Africa bound Series IIA.

Hi all, newbie here wanting some opinions on vehicle prep.

My vehicle of choice is my 1968 Series IIA 88" safari station wagon, known as Nad. although I have a 200Tdi discovery as well I'd prefer to take the series as not only do I know every single square inch of it and have changed every single moving part since I changed the chassis a few years ago, but also because my disco has massive tyres and has suffered considerably more abuse than the series.

Originally a 2.25 diesel I've had a string of 2.5's in it culminating in a 200Tdi.
Also sits on a pair of discovery 24spline axles mounted to the leaf springs, with an Lt77s gearbox and 1.41-1 transferbox from a 200 defender. So the entirety of the moving parts are from the mid 1990's





Now, I'd like some opinions of what would be sensible, cheap things to do for over-landing. Currently the only thought I've had is an external sun visor.
And what to take for spares!?

Tahh.

Oh, Union flag on the bonnet a terrible idea?

Looking good, a good sleeping bag an easy to put up tent, water containers a spare diesel tank or a fitted one, if you give it a good service fit new parts and take old ones with you.

I carry a box of spare parts. I don't go overboard because (a) you can't carry everything and (b) whatever does break will never be something you have a spare part for. My box has:

- a couple of driveshaft UJs
- a set of wheel bearing kits
- a spare water pump
- an upper and lower rad hose
- a spare fan belt

That is about it. With older Land Rovers there will always be someone in the next town or village who has a spare part for you. At worst, set up camp, call home and have one of the Land Rover shops mail or courier you the part.

I do carry a good set of tools, including  an electric drill and grinder run off a 240/12v transformer. That way if there is a rusted bolt or some other bit that won't come off I can grind or drill it out. Finally a small box of assorted nuts, bolts and washers.

I roll my tools up in an old piece of canvas so I can unroll it on the ground to keep nuts and washers from going astray in the sand or mud.

Good looking truck by the way!

For gear I just made up a couple of wooden boxes that fit inside my cargo area; one for food and one for cooking gear. I don't bother with a fridge...just eat fresh food or tinned stuff.

For sleeping we usually sleep out under the stars on the back deck. I have a sleeping bag and my old military goretex bivy bag in case there is a shower during the night. I have a couple of foam mattresses I ordered online from Efoam that fold up in the back and are pretty comfy for sleeping on.

Last, I have a large 'tipi' tent. Sometimes if you are staying in one place for a few days, or the weather is crap, it is nice to have a space you can stand up and move around in. It also keeps the bugs out at night.

Thanks guys! For sleeping I have a board that goes the whole length of the interior, rests on the center bulkhead with legs at the rear, front part folds forward onto the dash. Gives me a full size single bed inside my car. I've always thought if you park up in a thunderstorm the last thing you want is to get out into the rain and pitch a tent, being able to crawl into a bed and just sleep is a luxury I will want after a full day in a series 2! It also doubles as a table so I can sit on my bench seat doing whatever with the kettle on the tailgate
Another reason for wanting to be able to sleep in the truck is my father and I once spent a night in a Hungarian roadside truck stop in the roof tent and I did not like standing out so much! The idea of being conspicuous at times sounds like a good plan. I will certainly be sleeping under the stars when I can though

Do we thinking a roof rack will be a good idea? somewhere for the second spare, Jerry cans and any firewood I should collect along the way?

Lifesaver water can worth the £200 cost?

Tahhh

I would say that if you can get away without the roof rack and pack things inside then I wouldn't bother. I always liked the look of the old Camel Trophy trucks who started the roof rack concept, but they did overlanders a huge diservice in my opinion. First, they have a huge affect on you fuel mileage...and Land Rovers are travelling bricks that certainly don't need any extra drag. Second, the roof structure is only rated for 180kg I believe, which is usually half taken up by the weight of the roof rack. So that camel trophy image of lines of jerry cans (presumably full), big aluminium boxes, tents, spare tyres really over stresses the roof. Finally, remaining inconspicuous is kinda shattered by the roof rack. But 88s didn't exactly come with piles of storage space, so you may not have much choice.

I do love my Lifesaver jerry can. Probably the biggest health risk you will face will be from drinking bad water. But dehydration can be a challenge as well, especially on long, hot, dusty days. There Lifesaver is pretty expensive but will purify 10,000/20,000 liters. There are smaller versions for backpackers you could look at. Or just bottled water as you go, but it adds up when you want to cook, wash, brew up and drink all day.

Your sleeping arrangements sound great. As you say, quick, easy and inconspicuous!

How far are you heading into Africa?

Feral, no idea as yet with the series, with the series it will be a solo trip so I'm likely just to potter about and find cool places to camp then return home. Where-as the trip that's being planned with SWMBO in my Discovery, the plan is to drive to Cape-town and ship the landy home. All a long way off though, as the disco is currently looking very sorry for itself in the corner of the farm yard with a flat tyre and blown clutch!

Just spent 3 days in the Lake district camping out of the series

Still say a spare altenator is a must when off the beaten track. As the man says, fit a new one, take the old one with you just in case. During the rainy season, muddy water and alternators don't mix. Extra weight yes, but without charging your battery, you can soon come unstuck.

Tom Mc wrote:

Still say a spare altenator is a must when off the beaten track. As the man says, fit a new one, take the old one with you just in case. During the rainy season, muddy water and alternators don't mix. Extra weight yes, but without charging your battery, you can soon come unstuck.

Not a bad bit of advice there Tom on two trips to Morocco I've had to change the alternator on my return the fine powdery sand gets into them and blows the diode and will take your battery or batteries with them.
Not a massive bill on the 110 but very costly on my old D2 alternator and two batteries nearly a £400 bill