The vehicle is in good nick for it's age (I thought...once I got it on "African" roads all sorts of small problems appeared: jammed retaining pins on the front break pads; bushes buggered by the constant hammering of potholes etc, broken gear box mounting, seized track rod ends etc, etc...) well at least the engine is, and is quite well suited to the overland trip as I envisage that the non-ECU turbo diesel engine will give me less trouble than the KZ-TE. The turbo is questionable but I like the extra power it gives so that stays and the only major addition now will be a third battery and a high output alternator - there's no such thing as too much power!

• Duel batteries - COMPLETE
  
• Split charge system - COMPLETE
  
• Optima batteries - COMPLETE
  
• Snorkel - COMPLETE
  
• GPS - COMPLETE
  
• 2 x 12v PTOs from acc. battery - COMPLETE
  
• Upgrade radiator from 3 to 5 core - COMPLETE
  
• Remove viscous coupling - COMPLETE
  
• High output alternator
  
• Security box in vehicle - COMPLETE
  
• Voltmeter (Check batteries charging)

Accessories battery - split charge relay is the small blue box in the background. I'll swop this lead acid battery for an Optma Yellow Top before I leave.

Duel Battery System with split Relay

I've replaced my starter battery with an Optima Red top and the beast now starts like a bitch on heat! Wolston 4x4 added a Lucas split charge relay and I downgraded my original, bulk standard, HD battery to feed any accessories. Before I leave I'll replace the second battery with an Optima Yellow top and some more quick disconect cable clamps such as the OJOP Starter Battery Quick Connectors - "Quick Power".

At the moment only my fog and spot lights run of the second battery although ultimately it will be used to power the fridge, CB, extra lights etc. Before I leave I'll replace the second battery with an Optima Yellow top and some more quick disconect cable clamps such as the OJOP Starter Battery Quick Connectors - "Quick Power"

The split charge system and the extra lights have really added to the confusion of wires, relays and fuses already under the bonnet and I may have to do a little "tidying-up" before I go.

SAFARI Snorkel (Raised air intake)

Of course protecting my investment is utmost in my mind, but so is trying to increase the performance of my vehicle and allowing it to perform well in many different environments, and so I've bought, and had fitted, a Safari Snorkel System (SS106HF) from Frog's Island 4x4.

This involved cutting into the wing of the beast and then creating a bespoke connection between the air filter casing and the snorkel. This can be seen in the adjoining photo. Every vehicle is different and even with an bespoke option from Safari for each vehicle, there's usually a bit of extra adapting to do.

Not really an essential item it does though protect my engine from excessive dust and water and at the same time delivers a continuous supply of cooler air needed for max. engine performance.

Navigation:

Garmin GPS III Plus + MapSource connected via permanent connection to the accessories battery. Held in place using a RAM suction mount. NB: note the mutton cloth "snood" to keep the sun off the unit - also helps at Police road blocks and when leaving the car for short periods to pull the cloth over the face of the unit.

Alternator (These tips come from Morgan)

"If you are adding things like fridges, cb or vhf radios, a GPS, computers, or an electric fan, winches, additional lights, etc, you'll need to add a fusebox and Bosch 30A relays. And, even with a three battery setup, you should upgrade your alternator to a 110 Amp model. If you can find a 1990-1994 MR2 alternator and bracket from an MR2 with power steering, you may be able to make a straight swap (although I'm not sure with your diesel motor, as I don't have the shop manual for the diesel Hilux-unfortunately diesel was never offered in North America), and the MR2 alternator produces 100amps, as opposed to the 4Runner's 40-60amps. Alternately (pardon the pun), you could do what I did and order one from Downey Offroad, but I imagine the shipping from the US to the UK would make this a very costly option."