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Connie & Graham’s Car

In setting up for this trip we have made substantial modifications to the cars. Though boring to many the following list provides info on most of the major modifications and additions done to our car.

Adventure Light (ARB supplied by Pangaea Expeditions)

The ARB adventure light is a 1 amp draw fluorescent light on a 16 foot power lead. It plugs into the power points on the truck.

Air Filter & Oil filter (K&N supplied by Pangaea Expeditions)

We have upgraded the air filter to a K&N filter. Great for long expeditions, the K&N can be cleaned and re-oiled instead of replaced. It also allows greater air flow and thereby slightly increases power.

We have added K&N oil filters which offer fantastic filtering technology. We are carrying spare filters for oil changes on the route.

Awning (Hannibal supplied by Pangaea Expeditions)

The Hannibal awning is a fantastic product. It extends from the side of the Land Rover and has detachable sides and front giving the ability to make a completely enclosed tent on the side of the vehicle.

Axe Mount (custom)

Graham and Verna built a simple but effective system for mounting an axe on the back of the roof rack.

Bull Bar & Skid Plate (Safari Gard supplied by Safari Gard)

We chose Safari Gard for their functionality and strength. The Safari Gard bull bar allows a fantastic approach angle and allows mounts for tow points and the winch. The skid plate is integral to the bull bar and provides protection for the steering linkage.

Center Console (Tuffy Security Products supplied by Pangaea Expeditions)

The Tuffy center console fits perfectly between the front seats and provides a lockable and very strong security compartment. It also has a compartment for the stereo and has cup holders!

Compressor & Air Tank (Viair supplied by SpiderTrax and Bob Rodman)

I chose the Viair 280C compressor for its light weight, compact footprint and high air flow. This compressor will put out 1.31 CFM which is more important than the 120psi it will run to. Bob Rodman supplied us with a small 2.5 gallon air tank that we mounted to the frame and hooked up to the compressor to provide plenty of air when we need it. This system will easily air up all tires on the car from 16 to 35psi and would run air tools if we brought any along.

Curtains (custom)

Connie made curtains to fit all the windows in the car. This is for privacy when sleeping in the car and for security when we leave the car for long periods.

Diff Guard (Safari Gard supplied by Safari Gard)

We have a diff guard on the front (more vulnerable) diff to protect from rocks and road debris. Graham welded the guard on since the standard bolt on mount has a tendency to come loose and leave the diff guard somewhere on the trail.

Dual Battery System (Optima and Hell Roaring supplied by Pangaea Expeditions and Hell Roaring)

Witt installed an Optima Red Top for the vehicle and winch and an Optima Yellow Top deep cycle for the house equipment. These batteries are connected through a Hell Roaring battery isolator which allows each battery to be isolated and independently charged.

Fridge (42 Quart ARB supplied by Pangaea Expeditions)

An essential piece of equipment for keeping beer cold. ARB supplies the same equipment that Engle does. Low power draw with the ability to freeze. Very cool stuff.

GPS Mount (Garmin and custom)

The Garmin mount affixes the Garmin 176 to the top of the dash. Graham wired a serial cable in so that the GPS can be plugged into the computer. Power for the GPS comes from the car so that batteries are not relied on.

Interior Lights (Generic and Land Rover)

We wired three additional lights inside the truck. One fluorescent in the rear cargo area and a regular one on each side behind the rear passenger doors.

Inverter (Coleman supplied by Alpine Rodman)

In order to run 110v appliances like chargers and the Dremel we installed a Coleman inverter under the rear seat. Graham and Dave Marker built an enclosure with additional fans to keep the inverter cool.

Lap Top Stand (custom)

Graham built a stand next to the center console to hold the iBook. It is adjustable to allow computer operation by the passenger or driver. In conjunction with the GPS this will aid navigation.

Limb Risers (Custom)

SpiderTrax welded limb riser mounts onto the roll cage. Graham took advantage of this running coated stainless steel cable between the mounts. Useful in wooded areas, the limb risers prevent tree limbs from hitting the windscreen.

Long Range Fuel Tank (WVM Holdings from Christian Wyona)

The long range tank replaces the original fuel tank and increases the vehicle capacity from 22 gallons to 37 gallons. This should give us a range of about 800 miles. With additional jerry cans we can increase our range to over 1000 miles.

Map Light (Grayston Avanti Map Light supplied by Liz and Tony Jackson)

Map light is installed on the dash board to provide non-driver interfering light for the passenger.

Oil Storage Box (Custom supplied by Alpine and Verna Rodman)

Alpine and Verna build a fantastic drop down storage box under the passenger floor for holding a full oil change for the truck. It is lockable and does not protrude past the frame.

Power Points (Generic)

In order to supply power to all of our lights, fridge and other appliances we installed four additional cigarette style power points in the car. Two are under the back seats next to the inverter, one is next to the rear door, and one is on the roof rack next to the tent.

Rear Bumper Ends (Safari Gard supplied by Safari Gard modified by SpriderTrax)

These bumper ends provide protection to the fuel tank and water tank mounted in the rear wings. They also provide a mounting location for the roll cage, a jacking point at the rear and the first step for the ladder to the roof rack.

Rock Guard Kit (Safari Gard supplied by Safari Gard)

The Rock Guard kit provides bolt on protection to the vulnerable track rod behind the front axle.

Rock Sliders (Safari Gard supplied by Safari Gard modified by SpiderTrax)

Sliders provide sill protection as well as a jackable base along the side of the truck. SpiderTrax strengthened the sliders to be able to mount the roll cage to them.

Roll Cage (SpiderTrax supplied by SpiderTrax)

SpiderTrax custom designed and built the roll cage for us in record time. Some of the design elements they took from the standard Safety devices external roll cage, but the one they built is fully external.

Roof Rack (Custom supplied by Justin)

Justin designed and built the roof rack to our specifications. It had to be able to mount to the roll cage and hold the roof top tent as well as other luggage. Justin also designed a hi-lift jack mount on the right side of the rack.

Roof Top Tent (Technitop supplied by Technitop)

Roof top tents originated from South Africa and Technitop is based there. The tent we are using features a hard shell and an internal mattress and opens out over the hood of the car. Very comfortable and convenient.

Shovel Mount (Custom supplied by Alpine and Verna Rodman)

Alpine and Verna used the Hi Lift jack mounts on the Safari Gard tire rack as the base for the shovel mount. It makes the shovel very convenient.

Spot Lights (Hella supplied by Pangaea Expeditions)

The two Hella 4000’s on the bull bars provide an amazing amount of light forward. They are assisted by two Hella FF300’s on the front of the roof rack. To the rear two additional Hella FF300’s provide light from the back of the roof rack.

Storage System (Custom)

Connie designed and built a four drawer storage system in the rear of the vehicle using an old heavy duty filing cabinet. The lower drawers are used for spares and tools while the upper two are for food and cooking supplies. She then built wooden storage boxes on top of the rear wheel arches. These house our clothes. The whole system provides a base that is the same height as the fridge, and could, if needed, provide a flat, level base for sleeping inside the vehicle.

Suspension (Safari Gard and OME supplied by Safari Gard and Pangaea Expeditions)

To cope with the heavy load in the car as well as the rough terrain in Africa we chose a Safari Gard stage II suspension. This uses Fox racing shocks and custom springs. The springs for the rear that Safari Gard supplied turned out to be too light duty and Pangaea Expeditions supplied us with more heavy duty versions from OME.

Tire Rack (Safari Gard supplied by Safari Gard and Land Rover Flatirons)

The rear door spare wheel mount on the Defender 110 is notoriously weak and prone to failure in rugged conditions. Because of this we fitted a Safari Gard tire rack that also features a platen for holding two jerry cans. Land Rover Flatirons supplied us with the standard Land Rover D90 soft top hinge mounts for the tire rack.

Water Tank (Excel Tanks supplied by Pangaea Expeditions)

Excel makes a seven gallon stainless steel water tank that fits in the driver side rear wing behind the rear wheel. This tank also provides a convenient lockable spigot on the rear crossmember for access.

Winch (Superwinch X9 supplied by Superwinch)

Superwinch gave us the X9 which is a 10,000 pound winch. We mounted it on the bull bars and mounted the controller plug on the top of the wing.

Window Protection (custom supplied by Sue and Alpine Rodman)

In order to effect security on the windows at the back of the car, Alpine welded custom grates that depict scenes of African wildlife designed by Sue. The forward windows are protected by standard grating with a custom mounting system.

Wing Top Protectors (Land Rover supplied by Land Rover Flatirons)

These diamond plate aluminum sheets protect the tops of the wings from damage when they have to be stepped on. This happens a lot when game viewing or accessing the spare tire mount on the hood.