Thread: Defender thoughts

G'day mate , I was in the same position as you . 1999 TD5 starting to show signs of age . Nothing major , just little jobs . We wont to do some long journey travel , I just feelt the TD5 was going to be taking a risk , after all It's 16 years old . Do I spend lots of $$ or upgrade ? Well I bit the bullet and brought a new one , just up to the first 1ks . Do I like It ? and did I make the right decision ? There's no doubt that It is a lot better then the TD5 , but , It does have some faults . I will overcome them , but not every one does . Good luck whatever you decide !!.. Jim

Get a new one. The $ "effort" will mean little in a few years,.....if that is a worry (always is for me!). If not, just get one!
Pickles.

Completely personal decision. We also have a fairly modified TD5 ('02) 110, 35" tyres and all the kit to make them work well, Maxidrive front/rear, upgraded CVs, shafts etc.

For us, the expense in upgrading to a new one, then making it as capable as the old one, would be too great. The $$$ difference would be spent in easily repairing stuff that breaks, and will pay for a lot of camping trips to boot.

If reliability is a prime concern, though, then obviously the older a vehicle gets the more chance it's going to let you down.

There aren't many places in Australia that you can get into too much trouble in, really, if your vehicle breaks down. If you're travelling remote in an older vehicle, look at breakdown/recovery options and carry a satphone.

Changeover $$$ to a new vehicle, then getting it the way you want it, can add up to a lot.

Good luck with whatever way you go!

Where can you go in Oz that a new stock as a rock model Defender can't go. You may not [won't?] need all those exy extras currently which are fitted to your old car on a new one. A new Defer may be more capable and almost certainly more reliable than your old one.

Then there is the luck factor. Will your old Defer break down on your travels resulting in lost valuable holiday time, the added cost of parts and repairs, waiting time for parts to arrive etc plus the niggling fear factor of will it or won't it break down.

With a new one the likelihood of it being a show stopper is remote/unlikely plus if the worst did happen then you have the resources of Landrover via the new car warranty to get you back on the road.

Certainly there is lots to think about. Good Luck!

Originally Posted by Grumbles

Where can you go in Oz that a new stock as a rock model Defender can't go. You may not [won't?] need all those exy extras currently which are fitted to your old car on a new one...

Rather broad comment, likely correct for a certain kind of focus. But really depends on the kind of fun a feller wants to get out of his defer.

For example if the focus is on conquering really hard trails (as opposed to touring) then I can take you 5min from my place to a trail a stock Defender will not go. (I know, I tackled it in mine when it was stock). For sure I got further than lifted, locked and loaded toys and pajeros got. Defender pride still intact.

Point made right? For touring, maybe even cape trips, a stock defer is good to go. But if jollies mean hard core trails then mods are the go.

Don't get me wrong. I am not a big time vehicle modder. The mods to my defer are minimal. 33" tyres were just a tyre replacement (no spacers, no new rims, no change to susp or offsets), Ashcroft ATBs front and rear, a BAS tune, removed sidesteps and raised the rear plough bar up a bit.

I have no plans for raised air intake, bullbars, or winch. Am not intending to go anywhere needing that kit.

Hi

I run a heavily modified county 110 and a stock 130 for touring. If you want to do family touring deserts you don't need the mods.

On the other hand my vehicle is a Reefton here in Vic and many of the tracks around during winter are essentially impassable without fully lugged 35s tyres, twin lockers, winches, etc.

Work out what you want to do with a build it to that.

It really shouldn't death wobble. My doesn't well now it doesn't. Get caster corrected ball joints or have your current ones drilled and check everything else particularly king pin/swivels, ball joints, etc.

Clive

Originally Posted by pommy

Any way wife suggested I get brand new one before they are finished

Listen to the wife!

Puma is good

I'll come back on this one , My TD5 , as I said been a great vehicle and still is , but everything is getting to a point that It needs replacing , or overhauling . New hoses , water pump , alternator pulley bearings . Radiator , plus the wiring is starting to go hard . the list goes on . How good is the dual mass flywheel or clutch . As I say It's all working , but and It's a big but ? Do I replace all these bits , or wait for them to fail ? My thought were If I go down this road , and spend lots of $$ It's still 15 old Land Rover . That is one of the big factors that helped me make my decision !!.. Jim