selection of the vehicle type

After having researched this subject, reading all the books and digging into the vastness of the web, the list of possible vehicles suitable for overlanding through Africa becomes very short.
The vehicles that successfully operate in Africa are simple, tough and when they do break they can be bashed back together. Also what is used by the locals and what spares can be obtained out in Africa also shortens the list.
The list comes down to Land Rover or Toyota. From Land Rover the desired engine is the diesel 200 or 300Tdi in either the Defender or the Discovery. The Discovery is more luxurious and modern, the Defender is more basic but has more character and probably can be modified more effectively and easily. From Toyota there is the Hi-Lux, indestructible and very capable, and the Land Cruiser, powerful and luxurious. Probably due to patriotism, on Robs part, and the romanticism of exploring Africa we have decided to go for a Land Rover Defender 110 with either the 200 or 300Tdi engine.

The body style we have chosen is the hardtop version over the 5 door country station wagon. One of the main reasons is the ability to mount jerry can lockers where the rear doors of the 5 door would be, it seems a very effective use of space. Also the less door means less points of access to nasty people. The rear of the hardtop lends itself nicely to modification, it being very simple boxy and totally parallel (well as much as a landy can be).