Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 234
Coast to Coast Indian Ocean to Atlantic in a D3
Evening all..
For the last year I have been planning my trip across the African continent from Durban in South Africa to Torra Bay on the Namibian Skeleton Coast. We wanted to do this in a D3 in comfort and all my South African friends who drive Toyotas laughed!
Well after 15 days of driving some 500 miles off-road (many flooded) 1000 miles across corrugated roads and 1100 miles of tar roads we arrived safely. This was after crossing both the Kalahari desert and Namibia Desert with two game parks along the way a total of 2696 miles, during this time we have not seen a single D3 along the way!
The D3 did this with ease and comfort wither the exception of te ECB tnhrowing up errors but not failing on corrugated roads. The biggest issue was the pretentative AMK compressor upgrade which has a failed exhaust valve - as the old adage goes if it ain't broke leave well alone.
The good news is the failure mode strategy kicked in and I just have to put up with a bing bong every 21.5 seconds for the next 2500 miles.
I am beginning to form a bond with my new found friend.. as is SWAMBO just got to get back to Durban now... another 2000 plus miles..Owning a Discovery 3 is like dating a model.. a firm body and shape, wow.. the ride is fantastic > for this your wallet can take a pounding and you worry about being deflated at any time...
2009 Model D3 HSE
2nd Feb 2016 9:03 pm
sean 471
Member Since: 26 Apr 2011
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 2990
No Photos ...................... you should know the rules by now!
Sound like an awesome trip.Paul.
06 Java Black HSE - gone
12 Baltic Blue HSE - gone
15 Fuji HSE Lux
Club Biscuits, mmmm nice!
Traxide/Luna hybrid & Yellow top
Some Prospeed bits
+ some other stuff
Club N.E.R.D.s.
2nd Feb 2016 9:22 pm
AAA.Happy.Disco1.Fan
Member Since: 04 Nov 2010
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 2895
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AAA
2nd Feb 2016 9:37 pm
Scottbrad
Member Since: 21 Dec 2014
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Posts: 229
Sounds an incredible trip.
Photos please.Cheers Scott.
2nd Feb 2016 10:25 pm
Aggiec14
Member Since: 17 Jan 2015
Location: Liverpool
Posts: 365
I would love todo somethink like that well done pal keep safedefender 90 matt black 300tdi
Insa turbos
Snorkel to turbo
Breather on diffs/gear box
Engine rebuild which was fun
She a little mud slut
2nd Feb 2016 10:29 pm
longclose
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 234
1967jester wrote:
No Photos ...................... you should know the rules by now!
Sound like an awesome trip.
Just arrived last night, Hotel has internet so will try and upload..Owning a Discovery 3 is like dating a model.. a firm body and shape, wow.. the ride is fantastic > for this your wallet can take a pounding and you worry about being deflated at any time...
2009 Model D3 HSE
3rd Feb 2016 12:22 am
longclose
Member Since: 07 Mar 2015
Location: Dorset UK
Posts: 234
So here is the background..
Car purchased in March last year with 85k miles on the clock, 2 owners full LR service, winch and towbar fitted by first owner as he had a boat apparenly. And most of all Melville and Moon seat covers
Whilst I spent a lot of time preparing the D3 mechanically a fault still remained on the drivers door which does not lock, it will get fixed when I get back.
Preperation was new timing belt courtesy of Landrover Hillcrest (thanks Strinny and Team for all your support), all OEM oils on the engine, transmission and final drives. I went around the vehcle and checked for loose/chaffed wiring and pipes before setting off, also new tyres fitted General Grabber AT.
Full tool kit including soldering iron for electrical fixes and spare wire!
Alternator diode pack and regulator in reserve courtesy of FLACK
And of course a Nanocom (sorry BTII owners I already had one for my D2 so no preference here)
Rear row of seats removed for wolf boxes (ammo cases)
Click image to enlarge
After 1000 KMs of tar road and 300Kms of gravel track in 36 hours (with an overnight stay in Kurumen) from Durban we arrived in Twee Riverian which is the entrance to the Transfrontier Khalahari game park whic borders Namibia to the West and Botswana to the East and North.
We were told it never rains in the Kalahari, well us brits changed that didn't we... nearly asked for free pass and camping as they were desperate for rain.. we should be called the rain Gods.. because it p***ed down the night we got there with floods throuh the camps site...
Click image to enlarge
Just as well we had a howling moon roof tent
Click image to enlarge
And 6 inches of rain later
So after 5 glorious days travelling to the top (Unions End) and back we had and some great viewings we exited through Mata Mata gate into Namibia
From Mata Mata we went overland on gravel roads to Gobabis where we stayed 1 night then onto Etosha Game park over 550 miles (apart from the towns) we probably saw no more than 15 cars in the two days travelling. We spent 6 nights in Etosha and existed the Galton Gate to head South then west into the Skeleton Coast park (yesterday). It is the most desolate arid place I have ever been.. is there life on Mars
Click image to enlarge
So finally last night our friend got us safely to Torra bay
And today we sit in the Cape Cross Hotel which is the furthest civilised Hotel before you get back into the desrt from where we came..
Click image to enlarge
As mentioned the EPB does not cope well with corrugated roads and when you driving along it starts flashing and tells you to lift to apply handbrake whilst you are driving. This is a consistent problem but resets itself next time the handbrake is applied, it does not happen on normal tracks and roads.
Thanks go to Disco-Mikey for his support in providing wiring diagrams for the EAS, unfortunately this cannot be fixed as it appears after investigation that the solonoid on the exhaust valve has gone high resistance. So bing bons all the way back to Durabn!
So full report will be given on my return to Durban, but in summary would I trust this car to get me across africa. The simple answer is well - sort of... the truth of the matter is Africa is Toyota territory, the only LR delaer in Namibia is windhoek some 400 miles from where I have been so an electrical failure of any magnitude is going to be a real problem. That being said it appears the failure mode strategy will not leave you stranded as I have found. In reality every car for the last 20 years now has an ECU for the engine and for the transmission if either these fail on any make or model you are in s**t.
But crossing Africa in a D3 listening to music from the 80's at 120+KPH (80mph) along gravel tracks and having a conversation without shouting is just beyond belief! And what is best of all the look of amazement from Toyota drivers as a D3 passes them across corrogated tracks with a rooftop tent on top
Finally the question of should I move from a Defender to a D3 continues to appear, they are two different beasts altogether. the Defender should be left for fun the D3 will cross the globe in comfort and tow the Defender out if required, at the same time it will remain the Chelsea tractor of choice for Yummy Mummies, in my view the most versatile vehicle in the world without doubt.Owning a Discovery 3 is like dating a model.. a firm body and shape, wow.. the ride is fantastic > for this your wallet can take a pounding and you worry about being deflated at any time...
2009 Model D3 HSE
3rd Feb 2016 10:53 am
A.J.M
Member Since: 31 Oct 2009
Location: Carluke
Posts: 2815
Fantastic write up and good pictures!
Odd with the amk failing but you should hopefully get that fixed when you return home.
3rd Feb 2016 11:01 am
dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
Fantastic and well done!!!
I'm doing an expedition trip across the north of Namibia in 2017 and this just makes me all the more hungry for itMY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
Hatchbag
3rd Feb 2016 11:06 am
ruben D3 Decade
Member Since: 26 Sep 2006
Location: ASTURIAS
Posts: 2384
splendid and wonderful trip, great pictures, and today I still think that the D3 is much more beautiful by far that the D4 ... sorry lost in translation!
3rd Feb 2016 11:30 am
boyd
Member Since: 26 Mar 2014
Location: Brackley
Posts: 217
That looks awesome, might have to add something similar to the list of overland trips 8)
3rd Feb 2016 11:56 am
AAA.Happy.Disco1.Fan
Member Since: 04 Nov 2010
Location: West Yorks
Posts: 2895
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AAA
3rd Feb 2016 7:45 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72787
Truely awesome!!
3rd Feb 2016 7:51 pm
scraig
Member Since: 06 Feb 2011
Location: Langley, BC
Posts: 100
Great write up! My uncle, (who it appears lives mere blocks from you in Kloof) has told me your area is Toyota country and describes bumper stickers reading 'Landrover Recovery Vehicle" on the Toyotas I'm pleased you have proven that wrongStewart
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for this your wallet can take a pounding and you worry about being deflated at any time...
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