Posted by Lawrance Lee on September 25, 19101 at 10:57:09:
In Reply to: Expedition OZ posted by David Langford on September 19, 19101 at 18:17:50:
G'day Dave,
So I'd like to see how you can drive across the ocean to Australia! There is a need for a very very long snorkel! :)
Seriously though, one of the biggest limiting factor of an expedition style trip is the touring range of the vehicle, when laden with all the equipment and belongings that you are going to be bring along with you.
So if you had to carry extra fuel in jerry cans, they shouldn't be taking up all the interior space of your vehicle. The best way of avoiding this problem of carrying extra fuel is to get a vehicle with very good mileage. The Land Rover four cylinder turbo charged engine, TDi, would be a great engine for such an expedition. While it's no V8 killer, it will give you a very good range between fills. So the interior of your Land Rover can be better utilised for carrying other stuff.
I recently did a trip across the Simpson Desert in my Discovery V8, and I had to carry 6 x 20 litre jerry cans filled to the brim with petrol. I had to remove my back seat to carry the fuel and it too up just so much space, not to mention the occasional fumes that would come through the filler necks. Smokers need not apply! :)
The TDi series 300 engine is pretty good, but you need to make sure that the timing belt has been correctly replaced to avoid premature breakage. Expect around 9-10 litres of diesel per 100kms which is pretty good in anyone's language.
Hope this helps.
Lawrance Lee
Melbourne, Australia