Thread: Our Defender Td4 Expedition Conversion

Hi All,
... by the way ... why not using the standard stock tyres on stock rims which we still have (used them only for about 2000km and stored them in the garage) for Australia?? ... What do you think?
Mike

Stock Tyres (here we get General Grabbers) are actually pretty good. Good mileage and good enough for general driving (not mud so much).

Do you have alloys or steel rims as standard?

We drove from london to australia (including the outback) with no modifications other than a good set of tyres, a small lift (not required) and a snorkel.

It wasn't even a land rover.

dont get too caught up on all the bits, beyond getting the basics you are better off sending your money travelling.

Hi,
That's exactly what I begin to think, Jason. So, we probably leave out the Longranger tank (don't go on the Canning stock with two small children anyway) and just add an additional 45l tank and then do the rest with one or two jerrycans (probably fixed to the right rear window using frames to fix them there just when needed). Regarding my other open questions: Probably no additional lights, no 100%diff, no winch, no sidebars as well.
David, the stock wheels in Germany are: Michelin Latitude Cross (tubeless) 7.50%16 on steel rims (the white ones). What do you think?? Buy another (i.e. 6th complete wheel) of them and go for it until they're done with and then buy 6 new ones ... or take the (6 as well) 255/85-16 (if they last until then) and follow the same plan (i.e. using them as long as possible and replace when necessary)?
Regarding the thread you recommended, David: That was interesting ... and really bad luck and an Odyssee of discussions about the money and who's responsible! My dealer AND the people at landy-camper (website-link, see above) suggested the double Cardon right from the beginning and they fitted out several cars with this coil/damper combination during the last few years without any problems so far ... probably BECAUSE they added the double Cardon in any case!
Do you have a website/blog of your trip, Jason? Would be great to profit from your experiences!
Best wishes (from cooooold Germany ... freezing minus 10°C), Mike

Hi All,
Just phoned my dealer the other day and asked concerning the conversion / warranty discussion. Officially, every lift can generally limit any warranty on the drivetrain ... they, however, inofficially, told me to do it anyway and said they would still put it under warranty in case of problems. This, they, of course can't put down on paper, as LR would not accept this policy. The master craftsman, however, told my that the combination OME HD Springs, Koni Heavy Track Raid + Double Cardon is pefectly fine and he also has the same combination (incl. BFG MT 255/85-16) ... they suggested the company taking care of the conversion, anyway. So, I think, I'll do it!
The only problem could be that I have to call in at other LR dealers due to a problem on the road ... this could become difficult ... during the next two years. By the way, would you recommend prolonging the warranty for additional two years ... in my case ... with all the coversions. Cost: about 800AUD.
Would really be very happy to get answers concerning my tyre question above.
Anyway, thanks again for all your help ... feel very comfortable with AULRO and am happy to have found you!
Mike

Originally Posted by PAT303

Mine did 15K from the Pilbara to Sydney and back and after doing it I see no reason to change anything except some seat rails. Pat

Mud rails are a right good thing, get a Alive tune Egr shut. Stock suspension is good, remember its not a Tojo it's O.K out of the box!
Check your aircon is 100% you will need it, 47 deg c today here. When touring you do n't really need lockers, TC is for most, quite adequate.

The rails,alive chip and the 50ltr aux tank are the next mods. Pat

we started with the blog but never really finished it. what we do have is posted here.

http://www.vcarious.com/Journal/UKto...Australia.html

the one thing you will notice in Australia that is very different to Europe is the amount of road kill. It sounds like you are building things in Germany so a bullbar is not an option but worth considering once you are over here.

I did manage for years without though so again not essential - just take it easy around dusk.

Originally Posted by Mike Walkabout

Hi,
That's exactly what I begin to think, Jason. So, we probably leave out the Longranger tank (don't go on the Canning stock with two small children anyway) and just add an additional 45l tank and then do the rest with one or two jerrycans (probably fixed to the right rear window using frames to fix them there just when needed). Regarding my other open questions: Probably no additional lights, no 100%diff, no winch, no sidebars as well.
David, the stock wheels in Germany are: Michelin Latitude Cross (tubeless) 7.50%16 on steel rims (the white ones). What do you think?? Buy another (i.e. 6th complete wheel) of them and go for it until they're done with and then buy 6 new ones ... or take the (6 as well) 255/85-16 (if they last until then) and follow the same plan (i.e. using them as long as possible and replace when necessary)?
Regarding the thread you recommended, David: That was interesting ... and really bad luck and an Odyssee of discussions about the money and who's responsible! My dealer AND the people at landy-camper (website-link, see above) suggested the double Cardon right from the beginning and they fitted out several cars with this coil/damper combination during the last few years without any problems so far ... probably BECAUSE they added the double Cardon in any case!
Do you have a website/blog of your trip, Jason? Would be great to profit from your experiences!
Best wishes (from cooooold Germany ... freezing minus 10°C), Mike