Thread: Our Defender Td4 Expedition Conversion

Originally Posted by PAT303

I would forget all the bling,keep the wieght down and stay stock.I wouldn't fit a front bar,I don't use them,just a winch bar and winch,a winch is a must travelling alone.I would fit large mud flaps front and back to keep the rocks off the underside,forget MT's,fit Michelin 7.50x16's or 235/85x16's AT's.

Winch might be able to get away with a trifor although slow and a lot of work should you need to use it vs the chances of actually using it. Great slabs of area's you have named there are simply no trees to use as anchor points.

If you have the Landie traction control system I wouldn't bother with lockers.

Alternative to the Michelins is Toyo M55's.

Originally Posted by Nero

Winch might be able to get away with a trifor although slow and a lot of work should you need to use it vs the chances of actually using it. Great slabs of area's you have named there are simply no trees to use as anchor points.

If you have the Landie traction control system I wouldn't bother with lockers.

Alternative to the Michelins is Toyo M55's.

Just fitted some in 235/85. VERY happy. I have several customers who will see 60 to 70 ,000km easily out of them. Cheaper then Michelins And no flats yet.
And I agree, loose the winch OR use one with Plasma rope to keep the weight down.

JC

Hi all,
Thanks so far ... but that doesn't say I'm not interested in more ideas !
Unfortunately, we'll be going in THREE years time, as we've got to save up for it after buying the Defender last year! Money is always an issue, but we live on an - for European circumstances - relatively isolated CAR FREE North Sea island, are constantly working ... and simply can't spend money on other things than food (and drink ... and travelling). But starting the journey in 2015 gives us a large amount of time for thoroughly planning well ahead. We'll (hopefully) be in Australia in August 2015 (Fremantle) and have to leave in June/July 2016 (Fremantle again)... Of course, we have included Tassie in our plans (could send a pdf of our rough sketch to interested people!). ... And it would be really great to meet AULRO-people!
Concerning the conversion:
I have heard that Michelin XZLs are not really used that much, simply because they're far too expensive - though being veeery good. Are they common in Oz?? BFG are said to be the cheaper equivalence?? But the size 235/85 seems to be common (have to get rid of my 255 MTs then!). But the question between AT or MT seems to have no real answer, does it? Which brand is the most frequently used in Oz?: BFG, Pirelli (Scorpion ATRs), ...?? Should plan this well ahead as well!
Sidebars: So, I go either for NO sidebars at all OR for rocksliders only, just to give me some more side-protection (have to get rid of the stock-steps anyway) AND don't add too much weight.
Concerning the diff, I think I'lll either leave it with the centre diff or add a rear one (if the money's still left for it then ... if not, I'll leave it out!). Not sure, though, whether to take a 100% one or an automatic!
Winch seems to be a thing you either say "definitely yes" or "definitely not". Seems that I'll have to decide on that one myself and see whether we'll succeed or not. The thing is that in Europe, I am not really going to be using it often. ??? And we don't have a farm! ??? Still a very open question to me!
Then the fuel filter thingy ... I have thought about adding an additional fuel filter (sedimenter) but have opted against it, as people say you only need it when going to Africa or Asia (which are plans for a later time when I'm 200 ). Do you think we need one??
By the way, have experienced Australia in 2008 and 2009 (in a KEA Land Cruiser) ... and absolutely loved it. My wife did Work and Travel in 2001 ... and we almost constantly think of our Sabbatical (... or actually even migrating to have it in the neighborhood all the time ... well, that's obviously not the reason, but a wonderfull add-on!!).
Will test the first step in a shakedown to Lapland/Scandinavia this summer ... at least something!
That was my break ... have to leave for some work ...
cu again later,
Mike

Originally Posted by Nero

Winch might be able to get away with a trifor although slow and a lot of work should you need to use it vs the chances of actually using it. Great slabs of area's you have named there are simply no trees to use as anchor points.

If you have the Landie traction control system I wouldn't bother with lockers.

Alternative to the Michelins is Toyo M55's.

You should have a dual battery system so you have power and the winch sits on the front,if you have a tirfor where do you put it with all it's gear?.My warn 8274 has saved me too many times to go without it,it's coming off the Tdi and going on the puma,I refuse to do any serious travelling without it. Pat

Justin/Pat, what are your thoughts about the wheel bearings in grease? would it be better for that kinda of long away trip to convert to oil?

thoughts on stock axles and rear diffs?

I would agree with JC on shocks! dont be cheap either.

Track rod and drag link?

drive shafts?

what air filter are they running in the puma? can you get a synthetic upgrade via a donaldson etc?

Serge,my puma runs grease because it's under warranty but I remove the dust cover from the drive flanges and smear grease in them and refit to lube the axles,I did this with my disco and the flanges were original after something like 265,000k's.My rear diff is getting taken out and getting set-up correctly,the biggest problem they have,I'm staying on stock shocks,they work very well and very cheap to replace,I'm staying with the standard drag link but I will get a replacement and set it up so it's a simple swap out it I damage it.IMHO the puma doesn't need much work to tour Oz. Pat

Originally Posted by PAT303

Serge,my puma runs grease because it's under warranty but I remove the dust cover from the drive flanges and smear grease in them and refit to lube the axles,I did this with my disco and the flanges were original after something like 265,000k's.My rear diff is getting taken out and getting set-up correctly,the biggest problem they have,I'm staying on stock shocks,they work very well and very cheap to replace,I'm staying with the standard drag link but I will get a replacement and set it up so it's a simple swap out it I damage it.IMHO the puma doesn't need much work to tour Oz. Pat

Further confirmation that regular maintenance is the key to longevity.

if it were me, I would replace axles and drive flanges and change to oil bath bearings. also the track rod and drag link and make sure you have greasable tie rod ends...Just makes me feel warm and fuzzy.

You have wolf rims at 6.5, it may be something to consider a rim that will take a 750/16, even if you are running 235 85 16....I think you would have 2 chances of buying a 255/85 but you wont have any troubles finding a 75016 out west.

Mike, what are your plans for services when on the road? I was going to say to put synthetc oil in your gearbox and transfer, but not much point if they cant be refilled with same. There is a small sump plate for the lt230 that adds about 600ml oil to the capacity, but as the puma lt230 is already low it may not be a good idea (on a 300tdi defender it does not come below the chassis rails with the sump on.

maybe having the rear diff checked set up properly is a good point and also as Pat said, keep it light!

what are the chances of a roo strike on this trip? will you drive at night? that may be the factor for a bull bar....