UK to OZ - Vehicle Familiarisation

…….Immediate list (except 1 day initiation into off-roading course - not purchasing anything else just yet - but very easily tempted - but wise enough to know I need time to be persuaded by you lot otherwise):
1) Aircon fitted to roof option so as not to interfere with vehicle efficiency as T2M proposed - am going to investigate costs/options/how to fit from website links provided.
2) 3 x High back seats to replace bench seats behind driver - T2M, have taken on board option to leave out middle to fit the fridge - but think that having 3 seats to start won't be such a loss as can remove middle if needed once decided final fridge location.
3) Fridge
4) Internal grilles - security from pilfering
5) Still thinking about how to cover windows - to keep children/equipment from prying eyes when not wanted. T2M, will look at Ray Ban film you spoke about and do some research.
6) Roof tent - pending further investigation
7) Cooking facility - pending further investigation
8) Vehicle Security - have immobiliser, want steering lock, need additional - have heard about locking pedals
9) Wheels - have alloy BFG wheels currently - pending further investigation
Is my list looking sensible and not overspecced so far? More follows on separate message…..

……T2M, in answer to are we emigrating to OZ? - not sure really - as I mentioned before - destination is an end point for us to regroup - however, we also have a use it or lose it opportunity with work visas we are hoping to obtain. We are very mindful of growing children and eldest would not be far off secondary education. Destination and heat and work and children all considerations - Would like flexibility really to see how it goes. Maybe we will be really homesick and miss family/hate travelling etc. maybe not but trying to be realistic. Plan is to keep property in UK and rent out so we are not burning our bridges/breeches so to speak. Am aware of carnet definately need more info on discharging and import duty/other options etc. Will pick up later by PM. Not overly concerned right now about it as much as on vehicle prep at this stage. Thanks all - hope your're not getting fed up with me already - tough anyhow - I plan to stay! All or nothing me - like the love for my Landy - please don't ask me to seek divorce!

cassie heres the plan for my 110 ill be posting the rest on galleries at some point kids are quite small im planning to put beds one above the other in back with the top one folding up against storage units ive got drawings for this but im at work at the minute so cant post them

DD - Clever clogs - I like the idea. Am going to have a better look at CSW over weekend. Essentially though - say, if I secure back of CSW internally e.g. grilles inside and blackout windows - I could achieve the same thing/similar? Hads thought about a roof tent but like the idea of having to walk through tent to get to vehicle with kids sleeping inside. Wondered about the need for ground clearance though for our trip - i.e. roof tent. Generally tends to be recommended for Africa but due to route through to Oz, we could need clearance. Vehicle fit out aside - anyone have personal experience re: roof tents or preferences from experience?

4x4 indoor show at Donnington on Sunday, great show for vehicle prep for long trips.
Might give more ideas than problems solved though lol :-0

If you are determined to use a 110 csw (i won't argue, i love mine)
The mantec site is good for expedition stuff.

www.mantec.co.uk

I really like the racking in the back.

Thanks - will check out Mantec

taking an evening class in vehicle maintanacs might be worth a shot if your not mecanically mind or want to improve skills

I think you are going to have problems with sleeping the kids inside a 110 as you are going to have to unload the rear compartment evry time you make camp . You will need a load barrier behind second row seats for safety reasons (load moving forward under heavy braking or accident) as clothing, spares,tools, water, recovery gear, food, cooking equipment,fridge, for four will fill up rear load area. This is allowing for transporting tentage, empty jerry cans, spare wheel (one) on roof rack. This will need to be stored inside tent at night with you and partner otherwise it wont be there in morning in some places. JMHO

i partly agree these issues can mostly be worked out
1 storage inside can be contained on sides in units which can be made with basic woodwork skills bunks slot in a night and laid on floor day time
or with a bit thought plywood bunks could be used as loadbarrier
2 roof rack can have side heightened couple o extra bits a metal stick yer tent on top o luggage id welld mesh on sides o it
also have u considered a small trailer (and a big chain)same again get a blacksmith to encloes it in mesh
ps think yer best option for window grills is to put them on the outside so there seem best deterant and you can clean them with a hose or jetwash

im makinr racks similar to these for the rear of mine on both sides secures 2 windows as well on a csw
http://www.van-guard.co.uk/acatalog/pigeon-hole.jpg

Cheers for the input - am going to take all info away and have a long hard think about all the points mentioned and look in better detail at weblinks provided. "I'll be back!" shortly on these. Am chewing the cud re: external versus internal grilles meantime:
External - visual deterrent but hard to clean windows (though this could be a good thing - the dirtier - the harder it will be for prying eyes to see through. Also would protect windows from being smashed unneccesarily.
Internal - less conspicuous, can clean windows and keep vehicle prettified - BUT not at all important for the type of journey we're planning. In addition - internally fitted means could also be more restricted internally with fit out of vehicle - if I need to board/fit or secure anything against vehicle walls internally. Seems that external grilles would be better all round? Just want to be sure. Had a look at Mantec website and the internal grilles for example - not cheap - don't want to make any expensive mistakes. Any idea where I can have a look at external examples and prices? Thanks.

Thought it was good advise re: security grill behind 2nd seats - up till now I thought just for keeping dogs out of main seating areas or to keep contents of back of vehicle secure - didn't think about the purpose it serves re: rear load being thrown forward - jerry cans/spare wheel/bedding/fridge/cuddly toy etc. during emergenecy breaks etc. - specially with children. Thanks for that!

Was veering 'off and on' about fridge between seats idea but - now you've mentioned load barrier and compromised rear access while travelling - puts a completely different slant on things. Like the idea also re: fold up grill on front windscreen. Take it you leave attached to front bonnet -flat on vehicle. Can you/anyone advise where I can obtain materials and how I could go about making? Or do I need to know a bit about soldering etc.? Any photo examples really welcomed unless someone knows if such external grilles can be purchased. Looking at internal - thought these a bit pricey - not about cost really rather than controlling it - know I need to spend a tidy sum overall on fit out but can see could quite easily get carried away and spend a small fortune. Meantime am just dying to simply "buy" something but am being patient - but it's "killing me". My thoughts on seating meantime are now as follows:
Part of reason why veering 'on and off' fridge in betweeb seats was cos, I did like the idea of reclining seats - if children want to sleep while on the move - but I now realise that this is not feasible with load barrier. Also think recliner kit designed for 3 seats so middle section would definately compromise fridge/seat config. So, 2 x basic high back seats for children - one either side starting to look very favourable. Could look instead at the type of child seats - some come with recline options without comprising seat belts/safety of child. Fridge in middle means one less thing to think about in kitting out/storage terms in rear of vehicle.
You are right - lots to think about - just those little details make such huge differences/results. Feel glad I got something right - i.e taking plenty time and sheer reality of just how important it is re: vehicle prep. Huge thanks for tips so far - really grateful.

fyi
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f15/anyone-used-these-split-charge-systems-43935-2.html

Ta! Very interesting - more to think about! Can see I am I going to be flooding this forum with questions

Major set-back. Measured 110 yesterday to find approx 1.2m in length at the back along bench seats. Daughter is 1.2m now - so impossible to consider children sleeping in vehicle by time of trip in April 2010. Not feasible at all.
Looks like external sleeping in tent for all of us.

have you considered a decent offroad trailer? you can then have a rooftop tent on the landy and one on the trailer.