Hi Folks
I’m currently preparing to do a Cairo to Cape Town trip (via East Coast route) but rather than do this in the usual Defender or Mk 1 Disco, I want to do this in a little more comfort! I currently have a L322 Td6 and – having been inspired by its build quality and all-round capability – want to now throw a bigger challenge at it. But is it man enough for the job?
I don’t know if anyone has done this trip in a L322 before so I’m currently assessing the feasibility and am looking for help, advice and general informed comment about the practicalities and required preparation of taking a L322 through Africa. I’m sure some will think this is a silly idea! But I will not give up on this idea until it’s been properly investigated.
The general ethos of this trip will be “how easy can one make the drive through Africa right now?” so I intend to stick to tarred / gravel road for as much of the distance as possible to make life easier for the car. As such I would like to keep the car as standard as possible. Research suggests the toughest sections will be driving through the desert in Northern Sudan, parts of Ethiopia and Northern Kenya.
The sort of information I am looking for is as follows:
1. Basic vehicle capability
- can the air suspension really cope with thousands of miles of poor roads?
- ditto the transmission
- can the cooling system cope with the heat and dust?
- are the electronics appropriately sealed from water and dust?
- will I be able to get diesel of good enough quality?
- what is going to potentially strand the car in the middle of nowhere and end the trip (eg: is EAS failure a disaster or can you continue slowly on the bump stops, if the gearbox throws a wobbly can you still maintain drive even if its only in one gear etc)
2. Vehicle preparation
- what is essential to do to the car in terms of preparation?
- what other accessories are deemed desirable?
- which preparation company should I use that would be familiar with the L322?
- where will I be able to get dealer support in Africa. (I assume Cairo, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, South Africa but are there others?
- what would be essential spares to take?
Would Land Rover themselves be any help with this information or do they have no interest? I’m much encouraged that the G4 cars were actually very close to showroom spec so I’m hopeful this is a doable project but want to really find out what I’m getting myself into. All help or pointers much appreciated.
By the way my car is a late 2003 Td6 that I’ve owned for several years, done lots of miles in it and it’s been bullet proof so at least I know I’m starting with a decent example.
Many thanks
RRG
Ps: I’ve posted this in a few places and on a few forums so apologies if you see this more than once!
I’m currently preparing to do a Cairo to Cape Town trip (via East Coast route) but rather than do this in the usual Defender or Mk 1 Disco, I want to do this in a little more comfort! I currently have a L322 Td6 and – having been inspired by its build quality and all-round capability – want to now throw a bigger challenge at it. But is it man enough for the job?
I don’t know if anyone has done this trip in a L322 before so I’m currently assessing the feasibility and am looking for help, advice and general informed comment about the practicalities and required preparation of taking a L322 through Africa. I’m sure some will think this is a silly idea! But I will not give up on this idea until it’s been properly investigated.
The general ethos of this trip will be “how easy can one make the drive through Africa right now?” so I intend to stick to tarred / gravel road for as much of the distance as possible to make life easier for the car. As such I would like to keep the car as standard as possible. Research suggests the toughest sections will be driving through the desert in Northern Sudan, parts of Ethiopia and Northern Kenya.
The sort of information I am looking for is as follows:
1. Basic vehicle capability
- can the air suspension really cope with thousands of miles of poor roads?
- ditto the transmission
- can the cooling system cope with the heat and dust?
- are the electronics appropriately sealed from water and dust?
- will I be able to get diesel of good enough quality?
- what is going to potentially strand the car in the middle of nowhere and end the trip (eg: is EAS failure a disaster or can you continue slowly on the bump stops, if the gearbox throws a wobbly can you still maintain drive even if its only in one gear etc)
2. Vehicle preparation
- what is essential to do to the car in terms of preparation?
- what other accessories are deemed desirable?
- which preparation company should I use that would be familiar with the L322?
- where will I be able to get dealer support in Africa. (I assume Cairo, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, South Africa but are there others?
- what would be essential spares to take?
Would Land Rover themselves be any help with this information or do they have no interest? I’m much encouraged that the G4 cars were actually very close to showroom spec so I’m hopeful this is a doable project but want to really find out what I’m getting myself into. All help or pointers much appreciated.
By the way my car is a late 2003 Td6 that I’ve owned for several years, done lots of miles in it and it’s been bullet proof so at least I know I’m starting with a decent example.
Many thanks
RRG
Ps: I’ve posted this in a few places and on a few forums so apologies if you see this more than once!
