Thread: 6x6 Defender

Originally Posted by ugu80

I take it you're meaning a six wheel drive, not a lazy axle.

My only experience with 6wd was early 1970's in the army. We just started replacing the old Studebaker 6wd with Merc Unimog 4wd. The Mercs were more comfortable and civilized but we would still take a Studebaker along to pull the Mercs out of bogs. The Studebaker would still go where the Mercs couldn't because of the 6wd.

Yes I am talking 6 wheel drive not 4wd with a lazy axle. To fit the slide on camper that I want (Mrs wants) if I go down that path I need an 8foot (2.4m) tray length. With a single rear axle. there would be too much overhang and weight behind the axle. With a lazy or 6x6 that problem does not exist or is of no consequence. However I can see many shortcomings of a lazy axle in an off road situation. I don't want to go there.

There are several companies doing 6x6 conversions all with good & bad points along with just purchasing a Perentie when available. The more I look at this and as tantalizing as it seems, I can see big dollars and probable negatives that may just be not worth it.

But that is why I am here. My intended base vehicle will be a 130 defender, so I am seeking as much knowledge and info on the subject as possible. Also any other suggestions for a silly old bugger like me who wants the ultimate go anywhere gray nomad machine.

The first Perentie 6X6 to come out will likely have high kilometres on them and go for high prices. As more come onto the market the prices may fall depending upon site.

It is likely some of the first ones will have the OH&S rejected side seating bodys. Either way all the Perentie 6X6 have the wide body/wide track configuration which makes them comparable in size to the Ford F250 with less passenger comfort.

The 6x6 perenties are notorious for blowing diffs and clutches if you have any load on them at all. Not sure what sort of trips you are planning, but the LC 6x4 I was refering too has been to the cape and a few other places without problems. If you are concerned about having the middle axle suspended then a winch will soon sort that out!

Not trying to push my opinion on you, but wondering what advantages you see in a 6x6 over a 6x4 for an off road tourer? To me the driven 3rd axle seems like adding complexity for very little gain.

Cheers,

Adam

Originally Posted by akelly

The 6x6 perenties are notorious for blowing diffs and clutches if you have any load on them at all. Not sure what sort of trips you are planning, but the LC 6x4 I was refering too has been to the cape and a few other places without problems. If you are concerned about having the middle axle suspended then a winch will soon sort that out!

Not trying to push my opinion on you, but wondering what advantages you see in a 6x6 over a 6x4 for an off road tourer? To me the driven 3rd axle seems like adding complexity for very little gain.

Cheers,

Adam

Thanks for your input. I don't see any advantage or disadvantage in a 6x6 over a 6x4. I have no experience in either of those axle set-ups. It was an idea I had and that is why I posted here for information, ideas or advice, whether it be good, bad or ugly. My only experience with 6x6 or 6x4 is virtual in what I have seen in the internet. I have read some threads on other forums where posters (experience unknown) have put forward the theory or experience that the rear axle which is the lazy one can leave the middle axle suspended in mid air in some situations. So thinking along that line if the middle axle was suspended in mid air and the rear axle was a driven one then no drama. Yes a winch would probably take care of a situation but I wouldn't want it to be a regular event.

As previously mentioned, I am more interested in the tray length with proper axle support then a 6x6. For my personal purposes, I would rather one vehicle to meet our needs, that is not towing. However if I go down the towing path then a standard 130 dual cab will fit the bill. The wife also insists on 2nd row seating for the occasional hanger on so a single cab which would take the slide-on is not on the cards. There seems to be enough posts in this thread now to suggest to me that I should just pull my head in and forget about a 6x6. As you say in reality a lot of complexity for little real gain.

So I would rather see some more posts here regarding my intended engine conversion. That is where can I get a new or reconditioned 4BD1T with suitable auto conversion done. As long as it is in Australia I really don't care where. Thanks again.

The perentines will be up for sale soon so maybe keep saving and overhaul one of them? they already have the desired motor then its just he gearbox. If you can get an ex ambulance then the cab is already on the back too!

Originally Posted by munro

Thanks for your input. I don't see any advantage or disadvantage in a 6x6 over a 6x4. I have no experience in either of those axle set-ups. It was an idea I had and that is why I posted here for information, ideas or advice, whether it be good, bad or ugly. My only experience with 6x6 or 6x4 is virtual in what I have seen in the internet. I have read some threads on other forums where posters (experience unknown) have put forward the theory or experience that the rear axle which is the lazy one can leave the middle axle suspended in mid air in some situations. So thinking along that line if the middle axle was suspended in mid air and the rear axle was a driven one then no drama. Yes a winch would probably take care of a situation but I wouldn't want it to be a regular event.

As previously mentioned, I am more interested in the tray length with proper axle support then a 6x6. For my personal purposes, I would rather one vehicle to meet our needs, that is not towing. However if I go down the towing path then a standard 130 dual cab will fit the bill. The wife also insists on 2nd row seating for the occasional hanger on so a single cab which would take the slide-on is not on the cards. There seems to be enough posts in this thread now to suggest to me that I should just pull my head in and forget about a 6x6. As you say in reality a lot of complexity for little real gain.

So I would rather see some more posts here regarding my intended engine conversion. That is where can I get a new or reconditioned 4BD1T with suitable auto conversion done. As long as it is in Australia I really don't care where. Thanks again.

I seriously doubt that the Perentie diffs would give you any problems for your intended use.Anyone who tells you 6x6 has little advantage over 6x4 obviously doesn't have any practical experience of either. They are chalk and cheese offroad, particularly with the relatively limited interaxle articulation that most conversions provide.
Still I think that a camper conversion on a 4x4 Mitsubishi Canter, Isuzu or similar would prove to be just as mobile, more practical, durable and reliable than any LandRover based unit.
wagoo.

Originally Posted by wagoo

I seriously doubt that the Perentie diffs would give you any problems for your intended use.Anyone who tells you 6x6 has little advantage over 6x4 obviously doesn't have any practical experience of either. They are chalk and cheese offroad, particularly with the relatively limited interaxle articulation that most conversions provide.
Still I think that a camper conversion on a 4x4 Mitsubishi Canter, Isuzu or similar would prove to be just as mobile, more practical, durable and reliable than any LandRover based unit.
wagoo.

Not wanting to start a whole thing here - and acknowledge that Munro wants to focus on the engine/trans issues - but I have a bit of experience with both (6x6 perenties and the 6x4 LC my father owns) and for carrying a camper on the back in a touring situation I dont see a great advantage in the 6x6, given the added complexity. Most of the 6x6 LRs I have had involvement with would best be described as having drivetrains made of cheese! Except in the case of the highly modified ones.

Cheers,

Adam

Originally Posted by akelly

The 6x6 perenties are notorious for blowing diffs and clutches if you have any load on them at all. Not sure what sort of trips you are planning, but the LC 6x4 I was refering too has been to the cape and a few other places without problems. If you are concerned about having the middle axle suspended then a winch will soon sort that out!

Not trying to push my opinion on you, but wondering what advantages you see in a 6x6 over a 6x4 for an off road tourer? To me the driven 3rd axle seems like adding complexity for very little gain.

Cheers,

Adam

i have driven many of km's in a GMV '6x6 perentie'..........and my unit had a fleet of IIMV's and i cannot recall diffs or clutches being a problem, keep in mind these are company cars that get abused day in day out

- i spun an intermediate axle being silly getting airborne, engaged centre diff lock and cruised home, LRA even replaced the axle due to being faulty
- seized an intermediate diff when the greasers forgot to refill it after a major service

i would have a four door version today if i could