The Concept Truck Files: Land Rover Kalahari Safari Gard ConceptQuestion: Can one of the world's most functional off-road vehicles be improved?
Answer: See Land Rover's Kalahari Safari Gard Concept.
Based on Land Rover's Discovery II, the Kalahari Concept was built in a rugged fashion, with accessories installed to enhance the Discovery II's already impressive off-road prowess. Murrieta, California-based Safari Gard, builders of no-nonsense bumpers, was given the task of outfitting a Discovery II for display at the 2001 SEMA Show. The Kalahari Concept uses the type of trick parts and mods found on serious 'wheelers and allies them with the proven performance of the Discovery II to create an impressive 4x4.
Safari Gard lifted the Discovery II 4 inches with a custom suspension system that features Fox coilover shocks with remote reservoirs. The stock rocker sills were replaced with Rock Sliders, thus protecting the rocker panels and allowing the Kalahari Concept to scratch its way over obstacles. Safari Gard, using its skills as a premium bumper manufacturer, fabbed a set of high-clearance bumpers for the Kalahari. The rear bumper was specifically designed to enhance departure angles and protect the Kalahari's rear quarter panels from damage.
Other accessories include Hella High Intensity Discharge lights, a Superwinch x9000 winch, a Hi-Lift jack, a roof-mounted Hannibal tent, and a portable shower system powered by the Kalahari's battery. Naturally, the Kalahari Concept uses a set of trick rollers: Center Line wheels were fitted with Trailready bead locks to positively retain the BFGoodrich 285/70R17 KM tires no matter how tough the trail gets.
As to the use of the Kalahari Concept's performance accessories on production Discovery IIs, Jon Williams, Land Rover's North America vice president of Marketing, stated, "Selected features showcased on this concept can be found on the special edition '02 Kalahari Discovery II that will be available at Land Rover retailers in the coming months."
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