Karekke

New Member
Hi Guys,

I am looking for a vehicle that will take my two dogs, my GF and myself from Spain down the Western Route to Cape Town. We need to move down there for work and instead of putting the dogs in a plane we have decided to make a trip of it and drive...
I have been researching cars quite extensively and have narrowed it down to a 1997 Defender 110 TDI 300 with 197.000km. I have to be honest, my mechanical skills are quite basic so I wanted to ask your opinion on this car.. Is it good for overland? Can it handle multiple 100's of kilometres a day for a weeks on end? What are the typical problems I should prepare for on the road? Are they easy to fix? What spare parts should I be taking? I have hundreds of questions haha - but any advice would be great!!
Thank you in advance!!

PS - I have also been looking at a TD5 - would be good to know if/why a TDI 300 is better or not.
 
preparation of the vehicle is just important as maintenance/repair enroute. Before attempting the journey I would be wanting to thoroughly check and possibly replace out of precaution all suspension bushes, shocks and springs, brakes all around, wheel bearings, steering joints, UJ's, and a through service as a minimum. I would second the above that the 00tid is an all mechanical platform ideal for bush mechanics.
 
Better with an old Land Cruiser for that sort of trip, more spares available over there if needed
 
preparation of the vehicle is just important as maintenance/repair enroute. Before attempting the journey I would be wanting to thoroughly check and possibly replace out of precaution all suspension bushes, shocks and springs, brakes all around, wheel bearings, steering joints, UJ's, and a through service as a minimum. I would second the above that the 00tid is an all mechanical platform ideal for bush mechanics.

Then after replacing the above
take all the wheel bearings, front and rear radius arm bushes, all the oils needed ( you will be doing an oil change on the way anyway 0 , brake pads , uj joints , all ball joints
these are all small items to carry
If you cant replace wheel bearings for eg you will find someone in a small village who can
Edit
Nice trip you got planned - this is a Facebook page of a couple doing that route at the moment -
https://www.facebook.com/rafikiontour - although its in a 10p td5
another fairly current info - albiet on a motor bike - https://www.youtube.com/@ItchyBoots

and finally - weight is your enemy
but cold beer is priceless

Edit again
This kit will pay for itself many many tines over and single handedly makes the 300 tdi into a very reliable motor
 
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Then after replacing the above
take all the wheel bearings, front and rear radius arm bushes, all the oils needed ( you will be doing an oil change on the way anyway 0 , brake pads , uj joints
If you cant replace wheel bearings for eg you will find someone in a small village who can
This^^ I had the below list of spares on my packing list for my 8k mile trip around Morocco (took nearly three weeks and we drove down through France and Spain) in a 200tdi but it is far from exhaustive. Although most of it I did not need, I did require shock and panhard rod bushes and I did require a full fluid and filter change just because of the mileage covered. the ones in red I also just carry with me as a matter of course in the uk as if they fail they are a show stopper but i can usually replace them in the time I would wait for the AA!

Brake pad front
Brake pads rear
Wheel bearing x2
Uj x2
Fully poly bush set
Lift pump
Alternator belt
Fan belt

Inner tube
Wire
Connectors
Relays

Brake pipe
Brake/clutch Conectores
Clutch pipe
gasket paper (various thickness)
headgasket kit
Atf
Ep90
Brake fluid
Engine oil
Redex
Wire coat hanger
Full set of filters x2

I would also add that although you say that your mechanical skills are currently quite basic if you do all of the preparation work yourself and do the repairs and replacement parts required on your own you will then have the skills and knowledge to be able to do them on the road. so by preparing the vehicle you are also preparing your self and developing your mechanical skills.
 
This^^ I had the below list of spares on my packing list for my 8k mile trip around Morocco (took nearly three weeks and we drove down through France and Spain) in a 200tdi but it is far from exhaustive. Although most of it I did not need, I did require shock and panhard rod bushes and I did require a full fluid and filter change just because of the mileage covered. the ones in red I also just carry with me as a matter of course in the uk as if they fail they are a show stopper but i can usually replace them in the time I would wait for the AA!

Brake pad front
Brake pads rear
Wheel bearing x2
Uj x2
Fully poly bush set
Lift pump
Alternator belt
Fan belt

Inner tube
Wire
Connectors
Relays

Brake pipe
Brake/clutch Conectores
Clutch pipe
gasket paper (various thickness)
headgasket kit
Atf
Ep90
Brake fluid
Engine oil
Redex
Wire coat hanger
Full set of filters x2

I would also add that although you say that your mechanical skills are currently quite basic if you do all of the preparation work yourself and do the repairs and replacement parts required on your own you will then have the skills and knowledge to be able to do them on the road. so by preparing the vehicle you are also preparing your self and developing your mechanical skills.
Thank you very much - really appreciate you posting this list - big help! I agree, will need to invest some time into doing all the prep. work myself. Should save me a lot of potential problems on the road.
 
If your chosen 300Tdi does not have a fuel sedimentor it's really worth adding with the environment you're venturing into https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams...mission-systems/fuel-system/sedimentors_53508

https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams is really worth getting to know as a technical reference site - it has full diagrams, part numbers, suppliers and component pricing.

There's one other component that you must carry, the fuel shut-off solenoid. If this fails your Landy will stop dead in its tracks. I'd be taking 3x spares as they do fail, they're cheap to buy and easy to replace https://www.lrworkshop.com/parts/STC3254

Plus, make sure the +12v female connector is fixed firmly to the fuel solenoid. For no apparent reason mine decided to part company with the FiP end of last year whilst on the M4 bringing me to a very abrupt stop on the hard shoulder. A small piece of Gorilla tape wrapped around the connector/solenoid is your best friend.

Good luck with your adventure...
 
Then after replacing the above
take all the wheel bearings, front and rear radius arm bushes, all the oils needed ( you will be doing an oil change on the way anyway 0 , brake pads , uj joints , all ball joints
these are all small items to carry
If you cant replace wheel bearings for eg you will find someone in a small village who can
Edit
Nice trip you got planned - this is a Facebook page of a couple doing that route at the moment -
https://www.facebook.com/rafikiontour - although its in a 10p td5
another fairly current info - albiet on a motor bike - https://www.youtube.com/@ItchyBoots

and finally - weight is your enemy
but cold beer is priceless

Edit again
This kit will pay for itself many many tines over and single handedly makes the 300 tdi into a very reliable motor

^ these guys are doing Africa atm from the UK
 
+++ you may like to upgrade some of the components to HD items for toughness. Take a look at Gwyn Lewis, there are 4x items I'd be using for this trip

1. HD GKN UJ's for the prop shafts https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/propshafts/defender-300tdi-td5/
2. Gwyn Lewis engine/gearbox/differential wading breather kits https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/wading-kits-fittings/
3. OME steering damper https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/steering-items/
4. Polyurethane track drop boots [modern pseudo-rubber el cheapo jobbies last 5mins] and take a spare set https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/steering-items/
 
+++ you may like to upgrade some of the components to HD items for toughness. Take a look at Gwyn Lewis, there are 4x items I'd be using for this trip

1. HD GKN UJ's for the prop shafts https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/propshafts/defender-300tdi-td5/
2. Gwyn Lewis engine/gearbox/differential wading breather kits https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/wading-kits-fittings/
3. OME steering damper https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/steering-items/
4. Polyurethane track drop boots [modern pseudo-rubber el cheapo jobbies last 5mins] and take a spare set https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/steering-items/
and their sumobars
 
+++ you may like to upgrade some of the components to HD items for toughness. Take a look at Gwyn Lewis, there are 4x items I'd be using for this trip

1. HD GKN UJ's for the prop shafts https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/propshafts/defender-300tdi-td5/
2. Gwyn Lewis engine/gearbox/differential wading breather kits https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/wading-kits-fittings/
3. OME steering damper https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/steering-items/
4. Polyurethane track drop boots [modern pseudo-rubber el cheapo jobbies last 5mins] and take a spare set https://gwynlewis4x4.co.uk/product-category/steering-items/
I know what I mention below is not what you have linked but OP needs to be aware there are two arguments in terms of doing the HD upgrades and you have weigh up which one is better for you. If you upgrade to heavy duty parts you are less likely to break them but by doing so you move the weak point of the system to something else that is harder or more expensive to replace.

Couple of examples of that:
HD drive flanges, these are the weakest point of the drive system, are very cheap parts, and are 5 external bolts to replace. If you fit HD drive flanges, the half shaft becomes the weakest point and you break a half shaft instead which is more expensive and more involved to replace. if you fit uprated half shafts then the diff becomes the weakest point etc.

Heavy duty steering bars, the steering bar is the weakest point and bends. if this happens you can straighten them well enough to continue with minimal tools and any local mechanic would be able to straighten further. if you fit HD bars that do not bend the failure point becomes either the ball joint or the swivel casting the ball joint sits in. breaking one of these is a far more involved job than straightening a bent steering bar.

I prefer standard for this reason and carry spares and protect things (eg. steering guard). I would rather something fail and break that can be easily fixed at the side of the road than fit an HD component and whereas less likely to break when it does it is not something that can be repaired with basic tools on the side of a track. There is also the argument that standard parts are more likely to be able to be sourced in remote locations. Suspension is the common one for this with springs and shocks being the most obvious. If you uprate them but still break one the chances of getting something specialist is fairly slim but the chance of getting a standard one is much higher even if it is an old one/used one.
 
You might struggle to find a decent 110 300tdi, when looking at getting a defender I would 100 percent take someone with you who is clued up on them: edit sorry my reply was a little vague, but seriously try and find someone who frequently works on land rovers and take them with you before you part with any money
 
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You might struggle to find a decent 110 300tdi, when looking at getting a defender I would 100 percent take someone with you who is clued up on them: edit sorry my reply was a little vague, but seriously try and find someone who frequently works on land rovers and take them with you before you part with any money
The car is currently close to Glasgow... I have requested as many pictures and videos as possible - but when I go up, I will be alone - don't know anyone up there who could join. I do not really know anyone who has experience with 300TDI...
 
The car is currently close to Glasgow... I have requested as many pictures and videos as possible - but when I go up, I will be alone - don't know anyone up there who could join. I do not really know anyone who has experience with 300TDI...
send us a link / images / pictures / videos and we can help judge
 
Here are some pictures - having trouble uploading the video of the engine and the bottom of the car. What do you think?
 

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I know what I mention below is not what you have linked but OP needs to be aware there are two arguments in terms of doing the HD upgrades and you have weigh up which one is better for you. If you upgrade to heavy duty parts you are less likely to break them but by doing so you move the weak point of the system to something else that is harder or more expensive to replace.

Couple of examples of that:
HD drive flanges, these are the weakest point of the drive system, are very cheap parts, and are 5 external bolts to replace. If you fit HD drive flanges, the half shaft becomes the weakest point and you break a half shaft instead which is more expensive and more involved to replace. if you fit uprated half shafts then the diff becomes the weakest point etc.

Heavy duty steering bars, the steering bar is the weakest point and bends. if this happens you can straighten them well enough to continue with minimal tools and any local mechanic would be able to straighten further. if you fit HD bars that do not bend the failure point becomes either the ball joint or the swivel casting the ball joint sits in. breaking one of these is a far more involved job than straightening a bent steering bar.

I prefer standard for this reason and carry spares and protect things (eg. steering guard). I would rather something fail and break that can be easily fixed at the side of the road than fit an HD component and whereas less likely to break when it does it is not something that can be repaired with basic tools on the side of a track. There is also the argument that standard parts are more likely to be able to be sourced in remote locations. Suspension is the common one for this with springs and shocks being the most obvious. If you uprate them but still break one the chances of getting something specialist is fairly slim but the chance of getting a standard one is much higher even if it is an old one/used one.
A very well reasoned argument that should form the basis of anyone’s decision to upgrade to unnecessary parts 👍
 
I know what I mention below is not what you have linked but OP needs to be aware there are two arguments in terms of doing the HD upgrades and you have weigh up which one is better for you. If you upgrade to heavy duty parts you are less likely to break them but by doing so you move the weak point of the system to something else that is harder or more expensive to replace.

Couple of examples of that:
HD drive flanges, these are the weakest point of the drive system, are very cheap parts, and are 5 external bolts to replace. If you fit HD drive flanges, the half shaft becomes the weakest point and you break a half shaft instead which is more expensive and more involved to replace. if you fit uprated half shafts then the diff becomes the weakest point etc.

Heavy duty steering bars, the steering bar is the weakest point and bends. if this happens you can straighten them well enough to continue with minimal tools and any local mechanic would be able to straighten further. if you fit HD bars that do not bend the failure point becomes either the ball joint or the swivel casting the ball joint sits in. breaking one of these is a far more involved job than straightening a bent steering bar.

I prefer standard for this reason and carry spares and protect things (eg. steering guard). I would rather something fail and break that can be easily fixed at the side of the road than fit an HD component and whereas less likely to break when it does it is not something that can be repaired with basic tools on the side of a track. There is also the argument that standard parts are more likely to be able to be sourced in remote locations. Suspension is the common one for this with springs and shocks being the most obvious. If you uprate them but still break one the chances of getting something specialist is fairly slim but the chance of getting a standard one is much higher even if it is an old one/used one.
Have an extra couple of likes for that.
 

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