Thinking about driving to India.. What MODS

[ROWSI]

Hi Guys,

Am currently in LAos travelling with my family and we are kind of already thinking about next year.
We fancy maybe driving from Ireland to India in our discovery. So I was thinking about a few mods. Now I reckon that actually none are needed as I already met people who have done the trip in lesser cars but maybe a few things would be good.

Decent goodrich tyres
Bigger intercooler
Lockable roof box
Suspension slightly lifted
Snorkel????

In your expert opinions what are our must have mods....

Keep it serious please as this is a very high possibility trip and not a wind up.

[Alane]

Have you driven in India before?
The roads are in a very poor state and everyone tends to drive down the middle of the road.
It really is a big game of chicken!
Ensure your horn is in good order (A MUST), and take any "typical" parts that may need replacing in the event of a prang.

It really has to be seen to be believed, the driving conditions are outrageous!!

[ROWSI]

Yes I have been to India before. I spend half the year every year in Asia. So I know about the danger involved.

It would be nice to drive here for once rather than fly.

[Alane]

I'll shut up then:D I've only been a couple of times.

Where in cork are you, SWMBO has relatives in Passage west. We go there a fair bit.

[jkelly]

Depending on engine, a bigger intercooler isnt neceserilly the best way, more efficient one definately is. For a Tdi I would suggest getting a more efficient standard sized one - the little extra cooling that you loose over a full width one is more than made up for in additional cool air flowing through the rad without the big one in front - important in hotter climates. As for a TD5, upgraded full flow air cooler.

BFG AT tyres everytime for me - but thats personal choice.

Snorkel - Definately - But dont skimp, (Southdown's are about as good as they get) make sure you get a good one - Water may not be your biggest problem, dust and sand will be. Weve just come back from Africa and the dust / clogged air filters on non snorkeled vehicles was a constant hassle.

Suspension - If this is an overlanding vehicle, the requirements are completely different to an off-roader. Again, dont just opt for a 2" offroad lift - Look at something like King Springs or OME. There std ht springs are +1.5" ish and are designed with overlanding in mind.

You mention a lockable roof box - You will need an expedition grade roof-rack to carry it - Those corrogations will (and do - I've seen it many times) kill any roof-rack thats not upto the job.

You should also think about places to store essential spare parts, tools and oils. I normally try to take clutch master and slave cylinders, a couple of UJs, cylinder head gasket, wheel bearing etc etc.

GPS - Even the cheapest Garmin Etrex type units are essential. Dont forget about maps either!

Compressor - If you need to air-down your tyres, or you get a flat you'll need to blow them back up again... Get as big a one (flow rate, not pressure) as you can afford. The cheapo ones die in no time with big 4x4 tyres.

No doubt there are loads more things but thats what just flows onto the keyboard without giving it too much thought.

...wish I could make the time to go!

[Ed Cheung]

Be careful when you get there, they might steal you starter! When I was in Darjeeling, India, there are loads of land rover over there, they are being use like a local mini bus public transportation, and in the morning, they stick the rod(don't know the actual terms for that thing) from the bumper into the engine to crank start the engine. And the truck will run till the day ends.

[ROWSI]

Thanks guys, the intercooler upgrade is for all the time and not just for the trip.

Where is the best place to get a deal on five goodrich tyres.
I live in Allihies a fair way from passage west. Call in for a tea sometime <any summer>
Suspension I will have a look into it.

Cheers any more ideas, PS I have a GPS and Garmin Worl MAp.

[jkelly]

Dont forget that simply changing the intercooler wont make any difference to performance in "normal" climates without either tweaking the fuel pump or remaping the ECU.

Changing the intercooler alone will make a difference at high altitude or during very hot days.

[Disco69]

Hi ROWSI,



I should make sure your disco radiator and cooling system pipework is in good condition before going to warmer places(you probably realise that already)
Discos radiators are known to corrode and lose the fins, as mine did. This meant that the radiator worked fine in normal cool (UK) conditions but whenever I towed a trailer the engine would get hot because the radiator couldn't cope. I would guess a warmer climate would have the same effect.
Also make sure your aircon works if you have it - I'm sure your aware how much difference it can make to comfort on long hot journeys.

Do you work in India 6months and 6months in Ireland?
If so what do you do for a living? (if you don't mind me asking)

I'm just being nosey(ok maybe slightly jealous!) because I'd like to get a job that allows me to do more travelling around the world and I'm just looking at the options available. I've always loved travelling and holidays from work are just never long enough!

[streaky]

Ha! My Discovery gets loaded into a container for India in 3 weeks!

It's only a 3 week driving holiday though from Mumbai up to the Northern Punjab but still it's a 8000km journey on the black top with the occasional off road excursion..

Security of the truck is my primary concern. I want to fit the window guards but am running out of both time and money.
The interior has a 'safe' that I just bought today, a decent steering wheel lock and black'nd windows in the rear. I don't intend leaving the car in places unattended for too long and I'll be up top in my roof tent at nights.
I have a home made draw storage system being bilt at the moment and two Army foot lockers bolted through to the floor to carry spares and some tools.
I also have a portable 12v shower unit which will take water via a solar shower bag hung from the side awning.
After roughing it in the deserts of the Middle East for the past 17 years I have a good idea of what cooking facilities to take with me...just like an extended weekend but with more bog roll than usual.

Roads are crap there (but this depends on what you are used to really). BFG AT's are a good sound choice. I wanted to take two spares but space and weight are pushing me towards just taking a single spare and a un-mounted tyre. I've been pounding the roads of the middle east for 20,000km on this set and haven't lost one yet to regular poor quality road abuse.

Shockers. How many people in the truck? How much gear? Are you camping or staying in hotels along the way? If you're looking at a rooftent then don't be tempted to go for a OTT lift. 2 inches is more than enough and also get the stiffer springs to prevent bottoming out under the weight.
A decent roofrack is a 'must have' item. As is a raised air intake. I have a Mantec and am very pleased with it.

I bought a set of road maps and also the 'Road Maps of India' CD. I'm going to sit down and plot the route onto Mapsource over the weekend with my Buddy who is also taking his TombRaider 90.

My Discovery is a 4.6 V8 but has the Gulf Spec radiator, air-con and a few other basic mods. I have two additonal sill tanks underneath to increase the fuel load to 170lts. In and around the main cities I don't think fuel availability will be a problem but up in the mountains I'm told that it could be handy to have reserves.

Good luck.....lets keep this thread alive!

[ROWSI]

Ooohhh errr lots of questions to ask and to answer.

So far this is a maybe. We still have to work out the Paperwork and insurance for the car.
We are a familly and by October that will mean Wife and ME. And two sons who will be 14 and 7.

As for what we do for a living we are kind of dropping out of notrmal ways of life. BUT we own our own house and a place in Belgiunm where my wife is from. Therefore we dont have many overheads. I am a diving instructor and my wife a freelance artist so at the monment we fly away each winter to Asia where I end up working for peanuts. But thats cool as life costs peanuts too. The kids do homeschooling and that works out almost very well.

Back to the car and stuff.
Tyres, I had a look at the Michelins and they look great but probably ott for my needs. Here in LAOS I see lots of jeeps with Bridgestone dueller AT tyres which look just the ticket and are probably cheaper than Goodrich.
Suspension, does not really need lifting for what we have in mind but on fleabay a 40mm suspension kit with springs and shocks costs 200Pounds so its a maybe.
Equally the snorkel goes for 175pounds so I reckon thats a must.
Roofracks I dont know, can someone give me an idea on the price of a half roofrack. Just the back half of the disco roof and not the whole length.

Intercoolers are around the 500pound mark fitted so its a wait and see thing.
Summary
Tyres 500
Suspension 200
Intercooler 500
Snorkel 175
Roofrack ????

Not too bad to upgrade the car and about all that is necessary. As for security in India for a parked up car, Id say as long as you use some common sense you will have no problem. Touch wood I have only ever had something stolen once in travelling to Asia for the last 17 years. and I hold myself completly at fault.

Good luck and keep em coming.
Rowsi....

[littledude]

Half racks can be picked up new for £100-150, but if you load it up too much it will snap on those rough conditions.

I'd go for a brownchurch (about £300) tougher and more capable.

The smaller direct replacement cooler's are a easy self fit, save yourself some money.

Mesh out the back windows, easy enough yourself just make some card templates, cut the mesh to shape, paint and fit using P clips. Black them out before hand to keep heat down and stop a easy view in. Fit a dog guard if you have not already got one.

At's are the way ahead but also get a trye repair kit (even if its just a bottle of gue). Spare filters, oil, grease tool's plus the life saving tie wraps and gaffa tape!

[littledude]

Oh, and keep all the heavy stuff loaded low on the disco, water, fuel and the like.

I've often seen far too many over loaded roof racks.

[mmgemini]

A couple of things.
Roof rack. Max roof weight including roof rack is 75kg. Not a lot.
I made my own roof box. The one I bought fell to bits in nine months.

Don't buy or fit a dog guard. They are not up to the job. Fit a load guard. There is a difference. Secure everything in the vehicle. I use cargo rail and ratchet straps. Not cheap but so far so good.

A small book I would recomend after those by Tom Sheppard is a Land Rover publication. Working in the wild. A Manual for Africa. You'll be able to borrow one from your library.

I give my Defender a full service at least a month before it's due to go. That gives me time to sort out any silly niggles that can arise.

Have a look at my post in the maintence section. Spares I carried on overlanding trips. Yes I think I was OTT but at least I can get the vehicle away.

As for the intercooler.
I went for an up rated one that fits in the place of the OE one. I've been more than pleased with the performance.

If you'd like to have a look at my Defender visit
http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=340175.0

Yep I know it's a Defender but you might glean something.

Also what I'm up-to now with it.....
http://www.landroveraddict.com/smf/index.php?topic=358612.0

HTH

[ROWSI]

Cheers guys,

Have been overlanding it from Vientienne to Phnom Pen with Bus, Tricycle, Truck, Boat, Tractor, elephant, Truck, Boat, Minibus, Bus in that order since last post so was unable to answer.

We (the family) are more and more into this idea so keep em coming.

Recap, Tyres, Roofrack, Snorkel, Suspension?

[ROWSI]

Have nmow travelled from LAos to Cambodia and am now back in Bangkok.

After seeing and doing some off road work sitting in the back of a Hilux pickup with 24 other people and their bags I think.

1 I dont need two inch lift, I will go for Konis
2 I dont want goodrich at 100 quid a go I will try Yokohama 75
3 Roofrack still need to decide which one
4 Snorkel from Jkelly or PAddocks
5 Bull bar from Ebay

[jkelly]

Tyres:
I dont know how much the Yokohama's are but BFG's are often on offer at ATS and Kwick-Fit. More often than not on buy 1 get 1 half price. I think I paid about £80 a corner (fitted) for my last set.

Roofrack - I can only re-iterate what Mmengeni said some while ago - dont use a cheap one - They'll fall appart as soon as you hit the serious stuff and leave you with the dielema of what to do with the stuff you can no longer carry!

... sounds like your currently having a fantastic time on your current travels!!

[streaky]

It would pay for you to stop over in Dubai and pick up one of the Front Runner Roof racks currently on sale here.
Frogs Island in UK are doing the 2.2 meter one for 700 quid approx.....they are on special here for 78 UK pounds!
Bargain!

[ROWSI]

Back in Europe and doing some research on the idea. Car first as whatever happens in the middle east I am sure we'll go somewhere in the Landrover
Just got some Bridgestone Dueller AT tyres here in Belgium. I know they are not what you recommended but in Asia they are widely used and I was in a Toyota Pickup with the driver doing some incredible stuff on these tyres so I went for them.
420Euros for the four of them as a mate of mine can get the vat back.
Also ordered Four Koni Heavy Track shocks from Paddocks. Will fit them next week when back in the UK before heading home to Ireland. 190£ delivered. Standard height.
Maybe I will get a 1 inch lift kit (unsure)

So I am left looking for a s/h roofrack and a snorkel sometime. That about does the mods. Apart from maybe a bull bar or metal bumper. (India....)

Cheers

Oh and I almost forgot I have a deal and a company will pay all my diesel......

[YUG]

I have BF Goodrich AT/s on my Disco.. but for overland trips i keep a set of the cheapest, maximum ply truck tyres on a spare set of wheels.

All the punctures i have had on overland trips have been on the side walls of the tyres,BF Good riches have 3 ply on the sidewalls,a truck tyre has a minimum of six!

[ROWSI]

I have BF Goodrich AT/s on my Disco.. but for overland trips i keep a set of the cheapest, maximum ply truck tyres on a spare set of wheels.

All the punctures i have had on overland trips have been on the side walls of the tyres,BF Good riches have 3 ply on the sidewalls,a truck tyre has a minimum of six!

Oh dear, too late just back from the garage ... Bridgestone Dueller AT fitted.

Koni suspension next week.....

Roofrack and Snorkel to get.

How about the bumper. Should I get a bull bar or take it off and replace with metal bumper.....

Money is an object and I am not going to go over the top....

[jkelly]

Oh dear, too late just back from the garage ... Bridgestone Dueller AT fitted.

Koni suspension next week.....

Roofrack and Snorkel to get.

How about the bumper. Should I get a bull bar or take it off and replace with metal bumper.....

Money is an object and I am not going to go over the top....

For my money I'd just drop a metal bumper on... Propoer bull bars are expensive and very heavy, and dont bend... On first thoughts a not bending bumper is all well and good, but in the case of an accident the energy has to be dissipated somewhere and you chassis rails are'nt the most ideal place! A cheaper metal bumper will bend and look a bit unsigtly but at least you chassis will remain straight! As for the weight of the proper, big bulbars - your front suspension would need upgrading accordingly to prevent front end droop.

[c2518]

I would definitely get a fridge and invertor fitted makes life alot more bearable:)