Yet another Leyland Daf

Hi,

I am yet another overlander that has been converted to the Leyland Daf.

Whilst purchasing from Whitam's I noticed some very useful radio shacks that are designed to go on the back of the Daf, so for the small fee of £1000 the deal was done and the truck was delivered to me with the body on the back ready for me to "do my thing".  The body is all alli but is quite heavy, the unladed weight, fully kitted out, is 8000 kgs.  With all of the fluids, spares and foods etc 9500kgs, still leaving me 1500kgs to play with if required.

As you can see by the photos, the truck has been repainted from camo to silver (Hammerite smooth) with a roller and all of the internals worked on in my front garden and shed.  The seating is built over a 700lts water storage tank and the bed is built at a height to give me a good sized storage area underneath with access from the rear door (cut in half) and the very useful radio access flaps on the side of the truck body.

As you can see we like Zebra's and the word Twende is Swahili for Lets go.

What made you choose this one?
I have tried the 110 Defender with a roof tent and converted all of the interior to overland spec, tried and tested 130 Defender with a demountable camper on the back but both could not cope with the extra water and ladies extras for my wife, so the 12 tonner suited all of the requirements for both off road and carrying capacity. Not to mention it has a 20 ton winch in the centre of the chassis!!

Main criteria for this project?
As already mentioned, Defenders are an excellent vehicle but did not quite make the mark on carrying capacity. High cab to help with the viewing and much better sitting position for long distance driving. Basic engine and easy to work on all parts of this truck. Spares easy to come by internationally.

Modifications undertaken?
Complete strip out of the cab, fitted rear bed with lockers underneath behind the seats. Complete modification of the radio box. Waico 40ltr freezer pull out from under bed Waico 100ltr fridge freezer Shower/wet room and toilet. Cooker-grill-oven. Whale hot water supply and pump External cooker points and shower points. Honda generator and inverter fitted in a slide out external locker. Howling moon roll out awning with seperate sides and front. Pull out access steps into body

Modifications yet to do?
Larger fuel tank. Spare wheel rack. Solar panels. New set of tyres None to the engine yet, I am open to suggestions to get a little more power to get up the hills.

How does it perform?
Having driven trucks all over the Continent most of my younger life this truck as as basic as they come and far more reliable than the modern day truck. Could do with a little more power to get up the hills, it runs at 90km.p.h. on the flat and will stay there all day if required.

What would you do differently?
I would certainly not use Screwfix hose clips, I have had no end of water leaks due to the clips jumping the screw tighteners. All other things are tried and tested and working well.

Comments (11)

Off road practice
written by Tony Evans, September 18, 2011

Hi Guys,
Just a quick note to gauge any interest or ideas on how to organise some off road practice with our Leyland Daf 145 campers.
We have had our camper for 2 months and completed 2000miles of mostly road trips. I would like some practice off roading but we are struggling to find a suitable venue. Iv approached a few 4x4 friends but they are concerned that the weight/size of my truck would be a problem to recover if I got stuck.
I thought it might work to organise a gathering of similar vehicles to practice in the rough and also share experiences - ideas on our vehicles.
Let me know if there is any interest or ideas of where/when we could meet.
Tony Evans (based in Gloucestershire)
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
P.S. Im trying to increase engine power, has anyone fitted an intercooler? Its listed as a factory option but I cant find a supplier. Any ideas?

Photos
written by Paul Driver, September 24, 2011

Hi twende

I notice that you haven't posted up any pics. I'm sure that others as well as myself would be really interested to see them.

Photo's added
written by John Provan, October 08, 2011

Hi all, photos added for your perusal. Included my 110 and 130 as I mentioned them in the write up.

Great pics
written by Paul Driver, October 08, 2011

Have you insulated the camper body and may I ask how much the conversion has cost you?

I looks a beautiful job.

Camper body insulation
written by John Provan, October 10, 2011

Hi Paul,
Have included a picture of the camper relining in progress. The body, as you can see is very well insulated already, these Command centres were designed to be dropped in fields anywhere in the world. I had a budget of £20k for the whole rig but spent another £4k on the interior of the camper.

The Radio Shack
written by Tony West, December 31, 2011

Hi John, very nice looking conversion. I'm impressed. I'm only at the planning stage but figure the DAF is the right beast. I also think converting an existing 'bolt on shed' might be the easiest option but I'm a little confused why some owners go to so much trouble in fabricating a body that allows the chassis to fully flex. Obviously this must enhance it's off-road capability but I'm curious to know how the 'bolt-on' option deals with this? For example did you need to factor in a lot of tolerance in the fitting out? Or maybe like me you plan to stick to roads if at all possible. Thanks, Tony

Radio shack
written by John Provan, January 03, 2012

Hi, I'm responding to an email recieved on my works email, strange that I can't find it on my Overland site.
The Radio shack bolts directly onto the flat bed of the truck, I thought about removing the flat bed body to save weight but this would have required a false chassis so why bother! The shack is 100% aluminium but still fairly heavy, a small price to pay for the extra security and insulation in this ready made body. As for the chassis conversions, if you have the spare cash and expect to get cross wheeled or extreme chassis twist offroad I would not bother. There are many Dafs going over the rough stuff without the conversion and they never seem to mention body twist or getting stuck. This may take some of the shock out of the body but with the Radio shack and flat bed you could stand it on one corner and not budge the body. Just looking at the Yorkshire Overlan meeting on the forum, we may be going so would love to meet up and show you the truck. Regards, Twende

Mr
written by Jeanne Lowe, Namibia, January 12, 2012

Hi John,

This look great - well done.

I am planning to get myself an overlander and have been in contact with someone in London to have one build for me. costs are unfortunately quite high and I still need to get it to Namibia. what has this truck cost you to build all inclusive. Do you know about any other operations who can build or supply these overlanders?

daf 45/150
written by j martin, January 13, 2012

hi any one know who to get insurance with for a daf, as having problems, need to get mot so i can get it reg with dvla .have finished building just a bit more to do inside .

Insurance
written by John Provan, January 15, 2012

Hi, I have been with NFU for years, they have a good understanding of camper insurance. My DAF insurance, fully comp for a year, Green card included when required £450.00.

John.

DAF for Namibia
written by John Provan, January 16, 2012

Hi Jeanne, Check the Truck section, there's an Overland builder (Overland vehicles Ltd ) in Suffolk that have a partial build. My truck total cost for materials, truck, body and time cost around £30k. There are quite a few DAFs doing overland trips at the moment, check out their sites, perhaps they will be up for selling them after the trip as did Sorengolo the blue DAF.

John.