This is me, Jon, with my 101. As you can see, my vehicle is not difficult to spot and you can often catch me at the Land Rover shows across the country.
I have rebuilt and customised my current truck over a period of years to include the following:
- Power assisted steering
- A 200Tdi engine
- Fabricating a hard body with a raising roof [complete with windows and even curtains]
- The bed lies across the width of the vehicle rather than taking up useful space along the length of the vehicle [this is made possible by my designing and engineering a hard sided side opening hatch so that the bed lengthens at night]
- Fitting it out as a camper with fridge, sink and oven/hob
- It now also runs on used vegetable oil
What is my background?
I began my working life as an apprentice and worked in various engineering type jobs before setting off on my motorcycle to cross the Sahara in West Africa to my destination - Ghana.
I then worked for Dragoman Overland Tours building overland vehicles and as a diesel mechanic before venturing out into the world as a tour guide. I guided groups across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, driving and maintaining the overland vehicles along the way.
During a break from tour guiding in 2001 I bought a 101 and spent 6 weeks changing the engine and fuel tanks, fitting water tanks, building a solid cab for security. Then I was back on the road in my own vehicle. 7 months later I arrived in Tanzania.
After another year as a tour guide I decided to ship the 101 back home from Africa, so I could begin work on it.I got a job working in a fabrication workshop. I rented a small workshop of my own and started the rebuild and made the changes that exist today. I also trained as a domestic electrician and started my own business. I have been self employed as an electrician for 5 years and have now decided to branch out into offering my services in fabrication and making customised parts for 101 vehicles. After 20 years of working on various vehicles I have a host of skills and experiences that can assist other 101 owners in turning their own trucks into the vehicle they want.
I have Public Liability Insurance and I'm insured with a Motor Traders policy for Road Risks [so I can test drive your vehicles after changes have been made]
Catch me at various Land Rover shows throughout the year, come and look at my vehicle and have a chat about your own!