Vehicle Prep

Originally, my first choice was the Series 3, however although the series is as capable, I felt that the 110 would be more comfortable (I must be getting old)

So, when a 2.5 litre 110, with a Brown Church roof top tent and rack, came up for sale. I snatched it up!

Since, buying the 110, I have made numerous changes, especially in the engine department. The 2.5 petrol, was first replaced by a completely re-built 2.5 diesel normally aspirated. Although, this was a very reliable engine, I felt it was a little under powered, especially with all the extra weight, which was added to the vehicle (no I'm not talking about the ladies).

So, a 200 TDI was brought and shoe horned in.

The 200 TDI transforms the one ten completely, it has far greater power and the fuel economy seems to be really good.

Even though we had the Brown Church tent, we preferred the Eezi-Awn tents, so we purchased two from Footloose 4 x 4 ( http://www.footloose4x4.com )

The Brown Church roofrack was extended to allow both tents to open up onto the ground, one on the rear and one on the front.  

We also, brought the shower skirt for the rear tent, so as to have an enclosure, where we could shower and change.

      Sid the landie                                                      200 tdi

Speaking of the shower, on advice from another overlander, I decided to buy a shower unit from RM Specialties( http://www.hotwatercampingshower.com/index.htm ) in America. The unit has a self-priming pump, that draws it's heat via the heat exchanger, connected into the radiator bypass hoses.

The shower is a very well manufactured piece of equipment, how ever bear in mind the import taxes when purchasing from abroad, these can be very expensive!

Not being satisfied with just one shower and the girls not agreeing to all shower together with me! (To save water of course!), on occasions where water will be scarce, I got the idea from Paul Marsh at Footloose 4x4, to use. A Hoselock garden pressure spray, which gives you six minutes of shower time on just 3 litres of water and at fourteen pounds a lot cheaper than the other one.

    filter & hoselock shower                                         heat exchanger

For those extra cool beers in the desert, we decided to go for a Minus 40 Logicold Fridge Freezer. With the prospect of the beer trade in Africa, being three warm ones for a one cold one! A good business deal could be made, thats my excuse anyway!!!

To power all the extra electrical equipment, I brought two Optima batteries. One standard red top and a deep cycle yellow top. However, so far I am not overly impressed with their output and performance. Especially as they are not a cheap option!

The Battery Monitor and spilt charge system was also installed to manage the two batteries.

    battery manager                                               fridge & water tank

A Doulton ceramic water filter and pump was purchased from Brownchurch(http://www.brownchurch.co.uk/ ) The filter makes it possible to filter out most diseases and impurity's, as well as the taste and smell. I have since been advised that the filters being ceramic are prone to breaking, will keep you updated.

The storage on the vehicle will be primarily in Wolf ammo boxes, which are modular and easily secured, using cargo rail and ratchet straps.

In addition, a mobile storage draw will be added to the rear of the vehicle, for quick access for example cooking equipment.

We are starting the journey with six new BFGoodridge 235/85 all terrain tyres. I have been advised that these are the better option for such a journey.The tyres were bought from Guildford tyre co,where not only were the staff extremely helpful but they gave me great advice on what to do when we got a flat and advised me to run the tyres on tubeless to start as they run cooler,but as soon as they started playing up to switch back to tubes.

A 80 litre stainless steel water tank was custom made to fit in the foot well behind the driver, which feeds both the water filter as well as the shower. The tank made by AJ Morris from Derby (extremely well made well-priced and friendly service).

For navigation we have a Garmin etrex vista gps which has been mounted on the dash with an external booster aerial,the re-radiating aantenna was bought fromhttp://www.globalpositioningsystems.co.uk, in addition we have a standard compass and maps of the entire route.

The camping equipment  has been sourced through a large number of outdoor shops, some of the major items are the coleman duel fuel stove and lamp, a folding picnic table, cutlery and crockery etc.

On the side of the vehicle we mounted a fold out awning, which we modified to fit a bug proof netting. So in the evening when the bugs are out, we don't end up with them as part of our meal or us as part of theirs!