Rebuilding our truck in South Africa! Nothing will be the same... (Ep254)

After 6 years full time travelling the world in our Defender truck camper we have decided that South Africa will be the country we undergo a big rebuild.
We are very excited for this enormous project and the next few videos will document the conversion process of our Land Rover Defender overland vehicle.
Join us as we travel the world overland, exploring the cultures and traditions of all the countries we visit.
In our Land Rover Defender camper which is our full time home we will take you rock climbing, hiking and exploring across all the continents on this planet.
#overland #4x4 #dream #modified

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

very nice

[@boymeetsbush8232]

Your choice of doing the work in SA is perfect. Great workmanship and extremely knowledgeable people at very reasonable prices.

[@Alan.livingston]

Cheaper than getting it done in places like Australia or America too.

[@Ed-wy2di]

If you want to see how many fans you have in Cape Town, then arrange a meeting and greet in Cape Town. I'm sure there are fans that would like to meet you guys.

[@robertanderson-yx8mo]

WOW NOW YOU WILL HAVE AN OVERLANDER BUILT FOR YOUR OWN NEEDS,FANTASTIC,

[@garthlee8166]

you have landed with the Best team , Ian is a legend

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

ho yes . we are so grateful for Ian and Andre.

[@Ben_cowen.tasmania]

Nice video! I'm 99% sure that 105 series LandCruiser your Aussie friends brought was built by / for andrew st pierre white @ 4xoverland !! Safe travels

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

You would be 100% correct in that assumption 😉

[@cameronwood1994]

@@GrizzlyNbearOverland I was going to say, I thought I recognised it!

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

@@cameronwood1994 great spot 😉 We were wondering if anyone would recognise it.

[@rickmackenzie8488]

After watching the build series, your friends def know they have a well rebuilt cruiser!

[@utahjohnnymontana3373]

I saw it and said "isn't that the one that ASPW renovated?" Glad I'm not the only one to spot it.

[@mezanian]

I'm glad you got a CAT SCAN of Bear before you went any further 😅❤

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

😂😂😂

[@davidrawles5732]

We have been hanging out for this one

[@unpluggedkiwi1063]

I trust you were being a 'real' Aussie bloke and having a beer while Stephie was doing all the hard work.

[@Thebluelandy]

It is going to be awesome! You are in the best hands 🤗

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

thank you guys. enjoy the next chapter of your adventure !

[@Thebluelandy]

@@GrizzlyNbearOverland 🤩you too!

[@julienraimbert79]

Yep making dreams come true nothing else matters

[@heinstrydom864]

Good decision to use Pon, they assist me 23 years ago with my Land Rover the same location good memories. Thanks for the content.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Pon Steyn Motors are just amazing 😍

[@whiteeulogianraven7995]

What an incredible surgery you have realized. Bear is gonna look fit and bulky, like a little rhyno. Are you using a new video filter or camera? Because it looks sharper and more accurate to reality. Stephy, again, you are gifted. ¡¡¡PURA VIDA!!!

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

No new camera but maybe more filming with the big camera and less with the phones. The slr camera is usually a much nicer image 😉🎥

[@pauldent3059]

Please please please, make loads of videos of the build please, I can watch them for hours, so even if its 20 minutes of unscrewing a rusted bolt I don't mind and I probably speak for hundreds of your followers.

[@enriqueolmos8601]

Good stuff guys

[@injunnfuz6698]

It was great to upgrade n change for the better

[@rotanomade]

nice video guys, I enjoy it a lot, cant wait to see it done

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Thank you mate 😊

[@es-qc7lw]

a greaat vid guys wish my defender 90 has a camper on it..

[@RoverLanding-Adventures]

Your new tent looks familiar! It's certainty well traveled now.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

It certainly has, thank you so much for that 😉

[@LandRoverDS2020]

Exciting build coming up, can't wait.

[@robertlewis7237]

THANK YOU FOR VIDEO

[@wildcatoutdoors]

Those defenders with the alucab conversions are the coolest!

[@Davidos3]

You definitely have to go for the Swartbergpass in SA near Prince Albert ;)

[@Reaper4367]

Oh my.... Not my vehicle yet my anxiety just went stratospheric lmao 😰 Glad all is well and you are both enjoying that beautiful country. Cheers for taking us along and sharing.

[@EXPEDITIONROVE]

What an incredible time we had getting to hang out with you guys. Memories made for life!! 🧡🧡🧡

[@bustifurr]

Cant help but be super proud that your choosing South Africa for a rebuild ❤ please visit the west coast of South Africa, to me the most special little corner of this world, born and raised, much love

[@Amandla-Awethu]

Very excited to see how it all turns out.

[@grahames9228]

Wow, what a major job this will be.

[@orouchard]

Hey friends, wait a minute! That’s the LC 105 Andrew St Pierre and Paul Marsh rebuilt a few years ago. Oh what a nice coincidence 👍🏼😍

[@haexi1010]

My jaw dropped!

[@derekmay8427]

Looking forward to seeing the finished item! From what I know there is no shortage of Talented LR people in SA!❤😎👍🏻

[@vanlife_unlimited7259]

Love you both! Nice video! Lovely greetings from switzerland!

[@garagepie]

I want that kettle!

[@mrjohnsonclarke]

This is pretty exciting. It'll run like a rocket with all that extra gear removed!

[@RomainMartinez-pm6zi]

Hâte de voir bear !!! Excellente vidéo très beau travail

[@orenkipnis7058]

Good luck with the conversion. I am sure it will be awesome.

[@BobvanT]

Great project guys !

[@thierryfabre424]

Quelle révolution !! Hâte de voir la suite!!👍

[@KevIsOffGrid]

Tent upgrade after the Jordan trail :) Bear looks, well a little bear in his stripped form.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Yes. We had been speaking about this for many years. The MSR has been great and we'll leave it at Steph's mums for use when we go to Europe. We thought it's time to try ultra light. So far we love the new tent.

[@fritzintroopy]

Fun episode guys! Was great to see our car park catch up again! Epic work on the prep for the chop. Looking forward to seeing the final result.

[@jamespower6950]

Iv been hanging out for this episode and I'm now fizzing to see the next. Good pick on the ultra light tent my parents have used theirs heavily in ever type of nz weather event.

[@PAKOREGON]

I have driven on many of Oregon's "gravel" roads (crushed rock) over the years. I always found the "sweet spot" where a given speed for a given road would make driving on washboards much more confortable. Not sure of the mechanics but I always assumed that at a specific speed the tires are more or less just skimming the high points of the washboard surface. If I went below this sweet spot I got a lot of vibration and if I went faster then control was an issue. ;-)

[@yuglesstube]

You have the best of lives. We always enjoy being a small part of your remarkable adventures. Guy and Carly

[@OCompton]

Very exciting times! Can't wait to see the changes, great video as always, thanks for sharing with all of us.

[@stevesmith3556]

Can't wait to see it done! Steph-for removing the sticky stuff, lighter fluid or naphtha works great!

[@hughbatchelor8599]

It all looks like one BIG project. Look forward to watching the progress and finished product.

[@canadiandiyguy4100]

Love the video guys! the Grizzly 2.0 evolution is EPIC! Love the t-shirt Leigh! wonder where you got it from ;)

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Thank you. A very nice friend sent it to us. ;)

[@paramount10987]

This is going to be an awesome series of videos. I am so excited to see the outcome of the build. I would imagine you have been thinking of possible improvements over the years and now they will be adressed. It will be awesome.

[@danielgellon5857]

great project the modification on the Def, good luck to you both, by the way Leigh nice haircut

[@fritzintroopy]

Nicely spotted!

[@normanexall2478]

Great video, just a friendly South African reminder. You dont want to be showing the hand sign @ 10:17 to everyone at any given time 😂😂 Good luck !!!

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

haha. not sure why Leigh's hand is like that. It has no special meaning in Australia or France. We can only imagine. We will google it.

[@stevestott1514]

Great episode . Loving that your filming and sharing the new build . looking like it will be a came changer . Looking forward to next video . Thanks again for sharing your wonderful journey with us all your over landing friends . Cheers from Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A. :) :) 🌍🍻😁👍🏼

[@sierramantrvlnus]

Yay!

[@sabdam2629]

Hâte de voir ce magnifique defender transformé. Merci.

[@rtamang7990]

I can't wait to see new avatar..

[@ulrichm]

What a great project! Wishing all the luck in the world that you can built what you have been dreaming of in all these years! Looking forward to more exciting episodes with GrizzlyNbear! When you pass by West Africa, give me a shout and there are always some cold beers for you!

[@heidelbergaren5054]

Like moving to a new house

[@TheLandyExpedition]

Awesome you guys! We are loving following along your journey. What a fun day of climbing. See you guys on the road 😄 Harry and Chloe ☺️

[@kayeman001]

thank you for visiting beautiful RSA and showing what an incredible country it is through your eyes. without a doubt, it is a country with massive, scary challenges, but equally so, a country full of beautiful people and so much potential

[@frankguernier2280]

I look forward to seeing SA through your eyes. We hear so many bad stories . The ANC corruption . The biased employment situation with people in charge of Electricity and water supplies . They basically laid off qualified engineers based on their skin colour. Farmers being forced of their land unless they partner with African locals. Robbery. Car hijacking. Farm rape and murder. Good luck.

[@ivorscruton5121]

Weight reduction will improve reliability, and moving overhang mass will improve handling. Keeping heavy items centrally positioned and low improves weight bias. My travels, on a Yamaha XT 500 motorcycle, then later a Land Cruiser HJ 61, were always minimalistic. Always travelled alone, which is easier, on the bike 20 kg maximum luggage, in the truck 100 kg, never had a mechanical breakdown, just the odd puncture.

[@honeybadgerrr2985]

Awesome episode as always! So cool to see my neighbourhood on KZbin 😆

[@landrover1777]

Quel travail, bravo à vous! C'est passionnant.

[@derJackistweg]

Great! I own a Ford Quigley and as it seams mine is the lighest by far I know of: 3550kg inkl kitchen and so on. No water though. V8 Diesel. I know sooo many people that talk about their bumpers being from Aluminum and weighting 100kg or so. With some storage boxes with stuff you will never use those are often 150-200kg. Just the bumper. Looking forward so see the results...

[@andrebots4224]

You need to go to "Die Hall" if you are mobile again. But Grizzly might not fit. Come explore our Karoo!

[@Asur-slayer]

Felt kind of sad during the teardown..Soo much adventure and memories...Cheers from India

[@ralfkruse7565]

After this gigantic modifications none of your friends will recognize you car anymore. Let's hope he will like them. 🚙😉🇫🇷

[@mogxplorer8788]

... sometimes dreams do become reality! Great line, love it! Keep up! (... that is the most important mantra I got told....) Space cab is great, flat bed and pop top camper is a great combo. Good luck and let us know, how much lighter and more space efficient the new combo is.

[@calabao31]

VIVEMENT LE PROCHAIN EPISODE !!! J'ai hate de voir le resultat . Bon courage a vous 2 .

[@grahamwest1079]

Big changes ahead can't wait to see next episode. Taking my 90 pick up camping and off road driving this weekend, not sure how I'm going to get everything in as have a huge swag for a bit of comfort. Could do with a tray extension for such trips ha ha.

[@francoisrossouw1656]

Jeewizz mate I work around the corner from these guys, hopefully I can have a Sneek peak at Griz & Bear can’t believe you’re in my hood awesome. What made you decide to do the renovation here? You’re thoughts apart from the exchange rate…

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

The exchange rate of course was a big deciding factor but also the wealth of Land Rover knowledge and shops in South Africa along with the availability of parts.

[@lutomson3496]

All about commodification get a cab over camper while you are at it they make them that extend up

[@flysoutbackadventures]

Great video. Very keen to see the final build.

[@jamesredgrove6141]

Great stuff, looking forward to the next episode 🎉

[@tikit033]

super idée bon raid @++

[@thecarrovan2839]

So keen to see the end result!

[@Crazy_Art_Man]

You guys should let me know if you plan to come to the mountains in the eastern cape. I live here in the mountains, we have a 4000 year old bushman painting site that I do tours of.

[@MegaDirtyberty]

Going to be a bit of a mission but will be good when you have completed it.

[@TeunOudeVrielink]

- Is removing the roll cage a wise choice considering the safety risks? A Defender crumples like a house of cards once it topples over (or even rolls), and unfortunately, that happens more often than one might think, due to its high center of gravity. - It would be cool to paint or wrap the camper unit in a different color. But is matte black the right choice? It will undoubtedly get extremely hot in the sun since it absorbs everything and reflects nothing. Given your vast amount of experience, I'm sure you have already considered this... but I just wanted to mention it anyway.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Great points and you're right we've considered all this. The large rear garage storage box directly behind the cab will have a reinforced internal frame that will now act as a roll bar. Also 90% of the time our camper is installed which also has a strong frame. We know someone that rolled a 110 Defender hcpu with the exact same camper and the camper overhang above the Defender cab saved the cab from crushing and the couple were not injured. They rolled 4 times. The soft sides and roof of the camper will still be white which is the majority of the surface area when the roof is popped. The black section will only be small and the lower insulated half of the camper.

[@TeunOudeVrielink]

@@GrizzlyNbearOverland Thank you so much for your quick and detailed response! I already expected that you had thought this through very well. Keep up the great work with your amazing videos! My previous car was a Defender, and I miss it -almost- every day. It's wonderful to experience it a little bit through your content.

[@indicoverlander]

One the best guy in SA in Paul Marsh. A well-known name in 4x4 industry.

[@klauszoutdoorexplore4876]

Oh no, you change the beautiful 130 Defender, where none are built anymore, I wouldn't do that.

[@steinar.offroad]

I just now realize there are so many parts on your setup that I haven't see deployed (or at least not actively remember), awning, shower cube. How did you deal with sloshing in the water tank? I moved mine to the tub cause I couldn't deal with it lol. Amazing project, looking forward to the comming videos!

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

I'll only buy water tanks that have internal baffles that way you won't get any sloshing noise 😉

[@steinar.offroad]

@@GrizzlyNbearOverland yeah that would’ve been a better idea lol

[@papl1341]

Auwch...seems like you are getting rid of the classic 130 look. I could use that tailgate, though 😉

[@desertrat3125]

If you are ever in Namibia!

[@stevesims8232]

I think you'll miss the lock up area the 2nd door area gives you when you haven't got the camper on.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

We will have massive lockable storage boxes replacing the rear passenger area. They should be more secure than the section we're losing to be honest 😉

[@loustgeorge6231]

You going to turn the tub into a trailer or just flick it? Space cab is such a useful idea, don’t know why LR never made on standard🧐

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

We never want to tow a trailer. We will ne be doing anything with the tub.

[@makara51]

@@GrizzlyNbearOverland Thought that would be the answer, would make an excellent trailer for someone’s farm though🤪. Looking forward to the build👍👍

[@ViDiaz]

Looks like Pete and Liz got the 105 Andrew St Pierre White prepared for overlanding in South Africa and then sold it like 3 and a half years ago, ... the reg plate is not the same but I bet the car it is. There are a lot of videos of the rebuild on his channel 4xOverland. It is crazy how the world is sometimes so small or maybe the overland community... About the 130 I thought you were doing ore or less the same as the Graeme Bell's... but it seems is going to be a mixture between typical Australian 4x4 UTEs, but including the Four Wheel Camper module in there... super interesting to see the results!

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

They certainly did mate, the very same Toyota 😉 We would never build something like Graeme as our priority and most important feature is being able to remove that camper and live in it off the truck 😊 This is what makes this set up so perfect. Camp in one place for extended periods with the camper removed, no need to pack up camp for the day trips 😊

[@holgermuller2987]

Mate, Are you getting a V8 in ??? Happy days… Cheers

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Haha no V8 although it's very tempting 😜

[@billbaily6579]

Great episode! Can't wait to see the big reveal. Are those crocs OSHA approved for toe protection?? JK!

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Steel toed Crocs 🤣

[@nigelmorgan3449]

Ya I think the duel cab is a waste. the king cab is a much better set up and it gives you more area in the tub

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Exactly 😉

[@jacovanzyl813]

Is that Land Cruiser your Aussie friends drive perhaps the same one Andrew St P White did the build on pre covid, which he then sold?

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Great spot, it is indeed the same Toyota 😉

[@frankguernier2280]

Andrew is basically a car flipper. Has great ideas but the only recent trip he actually finished was the Canning. A true overlander? Of a film maker?

[@husq2100]

@@frankguernier2280yep pretty sure his RRC is up for sale too

[@vincentpoole7588]

G&B. Good luck getting this old HC130 rig below your GVMR for legalities sir ! Hope to see you two collaborate with Adam Simpson from the "Africa Sideways" YT Channel in Cape Town. Are you going to have her engineering certified like Downunder ? V.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Yes definitely getting an engineering certificate and South African police check after the build is complete.

[@TheJessesmartin]

In the yellow land cruiser- who manufactures the kitchen unit with the automatic fridge drop down drawer? Available in the US? Love it!

[@jonam7589]

Isn't it cheaper and less headache to sell this and get new one?

[@AndrewSparkfish]

Then we would be watching a boring video...

[@jonam7589]

@@AndrewSparkfish well, we might actually be watching more traveling than car mechanic.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

We could never sell that Defender it's far too sentimental after all we've done in that vehicle. Also we are building a fully custom vehicle we can't buy another one...

[@joaocampoa1332]

Congrats! super nice content! one question: what do you use as a rearview mirror? thanks!

[@kr-lp2nj]

Good thing abt SA is. That there is really good workshops/mechanics. Especially toyota experts,just because so many toyotas are sold here. But they can work on anything.

[@colmcostello5760]

You have plans on traveling the Transkei?

[@ChevalNektosha]

I'd buy a 76

[@EdwardBekker-c2u]

Hej guys, have been following you over the last couple years...du respect! Very interesting story and very well documentated. Long story short: I own a 1996 Chevy Suburban 6.5 TD V8 4x4 used it both for work as a mountain and skiguide in Canada and Alaska, shipped it to Rotterdam in 2000 from Oakland whilst living in Chamonix France. Took me 2 years to register on French plates (74)...it still is on the same plates but now sitting in Iceland since 2017. I use it to transport my skiguests mainly. It is insured in France. But I wonder how you pass the CT.. Contrôle Technique which according to the French government can only be done in France. Just wondering how overlanders deal with that. May I ask you this? Sorry for taking some of your time, kind regards Edward Bekker ps succes with the transformation of the unit and LR

[@TheOverLandLovers]

CT is only needed if you’re coming back to France (same in Belgium) so … as long term overlander you don’t bother with the CT anymore

[@EdwardBekker-c2u]

@@TheOverLandLovers thanks a lot! That makes life easier. Safe travels

[@day7vid944]

Karibu Africa 😂

[@TurdBugler]

Out of curiosity, why’d you two decide on S. Africa for the build VS anywhere else in the world?

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

Because we have the best craftsmanship in the world, and with an Aussie Dollar vs ZAR, it's the best country to do it in... And we love the two of them 😂❤

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

​@@alwynvanwyk1851 you got it all in that comment and we love South Africa ❤️❤️❤️

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Along with the things mentioned by Alwyn there is also a massive Land Rover community here in South Africa with loads of shops, knowledge and parts available. Our dollar goes a lot farther here than it would have in Australia or Europe.

[@alwynvanwyk1851]

@@GrizzlyNbearOverland Wohoooooooo... 🇿🇦 👍🏻 🇿🇦

[@philippehourlay8232]

bonsoir attention avec la couleur noire, qui va provoquer une augmentation de la température dans la cellule. le blanc est plu salissant, mais reflete plus le soleil. dans mon boulot, on utilise de la peinture noire et de la blanche, et on a 10 degrés d'écart entre blanc et noir... philippe

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Merci beaucoup. Oui on a bien pensé à cela. Les côtés souples de la cellule resterons blancs ainsi que le toit. Du coup la surface n'est pas si grande au final et cela donne directement sur les "meubles" à l'intérieur. L'isolation est bonne. Nous pensons à un "wrapping". Si jamais ça ne va pas, on pourra toujours l'enlever.

[@conloubser]

I don't understand why you are doing the rebuild, was there something wrong???

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Nothing was wrong but there are always room for improvements. This new set up will give us so many benefits. Why does somebody renovate a house?