Sweden - Gambia

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SilasStingy

SilasStingy

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 20, 2015
Messages
113
Did recently buy a Terrano II 2.7 TDi Auto, for the purpose of driving back and forth to Gambia (17000km) from the very north of Sweden. The only mod so far is a dual battery set-up. I'm planning of building a proper roof rack and maybe install a winch-bull bar and of course a snorkel. What other mod you guys recon I should get? Preferably as cheap as possible!
What spare parts to bring, and other useful gadgets?

Right now I'm fighting against the rust, need to do some welding but nothing too serious! Aiming at departure April next year!

And just throwing it out, one more seat in the car is left to be filled!
 
Parts to take will depend on the kind of terrain you'll be doing. Only roads: not really of lot of parts necessary, although I'd probably change all the fluids, and check (replace, if necessary) all the cooling and brake components.

If offroad: take anti roll bar drop links, steering idler arm, steering arms, shock absorbers,... and the tools necessary to fit all this on the road...
 
What are your sleeping arrangements?
Water carrying arrangements?
Food carrying arrangements?
One thing i've picked up on from a South African Expedition expert is that 17" tyres are a rarity and that you'd be better off with 15 or 16" rims.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TeFc1tN-GGs this is the fella. have a look through his videos to see what might be useful for the Africa side of things.
 
You'll need at least one oil and filter change in that mileage.
Spare fan belt(s)
All top up fluids and grease.

How are you getting across the Mediterranean?
It would need one heck of a snorkle lol...
:lol
 
That is one hell of a trip, I have not looked at it in detail, but guess you have, what sort of terrain will it involve? are you pulling a trailer? as said before sleeping? Oh so many questions before I can make sensible spares/mods comments, Rick
 
Having had a quick look at the route, I would be thinking this is not for an Auto, and if towing definitely not, if solo then I would be adding a transmission fluid cooler as a minimum, Bat 21 should be able to fill you in on Morocco, then you have the Sahara, me thinks you will need to carry lots of spare fuel and water, will watch this with interest, Rick
 
In regards to the motor itself definitely a snorkel you can't go wrong, it's safe on all levels, yeah you might soak the inside but you won't kill the engine :thumb2

A winch is a good idea but can still get stuck if not careful.

A sensible amount of lift is also a good idea, clearance being the only important factor.

And lastly a lokka for the front diff like solarman or banshee :cool:
 
looks like yours is a post 2000 motor, would be good for confirmation, as there are many differences, for instance you cannot fit a Lokka to your dif, you would need to source a pre 2000 diff and fit it to that, Rick
 
You need reliability not offroaders ability. Lift is a bad idea keep it standard! Lokka not needed either.

Snorkels are actually mainly to reduce dust in the air filter their secondary use is water wading.

Winch is a possibility but other options to get you out of shit Creek.

Sand ladders are a good idea for sure.

Anything that helps reliability is worth considering. Stuff that will stop you moving. Anti roll bar drop links don't matter!
 
I have been traveling quite a bit in west Africa before, been in Mali and a few times in Senegal by road but never drove myself. Bushtaxis made out of old Peugeot's and Toyota Hiace's. I already have a small simple apartment in Gambia and along the way it will be tent + sleeping under the stars!
I think we will take the most simple road, ferry across the Mediterranean from Spain over to Morocco - West Sahara (short bit) - Mauretania - Senegal - Gambia.
The worst bit will be the "nomansland" between West Sahara and Mauretania where there is plenty of sand other than that it should be quite simple. Bad roads with plenty of pot holes but nothing too serious if one don't over speed or drive after dark.
The reason to fit the snorkel is due to dust and when arriving in Gambia the rainy season will soon start and flooding and deep mud is common...

I think the most serious off-roading will actually be in Gambia, I know what I will be doing during the days! :thumb2

How to find out the year model of the engine?
Mods for extra cooling could be interesting!
Is it a problem that my AC don't work? :cool:
 
SilasStingy said:
How to find out the year model of the engine?
Mods for extra cooling could be interesting!
Is it a problem that my AC don't work? :cool:
Click to expand...

Have a look at the thermostat housing (top hose) if it is plastic obtain a metal one, do you have a Bosch or Zexel pump?

Air cooled oil cooler for the transmission could be mounted in front of the main rad after doing away with the air con rad (don't work anyway) and I would be putting a big electric fan on the rad with its own thermostatic switch, the viscous fans have been known to fail and there is no easy way to test them, once you realise it has failed it is too late, Rick
 
The thermostat has a metal house. I took a picture of the front now when I have the bumper removed, plenty of coolers there what is what? I know the big radiator is for the water but the other two?

I'm thinking of adding a electrical fan to the intercooler on top with a manual on/off switch, good or bad?

Bosch or Zexel, diesel pump? How to Tell?

WP_20150707_002.jpg
 
I think this must be one of the longest trips ever planned by any members on this forum.
Very exciting.:thumb2

It might be a good idea to locate any Nissan parts suppliers in the countries to be driven through.
You will be fine in France and Spain though.
 
Rad the fan is on is the air con one, the smaller to the right is either for power steering or Auto transmission, follow the pipes! think you have a Zexel pump (confirm you have Hitachi MAF) just in front of your brake master cyl, if so you should have metal leak off pipes to your injectors, more reliable than the rubber Bosch ones, having said that the Bosch set up is in my opinion better, but another plus point for you is you can clean your Maf, (cotton bud and spirit) Bosch must not be cleaned, it is self cleaning (of sorts), Rick
 
The small cooler is for the A/T, followed the lines. Not sure about the MAF will check it up and clean if possible.
My biggest headache is the leaking front diff, have ordered some parts but not sure if they will fit or not... Will open it up when ever they arrive.

Tomorrow I will be making new side holders for the front bumper in the workshop, they were completely eaten up by the rust maggots!

Welding is now done on each side for the chassis holders! Only had MMA at the time being, would have been a lot easier with MIG but it will do!

20150711_173807.jpg
 
Have a look at Elty001 thread on ATF oil cooler wanted, best check yours for the same, although may not apply if you do not use salt on your roads, leaking front diff should not be a problem unless it is bad, where is it leaking from exactly? Stick welding! bally hell that is hard work on this kind of stuff, as for kit to take along, small trolley jack (we get them from the likes of Aldi, Lydl etc £20) air compressor for tyres 12v (I use a suspension adjuster from a Volvo) inflates a T2 tyre in around ten mins, been running for more than 3 years now with much abuse and still going strong, will take my car trailer tyres up to 65 psi with ease, I carry it all the time, I would get a spare Crank position sensor as well cos if this fails you go nowhere, you can get a cheap one but need to make a spacer for it, (I have done a thread on it not long ago) genuine one is arm and a leg, but maybe not where you are, all for now, Rick
 
If I would have known about this forum before I decided to go for a Terrano it would for sure just have been another reason to buy one! Great source of knowledge and a great community!
As for the diff it seems like it's coming from around the gasket or oil seal for the left driveshaft where it connects to the diff. Not so much when 2wd is engaged but sipping out when using 4wd... It gets warm but not seriously hot. Don't have that much experience of working with these things. Am driving a Hilux at work but don't need to service it myself, unfortunately I guess!
Learning a lot everyday!
The crank position sensor is really expansive, £90. Will have a look at the cheaper option. Thank you Rick!
 
re diff leak grab hold of the shaft on that side and check for even the slightest up/down movement if it moves then the bearing is stuffed, Rick
 
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