PENLEOPE IS FOR SALE!
It’s time for someone else to take the reins. Our adventures gave us so much more than we could ever have imagined and we hope someone else can take on the adventure.
Penelope has been an exceptional and reliable overland vehicle, and we believe she will serve her next owner just as well.
Don’t miss this opportunity to own a well-equipped, ready-to-go overlander.
About Penelope…
Our beloved 1995 Leyland DAF T244 Overlander was originally built for the MOD, one of the last off the line in 1995:
– Cummins 6BT 5.9L
– Bosch VE Fuel Injector
– Spicer 5 speed manual gear box
– Permanent 4 wheel drive with high / low range
MPG from 13 to 19MPG depending on how you drive her!
Purchased in 2019 from Jackson’s, after having the flat bed removed and a new spring mounted sub frame fitted we had a habitation box built from 50mm closed cell insulated panels with hardened fibreglassed skin inside and out, which was later reinforced with a steel roll cage for extra stability and durability should the box need to be lifted.
We then sound deadened and refurbished the cab (so we could hear each other speak let alone ourselves think!), fitted a new exhaust and exhaust brake and personally fitted out the box, transforming Penelope into the perfect, comfortable, ready to go full time overland adventure vehicle, and when we say ready to go, she really is!
She sits at 8.5ton full loaded with fuel, water and spare oils etc and all of the JHE parts such as the rear wheel carrier, ladders, lockers and roof rack!
With a whole host of spare parts to go with her, and every single instruction manual for every component, she really is ready to hit the road.
Ready Go Adventure Vehicle
Key Features
She’s travelled! Penelope has reliably carried us around England, Scotland, Europe, Türkiye, Cyprus, through the mountain passes of Georgia and Armenia – right up to the border with Iran and back again, making her a proven and trustworthy travel companion on almost any terrain.
Full-Time Setup: Designed for off-grid living and remote working, Penelope is equipped with connections for internet (Previously had a Starlink system) and more than enough power.
Regularly serviced (both by ourselves and professionally), full tyre rotation, recent oil change and a LOAD of spare parts ‘just in case’.
Keep reading for a detailed list of what’s included…
Mileage: 28,581.20KM
a full detailed log was kept from date of purchase – it is a well known fact that the odometers in these trucks don’t work!
Cab Features:
– Excavator seats – United Seats CS85/C4
– Victron Orion 24-12v dropper
– Two osram LED driver and passenger lights
– Upgraded Sercuron seatbelts
– Sony Rear view camera with option of fitting an additional camera if required
– 24v USB
– 12v USB x 4
– 1x 12v USB-C socket
– Cup holders
– Scorpion GPS tracker (contract required)
– Fully sound deadened and insulated using Silent Coat mats
– Carpeted
– Spray painted
– Leather sun visor covers
– Carded door panels
– Fire extinguishers
Cab external
– Thule locks on both doors for additional security
– Upgraded steps from JHE with new additional folding step
– Roof rack and ladders JHE
– JHE front bush bars
– Additional driving mirrors
– LED headlights
– LED light bars and spotlights
– Aluminium alubox storage (water tight)
– Starlink pole mount
Engine and running
– Stainless steel exhaust
– Dust snorkel
– Exhaust brake (switch connection on brake pedal)
– New front and rear shock absorbers
– Lanoguard treated
Additional
– JHE aluminium folding ladders
– Quick access aluminium ladder
– 2x JHE lockable storage underside boxes
– JHE rear wheel carrier with storage boxes (winch operated to lower and lift)
– JHE false locker cover for fuel tank and battery housing
– Reversing LED spotlights
On the roof:
– 2x 300w German solar panels
– 4x Victron 60w panels
– 1x Large sky hatch (recently re-sealed)
– 2x small hatches
– 2x JHE Bash bars on roof
– 4G antenna
– Deluxe Max air fan
Other
– 210L fuel tank with new fuel lines (2020)
– Parker Racour fuel water & particle separator (fuel pre-heat option add on available)
– 4x 12R20 Pirelli TG85 tyres (approx 20,000km left and recently rotated) 2018/2019
– Brand new spare tyre as above
– Direct 4×4 awning complete with two sides that zip on
– LED light bar under awning
– Security light above hab door (solar powered)
– Spare key lockbox (location to be disclosed on sale!)
Habitation box
– Newly fitted custom made door fly screen
– 2 hob gas burner
– Vertifrigo fridge / freezer DW210.2DT INOX (option of adding ice cube tray)
– IKEA stainless steel and mixer tap with hose
– IMASS instant hot water heater
– Safe fill 10KG (19.5L) gas bottle (with various adapters for all countries)
– 3 stage water filtration system
– Shurflo 24v 30psi water pump with seaflow accumulator tank
– 3 kitchen drawers, hand built
– Overhead cupboards
– Various 12v and 240v power outlets
– Under cupboard LED lighting
– LED spotlights lounge, kitchen and bedroom
– Stainless steel custom built double drain shower tray
– Shower mixer
– Air head composting toilet with extractor fan
– Fixed king sized bed with Ikea slats (access to garage underneath)
– Bedroom storage
– Seating area with custom cushions (fire protected, removable and washable covers)
– Walnut table with extendable marine base
– Fully opening safari hatch with internal window
– Smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm
– 3x fire extinguishers
– Large under seat storage
– Diesel heater 5kw
– Large electrical cupboard that doubles as hanging space / storage.
– Safe
Electrical set up
– Starlink dish adapter and mount
– 3000w Iconic inverter/MPPT (ran faultlessly)
– Shore power inlet
– Secondary Victron 100/20 MPPT controller
– Beny solar array isolator
– Shore power isolator
– Shore power breaker box
– Internal 240v breaker box (Schneider)
– Victron Orion DC/DC converter 24-12 70
– 3x 12-24v fuse panels
– Victron BMV 712 smart batter monitor (Bluetooth connected)
– CBE water tank level indicator
– Electrical cupboard temp regulator fans (manually operated)
– Huwawai sim operated WIFI router
– 2x Neptune FIAMM 230AH / 1200a VRLA – AGM batteries purchased 2023
– Victron Orion – TR smart 24/24-17 DC/DC charger
– Whole system reviewed by a qualified electrician.
In the Garage & Lockers
– 400L baffled freshwater tank (vented)
– Pre sediment filter housing water tank inlet
– 20L sealy engine oil Jerry can
– Magnetic ‘angles mort’ signs x3
– Additional Milenco locks on habitation box door and garage doors
Spares (Not available for individual purchase)
– Spare electrical cable – various sizes diameter
– Electrical connectors
– Crimping tools
– Fuses
– Plumbing accessories
– Lynx stackable levelling blocks (x16)
– Heavy duty storage boxes
– 3 spare 12r20 inner tubes
– 2x 12 ton bottle jacks
– Various sizes draper expert large sockets for removing some of the larger nuts on the truck
– Draper tyre torque breaker
– Full set of service filters and various oils
– Manual Grease gun
– Spare number plates
– Knorr-bremise air filter service kit
– Sump plugs (lots of!!)
– Wiper seal bolts
– Brand new replacement Thermostat
– Various 6m spare airline fittings
– MZK9038 washer
– 1409686 8m angle adapter
– Grease nipples
– Clutch master seal kits x2
– Hub seal bearing
– Various oil seals
– Toilet seat hinges
– Set of Prop shaft bolts
– Gear box face plate seal
– 2x original DAF hub seals
– 2x National oil seal hub seals
– Hub removal tool
– Brand new Cummins water pump
– 6m airline hose
– Diesel heater fuel line hose
– Bosch VE injector pump uprated valve spring
– Bosch VE pump replacement diaphragm
– Various nuts, bolts, washers for minor repairs
– Brake line hoses x2
– Full set of all engine coolant and water lines complete with all new correct size jubilee clips
– 43m draper socket to remove rear prop shaft
– Pulley belt tensioner (replaced 2022)
– 2x inner tube liners
– Brand new Clarke 1 inch 240v water pump 53L per minute
– 240v Electrical hook up cables 1x 5m + 1x 10m
– Champion 2,200w petrol generator recently serviced
– Approx 10m professionally built Alfagomma air line
– PCL mk 4 professional tyre inflator
– 2x wiper seals (current ones replaced 2022)
– 3x fan belts
– 240v LED Inspection light
– Brand new Lift pump
– Spare clutch Slave/master (used)
– Full set fuel filters
– Gasket sealant
– 20l diesel Jerry can
– Waste water caddy wheelable 20L
– Mr funnel fuel filter (brand new)
– Plus more, if you can believe it! 😅
Tools
– 1000 N·m Premier wheel nut torque wrench
– 60-210 N·m half inch torque wrench
– Ken Tool split rim tyre break lever
– Neilsen 1 inch power breaker bar
– Dewalt 18v 5ah twin battery 950 N·m torque gun
– Shovel
– Spade
– Axe and pick
Truck Dimensions
– Overall height 3.7m
– Length approx 7.5m
Habitation box dimensions:
– Width 2.4m
– Top length 5.2m
– Bottom length 4.2m
– Internal height 1.98m (Craig is 6’4 so perfect for taller people!)
Frequently asked questions
Have you done any modifications to the engine?
Other than the exhaust break, no, we decided against this as we wanted it to be as easy as possible to maintain while away. Full set of replacement water and air hoses available
What is the truck classified as on the V5?
She’s officially a specially fitted van with windows – and they came out to see her in real life!
Is she ready to go mot inspections / whatever needs doing has been done or is due soon?
Current MOT due November but planned to put her through a new one before she goes anywhere. It’s been fully serviced with oil and filter changes etc after the last MOT and she’s done 500k since to Manchester and back.
Did you experience any engine troubles like fuel issues stalling etc
Only for a short period in extreme temperatures. While in Georgia and Turkey temperatures were up to 45C and we did have stalling issues but we dialled up the fuel pump and it resolved the issue. We also had a diesel bug in Georgia too (very common outside of Europe) from dirty diesel but we immediately emptied the 200L, stripped the fuel lines and injectors, cleaned everything, had no further issues. It does come with specialist additive to occasionally add to diesel when outside of Europe to kill bugs
You had an accident in Georgia – how did that impact the vehicle?
We were very fortunate that it was only a brush with a wing mirror on a very tight mountain pass, We managed to obtain two brand new windows and the damage to the outer skin was purely cosmetic. The small indentation was filled with waterproof sealant adhesive. We were planning on spraying the box at some point and I would perhaps suggest a fibreglass repair if the new owner wished, although it’s not required in terms of integrity of the box.
What does it cost to keep Penelope?
Of course these costs vary depending location and personal situations but for us, as follows: the vehicle tax is £160 a year, insurance is costing us c.£5-600 per year valued at £70k (however that is with a tracker contracted at £13 a month). We have RAC arrival for Europe breakdown too, we pay roughly £300 a year for that.
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We also vlogged our build and our travels, check it all out on the channel below…
