expedition conversion

[kevin125]

has anyone on here converted a land rover for an expedition overland. we are wanting to convert one to travel through africa in a few years time, so want to make sure we get the right vehicle (will be used in the meantime as a work horse).We have read that the series 3 is the best option????any advice folks???

[nobber]

i found this site pretty informative but there is hundreds like it.

http://www.jepps-overland.co.uk/

i think the series three is favoured fore its parts availability and simplicity when bush mechanics are concerned but an early N/A 110 would do just as good a job.

[BigJim]

I've just been reading Sahara (or is it Sahara Overland?).
has some useful advice in it re vehicles, depending on where you plan to go and when, and what you expect the 'roads' to be like.

[Chock]

Another good link for 'doing the sahara':

http://www.gonomad.com/features/0009/drivesaraha.html

I eventually plan to do this in my Series 3, despite the fact that they say that a Toyota is a better bet. Well maybe it it is, but I'm still going in my S3, so there.

[K&S]

I would go with the Land Rover. There are lots of parts availability for Toyotas but I firmly believe that you will find more readily available spares for the Land Rover (especially a series vehicle). There are many stories of finding parts from canabalised vehicles in remote villages. Land Rovers were part of the Colonial era don't forget. As mentioned on previous replies to your thread there are many sites concerning overland travel and where they have put on the preparations for their vehicles.

Have fun fitting the vehicle. Look us up when you get here.:)

[tony109]

I drove my 1964 2a on two overland trips.. One being to Russia via the Netherlands, into the artic circle, then into Finland, the Baltics before heading into Russia.. over 12000 miles.
The second trip was for Tanzania...
The Series 2a's rear axel was changed to a Salisbury. I reduced the low range gear ratios as I was taking a trailer.. I replaced my knackered road spring with Rocky Mountain parabolics... These made a huge difference to the ride quality and the hammering the ( less than new) chassis took was greatly reduced..
Roof racks, I don't recommend.. You can easily overload the vehicle, the chassis and the body work will suffer, especially if you travel over rough roads for long enough. Ive seen spare wheels on roof racks!!! Vehicle stability is compromised and if your travelling really boggy ground you'll sink up to your axels.. A trailer can be un-hooked, winched or pulled through if needed..
Go for a diesel engine.. Far more reliable, economical and fuel is much safer to carry, greatly reduced fire risk.. With petrol being highly aromatic, your sitting on a bomb when the weather gets really hot! Diesel is also very easy to source.
I added an extra fuel tank, increase my range to 600 miles between fills..

A way to secure items inside the vehicle..
Don't hang the Spare wheel on the door unless 'upped' with a proper carrier. I had mine on the floor inside..
You may want to fit locks to the fuel cap, bonnet, etc. But I had no problems.
Larger diameter tyres for the deep rutted roads you may find. The exhaust on a series 2 and 3 is a little vulnerable.... Tuck it away!
The standard oil bath air cleaner is better than any modern paper element filters.. A high level air intack maybe worth fitting.. But when your miles away from anywhere you don't need to look for trouble.. If you wade, be prepared to fully drain, strip and greace wheel bearings, gearbox oils, etc... Electrical items need looking at too..

[l0n3i200n]

has anyone on here converted a land rover for an expedition overland. we are wanting to convert one to travel through africa in a few years time, so want to make sure we get the right vehicle (will be used in the meantime as a work horse).We have read that the series 3 is the best option????any advice folks???

Hi kevin125,

I'm from SA and series 3 parts is quite easy to obtain, you'll only need to know where to obtain them from in which province. Most people either visit Johannesburg, Cape Town and KZN. Here is some places you could use in planning ur trip arround spares
http://www.landyparts4africa.co.za/
http://www.landyland.co.za/
http://www.4xforum.co.za/ (Mostly informational)
http://www.landyonline.co.za/market_place/spares.htm (Leimer's Land Rovers is quite famous for Series parts)

Hope this can help u abit around planning ur trip

[kevin125]

Thanks for all the info everybody

Kevin and Janet.

[JUI]

Take a look here.

http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/index.html#spring

Running a V8 might not be a option you but there is a wealth of other pratical advice. The site will really wet your appetite!

[BigJim]

Take a look here.

http://www.expeditionlandrover.info/index.html#spring

Running a V8 might not be a option you but there is a wealth of other pratical advice. The site will really wet your appetite!

Good site, but wish you hadn't put it up!
One of my (many) dreams is to travel USA from SE (Florida Keys) to NW (as far as poss in Alaska) so reading about all that US travel just makes me jeaulous.

edited ..anyone want to sponsor me??????