Would appreciate advice on fuel pump and sensors

[Dan]

How long do TD5 fuel pumps last? I've read a number of threads about fuel pumps on TD5s and there doesn't seem to be a hard and fast rule for when they will break down, although some give out a loud noise before they go.
My fuel pump has done 280,000km (year 2000 TD5 Defender) and always gives out a whining sound when I start the motor, but it works a treat.
I'm planning my next outback trip and wonder if I should change the fuel pump as preventative maintenance as it's done a fair mileage now.
The alternative is to keep one in the spares kit and change it at the side of the road if the current pump carks it. I've got a spare fuel pump and am about to fit an easy-access hatch so I can get to it easily (after unloading the back of the car and unbolting the drawer storage system - I can think of better things to do on a 4WD trip.)
Should I heed Murphy's law and play it safe and change the pump now or keep my new one as a spare and assume my old pump is immortal?
Also, I've read threads that say the two sensors in a TD5 that can stop the car if they break are the crank end sensor and the accelerator potentiometer (thanks to Dave and others for this advice) so I will carry these as spares. Is anyone aware of any other sensor that can stop the car if it breaks?
Thanks. Dan

[dobbo]

mine died around that amount of km's, after a night shift on a public holiday. Bundalene to the rescue with a 2nd hand pump.

[hans]

mine started a noise ( high pitch )at 120ks and decided to put a new pump in
did all the work and put a new one in and guess what noise still there, so i now put up with it as long as the tank is over 1/2 full doesn't make as much noise
the solution to that problem dont know cant work it out 92002 defender 110 now got160k on the clock ) good luck

[Dan]

Thanks guys. You've helped me decide to change the pump before I leave. Probably makes sense to do it in my garage where I can keep it really clean and dust-free, too. Now I've got to fork out for another pump for my spares kit.

[trackless]

If it's any help my 01 Disco is still strong and silent at 235000.Tank goes from full/full to adding 85 plus lts each fill.

Trackless