Our Vehicle
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OK so it wasn't on our shortlist, but we've finally found our vehicle thanks to a two absolute gents in Co. Armagh. It's a 1996 Mitsubishi L300 van. We hope it's the type of vehicle that will be most useful or valuable in Mongolia (and for the gruelling trip.) |
| The Final Choice - Mitsubishi L300 |
| After cleaning out 14 years of working-van grime, the work begins to turn the van into something we can live in for a month. First step is some hardboard paneling with insulation behind to keep us warm in the Altai Mountains. |  |
| Pimp my ride! |
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The work continues to make the van habitable for a month. A platform for sleeping on is being added with room underneath for storage of jerry cans, spares and the clothes and beddding for the orphanages. |
| Adding a sleeping platform |
| The van gets the red carpet treatment. |  |
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The signwriting stickers arrived from Webstickers and they look great! |
| The Signwriting |
| The van on display outside our highly successful fundraising evening in Hillsborough. We kitted the vehicle out with some of the kit we'll bring. It's looking |
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Update, 27 June 2010: As well as the new water pump and timing belts fitted by Angelo at Fifth Gear Autos, I've now changed the oil, oil, air and fuel filters and fitted a new power steering belt. Next up is a sump guard made from 20mm thick plywood to protect the bottom of the engine from rocks etc on the unpaved parts of the journey. |
| Fitting a sump guard |
A few makes and models on our shortlist were Toyota Liteace/Hiace, Nissan Vanette/Cargo/Delivery, LDV Pilot/Cub. We're happy with our current vehicle, but we'd still love to hear from you if you've a van you'd like to donate!
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| Nissan Vanette | Toyota Hiace | LDV Pilot |
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