Outfitting 98 D1 for Overlanding

[benedmonson]

I've been lurking for months! Now I've started the outfitting of my 98 D1 for some serious overlanding! I live in Telluride, CO right at the base of some serious off-roading, but am getting ready for 6 weeks in baja. My problem is that I'm torn between a safari type SD roof rack with a technitop tent and my 4 jerry cans (2 H2o & 2 Gas) and 100 watt Yamaha generator or a very comfortable Autohome Maggiolina Grand Tour on Thule super high foot towers??? Would love to do the Maggiolina Grand Tour, but can't figure out where to put my fuel cans and generator!!! Does anybody know of a rear bumper setup that has a swing out fuel can holder like the hannah for the Toyota's? I don't think a half rack will fit up top with the tent. I just can't believe that nobody has ever made a swing away fuel can carrier for the D1, it makes total sense.

Cheers,

Ben Edmonson
www.benedmonson.com

[p76rangie]

Putting the jerries, etc on a roof rack is too much weight. They are not designed to take much weight on the roof.

[Adam in NYC USA]

Neccesity is the mother of invention.

You could use the strength of the tow hitch to carry that cargo,
add a rear tray carrier or build your own. You could
beef up the rear door hinges, put the weight there. You could
also do the unconventional: instead of using jerry cans you
Can use bladders inside the vacant spaces of the front fenders or
the underside cavities of the Land Rover

[stolenheron]

the easiest thing would be to use a trailer hitch tray like Adam said. The cargo rack can take quite a bit of weight, but the combination of alot of weight and rough terrain may not be the healthiest thing for your roof, rack, or rails.

[Disco Mike]

Ben.
I think you'll find you are biting off too many things to carry.
First thing you'll prpbably need to do is go for a new supsension to help you clear some of our trails with all that extra weight.
Mike

[Funrover]

You want some great answers to your questions:

http://expeditionportal.com/forum/index.php

Trust me it's all there!

[benedmonson]

Well here's an update. I replaced the steering gear box and all lines plus the 2 oil cooler lines. Then put on HD ARB springs and Bilstein shocks (It now drives like a freaking sports car!) and love the new ride. I ordered a custom www.northwestparts.com OFF-ROAD CHALLENGE VOYAGER RACK with a removeable rear rail so I can have my new Technitop Roof Tent go off the rear and be partially supported by the Tent ladder. On the OFF-ROAD CHALLENGE VOYAGER RACK I'm having them put in flooring on the front section and will mount 2 jerry cans on each side, 2 passenger and 2 drivers side. Also, my 28 lb. yamaha generator will fit on the front section of the rack. My jack will be mounted on the rack on the drivers rear and to top it off I'm putting a Fiamma F35 Pro awning on the passenger side.
This seems like alot of weight, but will manage the cans and try not to overload it. The rack bolts down with 8 brackets so the weight is evenly distributed around the rack.
For looks I ordered 5 black steel wheels from AB today along with the blackout hood decal from viggs. The rack also comes with limb risers so will install once it is installed.

[TN-LR3]

get the bumpers and rack custom made to your specs

[Capt. Ron]

Why not use a small trailer to carry some of that, i.e. your fluids?

[stevenr]

You don't need limb risers in Baja.

[benedmonson]

Originally Posted by stevenr

You don't need limb risers in Baja.

Yes, you're right Steven, but around where I live in Telluride they come in real handy. There are some tight trails thru the deep woods here, on top of that they just make the LR look more like a real overlander!!! Not a bad mod for $25.00.

[Sweep]

what is it that you need the generator for? why not an appropriately sized DC inverter?

[rmuller]

Hmm.. good luck with Northwest Parts.. The last couple years people have been having rocky experiences with them for actually getting the parts they were promised.. Their prices increased, hopefully so did their customer service and quality.

[benedmonson]

Originally Posted by rmuller

Hmm.. good luck with Northwest Parts.. The last couple years people have been having rocky experiences with them for actually getting the parts they were promised.. Their prices increased, hopefully so did their customer service and quality.

I hate to hear that, they're starting the build tomorrow. I will let everybody know how it goes, should be here in a couple of weeks. With shipping I'm spending $1600.00 so I'm hoping it is delivered as promised.