Spares for trip

[Wilfred Moore]

Hi,

I am planning a trip to Kenya for June/July this year . My vehicle is a 1999 Patrol 4500 GRX with 180000 on the clock.

I am looking for inputs on spares to take with, other than the normal radiator hoses, fan belts, petrol filter.

Your inputs will be appreciated and of course where I can buy these spares.

Wilfred

[JG Shields]

Wilfred, as jy al die "bekende" onderdele saamvat, dan's dit moeilik vir enige iemand om nog iets by te voeg as hulle nie jou lysie gesien het nie. Tensy iemand vorendag kom met 'n onderdeel op jou model voertuig wat hy weet gereeld moeilikheid gee, en in alle eerlikheid dink ek nie dis iets waarvan die 4.5 petrol sommer beskuldig kan word nie. Ek sou se dat so 'n trip se "voertuig onderhoud" beplanning oa rondom die volgende punte sal draai:

1. Die bekende onderdele waarvan jy praat.
2. 'n Behoorlike handleiding wat jou min of meer alles wat gedoen moet word as iets breek sal help om dit te kan doen. Max Ellery is nie sleg nie.
3. 'n Behoorlik toegeruste gereedskap kas wat die ysters en die elektrics se probleme sal kan fix. Dis nogal 'n bek vol)
4. Hopelik iemand in die konfooi met bewese tegniese ervaring van voertuig herstel en onderhoud.
5. Navorsing oor Nissan handelaars/kenners in die algemene rigting van jou roete.
6. 'n Sateliet telefoon indien jy buite selfoon bereik gaan ry.

Sterkte! Dit klink opwindend en JALOERS. Hou asb mooi rekords en hou ons op hoogte. Ons gaan dalk agterna by jou kom kers opsteek.

[Saltman]

Hi Wilfred

We did a trip from Cape Town to just inside Kenya and back during the June-July 2008 school holidays plus 1 week.

I can share some salient thoughts if you are interested, I still need to finish my trip report ...

I made a point of confirming the availability of petrol as I was driving a diesel at the time. Depending on your route, there were areas in northern Zambia where unleaded was not that freely available. Depending on your reach, it might mean carting extra fuel with you.
Average speeds are NOT RSA speeds - tar road averages are closer to 70 km/h (anything above that then you were either speeding or putting someones life in danger)
Make sure your brake pads are fairly new or pretty thick befor you depart. The trip is hard on brakes due to speed bumps before and after every town, booms in most towns where you have to stop, and of course the usual dogs, goats, donkeys, cyclists pedestrians etc.

I would include the following in my repair kit:
2x petrol filters. I needed to change a diesel filter in Dar Es Salaam. Not sure if it will be an issue with petrol, but bear in mind that the Patrol will use twice the amount of fuel compared to our diesel. So be prepared.
1x air filter. I found that one change was enough for a round trip of 14 000km. The issue is the fine dust in northern Tanzania (similar to the plofsand found in the Richtersveld)
1x oil filter + oil for a change. Did not need it, but on this one I felt rather safe than sorry.
2 or 3 wheel nuts. In case of a mishap, theft etc
Fuses - different ratings etc. Confirm whether your car / trailer uses the same size and types. Make provision!
Fuel hose. Long enough to rig an emergency supply. Clamps to secure.
Coolant hose - either a generic one that will get you out of most problem situations or at least the longest one plus one that has kinks in it that you could cut and join as required. Short mild steel pipe of the inner hose diamter to make joins.
Plenty tiestraps and duct tape ...
1x Panhard rod bush (particularly the bottom one). AFAIK the front and rear rods share the same bushes (just remember top and bottom are different). You will have a tough time steering and keeping the vehicle on the road with a busted bush.
Consider taking an extra fuel pump or a pirate electric one that will provide the required pressure, otherwise you are going nowhere!
Spare spark plugs and at least one HT lead (coil lead) and one spark plug lead. These are for insurance purposes as the rainfall seems to be quite heavy this year.
Dewatering fluid (not Q20) for cleaning water out of electrical circuitry etc.

Tanzania is full of Patrols, but most are diesel. Therefore "normal" spares are not too much of a problem, you would be able to cannibilise from yards etc. Eg, shocks, coils, exhausts, prop shafts, half shafts etc

Hope this helps
Herbie

[Pieter du Toit]

We did a trip from Cape Town to just inside Kenya and back during the June-July 2008 school holidays plus 1 week. I can share some salient thoughts if you are interested, I still need to finish my trip report ...

Herbie

This is absolutely "skandalig" - you keep us waiting this long for such an important trip report..... Do you realise it is almost June 2010??!!

Greetings

[JG Shields]

Herbie, this is valuable info. It creates more comfort to us who also dream about the same route, knowing these things. Thanks!

[Wilfred Moore]

Thanks Guys, this is great info.

Any idea where I can buy some of these spares? I believe there is somebody in the Cape that can provide spares.

Wilfred

[tour de frans]

Well said/planned Saltman
you cant go wrong what Herbi said.

[Kagiso II]

something I have "on file" - just a thought:
IN YOUR TOOLBOX: Swiss army knife or Leatherman; Screwdrivers Vice grips Pliers; short & long nose Side cutters; Socket set; pen-ended spanner; Shifting spanners; Saw, blades & shorty knife; Scissors/Tullens; Wire brush/steel file; Spotflame & cartridge; Tyre spanner & lever; Tyre tubes & patch ki;t Tyre gaiters; Tyre V-block; Hammer/mallet

SPARES FOR SELF-SUFFICIENT TRIPS Radiator hoses & clamps; Fan belts; Brake fluid & motor oil; Oil, fuel & air filters; Clutch/brake cylinder rubbers; High tension leadso Wiring & electrical repair kit; Aircraft or gaffer's tape; Insulation tape; Zip-ties & wire; Bulbs & fuses; Spare oil; Fuel lines/vacuum lines; Pre-filters in-line; Wiper blades; Anti-freeze; Nuts & bolts; Pattex putty or Pratley Steel; Contact/super glue (I prefer Q-Bond, but it is a bitch to get into upside down spots) ; WD 40/3-in-1 oil [Q 20, WYNNFLON ]

What most people leave at home and is a catastrophe if you don't have it: SPARE KEY & IMMOBILISER for you vehicle, AND spare battery for that immobiliser.
Make copies of ALL your documents, have it certified and store separate from from your set [prefer in another vehicle] [Place in Zip-Lock water tight holder.