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17 months, 43 countries, and 2 vehicles

Tools



Halfords Professional socket set - AF and metric with about 70-odd bits and pieces. Worth getting the best you can afford as Simeon discovered in the Ténéré when he broke all his sockets trying to get a wheel bolt off.

Toolbox with:

  • Set of good metric open ended/ring spanners - a must.
  • Set of Allen keys - occasional use
  • Pliers, thin nosed pliers - used both a lot
  • Set of good screwdrivers
  • One big adjustable wrench and one little one - a must
  • A Hammer
  • Oil filter remover
  • Metal File

Electric Tools for use with 240 v mains/inverter

  • Multimeter - useful for all sorts of electrical jobs, some even involving my own car...
  • Electric drill and set of bits (not rechargeable as we started with an inverter) - used more than I would have imagined.
  • Angle grinder with assorted discs - thin ones are great for cutting metal.
  • Soldering Iron with solder - useful if you need it - we didn't.
  • Set of screwdriver bits that got used once or twice.

Components and other stuff

  • Assorted nuts, screws, washers and bolts - essential.
  • fuses, wire etc  - essential.
  • Electrical connectors and crimping tool.
  • Electrical tape.
  • Big roll of Gaffer tape - a million uses so far...
  • Hose repair tape.
  • Silicon Sealant
  • Superglue
  • Araldite (I found the superglue was better)
  • Swarfega - nice but not essential.
  • Overalls - don't bother

Spares

 

Parts are expensive in Africa; labour is cheap. Start by taking everything you are going to need for the periodic services en-route - I got services carried out at Casablanca, Accra, and Youndé (so far).

You will need at least one spare air filter (bulky), and extra fuel filters are a must as you will find you pick up lots of dirty fuel  - make sure you know how to drain your filter and sedimenter if one is fitted.

Before you set out check your vehicle thoroughly for things that are on their way out - shocks, bushes and seals in particular - as they will definitely suffer on African roads - it will pay to gauge the life left in your brake pads and take a spare set if necessary. Timing belt failure can be a disaster on a Landy, so consider renewing your belt if it's getting anywhere near the end of its service life.

Brownchurch helped out with a list of suggested spares in event of breakdown - some of which we used and others which we could easily have sold along the way or on arrival - you're best bet is to talk to your garage about what they think you are likely to use - I used the following parts en-route (in order of use):

  • Clutch kit - cost £280 to ship out via DHL as it wasn't available in Dakar
  • Oil Filter
  • Cylinder head gasket - ditto - amazing what you can't get in West Africa
  • Master and Slave Clutch cylinder repair kits
  • Rear brake discs and rear left break pipe (after losing a wheel)
  • Fuel filter
  • Radial arm bushes
  • Front brake pads
  • Rear left spring (unlucky side of the car it seems)
  • Rear brake pads again