Your land rovers.

I have to stress something, this trip is not purely about a jolly round the country in the normal sense journey's several of us have already done. One of the aims is to get as high in the mountains as is both safe and practicable, that is why several of us will be taking telescopes and other optical equipment. The roads in the mountains, off the highways, are a minefield of semi-dirt track on rock to boulder strewn shakers that have to be negotiated carefully to avoid vehicle damage or worse. I do not propose to go where it is obvious vehicle damage would occur, being stuck at 3000m in a remote mountain location is not what I intend, as such there are some things all of us need to pay attention to and some spares we all must consider;

• Tyres need to be decent quality and reasonably new to not only ensure decent traction, but that the sidewalls can withstand the beating they may face. A Quality spare and perhaps a tyre repair kit would be strongly advised. The condition of the tyre is more important than the size. about 235 is adequate for all conditions likely to be faced.
  
  
• Compressor:-Decent one, not one of Halfords own. It is likely that tyre inflation pressures may be adjusted so you need a decent unit that can deal with the workload.
  
  
• Suspension: Crucial it is in tip top condition, if yours has any weakness, the mountain tracks will find it and brake it.
  
  
• Brakes:-Ensure the pads are reasonably new and can handle the workload, Ensure hoses are tucked away, if these get snagged you could loose break pressure, ensure your hand brake is more than adequate. A couple of spare brake hoses would be a wise choice with some DOT4 or DOT5 fluid.
  
  
• Bushes:- The generic rubber bushes for dampers and joints only cost a few pounds, well worth the investment because these can and will fail if they have any weakness in them. These are some seriously hard roads high up.
  
  
• Lift Kit:-Do not need it, ground clearance is king in the mountains, and your more likely to roll it with a higher centre of mass.
  
  
• Spare lamps:- Mandatory if your elect to drive through France anyway, but mandatory from a common sense perspective too.
  
  
• Diff, Tank, sump and Steering guards are really an absolute for being on the high rocky tracks, repairing a diff, sump, steering or fuel tank in the field is no laughing matter: I do not recommend Aluminium ones, steel withstands the rock damage better.
  
  
• Drive shaft boot: These silicone boots slide over the prop-diff joints and provide dust protection, but importantly they will cushion the blow of an errant rock too, less likely to damage the flange, rubber or bolts then.
  
  
• Service the vehicle before departure, ensure that your totally happy with the diff, transmission and engine lubricants, they will all be worked hard on this trip, better to be safe than sorry.
  
  
• STEEL WHEELS:- You cannot straighten an Alloy wheel...once cracked or impacted badly, it's a few £ worth of scrap.
  
  
• CB:- All vehicle MUST have a CB fitted so we can talk to each other!!
  
  
• Recovery Points a MUST, as is a decent recovery strap (8M) as are decent shackles, not cheap ones. Recommend at least a 4.75T capacity.

Of course spares are crucial for the obvious things, and as Bill said, these need to be things that can be reasonably changed at the roadside or by a reasonably competent person with a garage. Wheel Bearings, UJ's, Track rods and things that spring to mind as taking a battering in the past, protection should stop the track rods, but errant rocks can be a bitch getting up inside to wreak havoc trapped in the steering guard.(Not common, but have seen it happen a couple of times).

• Track Rod Ends (outside of protection)
  
• Two Wheel bearings.
  
• UJ's
  
• Brake Hoses
  
• Fuel filter
  
• Oil Filter
  
• Engine Oil
  
• Lamps
  
• Brake fluid
  
• Small amount of Diesel resistant rubber pipe to effect fuel line repairs in field, don't forget jubilee clips for same. (1m is sufficient and about half a dozen clips)
  
• Rad seal: in case the unthinkable happens.
  
• Puncture repair kit
  
• Quality hydraulic jack or Exhaust jack (Farm Jacks are not always ideal in the mountains)
  
• Ability to carry at least 40L of clean water (You may need some for a damaged rad!)
  
• Reasonable tool kit, 10-19mm spanners, grips, screw drivers, pliers, circlip pliers, stanley knife and blades, perhaps a small 1/2 socket set. 27mm Socket and long handled bar for wheel removal, LED torch. Length of old carpet or a "runner" to put on the ground if your in the mountains and it's rocky or wet. (You may be swearing, but no need to be pocked by rocks or get socked)

That's for starters, it's 02:00 hrs so I'm off to bed. Will post more tomorrow.

other things to take,

Grab bag containing 2ltrs of water and some energy bars, passport vehicle documents, sun cream, mobile and a hat. this is in-case you have to exit the vehicle in a hurry,

Fiches peice of A3 with both your details and the vehicle details something like this: www.morocco-overland.com/fiche.doc
I have a copy if any body needs one (email me charles(dot)denny48(at)virgin(dot)net

you will need them more in the southern part of Morocco, but useful when checking into campsites.

plenty of water, I was given 60 2l bottles and used most of them, I also took Ribena as this made drinking water more interesting,

I am sure there will be more but I will expand if I remember

another thing I remembered was international driving permits,
here is a link to the AA website: www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/

you can send away for them or as I did go to an issuing post office.