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Thanks for all you advice guys, very useful so far.
I've signed up with Waypoint-tours for their November western sahara trip and then plan to stay out another couple of weeks on my own afterwards. I hope doing this trip will build some confidence in myself and the LC before I go off solo |
Barrie from Waypoint Tours will look after you, but do chat over the vehicle prep with him, some tour operators have minimum levels of preparation for the trips they run.
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I've driven twice to the gambia with long diversions through Morrocco and Mauritania and once to Kazan in russia I would echo the above. keep it simple, keep it standard. that way you can easilly get replacement bits if you need to.
As someone has already said, manufacturers spent millions developing these vehicles for these environments (ones of the vintage you have anyway) so why mess with it. generally from what I hear from others the most likely parts to fail on a vehicle are the aftermarket ones. It always amuses me when I read the off road mags guides to expeditions. the art of spending loads of money on useless tat you don't need, but listen to them and you'll believe you couldn't possibly leave your drive without it. bear in mind they have to sell advertising space to these guys! standard rubber bushes fail gradually, polybushes fail suddenly and fall out so I would go with standard unless you carry a complete spare set of polybushes. MY H60 is pretty standard except a custom rear bumber to take a hi lift and rocksliders off a defender 110. I have 2 heavy duty shackles on the front for recovery. these I bridge accross with an 8ton halfords tow rope, then use a kinetic rope for attaching to the other vehicle. this gives a lovely gentle and progressive pull. The KERR is perfectly safe if you use it properly (i.e. don't set off at mach 2 with 10 feet of slack in the rope!!). This set up has been used to safely recover 3 1/2 tons of landcruiser, several times! oh, and a coathanger for the radio aerial! I use a halfords coolbox I bought for not a lot years ago. Always carry 2 spare wheels (in russia I got through three! on one of the Gambia trips I had 12 punctures, note to self, don't use tubed tyres again!) I have a 24v inverter bought on ebay for a bout 30 quid which has lasted years. I use waffle boards for recovery. to be honest I think carpet will be too soft. I have slept in the wagon but it was a squeeze. We didn't do any damage to the underside but it was touch and go sometimes, bash plates would have given a bit more confidence. The vehicle is kept mechanically sound and regularly serviced, but looks a complete shed. This reduces the risk of theft/breakin and keeps the fines and 'cadeux' to a minimum. I would echo the advice above to get the vehicle comprehensively serviced. I'm afraid I would bever trust a 'free' service included as part of the price of a vehicle. you get what you pay for. look like your poor (even though wealthy relative to many of those in country) and you'll have less people trying to get your money out of you! Drive the vehicle as much as possible before you leave so you get used to it's little foibles and noises and hopefully identify any problem areas. |
Thanks again chap's
Julian, I spoke with Barrie before purchasing about set up etc, He's been great and I'm all paid up now so no going back (I guess if things go wrong that may be no coming backdoh) Moggy, you're spot on about trusting a service from the seller completely, it also booked in with the mechanic I've used for the last 18 years for a full examination and further service. Trust him completely with all my vehicles and I'll be bugging him and getting in the way whilst it's on the ramps so I get to know the truck better |
A quick tip....
Keep everything on the car as standard as possible, it will make finding replacement parts in remote area's so much easier. Enjoy Morocco, it's a fabulous country ! |
well just over a day before I go :D
first 3 weeks with Waypoint tours down to the western sahara and then who knows. The truck is ready and my prep went something like this 40l Diesel (2x Jerry Cans) 25l Water Can to be supplemented as required with bottled DIY Sleeping Platform Rear Seats removed Tinted Rear Windows waeco Cooler beer beer MP3 Head Unit (no moving parts to skip) CB (needed for the tour) Compressor 10m Tow Strop 300w invertor Awning BFG AT's Liesure Battery battery isolators Box of spares doh Full Service & new belts and pads ebay lashing points fitted to seat mounts http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6033/...eaf0711213.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6219/...0505743c7a.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6044/...529c680f63.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6097/...c43ec98b99.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6098/...061d1626d1.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/...2f05e55193.jpg http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6217/...ae0a00f66b.jpg |
Looks good, and makes me respect the locals who run around in mk1 transits with as much on the roof as inside, no end, enjoy.
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Have fun :D
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Looking good Mark, well done. :thumbup1:
It might be worth getting Windscreen Sunshade if you still have the time. It would be nice if you gave us an update of how your trip went when you return. I'm sure you will have a great time. |
How did I miss this postdoh Have a great trip. And bring back loads of photo's.
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Matt I've got a sun shade for the windscreen :)
I'll get plenty of photo's, I've managed 1000 in 10days before |
Enjoy
I'm sure you will have a great trip, lots of photo opportunities, some good off roading and some of Barrie's famous scran.
Enjoy - and don't forget we want a report |
Quote:
Happy travels :) |
Essential kit
Don't forget:
shovel for digging the car out and toilet pits Army type entrenching tools also good Make sure you have a decent jack and a solid base to jack off - blade of shovel if nothing else tow rope shackles Plenty of water and food treats |
Quick report,
Left Barry and the others yesterday heading for Tangier Med. First part has been survived, just both rear shocks disintegrated and a rear axle mount went with them mid Western Sahara, Barrys felxibility got us all to civilization and tracked down a mechanic repairs made and finished the rest of the trip. Missed the 24 hours Barry and the others had stuck in a Salt Pan. Plan for the rest of the stay, Agadir tomorrow for some new shocks hopefully then Talouine Tazennacht Foum Zguid Zagora Tazzarine Imichil and then home |
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