells you what is tar and what is not.

 

Spares.  Take filters, UV Joints, Drive flange, Lots of Loctight, Sillicon, Gasket gue, one shot grease (they use CV joint grease with hypoid 90 mixed). All the spares take GENUINE ONLY.  The others dont last the pace. We took alternator, starter motor, brake Vacume pump (a must this one take two, they go), turbo, shocks, wheel bearings, seals, head set, gasket set.  the price of parts in double or tripple in Africa.

 

Electrics, we purchased a solar panel in Kenya.  would not be without one now. Makes life so much better. Constant power to the fridge. Get the biggest you can fit. Two much is ok, too little and your on flat batteries.  Split charge, we had two 120ah for auxilerys, 1 x 120ah for starting, voltmeters, master isolator switches. Battery charger with 240v power plug and lead.

 

 Tools, if you know how to use them you know what to take, if not ask advise and take a full tool kit.  Often in Africa a tool kit is two spanners for the guys that do the work. Sockets, spanners, T/wrench, Wheel bearing spanner, Ball joint seperator, Hyd jack.