MogLite

I forgot to ask whilst I was there.....

For occasional use - you can use a scuba dive tank. Only cost £2 to fill up. Or you can convert an air-con compressor on your 300TDI to run air tools Food for thought ? Andy

Colour keying - did someone call I think I may even have some of the little slip on covers for the bulbs. Do you know what type of bulb you've got ? Take a look here on eGauges.com I think there are two covers for the small type A bulbs, and the larger type E bulbs. If I can find one I'll stick it in the post.

I forget the name - but they were in Poole, in the same industrial estate as Andy Lanhams LR garage. They were sh1te.

I watched some of the tig welding one last night. He makes welding ali look so easy. Definately worth getting hold of at least the tig one IMHO

So what were you doing wrong ? Congrats to you and Sue. So your trip to the UK is a shopping trip to Mothercare

I stumbled across a few videos by a chap called Ron Covell. They are similar to the Yankee Workshop ones, you might have seen on the Discovery channel, but for metal. I've not watched them all in detail yet, but they look worth a look. 4 x metal work videos Alas they are not plain downloads, but torrents. If you aren't familiar with torrents, find a teenager with a computer and broadband connection to get them for you, or download BitTorrent and see how you get on, or your could even....buy them.....seems you can buy them too from Frosts Enjoy I hope Astrol_al buys the full set, its the closest he is going to get to seeing machines and tools in action for a while

I do want all the gear, but not for showing off a shows. If I go tepee. I might be able to avoid a roof-rack, and that helps with car-parks, fuel economy, robbing pikeys etc. Without the roofrack, I'll be able to keep the exterior quite subtle, which I'm happy with. I don't see why all of those aren't possible. My priorities are in the order you've quoted them. I'm still in a full-time job. Some I'm limited to trips of a couple of weeks max, so that limits how far I can travel and enjoy the trip. again both. I've got an Eberspacher heater on my desk, that forms one of the mini-projects. Finding a Defender with A/C is far from impossible, but it does limit my choice of 2nd hand vehicles I'm only doing a couple of weeks at at time. But even so I wouldn't want to set up our big tent more than once, or twice in that time. Which is why I was looking at roof tents. But that only gives sleeping space. Nowhere to live, so I'd need an awning or skirt (or both) to give some living space, which is where it started to spiral out of control. The tepee looks like a good comprimise, and I should look at Oztents and Carnex's too I suppose. I'm not too concerned about the cost of out-fitting the vehicle. I can always make stuff where needed. But I do like bucking trends I'm sure you won't object to shipping me an Aus ARB bumper ? No don't panic, I wouldn't ask, and I don't want one anyway. I don't think there would be much of Les' truck left if it parked it up and went shopping in certain parts of the UK Yeah - you've got some good points there. I do enjoy driving my Isuzu, so I'm no stranger to Japanese 4x4's, in fact I drive it in preference to the 4.6 Rangie thats parked outside the house too. So I think I would enjoy driving a LandCruiser, I've always loved them, and that goes a certain way to the ownership experience. Its only that reason TBH that I'm discounting Nissan Patrols, they just don't float my boat, and in my eyes have always been a poor relation to the LandCruiser rightly or wrongly. Thanks All

I've had Campers before, I love the concept. But I'm trying to get my fleet down to one vehicle (or two). I also find that an "expedition" style vehicle is useful for day trips etc. Having a fridge is awesome, I use mine a lot. But also water (hot and cold) is great for washing off the kids after a day at the beach etc. Or being able to make a meal whilst out off-roading. I also hate having to double up on stuff, or swap it around between vehicles. Two sat-nav's. One for the daily driver, the other for the camper - I'd rather not Fridge - I did look at trailers in-depth. Including building a full blown expedition trailer. However, I'll take the reverse approach to you. I want the batteries/water/fridge etc in the vehicle, so I've got them for day-trips as above. Just use the trailer for full blown camping trips if necessary. I've already got a good road trailer, that I can/do use for camping gear. It was the time to set-up camp that made me look away from ground tents to roof-tents. Oz-tents didn't really seem the answer to the comprimise, but G-Rovers option might be the winner.

Oh - I really like that. Space to eat/sleep/live/etc. Lightweight, they claim to be 10-15mins to put up too, as opposed to the good hour it takes to put up hour current family tent. I need to see one of those in the flesh

Some great advice - especially Cal with the real world ownership perspective - that helps Disco 3. Its close, base price is a bit of a scare, but the cost of getting a rear wheel carrier and a winch bumper and rack etc would push the costs well over £20K, which is probably a step too far. I guess they are pretty complicated too. Our neighbours have one, they spend ages backing it up against the garage door because its so damn ugly. G-wagen. Again excellent vehicles, but they don't float my boat in LWB form alas. SWB soft top for summer - hell yes. Roof-lights and driving around Australia at night - who gives a damn ? This thread was for LandCruiser VS Defender for Europe. When the sun goes down its time for drinking, not driving Reads90 - I was about to call bullsh1t over that map of Aus overlayed over Europe. I like others thought it was bigger, but the map is fair, I checked a few distances. So what is all the fuss about I sat down and did some pricing of the project. Whilst the base LandCruiser and the mods I want, are pretty much what I expected. When I got to the roof, the rack, tent and awning I want will cost £2500 and weigh over 120kgs. Thats mad from a security point of view, let alone the comprimise in handling and MPG it puts on the vehicle. Maybe its time to stay with a conventional tent !!!

Adding a whole bunch of replies - 'cause I really appreciate the input Callum - I had to change over all the ancillaries on the Isuzu lump. Exhaust manifold and turbo oil pipes are evil. I think the oil pipes are still leaking. Alternator, under the A/C compressor is 'orrible. There are some tricks. I hate the way the Isuzu engine has oil and water pipes everywhere, as opposed to castings in the block. Paul - your Crusier looks really smart, and that seems like a really good price. Reads90 "I drove round Aus in a defender (25,000 miles)", and didn't you tell me it wasn't as quiet and comfortable as it could have been ? then you went a bought a whole bunch of Discos Streaky - I do like the Patrols, but like Jen says, I've got to be comfortable with the vehicle, and Patrols don't float my boat alas, whereas I've always wanted a Cruiser Dan - I'm sure gonna come and climb all over your Camel to check it out, shame I can't take it for a drive Will - "acres of dull plastic" You should take a close look at my Isuzu, anything would be an improvement - trust me. Reads90 - "I think you lot are over thinking what you need" We might not all the outback on our doorsteps, but there are plenty of adventures to be had in the Northern hemisphere. Shires members have recently found themselves in Norway, Alaska and Russia. I don't want a vehicle that will limit where I can go. Thanks for listing the contents of your garage/driveway, when I come over next, I'll test drive it all rent a Landcruiser again

Lots of great feedback - excellent GBMUD - yeah I can see the width being a problem on greenlanes, but I don't greenlane that often. In fact the last time I did it was on the plain with you Paul - I'm not spending £30K, I'm not going to cut corners, but that is a whole chunk of money. I like your Mk2 terminology. Its the Mk2 that suits me best I think. I didn't know about the bigger brakes, but ABS is a big plus. I deffo a diesel I'm after Foxminer and Daan - you are absolutley right, a Defender is a style icon. I'm just not sure I'd be happy blasting from the south coast to Scotland in one. Tim - I don't think that one is the eBlay 30K one, I thought the eBay one was a really late S-plater. I'm thinking upto £7K should get me any 92-95 pretty much. another £5K will fit it out, and that will include roof-tents and stuff which is never cheap. Jim - interesting you say you enjoying working on your 'Cruiser. Thats the thing I wanted to hear. I enjoy working on our P38a, but the engine bay of my Isuzu - there be monsters in there...... Getting an import with a spare wheel carrier will be a big plus for me - like you mentioned. I've got a lot of time for Anton and the OEC outfit, thats for sure. Eightpot - yeah that particular 110 does have too many bolt-ons for my taste. I just took a couple of pictures from the Frogs site, that were close to what I was trying to achieve. The fridge is already sorted - nice Engel Reads90 - I'm not going to do a Patrol. Alex my co-driver has one now, a 92 LWB high-top. Its rusty, and he's got to wait a week for the Nissan dealer to get him a new fuel filter. True their drivetrains might be stronger for comp trucks, but I'm planning on staying under 33" for the tyres - so it wont be an issue. More tommorrow

Okay how about a sensible debate My next vehicle will be an expedition style vehicle. I'm currently tooling around in 92 Isuzu, and I thought that would be good for the job, but I've fallen out of love with it after the engine blew, and the replacement was a PITA. I was planning to get a nice late 300TDI Defender 110CSW, one of the definitive expedition vehicles, and to kit it out, something like this TD5 from Frogs Island, but with a full external cage However, the Defender is a bit short on creature comforts for my taste, and needs a lot of time and modifications to seating, soundproofing, central-locking etc etc. By the time I've got it what I want, I've spent a whole heap of money, and I'm still going to be banging my elbow on the door every two minutes, and my central locking is going to be a kit from Maplins No other vehicle in the LR range is big enough, as I'll be travelling with my two kids, and I'm not very good at travelling light. So I was thinking about the other definitive expedition vehicle - the Toyota Landcruiser. I know there are some Landcruiser owners here, so hopefully they can enlighten me. This is what I'm thinking of, again from Frogs Island I'd be looking at a pre-95 as I want the simpler 12 valve engine, but I prefer auto given the choice. I'll buy the vehicle on condition rather than price, I've been amazed at the condition of my grey import Isuzu, so that seems like a better option than a UK car. I reckon the UK cars will have diff locks, but are likely to have higher mileages and be rustier. Although I plan on kitting it out to full blown expedition spec. Thats largely me being a poser, it probably wont get out of Europe. But if I decidde to go to Norway in winter, then it wont be the vehicle holding me back. So whats a 'Cruiser like to live with ? This will be my daily driver too. I know there are some scary prices for spares in Toyota Land, but Landies seem to need so many parts, it'll be even in the long run. I could go for a newer one, but I want to keep it DIY, and the later ones have IFS which I'm not keen on. Any comments appreciated. Andy

That is really awesome Is so nice to see a video that isn't full of bravado and testoterone Love the music too - who is it ?

I used some polycarb on MogLite. I wanted some clear panels, that were double curvature. A bit of heat sorted out the curvature. I think it was about 2mm. I bought a load of 3'x3' sheets from ebay. Its pretty easy to work with, although double curvature needs patience.

Have you had a flat/replaced battery ? Winding the windows all the way up/down a couple of times each will "set" them Not sure on the EAS faults

I bought my first Land Rover, a SIII from them many years ago. They had to replace the front dumb-irons under warranty, as they colapsed !! There was other really serious chassis rust. I was far from happy and ended up re-chassising it within 12 months of purchase. A front tyre blew on the way home from the dealers, there was a spare but no tools Things may have changed in 20 years, but of course they will never get anymore of my money.

M20 eye bolts Here Nice long threads, so you can get a decent thick washer on the back. I also like to have two nuts. Tighten the nuts to each other, but leave the eye-bolt very slightly loose in the bumper and it will swivel when necessary. There maybe other/better/cheaper suppliers, but that is what google turned up first

I've got an accurate map of the West Coast. I could do with the East coast if anyone has it West Coast Map

The teeth on that - yeah scary.....

Whats your point ????? I'm trying to design and build my dream vehicle for traveling around Europe and maybe further. Given a clean sheet, and the wealth of knowledge here - why wouldn't I choose a quiet product over a noisy one ? A quieter vehicle is a safer and more enjoyable one. I know a Defender isn't a limo, but unless its for a no-holds barred weekend warrior I can't see the point in making it worse for the sake of it. Beemer Jag or Ford - all fine cars, but I take your tone of comment as offensive

TBH - I don't remember what filter I had on it, as I sold it about four or more years ago. But I do remember that the intake noise was one of the reasons I sold it, it was that intrusive. Van Aarken had been at the pump on mine. Andy

Excellent - thanks - that makes the search pretty easy

I had this Mantec snorkel on my Camel Disco Being LHD and rear facing - it was very noisy, intake noise, rather than wind. Especially as I like driving with the window open. I'm currently planing the build of a Defender, again a 300TDI, will a Safari Snorkel be noisy ? Thanks