OK - had a look but can't make everything out as the diagrams in the manuals don't match what's under the bonnet. Have worked some out and made some notes. Need to read more and go back again and have a look. Silly question - wondered as we need to know every inch of the vehicle - and so we...

GDowg probably long gone by now and in France - (lucky s*d!). T Sheppard books no longer on print and have seen copies going at around £100. Not willing to pay so much. Kicking myself a bit as saw a copy at one of the LR centres recently but didn't buy. Teriann's site interesting - thanks...

There you go - chemical metal and threaded rod - have gained a bit more knowledge already & Landyman's site is really good - a catchy read as well as useful! Right, well -got Hillier's book today, have been reading Haynes - ready to start looking under bonnet over weekend and will report back...

Chemical metal and threaded rod looks like and is used for?

Thank you for the very practical and down to earth advice - all makes very good sense - from the basic every day gaffer tape & bodge to the 'only bring what you can fix' to the tools, fuses, bulbs & doubling up & minimising etc. Many of the things/bits mentioned are alien to us (T2Man - can tell...

Can anyone advise what their most common issues/sensitivities have been when doing an expedition? What did you find failed or raised a problem the most with vehicle? What to look out for. Have seen lists of 'spares and equipment' that people bring (all goes right over our heads) and list seems...

DD - Your're right about the slittie but you'll see we defended the defender in our response - which we hope we'll never live to regret! Even Graham at Drive-to-Oz admits a bit of a secret aching passion for LR.

If anyone interested in considering 'which vehicle' - have just posted some useful correspondance from Drive to Oz - From Croydon to Cairns - team (2 adults, 3 children) currently in Laos using Toyota Land Cruiser team and ourselves - using Land Rover Defender to our website diary (blog) at...

Trek Overland came through for us. 8 week delivery. Costs £165 + VAT - for the replacement canvas - very cheap considering. Ordering from SA (Howling Moon) to UK. Just need to work out how to replace now. Trek say they can do as a best endeavour.

www.a2b.uk.net Pete Sinclair and his family including 3 children and their Land Rover CSW who journeyed though Europe, Middle East, Africa to Cape Town in 2002. What is really special about the Sinclair family is their daughter Poppy - aged 8 at the time - an insulin dependant diabetic since 2...

Have been in touch occassionally with Andrew Louden of 2K2C.net for some time. He is also a link on 'fellow travellers' section on our website. Nearly bought his Howling Moon family tourer 2.4x2.4 tent off him initially but he was asking more than we were prepared to pay at the time. Must have...

Might need to take you up on that offer with your compnay but will wait a few more days to see if Trek Overland come through for us- haven't heard anything from them as yet. Thanks.

Aha! The famous Oz Tent! Where have you been, what did you do with Oz Tent so far? Have you managed a mini trip as yet? We've just got back from Spain (cheated by flying as only had 5 days) but did a bit of reconnaisance in Tarragona - fantastic place. Stayed out in the back of beyond in a tiny...

How much did you spend? We have the Jurgens Xplorer now but haven't done anything with it as yet (all this rain!). Needs a new roof - still waterproof but canvas badly stained and damaged. A company in Netherlands pointed us to Trek Overland as Howling Moon apparently manuafacture the rip stop...

Wow! That's what you call an expedition - Siberia bbbbrrrrrrrrrrrgh!!!!!!!sounds cold

Well it's been pourin' with rain here in Cambridgeshire so I was too chicken to go out and get wet. Just to clarify - have a 2.5 300TDi and have had no problems previously and nothing has changed. Was doing 70mph no problem. The only thing we did different was to tow a small trailer - ever since...

Don't know - all was well until noticed LR Defender CSW starting to struggle. Can only drive in 4th or 5th gear and really struggles (with foot down flat on accelerator) if left in lower gear. Highest I can get is 55mphLearner drivers, lorries, milkfloats - all starting to pass me. Queues...

Updates have been posted at last if anyone interested

DD - would like to see photos of the conversion you did for the kids - any available? - you did a sketch but the real thing would be great to see!

T2Man - Thought you'd be pleased and I know from your advice in the past (and others - Reads, Griffdowg, Anthony) you've been trying to steer us towards something outside of just the vehicle (despite our constant refusals and thoughts otherwise). We have Anthony on this thread to thank for...