Land Rover 90 CSW
I commissioned Douglass Motors to fully prepare my 17 year old Land Rover 90 CSW for an expedition across the High Atlas mountains and into the Sahara Desert. Many safety and protection items were added and other essential products and accessories installed. Every major mechanical and electrical component and system was checked for fitness for purpose. I am delighted to say that the Land Rover took all that it faced in its stride and was totally reliable throughout the 5000 mile exciting adventure. Every driver should do it! Derek Ball, Evesham, Warwickshire.
Derek uses his 90 as an everyday car, so any preperation done was mindful of its everyday use.
About 18 months before planning our 3rd trip to Morocco with Impala adventures, we had been asked by Derek to carry out some work to his recently acquired 90. The first major job was to replace the tired 2.5Td with a new 300 Tdi power plant. During this part of the project the transmission was upgraded to the R380 gearbox and later LT230 transfer box. To help with braking and keep as close to the desired 300 Tdi spec, the rear axle was also replaced with a later disc braked version. This was the start of Dereks affair with his 90, one that we all get into when we get a Land Rover. When we announced our 3rd trip to Morocco, Derek was very enthusiastic about going, after all he had spent a long time in Africa whilst serving his time with Lucas. To go back and explore this part of Africa with his partner Christine, was an opportunity not to be missed. "The rest" as they say "is history".
After a thorough service was carried out all that was required was some basic preparation work. Rock sliders with jacking points gave adequate protection to the side. The ARB bull bar came with the car and stayed on for frontal protection.
Ally roof rack and rear access ladder gave some extra storage space up on the roof for the second spare wheel, spare fuel cans when empty and lightweight camping gear.
A snorkel is almost a definate "must have" part of safari preparation due to sand and dust being picked up on the dusty mountain tracks and across the dessert plains.
Crossing one of the many dried river beds in the Atlas mountains.
Basic camping equipment is all that is required. Derek opted for a ground tent rather that a roof tent. An option that quite a few people are still going for.
Not all river crossings are this easy.
After all of the mountain dust and dessert sand, what better than a good wash down, at least for the car anyway...
- BACK