Flattening Landrovers in Africa!

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A few months ago I posted asking for advice on the possibility of buying a Cummins for Africa. I just wanted to mention that I did buy one, and my Black 4x4 QC SB SLT+ has just been delivered. Unfortunately, delays in delivery managed to get it delivered AFTER my leave in the U. S. I guess that means my older brother now gets to drive it for a month to ensure that any initial bugs are worked out. I figure that shipping from the US will take about three months, so I hope to see it by April.

While in the US, I'll have it lifted a few inches and put on 35 inch tires as well as a few other goodies. (Does anyone have any firsthand experience and recommendations with lift kits?)

On the good news side of the equation, my new office building has generators powered by Cummins diesels and the local service agent says he can handle parts and service for the Cummins/Dodge motor. A local car dealer is also getting a DC franchise to handle Jeep, and I'm hoping that means I'll have warrantee coverage here.

I'll post some pictures when it arrives.

 

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Just out of curiosity,isn't a black truck going to be too hot for the Africa sun/heat?
Or is it not that hot there?

-Mike

 

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Speaking with Florida experience, it doesnt matte what color you choose! If you park your white truck at Wally World for 3 hours in August, interrior temp will be around 120'-125'F! A black truck will be 130-135... hot is hot... and the AC will have its work cut out for it! AS far as Africa goes, my uncle had musical intruments shipped from the US to Malawi, and it took several months LONGER than the rediculous time they quoted!

 

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Mike R,

Your point is a good one. I have lived in parts of Africa (like Northern Sudan) where temperatures were well over a hundred on a regular basis and white cars were a good idea for the majority of locals whose cars often didn't have AC. On the other hand, I was usually in armored suburbans with dual air conditioners, and the exterior color didn't really matter as long as the AC worked. BTW, if the AC dies on an armored car (where you can't open windows), it's a pretty miserable experience.

In many other parts of Africa, however, it never really gets that hot. Cities like Nairobi and Addis Ababa are about a mile high and are usually cool, if not downright cold. Some of the mountainous areas of Africa (where I like to go fishing) have snow all year round.

 

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exbat, good to hear from you again.
I suggest the skyjacker 5. 5" lift, you can also opt for the superflex if you like. Other wise you can go with the average lift for our trucks witch is a spacer in the front and add-a-leaf in the rear. You can find all in a 4x4 magazine. Good luck.
Adam

 

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What about a couple hundred extra Horse Power Complete with Smoke Screen. . It will help you out run Rogue Elephants and block out the Glaring Hot Sun. . all at the same time #ad
I'm sure Adam, Hvac and Piers can come up with a good recipe #ad

 

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My6EatsV8s,

The Skyjacker lift sounds good. Is there one for a 2001. 5? Or will the kits for earlier years fit? Also, do I need to worry about any driveshaft angle problems with a 5. 5" lift?

Engine bombing is pretty much inevitable, but I plan to wait until it is broken in and until I find out about the possibility of local warrantee service.

 

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I havn't had any drivline problems other that breaking 2 front u joints at the track last year, I havn't had a problem sence. I have a gasser 5. 5" lift with a 3" spacer in the front that is good for a 6. 5" total lift. It rides like a 1/2ton, a little to soft really for truck pulls and halling any heavy load, I plan on addding airbags for load control in the rear. Its not hard to install either. As far a perfomance like Kurt mentioned. I would start with the PE EZ right off. Then get Guages, then good-ol dd3's,hot PE,LPG, what transmission, you'll need upgrades at this point for sure,LOL.
Adam

 

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Oh ya, as far as I know there hasn't been any changes in the susspensions from 00's or 99's.

 

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Speaking with Florida experience, it doesnt matte what color you choose! If you park your white truck at Wally World for 3 hours in August, interrior temp will be around 120'-125'F! A black truck will be 130-135... hot is hot... and the AC will have its work cut out for it!

As an owner of both dark maroon and white vehicles who also lives in a hot state, I have to respectfully disagree with the conclusion that "it doesn't matter". I find my truck is noticably cooler, cools down faster once AC is turned on, and needs AC much less often during the seasonal changes. I also know that 6 or 8 years from now when my AC isn't as good or flat breaks down, I can sweat it out for a few days or weeks if I'm short on cash or just don't have time to get it fixed. With all that said, I have to admit black is a very "cool" color, even though I went in the opposite direction! To each his own...

 

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I have to agree with HC. I am currently stationed in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and about 70% of the vehicles here are white. We have Cherokees and Suburbans, all white, and it does make a difference in 130 degree heat!

It is interesting to note that we use our Cherokees when we go out into the desert to see the Edge of the World or old Turkish forts. Why this is interesting, I have seen 4x4 Dodge Rams in areas we will only go with Jeeps. One versitile truck!

 

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Expat

Before you flatten all the Rovers and depending on your adventurous limits, after you have been there for a while you might want to consider buying an “old” Landrover, [ie the simple, fixable, pre-comfort versions]

As a driver who can go “either way”, I love my TD2500 for the ride, power, and ‘haulability’. However, I know that with my ’63 Landrover I can fix almost anything that breaks “well enough” to get back home. I have made it back sucking fuel out of a mason jar held between my legs with the pick up tube from the tank after I tore the bottom and three sides out of the tank and have made it through streams that got my belt buckle wet [you need an air intake extension pipe]. I tow my trusty old [and expendable] rover behind the cool diesel when I plan to deal with trails and creek beds after the last semblance of a road disappears.

The fun never ends when you have enough toys. Have fun in Africa. #ad




------------------
Roger Robinson, San Diego
2000 2500TD QC LB SLT [so far, still in warranty]
1963 Land Rover, Series II, original owner, hi-tech repair/overhaul kit includes adjustable spanner, pliers, & screw driver

 

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Ramjet,

Your suggestion makes a lot of sense. I am in the process of rebuilding a RHD 1972 CJ-5 to do just what you suggest. I like the old Series landrovers as well, and I am always keeping my eye out for a nice Series I.

For what it's worth, I am no big fan of the new Defenders. I considered the 110 wagon and the 130 crewcab pickup, but IMHO, they are generally overpriced, overcomplicated, and poorly built. One of the problems as far as I am concerned was the 2. 5 liter TDI motor, which was just too small. (There's a nice application for a Cummins B3. 9). Perhaps the newer generation of Landrover motors has improved. Diesel Toyota Landcruisers are another story. The 4. 2 and 4. 5 in recent Toyotas is strong and reliable. If I didn't feel strongly about "driving American" while overseas, I'd be in a Landcruiser.