Admire your determination and courage.Quote:
Originally Posted by nickj
Drove 35,000k around Europe decades ago. Got up past the arctic circle in Norway.
Printable View
Admire your determination and courage.Quote:
Originally Posted by nickj
Drove 35,000k around Europe decades ago. Got up past the arctic circle in Norway.
All commonrail diesels are susceptible to fuel contamination. ...but they sell like hotcakes in Africa too. Obviously a Tdi or Isuzu would be simpler, but then there are other potential issues with age.
A second filter can be good insurance, but if it’s fine enough to get past one, it will probably get past two filters. ...I’m in two minds, but I reckon I’d install second fine filter just to be sure if I could. ...Others advice welcome on this.
With regards to the adapter shaft: My TC was completely rebuilt just two years ago by M.R Automotive after the last owner drove it dry and destroyed it. Is it safe to assume the TC adapter shaft would have been correctly greased by them during the rebuild, perhaps meaning an Ashcroft adapter shaft may not be a mandatory upgrade item while the clutch is being done? The ATB looks amazing, but, $$$ :)Quote:
Originally Posted by inken_dave
I have a full set of cooling & induction hoses in silicone all ready for installation :)
The trip sounds fun, I've ridden the other way from Europe (including Norway) to Cape Town on a motorbike.
What route from South Africa to Europe are you planning?
This is the route I took.
Attachment 149653
My advice like others have said, travel light, carry spares but not too much.
I met a guy in a defender and we travelled together thru Zaire, he had so many spares that he ended up snapping several axxles, 2 coil springs and many other issues. Its pretty extreme 4x4 going through Congo. Malawi has the most potholes I have ever seen and the corrugations in North Kenya are horrendous (I snapped my motorbike frame there).
Another suggestions is to get a lot of your vehicle work done in South Africa, it will be a LOT cheaper than Aus, they know what they are doing too, and the cost of living is low.
You'll have a memory of your life.
What year did you do this trip? I would love to go up the the western side like you have done, so I don't miss the Sahara and central Africa, plus I get to go to Morocco and it is much easier to get to Europe from there. However, from all my research so far, I had planned a more eastern route for the purposes of safety, reaching mainland Europe by way of Alexandria in Egypt. This was a secondary option to the more interesting one that does not seem possible, which is Egypt to Israel, then Lebanon via Syria and car ferry to Turkey. However politically this is impossible at the moment.Quote:
Originally Posted by karlz
So, at the moment my intended route is Durban->Cape Town (surfing), Cape Town->Namibia (more surfing) -> Botswana -> Zimbabwe, Mozambique (surfing), Tanzania (surfing??), Kenya, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt - car ferry to mainland Europe, then up to Denmark somehow and onto North Cape, Norway.
I'd be intrigued to hear how you went in Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, etc...
I understand the labour cost in S.A is about a third of the Australian labour cost, however, sometimes it is easier to just get things done in a familiar country... I will keep you updated on how this thinking progresses ;)
IMO while I'm sure the ATB center diff is nice, it's not essential. I did 15K kms over 9 weeks in Southern Africa in 2015 - rental Puma 110. They handle well stock and AFAIK the center diff isn't a weakness unless spun unlocked.
We had no fuel issues (Namibia, Botswana, SA).
Are you doing something security wise for the tub? I'd be concerned about only having the canvas.
We found the SA 4x4 forum a good resource, and the tracks4africa maps are great.
Steve
You can probably assume that MRA greased the adapter shaft properly as they sound like they know what they’re doing. Hopefully they also used the four pin centre for the TC. Mine was only the 2pin so the ATB fixed that. I didn’t have the Ashcroft adapter shaft fitted, just a new fully greased genuine one...was advised by my Indi that if properly greased it will be fine. So you’re shoukd be by the sound of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by nickj
I fitted the ashcroft ATB center diff, reputedly much stronger than the original, I also fitted the ascroft intermediate shaft. Twice, both failed by allowing gearbox oil leaks . After the two attempts I reverted to the original well greased intermediate shaft as advised by my indie.
One thing you really don't want is an intermediate shaft failure in a remote area. One of my failures occurred just after a Simpson crossing which was not very inspiring
A correctly greased adaptor shaft should do the trick, just make sure it is done with the correct lube when you get the clutch done. My centre diff(out of a 2013 110) had done 130000km but had so much backlash is was not even funny, it was embarrassing to think it could even get that bad. The ATB diff does significantly improve the dirt road touring characteristics too.Quote:
Originally Posted by nickj
It is expensive, but I think the original unit is one of the late model Defenders weak points, along with the clutch and adaptor shaft. Ashcroft does a good job of removing these.
My thoughts are to remove as many possible problems, as there will be plenty left over to worry about[bigrolf]
As listed, some people have had oil leaks from their Ashcroft adaptor, mine so far is completely dry!(I have used a borescope through the bottom drain hole to check)
Like anything mechanical, if you drive it with reasonable sympathy and without massive loads, then you maximise you level of reliability!
Actually I left Melbourne in 1991 on my motorbike (rode to Europe) and eventually came back in 2008.Quote:
Originally Posted by nickj
I did the african trip around 1997 -98. Thats a long time ago come to think of it, but it doesnt feel that long ago.
Its a shame you miss the Sahara that was a very memorable part.
As was west africa, especially Ghana, in my opinion the friendliest country in the world.
At my time of travel, Nigeria was the only country that would enable you to cross from west to east africa.
It was rumoured to be US$100-$200 at the border bribe to get thru. Many travellers I met who refused the bribe had their passports
scribbled on "refused entry" which meant going back to to the nearest embassy to buy another visa and try again!
Hearing this, I decided to get my visa (usually US$100) in Dakar (Senegal), to cut a long story short I was well received
by the Nigerian Ambassador and I ended up getting a "Gratis Visa - Courtesy of the Nigerian Government" stamp!
At the Nigerian border from Benin, travelling at this stage with 2 other motorbikes and two guys in a defender we were taken into a room.
All the Nigerian border guys had on Sunglasses, then closed the curtains in the room and then started asking us for "presents".
Eventually they got around to me, then saw my "Gratis" visa stamp, asked how come I had one of those.
I responded, "The ambassador is my friend, he told me to write down all the people who were nice to me, and those that wernt..."
:) No monetary bribes were therefore needed by our group, however one of the guys in the defender who had contacts with Britsh Airways had a stash of
1st class complimentary bags consisting of comfy socks,cold eye packs, and some mysterious moisturisers. The Nigerians loved those presents :)
Riding into the the capital city Bangui in Central African Republic, apparently 10kms from the capital, there was an infamous checkpoint that demanded bribes for entry.
Unfortunately, the defender suffered a puncture and needed repair, by the time the repair was fixed it was already dark. (sunshine to dark happens very quick there).
Picture 3 x motorbikes leading a landrover with several spotlights entering checkpoint 10km in the dark!
The barrier was up, all the soldiers were at attention and saluting!!!!
We didnt stop and entered the city freely :)
Anyway, thats a couple of experiences, you will have your own.
Oh, I met my wife (a german girl) in Zimbabwe, not allowed to forget that :)
Africa is such a great place, each country is different, the sub Saharan Africans are SO nice.
