Top 5 UNEXPECTED modifications to the Overland Jeep I drove around Africa

[@francoisehollender_franeuro]

Ordered a fake snake right away... I use the mesh in front of the radiator too, and change the inside lighting too. Thanks for that video once again, Dan!

[@markyeadon7271]

The snake on the dashboard has been “ discontinued “ in Cape Town. When you park in remote areas the wild baboons try kill the snake by throwing rocks at it. Bad for you body work and windscreens

[@tonychamberlin9932]

I was going too say fake snakes are good to keep baboons and monkeys out of your camp here in Kenya but never heard of the rock throwing baboons. Wow.

[@devinspeers3382]

“Baboons”

[@boringusername792]

Quickly becoming the best overland channel yet!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Thanks very much!

[@mugumyapaultheafricannomad9488]

The snake bit got me smiling because in most parts of Africa here we shall think you witchcraft watching over you and nobody wants to annoy a certain witcher they have no idea what would happen to them... 😄😄😄😄😄😄

[@erichughes9098]

I’ve always wondered about the snake thank you for telling me. 😎👍

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

No problem 👍

[@cameronwood1994]

The reflective tape is also required in Zambia, although the type and size isn't specified as strictly. The requirements in Zimbabwe insist that the tape is 3,000 sq. mm (or 60 mm diameter if circular), within 400 mm from the edge of the vehicle and is at least honeycomb pattern. Anything that complies with ECE 104 specification and at least 50 mm x 60 mm in size meets these requirements.

[@clayton9549]

Hey mate, once again you have a great practical and respectful approach to helping us all be better overlanders and adventurers. Its always the little things that equal big benefits. Cheers!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Great to hear!

[@jamesmerritt4032]

I plan on going to Alaska everyone talk about tire's but I never thought about protecting the rad thanks

[@cameronwood1994]

Regarding the heat soak, I took a slightly different approach to you. The standard mechanical fan on the Land Rover is next to useless and can't keep the engine cool at 50mph in the UK, let alone in traffic in Africa. The heat soak was that bad that the temperature gauge would go from just under the 85°C mark at half-way to well into the red (above 100°C). I removed the standard fan and radiator, fitted an upgraded radiator and fitted a Comex "very high power" fan, 14" diameter from Revotec in the UK. It came with very strong laser cut brackets and an adjustable temperature controller, so mine is set to just over half-way on the gauge, around 88°C, and goes off at 83°C. The instructions said to make it ignition live, but because I wanted to combat that, I made it permanently live. The difference was so great, I could change from the standard 74°C thermostat to the optional 82°C item in the UK, and the fan only comes on in traffic, or after turning the engine off to combat heat soak - and even then only for about five minutes. I'm not surprised though when it flows 1824 cfm! In Africa, I will carry a 74°C thermostat as a spare just in case the engine runs too hot with the 82°C item, or in case it fails.

[@PaydayGabeBCNV]

That is sound advice S2S. I truly envy the UK and OZ for their innovation in Auto engineering. I'm stateside living in the desert S.W., another heat soaked region. Are the components you added to your Rover available here( states) and if you have a supplier who would ship. Or their site link?? Cheers 🍻, G. Safe travels.

[@amaclach]

Check if there are different cooling system components for your vehicle for hot climates. Toyota for example have bigger radiators, oil coolers, power steering coolers etc fitted to vehicles sold in hot climates. The "tow package" for your vehicle may also include these uprated items. My GCC spec Toyota has zero issues with heat or heat soak, and the AC is savage, but the heater is anemic at best - I guess a tradeoff had to be made between AC evaporator size and heater core size. There is always the aftermarket, but make sure that any upgrade that you do is truly an upgrade - the part you replace must be superior in every way to the stock part.

[@cameronwood1994]

@@amaclach Yes there is a hot climate fan which is 16.5" diameter as opposed to a 14" which I fitted, but it's still effectively a bent piece of steel and not very efficient. The later plastic item fitted to the Defender with the 2.25 petrol engine is far more effective, but it won't fit without a spacer onto the water pump and then it hits the radiator. Also, the standard fan shroud doesn't seal very effectively as there's a 0.25-0.50" gap at both top and bottom where there aren't even any screws! There is an oil cooler available but it's only recommended for stationary applications such as power take off equipment because otherwise the standard engine doesn't need it. Even Land Rover's little booklet, 'A Guide to Land Rover Expeditions' says that! To be honest, the older models never had a very effective cooling system, and they were known in Australia for overheating in just normal driving. I'm very cautious with upgrades, but carburetion and cooling are the two biggest weak points with an otherwise rock solid motor, and both are easily upgraded with proven parts. The gearbox is a bit fragile and struggles with anything more than 90bhp and 150 lb/ft torque!

[@cameronwood1994]

@@PaydayGabeBCNV The radiator I got from eBay, and advertised as 15% more effecient than standard, and Revotec may have a supplier local to you. Land Rover specific ones are also distributed by Britpart.

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

On my 2008 Jeep Liberty - for H.D. cooling I added the mechanical fan - it threads directly to the front of the water pump.

[@metroidragon]

I rotated the review mirror upside down (and ergo toward the ceiling) on my jk. best free 2 second mod ever.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Me too!

[@andredupuis5432]

Great job on this vid. In Namibia I also found out that the mesh grill is important in long grass to avoid all the seeds to clog the radiator. Especially when in season ...

[@user-fe2lr5jw4i]

My jeep also had problems overheating at very low city speeds. I solved that with a mechanical fan from a ford pickup. That fan pushes air like crazy. Added minor benefit of less electric draw.

[@briangudger3466]

I think one of your more interesting videos (and you set a high bar)! So glad you talked about your security snake! I thought he was just a souvenir. Brilliant advice about the hood vents too. All stuff I would not have thought of but will now consider.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Thank you!

[@jamesflynt8763]

One of the first mods to my 2017 JKU was to add grill mesh to protect my radiator. I used the same gutter leaf guard mesh you used.

[@ebikeengineer]

Quadratec sells a simple kit that adds a switch to your interior light fuse. So you don't have to pull a fuse, and can flip the switch to turn on the lights. The kit was designed for those of us that take our doors off, but it would work for overlanding as well.

[@markuffindell]

Great ideas Dan, I think they will be worthwhile even when still living in Arizona . Especially the hood vents. Cheers.

[@darthjawn]

Insightful and useful as always mate.

[@MmmmmmmmmmmMm15]

I use a headlamp on my window visor for interior lighting. Agree 100% with that one

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

Our 2008 Jeep Liberty - you can twist the light stalk to turn all the cabin lights off no matter what door is open. IF you don't use this feature, they will turn off automatically after 10 minutes. So that's the good new s - but the light/turn-indicator stalk slowly failed around 170,000 miles. Replacing it was dead easy and affordable.

[@tonyanderson191]

I did something similar to my truck,like what you did with the snake.im born and raised in New Orleans. And I bought a black chicken foot from a voodoo shop and strapped it to my interior rearview mirror. It hasn't been broken into.Hell, most people won't even go near it!

[@juliogonzalez1944]

Can you please do a video explaining what clothes to bring on a overland trip

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Will do!

[@juliogonzalez1944]

@@TheRoadChoseMe I know you’re a busy guy and maybe I’m askinbm for too much however this is one topic no one seems y talk about

[@morethan3756]

I learned a lot again from you today! Cheers, Dan.

[@yassorour4055]

Hi bought you book. Such interesting book

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@yassorour4055]

@@TheRoadChoseMe It is my pleasure. I wish I can see you in London, UK when you have plan to cross the EU and Asia.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I'll get there one day!

[@mattmcdonough707]

Heat soak is a real thing . I live on Oklahoma and we have had months of triple digit heat at times . I run the poison spyder hood vent and no inner fender liners , I’ve noticed a a difference in the Jeeps ability to stay at its operating temp . No issues in the winter either . The heat is still hot .

[@GATORADDAM]

The snake is funny as hell! Haha.

[@SamCarleton]

Dan, I don’t know how you do it. Your videos just keep getting better and better and better. Love all of your ideas, I looked into the hood vent for my JL and Daystar doesn’t make a single product for the JL, not one! I was surprised. After reading all the comments, really interesting feedback from other viewers on why the snake is so affective in Africa and South America. I see a lot of truth in it.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Great, I'm happy to hear they continue to be useful! Let me know if there' s a topic you'd like me to cover and I'd be happy to film a video about it!

[@PictureChasers]

I'm adding all of these to my build! I'm staying in North America but who doesn't need a snake on the dash?!?

[@adelarsen9776]

A metal Sun Visor is always good. Perhaps a mat black bonnet too. Australian company Hy-way sun visors make and export most models.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

What are they used for? .. sorry, I don't understand

[@adelarsen9776]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Hi Dan, A sun visor is a piece of reinforced sheet metal held on by side brackets which stops all vertical light coming into your cabin via the wind screen. It means that you have little or no driver fatigue as most light is vertically polarised and come straight down and then refracted through your glass which in essence gives you annoying glare. The sun visor is about 10 inches wide and sticks out horizontally at the top of your windscreen. Use duckduckgo and look for Hy Way sun visors. They are silent, do not collect birds, do not vibrate and make a real difference. Once you've driven a vehicle with a sun visor you won't go back. It's a closely held secret in the long range community. They are painted mat black underneath and the vehicle colour on top.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Interesting, thanks very much. I think my polarizing sunglasses do exactly the same thing, don't they?

[@adelarsen9776]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Not really no. A sun visor is a practical long term solution to driver fatigue. Once you drive a vehicle with a sun visor you won't want to go back. I hope the science was not lost on you. Most people don't buy them because they are not cool like a set of 35 inch tyres and a rear mounted winch.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I'm an Engineer, so I get the science no problem, and I understand how cutting out light from above would be a good thing. I personally never drive without my polarizing sunglasses, they make an enormous difference to glare off the road surface which I think is essential.

[@mikebutler9332]

I always wondered a bit about the hood vents. Didn't realize they were a functional change. In Canada they're usually for style. With the snorkel it doesn't matter much if a bit of water gets in through the top that far down the hood. Even the stock intake would be fine. Would only be a problem if someone runs something aftermarket.

[@solooverland3666]

Damn, Amazon is now sold out of fake snakes 🐍 Cool mods - I like the lights and radiator mesh, especially 👍🏼

[@questioner1596]

My Toyota Sienna has a factory switch on the dash that can disable or turn on all 6 roof lights. It's very useful for the reasons you mentioned. Now I just need to find a simple way to wire it to an auxiliary battery.

[@joelletendre1011]

Pull the fuse. The 2 terminals that the fuse inserts into in the fuse block. One is power into the fuse, the other side goes out to the lights. Simply run a wire from your auxiliary battery(fused of course), place a small spade connector on the wire and insert it into the "out to lights" terminal in the fuse block where you removed the fuse from. Just be sure you are connecting to the terminal that is to the lights, and not the power in, or your batteries will be connected. In our Land Rover I have the lights, lighter sockets and the power windows all wired this way.

[@questioner1596]

@@joelletendre1011, thanks, I was wondering if something with the fuse would work. Does it pose any challenges for the computer? (The door open sensors and the keyless entry both can turn the lights on.)

[@joelletendre1011]

@@questioner1596 Yes interesting question. It really does depend on how things are wired in your particular vehicle. I don't think it would matter, because you are simply changing the source of the 12 volt power. Everything switch related is after the fuse, so anything downstream of the input power(in this case the fuse terminal) is still going to see 12volts. Any warning lights etc would still be activated as they were before the modification. The only difference is you are drawing the aux battery. I had to make my own spade terminals, I took large ones and cut them down, as I couldn't find small ones locally. Only way to know for sure would be to try it. :)

[@blikkiesblignaut6999]

Hi Dan, Good tips, we are planning a trip to Mozambique in March, so I will ad the reflecting tape. You do not have to pull the fuse on a Wrangler to turn off the interior lights. Turn the left stalk forward to the "o" position and all the interior lights are switched off. I am tempted to put the mesh on the grill, but would it not influence the airflow to the radiator?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

The mesh probably does reduce airflow a tiny bit, but I think rock impacts on the rad and bending the fins would impact it more.

[@MountainRoots]

Great stuff, love your videos man! Merry Christmas to ya🤙-Josh

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Thanks! You too!

[@Miner49er1]

This was a very enlightening video! I use my jeep to get me to all the abandoned mines I explore, and they are all located deep in the deserts of Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, etc. hot, Hot, HOT! I do not have vents, but I think they'll help. Also, my jeep does not have interior lighting...at all. So, I think I'll look into something similar to what you've done. Thanks for your videos!

[@sassanlachini5383]

Hi! Cool tips. BUT: You have control over interior lights without removing bulbs. Just dim the instrument panel light down totally and then turn over the click. Lights won‘t go on with doors. If you turn around all to the other direction bright and keep turning, lights will be always on.

[@Jasfras1]

Excellent information as always. And the next 5 ! ??

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Coming soon!

[@Onward4x4]

Interesting about the snake. Very surprising! BTW, the new JL Jeeps have a switch to turn off the interior light so as not to come on when you open the doors. Very handy. Great video.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Thanks for the info!

[@EdsonLopes]

Good tips!!

[@guidok3762]

Great advice, thanks a lot mate !!! Keep up the video’s, I love them

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Glad you like them!

[@TheJourneyAhead]

I will try the fake snake on my next trip. Looks like a fun and simple solution. Also I totally understand why so many locals are afraid of snakes and I will never ever go out at night for the toilet without my flashlight. On my first time in Mali I nearly stomped on a small yellow viper. I heard a strange rustling as I passed and only on the way back did I turn on the lamp and saw that there was a little snake sitting curled up in the middle of the path, making the rustling as a deterrent. If you experienced something like that, you become more afraid of snakes.

[@aziazeeb6883]

Can you make a video about snorkels?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Sure, I can do that!

[@davehitt8917]

The first thing I always do is remove the drain plugs in the foot wells, prevents build up of water under the floor mats, reduces rust in that area.

[@robertvoss9111]

I love that fact about the snake 😁

[@calsurflance5598]

If only that snake trick worked in the mall parking lot !👍🐍

[@markjansen24]

When traveling from Lusaka to Ndola in Zambia, I got pulled over and was fined US$50 for not having the white front and red rear reflective stickers on the bumpers. Ushered to the front of the queue when paying at the police station...

[@djo6198]

Question: I’m building out 6x6 military truck, ‘99 fmtv, it’s military green and I’m a fan of the color but I don’t know if people around other parts of the planet will take issue with that color and it’s relation to the military so I’m leaning towards a tan or some other non military color. Any thoughts on color as it relates to my ex-military expedition conversion?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I wouldn't take a vehicle that looks "military" to Africa or the middle east, personally.

[@MarkRose1337]

I never would have thought of the snake trick!

[@skye1355]

are those heated headlights?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

They are, actually. I got them because I knew I'd be coming back to Canada and winter. It's snowing hard right now, actually.

[@jameshall4385]

The snake thing is awesome. My neighbor puts a fake owl on his car when he doesn’t drive it. I asked him why, he said it keeps birds away and keeps them from pooping on his cars. I guess it works.

[@mrkkiani]

Plastic spiders work well too

[@overlandsally]

Best one will be the snake and the mash. Will look for them asap. I already have the rest

[@PaydayGabeBCNV]

Thanks for mentioning the grill mesh and hood vents Dan. I've been thinking about this for several months prior to the cooler weather. Still on my radar👍, and as you surely know,, it's a HOT mf in my area (SW USA). I never thought of the gutter mesh 🤔👍. Thanks again and safe travels. G.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

You bet!

[@Fe_lix]

My truck has so few features that it includes #4 from factory.

[@Fe_lix]

Actually it includes also #5 from factory but it's not enough to fight the heat soak when you stop, particularly with a mechanical fan that stop with your engine. As the no-feature of this truck also includes no expansion tank, it's particularly visual when it happens. And here comes the simple solution, I'll treat it like a turbo engine, I wait 30sec-1min in idle before to shut it down and no heat soak issue.

[@guydebonnet6820]

Make sure the mesh is small enough to keep grass seeds out

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

.. I think if it were that small it would keep air out too!

[@guydebonnet6820]

@@TheRoadChoseMe I had fine mesh in front of the radiator of my defender, with no problems. However, if you drive on roads with grass in the middle in the dry season, as is common on lesser used roads in Africa, your radiator will clogg very quickly if it is not protected and lead to overheating. also important to check if no grass gets stuck underneath. Number 1 reason for cars catching fires.

[@jeffjohnson8443]

A big live cobra is a much better deterrent than a fake wood one.

[@VeryCoolJeep]

Wow 🤩 amazing idea 💡

[@Jasfras1]

But a lot bloody harder to control !!

[@cedb7115]

No one cares about a real or fake snake. Tbh

[@jeffjohnson8443]

I used to hobby with antique cars and knew a fellow that drove a big commercial truck with a utility box and multiple mounted tool boxes as his tow rig all over the country. He had very convincing signs on his truck warning that he transported venomous snakes when in fact, he had thousands of dollars worth of tools and antique car parts on board.

[@tfrye008]

Spider in one corner and snake in the other. 😀

[@dimitristsagdis7340]

Tnx for sharing... Dear Santa, can I have a fake dashboard cobra... ;-))

[@yanzhixiang6]

5 dislikes are from the border patrols who got scared

[@wedowhiskeythings710]

I forget if you have answered this question yet. Would would your dream over lander look like if you had: 1. Unlimited budget for vehicle but not for travel. 2. Limited budget for vehicle but unlimited for travel. 3. Unlimited for both. More of a what if question for fun and not a serious one.

[@alexandermeijer]

another great video, thanks.

[@mark2073]

I can't believe that snake trick actually works

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I was surprised too, but I saw it so, so many times I have no doubt in my mind!

[@karobiawho6845]

People in Africa are genuinely superstitious - in a way the western world has virtually forgotten about.

[@daisuke8872]

Do you think you could have done your journey with Non-RUBICON??

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Yep, for sure

[@DaciaProject]

Where is your next trip? What are you doing in Canada?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I live here, and while I'd love to get on the road ASAP to many different places, the global pandemic is throwing all my plans for a loop! Once something is locked in I'll announce it!

[@DaciaProject]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Will you ever switch to Toyota?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I'll use whatever makes the most sense for where I'm going, my budget, my goals, the number of people coming with me, how long I'm going for, etc. etc.

[@amaclach]

@@DaciaProject I am a Toyota guy, and they're great vehicles, but the reality is that brand & vehicle familiarity is really important. Dan has proven that he knows how to get a Jeep around the world with minimal drama. He knows what to do to prevent or fix certain issues. If he was to be plonked into a Toyota (or any other brand for that matter) of any model, I can guarantee that there would be problems at least initially until he went through the learning curve for that vehicle. I follow Dan because I enjoy the adventure, and because I enjoy the great general advice that he hands out. I also appreciate Dan's modify only to improve functionality for HIS use case, and to do it once, do it right approach. I guess that also means "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

[@DaciaProject]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Would you ever do Europe to Central Asia? What about getting pulled over by the police all of the time with foreign plates? It would seem to be a serious issue when you ship a car to a far off locale. I’m American but live here in Romania and want to ship my Dacia Duster 4x4 to the US for a trip but I’d imagine I’ll get repeatedly stopped by State Troopers with a European plated car.

[@94520shatto]

Two more reasons to shut off lights: Bandits. Bugs.

[@zacharyotto2135]

Could you toast a marshmallow over the hood vent Dan?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Not quite that hot, but too hold to keep your hand completely covering it.

[@ricdonato4328]

OMG, a fake snake on the dash. No can do, I am very afraid of snakes, so much so I have a difficult time putting on a belt.

[@ihmesekoilua]

Huh, cool. I thought the snake was to keep birds and rodents away from your camp. We keep a rubber snake on the boat to keep the seagulls from crapping all over it :P

[@BrentonCollas]

In Thailand lots of street vendors put toy crocodiles on top of their food carts to keep monkeys from helping themselves to the food. True story...

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

"Snakes...why did it have to be snakes?"

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

One day I'm going to get an Indiana Jones-esque jacket!

[@morethan3756]

I thought you were just a great fan of Snakes on a Plane, you put a snake in your Jeep. I knew there was a reason for that serpent being there.

[@carghai9235]

first comment! , also Will you want to go to Africa again in a jeep(every other generation) or a Bronco(gen z favorite)

[@amaclach]

I think anyone would be particularly brave to go on a long unsupported trip in ANY new model/gen 1 vehicle... Serious question though - what would a Bronco do better than the JKU Rubicon that he already has?

[@carghai9235]

@@amaclach very good comment(also the bronco is more comfortable and has more storage) but is less capable due to front ifs, bigger, less travel, and it is based on a 17 year old chassis (currently 16 year old)

[@amaclach]

@@carghai9235 I couldn't comment on the specifics, I've not seen or driven one. IFS doesn't seem to be an issue on Hilux, LC100, LC120, LC150, LC200, FJ Cruiser, Fortuner, Ranger, all Baja racers, SXS... wht have you found to be the issue with the IFS on the Bronco?

[@carghai9235]

@@amaclachless flex , weaker, harder to fix, harder to modify. You should read up on ifs vs solid axle. (Ifs is better for Baja racing.) soild axle is better in rock crawling you see them everywhere in ua2019(the ultimate off-road overland/rock crawling )

[@carghai9235]

@@amaclach you should read up in the differences, even KZbin has some good videos about it.

[@naumanhaque7444]

I used to live in Kenya and we always kept a "pet" snake around camp to keep the monkeys and baboons away