Mongolia 2015

So me and a friend are planning on an expedition to Mongolia in summer 2015, he is a medical student and has to do 6 weeks working abroad as part of his course, and so we decided to make it a full experience by driving there

We're just starting the planning process and plan on a southern route, through europe, turkey, iran, the stans, china and into mongolia, around 10,000 miles there

We were inspired by the mongolia rally, but due to the extra cost we are choosing not to take part in the official rally. I of course plan to use a landy, but we might go with the rally sprirt and use a cheap (crap) car, drive it there and then leave it there, donatong it to charity. If a landy, ill drive it back of course while he's doing his elective.

So weve got plenty of time to plan and get things sorted and save up some money

My current thoughts of vehicle are either my RRC back home, stick a diesel engine in it as its currently engineless. Or buy a 110 or 130 but ill look into this. a 110 or 130 may be best but means extra cost, and tbh itll probably cost quite alot to do anyway, whereas I already have the RRC so that saves abit

Current musts are long range tank, fridge, some kind of tent(probably roof) and the rest.

I will most probably sort the vehicle and my mate will sort visas, paperwork etc but we'll of course help each other out.

Anyway, any advice on route, visas, passage etc is more than welcome but im looking forward to it already

My mate agrees with the landy option so its a go ahead.

My current plan is rebuild a 300 tdi I have in the garage and put it in the RR with probably a R380 and HD clutch as I like manual, even though autos are rather reliable it adds another thing to go wrong.

The RR is free of rust chassis wise and only needs some attention to a few body mounts to get it 100%. Plus the interior is lorvely even though the back half will be gutted for storage.

So unless I find a good 110 or 130 this is the current plan

Just have to be in the country to start working on it

200tdi ayre said:

My mate agrees with the landy option so its a go ahead.

My current plan is rebuild a 300 tdi I have in the garage and put it in the RR with probably a R380 and HD clutch as I like manual, even though autos are rather reliable it adds another thing to go wrong.

The RR is free of rust chassis wise and only needs some attention to a few body mounts to get it 100%. Plus the interior is lorvely even though the back half will be gutted for storage.

So unless I find a good 110 or 130 this is the current plan

Just have to be in the country to start working on it

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The RRC is just as capable as a 110, I am planning to do something similar with my classic so keep us up to date with your progress or PM if you want to exchange ideas

cartoonhead said:

The RRC is just as capable as a 110, I am planning to do something similar with my classic so keep us up to date with your progress or PM if you want to exchange ideas

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The benefit of a 110 is its inherent boxyness is good for storage, but im more than happy to use the comfort of the RRC

200tdi ayre said:

The benefit of a 110 is its inherent boxyness is good for storage, but im more than happy to use the comfort of the RRC

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Don't worry about all that, if you take the classic then that helps me justify my own decision to use a classic instead of a defender

Does your boge self levelling unit still work? They are great bits of kit for over landing, you can have nice soft comfy springs but she still sits at standard height even when fully laden

cartoonhead said:

Don't worry about all that, if you take the classic then that helps me justify my own decision to use a classic instead of a defender

Does your boge self levelling unit still work? They are great bits of kit for over landing, you can have nice soft comfy springs but she still sits at standard height even when fully laden

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No

But I thought about getting it working for that very reason, want to stay away from HD springs as much as possible.

Want to leave the suspention standard but possibly a body lift to be able to fit slightly larger tyres

Haha the comfort side is a massive bonus. And if I can get the heater working finally she'll be awesome with air con 1,000,000X better than a 90 for overlanding

My mate is talking to some guys regarding route and im working out what im doing with the vehicle so we're getting ready over a year in advance

200tdi ayre said:

No

But I thought about getting it working for that very reason, want to stay away from HD springs as much as possible.

Want to leave the suspention standard but possibly a body lift to be able to fit slightly larger tyres

Haha the comfort side is a massive bonus. And if I can get the heater working finally she'll be awesome with air con 1,000,000X better than a 90 for overlanding

My mate is talking to some guys regarding route and im working out what im doing with the vehicle so we're getting ready over a year in advance

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Ah shame

I was thinking I will probably go for a medium duty 2 inch lift, keep the self leveller with a 2 inch spacer and then fit a x-eng anti roll bar, they are awesome bits of kit they engage/disengage electronically so you get the better handling on road and then at the flick of a switch you can have all your articulation back for off road

cartoonhead said:

Ah shame

I was thinking I will probably go for a medium duty 2 inch lift, keep the self leveller with a 2 inch spacer and then fit a x-eng anti roll bar, they are awesome bits of kit they engage/disengage electronically so you get the better handling on road and then at the flick of a switch you can have all your articulation back for off road

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Aahh theyre electronic now thats alot easier ! I only knew them as a freewheeling hub type arrangement

I woyld consider a 2" lift but its going to be 20000 miles probably and landrover spent millions designing the suspention, id like it to last me

Uprated shocks of course though

I know that you cannot drive a forigen retested vevicle in china , it must be registered locally and carry it's Chinese number plates ,
Also having driven in china it's a war zone on the roads , no reason to it but it seems to be who is in front has right of way unless what you drive is bigger , cars have right of way over pedestrians , and pavements are only for parking on ,
My wife is Chinese if you need any documents translated , good luck I am jealous ,
P.s. Check rally tours .co.nz. They do Beijing to London escorted trips

mewl20004 said:

I know that you cannot drive a forigen retested vevicle in china , it must be registered locally and carry it's Chinese number plates ,
Also having driven in china it's a war zone on the roads , no reason to it but it seems to be who is in front has right of way unless what you drive is bigger , cars have right of way over pedestrians , and pavements are only for parking on ,
My wife is Chinese if you need any documents translated , good luck I am jealous ,
P.s. Check rally tours .co.nz. They do Beijing to London escorted trips

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Yep my first thought was that china is going to be a pain, we may go via russia if that makes it easier although china would be preety cool

We kinda want to do it our own way at our own pace, hence not going with a tour company, but partly cost is to this aswell.

It helps that we're planning so far in advance so we can get visas and stuff sorted in plenty of time and I plan a test expedition to europe to prove the vehicle

Cant wait !!

Another small point . You can't tow a trailer in china ! There are no. Camp sites

mewl20004 said:

Another small point . You can't tow a trailer in china ! There are no. Camp sites

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China is a PITA haha

I was planning on single vehicle, roof tent etc anyway didnt want to be worrying about a trailer all the way too

Camp sites dont bother me, proper roughing it camping would be half of the experience, thats how its done here

Wild camping in china is dangerous , and you will need a hotel resavation for the visa , maybe Russia is best but you will need to get the weather window right , try asking google maps for directions ! Lol

mewl20004 said:

Wild camping in china is dangerous , and you will need a hotel resavation for the visa , maybe Russia is best but you will need to get the weather window right , try asking google maps for directions ! Lol

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Haha tried it, said could not calculate route .... filling with confidence that one ..

Im thinking russia too TBH, it will be summer so at least not -40

No it will be + 40 instead

mewl20004 said:

No it will be + 40 instead

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I work in 48 degrees here, including gas axing and welding, I can handle it

Hello mate,

Great Idea, I just got back from my 6 week medical elective in Nepal. I shipped my Landy out there.

I assume you'll need a carnet for the countries your going to. I've put a thread up about shipping a landy abroad which has a section on carnet's you might find useful.

Which med school is your friend at?

Good luck.

payydg said:

Hello mate,

Great Idea, I just got back from my 6 week medical elective in Nepal. I shipped my Landy out there.

I assume you'll need a carnet for the countries your going to. I've put a thread up about shipping a landy abroad which has a section on carnet's you might find useful.

Which med school is your friend at?

Good luck.

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Yeah I think I need one but it looks like only for iran on our current route

Probably driving back too instead of shipping as mongolia is preety far from a good docks, plus I can drive back via a different route taking in more of northern Europe. Just adds cost and complexity

My mates at Newcastle. 3rd year I think

So wheres the rangy build thread?! I need inspiration!

Fitted my roof rack today, I am planning to sleep in the back of the car as it is going to be extremely cold where I am planning to go, I assume you will be kitting the car out for storage and sleeping in a roof tent?

cartoonhead said:

So wheres the rangy build thread?! I need inspiration!

Fitted my roof rack today, I am planning to sleep in the back of the car as it is going to be extremely cold where I am planning to go, I assume you will be kitting the car out for storage and sleeping in a roof tent?

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Seeing as im 12000 miles away from it, the build will have to wait

Build starts this autum ish whenever I return shouldnt take too long, just gotta add engine, gearbox, stroage tent etc

Yeah roof tent, inside for storage. Got some good ideas to put in place too, have to see if they work though