Thread: Defender tdi and a baby

O.K. I get it. I apologise without reservation! My post has caused offence and I apologise. It was not meant to but it has so I can't undo that. SO I will get the thing back on the rails again getting back to the original post with suggestions for him which I hope will help going forward.

The Defender with its upright sides and lots of windows does get a lot of sun through it. Window tint might help reduce heat and the opportunity for sunburn. I don't have tint in mine yet and it gets warm on your arms in summer.

I would fit a cargo barrier (as most would) so you can travel with a good amount of gear if required. While the Defender has a good deal of space in the rear, the smaller door can make packing difficult for some items including access to a fridge if not well thought out.

Obviously you will need to get certified child restraint points fitted unless this has already been done by someone who owned the vehicle previously.

Defenders can get a lot of dust in them so seal any dust entry points with non acidic sealant in case your children might react to dust problems. A torch at night under the vehicle should show up any points of entry.

They can be noisy and hot. Many use sound deadener to reduce sound entering the cabin and heat. Carpet can also help.

I am not sure if the 300 TDI has speakers in the back but if not they can be easily fitted to allow the children/adults to hear the radio/music etc.

The Defender has a great back seat which sits high so children and adults will be able to see well.

One simple modification I made on my Series III had a couple of side effects that made it more comfortable.

I fitted a platform up near the roof, across the internal "gutters". It was used to store clothes, sleeping bags and other soft light things we needed to be able to get at quickly and easily.

It kept out a lot of heat, just like putting insulation in the ceiling of a house. It also made it quieter.

That probably can't be done on more modern LRs with all their unnecessary plastic trim.

Check this out.

Defender right after crash
Just like a tin can poped open

yagodamulla Defender accident 2015,09,10 10,35 AM - YouTube

4wheeler do not be sorry for your opinion. You stated your position and reasons. I personally agree with your points 100%. What was offensive? Everyone has their lines. I personally get super upset when people speed through suburban streets and car parks, cause they might hurt a child.
Why shouldn't we want to protect the young and innocent in our lives? Adults have the choice to do wrong, choose danger, whatever. If you all take a deep breath and get over yourselves...
So I am big on safe. That said, I have a 300tdi 130 with a currently 6 and almost 3 year old boys. They love it. The little one screams if we take mums car. I am aware of the safety of them. From a side impact point of view I put rock sliders on. Yes, I know, they aren't Ancap rated or whatever, but it can't hurt. Like someone said,be alert, be aware of your surroundings. Don't drive around with your head shoved up your behind like a lot of people seem to doing that's going to do.you way more good in my opinion.
Breathe

There is some evidence that we all have our personal level of "perceived risk" that we are prepared to accept.


What this means in practice is that there is a tendency to drive a little faster, leave smaller margins for error when we believe we are in a car with better handling, better brakes and better safety features.

Most drivers of vintage cars are well aware of the lack of safety features and drive in a way that creates only the level of risk that they are prepared to accept.

Some drivers of more modern cars think the inbuilt safety feature will save them from anything and drive like maniacs.

In both cases the driver feels that the risk is at a level he is prepared to accept. Of course it is the perceived level of risk that matters, not the actual risk.

So it should not come as a surprise that we all have our own notion of what is acceptable. Some people would never dream of riding a motorcycle, some would ride one anywhere except in city traffic. Some people would never dream of driving anything except the latest model with all the latest safety features. Some, especially as they get older just give up driving altogether.

There is no reason why anyone should be offended by someone else's personal level of perceived risk that they tolerate.

Originally Posted by 4wheeler

I know I am going to crash and burn posting this and it is my opinion only and I await all the opinions to the contrary. I am unsure though if people are aware of how poor the safety is in a Defender.

I don't have children and the only reason I have a Defender (apart from the fact that I like them) is the fact I am prepared to take the risk driving the thing. If I had children of any age, I would not put them in a Defender. The only concession to safety is ABS in later models and a 300 TDI won't even have that.

If you have a major side impact or roll over it will be good luck which saves you and nothing else. I won't even take any of my brother's children in it. It is a bolt together car with no structural integrity. You are sitting physically against the door and B pillar. The chassis rail is 30cm inboard of the doors with no side intrusion beams and door locks which I could pop open with a screw driver.

As I said, my opinion only, but give me safety over boring when children are involved anytime.

I agree with most of what you say there. One can accept a certain amount of risk for themselves, however when there are others to think of then the level of risk you are prepared to take changes - especially when the others are not able to make those choices for themselves (kids). After going through a high speed 4x4 rollover (with my whole familly of wife and 4 kids!) I will no longer accept a high centre of gravity car without either DCS or some form of rollover protection like rollbars (I really dont what to try and keep a car roof up with my head again). Just one of the reasons I choose to drive a D3

This is the actual footage of the Defender accident that was posted earlier. It was crushed between two buses after a risky overtaking maneuver in the wet.

CCTV footage of Minuwangoda Defender crash - HD - YouTube

UPDATE: Minuwangoda PSD Jeep Accident CCTV Video released - Hiru News - Srilanka's Number One News Portal, Most visited website in Sri Lanka

Good discussion....

With the DSC mentioned - who here has tested it taken the vehicle out onto loose surface and pushed the vehicle until it starts to yaw?

You may be very surprised - it can make some situations better, but it can also spear you off the road without any chance of recovery..


With Ancap - please all consider the ratings don’t equate between vehicles sizes - that’s where Physics exceeds ratings!

Ancap also doesn’t cover (last I looked) - roll over (roof strength) or rear end collisions...

These 2 vehicles are both Ancap 4... they met at high speed...