How We Got Where We Are!

Like all good stories this one begins in a pub in the Lake District, England in September 1998. John and a friend Nathan after one too many beers decided that driving a Land Rover around the world was not only feasible but also a good idea!

On May 10^th 1999 they left the UK via the Channel Tunnel in the good ship “Lolly Pop” their 1991 ex-military 110 Land Rover. This trip took them through much of western and eastern Europe and then onto Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Nepal and India. They shipped Lolly to Sydney, Australia from Madras, India after driving 27,500 kilometres, in eight and a half months and visiting 17 countries.

Nathan returned to the UK, however not conventionally as he returned to India and bought an Enfield motorcycle and rode back in a little over three months! John mean while stayed working in Australia where he met Lindsay.

Setting Up - 1999!

As already mentioned above we bought a 1991 ex-military 110 hard top Land Rover with around 58,000km’s on the clock. For the trip we added:

• A snorkel and light guards (home made)
• 3 x 30 litre water tanks and a 12v water pump which brought the water from the tanks to the rear door
• 4 x 20 litre diesel cans and 6 x 5 litre oil cans and a further one 5 litre petrol can (for the stove)
• Tyres were replaced with Michelin XZL’s which are a good combination off road and road tyre
• Built 2 collapsible bunks in the rear to allow us to sleep in there in emergency
• Original engine fan was removed and replaced by 2 electric fans to increase engine cooling efficiency (Iran & Pakistan deserts can get a little warm)
• A second heavy duty car battery was added to run all secondary electrics (i.e. strip light in rear compartment, radio, water pump, etc). These were all routed through a second fuse box
• Comprehensive tool kit and spare parts boxes put together and the Land Rover workshop manual was purchased.
• 2 High lift jacks and recovery equipment were purchased
• Due to the Landy being military the inside roof, sides or floor had no covering. Therefore the roof and sides were covered with hardboard, which held in place fibre glass matting to reduce heat (and a little noise). The floor was covered with rubber matting.
• Lolly also required a coat of paint due to being lovely camouflage colours!
• A stand alone Vaude tent was bought for our main accommodation and a dual fuel Coleman two burner stove for cooking.
• We also carried comprehensive first aid kits, a hand water purification pump as well as our own clothes, etc.

• Whilst on the trip a fridge was given to us which was a step up from the cold box that we had.

Modifications - 2004!

Through the experience of the first trip we made a number of alterations:

• A roof top tent and roof rack from Ezi-Awn was decided upon to escape the creepy crawlies. With the added bonus that its difficult to steal a car that you are sleeping on.

• A second water pump and purification system were fitted to avoid the many lengthy hours that had been spent on the first trip
• Due to the addition of the fridge the second battery was changed to a deep cycle battery and a split charge system was fitted to make sure that the heavy duty starting battery could not be run flat.
• The collapsible bunks were removed and a raised floor added to allow parts boxes, tool and recovery kits to be stored underneath but be readily accessible.





• On top of the raised floor we have the fridge and 5 large plastic boxes which store clothes, kitchen equipment and food.
• Lolly got a new coat of paint and the addition of a map showing our route and the 1999 route.
• The tyres were renewed with Michelin XZL’s
• A number of worn parts including the fuel tank, alternator, head gasket, oil and water temperature gauges and front springs were replaced
• We invested in the Acoustic Mat System from Wright Off Road, UK to reduce the noise levels in the cab
• For entertainment a 6 CD stacker was fitted (CD’s last a lot longer in the heat)
• A Garmin GPS V which has a built in map of the main highways in North, Central and South America

On Route Thoughts & Suggestions!

Having now spent some time with this set up there are a few changes we would make:

• Given the very high winds in the south of Chile and Argentina if you use a roof tent then you need a second option (we have a small tent) however our advice would be to have the option to sleep inside the vehicle
• Hot water bottles are invaluable!!
• If you have the money available seriously consider converting the vehicle to a pop top (see our Links page)