A bit of a review…..

So where are we………..I keep a to do list of jobs to be done, so it might be worth documenting these; in a way mapping out the next couple of months.

The suspension is now OK apart from the Radius arms that were an MOT advisory, I will research and get heavy duty replacements at some point. The leaking steering box, also an MOT advisory will be replaced with a heavy duty one in the next couple of weeks.

Regular readers will know that the water pump has leaked since we have had the Perentie and it is getting worse. Replacements are impossible to get in the UK and I am loathed to take it of on the assumption that I can get it rebuilt, just in case it is a basket case. It will do as a spare if a rebuild is possible.

Along with the Water Pump there are a few other parts that I can only easily get from Australia, the thermostat, bypass hose, timing cover gasket (which also leaks) and rear crank seals, that I will need at some point.

I have been communicating with KLR in Oz for a few months to try and get these parts. Anyway, long story cut short, my friend and Land Rover guru Darren, happened to be having some stuff shipped from Oz via KLR, so he offered some spare space in his box so my parts would have some company on the journey to the UK!

There was a little extra space so I ordered a rear disc brake conversion kit – more of that later.

Anyway, the shipment should be on its way next week, so I will schedule a strip down of the cooling system and replace all of the suspect parts and cooling hoses and heater matrix – again more later.

I have been slowly identifying leak points at the front of the vehicle and will be doing a “hose test” shortly to see if have succeeded; Benita will will enlisted to help out on this one……. Many holes have been sealed by one means or another, so hopefully we will have a Winter of dry footwells (stop laughing!).

The main wiring is done apart from a coupe of things. I ordered a part for the wiring loom that runs to the main dash instrument lights from Auto Sparks in June and this arrived this week! This was because you cannot get the instrument bulb holders as a spare part and my LED replacement bulbs would not reliably fit in the rather knackered original bulb holders. Also, I need to run a couple of extra ignition feeds to power a dash cam and the reversing camera – again – more later.

With the starter battery moved, I can now get the additional fuel tank fitted under the passenger seat and the corrosion in the drivers footwell sorted at the same time. Then I need to find a way of pumping the fuel from the spare to the main tank. Anyway, once the main work is done and the leaks sorted, I can soundproof the footwells, and get the floor and gearbox tunnel back in – that will be nice and much quieter. I will miss seeing the road as I drive around.

Once all that is done we should have a decent road going vehicle for the Winter and I can turn my attention to planning the wiring and fittings for the rear, fridge, leisure batteries etc.

In amongst all of this lots of other little jobs are being done, for example I have cleaned out and re-painted all of the side lockers – the one I did for the new starter battery made the other look dreadful.

I also added checker-plate on the floor with a neoprene lining underneath and repacked the seals. I used 2mm checker-plate for the sills, but the 3mm is much better and does not cost much more. I also fitted checker-plate into the rear jerry can holders which have just been powder coated.

I am also, gradually wire brushing and repairing the non galvanised underneath the car, axles, suspension components etc. This not only makes it look better, but will prevent future corrosion.