3 friends looking to buy a Land Rover for offroading trips

[BlairH]

Hi guys

Myself and my 2 friends are looking to buy a landi and fix her up and take a trip up to Namibia in December...
Our one friend recons we should buy a Range Rover chase and swap the body for a defender... to me that sounds like a SH%T load of work to do!
We were just thinking of getting an old Range Rover and bobtailing the thing and putting on a nice set of Mud/All terrain tires

Any feedback would be highly appreciated!

Regards

Blair, Colin and Angelo

[ian grey]

These conversions have a way of backfiring on you... If you want a reliable vehicle keep to the basics... Looking at getting done with a job, do not underestimate how much work goes into these projects...

The popular option is to shorten the Rangerover chassis... just listen to this? Do you guys know what you are getting yourselves into...

Go and have a look...

http://www.adrianstomcat.co.uk/Hybrid.htm

I would think twice... but my 2c worth....

Let us know how it goes...

[BlairH]

Ian those are the is conversions that Angelo is wanting to pull off!
Now iv had a project car before and lets just say she never saw the roads again, LOL
All I really want is an old 110 Defender in good condition, bolt on a full body rollcage and put on a nice set of wheels and maybe replace the motor with a V8 or even a modern TDI
The thing about the 110 Defender is that the body is a little bit long and could add to the "getting stuck" factor, ie dips and so forth!

Something like this would be great, what you recon?

[9 - T]

Blair,

A standard vehicle is more than adequate for what you plan to do and for 99.9% of the rest of Africa.

A standard 110 handles all that the existing roads and trails throw at it in terms of off road ability. If anything I would fit a diff lock on the rear axle and the roll cage. as for all the other mods you want to do you will be waisting your time, money and you will reduce the integrity of the vehicle that will in turn reduce reliability. Not something you want when on an overland trip.

Nico

[colinwpa]

The thing about the 110 Defender is that the body is a little bit long and could add to the "getting stuck" factor, ie dips and so forth!

Saying that is a bit like hitting a hornet nest with a stick, bound to get a reaction. Anyway, I'm sure Mr. Holgate might disagree....

[ian grey]

Agree... You would have to go a long way tripping to find that hole you can't get out of! Maybe the question would be why did you go in... in the first place... cause it's gonna be some hole!!!

[9 - T]

The other problem with having a super capable rig is that there won't be many that can come to help you if you do get stuck (done that been there, got the t-shirt and chose to burn it).

Furthermore I have seen a phenomenon where the more modified a vehicle is the bigger the driver’s balls and the smaller his brain..........

[BlairH]

@ Nico im starting to see the light... I do agree, but the sound of having a offroading monster sounds very tempting.. But like you said!

The other problem with having a super capable rig is that there won't be many that can come to help you if you do get stuck

@ Colin I didn't mean for it to cause a reaction.. but i get what u saying, lol
The 110 just seems like its a bit of a long 4x4 and well im doing a little bit of "market research" has any body ever complained about the length in terms of getting the tail stuck or what ever?
Ohh and Colin, iv noticed a lot of Landy's in our beloved 531 area! whats up with that???

@Ian hehe well we are hoping to go along way in which ever Landy we decide on, and I definitely want to get stuck!! isn't that sort of must do???

Basically our goal is to have a reliable offroading toy that will go almost anywhere and be able to get stuck and still get out!
Namibia is just one of our destinations (test run) for the vehicle. Next year we hope to travel through bits of Africa.. Which brings me to my next question.. I hear there is hardly any petrol going through parts of Africa, this then means a V8 wouldn't exactly be the smartest of choices??

Does anybody happen to know if the guy that did write around South Africa is on the forum? He has a VERYY VERY nice 130 TD5 Defender monster... Think he goes by the name Chummer or the Land Rovers name is chummer!

[ian grey]

For a touring vehicle my next question to you would be practicality...

Would the 90 suite the needs of 3 guys on tour? Only you can decide how much space you need.... If I was one of the three... I would only opt for a 90 if I bought one of the front seat... Touring the central Khalahari I would not be found dead sitting on a centre facing seat in the back of a 90...

The 110 offers more comfortable (defender style) seating for 3 people and the rear seat (jump) could be removed for packing space... drawer system... ect. If you guy plan on towing a trailer... the whole 90 more capable argument goes out the door...

Lets face it the 90 looks like the ultimate playboy plaything... I must say I love it!!! However does not weigh very heavy in the practicality dept...

my 2c woth!

[naks]

The 110 just seems like its a bit of a long 4x4 and well im doing a little bit of "market research" has any body ever complained about the length in terms of getting the tail stuck or what ever?

If there's more than 2 of you, you need a 110. You will rarely get stuck in a 110, although that depends on driver ability as well.

Basically our goal is to have a reliable offroading toy that will go almost anywhere and be able to get stuck and still get out!

'tis a brave man that speaks of reliability while wanting a Defender