Two year circumnaviagtion of Africa in my 2007 JKUR - The Road Chose Me
 

Hey Everyone,

My name is Dan Grec, I previously drove a TJ 40,000 miles from the top of Alaska to the bottom of Argentina. (Summary and details of the trip on my website The Road Chose Me)

It's been a long time in the making, and I'm bursting with excitement to announce my next Overland adventure:

Two years circumnavigating the African continent in my 2007 JKUR with custom diesel conversion, camper setup and more.

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...te-415x480.jpg

The Jeep build and all the details for preparation will be covered exclusively at JPFreek Adventure Magazine.

Checkout today's issue for the trip announcement and details of the build: JPFreek Adventure Magazine Spring 2015 Page 116

Also I've got an announcement on my website with my personal feelings and thoughts: New Jeep. New Adventure. Africa | The road chose me

I hope you'll join me for the ride :)

-Dan

Hey Everyone,

I'm in the middle of an 8,000 mile road trip before the 80,000 mile road trip of my dreams.

The reasoning and rationale for everything I’ve done, and will do, is now online in the new edition of JPFreek Magazine.
Check it out to understand my madness.

Reg cut the roll bar for me (I was too scared to do it myself)
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...ng-720x480.jpg

I put heat and sound insulation in the entire Jeep. Let's see if it keep out those 130F+ days in Africa
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...on-720x480.jpg

I built lightweight cabinets using plastic connectors, aluminum tube and plywood.
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...ss-720x480.jpg

The finished product which can be converted into a sleeping platform, including Dometic CFX-35 Fridge - which has been amazing.
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...ed-720x480.jpg

Tons more pictures on my site: Jeep Build Phase 1 Complete | The road chose me

The whole story, pictures and reasoning for it all are in the new edition of JPFreek Magazine
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...ec-spread.jpeg

-Dan

P.S. The V6 gas engine is out, and the diesel conversion is well underway!

Subscribed, looks pretty sweet. I hope you have done your homework on Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hey Everyone,

I'm extremely proud to announce my Jeep and I are entered into SEMA in Vegas from November 3-6.

Massive thanks to AEV and JPFreek.

Also, here's a test-fit of the Mercedes OM606 3.0 turbo diesel in my JK. Tons of work to go, I can't wait to get this thing back on the road!

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...el-720x480.jpg

Bound for SEMA | The road chose me

If you are attending SEMA this year, please stop by and say hello.
The Jeep and I will also be at the public event Friday night "Friday Ignited"

-Dan

This looks awesome:beer:

Subscribed!

Looks like a fantastic trip--best of luck with it!

Looks cool. Hope you have done your homework though and planned your trip well. There are certain areas you should really stay away from.

I second this statement. I have worked as a security professional in some very dangerous locales globally. Sub-Saharan Africa is another level of danger even with a well trained protective security detail.

I am sure you have considered this, and do not intend to treat you as a novice traveler. All of that said, please use all resources at your disposal.

Suggest you check out (if you have not already done so): CIA World Fact Book, state.gov, OSAC, Stratfor. Determine where closest U.S. Consulates/Embassies, and U.S./U.N. Military bases are on your route, as well as multiple contingency plans.

Fail to plan = plan to fail. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.

Best of luck.

Good sources. I was mainly thinking of areas that Boko Haram operate like Nigeria, Cameroon and such. They are an Islamic Terrorist group btw of you weren't aware.

Again good luck with your travels and it's sounds like a lot of fun.

Boko Haram, Al Shabab, Al Qaeda, ISIL/IS/Da-Esh are all serious influences on the continent, however simple criminals and bandits are a very real concern, perhaps more of an issue depending on the route you take.

There are many places in the world (including many in Africa) where it is simply easier to kill you and take your valuables, then to hold you up.

Financial Crimes = give them what they want and have some $ and I.D. hidden for after you give it to them. Basically have a plan to give them what they want and run.

Anytime they are coming for YOU, trying to take YOU etc. = run away or fight for your life. The odds are not in your favor that you will survive these situations if you are taken.

The Regional Security Officer (RSO) at the various U.S. Embassies/Consulates in the countries you will visit can provide a more detailed area brief on dangerous areas and groups to avoid in the countries you will pass through.

The U.S. State Department website www.state.gov and it's Smart Traveler program are just a starting point. Each embassy and consulate usually has its own website and many have their own Facebook accounts.

The more you know before you set out, the better; that said, these security situations are very fluid. It pays to have the best, most up-to-date information that you can get. You do not want to learn this the hard way.

Not trying to "flog a dead horse," however, this is incredibly important to plan.

Subscribed to this. Cannot wait to hear updates :thumbsup:

Sub'ed this seems very exciting

Avidly subscribed. I'm looking forward to seeing your build details, esp reliability upgrades and built-in redundancies a lot of us could learn from. Is this a solo vehicle journey with no back-up ? All the best and cheers for sharing.

Front Page News!
 

Good luck on your journey! We'll be following along!
Mercedes Diesel Powered JK To Circumnavigate Africa - JK-Forum

Wishing you well Dan on a fantastic jeep adventure. ;)
I look forward to following you on this African Quest
Best regards
And stay safe
Mick

Sent from my GT-I9100 using JK-Forum

Sorry for the slow updates all, we're working 10 hour days 7 days a week to get the Jeep ready for SEMA.
It's going to be close :)

Solo vehicle, solo person, no backup :)

Just the Jeep and myself, like when I drove Alaska->Argentina a few years back.

Thanks very much!


Thanks Mick, I appreciate it.

The build is progressing.

I installed an AEV Rear Bumper, Tire Carrier and Hi-Lift Mount.

http://jpfreek.com/wp-content/upload...r-1024x683.jpg

Then I put a Hi Lift Extreme and a set of MAXTRAX on that mount :)

http://jpfreek.com/wp-content/upload...t-683x1024.jpg

-Dan

Very nice! I spent 2 years myself in Uganda, Rwanda. And Ethiopia. Looks like a trip I'll have to keep updated on. Enjoy!

Sent from my iPhone using JK-Forum

Hi All,

Making lots of progress on the build, the Mercedes Diesel swap is really coming together now.

Length has been as issue - Ron from North West Diesel Offroad moved the radiator forward a little:
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...or-720x480.jpg

Intercooler mounted up front:
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...er-720x480.jpg

3 Inch exhaust all the way from turbo outlet to muffler in the rear:
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...st-720x480.jpg

AutoMeter Sport Comp II gauges are a perfect match the for stock gauges:
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...es-720x480.jpg

I've been working on the engine itself, doing maintenance items like water pump, thermostat, oil pump, etc. etc.
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...ld-720x480.jpg

We test-fit the AEV Front Premium Bumper and Warn Zeon 10-S winch
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...r1-720x480.jpg

Ron from North West Diesel Offroad has amazing fabrication skills, this project is well beyond my abilities as a backyard mechanic.

Tons more pics, details and story on my site: Jeep Build Phase 2 Progress | The road chose me

-Dan

Hi Dan
Build progressing very well.
should be a very special jeep when complete.

A perfect partner on your african quest.

Best regards
Mick

Sent from my GT-I9100 using JK-Forum

Thanks Mick,

I'm really looking forward to bonding with this Jeep like I did my last one
I never did name the TJ even after 2 years and 40,000 miles from Alaska to Argentina, so who knows if I'll name this one.

-Dan

Subscribed
 

A few years ago, I dreamed of driving ring road in Afghanistan in my Jeep. I of course wrote it off because I am intimately familiar with the dangers. Wow, cannot wait to see this unfold, especially after I complete an Africa Studies class next semester. Looks like the folks already subscribed have some great resources. I'm not well versed on Africa, but certainly wish you well. If you decide to take on the Middle East, I'd love to follow that one too. Will check out your website as well. BEST of luck!

Thanks for the worlds of encouragement.

Now that I've built my ultimate overlander Jeep that I can live out of, I have dreams of where I'll go after Africa, though it will depend on my bank account more than anything else.
I'll tackle Africa first, then see where I'm at :)

-Dan

The diesel conversion on my Jeep is extremely close to finished.

I put an insulated cover on my Dometic CFX-35 fridge to combat the extremely hot temperatures I expect in Africa
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...er-720x480.jpg

I made it official:
http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...el-720x480.jpg

I've built a drinking water tank/pump/filtration setup using a Shurflow 12v pump and a PURA UV1 0.5 micron filter and UV lamp

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...em-720x480.jpg

More details and photos on The Road Chose Me

I can't wait to drive it!

-Dan

Hey everyone,

The Diesel conversion in my Jeep has been an enormous amount of work, unfortunately the Jeep wasn't ready for SEMA.
Maybe I'll make it in sometime the future.

Things are coming together really well, I absolutely can not wait to drive my Jeep.

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...-2-720x480.jpg

All the details on the Mercedes Diesel conversion and a ton of new photos are now in today's issue of the FREE JPFreek Adventure Magazine

-Dan

Hi Everyone,

Here's a curve ball for the plan - the Mercedes Diesel engine sucked leaking diesel and ranaway, revving at 7k for 5-10 seconds. Scary stuff indeed.
We're pretty sure valves met pistons, and the engine is dead.

After all of this, with all of the money and time invested, I've decided to sell the Jeep and cut my losses.

For sale thread here: https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jeep...1/#post4177453

I'm fighting hard to still get myself and a Jeep Wrangler to Africa.
More to come on that front soon.

Always an adventure, even when unplanned!

-Dan

I lived in Liberia, Uganda, and Egypt as a child as my parents where with the State department. All I can say is while there are some beautiful places in Africa, there are also some dangerous as hell places. That said, good luck, watch for snakes, lions...well hell you will be at the bottom of the food chain. Good luck!!!!

I read through the thread getting excited about the progress on things. I am really sorry to read the engine is done and she is up for sale. Best of luck to you on the next project and we will be here waiting for updates!

RockZJ

Hey Everyone,

I've had a challenging few months, and I'm more than overdue to give you all an update.

All the details of what happened and the path forward to Africa are in today's issue of JPFreek Adventure Magazine

http://theroadchoseme.com/wp-content...an-720x480.jpg

I feel extremely lucky to be supported by new friends and family, without their support I don't think I would have found a way forward.

Tons of details in the coming days and weeks,

-Dan

Phase two of the Africa Jeep build is now complete.

Tons and tons of pictures here: Jeep Build Phase 2 Complete | The road chose me

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...te-720x480.jpg

Onwards to the final piece, EJS, then Africa.

-Dan

Nicely done! Congratulations on the new build, I'm sure she'll serve you well through Africa. Looking forward to details on that water system

Glad you got another jeep up and ready to go. Looked like a lot of thought went it on the layout. Good luck.

I spent a few days in San Diego hanging out with John and the crew at Ursa Minor while the fitted and modified my J30.

Read the whole story here: Ursa Minor J30 Pop Up Camper | The road chose me

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...30-720x480.jpg

To say that I'm extremely impressed and happy is a massive understatement.
This top is a complete game changer.

-Dan

The Jeep Build is complete, I'm ready for EJS then Africa.

Details include Renogy lightweight solar panels and charge conroller, ARB awning & compressor, new wheels, and some decals.

Jeep Build Complete | The road chose me

http://static4.theroadchoseme.com/wp...te-720x480.jpg

-Dan

What kind of security system do you have? 45?

Nothing aftermarket, just whatever a 2011 rubicon came with. I don't know what it's called.

I also added a kill switch, and a bunch of Tuffy security products

-Dan

Great looking rig. Love that color, if I could do it again that'd be it.

Thanks, it's actually my all-time favorite color so it worked out great!

I'm having a great time hanging out at EJS, so many unreal rigs getting around

http://instagram.com/p/BDM8t1hFBAK/

-Dan

Haha. I'm thinking something with a kill trigger. Not a switch. Like a Ruger or S&W.

Impossible to cross international borders with a firearm. Likely life in prison in many countries if I was caught trying to hide it.

-Dan