Category Archives: 3. Restoration: Focussing on the basic mechanical and body work

When you buy a fifteen year old 4×4 in Africa you can expect that a major effort and expense will be required to gain something that is at the same time functional, comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Our plan for the actual journey through West Africa, which will be the focus of Stage III, will require not only basic mobility functionality but also outfitting for long-term camping and survival in remote locations. It should take the year and a half remaining in my posting to Ghana to tear down and rebuild the vehicle, including restoring or replacing the motor, the gearbox, etc; complete all the exterior work such as repainting and replacement of all the trim, completely redoing both the interior including repainting, soundproofing, carpeting and upholstering. That does not include outfitting for the journey, which merits a whole category unto itself.