Lost Laner
It's happened again!
Would you believe it?
We are having to postpone and moderate our plans for our trip this year again. Domestics have again come into play but this time we've added in an expensive repair for DVO.
In preparation for our trip we managed to strike a deal for a full length roof rack that was listed on a well known auction website. All we had to do was drive to Dursley in Gloucestershire, pay the man, fit it to the Landy and travel home, simple. Or so you'd think.
We'd been having an intermittent falter on consistent high rev runs (traveling at constant speed on motorways and the such) along with what seemed like a sticking throttle after that type of sustained running. I'd changed fuel filters, lubricated linkages and done other bits of 'fettering' to try and resolve these symptoms and they seemed to have reduced in frequency.
Well, we managed about 50 miles of the 147 mile trip to get our prized roof rack before these symptoms showed again. We found that now they were accompanied by a loss of power. These occurred in ever increasing frequency as we persisted with our journey until eventually we came to an absolute halt in a dirt lay-by on the top of a Cotswold hill on a 'B' road.
Stranded in the middle of nowhere, fields all around us, I proceeded to look for the fault. I ended up taking the spare wheel off the bonnet for me to stand on so I could reach the injection system. I also removed the bonnet to give me easier access. I felt this must be a fuel problem and so set about systematically bleeding the diesel system. I was there about an hour and a half in the lovely warm summer sun, doubled over the wing with a descent breeze keeping my temperature down despite my ever increasing frustration. Eventually having proved I had fuel throughout the system but nothing being received by the injectors and small shards of metal being found in the pump filter, the diesel pressure pump must be 'knackered'.
Finally I conceded and called the R.A.C. After a short wait the R.A.C. patrolman arrived and agreed 'your pump's probably knackered mate, I'll call for recovery'. Then just as swiftly as he arrived, he left.
A while late I got a call from Wayne, our recovery driver, to say he was on his way. Once he arrived and loaded the Landy onto his truck we began the three and a half hour journey back home, without our prized roof rack!
So we've ended up not only missing out on the roof rack but also having to source a new, reconditioned or 2nd hand diesel pump which as it turns out is not cheap, hence the holiday trip fund is further reduced.
We are having to postpone and moderate our plans for our trip this year again. Domestics have again come into play but this time we've added in an expensive repair for DVO.
In preparation for our trip we managed to strike a deal for a full length roof rack that was listed on a well known auction website. All we had to do was drive to Dursley in Gloucestershire, pay the man, fit it to the Landy and travel home, simple. Or so you'd think.
We'd been having an intermittent falter on consistent high rev runs (traveling at constant speed on motorways and the such) along with what seemed like a sticking throttle after that type of sustained running. I'd changed fuel filters, lubricated linkages and done other bits of 'fettering' to try and resolve these symptoms and they seemed to have reduced in frequency.
Well, we managed about 50 miles of the 147 mile trip to get our prized roof rack before these symptoms showed again. We found that now they were accompanied by a loss of power. These occurred in ever increasing frequency as we persisted with our journey until eventually we came to an absolute halt in a dirt lay-by on the top of a Cotswold hill on a 'B' road.
Stranded in the middle of nowhere, fields all around us, I proceeded to look for the fault. I ended up taking the spare wheel off the bonnet for me to stand on so I could reach the injection system. I also removed the bonnet to give me easier access. I felt this must be a fuel problem and so set about systematically bleeding the diesel system. I was there about an hour and a half in the lovely warm summer sun, doubled over the wing with a descent breeze keeping my temperature down despite my ever increasing frustration. Eventually having proved I had fuel throughout the system but nothing being received by the injectors and small shards of metal being found in the pump filter, the diesel pressure pump must be 'knackered'.
Finally I conceded and called the R.A.C. After a short wait the R.A.C. patrolman arrived and agreed 'your pump's probably knackered mate, I'll call for recovery'. Then just as swiftly as he arrived, he left.
A while late I got a call from Wayne, our recovery driver, to say he was on his way. Once he arrived and loaded the Landy onto his truck we began the three and a half hour journey back home, without our prized roof rack!
So we've ended up not only missing out on the roof rack but also having to source a new, reconditioned or 2nd hand diesel pump which as it turns out is not cheap, hence the holiday trip fund is further reduced.
North Coast 500
(NC 500)
Unfortunately we have had to postpone our plans for 'The Hard Way Down'. Firstly moving it back to August or September as a result of family affairs, then until next year due to dwindling funds caused by unexpected additional repairs to DVO. This has resulted in us looking at what sort of trip we might make instead for this year.
We've considered all sorts, from another 2 weekish trip covering less miles to a couple of shorter trips closer to home as we complete the conversion of DVO.
At the moment we are hoping to do our version of the NC 500 in August.
We've considered all sorts, from another 2 weekish trip covering less miles to a couple of shorter trips closer to home as we complete the conversion of DVO.
At the moment we are hoping to do our version of the NC 500 in August.
Postponed to 2017
John O’ Groats to Land’s End
Or
‘The Hard Way Down’
Last year we took our newly acquired 1988 Honda Goldwing GL1500, a tepee tent plus a minimal amount of other camping kit and went touring around the Isle of Skye and the Scottish Highlands. This trip was documented at snjwingingit.co.uk.
Since then we’ve lost our 14 year old German Sheppard cross (Alfie) to old age and subsequently got two Shih Tzu/Poodle crosses (Barney and Bertie). As a result we felt a motorcycle touring holiday would be out of the question as the young dogs should come with us where Alfie had become too frail and stayed at home with our grown up children whilst we went away..
What we’ve ended up with is a plan to get our Series 3 109” (DVO) back on the road. Kit it out as some sort of ‘camper’ and travel from John O’ Groats to Land’s End using as lower classification of road as possible, preferably greenlanes whilst visiting a few places and points of interest (it is our annual holiday after all).
This journey is commonly attempted by walkers, runners and cyclists who refer to it as the ‘J.O.G.L.E.’; looking for the shortest or most scenic routes. Looking up accounts of this journey it has also been frequently been done by motorcyclists and motorists looking to achieve it in the shortest time.
Traditionally the distance by road is 847 miles and typically takes cyclists ten to fourteen days although the record is 9 days. Off road walkers usually do it in around 1200 miles and take two or three months to complete the journey.
In 1964 the shortest route by road was 847 miles. In 2008 the shortest route had become 838 miles. In 2011 the quickest route by online route planner was 838 with an estimated travel time of 15 hours 48 minutes.
Today, in 2016, using a Tom Tom satnav the fastest route by car is 838 miles, 14 hours 26 minutes. The shortest route by car is 816 but 21 hours 25 minutes. By bicycle 905 miles, 67 hours 51 minutes. On foot 842 miles, 271 hours. With a limited speed of 55 mph (Series 3 109”) 838 miles, 16 hours 22 minutes.
We won’t be doing any of these as we’ll be looking to take as minor road as possible (greenlanes prefered) and hopefully visiting a few places of interest to us on route. These might include; my grandfather’s birthplace, my 144 square inches of Scottish estate (I’m a real life Laird of Dunans!), my sister in Lancashire and our daughter in Wales.
We’ve toyed with a few different levels of camper and equipment plans. Everything from a simple bed in the back of DVO canvas topped, to a coach built motor home body on DVO. Needless to say, with an expected trip start date of 20th June, starting a coach build in February is a bit of a tall order.
Not only has any conversion got to be done, but DVO has sat part rebuilt following a bulkhead swap since the end of 2011 and needs to be reassembled and getting through the MOT as well as being prepared for somewhere in the region of a 1800 to 2000 mile round trip. The trip needs to be completed in fourteen days (my annual leave from work).
After much deliberation we decided to go with a lightweight camper conversion within the confines of the standard 109” hard top, using a toilet tent and drive away awning kindly lent to us by my brother and sister-in-law (Ivan and Angela). DVO will house an ‘L’ shaped seat that converts into an almost full size double bed, sink with water supply and some form of gas cooker. Most storage will have to be roof mounted. To follow the trials and tribulations of our conversion and MOT prep go to ‘The Camper Conversion’ page under ‘The Fourth Land Rover (DVO) under ‘The Land Rovers’ in the page menu.
It may turn out to be too tall an order to achieve but we’re very committed to the task and have every intention of starting the journey on time (MOT allowing) regardless of how ‘finished’ the camper part of the Landy is.
This journey is commonly attempted by walkers, runners and cyclists who refer to it as the ‘J.O.G.L.E.’; looking for the shortest or most scenic routes. Looking up accounts of this journey it has also been frequently been done by motorcyclists and motorists looking to achieve it in the shortest time.
Traditionally the distance by road is 847 miles and typically takes cyclists ten to fourteen days although the record is 9 days. Off road walkers usually do it in around 1200 miles and take two or three months to complete the journey.
In 1964 the shortest route by road was 847 miles. In 2008 the shortest route had become 838 miles. In 2011 the quickest route by online route planner was 838 with an estimated travel time of 15 hours 48 minutes.
Today, in 2016, using a Tom Tom satnav the fastest route by car is 838 miles, 14 hours 26 minutes. The shortest route by car is 816 but 21 hours 25 minutes. By bicycle 905 miles, 67 hours 51 minutes. On foot 842 miles, 271 hours. With a limited speed of 55 mph (Series 3 109”) 838 miles, 16 hours 22 minutes.
We won’t be doing any of these as we’ll be looking to take as minor road as possible (greenlanes prefered) and hopefully visiting a few places of interest to us on route. These might include; my grandfather’s birthplace, my 144 square inches of Scottish estate (I’m a real life Laird of Dunans!), my sister in Lancashire and our daughter in Wales.
We’ve toyed with a few different levels of camper and equipment plans. Everything from a simple bed in the back of DVO canvas topped, to a coach built motor home body on DVO. Needless to say, with an expected trip start date of 20th June, starting a coach build in February is a bit of a tall order.
Not only has any conversion got to be done, but DVO has sat part rebuilt following a bulkhead swap since the end of 2011 and needs to be reassembled and getting through the MOT as well as being prepared for somewhere in the region of a 1800 to 2000 mile round trip. The trip needs to be completed in fourteen days (my annual leave from work).
After much deliberation we decided to go with a lightweight camper conversion within the confines of the standard 109” hard top, using a toilet tent and drive away awning kindly lent to us by my brother and sister-in-law (Ivan and Angela). DVO will house an ‘L’ shaped seat that converts into an almost full size double bed, sink with water supply and some form of gas cooker. Most storage will have to be roof mounted. To follow the trials and tribulations of our conversion and MOT prep go to ‘The Camper Conversion’ page under ‘The Fourth Land Rover (DVO) under ‘The Land Rovers’ in the page menu.
It may turn out to be too tall an order to achieve but we’re very committed to the task and have every intention of starting the journey on time (MOT allowing) regardless of how ‘finished’ the camper part of the Landy is.
YJI has been sold!
YJI IS back on the road!
Yes, that's right...she passed her MOT first time! Just one advisory of a little corrosion on the rear of the chassis. Just fitted the 'new' wheels and tyres from Avenger 4x4, booked her in, took her along and Bob's your uncle an MOT. Brilliant.
I now find myself scouring the internet for all manner of accessories I'm sure she must have to be complete. I'm also looking for the next adventure to take her on, a little green laning somewhere in the Uk perhaps.
I now find myself scouring the internet for all manner of accessories I'm sure she must have to be complete. I'm also looking for the next adventure to take her on, a little green laning somewhere in the Uk perhaps.
YJI to get back on the road!Blimey, DVO has been off the road for over a year now and YJI just over two months! It's just not good enough, whilst I've been greatful for the loan of my wife's hairdressers' car (Peugeot 206cc) it's just not a Landy.
Well fortunes have changed a little for the better and it looks like I'm going to be able to MOT and tax the Disco. The main thing that's |
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been stopping it was the need for a number of tyres, no cheap thing. Well I found a complete set of five on good ol' eBay from a firm up in Peterborough (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/avenger4x4).
Well they may not be the absolute cheapest on everything they do but the wheel and tyre set was very well priced and they even did me a deal on next day carriage. The outcome is a totally happy Lost Laner in posession of a nearly new set of tyres (only done 7K from new) on D2 alloys matching the originals. They all even have the wheel centres and valve caps!
Short and long of it is they are firmly on my short list when sourcing Landy parts from now on, highly recomended.
Well they may not be the absolute cheapest on everything they do but the wheel and tyre set was very well priced and they even did me a deal on next day carriage. The outcome is a totally happy Lost Laner in posession of a nearly new set of tyres (only done 7K from new) on D2 alloys matching the originals. They all even have the wheel centres and valve caps!
Short and long of it is they are firmly on my short list when sourcing Landy parts from now on, highly recomended.
MOT prep is slow going!
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Well it's been a while since I posted the news that DVO had been taken of the road as was now subject to SOON declaration. This was supposed to be for a month or so to allow some bulkhead welding and a new exhaust to be fitted.
Well ever reducing funds and the discovery of rather more 'metal worm' than originally thought have caused the process to become much more drawn out. |
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Fair to say that the bulkhead may well have come out all by its self had it been kept in service much longer, just take a look at the photos!
It was only when I started stripping the dash |
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out in order to assess what was needed to weld in a repair for the bodged o/s bonnet hinge that I started to realize just how bad the hidden areas of the bulkhead were.
It was at this point I decided it was going to be easier (and almost certainly cheaper) to obtain a good secondhand replacement rather than try to repair this one. |
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So a replacement bulkhead had to be found and one was, on that famous internet auction site. unfortunately this involved noteably more money than I'd intended spending repairing DVO's bulkhead. Still Aaron and I a got a nice day out to Stockport!
How right I was to take the plunge and get a replacement, take a look at the photos and see what I found as I stripped more and more off the bulkhead. |
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Imagine trying to fabricate repair pieces and welding them in with the bulkhead situ. All with a bog standard arc welder and working on a gravel drive!
DVO Has to be taken off the road - 'SORN'!
Yes, you read it correctly, DVO has been taken off the road and is now subject to a 'SORN declaration!
Unfortunately the coincidence of family birthdays, Christmas, Road Fund Tax renewal date and MOT falling due have proved too much. Despite it being the time of year when the good old Series Landies come |
into their own I have had no choice but to take her off the road. There is a significant amount of welding to be done on the bulkhead, hub seals and bearings to be replaced, brake pipes to be replaced and a new exhaust needed. Quite a bit of expenditure not to mention a notable amount of time. Work will commence as soon as we're safely past the festive season and will of course be featured here as progress is made. |
2012 Challenge.Plans for a fund raising challenge in 2012 are now starting to be formulated.
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Latest Maintenance Trials for YJIRead all about the MOT on a shoe string. YJI goes through with less than £200.00 spent including the test fee. Full details on the October page of the Second Land Rover.
The Most Recent TripAaron (my son) and I embarked on our first combined greenlaning & camping trip. We left home Tuesday 2nd August 2011 heading off on a three day, two night, 300ish mile round trip through East Anglia back to home.
The purpose of this trip was to test out my theories on how much ground we could cover per day when we use B.O.A.T.s and U.C.R.s in preferance to minor roads, in preference to B roads, in preference to A roads, in preference to dual carriageways, in preference to motorways. I didn't think a theoretical average of 100 miles per day would be too taxing but theory and practice rarely coincide! See how we got by looking at the 3 day trip 2nd-4th Aug. 2011 page (Trips > 3 day trip 2nd-4th Aug 2011)
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Top Gear's Richard Hamond and 'The Land Rover'
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Arthritis Research  |
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