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From: Kirk Hillman <khillman@rttinc.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 08:54:37 -0700 Subject: DIFF Lockers Okay, you all have my attention now. All this talk about lockers and limited slips, I'm confused now. I have read the plethora out there on the net about what does what, and how. I was under the strict impression that none of these systems were designed for LR diffs. I know you can get lockers for the Salisbury, but I thought nothing else. I have no interest in a welded diff. Are any of these other systems compatible with the rover style diff? BTW, I DID hear a while ago from a guy around here, in Canada, that he knew of a company in Oz that made a completely different product that fit the rover diff. He said it almost in passing, but never mentioned who the company was. Any thoughts? I have to sympathize with Pete about the cross axle problem. The PO of my rig decided to put extended shackles on it, but never replaced the shocks with something more appropriate. I must say though, my LR's articulation is STILL better than most. The only time I have become cross axled is with one wheel on top of a step almost 2 feet high. I think that is pretty darn good. I wouldn't even have noticed, except for the the fact that I like to see how far past the guys in the J**ps I can get in 2 wheel drive (I exaggerate, but I have come close). Back to the cross axle problem, I heard of a guy that built up an 88" from the frame. He never did use shocks at all. Apparently he does use it on the road that much, and because it is a slow vehicle anyway, he hasn't had many problems. Do doesn't get cross axled. I don't know if -I- would try it though :-) Thanks for your ears. Cheers, Kirk and Banshee -- "Faith without works is dead." Maranatha, selah. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 2 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: "Mark Talbot" <rangerover@top.monad.net> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 12:05:55 -0400 Subject: Last weekends VT/NH trip report All, I have been in Chicago all week on business....but I want to take time to thank Chris Velardi for setting up last Saturdays day out in VT. I would like to thank everyone that showed up. We had 23 trucks over the two days. The weather didn't co-operate on Saturday, Sunday was a wonderful day. Saturday we meet up with two drunk %&#$% in a Ford bronco, I think it was. Anyway, this thing had NO tread on the front tires, but they proceeded in putting that thing nose first into a stream crossing. Anyway I got it out using the winch and as they pulled away you could hear a large crack as the front drive shaft broke ! I tried to ignore the comment from one of them, "I think will go get me one of those LAND CRUSIERS" ! I almost put him back in the crossing ! The power lines provided some great off-roading for experienced and newcomers alike. We didn't do the full length, but the trails we tried kept everyone thinking. The Puddles" provided some great water to navigate, for some, they provided a little too much enjoyment !!! The hill climbs were great, although one stopped a few of us dead ! My self included ! But the great thing about these power lines is there is always another way around the obstacle. I'm sorry to have to burst the bubble of those that thought we climbed "CARNAGE HILL". We didn't climb it ! That hill is almost impossible to climb ! Its straight up about 100 yards, littered with body damaging rocks. Its name comes from the fact that its littered with discarded exhaust systems, broken tie rods, and dented body panels. Anyone wanting to try, let me know, I can get you there. I have been asked to do this again....maybe if enough want to try the power lines w can go out in November or December....as long as there is no snow ! Mark - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 3 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: "Peter Hope" <phope@hawaii.rr.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 06:47:21 -1000 Subject: Re: DIFF Lockers >I was under the strict >impression that none of these systems were designed for LR diffs I know that ARB makes the air locker for front and rear. Of course its like $600 per axle plus 300 for the compressor. Not sure where TA got her locker Pete - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 4 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: NADdMD@aol.com Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 14:04:28 EDT Subject: What is Running in Oil? Hi all, What is running in oil? I've been asking machine shops around here whether it's necessary or not and I haven't heard anyone say it's absolutely necessary or what it's purpose is. Supposedly it's low ash but I don't really know why that would be especially beneficial. Any one know specifics about this stuff? Nate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 5 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: TeriAnn Wakeman <twakeman@cruzers.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 98 11:58:25 -0700 Subject: Re: DIFF Lockers >>I was under the strict >>impression that none of these systems were designed for LR diffs ;>I know that ARB makes the air locker for front and rear. Of course its like ;>$600 per axle plus 300 for the compressor. ;>Not sure where TA got her locker ;>Pete Sorry if I gave people the wrong impression but I do not have a locker in my car. I have a Quafe brand limited slip in the front axle but my rear one is open. There are a number of companies making products for LR diffs. ARB, Mcmara, detroit, Quafe to name a few. I think all the U.S. mail order LR parts houss carry ARB & probably the less expensive Detroit lockers & limited slip units. TeriAnn Wakeman If you send me direct mail, please Santa Cruz, California start the subject line with TW - twakeman@cruzers.com I will be sure to read the message http://www.cruzers.com/~twakeman Walk in harmony with the earth and all her creatures and you will create beauty wherever you go. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 6 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: "Peter Hope" <phope@hawaii.rr.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 08:56:29 -1000 Subject: Re: DIFF Lockers >Sorry if I gave people the wrong impression but I do not have a locker in >my car. I have a Quafe brand limited slip in the front axle but my rear >one is open. There are a number of companies making products for LR >diffs. ARB, Mcmara, detroit, Quafe to name a few. I think all the U.S. >mail order LR parts houss carry ARB & probably the less expensive Detroit >lockers & limited slip units. I just looked, I can not see/find a listing for a limited-slip/posi in Rover North, Brit Atlantic, Brit Pac, or Brit Bulldog. Are they phone order only, or do I need to look at ano0ther suplier? TIA Pete - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 7 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: Peter Thoren <Peter.Thoren@genetik.uu.se> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 23:27:02 +0200 Subject: Primary pinion stuck in bell housing Dear list, I am changing bearings in my gearbox and I am now working on the bell housing. The layshaft bearing worked like a charm but now I am trying the primary pinion bearing. I can´t get the primary pinion out. It won´t move, not even after brutal force has been applied. Any advice on this matter would be very welcome. Peter Peter Thoren 1975 109" SIII Diesel Member #1379 Swedish Land Rover Club Långmyrtorp 740 20 Vänge Sweden phone/fax +46 18 39 20 56 peter.thoren@genetik.uu.se - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 8 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: Jarvis64@aol.com Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 17:42:36 EDT Subject: Distance piece replacement? Howdy everybody, Guess it's time to stop the gear-oil coating on the inside of my back wheels. Just put this axle in there about 9,000 miles ago, and both hubs are leaking quite badly. Noticed during axle overhaul (when I put on new hub seals) that the distance pieces weren't exactly perfect, sooo . . . Anyone have any tips for how to get old ones off/ new ones on? Can I chisel old ones 'til they're oversize and come off the stub shaft? Can I just heat up the new ones 'til they've expanded and then slip them over the stub shaft? Thanks for any help, Bill Rice 64 SIIA 109 SW Columbus GA (where I worked outside all day on the Rover shirtless and sweating, getting a sunburn, on OCT 16th) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 9 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: car4doc <car4doc@concentric.net> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 16:55:22 -0500 Subject: Searching for rear half 109 frame Hi All, If anyone out there has the rear half of a 109 frame which is usable they would like to cleanup before winter Please contact me. I am playing with the idea of building a 4X6 next summer. Finding a usable frame section is the first step in my mad plan. I am hoping to add the frame section & a front axle to trail behind the "power wheels" then if everthing lines up move on to the body changes. Has anyone else built a 4x6? Regards, Rob Davis_Chicago - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 10 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: NADdMD@aol.com Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 17:48:37 EDT Subject: Re: Primary pinion stuck in bell housing In a message dated 10/17/98 5:31:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Peter.Thoren@genetik.uu.se writes: << I am changing bearings in my gearbox and I am now working on the bell housing. The layshaft bearing worked like a charm but now I am trying the primary pinion bearing. I can´t get the primary pinion out. It won´t move, not even after brutal force has been applied. Any advice on this matter would be very welcome. >> Just curious, but you did remove the unique looking nut on the front? Nate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 11 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: NADdMD@aol.com Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 17:50:38 EDT Subject: Re: Distance piece replacement? In a message dated 10/17/98 5:43:34 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Jarvis64@aol.com writes: << Anyone have any tips for how to get old ones off/ new ones on? Can I chisel old ones 'til they're oversize and come off the stub shaft?>> Yes. If it is still stuck a bit, channel locks work well too <<Can I just heat up the new ones 'til they've expanded and then slip them over the stub shaft?>> Yes. (TeriAnn method) you can drift them into place with the hub socket too. Nate - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 12 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: Jarvis64@aol.com Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 18:25:12 EDT Subject: BFG M/Ts Just a note to any of you looking at new tires. I love my BFG M/Ts. Have 235/85/16s on my 109 w/ over 40,000 miles (including a fair amount of off-road abuse) on them and plenty of tread left. They're great off-road, and on a car as noisy as ours, who cares if they're noisy on-road. Good in the snow too, not that that's much of a factor for me anymore (85 degrees today). My secret: I rotate them every time I change the oil (3,000 miles or whenever I get around to it). Bill Rice SIIA 109SW Columbus GA - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 13 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: jimfoo@uswest.net Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 16:42:30 -0700 Subject: Re: Distance piece replacement? Jarvis64@aol.com wrote: > Howdy everybody, > Noticed during axle overhaul (when I put on new hub seals) that > the distance pieces weren't exactly perfect, sooo . . . > Anyone have any tips for how to get old ones off/ new ones on? > Can I chisel old ones 'til they're oversize and come off the stub shaft? > Can I just heat up the new ones 'til they've expanded and then slip them over [ truncated by list-digester (was 10 lines)] > Can I just heat up the new ones 'til they've expanded and then slip them over > the stub shaft? Hey Bill, just did mine not too long ago. I used a chisel until they started wanting to turn a little, and then used a big pair of channel locks to work them off. I heated mine up to put them on and I think it helped some, but I ended up pounding them on the rest of the way. I used an old bearing race of a similar size, but a larger center hole, and a piece of pipe. Worked like a charm. I used the bearing race because the pipe wasn't close enough in size. Just be sure not nick the shaft or it won't slide off and on quite so easily. Jim Hall Elephant Chaser 1966 88" truck cab - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 14 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: James Wolf <J.Wolf@worldnet.att.net> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 18:50:26 Subject: Al. adhesive I KNOW this is the place for this answer. Now, the question. I want to glue several AL.panels togather for a thicker plate. What would be the BEST, LONGEST lasting glue to use? I have a number of 1/8" panels and would like to make a couple of thicker panels out of them for use on "Vicky". Jim Wolf - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 15 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: Vince Sabio <vince@humournet.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 19:03:51 -0400 Subject: Re: Primary pinion stuck in bell housing ** Sometime around 17:48 -0400 10/17/98, NADdMD@aol.com said: .>In a message dated 10/17/98 5:31:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time, .>Peter.Thoren@genetik.uu.se writes: .> .><< I am changing bearings in my gearbox and I am now working on the bell .> housing. The layshaft bearing worked like a charm but now I am trying the .> primary pinion bearing. I can¥t get the primary pinion out. It won¥t move, .> not even after brutal force has been applied. Any advice on this matter .> would be very welcome. >> .> .>Just curious, but you did remove the unique looking nut on the front? >. Probably just opened the driver's door and let him out. (Sorry. Poor restraint. I'll go stand in the corner again.) - Vince Sabio Columbia MD 98 Disco (Willow Green) Still no leaks! - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 16 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: "Faure, Marin" <Marin.Faure@PSS.Boeing.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 16:13:32 -0700 Subject: Re: Mud Tires and Diff Lockers From: "Peter Hope" <phope@hawaii.rr.com> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1998 09:15:52 -1000 Subject: Re: Mud Tires and Diff Lockers >I am thinking of running an ARB rear, hubs and full lock in front (weld the spiders to the carrier?). My Rover will be going back Mainland when we leave in 2001 and we will most likely end up in SoCal. So I will be doing mostly rock/canyon and desert driving. Don't think I will see much gumbo. It is because of the cross axle stuff so prominent in the South West that I am thinking lockers. Would love to hear some opinions on this one. I don't have locking differentials on my Series III, so I'm simply repeating information I've heard from another person. But I met a fellow last year in Petersburg, Alaska, who has a new Discovery as well as a Series IIa 109 that he's had for years. He has fitted both vehicles with ARB locking differentials, on the front and rear on the 109, and I think just the rear on the Discovery. He does a lot of exploring in Alaksa, the Yukon, and British Columbia on very bad roads that are often extremely muddy. He said that the lockers are great in the mud when you were likely to lose traction on one or more wheels. However, he cautioned that you had to be very careful when driving with the lockers engaged. If both tires on an axle lose traction and then grab again, the shock can often be sufficient to snap one or both halfshafts. He said he never uses them on hard surfaces, or in conditions where it is likely that he'll lose traction and then suddeny regain it. When the lockers are engaged, he said he drives extremely slowly and cautiously to avoid putting sudden loads on the driveline. While he did not mention ever doing any rock crawling, lockers would obviously be of great benefit if you got a wheel up in the air but needed to drive the opposite wheel to keep you going. The upshot of what he he had learned from many years of driving the 109 with air lockers is that while they are very handy to have in certain situations, they are not a panacea for every situation, and in fact you can break things pretty easily (on a Land Rover, anyway) if you aren't careful how you use them. __________________ C. Marin Faure faurecm@halcyon.com marin.faure@boeing.com (original owner) 1973 Land Rover Series III-88 1991 Range Rover Vogue SE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 17 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: "Faure, Marin" <Marin.Faure@PSS.Boeing.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 16:40:14 -0700 Subject: Re: Mud Tires and Diff Lockers From: "Peter Hope" <phope@hawaii.rr.com> Date: Fri, 16 Oct 1998 09:15:52 -1000 Subject: Re: Mud Tires and Diff Lockers >I am thinking of running an ARB rear, hubs and full lock in front (weld the spiders to the carrier?). I'm not sure this would be such a good idea. The upper swivel bearings in your front hub assemblies get their lubrication by being "splashed" with the lube oil in the swivel balls which is thrown around by the rotating U-joints. If the hubs are unlocked and you are in 2wd, the front driveline will not be turning, which means the U-joints in the swivel balls are not rotating, which means oil is not being thrown up onto the upper swivel bearing. It doesn't take too much dry running for the upper swivel bearings to start wearing out. This is why the locking hub manufacturers like Warn tell you to run the vehicle a minimum of one mile a month with the hubs engaged. If you weld up your front differential, it will be potentially very damaging if you run on smooth roads with the hubs locked in. This means you will run the risk of wearing out your upper swivel bearings unless you are very conscientious about driving regularly on a rough road on which you can drive fast enough and long enough to ensure that the upper swivel bearings receive sufficient lubrication. I was told many, many years ago by friends in the Land Rover repair business in the UK that even the Warn recommendation of one mile a month with the hubs locked is far too liberal. According to them, it doesn't take very long at all for the upper swivel bearings to start wearing when they don't receive regular lubrication. Their recommendation was to run with the hubs locked in most of the time, and only unlock them when you're going on a freeway or motorway (cross-country) drive where there won't be much steering movement. This is about the only situation in which having the hubs unlocked will really make much of a difference in your fuel consumption anyway; stop and go driving around town doesn't benefit much from unlocked hubs in terms of mileage, although acceleration seems to be a tiny bit better. I was given this advice shortly after installing Warn hubs on my Series III in 1973, and I've followed it ever since. So far (knock on wood) in 25 years, including 10 years of daily driving and long trips to the Yukon, British Columbia, and Montana, I have had no apparent wear problems with my swivel bearings. So I'd advise you to think carefully about the wisdom of welding your front differential solid. __________________ C. Marin Faure faurecm@halcyon.com marin.faure@boeing.com (original owner) 1973 Land Rover Series III-88 1991 Range Rover Vogue SE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 18 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: "Tom Rowe/CDR" <trowe@ibm.net> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 21:03:12 -0400 Subject: Re: Mud Tires and Diff Lockers phope@hawaii.rr.com wrote: >I am thinking of running an ARB rear, hubs and full lock in front (weld the spiders to the carrier?). Snip That would work. As long as you don't care about being able to steer. Tom Rowe Atlanta, GA Four wheel drive allows you to get stuck in places even more inaccessible. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 19 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: TeriAnn Wakeman <twakeman@cruzers.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 98 19:55:59 -0700 Subject: Re: DIFF Lockers >>Sorry if I gave people the wrong impression but I do not have a locker in >>my car. I have a Quafe brand limited slip in the front axle but my rear ;> [ truncated by lro-lite (was 8 lines)] ;>>mail order LR parts houss carry ARB & probably the less expensive Detroit ;>>lockers & limited slip units. ; ;>I just looked, I can not see/find a listing for a limited-slip/posi in Rover ;>North, Brit Atlantic, Brit Pac, or Brit Bulldog. Are they phone order only, ;>or do I need to look at ano0ther suplier? ;>TIA ;>Pete I know that British Pacifc caries both ARB and Detroit. COntact them for prices. I think that others may as well. TeriAnn Wakeman If you send me direct mail, please Santa Cruz, California start the subject line with TW - twakeman@cruzers.com I will be sure to read the message http://www.cruzers.com/~twakeman Walk in harmony with the earth and all her creatures and you will create beauty wherever you go. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 20 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: "Peter Hope" <phope@hawaii.rr.com> Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1998 17:46:16 -1000 Subject: My new project Aloha All. Picked up my 2A today. Yeah. After much measuring it looks like this is going to be a frame over instead of just a front quarter replacement. The right side of the rear crossmember is about .5 inches further back then the left. The frame resembles a diamond instead of a rectangle :-( It is a shame too, the thing has zero rust on it. Also the front wheels are pointing in two different directions (toed out, not in) does not look like the axle housing is bent, what is a good way to accuretely determine this? And how can I check to see if the steering arm on the bottom of the swivel ball it self is bent? Again too bad. The balls are like new. Would I be better off trying to find a used housing and rebuild or get a complete set up? Anyone ever converted a Defender front coil spring axle to a leave spring for a Series? I would like disks if possible. Constructing the perches would be pretty easy for me. I am more concerned with any difference/changes required for the steering. As far as the frame is concerned, someone recently mentioned that they had a custom built frame. Did they do it themselves? My left side rail is in good shape and I have a couple of different drawings. The minor tweaking of the crossmembers can be fixed. I believe I can make two new framerails and use the existing xmembers. I have the technology to rebuild it (for a whole lot less then 6 million dollars haha), heck I could even get a new welder plus the steel for the project for less then the shipping alone will run me for a frame (been quoted 1200 for just the shipping) If I do go this route I will be doing either a por-15 or lavaliner application to the frame. Using a undercoating gun from JCWhitney I will be able to coat inside and out. I have the por brochure, it is pretty much rust repair oriented, anyone used it on fresh steel? What do you think? Has anyone tried Por and Lavaliner to compare the two? And one final question: >I know that British Pacifc caries both ARB and Detroit. COntact them for >prices. I think that others may as well. >TeriAnn Wakeman Thanks I will try that. I was also wondering if you installed them yourselve or had it done? Did yours just replace the spiders or the ring carrier? Pete - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 21 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: CIrvin1258@aol.com Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 02:37:08 EDT Subject: Re: Searching for rear half 109 frame Rob, ...How much of the rear frame do you need? I've got a section that basically covers the spring hangers, and it's ex-NATO. Charles - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 22 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: "Said Geoffrey at MITTS" <Geoffrey.Said@magnet.mt> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 11:32:03 +0100 Subject: RE:Re: Breather Guys explain me this. If the transfer case is sealed from the gearbox with a seal how will the gearbox drive the transfer case to transmit the power to the wheels. There must be a slot from where gears combine. Thanks Geoffrey Malta TeriAnn Wakeman: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 23 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
From: Grant Whiley <whiley@iafrica.com> Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 11:53:15 +0200 Subject: Re: Tyre Type and mud - Northern Tanzania This should answer all your questions - in January this year I just happened to find myself travelling in a Land Rover Discovery Tdi in Northern Tanzania en route to Kilimanjaro, Ngorogoro and Serengeti. This was the sencond part of our trip the previous 5 weeks we travelled in Zambia, Malawi and Southern Tanzania. There is a long tale of woe why our SIII '74 stayed in Cape Town, so we missed-out the bottom half of our trip ie. Nambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique (we will maybe be doing that bit in Nov - Jan this year) - This is another story. Anyway back to the choice of tyres: The catch was that the area (Northern TZ) was experiencing the worst rains and flooding in many many years, we had a couple of close calls - comming around a corner and finding no road there at all - almost sliding off a mountain side... The other thing is that the soil is very fine powder, from the past volcanic activity, which means that when it rains it turns to unpredictable slush. There are a couple lessons I learnt: 1 - Definately watch what the locals are doing, where they are driving, what they are driving (Landies), what powers the car (diesel) and most importantly where you must not drive. 2 - When you see that the local village industry is chasis welding and tyre repair and that at the police check point the officer says "May God be with you" you should take a subtle hint of what lies ahead. We were lucky enough to follow a convoy of Defender's from a local tour company, for the worst section of the trip - learned a couple of useful tips. 3 - Drive a diesel Landy (nothing else quite makes the grade - except I suppose the petrol Pajero stuck up to bonnet level in a river we just cruised through). The other reason is that the diesel engine doesn't seem to mind having a little water and sand in it. 4 - Give yourself plenty of time... (2nd Low for about 30km takes a while, bonnet level water most of the time). 5 - If the locals laugh at you 'whities' driving a Discovery saying you will never make it because (a) white people can't drive in mud and, (b) your Discovery will never beat a Defender - you can give them a wry smile knowing that we did it! 6 - If you see mud chains on the local cars you know you are in for a torrid time. Our Discovery was fitted with the standard Michelin's (not sure of the details), the wider tyre with the cross pattern on them. All the local Landies had the 'old-tradional' narrow 16" Dunlop 8 ply trye. These tryes were incredible they cut through the mud and flung the mud out of the tread as they spun creating more grip. Our fancy tyres costing 10 x the price each got terribly clogged with mud and lost traction getting us stuck a few times - the locals know exactly where to be to laugh at those getting stuck at US$10 a push this section of the trip was prooving very costly! The local vehicles with mud chains fitted on the 8 ply's were incredible, they just cruised around as though they roads were perfectly tarred !! Anyway, we got to our destination Ngorogoro Crater with one very *sore* Discovery after the trip the car needed new shocks, springs, tyres, spots, front bumper and roofrack repair, side mirrors and pannel beating - a very costly excercise, thank goodness it was a company car - None of this was because of reckless or stupid driving it was just because the roads were so bad. You can see a few of my photos from my trip at: http://users.iafrica.com/w/wh/whiley/east1.htm (almost finished) We had a wonderful trip in the end, many stories and lots of photos. Any questions are most welcome. Grant Whiley whiley@iafrica.com Cape Town, South Africa http://users.iafrica.com/w/wh/whiley SIII '74 2.25 Diesel 'Witblitz' [White Lightning] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -[ <- Message 24 -> end | Table of Contents | <- Digest 981018 -> Archive Index | <- Browser -> ]
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