Thread: Trip preparation

Don't forget wheel bearings and seals.
If travelling in a group you can always be flat towed to assistance for other breakdowns provided your wheels still turn.

Roger

Did the rear wheel bearings years ago with the maxi axles so only need to check front & rear. Just pulled the transfer off to find the input gear is already drilled and the splines are perfect. Happy about that!

Check all your fluids.
Even though lots of oil came out of my front diff when it let go we are suspisious that oil was the cause of it letting go on the freeway.

The plan is to set sail with all new fluids. Today I pulled the transfer off the gearbox and fitted new thrusts to the centre diff (although they weren't too worn) and checked the input spline where the gearbox drives it (the input gear was drilled so perfect) don't know when they started this as mine's 1/95. Only issue was the rear output seal was leaking into the handbrake so it may as well have 3 new seals.

Electricals would be another consideration for a long trip.

2 Like batteries in good condition.

A split charger.

How's your alternator, remember the Defender one has a bearing that needs servicing on the back plate, the 100amp Disco one is better sealed.

Lights - worth having good lights, but remember you may only have a 65amp alternator, so a band of 4 x 130W lights won't be so good. I'd make sure I had good Headlights (inc loom & relays), then one set of good quality driving lights with HIDs. Replacing all the parker globes with LED replacement ones, also minimises the risk of failure on the journey, as well as further reducing power consumption. With LED Parkers you can leave your parkers on all night for some ambient light around the vehicle, which makes it safer if you have to get up in the middle of the night. Not really required if there's a full moon though.

Spares : Fuses, relays, wire, tape, terminals, bulbs

Volt meter in the car, multi meter in the toolbox.

CRC / INOX / Electrical Cleaner Spray ... of your choice. Fine dust often results in poor contacts, especially on aftermarket stuff, so a quick spray of the contacts / plugs can resolve many electrical issues.

Already have a Bosch alternator 75 A as already discovered the bearing issue on the Marinelli original a few years back and checked the bearings 2 weeks back when I did the timing belt etc. Spotties are old 100w aircraft landing light style things I took off the 2 door Rangie I had previously. I am an industrial service electrician so electrically the 130's up to scratch. Today I dismantled the transfer, cleaned, inspected and adjusted everything and put it back together, only needs front & rear output seals now. After that I changed the rear main seal and throwout and arm, just waiting on a clutch plate which is due Tuesday. Oh it has 2 batteries, only isolated by a normal solenoid (not a smart one, a dumb one).

Originally Posted by 2stroke

Already have a Bosch alternator 75 A ....

tell us more, how did you fit the bosch to the 300Tdi, what model Bosch? What modifications?

We try to get away every year from Hobart all the way up to FNQ and across to the Gulf etc, the tip is on our agenda in 2010. The RR gets a fair bit of servicing and TLC as it is my DD, and apart from limping along far a few weeks at a time with minor niggles when I am too busy to fix them, it gets everything it needs when it needs it. I change trans oils every engine oil change, (Takes 15w40 in engine and trans) fuel filters once a year,( I am using the original EFI fuel filter inline and the Isuzu one on the engine also)and wheel bearings get a look/ feel etc every service. (It has all hubs converted to oil lube)

Prior to a trip though, tighten and closely inspect all bushes, new rear shock rubbers and a spare set to take, check fan belt, (I take a spare but in 50K has only just had a new one last year, the Suzi one is a 15mm section and just refuses to wear out!) All body mounting bolts and chassis/ suspension bolts tightened, Radiator mountings/ hoses checked and a coolant change/ brake fluid change every 2 years.

My reckoning is that keep the vehicle in top condition all along, and little prep is then necessary when tackling the big trips, plus gives peace of mind at all other times.

JC