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Diesel & Dust
Hi there,
Right, have Land Rover will travel.
We bought her, Cathey, from Matthew in Bristol who did a trip through Africa in 2005. He bought her direct from MOD (Ministry of Defence) in 2003, replaced the bulk head, resprayed her and converted her into expedition vehicle. Previously she had been a radio transmitter vehicle in the army. He then shipped her to Durban and drove back to England in 2005.
Basic specs are: 1986 110 Defender; 2.5l diesel (normally aspirated i.e. no turbo) 4 cylinder engine (J12 engine type? For those who know their landy engines) Approx. 110 000kms, with re-built/reconditioned gear-box. Now known as 3-door hard top, also sometimes called "commercials" or "vans" in this country.
A bit rough around the edges/pretty basic "military spec" on the inside but at the price and with the extras included could not really have done better! With a bit of TLC & hopefully not too much money spent on her we can improve her comfort levels and hopefully have an excellent expedition "truck". The good points are the lack of "mod-cons" will hopefully make anything that does go wrong easy to fix ourselves or have fixed!
Also the other main selling point was all the included extra's e.g. auxiliary/long-distance fuel tank + jerry cans; dual batteries/split charge system; auxiliary electric system off 2nd battery to power auxiliary electric systems i.e. internal lights, spotlights, amplifier, radio, 6 No. 12V chargers ("cigarette lighter" style chargers) & 240V inverter; swing away rear door spare wheel carrier + one on bonnet gives 2 spares (all in 6No. Goodrich All Terrain Tyres); boxes for packing/storage system under "bed" in rear load area including LOADS of spare parts, some tools, books, workshop manuals, maps etc. plus 2 sand ladders.
We have already acquired our 1st major purchase for the trip - Engel camping fridge! That leaves us still needing (on the expensive purchase side) the following: Roof rack, roof top tent, high lift jack, water tank?/jerry cans, GPS, side awning etc... I'm sure there is definitely more I am forgetting here. Plus plenty of tools and some more spare parts that are still required.
Also, luckily we have managed to pick up a few bits and pieces form Inga's dad on previous trips home e.g. 2 new spots, Coleman camping shovel, axe mounting, GPS 12 volt charger, electric fan for dash, ratchet straps, MSR water purifier & stove, maps, storage pouches etc....
Also a Cadac twin burner gas camping stove from Rob's dad that we will mount to inside of rear door. A big thank you to them both!
So this is our "little" project for the next 8 months which should be keeping me out of trouble - off the couch and out of the pub according to Inga. With all the kitting out, cleaning, servicing & replacing the dodgy bits (that we know of) not too mention the dreaded admin side of things (nightmare) i.e. visas, health & medical supplies and vaccinations, insurance, carnets de passage (or something like that) & vehicle export documentation & rigmarole.... Should keep us busy!
Back to the photos..... see if you can spot why she is called Cathey. I must admit I missed it at 1st and kept wondering who the .... is Cathey? We have decided to keep her name as is as it is considered bad luck to change vehicle names' especially girls names as they tend to get jealous. (We proved this theory to be correct with a VW camper van, Roxy, back in 1999 and don't want to tempt fate this time!)
Watch this space
Cheers
Rob & Inga
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