LOST SOULS – PREPARATIONS

If:
– you want to learn more about the technical details of preparing for the journey,
– you’re planning a similar journey,

or you simply want proof that getting ready for a journey like this is no laughing matter, then this section is for you.

If you’re not interested, you can return to the main menu HERE

Vehicle:

Land Rover Defender HCPU 130:

I. External modifications:

1. Installing a front bumper with guards on the headlights.
2. Installing a steel beam on the rear to protect against rear impact and make it easier to lift the vehicle if it gets stuck in mud.
3. Installing side railings to protect the sides of the vehicle and make it easier to lift.
4. Rear spare tyre holder.
5. Baggage rack on the roof with a holder for 2 spare tyres, sand tracks and a Hi-lift jack.
6. Front towline in case we get seriously stuck or sink.
7. Additional front headlights.
8. Closet construction of the rear part of the vehicle – lit interior divided into two sections – the upper section with food, camping and photography equipment and everything we need to survive. Lower section for spare and service parts, all oils, tools for repairs, axe, shovel etc.
9. 4 halogens on each side, lighting every side of the vehicle.
10. Installing rear differential lock.
11. Installing reinforced axle shafts.
12. Installing a snorkel for transferring air to the engine, necessary for crossing streams that are deeper than what the vehicle could normally handle.
13. Replacing the shock absorbers with stronger ones.
14. Replacing the brake lines with stronger ones.
15. Underbody protection against corrosion.
16. 3 spare tyres.

II. Internal modifications:

1. Additional fuel tank – 170l – which, along with the basic tank, will increase the distance the vehicle can go without refuelling to approx. 1700 km.
2. Compressor for pumping tyres, cleaning the vehicle and proper functioning of the rear differential lock.
3. 220V-1000W inverter for powering internal equipment and charging batteries for photographic lighting.
4. Fridge – because a smile on your face after drinking a cold beer in the middle of the desert is priceless.
5. GPS Garmin 62s – to find our way out of even the vastest wilderness.
6. Additional battery for the vehicle.
7. Additional indicators – battery voltage and level of pressure in the compressor cylinders.

III. First aid kit (Polish names):

1. ACC 600 mg
2. Aquacel Ag
3. Altacet
4. Argosulfan
5. Aspiryna
6. Augmentin
7. Bactigras
8. Bepanthen
9. Cirrus
10. Dalacin C 150 mg
11. Dermatol 2 g
12. Elokom
13. Enterol
14. Fenistil
15. Gastrolit
16. Gentamycinum
17. Isla Moos
18. Ketonal forte 100 mg
19. Lamisilatt
20. No-Spa
21. Magnez 500 mg
22. Octanisept
23. Oklejki
24. Paracetamol
25. Sól fizjologiczna (NaCl 0,1%) 5 ml
26. PWE – płyn wieloelektrolitowy
27. Glukoza
28. Tribiotic
29. Voltren
30. Wapno
31. Węgiel (Carbo Medicalis)
32. Xifaxan
33. Nifuroksazyd
34. Zovirax
35. Malarone
36. Metronidazol
37. Adrenalina
38. Plastry
39. Zestaw do przetoczeń
40. Okleina
41. Wenflony
42. Strzykawki + igły
43. Gaziki jałowe
44. Gaza duża
45. Bandaże elastyczne
46. Filtr UV 100
47. AUTAN Protection Plus
48. Nożyczki
49. Agrafki
50. Chusta trójkątna
51. Hydrożele
52. Rękawiczki lateksowe
53.Koc termiczny
54. Testy na malarię.

IV. Others things:

1. Michelin paper map of Africa ‒ there aren’t any electronic ones for the GPS.
2. Additional/boosters of some vaccinations.
3. First aid course – just in case.

Some pictures from the preparation:

Before modifications:

Partway through the modification:

Disassembly of the rear construction, installation of the snorkel, front bumper and tow-line.

Underbody work.

Some tests:

The vehicle ready for the journey:

First picture, already in Morocco.

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One thought

  1. What a beautiful car and modifications, came here by a link from gizmodo about your last bunker session but I got hook up with all your blog and lost souls journey… I lost a full morning of work in the office.. best regards from Chile.

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