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LR Discovery G4 in West Africa LR Discovery G4 in West Africa
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Equipping the Overland Vehicle Vehicle accessories - Making your home away from home comfortable, safe and reliable.
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  #1  
Old 2 Nov 2005
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LR Discovery G4 in West Africa
Hi,

What is your opinion on traveling in a 2004 Tangiers Orange LR Discovery G4 in West Africa (Mauri, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana)? Shall we provoke bandits, border post officers and insistent kids ? Is there any danger to be forced to abandon the vehicle and walk (if alive)the rest of the route? All comments are welcome!

Danek
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  #2  
Old 2 Nov 2005
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I see no problems for the countries you mention. At least no more than with any other vehicle.

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  #3  
Old 3 Nov 2005
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Is this a status thing?
Given that most Brits (LR lovers excepted) wouldn't look twice at a Tangiers Orange G4 Discovery, as it would mean nothing to them, why should natives of other countries be any different.
Now, a Range Rover, that might be different!
Don't get me wrong, I'd love a Tangiers Orange G4 Disco, but then I'm a LR lover.
Enjoy the trip,
Kevin
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  #4  
Old 3 Nov 2005
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What's the difference? It's still only a Land Rover
Has it got tons of chrome accessories that make you look rich?
The only thing that I could see might cause trouble is stickers...

A car covered in sponsors' stickers can be mistaken either for an aid convoy or, worse, a rally car. Word's got around that rally drivers are easy to bribe because they're generally in a hurry (and rich)(Dakar 2004 at Maroc/Mori border was a classic coup)
Small private aid raids are also subject to the "what's in there for me?" question from customs officers.
Gluck
Luke
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  #5  
Old 3 Nov 2005
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My Land Rover is pink and covered in stickers. Never been a problem, or even of particular interest, to the inhabitants of West Africa.

It also has 'London to Sydney' written in big letters on the sides, and the only people who make navigation jokes are other travellers!

Sam.
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  #6  
Old 3 Nov 2005
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The only advantage of a bright orange discovery is that it will easly be found when it breaks down............

Er, yes......I worked for Land Rover!!!
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  #7  
Old 3 Nov 2005
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For a different expedition.. It seems that our 4x4 will be a LR Discovery TDS110 from 2002.

Any problems/dangers travelling through Mauri, Senegal, Gambia and Mali with this car? It will be also covered with stickers.. Since our project is called Nomads with toddlers, and we take little kids with us, we might use this in advatage of our safety. For example writing `NOMADS WITH CHILDEREN` in Arabic on the car.. Any ideas or suggestions? (anybody knows how the translation is by the way?

greetz,
Patryk
www.twinplanet.net
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  #8  
Old 3 Nov 2005
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Colour, type of vehicle, stickers etc. make little or NO difference to your safety!

Where you go and how you interract with the locals makes a huge difference to your experience out there.

Relax, enjoy!

Sam.
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  #9  
Old 4 Nov 2005
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Don't take anything out if you can't cope without it coming back!

Also bear in mind that in the (unlikely) event of an ECU going 'fsst' it's tow time to the nearest Land Rover test book which might be hundreds of miles away.

Having said that, my bet is the Discovery will be 100% fine (and I'm highly jealous of course : ) Good luck!
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  #10  
Old 4 Nov 2005
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Some travellers deliberatley choose to 'paint their wagons' a very bright colour so as to make it less attractive to steal through being too conspicuous - just a thought...
Have a great trip...

James
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  #11  
Old 4 Nov 2005
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Hi everybody,

Thank you very much for your opinions. Seams to be OK. By the way, we change the modern air suspension into coil springs, just in case ...

Danek
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  #12  
Old 4 Nov 2005
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Danek,

Suspension may be a lesser worry than the fuel system. Have you done the necessary modifications to improve filtration and water separation? These engines are not built to run on dirty fuel.

Pozdrowka,
Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info
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  #13  
Old 4 Nov 2005
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If you carry a jerry or two, your range will be good enough to get fuel in proper fuel stations, I wouldn't bother with additional filtration and water separation. Just wach out where you get your fuel from (and maybe, so once in while, mix one of those fuel system cleaners in a tank).

I never found a drop of water in my fuel filter (the tap of the sedimenter broke, so didn't check that one during about 30.000 African km's)
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  #14  
Old 5 Nov 2005
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Hi,

The fuel filtration & engine computer is also of our concern, we decided (God forgive us) to drive for a while on the similar to African diesel: the fuel oil to check what's happen. I know it might look like we are kids roaming in the fog, but it seems better to know the engine reaction here, before entering Africa, rather then later on exploring deep bush

Danek
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  #15  
Old 9 Nov 2005
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Re. stickers, our LR was covered in various ones from sponsors, and we never got any hassle whatsoever anywhere in Africa. The locals couldn't care less. The important thing is attitude, how you treat people, and how you behave.

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