I ordered a Defender today!!!!!!!

[GREENI]

Well done, a great forum in the uk is www.defender2.net

[Antichrist]

On the topic of winches, I'd seriously consider a hydraulic winch run off the transfer case PTO. But it sort of depends on how water impacts the current diesels. Stalling, or something shorting out, during a water crossing would be a reason to go with an electric. On a 300Tdi or older diesel that's not really an issue so I'd choose a hydraulic in that case. The newer diesel may or may not make that a riskier choice.
Also, the terrain you expect to cover could impact your choice. If you're likely to find yourself somewhere on dirt during the rainy season you could end up having to do a lot of winching and a hydraulic would probably serve you better since they are 100% duty cycle.

[LR Max]

I just checked out/look around in a Discovery that has been around the world and here is what I noticed:

-They used stock tire sizes. They did go with an aggressive tire tread but nothing larger. Never had a problem. Also they had stock suspension. The nice thing about this combo is that it keeps the overall height of the vehicle low so putting it into containers isn't an issue.
-Roof Top tent and awning. Seemed to be very nice to have. Oh and they had a roof rack.
-2 burner propane stove built into the rear door, folded up when not in use. Very nice.
-Had a cage that separated the front two seats from the cargo area (had the rear seats removed). Also all the windows in the back had security "nets" (made out of steel) over all the rear windows.
-They had two drawers. One for camping gear, looks like camping stove and compact sleeping bags took up most of the space. The other drawer had very basic spare parts. Fuel pump, radiator hoses, some fluids, etc.
-40 gallon tank installed for the stock tank. They also had 1 5 gallon can on the rear bumper. Apparently this is all they needed (vehicle had a low compression V8 gasser engine)
-Basic recovery gear. Electric winch out front, strap, a couple of shackles, hi-lift on the rear, and sand ladders on the roof rack. Good to go.
-Big fridge/freezer.
-Rubber boots (I can only imagine these being useful!)

But yeah, super basic, and that truck HAS been around the world! Personally, I think you need to try to go as light as possible. Will be easier since you don't have crap everywhere and your truck is lighter. I'm a big fan of winches and aggressive tread tires but that and maybe some armor on the underside are all you REALLY need. Keep in mind you'll be spending most of your time on pavement.

Good luck with the outfit! I wish I had known you were going to do this trip. The above vehicle mentioned is for sale!

[Antichrist]

-They used stock tire sizes. They did go with an aggressive tire tread but nothing larger. Never had a problem. Also they had stock suspension. The nice thing about this combo is that it keeps the overall height of the vehicle low so putting it into containers isn't an issue.

Yup. I think a lot of people forget that there was a lot of overlanding done in Series Land Rovers on a much higher percentage of bad roads (a lot of the earth has been paved since the 60's & 70's).
The only comment I have on springs is I'd select springs of the heavy duty nature sufficient to keep the overall height pretty stock yet still support the GVW once the vehicle is loaded.

[I Leak Oil]

I'm just green with jealousy that he can walk down the street and buy a brand new D110. No rust, no leaks (yet), no importation B.S. If this was truely the land of the free I could go do the same....sigh....

[Glenn C]

[QUOTE=I Leak Oil;1169544]I'm just green with jealousy that he can walk down the street and buy a brand new D110 QUOTE]

Well Said there sir.

First off congrats on the defender im really jealous, just one thing I will say and Im not saying this 100% but if you add aftermarket bumpers tyres springs etc etc that are not approved landrover parts you void the vehicles warranty , read that in a landrover mag article bout an overlanding Disco 4 he had to stick to lr approved kit so he couldn modify his truck more than s et of muds(lr approved) and a warn winch(again LR approved) the only approved mud terrain tyre fro LR is the goodyear wrangler MT just a thought im sure if im wrong ill be corrected but I would strongly suggest checking that out

[ajctraveler]

I just checked out/look around in a Discovery that has been around the world and here is what I noticed:

-They used stock tire sizes. They did go with an aggressive tire tread but nothing larger. Never had a problem. Also they had stock suspension. The nice thing about this combo is that it keeps the overall height of the vehicle low so putting it into containers isn't an issue.
-Roof Top tent and awning. Seemed to be very nice to have. Oh and they had a roof rack.
-2 burner propane stove built into the rear door, folded up when not in use. Very nice.
-Had a cage that separated the front two seats from the cargo area (had the rear seats removed). Also all the windows in the back had security "nets" (made out of steel) over all the rear windows.
-They had two drawers. One for camping gear, looks like camping stove and compact sleeping bags took up most of the space. The other drawer had very basic spare parts. Fuel pump, radiator hoses, some fluids, etc.
-40 gallon tank installed for the stock tank. They also had 1 5 gallon can on the rear bumper. Apparently this is all they needed (vehicle had a low compression V8 gasser engine)
-Basic recovery gear. Electric winch out front, strap, a couple of shackles, hi-lift on the rear, and sand ladders on the roof rack. Good to go.
-Big fridge/freezer.
-Rubber boots (I can only imagine these being useful!)

But yeah, super basic, and that truck HAS been around the world! Personally, I think you need to try to go as light as possible. Will be easier since you don't have crap everywhere and your truck is lighter. I'm a big fan of winches and aggressive tread tires but that and maybe some armor on the underside are all you REALLY need. Keep in mind you'll be spending most of your time on pavement.

Good luck with the outfit! I wish I had known you were going to do this trip. The above vehicle mentioned is for sale!

Great advice, thank you so much for taking the time.

I'm just green with jealousy that he can walk down the street and buy a brand new D110. No rust, no leaks (yet), no importation B.S. If this was truely the land of the free I could go do the same....sigh....

Yeah, not having airbags sort of makes it a problem in the states.. I'm from New York, but I'm getting the car in England where it's possible to register a car as a non-resident.

Well Said there sir.

First off congrats on the defender im really jealous, just one thing I will say and Im not saying this 100% but if you add aftermarket bumpers tyres springs etc etc that are not approved landrover parts you void the vehicles warranty , read that in a landrover mag article bout an overlanding Disco 4 he had to stick to lr approved kit so he couldn modify his truck more than s et of muds(lr approved) and a warn winch(again LR approved) the only approved mud terrain tyre fro LR is the goodyear wrangler MT just a thought im sure if im wrong ill be corrected but I would strongly suggest checking that out

You'll buy it soon enough. I got my delivery date and I will be picking up the car on 22 October!!!

As far as the warranty goes, I will have that voided within about a week of ownership.