Thread: Tasmania to Norway, 110 build log

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.

Originally Posted by inken_dave

+1 to the above! I've just installed the Ashcroft adaptor shaft for the gearbox, and installed the ATB centre diff unit.....very important!

Also, which you would also already know, replace or keep a spare set of silicon induction hoses, and cooling system hoses! Hoses reaching ten years old could give trouble!

In the end though, you can't replace everything..........Sounds like an amaizing trip!

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, $$$

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.
map-of-africa.jpg

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.

Originally Posted by karlz

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.
map-of-africa.jpg

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.

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

Originally Posted by nickj

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, $$$

I have a full set of cooling & induction hoses in silicone all ready for installation

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.

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

Originally Posted by nickj

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, $$$

I have a full set of cooling & induction hoses in silicone all ready for installation

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.

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

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!