Riding Around Africa in a Jeep
Want an adventure? No, not the kind of adventure of tomb raiding or running with the mafia, though the options are there. How about something a little more modern and doable for everyone? Meet Dan Grec – he’s a modern circumnavigator who takes back-packing around the world a whole new level with a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon.
His last expedition was a 40,000-mile journey lasting nearly two years, from Alaska to Argentina. Now, Dan is taking another almost-two-year trip circumnavigating Africa. Traveling around 30 countries and about 80,000 miles, it’s going to take a while, and so far he has covered 6900 miles, visited eight countries, and he is currently enjoying the Ivory Coast.
So how is he doing this? Well, we can tell you his once new Jeep has seen a lot of the world, and during his travels, he decided to transform his Jeep into a camper. A lot of people around the world actually turn there Jeeps into campers with add-ons, and you don’t need a new Jeep to do this either. The transformation alone can rack up the cost, so getting something used would work just fine. However, getting a new Jeep means you can pick the exact Jeep you want on the road, and that could make it easier to visualize a trip like this.
When it came to planning his two-year trip around Africa, Dan had a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon to transform. This wasn’t just a beast that could handle 4×4 off-roading, it was a home and a small kitchen. After two years of ramen noodles though, one would like to be able to eat something that didn’t come out of a can, but we won’t go into detail about that. Not everyone is planning this kind of expedition, after all. However, if you just got a new Jeep and want to turn it into a vehicle that can take you anywhere, there’s a few things you can do.
4×4 Capability
You’ll need the following:
- A used or new Jeep (duh)
- A strong engine; Dan has a 3.8 V6 gasoline engine, paired to a 6-speed manual transmission
- Locking front and rear differentials
- Electronic sway bar disconnect and 4:1 transfer case ratio (depends on the 4×4 system in your Jeep)
- 4.10 axle ratios
Dirt, Mud, or Water
If you plan to do some water-trekking or drive through some of the more rugged parts of nature, you’re gonna have a little more outfitting to do.
- Mopar Steel Winter wheels
- 34-inch all-terrain tires
- A snorkel with a filter for the Jeep
- Skid plates for the engine and transmission
- Skid plates to protect the components on the underside of the car
From here, customize it as you wish. If you’re planning to go solo for a while, pack a few must-haves to take with you, including your sanity. Got something in mind? You can look through our inventory for a new Jeep, or find something used in your budget.