4motion-ing the roads less travelled...

[FaithfulDonkey]

Hey there and apologies for not keeping my follower (who is likely to be my mum) up to date with the latest van shenans... but slowly coming out of hibernation and getting ready for a some summer adventures - not least of which is heading to the dusty trails of Slovenia. So thought is prudent to up my underbody protection and get my self something more robust than the standard plastic under tray - not that its seen any bonking and scraping to date (unlike those of you have attended one of those less than selubrius 'specialist' open-air music festivals)

Anyway, it was a quick, easy and surprisingly cheap job thanks to the folks at Steel Engine Sump Guard and their special offer. Quality item at a reasonable price and fitted like a dream.



And, yes, just in case there was popular demand a little video of how it was done..

 

[FaithfulDonkey]

So with the great success of strapping on my new steel sump guard, thought it fitting to find a few rocks to see if I can bounce any off it. So off to Yorkshire to drive an amazing greenlane dropping down over the moors to a series of loverly reservoirs. As well as the scenery, just enough rocks to bumble over and listen for the 'clang'...but happily, nothing to report. Not a scratch to my underpinings to report!

Oh and, in case there was popular demand to be back due to, there is the customary short video for you to enjoy .

FD

 

[MorkC68]

So with the great success of strapping on my new steel sump guard, thought it fitting to find a few rocks to see if I can bounce any off it. So off to Yorkshire to drive an amazing greenlane dropping down over the moors to a series of loverly reservoirs. As well as the scenery, just enough rocks to bumble over and listen for the 'clang'...but happily, nothing to report. Not a scratch to my underpinings to report!

Oh and, in case there was popular demand to be back due to, there is the customary short video for you to enjoy .

FD


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Is that the same green lane Urban Ark Overland and Bug Out Vehicles feature on there YouTube channels?

 

[aBrick]

Sump guard looks great.
Are you going to bother with any of the other guards for fuel tank / rear diff etc?
I too would like some under-body protection.. but the whole set is very expensive.

Also, your roof rack.. do you rate it?
I see you went flat instead of the basket type. Before I bought my van it had the full basket type on it, and I'd like to get another one but the basket type adds a lot of height. Nice to see yours, it looks great too.

Nice videos!

 

[FaithfulDonkey]

Is that the same green lane Urban Ark Overland and Bug Out Vehicles feature on there YouTube channels?

Hi there. It certainly is, but doing it the other way around from the last one I saw). The lane carries on past the dam but i didnt get chance this time. You can see the full set of lanes in my Jeep video from a couple of years ago (it was p!ssing with rain last time! Very different in bright sun and 25 degrees...).

 

[FaithfulDonkey]

Sump guard looks great.
Are you going to bother with any of the other guards for fuel tank / rear diff etc?
I too would like some under-body protection.. but the whole set is very expensive.

Also, your roof rack.. do you rate it?
I see you went flat instead of the basket type. Before I bought my van it had the full basket type on it, and I'd like to get another one but the basket type adds a lot of height. Nice to see yours, it looks great too.

Nice videos!

So sump guard was much better than expected for the money. I did look at other protection, but figured a big donk on the sump and I'd back away from any trouble, or at least look for an alterate line. I have wrecked my adblu plastic cover ( get the impression they just self destruct) so may consider sorting that.

Re the roofrack, wanted as low profile as possible due to height. Withe lift and standard wheel/tyres, still under 2m 10cm... stil, can be a pain finding car larks but not too bad. Not sure the side bits on the basket add that much really... plenty to strap ypur canoe, jerry cans, mother in law etc too. The rack was from direct 4x4...does the job, but dislike the sticky out flashy light mounts at the front and back...although the back one does make a decent CB antenna mount! Dometic Slimsport would be my fave but really cant justify the swap.

And thanks for watching! And let me know how you get on with your build.

FD

 

[FaithfulDonkey]

Now I know the avid follower of my build and adventures may have wondered that maybe my slightly stealth approach to swampering is too, err stealthy. So I have decided to butch my wagon a little (I hope that's not a euphanism) and accessorise. I always carry my Maxxtrx Minis and a small shovel in the back, but with an impending trip to the dusty trails of Slovenia, thought I'd make a wee mount and carry them on the rear and save a bit of interior space. Also, tarted up the shovel with some of my fave Halfords truck bed paint you will have seen liberally spread over many of my parts...
Not sure I'll keep on the back for a trip to Tescos...but when out adventuring, think it a practical addition and, dare I say it, adds some overt swampery style!
More details on Slovenia to follow.

 

[FaithfulDonkey]

All gunked up but places to go.
I was getting the occaisional P2015 engine light and a nag that the engine was a little off colour with MPG all over the shop. So took the gamble that at c. 100k my manifold was gunked (not a euphanism for a personal issue, and anyway, I have some lotion I can apply for that).
Think we can safely say it was...


Not a cheap job, but deffo needed doing.

I highly recommend Absolute VW in Derbyshire Absolute VW - Volkswagen Classic, Camper, Transporter Specialist

Just in time to the Slovenia trip starting next week!

FD

 

[DXX]

All gunked up but places to go.
I was getting the occaisional P2015 engine light and a nag that the engine was a little off colour with MPG all over the shop. So took the gamble that at c. 100k my manifold was gunked (not a euphanism for a personal issue, and anyway, I have some lotion I can apply for that).
Think we can safely say it was...
View attachment 330740

Not a cheap job, but deffo needed doing.

I highly recommend Absolute VW in Derbyshire Absolute VW - Volkswagen Classic, Camper, Transporter Specialist

Just in time to the Slovenia trip starting next week!

FD

Degreaser followed by oven cleaner

 

[FaithfulDonkey]

Degreaser followed by oven cleaner

Think you meant to post that on "What are you drinking tonight" (I didnt really think about getting it cleaned...good tip and noted for next time!)

 

[DXX]

It doesn’t make sense to pay a mechanic to clean it due to the hourly rate, they’d also charge while it soaked and they were doing another job.
It’s a throw away society, like throwing away the saucepan instead of washing up.