Marco de Lange, Tongasabi Safaris, LAND ROVER (and more)

The S2a project back on the road…

admin — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 14:56:05 +0000

Finished the S2a Land Rover project, the 1965 SWB 88 Land Rover is now back on the road. Canvas hood and pastel green color. Next job will be getting a MOT (APK in Holland). It has been a busy summer, lot’s of ‘normal’ work and still working on a few other vehicle projects. This little green Landy will be used in and around town on sunny days…. no door tops and a bit ‘The Gods must be crazy’ look!

Kaokoland and Himba Safari Namibia

admin — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:58:31 +0000

Are you in for adventure? Join us on the Kaokoland and Himba Safari through Northern Namibia, a real 4×4 adventure! The journey of a life time All the way to Epupa Falls, Marienfluss, Van Zijls Pass, Purros, Etosha National Park and Spitzkoppe. The best itinerary for Northern Namibia. Info on the Dutch Tongasabi website, drop me an email to receive the UK version.

Last Minute departure: 10-02 to 24-02-2010 code NNS-00 (start & end WIndhoek Namibia)

You won’t regret, a real safari adventure to remote places! Encounter Desert Elephants, wild places, Himba Tribes and more! Swim at the Epupa Falls and enjoy wildlife of Etosha National Park. Unbeatable sunset at Spitzkoppe!

Departure dates for 2010 (start & end WIndhoek Namibia):

10-02 to 24-02-2010 code NNS-00
05-05 to 19-05-2010 code NNS-01
23-11 to 07-12-2010 code NNS-02
15-12 to 29-12-2010 code NNS-03

Merry Christmas & a happy New Year to all friends and visitors!

admin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:10:47 +0000

Bush Ways Safaris & Tongasabi

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 14:22:04 +0000

Special attention for Land Rover operated Botswana Safaris. Above a picture of one of the converted and extended Land Rover Td5 Bush Ways Safaris is using for their Botswana Adventure Tours. All Bushways safaris can be booked via Tongasabi. The itineraries start with 7 days Maun to Maun and stretch to a full 17 days Leopard adventure safari. Check out the Dutch Tongasabi website for more info on the Bush Ways tours & itineraries! Most popular the 15 days Lion Safari (Leeuw Safari). Other choices: Visarend Safari (Fish Eagle Safari), Buffalo Safari (Buffel Safari), Elephant Safari Botswana.

Some images of Land Rover vehicles and equipment:

Premier Classe Train South Africa

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:28:02 +0000

Just added a new product to the Tongasabi Safaris South Africa portfolio. The Premier Classe Train South Africa. Interesting product which can be combined with a large range of South African safaris & tours. e.g. The 13 days South Africa Safari (accommodated) or the Kruger Park Safari. Travel in style by using the railway tracks!

Routes:

Johannesburg to Hoedspruit (Kruger National Park)
Johannesburg to Cape Town (The Classic Journey)
Johannesburg to Durban (railway to the beach)
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth ( Garden Route & Karoo)

Check this link on the Dutch Tongasabi website: Premier Classe Train South Africa

Last Minute Safari 2 Africa!

admin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:10:33 +0000

For December and January we do have some seats available at several camping and lodge safaris to Southern Africa. You’ll find the complete listing on the Dutch Tongasabi Website. Just check the link to:

Last Minute reis & safari aanbiedingen, klik hier voor de aanbiedingen voor december en januari!

New Botswana Safaris

admin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:05:15 +0000

Just published some new Botswana Safaris on the Dutch Tongasabi website. Four small group safaris and one lodge safari. All great itineraries! The small group safaris are a good alternative to the more expensive (private) lodge tours. Prices starting at Euro 975 + US$ 300 local payment for the 10 days classic Botswana safari.

Lodge Safaris to Botswana are relatively cheap at the moment due to the low dollar/Euro exchange rate.

Check these links at Tongasabi.nl:

All excellent value 4 money!

Terrafirma coil springs suspension

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:20:31 +0000

Busy with the “normal” work load but have find some time in between to sort out the spring trouble on the 130 Station Wagon. Last summer I’ve replace the sagging Britpart rear springs with my ‘old’ Old Man Emu 754 ones but those turned out to be way to strong for the weight of the vehicle. I’ve now found the perfect spring (hopefully) with the right load specifications of 330 lbs/in and a free spring length of 435mm. These new TF019 springs are manufactured by Allmakes and their Terrafirma brand. I’m awaiting my spring order and will update my blog as soon as these Terrafrima springs have arrived!

Terrafirma

Terrafirma TF019 rear springs medium duty for Land Rover 110 and 130. There are several ratings available including heavy load like the old OME springs I’m replacing at the moment. For front I do consider to match the rear springs with the TF018 spring. The rating of those springs should be good enough for my 130 fitted with Superwinch X9 winch and (steel) steering protector.

Land Rover LT230 Transfer Box

admin — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:35:38 +0000

Busy with work, holiday and now some vehicle maintenance. Still sorting out the springs on the 130. Will post more on that one a little later. Main problem with the Defender 130 Station Wagon is a real bad oil leak. The EP 80/90 oil is leaking via the intermediate shaft out of the LT230 transfer box. The unit has been reconditioned 35.000km back by a professional company….

I do expect the o-ring seal on the intermediate shaft to be broken and searching on the Internet revealed it to be a common problem. It should be an “easy repair” but the only way to get to this rubber seal is by taking out the transfer box of the vehicle and dismantle it! So it’s actually a lot of work!

As I do have two other LT230 units on the shelf I’ve decided to recondition one of the boxes by myself! OK I’m not novice to gearboxes, reconditioned two Series 3 gearboxes back in the nineties.

As it is difficult to take a picture of the actual leak I’ve edited the image below. The red circle on the left is the intermediate shaft. The right circle is the input gear / shaft and connecting to the main gearbox, a LT77.

[View with PicLens]

The first image is the oil leak of the LT230 fitted to the vehicle right now, second image is the serial number with suffix ‘E’ and another engraving which might be a referrer to a previous reconditioning of this transfer box. This actual unit is 1992. The third image, the complete box dismantled into pieces. The fourth image a close up of the gears, on the left the intermediate gears + shaft. On the right the main shaft with differential.

My next step is ordering all new bearings, seals, gaskets and some small bits and pieces. The most difficult of the full reconditioning job is to get the bearing pre loads right. Main shaft & intermediate shaft. Special tools are needed which I don’t have.

Timing Belt change 200Tdi Defender

admin — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 14:32:54 +0000

This weekend I’ve changed the timing belt of my 200Tdi Defender (Kanga). I’m glad I did as the old drive belt did have some serious damage! See the two pictures below. Mileage on the old belt 22.000km.

[View with PicLens]

At this stage it’s wise to replace the cam shaft and crank shaft oil seals + fit a new genuine tensioner. I did also replace the waterpump. Belt OEM made by DAYCO.

On this Land Rover website page you can read and down load a full article on changing the timimg belt of a 200Tdi.
Tools I’ve been using are the Difflock Timing Kit and the Difllock Crank Shaft Pully Tool.