DII overland prep

[R_Lefebvre]

Well this group did SA and much more in a DII.

http://www.drivearoundtheworld.com/movie/DATW-LONGITUDE.wmv


Information about the vehicle:
http://www.drivearoundtheworld.com/vehicles/

I wish we had more info on how this expedition went. Seems whenever this subject comes up (suitabilty/reliability of the modern trucks) people bring up this as a data point.

Then the naysayers say "This doesn't mean the trucks are reliable, they had a huge support crew, backup trucks, etc... they just won't tell us what really happened."

We just don't know... AFAIK.

Ditto for Darien Gap, Camel Trophy, etc...

 

[Sharkman]

I was trying to stay out of this post as I’m obviously way too cautious and am doing nothing but putting a damper on this kid’s good time….

I don’t understand.

Jim

The point is:

He didn’t ask for your opinion about safety abroad.
He didn’t ask if you thought he was capable of making the trip.
If you have first hand knowledge related to maintaining or prepping a high mileage DII please contribute.

And I won’t mention the choice in vehicle again,

but you did....again...
If you have not owed a DII and can’t keep from giving your opinion (maybe try sitting on your hands?) then I’d recommend starting a new thread to debate the reliability of the truck.

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

If you have not owed a DII and can’t keep from giving your opinion (maybe try sitting on your hands?) then I’d recommend starting a new thread to debate the reliability of the truck.

Been there, done that.

 

[kellymoe]

The point is:

He didn’t ask for your opinion about safety abroad.
He didn’t ask if you thought he was capable of making the trip.
If you have first hand knowledge related to maintaining or prepping a high mileage DII please contribute.


but you did....again...
If you have not owed a DII and can’t keep from giving your opinion (maybe try sitting on your hands?) then I’d recommend starting a new thread to debate the reliability of the truck.

I think his input was relevant and his later post a kind of peace offering. He has plenty of valuable posts in the past and don't see his recent posts as anything other than positive and helpful.

 

[Blair G]

The point is:

If you have not owed a DII and can’t keep from giving your opinion (maybe try sitting on your hands?) then I’d recommend starting a new thread to debate the reliability of the truck.

Starting a thread would be a great idea. Lets do that. Be careful, Disco owners can be a bit touchy.

 

[Desertoutpost]

I'm electing to watch this thread and any others that branch off, I will (TRY) remain silent....:Wow1:

 

[Alaska Mike]

The point is:

If you have not owed a DII and can’t keep from giving your opinion (maybe try sitting on your hands?) then I’d recommend starting a new thread to debate the reliability of the truck.

Been there, done that.

We are not going down that route again. Scott has stated very clearly that there is to be no brand or platform bashing on this forum. We may skirt the fine line from time to time, but starting a thread to describe the faults of a particular vehicle is blatantly against the policies of the board.

I'm sure Mercedesrover has his reasons for not liking modern Land Rover platforms for expedition travel. In fact, I'm pretty sure he prefers diesels over gas engines. We all have our biases. I can't see fault in him taking the conservative line, given current governmental warnings about travel in Mexico. The OP gave little background to go on, so the conservative advice was probably the right track to take. I tend to dive headlong into things without thinking it through, so it's always nice to have a saner mind on hand to provide balance.

 

[Christian P.]

Here's my 2 cents about using a specific brand:

Internet is accessible almost anywhere in Central America and South America.

If anything goes wrong, the owner of a vehicle (whatever brand that is) can email/post a message on this forum and I guarantee someone will be there to help.

Items can be shipped almost anywhere in the world...unless you need a whole transmission or engine, there's always a way. We are in 2008, no 1908.

Don't be so concern about the choice of vehicle you're taking, just go and have fun.

To me traveling (whetever it's with your own vehicle or not) is about meeting people, having new experiences, learning about other cultures and bringing back great memories.

One issue about spending too much time on this board (and I am also guilty) is that we focus way too much on snorkels and winches and roof top tent and not enough on the actual travel portion.

I like this quote

since starting the daily grind my camping gear and vehicle prep have gotten more high tech, expensive, and expansive but actual travel time has decreased terribly. I need to change this equation

 

[Sharkman]

We are not going down that route again. Scott has stated very clearly that there is to be no brand or platform bashing on this forum. .

1)

Thirdly, the electronic nightmare that is a DII is not the kind of truck you want to be wandering around with down there..

2)

That's not even to mention if there was trouble with the questionably reliable DII..

3)

And I won’t mention the choice in vehicle again, apart from the fact it’s a truck that requires a head gasket change as a maintenance item. That’s nice. .

Specific statements about ones personal experiance with thier vehicle would be helpful and address the original question...example: "my crankshaft sensor failed at 78k miles and caused my truck to fail. This sensor is one of the only sensor on the truck that has no default table or limp home mode. I'd highly reccommend that you take a spare. Replacing the sensor is an easy trail side repair and took about 15minutes.."

 

[Alaska Mike]

I think we know where Mercedesrover stands on modern Land Rovers. I too had issues with the OP's choice in vehicle, since he hasn't bought it yet. I can think of many platforms I'd rather have on that trip than a technologically complex, premium gas-fired vehicle. As with any vehicle of that vintage or older, parts will need to be replaced- and they don't come cheap. Personal preference. However, once he stated his reasons for the choice of the vehicle, I completely understood. I've been a fan of Discos ever since I first saw a Camel Trophy video. If he's willing to deal with the issues of the platform, I think he's going to have a great adventure.

 

[MuddyMudskipper]

I would say do the research and build the truck the way you want to to fit your needs. The beauty of the platform is that no matter how you want your truck someone else in the world has done something like it and therefore the parts are available.

You may also want to speak to the guys at Expedition Exchange and get their thoughts on preparing the platform. Not only do they have real world experience in overland travel with contemporary Rovers, many of the modifications you want to do they have on their own vehicles. I have looked at the photos of many of their trips and from what I have seen the only real issues they have had on their travels with modern Rovers (D1, D2, Defender, RRC) appear to have been mechanical issues which can happen with any kind of vehicle.

If unreliable and scary modern electronics are enough of a deterrent for you to stay away from the DII, get a horse.:26_7_2: Faithful, easy to maintain, ultimate reliability, cheap on fuel, not blingy, and in dire times you can eat it. :eatchicke

 

[RoverMack]

I would like to learn form your collective knowledge on what to do about the car and best ways to prepare it.

Read
Vehicle-dependent Expedition Guide by Tom Sheppard published by Desert Winds.

My first ever expedition was my longest, Scotland to Cape Town with an ex MOD 109 after i graduated from university. Vehicle mods were minimal.

 

[Alaska Mike]

If unreliable and scary modern electronics are enough of a deterrent for you to stay away from the DII, get a horse. Faithful, easy to maintain, ultimate reliability, cheap on fuel, not blingy, and in dire times you can eat it.

I doubt any owner of a modern horse would call them cheap to own or maintain.

"Daddy, can I have a pony?"

Aside from the opinions on the platform, anyone else have any advice? That quote about gear vs trail time certainly hit a note with me.

 

[Hltoppr]

Hmm...

I say do the preventative maintenance; fill her with gas...grab the passports and head South. Heck...I'd take your rig tomorrow; as is. (Yes, I'm simplifying things. There will be other serious planning that will need to go into a long term trip like what you're talking about, but the rig is pretty simple, actually.)

There will be no perfect vehicle other than the one you've got....you and your significant other will have a great time. Any issues with the rig will...I repeat...will, get sorted out and you'll do fine. Yes...you may have to wait for parts...and customs...but that'll give you time to hang out and make friends.

Some of my best stories are when I'm on the side of a road in the middle of nowhere Mexico, broken down, and the next thing I know someone is stopping to assist...I've even been offered some coffee whilst I worked....

For a DII I would, if I had to plan it...the basics:

Change, and keep the old stuff as spares: Water pump, fluids, cooling system, 02 sensors; other known problem areas. (maybe carry some parts that are known to possibly fail; head gasket?)

Spare fuses/bulbs, electrical bag/tools, etc.

OME Medium/heavy springs/shocks...cheap for what you get.

New tires of stock size or slightly larger; but not much....: BFG have never failed me...one spare

Remove the rear seat; maybe put a cargo floor in with tie downs if the stock ones are not sufficient.

High lift jack & ARB recovery kit; full sized shovel.

Sounds like ya'll will have a great time. Let us know what your route is...and if you want company for part of the trip...there are plenty of us who just like to wander around....

Cheers, and let me know if I can be of assistance.

-H-

 

[riverratrover]

You all have bin very help full. Again I'm kind of stuck with the DII (its my daily driver) and I'm kind of attached to her (not that any of you are attached...HAHA). Full check up, basic spares. I think LIGHT SIMPLE FIXABLE are going to be my guide words on this truck. I will of course take all your advice to heart and have already made notes and changes to my mock build/schedule plan.

Just rember you've all had a first time for everything, its just my turn to be "young and adventures (some may read that as dumb)"

Good luck with all your trips and trucks and I'll keep you posted on mine.

Oh and if you ever venture to Grand Teton National Park Wyoming or Oahu Hawaii let me know and we will float the river or go SCUBA diving.

Thanks