I have written a few thoughts down (already had this for someone else who asked for some advice on our teams facebook page (
https://www.facebook.com/PandaRaid2014CharityRally/)
So new dampers is a good idea as they will get a lot of abuse. The rear ones on the 4x4 are fairly quick and easy to do with no need to even lift the car.
-checking engine cooling, perhaps fitting a new radiator
Don't really need a bigger radiator but if you don't know the history of the rad might be worth replacing in case someone has used some crappy leak stopping stuff and blocked it up (you can check if there are any cold patches on it by touching it when engine is warmed up but might be safer to just replace and off ebay they are quite cheap I think...Also you will want a fan switch so that you can turn on the radiator fan and leave it on when climbing up steep hills very slowly as this is the killer bit. You can remove the rear bonnet rubber as well to let a bit more heat out from the bonnet but if you do this the bonnet is free to vibrate (and it will very badly shake to bits in Morocco as we found out!!)
-fitting chunky tyres
Yes yes and yes!! I use Malatesta Tracs from (tyresdirectuk.co.uk) they were incredible although they will get quite ruined!
There was some separation inside the tyre after we had a puncture but this may have been from driving it for a bit while the tyre was deflated.
-fitting a roof rack with two spare wheels
Roof rack is a good idea although the extra drag will make a difference to your top speed so we kept as much inside as possible.
-tinting the windows
Good idea. We blanked out the rears (good for security and heat from the sun) but tinting is just as good. It's what I have done now.
-removing the rear seats
Probably will need to do this to fit it all in but we kept the rear hammock type seats in mine as it was great at stopping things from sliding about! :slayer: And this will happen!
-fitting a sump/steering guard
A must, there are some horrific rocks and they will go through the metal frame fiat one. Aluminium sheet will do though but 3mm+ thick or will just punch right through.
-protecting the fuel tank maybe - especially for plastic fuel tanks. Yours should be metal though I think.
Having said that we didn't protect it and got away with it but not to say a bad idea if you have time.
Much more important...check your filler pipe fuel hose connections. these get old and weak and it only takes a knock from the wheel or a big rock and your fuel will leak out! Check that when you fully load up the car and have the off road tyres fitted that the tyre does not contact the filler pipe. A lot of people had this issue on the raid due to the large amount of weight in the car.
-taking spare fuel/water
Yes definitely. You should get lots of suggestions from Pandaraid on what to bring and what you have to bring as well.
-finding some decent GPS/navigation equipment and maps....
a morocco map is also required but you are technically not allowed to bring any GPS and if caught officially will be disqualified. But I am sure only the people trying to win would be checked. and others probably got away with it. We just had the map although we had a GPS for euro land no maps for morocco though...but "roads, there are no roads where you're going"
- Spares
worth taking some spares of things which cannot be fixed at roadside (the organisers do have spares but always better if you are able to fix yourself). Alternator is a good one as car won't go far if this fails.
Service items like spark plugs, fuel filters, spare air filters as they get clogged, jubilee clips and tape and wire for repairing burst water pipes.
- Tools
Everything you need to change wheels and pump tyres up (you'll likely need to drop tyre pressures for the sand dunes but on the road you'll want more air as your top speed will be massively reduced!!). Torch for any emergency breakdowns.
Probably quite a lot more to think about and can never really be prepared enough. But the Pandaraid organisers are very good and most things run quite smoothly. The support truck has almost everything from spare engines and gearboxes to CV joints (as I found out!)...
Anyway, have fun! Will be epic I am sure. :devil:
Si
