Help needed

As we are emigrating back to South Africa and my Wife, in her infinate wisdom, having just watched the 'long way down', has decided that 'we' will buy a Landy and drive. Great, which means that 'i' will buy the Landy, fix it, mend it, bend it, pay for it, and then try and get clearance form the various countries to terrorise the locals and wildlife by trying to get to SA in one piece and in the same car.

We have a year to get ready for our new roles in SA, so i do have a little time. But, i dont just want to buy an off-the-peg vehicle that i can just jump in and drive, i would like a challenge. So i am looking for a 109 or 110, series II, III or a Defender that needs a lot of tlc. I have always found that if you want to know how something works, break it, then fix it. I have asked a previous south runner, and we were advised that a LWB is a must if we are to get to SA in one piece, so if anyone can help or point me in the right direction i would be eternally grateful.

A defender 110 hardtop or station wagon would be what I'd go for and yep taking one to bits and rebuilding it is an incredible way of learning about your steed of choice.

I've taken mine to bits for a full rebuild with the aim of doing a big drive round the med via Morocco to Egypt with some Eastern Europe thrown in. I now feel I know every nut and bolt intimately - wheras i had almost no mechanical knowledge previously.

Go for a basic engine, don't add any crazy or heavy and rare kit and if possible bung on an extra fuel tank. I've done that with my expedition 90 and it really wasn't that hard during the rebuild.

And get some decent locks / security.

Go out and buy that "sahara" overland book - it will advise you on pretty much everything else. And don't fall asleep reading it in bed or you'll break your nose.

i would suggest u go 4 a 200 or 300TDi.....more reliable than the TD5. i have a TD5 that i have had since new and have clocked up some 317,000 km, but it has not been an easy time. the TD5 motor is brilliant, lots of torque, nice to drive, but the electronics let it down. not the kinda thing ya want packing up in the middle of africa.

110 200 or 300 tdi for africa, you dont want electrickery, in case of b/down. Under driver seat fuel tank plus a couple of j/cans should give you enough range with the standard rear tank. Put on good quality new not remould tyres eg BFG 265/75r16 MT . Get an extra spare so you got 2 . Window guards. All new hoses, and so it goes on.
Sleeping , inside or out?
There is plenty of info on various overland forums .
Tons of paperwork