Worth while?

ted, keep the old one, and in addition to all the above advice don't skimp on shocks, and select the correct spring rates for your intended loading. IMO you should just replace with new std defender springs, heavy duty 130 fronts, and something like koni raid 90 shocks (which are expensive) but the price is long forgotten after the performance on horrific roads at GVM and at speed is experienced :)

jc

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ted44

Hello.
From people who have prepared a vehicle for a big trip, do you wish you had done it any differently. By this I mean was it worth the time effort doing all the maintenance on a older truck to get it trip ready, or would you in hindsight buy a newer truck?
I know its a big Q but just trying to get a angle on what to do with mine, its a 1996 300Tdi in quite good condition, although its needs all the age related things doing on it to get it ready for a big trip around the Simpson next sept.
Cheers ted

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Having recently done the Simpson in a (relatively) new defender (09 model, 90k on the clock), I'd say keep the old one and make sure she's in ship shape condition.

The only thing that (might) be better than a well fettled older rig (that you know well) would be a new one that's had any teething problems sorted out (i.e. one with around 20k the clock) - that's a lot of coin to spend for a marginal gain.

As per JC's advice above, under no circumstances skimp on suspension - it's false economy.

if you ve got an already dependable vehicle...

run with that and spend the money youd loose out on buying a new vehicle to fix any minor niggles you have.

if they're old and theyre running theres probably a reason for that.