Defender handling

[BradW]

My first post, please bear with me. I am considering replacing my aging Disco 1 with a new Defender with the intention of spending the majority of the time on gravelly, corrugated roads towing the trusty TVan. I don't have the opportunity to test drive a Defender in those conditions. An oldish Aust 4WD Action mag (issue 127) bagged the Defender's handling on those roads. Is this a legitimate complaint with the Defender? If it is can it be rectified with an aftermarket suspension or somesuch? The old Disco, with ARB suspension, seems to do okay.

Brad

[Chucaro]

Welcome to the forum :)
I used to have a Tdi300 1998 Disco with Bilstein shocks and King springs.
Now I have a Defender (1994) with standard coils and Delphi Decarbon shocks.
I like more the handling of the Defe, perhaps it is because the 110 WB.
Towing the an over a ton trailer the Defe it is heaps better than my old Disco.
Cheers

[JLo]

I'm in a '02 Defender and I don't reckon they are that bad. Depends on the road but I don't have any problems sitting on 60-80 km/hr on unsealed corrugated roads with standard coils & shocks. How fast do want to be going towing a van? It is a live axle vehicle and won't handle like an independant suspended vehicle, something the 4wd mags seem to forget or bag because it is "old technology" but they seem to forget the benefits that this brings


Cheers
JLo

[PBob]

If you are talking "new" Defender, then I can have some input. I have gone from an HSE D3 2006 Disco to a new Defender 110 crew cab.:eek:
My HSE the Defender certainly isn't (52k verses 90k) - but I am amazed at the handling of the new Defer and also it's towing efficiency (read torque). It pulls like a steam train. I previously also had 3 TD5s and these were very good, however one was a manual and it left a lot to be desired in the towing department - turbo lack.
I find the Defender comfortable, paricularly in regards to the stiffened suspension against my air riding D3. The handling of this machine was a pleasant surprise.:cool:

[Captain_Rightfoot]

Land Rovers are renowned for their handling on dirt. I find it farcical!

Ours certainly is excellent on dirt. :)

[dmdigital]

It is fantastic on dirt, corrugations and anything you can throw at it. I tow a Kimberley Kamper, live at the end of several hundred kilometres of dirt track and have no problems. The genuine shocks will last about 20,000km and then I would replace these with something that handles heat better. I have Koni Raid shocks now and whilst they are expensive they have improved the handling even more.

[one_iota]

I hate to cast a pall over all this furious agreement but I actually preferred my Disco on corrugated roads.

Particularly after I had Bilsteins and Lovell springs installed with polyairs.

I find under some circumstances that the Defender tends on some corrugations to skip sideways.

It behaves better with the rear loaded. Tyre pressures might also influence the handling when unloaded.

When it comes time to renew the shocks I'm thinking of also lightening up the rear springs and installing polyairs.

Then again I could blame the driver's technique. ;-)

[dmdigital]

I hate to cast a pall over all this furious agreement but I actually preferred my Disco on corrugated roads.

Particularly after I had Bilsteins and Lovell springs installed with polyairs.

I find under some circumstances that the Defender tends on some corrugations to skip sideways.

It behaves better with the rear loaded. Tyre pressures might also influence the handling when unloaded.

When it comes time to renew the shocks I'm thinking of also lightening up the rear springs and installing polyairs.

Then again I could blame the driver's technique. ;-)
Mahn after a D1 and a D2 I'd prefer either of my Defenders on a corrugated road. Tyre pressures really do come in to play as does the suspension but I found that both Disco's tended to skip sideways a lot worse than either Defender does.

[Trout]

I had an early disco and now have a defender. I reckon they both handle pretty well on the dirt and corrugations. I don't think there is much between them - just the disco is quiet and defender is loud and everything rattles. On rare occasions both had a tendency for the back end to get upset and quickly step out of line sideways. This would happen even on straight roads if you hit a particularly rough patch. Nothing that a bit of opposite lock won't fix if your quick.:o

[Michael2]

Hi Brad,

I can't comment on Disco Vs New Defender, but I can compare Range Rover Classic V8 to a 300Tdi Defender, which I think is close enough to what you're after.

I find the Defender is a superior tow vehicle, both on and off road.

[PAT303]

I've had many many tojo's for work vehicles and my defender ate them all.I would pit it against any jap vehicle on gravel. Pat

[slug_burner]

the 110" defender will not pitch as much as the 100" wheel base disco.

sound wise the disco will be easier on your ears.

[camel_landy]

The 110 should be absolutely fine.

If you're fussy about the handling (like I am), just factor in regular changes of the bushes and keep an eye on the drop arm for wear. ;)

HTH

M

[flagg]

may as well jump in here with my 2c

The defender can be really good or really bad depending on what you do. Use good quality shocks and springs and keep them in good condition and you will have no worries at all.

I have an 86 county, and have done a lot of rough dirt driving with a '92 Tdi 110 and an '02 Td5 110...

I have found the best combination to be Bilstein shocks, King Springs and a good sway bar. Don't forget your tire pressures. This setup is a dream, and you can drive all day without getting a sore back.

The only other 4wd's I've driven a reasonable amount with are a 75 series and a hilux.. neither had /anything/ on a 110 in terms on handling.

BUT if you get warn bushes, a bad shock, saggy springs etc it can fall apart very fast. When I got the County it had a few warn parts of the steering and it handled like a death trap. Its very good now.

Dec

[Panya]

Use good quality shocks and springs and keep them in good condition and you will have no worries at all.

On the money. Good shocks and good bushes make all the difference to both Disco and Defender skipping on rough roads. Some shocks even new make the back end wander about like mad but most good quality shocks will do the job. It can depend upon how soft your springs are - harder springs are less comfortable but much more positive on handling. However I also do I find the D2 much more civilised and quiet...:angel: