300TDi Overland build

[AfricanAustralian]

Hey guys,


In two years, my partner and I are looking to fly over to South Africa from Australia, buy a LRD1 manual 300TDi (TD5 also on the cards but prefer a Disco 1) and fully kit it out for Overlanding the southern African countries for an estimated 2 years.


We’ll have a budget of about R150k-R170k for our build which includes initial repairs there will inevitably be, the fit-out (bull bar, roof rack aux battery, 2-inch lift + suspension upgrade ext) and an added R50k for repairs, and maintenance over the two years.

I’ve been looking at used cars in SA for the last…3 years and there’s a laundry list of reasons why we settled on the idea of a Disco 1 over the smarter choice of a Landcruiser (I won’t go fully into it but if someone wants our reasons I’ll happily share). I have family in the Limpopo, and we’ll be able to work on it there for the easier stuff but when it comes to bigger jobs like head gasket and clutch I’d probably take it to a mechanic.


My hopes are to find a 300Tdi (manual) between R40k-R60k (R70k with history) 2~300k km Ideally with the heads/clutch recently replaced (wishful thinking I know). I know the common issues to look out for with the 300tdi (head gasket, cam belt, rust, rust, rust, and more rust) and we will be paying to have it professionally inspected before we decide to buy but I’d like to know:


- What other issues do you recommend we look out for?

- What major issues would make you walk away instantly from an inspection?
- If you just bought a LDR1 how much would budget for initial repair?
- What are things you would replace to try and make the Disco more reliable?

- What mods would you suggest (for example we might be driving through Namibia mid-summer, would replacing the cooling system be a priority)?
- How doable do you think this undertaking will be with our budget?


I know a lot of this is speculative and highly depends on the previous owner’s ability to take care of a vehicle, I’m just trying to be as prepared as I possibly can.

[Johan Engelbrecht]

My recommendation would be to spend your energy before the trip on planning the actual trip, not building a vehicle. Your budget seems fair to get a working, running 4x4, perhaps just not a landy.

[RossJ]

i am starting with the assumption that you may not have much experience with the D1 300 tdi

they have the power of a dead duck - so highway cruising speed is an issue

the head gasket isn't an issue - if it needs one it has overheated - and that's a BIG problem

rust should be a non issue for a sa vehicle

your planned spend sounds like more than enough to end up with a well sorted vehicle

i am going to repeat my lack of power warning as it can be an issue if you aren't used to it

plenty of help on this forum though

[worldofinflation]

I've never felt that I've needed more power in my 300tdi Defender but perhaps the Discoveries are heavier? You shouldn't be going over 100km/h anyways...

If cruising speed is an issue, it might be worth the US $2k to invest in a Romerdrive from Canada. http://roamerdrive.com/

[AfricanAustralian]

Speed and power I don't care that much about, we won't be actively seeking 4x4 trails but do anticipate a fair bit of it. Getting stuck and slow cruising speed is all apart of the journey.

[worldofinflation]

Honestly, if you have two years, just go. With that amount of time, you already have more wealth than 90% of "overlanders".

You'll be able to fix your broken-down 300tdi anywhere in Southern / East Africa, and you'll create some wonderful memories along the way.

[thujack]

We bought a 1996 300Tdi defender blindly (took a chance). I realise this could have ended badly but thankfully it did not.
Replaced the cam belt, all the oils/fluids and the clutch and we have not looked back - other than an oil leak.
Not the most powerful but more than adequate on the gravel and regional roads. We have loved every trip we have done so far.

[heyyahhey]

Absolutely love our '97 300tdi. Heading out Monday for three weeks in Namibia and Bots. Sorted out a number of issues the previous owner had neglected, and it's been fantastic ever since - and as others have mentioned - when it does break, it can be fixed most anywhere. Interestingly, when we bought it, it was slow - for a defender. There were some issues with the timing and throttle which were sorted out at LRExtreme - made at least a 20% difference. No, it is still by no means fast. But it will go uphill in 5th. Didn't used to do that :-)

[AfricanAustralian]

Absolutely love our '97 300tdi. Heading out Monday for three weeks in Namibia and Bots. Sorted out a number of issues the previous owner had neglected, and it's been fantastic ever since - and as others have mentioned - when it does break, it can be fixed most anywhere. Interestingly, when we bought it, it was slow - for a defender. There were some issues with the timing and throttle which were sorted out at LRExtreme - made at least a 20% difference. No, it is still by no means fast. But it will go uphill in 5th. Didn't used to do that :-)

Awesome to hear! how much did you buy it for and how much have you spent on it? (if you don't mind me asking)

Enjoy Namib/Bots!

[heyyahhey]

Awesome to hear! how much did you buy it for and how much have you spent on it? (if you don't mind me asking)

Enjoy Namib/Bots!

100k purchase, about 60k in major upgrades and repairs.