Land Rover Kalahari Safari Gard Concept

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."

As with the Vortec 4200 I-6 it's based on, the Vortec I-4 uses Variable Valve Timing (VVT) to enhance low-speed torque. The VVT system uses an electronically regulated solenoid to retard and advance the exhaust cam's timing during certain engine speeds, causing increased valve overlap, which lowers emissions, enhances performance, and allows for a high (nearly 10:1) compression ratio.
As with the Vortec 4200 I-6 it's based on, the Vortec I-4 uses Variable Valve Timing (VVT)
No area of the giveaway Dodge was left untouched. For proof, scope out the Ram's bed - beneath the color-matched SnugTop hard tonneau cover, there's Rhino Lining and a scratch-built panel which supports a trio of Coustic amps and various electronics, which are signaled by a Kenwood head unit. Sound is produced by an array of Kenwood subwoofers, midrange speakers, and tweeters. Trust us; the audio system is clean and powerful.
No area of the giveaway Dodge was left untouched. For proof, scope out the Ram's bed - ben
Chevrolet's Silverado - and its twin, the GMC Sierra - earned four stars in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Rollover Resistance Ratings, meaning the Silverado is the NHTSA's top-rated truck (4WD and 2WD) in regard to stability and resistance to roll over after a vehicle skids off the road when rounding a corner. Dodge's Dakota - in 2WD, Club Cab trim - also earned a four-star rating.
Chevrolet's Silverado - and its twin, the GMC Sierra - earned four stars in the National H

The NHTSA ratings rely heavily on the type of highway incident illustrated. A driver loses control of the vehicle, the vehicle skids off the road and slides onto a soft dirt shoulder, a reverse-angle bank, or contacts an obstacle, any of which eventually cause the vehicle to overturn as its tires dig into the dirt surface.
The NHTSA ratings rely heavily on the type of highway incident illustrated. A driver loses
Another common cause of vehicle rollover occurs when a driver makes an emergency maneuver - such as avoiding an obstacle or animal on the road - and loses control, skidding off the road onto the soft or rutted shoulder, which ricochets the vehicle back onto the highway, where the driver overcorrects (too much steering input) and the vehicle goes out of control and into a rollover situation.
Another common cause of vehicle rollover occurs when a driver makes an emergency maneuver
Safari Gard took a stock Land Rover Discovery II, gave it the full 'wheeler treatment, and dubbed it the Kalahari Safari Gard Concept. It's equipped with all the trick stuff, including Hella HID lights, custom Safari Gard front and rear bumpers, a Hannibal roof-mounted tent, one-off Rocker Slider rocker panel protectors, and a portable shower system. The Center Line wheels are fitted with Trailready bead locks and wrapped in BFGoodrich 285/70R17 KM rubber. Land Rover expects many of the Kalahari's accessories to make it onto the option list of the '02 Discovery II.
Safari Gard took a stock Land Rover Discovery II, gave it the full 'wheeler treatment, and