Buying in the UK

[varova87]

Found a connection in Uganda who has imported multiple rovers from his stomping grounds in the Uk. He told me if I'll find a reliable vehicle and get it to his port of choice, his clearing agents will handle the rest for me. Right now our budget for a vehicle is about $14k.

Without knowing the exact cost of shipping yet, can someone tell me if I can get a decent D1 within that range?

Second, point me to a reputable person or company that can find one and get it to a dock for me.

 

[varova87]

Looks like they're going for a song on UK eBay, now to find a contact that can find me a good one.

Did all d1s come with the 300? If not, what year was the switch?

 

[mgreenspan]

http://www.algysautos.com/landrover_mainpage.html Japanese imports so not of dodgy quality(rust). I haven't bought through this guy but if you're after a DI it might be your best bet. I believe the 200tdi was on the outs in 1993. http://www.rjlandrovers.co.uk/ These guys often had pretty decent Discos on their lot. I bought parts off them and was pleased but can't really vouch for their work or used vehicles. They only have Td5 DIIs on there now.

 

[kzack]

Isn't 1989 the first model year of the disco ? If so, you may have troubles with importation and registration.

Why not find a clean NAS disco and put a 300tdi in it if that's what you're looking for. Could be done for $14k complete I would guess.

Keith

 

[Tugela]

Check Simmonites and Foley Overland. Both of these companies buy used Rovers at auction, Ministry of Defence, from private sellers, etc. and refurbish them for resale and overland travel. They can also build trucks to your specs. So for example, you could call up and say you have X pounds to spend, want a D1 with 300 Tdi and heavy duty suspension, roof rack, 7 seats and mud tires, and they can put it together. You might see something they have in stock that fits the bill, too.

Look also in the classified section of Land Rover Monthly, there are some pretty sweet overland equipped Discos in there from time to time at reasonably cheap prices.

 

[p m]

Isn't 1989 the first model year of the disco ? If so, you may have troubles with importation and registration.

Why not find a clean NAS disco and put a 300tdi in it if that's what you're looking for. Could be done for $14k complete I would guess.

Keith

He's in Africa, if I am not mistaken. NAS wisdom does not apply.

 

[crown14]

The last year for the 200TDI was 94 I believe

 

[kzack]

He's in Africa, if I am not mistaken. NAS wisdom does not apply.

My bad. I was only looking at his profile location.

 

[varova87]

Yeah sorry, this one is going to Uganda.

I'll look up the guys mentioned and start sending some feeler emails. Don't need it till the fall so time is on our side. Definitely not going the swap route, will look for one directly from the UK.

 

[Tugela]

Here's an example from Foley Specialist Vehicles (it's a TD5, not a300Tdi, but it will give you an idea of what they offer):

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><tr><td width="15">
</td> <td align="left" valign="top"> 2001 Y LAND ROVER DISCOVERY ES TD5 Td5 ES Auto 5 Door 4x4

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top">

• Blue
• 109,000 Miles
• PRICE - £6,950 ($10,786 at today's exchange rate)

</td> <td align="right" valign="top">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Fitted with Heavy duty ARB Bull Bar and Bumper, WARN Winch, Split Charge, Webasto Heater, Alloy Roof Rack, Extra Large fuel tank, Steering Guard, Rock Sliders, Comes with Full Service History, 1 Owner, Central Locking, Electric Windows, Sunroof, Electric Mirrors, ABS, Traction Control, Front and rear Air Con, Power Steering, Drivers Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Alarm, Immobiliser, Full Leather Interior, Alloy Wheels, Please call for full details on this vehicles...01279 793500

And this one, that recently sold:

1996 P LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 300 Tdi Overland 5 Door 4x4

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td valign="top">

• Green
• Full Service History
• HPI Checked
• 100,500 Miles
• PRICE - SOLD

</td> <td align="right" valign="top">
</td> </tr> </tbody></table> Air Con, Roof tent, Brownchurch Roof rack, Rear ladder, Engel Fridge, Radio CD, 2 spare wheels, 4 New BT Goodrich AT tyres, 2 Jerry cans, Rear boot space shelved for storage, Dog guard, Side steps, Heavy duty front bumper, Front and rear diff guards, Fire Exstinguisher, Dual battery split charge, Floor safe, New CAMBELT, Fully serviced, this vehicle is a great rust free vehicle ideal for an Overland vehicle, please call for more details 01279 793500

</td></tr></tr></tbody></table>

 

[Ballah06]

Any particular reason (not sure if you have already mentioned it someplace else) why you are sticking with a LR platform as opposed to a LC or something else?


A few years back we had some pretty nice manual, diesel LCs in Afreeka, 2005 model IIRC and they did great in the bush. Of course those new probably ran a bit more than $14k USD, but having used LCs (various models and levels of prior abuse) in various overseas locations, they seemed to take a major beeting and keep on going with only minor fixes. Parts could be obtained locally as well.

 

[Tugela]

Comrade, this question was discussed in a separate thread. Josh was looking at vehicles locally and if I remember the discussion some locals were trying to talk him out of a Landy. He was also looking at a 74 or 76 series Cruiser, which I encouraged because those 1HZ diesel engines can basically run forever on crude pumped straight from the ground while the high sulfur content of most African diesel reduces the durability of newer injection systems.

I, too, spent lots of time in leaf-sprung Cruisers in Africa and despite their best efforts to re-align my spinal column I survived and grew to love them. I think that a locally-sourced 1HZ 76 Series or a Troopy with OME springs (they do leafs as well) would be the ticket, but a 300 Tdi Rover is not a bad choice, either. The Cruiser will probably cost more than the Rover up front, but in terms of long term operational costs my sense is the Cruiser will be more economical. If Josh already knows how to work on a Disco (minus the 300 Tdi) then there is something to be said for the familiarity of the Rover, but it's not like Cruisers are any more complex.

 

[Ballah06]

Comrade, this question was discussed in a separate thread. Josh was looking at vehicles locally and if I remember the discussion some locals were trying to talk him out of a Landy. He was also looking at a 74 or 76 series Cruiser, which I encouraged because those 1HZ diesel engines can basically run forever on crude pumped straight from the ground while the high sulfur content of most African diesel reduces the durability of newer injection systems.

I, too, spent lots of time in leaf-sprung Cruisers in Africa and despite their best efforts to re-align my spinal column I survived and grew to love them. I think that a locally-sourced 1HZ 76 Series or a Troopy with OME springs (they do leafs as well) would be the ticket, but a 300 Tdi Rover is not a bad choice, either. The Cruiser will probably cost more than the Rover up front, but in terms of long term operational costs my sense is the Cruiser will be more economical. If Josh already knows how to work on a Disco (minus the 300 Tdi) then there is something to be said for the familiarity of the Rover, but it's not like Cruisers are any more complex.

Good deal. I do remember previous vehicle discussions on this particular topic, just couldn't recall the specific reasons to go with a LR. Just curious.
Those washboard roads out in the bush definitely rattle you if you are going more than a few miles an hour. Constant dodging of craters, as well as stopping for various "obstacles" or to simply figure out where the hell the road went. Good times...
Think we need to get an overseas "offroad" pic thread started.

 

[varova87]

Any particular reason (not sure if you have already mentioned it someplace else) why you are sticking with a LR platform as opposed to a LC or something else?

I should clarify that the rover is a personal vehicle. When I said "our" budget, I should have said "my." Our organization plans to purchase an LC, LC pickup, or Hilux for our in-country vehicle. I'm still shopping for that one there. Trying to find a good coil-sprung 80 series with the 1HD motor.

I, too, spent lots of time in leaf-sprung Cruisers in Africa and despite their best efforts to re-align my spinal column I survived and grew to love them.

I refuse to do leafs now. That 70 series has beaten me to death, despite my best efforts of replacing the driver's seat, bushings, etc. I wasn't going to go any deeper than those things because it isn't mine.

I know very little about the D1 in relation to most on this board, but I'm even less familier with LCs. Regardless, having the D1 as a personal vehicle will give me time to source parts when (not if) needed and bring some quality american-made stuff over in a container and show it off around Uganda:bigok:

 

[Tugela]

Cool. Then one of those 300 Tdi Discos with all the overland crap might actually be useful to you. When you come back to the States you can strip all the good parts and accessories off, pull the engine and all its bits, pack it up in your container, and you'll be ready to do a diesel conversion on a rust-free donor truck when you get home.

 

[varova87]

Cool. Then one of those 300 Tdi Discos with all the overland crap might actually be useful to you. When you come back to the States you can strip all the good parts and accessories off, pull the engine and all its bits, pack it up in your container, and you'll be ready to do a diesel conversion on a rust-free donor truck when you get home.

Actually, I want to buy one sans all of the overland junk. I want to find a good, clean TDI from the UK free from modification and get it into Uganda. The more add-ons to your vehicle when shipping (roll on roll off), the better chance it goes missing. In the container from the US, throw a good RTE suspension, bumpers, and some wheels in. Tires can be bought fairly reasonable in Kampala.

The one thing both trucks will get is some decent LED lighting. Going with them over anything else for power consumption, durability, and low-profile. Out of all the modifications to a 4x4 in Africa, lighting is, in my opinion, the most important. Africans drive honda accords down roads half the expo guys couldn't do in a jeep, but when those dark jokers are walking along the roads at night, I'm terrified of killing someone.

 

[Timmy!!!!!!!]

but when those dark jokers are walking along the roads at night, I'm terrified of killing someone.

:smilelol: Sounds like a normal night for me in New Orleans.. The Chocolate City

 

[Tugela]

I'm terrified of killing someone.

Or someone's chicken, goat, etc. I've had a few close scrapes coming around blind corners and narrowly avoiding cows sitting in the road. Scary. At least a person will usually try to jump out of the way. You're totally right about lighting. When you're rolling down the road at night having stadium lighting also encourages the matatus to get back on their side of the road.

 

[varova87]

When you're rolling down the road at night having stadium lighting also encourages the matatus to get back on their side of the road.

Ha, nice to have someone on the board who knows what my life is like. Damn crazy drivers...

 

[Ballah06]

Or someone's chicken, goat, etc. I've had a few close scrapes coming around blind corners and narrowly avoiding cows sitting in the road. Scary. At least a person will usually try to jump out of the way. You're totally right about lighting. When you're rolling down the road at night having stadium lighting also encourages the matatus to get back on their side of the road.

Haha, no joke. Somehow driving on a desolate road in the bush for hours, encountering an oncoming big jingle truck on blind curves, driving in an opposite direction (in the middle of the road) never failed. Same went with broken down vehicles in most unsuitable places. Not too many encounters with the cattle; think they ate all of them before I got there.