Thread: Winning over the opposition..

Originally Posted by Tombie

Love the way everyone speaks openly of deception!

I'm not innocent of it either. But it is amusing!

Really don't want to be justifying, or rationalizing this away. But it would be fair to point out that it's only equivalent to a "white lie" unless a bloke is trying to get away with something. I.e. Get some unfair advantage.

Surely nothing wrong with swapping out an ECU just to avoid an unnecessary argument in a case where the tune shouldn't be considered a factor in a warranty claim.

My barge is right now in the hands of the dealer for warranty fixes reported well before I fitted the ECU. "Lazy" overruled "clever" (deceptive?!) in this case as I just didn't bother to swap out the tuned ECU.

I am really wondering if the dealer will notice, if they notice will they say anything.

There is a lot mods on my nearly stock barge to notice: Tuned ECU, ATBs in front and rear diffs, HD drive flanges all round, folding side steps removed, and standard tow bar modified....

None of those mods should have any bearing on the things they are now fixing under warranty:
- turbo-intercooler hose (subject to a LR field action)
- fresh air intake duct not properly fixed to ventilation fan motor case
- problem with the ignition switch, occasional failures to start
- metal brake tubing to caliper rubbed through on front spring base

Really interested to see what they say when I collect the vehicle back this evening or tomorrow

(Pssst... they didn't notice or at least didn't comment, regards any of my few mods. warranty work all done and happy. YMMV of course. I reckon the ATBs effect on a test drive would be more noticeable than the 150hp BAS tune)

Originally Posted by tact

Speaking only regards the only defender I have worked on - my own 2.2l TDCi:

- swapping ECUs is a dead easy task. 10min job once you've done it once before. Two small bolts to get the engine top sound deadening cover off. Two small nuts hold the ECU to its mount. 3 cabling plugs to pull.

- absolutely love the ATBs. Wrote up a couple of lengthy reports on them. Later when home will find and post links. Wouldn't say everyone should buy them. They are not a small expense and won't meet every need. But they are exactly what I wanted. In summary:
- they don't ever send all drive to any one wheel so no need to go down the path of replacing every transmission component with HD versions.
- they work for you delivering benefits BOTH on road and offroad
- got rid of a potential weak point (2 pinion diff) and got rid of a source of drive line backlash

Edit: here is the link I mentioned on ATBs. The first post gives a lot of background. On page two I added an update after 7mths and 10,000km living with ATBs
Fitted Ashcroft ATBs front and rear

Can I ask if there are any issues between the Traction Control and the ATB - does it make any difference, or is it no problem?
I ask because I wondered if fitting a centre ATB might be a better way to go than adding a front or rear locker, particularly if it negates any need to fit other HD driveline parts.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Can I ask if there are any issues between the Traction Control and the ATB - does it make any difference, or is it no problem?
I ask because I wondered if fitting a centre ATB might be a better way to go than adding a front or rear locker, particularly if it negates any need to fit other HD driveline parts.

Mate, my barge doesn't have traction control. I wanted to have that option fitted but it's "not available" to Defender buyers in Malaysia.

That's part of the reason I went for ATBs front/rear. To give me some added oomph in the jungle since traction control wasn't an available option.

Like your thinking: I didn't want to have to work my way through the entire driveline replacing stock for HD parts. Another reason for ATBs and why I rejected full lockers.

(Lastly in Favour of ATBs is that they provide the benefits they provide - on Tarmac as well as off)

That said - plenty of comment around the forums indicates traction control and ATBs work well together. The TC doing the left foot braking that's needed if a single wheel is completely without traction

I guess this applies to ATBs in front/rear diffs. Not sure you'd get the same level of benefit with a centre ATB

I have a mate who has spent the last two years driving around Australia, zig-zagging all over the place in his 200 series. I think that in general the Toyotas reputation for reliability is on the 7x series and the older generation ones with live axles front and rear. He's had endless problems with his front end on his 200 series in the ~70,000km that he's done along corrugated roads around Australia including two snaps.

I've personally never had any drive-line problems except a blown 5th gear in a td5. All my Land Rover problems have been drivable except a broken knock sensor (again td5) which resulted in a tow in the city. Other than a flat battery it's been brilliant for the entire 150,000km I have done in it since I bought it pre-loved.

Originally Posted by stewie110

I have a mate who has spent the last two years driving around Australia, zig-zagging all over the place in his 200 series. I think that in general the Toyotas reputation for reliability is on the 7x series and the older generation ones with live axles front and rear. He's had endless problems with his front end on his 200 series in the ~70,000km that he's done along corrugated roads around Australia including two snaps.

ed.

There is a lot of truth in that. But the Australia wide service agents have helped as well with that reputation. It's quite disconcerting deciding whether to buy now or wait to see what the manufacturers come up with. .

The talk about Toyotas being reliable is exaggerated by Toyota owners trying to justify their purchases, I think. Actually, there are a lot of Toyota problems.
There are a lot of stories around about problems with the 200, including front end and oil consumption.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1960017

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

The talk about Toyotas being reliable is exaggerated by Toyota owners trying to justify their purchases, I think. Actually, there are a lot of Toyota problems.
There are a lot of stories around about problems with the 200, including front end and oil consumption.
Is the Toyota Landcruiser 200 a lemon? - Toyota - Automotive

Lol. And where should we go for our beloved LR problems? Oh that's right. We are all here