Devon 4x4 Off Road - Discovery 2 expedition / Overland travel preparation

Discovery 2 expedition / Overland travel preparation

The Devon 4x4 Discovery 2 has been prepped for overland travel to our usual high standards.
Every aspect of the vehicle has been considered from the ground to the roof to maximise features whilst keeping the overall vehicle weight as low as possible and maintaining the servicability and reliability of the base vehicle.

Below you will find a few details of the modifications to the vehicle...

Wheels & Tyres
All-round performance and durability come from a set of 265/75 R 16 BFG Mud Terrain, fitted to standard factory alloys. The use of common types and sizes reduces the chances of becoming stranded in the event of a major failure. The standard rear wheel carrier is replaced by a heavy duty D44 unit to allow for the larger tyre size on the back door.

Suspension
Old Man Emu springs and shocks all round give the vehicle a lift and manage the extra weight of equipment whilst providing stability for the vehicle. The additional height helps to improve approach and departure angles when off-road.

Protection
Rear
Southdown tank guard protects the fuel tank at the rear and also provides rear recovery points.

Sides
Richmond Automotive tubular sills protect the underside of the doors and sill panels without extending too far out. The tailored shape of the sills maintains the vehicle styling without compromising performance.

Rear Bumper
A D44 heavy duty bumper replaces the original item. The slimline design improves departure angle and makes working in the back of the car easier. The bumper wraps around the rear quarters for added protection and features highly visible NAS-spec lighting.

Front Bumper
The ‘competition’ spec front bumper from D44 protects the front end of the vehicle and provides a mounting point for the vehicle winch. The design of the bumper follows the lines of the vehicle closely creating an excellent approach angle and providing tough protection at the front. The bumper also provides front recovery points.

Steering Guard
Coupled to the front bumper is a D44 steering guard. This protects all the vital steering components and triangulates to the chassis for maximum strength.

Recovery
Winch
Winch recovery on the D2 is handled by the Warn Powerplant winch. Pulling 9500 lbs, the winch will handle pretty much everything the vehicle can throw at it. Uniquely, the Powerplant winch also features an on-board compressor, powerful enough for tyre inflation and even for running air-tools. For ease of use and a weight saving, the winch is fitted with 11mm Plasma rope and a D44 stainless steel fairlead.

Recovery Kit
No need to carry the kitchen sink, a few well-chosen items in a kit will do everything.

In the D2 kit :

2m Tree Strop
2m Endless Strop
4 x Bow Shackles
ARB Recovery Strap
ARB Snatch Block
Decent pair of gloves

The kit is kept neat and visible in an ARB recovery bag.

Electrical
Batteries
Power for the D2 comes from a pair of Odyssey PC1200 batteries, one as the main service battery for the vehicle and one for running auxiliary items. The compact size of the batteries means that both can be fitted in the original battery location in a D44 battery tray. The Odyssey works as a starter and deep cycle unit for all applications.

Charging
Batteries are managed by a Genesis system. This keeps the batteries in top condition with priority charging, and provides in-cab feedback of the entire battery system with an LCD readout. A ‘winch-assist’ mode is also available to give a power boost from both batteries when required. A heavy-duty contactor manages the charging and will accommodate high-current applications such as winching.

Internal Power
Auxiliary loads such as fridges and lighting are run from the second battery and additional power outlets are installed around the vehicle for the convenient connection of appliances.

Storage
Rear Compartment
The main storage in the vehicle comes from the Trip-Net storage system. Lightweight nets are installed in the rear and a series of storage pouches are attached to keep everything under control.

The system also has a number of rigid cases which can be simply strapped together for storing heavier items such as cooking gear, food, etc.

Roof Storage
The D2 is fitted with an ARB roof rack, designed especially to accommodate the roof tent. At the front of the rack, a Trip-Net external bag keeps items protected against showers and dust.

External Storage
For carrying dirty or wet items, or as a place to transport rubbish, the spare wheel has a Trip-Net garbage bag attached.

Navigation
To complement the paper maps carried for any trip, a Garmin GPSMap 278c is installed to give road navigation, voice guidance and off-road mapping. Maps are installed for the UK and Europe.

Accomodation
The new ARB touring range provides accommodation on the vehicle. For short-stops and for shelter in the evenings the ARB side awning can be erected in less than a minute and is fully waterproof.

For sleeping, the ARB roof tent extends out to a whopping 2.2m x 1.4m and provides a comfortable, warm and weatherproof sleeping area.

For longer stays and for more living space, an optional annexe room / changing room is available which attaches directly to the base of the tent.

Lighting
Vehicle lighting
Additional front-end lighting comes from four ARB 800 series lights. A mixture of spot and driving pattern gives wide coverage and good visibility.

Lights are mounted on a D44 light bar which doubles up as a roofline protector when driving through woodland / overgrown areas.

Site Lighting

When parked up, campsite lighting is provided by ARB adventure lights running from the vehicle batteries. These lights draw exceptionally low current with high light output. For portable work, Wipac hand-held LED torches are used which can be recharged from the car when travelling.

Wading
For any trip, wading preparation is important. The D2 is fitted with a Safari Snorkel for the engine air intake, breather hoses are extended above the waterline, as is the air intake for the on-board compressor.

Exhaust System
To avoid damage off-road, the D2 is fitted with a D44 stainless exhaust system. As well as giving a free-flowing exhaust, the tailpipe is designed to exit through the side of the vehicle where it won’t sustain damage off-road.

Tyre Accessories
As part of the tool kit for the vehicle, a set of tyre accessories helps in an emergency. The D2 carries an ARB tyre deflator for airing-down tyres when off-road. Also in the kit is an ARB speedy seal tyre repair kit for mending punctures.

Water System
Water is carried in the vehicle using Trip-Net stainless tanks and additional water bladders for extra capacity. A compact pumping kit is part of the system for showering and general use which runs from the vehicle auxiliary battery.

For drinking water, Trip-Net carbon filter units are used to remove impurities and dirt.

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