Planning a trip in a D1

[Viggen]

I have been jonesing for a long expedition trip for a long time now and have been building a 95 D1 for camping trips. As it sits, its good for shorter trips where I set off to the NF's and hit trails, camp for a few nights and then head off back home again. I sit behind the screen and stare at some of these South to North America trip reports, watch the Bolivian Special that Top Gear did, watch Long Way Round or endless clips of the CT and its hit me hard. So, being a teacher, I dont make a lot of dough but with some saving, I could successfully save and use my 2.5 months off in the summer for more than just screwing around locally and make an epic trip. So, I have a 95 D1, pretty well built, but what else would be needed to be self sufficient for a long trip? A dream of mine would be to load the truck on a boat, ship it to the southern tip of SA and then drive north until I get home.

So, heres the question. If you were to do a drive/ expedition from South America to North America, how would you outfit a D1? Call it a mental exercise in planning. I already have quite a bit on the truck already and most (it is a Rover after all) works so what would you bring. Also, I would like to add that I am NOT an equipment junkie and find a lot of equipment seen in some trip reports to be superfluous. Think, as bare essential and only what can fit inside the truck.

http://www.drivetheglobe.com/ I stumbled upon this site and was wondering if anyone knows anything about this outfit?

Enjoy the mental exercise and I will be watching eagerly!

 

[Antichrist]

Tip top shape mechanincally.

Not in any particular order
RTT if you swing that way
Tools
Assortment of spares (see D1 critical spares thread)
Winch
Tire chains (maybe, definitely without a winch)
Fridge
Regular camping gear
Extra spare tire
Camera
Compass
Paper maps
GPS

 

[TangoBlue]

The first bullet: tip-top shape mechanically.

Did you fix the weeping output seal on the transfer case, replace door seals, and patch the swiss cheese floor boards yet?

D'OH!

Follow me to British Columbia next June by way of CO, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier NP...

 

[upcruiser]

An important question to be asked is how far off the beaten path do you plan on going? You can do the trip in a stock Kia sedan if you stick to pavement obviously. I have explored a good portion of the Atacama in a 2wd Chevy Luv traveling mostly dirt roads and unmapped routes. The outfitting is specific to what you want to do. Btw, I love your truck, probably has something to do with being the same color as my '95, though much better equipped!

Personally if i was doing that trip in a D1 I would want a RTT for effortless and comfy sleeping when staying off the beaten path. I would also want to bring gear for backpacking, paddling though the RTT negates that (d'oh!), photography gear, some good topo atlases, and all the normal spares and tools for repairs when away from civilization.

This thread is timely for me as I am throwing around ideas right now for how to spend a similar 2.5 month period of free time next summer as well. Good luck, hope you make it happen.

 

[lostworldexpedition]

How many will be traveling? If it is only 2 you could consider an inside paltform type bed (it would be a nice option even if you have a RTT for the ultra windy Argentinean south or for "guerrilla" camping).

2.5 months is definitely doable, but would you consider Panama and back as an option?

I do not have a Land Rover, but I think a D1 in great shape would be a very good rig for this trip. I can give you good LR mechanics contact address in Belize and in Costa Rica.


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[upcruiser]

The D1's are too short to sleep in the back of unless you extend the platform over the front seats. Kind of a bummer as sleeping in the rig is my preferred method for the above reasons and more.

Another option, and potentially cheeper one to look into is buying a built rig that someone is selling here in SA and use that for your time and sell it afterwards. Since a good deal of folks tend to end their trips I'm Ushuaia, there tend to be vehicles all prepped and ready for sale. Just an outside the box thought to consider to avoid the shipping hassle.

 

[Scott Brady]

Spend some money on service and preventative maintenance, then find someone to share a container with. Spend the vast majority of your budget on the travel, not the vehicle. Trust me. . . All the mods and shiny bits and gadgets just get in the way.

Personally (having traveled in both CA and SA), I would ship to Chile or Colombia instead of spending time traveling through CA.

If you really want to spend some money on the truck:
Install some high quality tires (5) that are +1" on the dia. without change the width much if possible, and maybe some HD OME springs and shocks

Do it! You will not believe how beautiful it is.

 

[Viggen]

The first bullet: tip-top shape mechanically.

Did you fix the weeping output seal on the transfer case, replace door seals, and patch the swiss cheese floor boards yet?

D'OH!

Follow me to British Columbia next June by way of CO, Grand Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier NP...

Yup, all fixed up along with new hub seals and a bunch of other things. I wouldnt hesitate to drive it across country right now. I would say its almost ready for just about anything. I would change a few things before leaving, like ditching the last piece of the rear seat to make a completely flat area inside for gear to try and keep as much stuff off the roof as possible.

My D1 is already built. 3" RTE springs with 1" aluminum pucks, SG 3 link in front, Rovertracks rear trailing arms, Detroit rear, dual batteries with Power Gate, ARB with 8k Warn, aux lighting front and rear, some sort of SD style rack (Im debating getting rid of it in favor of a completely flat floored full length Brownchurch), SG sliders, ARB fridge, enough reco gear for 3 trucks, 255/85's, and a full camping set up (I dont like RTT's). There isnt much left to add to it. Maybe a stronger rear bumper with lift points but thats not really needed and is more of a looks sort of thing.

Im itching to do something cool before external responsibilities overwhelm.

Tango, whatre planning exactly?

 

[fishEH]

Tango, whatre planning exactly?

Yeah, do tell. I'm looking for an adventure next summer, too.

 

[David Harris]

Spend some money on service and preventative maintenance, then find someone to share a container with. Spend the vast majority of your budget on the travel, not the vehicle. Trust me. . . All the mods and shiny bits and gadgets just get in the way.

Personally (having traveled in both CA and SA), I would ship to Chile or Colombia instead of spending time traveling through CA.

If you really want to spend some money on the truck:
Install some high quality tires (5) that are +1" on the dia. without change the width much if possible, and maybe some HD OME springs and shocks

Do it! You will not believe how beautiful it is.

Great advice from Scott that you don't hear very often. Lay low on the mods! LR's are extremely capable and versatile vehicles just the way they are. Adding the slightly larger rubber and springs/shocks to match your load and conditions are all you need. In fact you won't even need much of a lift and going without one keeps the vehicle so much more stable and roadworthy. If you need greater load carrying capacity, just get the factory LR extra-heavy duty springs which give you a 1 inch lift and more load capacity. I just run moderately bigger tires (245/75R16) and the factory spring isolators top and bottom on all the springs to give me a little lift (.75 inches). I've yet to run into anything I couldn't drive through with this set-up on the trips I've been on. Also, pack as lightly as possible. It's easy to haul so much with you that it becomes a real burden on you and the truck. You really need much less than you think. After all, long-distance backpackers go on months long trips with just what they can carry on their back! Sometimes after reading builds on forums, you can get the feeling that you need to build a 30K+ super rig with all the gear to go anywhere. Just spend some time and money making sure that everything is in good shape and then go and enjoy it. You could drive around the world this way.

 

[timmy!!!!!!!]

Are you regeared? If not I would put in a 1.4 ratio tcase because 3.54 diffs are easier to come across than 4.10 diffs. Other than that just get all of the preventative maintenance done and maybe ditch the 3-link for a more stable set up.

 

[David Harris]

The D1's are too short to sleep in the back of unless you extend the platform over the front seats. Kind of a bummer as sleeping in the rig is my preferred method for the above reasons and more.

Another option, and potentially cheeper one to look into is buying a built rig that someone is selling here in SA and use that for your time and sell it afterwards. Since a good deal of folks tend to end their trips I'm Ushuaia, there tend to be vehicles all prepped and ready for sale. Just an outside the box thought to consider to avoid the shipping hassle.

Actually, you can do it if you push the front seats as far forward as possible and fill in the space in the rear seat footwell to make a longer platform. I am 5'10 and fit in there that way. If you're taller you can just angle yourself a little.

 

[Viggen]

Are you regeared? If not I would put in a 1.4 ratio tcase because 3.54 diffs are easier to come across than 4.10 diffs. Other than that just get all of the preventative maintenance done and maybe ditch the 3-link for a more stable set up.

I am. Running 3.80s. I love my 3 link and dont find it to be as unstable as many say it is. It does handle differently than a stock Disco but I wouldnt call it unstable at all. I think that claim stems from the original center link not being of the best design and not being truly adjustable from what Ive read. I have a Teraflex center link with HUGE heims on each end and its completely adjustable of length. I dont think I would want to go back to the stock arrangement and then have to deal with bushings or cranked arms or swivels to correct for caster.

Actually, you can do it if you push the front seats as far forward as possible and fill in the space in the rear seat footwell to make a longer platform. I am 5'10 and fit in there that way. If you're taller you can just angle yourself a little.

Oh, Im 6'4" tall. I dont think that there will be any sleeping inside without a complete emptying of the contents of the truck and that would leave everything exposed to the elements and passers by outside.

 

[Antichrist]

There's pro and con that may not occur to some, of sleeping inside.
Con - Picking up hitch-hikers can be an interesting diversion to a trip and you can learn a lot about local areas.
Pro - You're not interested in picking up hitch-hikers so it's easy to say, sorry, no room.

 

[Viggen]

Yeah, Im not into picking up hitch hikers at all. Not my idea of safe really. What about vehicle security?