With all the stories you read i always have that nag going on.
most of the stories being on this forum where we all come to sort out problems ? Most discovery owners don't even know what a crankshaft is, let alone worry about it. (they're only concerned about which double yellows or zig-zags to park on whilst driving their sprogs 200 metres to school. )
4th Oct 2019 9:20 am
DeRanged Rover
Member Since: 04 Jul 2013
Location: London
Posts: 162
Sounds Awesome!
There is a chap on the FFRR Forum who did this in his FF - lots of tips and suggestions that he picked up along the way so should be a good read - I think its in the Africa section but may be wrong.
I'd suggest 18 inch wheels with tyres with higher sidewalls, IID tool is a must, Fitting a Snorkel would not be a bad idea either as the dust can clog up the filters quite quick. Extra Spare tyre a good idea too and a puncture repaiir kit and tyre compressor.
I took my expedition prepped D3 down to Kenya and it was a hoot but the one thing I found was that the injectors tended to get clogged because of the poor grade diesel on offer. This may be more of an issue on the newer D4s so I'd pack plenty of Redex and bung that in every time you fill up. A couple of tubes of Dr Tranny in the toolkit wouldn't go amiss either!
Enjoy and keep us updated!D3 Offroad Prepped - Gone to Kenya
FFRR - Gone
D4 HSE
4th Oct 2019 9:25 am
LT
Member Since: 31 Dec 2005
Location: South West
Posts: 23322
Have you swapped all the hoses for silicon ones? The originals can crack/split at that age.2006 D3 HSE (Original & still the best)-GONE
2010 D4 HSE (A bit bling)-GONE
2014 D4 HSE (Almost too bling)-GONE
2015 D4 HSE (A heated what?)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Written Off)-GONE
2016 D4 Landmark (Surely the last!) PD1881 rims-GONE
2017 FFRR SDV8 Autobiography
4th Oct 2019 9:31 am
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2136
robpenrose wrote:
Probably an alternator as a spare if it hasn't been recently replaced.
I would actually probably stick a new alternator on the car before you go, and keep the working current one as a spare.
I only say it as its the only issue i've had which has left me stranded. Its a relatively cheap part if purchased through AF, so a no brainier considering the age and mileage of the car.
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
I did an overland trip from the UK to The Peloponnese in southern Greece via the ferry from Ancona (IT) to Patras (GR) in my D3. It was about 5k miles for the round trip including a diversion to & from Athens, and I did it 7 days running up to Christmas.
The D3 behaved itself faultlessly. I serviced it before we left, carried chains, as we were going via Aosta, but never fitted them though there was some snow here & there.
I wouldn't have any concerns about another overland trip of 5k miles or more.
I did two 3k trips to Southern Italy in my 1973 MGB GT V8 in the late 1990s, again with no problem.
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
4th Oct 2019 10:14 am
Littlewill
Member Since: 14 Sep 2015
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 484
Also, isn't this the sort of trip that a Discovery was built for!?[/quote]
You would think so. But the fact your having to worry about what will break by using it in this way suggests otherwise doesn't it...?
4th Oct 2019 12:18 pm
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2136
Most sensible overland travelers will always carry spares and fluids no matter what vehicle they are in.
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
my power steering failed once ... there are two o-rings that cost almost zilch, worth getting them I'd suggest.
the fluid costs a fair bit more !! however ... IIRC, in the UK we use arctic spec stuff. perhaps Africa is on a different grade ?
and as a previous post has suggested things are cheaper in SA ... if it's genuine parts you're going to be getting, why not pre-order them at a SA dealer and pick them up when you get there ?
4th Oct 2019 2:15 pm
jenseneverest
Member Since: 12 Jun 2017
Location: somewhere
Posts: 760
you could probably do the whole trip on tarmac but where is the fun in that ?
I did 8500km in a honda crv from Zimbabwe to Namibia in a very round about return trip back to where i started in Mutare. I used a battery and windscreen on the trip, neither of which i took with me. Infact when i got back i realised i had not even taken a jack with me, there is always someone willing to help out there, unlike i had with a failed wheel bearing on the m6 a few years back.
Other than the obvious of taking spare wheels, fluids (all of them), tools, tow rope, fix aid kit, jump leads etc etc i would also replace the thermostat and flush the cooling system and get it pressure tested .
i strongly advise against driving at night, truck drivers are a nightmare and often animals lie in the roads and are very hard to see. I had a very close call with an elephant going through Botswana rush to get to the border before it closed.
have a great trip
4th Oct 2019 2:25 pm
anomaly
Member Since: 31 Dec 2016
Location: Nottingham
Posts: 22
Thanks again.
I have previously driven it to Greece and lots of other long trips with no issues at all. I guess though that Africa feels different and if there is an issue it's potentially more problematic. Also gravel roads with dust etc will be tougher on the car.
I am currently running Goodyear Duratracs in the stock 19" size which seem to be a great all round tyre so I plan to stick with these. I will bring two spares though.
The battery is original so I intend to replace that and, as you say, the alternator likely too.
I have an iid tool already, just need to work out how to use the thing now!
I'm currently thinking of a Frontrunner rack for a roof tent and also carrying an additional spare and fuel.
4th Oct 2019 3:22 pm
CongoBoy
Member Since: 05 Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire
Posts: 525
Enjoy the planning as much as the trip!!
As mentioned by our RR guest, the quality of the fuel outside of SA is a killer. I have already gone through a set of injectors on my D3 because of poor quality fuel. The additives sounds a sensible solution.
If you need any help or information, especially regarding Zimbabwe/Zambia/Malawi etc send me a PM and I'll do my best to help out! 2008 D3 HSE Stornoway Grey (UK)
2008 D3 HSE Izmir Blue- South African Spec. (Zimbabwe)
2005 FFRR SC V8- Java Black
1995 D1 300 Tdi Blue - (Sourced from the UK, shipped to Namibia, driven by me to RD Congo, then Zambia, now retired in Zimbabwe)
4th Oct 2019 5:27 pm
robpenrose
Member Since: 12 Jan 2016
Location: Surrey / SW London
Posts: 2136
If the fuel is really that bad, I would suggest adding another inline fuel filter with a lower particle filter or a water separator. Something overland specific must be available, or failing that, something from a boat.
Current: D4 HSE
Previous: BMW Z4M Coupe
Previous: Land Rover Defender 90 CSW Td5
Previous: Land Rover Discovery Td5 ES
4th Oct 2019 7:18 pm
Gorilla63
Member Since: 18 May 2019
Location: Bewdley
Posts: 430
Would be fun. But if you get into trouble, you're in a world of pain. Ditch the LR and get a HiLux or a 4.2L normally aspirated Land cruiser. That discovery will only be a problem if you have a minor issue.
4th Oct 2019 7:55 pm
HarryO
Member Since: 06 Apr 2010
Location: Brisbane Australia 🇦🇺
Posts: 79
Good advise from many - get your vehicle serviced and all the ‘known’ typical issues fixed and go for it - you only live once mate.
In the unlikely event that it does break - as long as your not endangering anyone - who cares, it’s part of the story you will tell for many, many years to come!
In the 70’s my S2 broke down in Matusadona, Zimbabwe and it was an absolute mission to get it out but great memories and photo’s that we still laugh about.
Post some pics afterward for all the Doubting Dans to drool over while they sit in their pimped out 4x4’s in the shopping centre car parks
.Land Rovers never get bogged! - merely delayed
Land Rovers never break down! - merely fail to proceed.
Land Rovers never leak oil - it’s a built in anti-rust feature
Discovery 4 TDV6
Discovery 4 TDV6 (Stolen)
Discovery 3 SE (Sold)
Discovery 2 (Sold)
Defender 110 (Sold)
Series 2 (Chev 4.1 Motor & S2A Gearbox) (Sold)
Toyota Hilux bakkie (Ute) (Broke it)
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