This months issue of 4WD action on the D2

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

This months issue of 4WD action has an article comparing ? 4wds.
It says the D2 is 4wd on the Fly, and the Toyo has constant 4wd.
I don't own a D2 , but never thought they were on the fly, as they are constant 4wd.
Am I wrong, or are 4WD action more informed on promoting Toyos.

[d@rk51d3]

Stopped buying alot of 4wd mags quite a while ago. It was clear that they only had eyes for their sponsors/advertisers.

I remember reading a big 12v fridge review, comparing all the major brands, and the winner ended up being some mediocre unit with half the score of the 2 or 3 most common units on the market.

[ugu80]

Perhaps they meant 'on the fly' to lock the centre diff?

[Narangga]

This months issue of 4WD action has an article comparing ? 4wds.
It says the D2 is 4wd on the Fly, and the Toyo has constant 4wd.
I don't own a D2 , but never thought they were on the fly, as they are constant 4wd.
Am I wrong, or are 4WD action more informed on promoting Toyos.

I think all on the forum are constant 4wd and a few are always on the fly! :p

[Banjo_pluker]

Perhaps they meant 'on the fly' to lock the centre diff?

I think the Toyota's have that as well.

[disco2hse]

This months issue of 4WD action has an article comparing ? 4wds.
It says the D2 is 4wd on the Fly, and the Toyo has constant 4wd.
I don't own a D2 , but never thought they were on the fly, as they are constant 4wd.
Am I wrong, or are 4WD action more informed on promoting Toyos.

If that is what they actually said then they are wrong. D2 is constant 4WD and always has been, regardless of whether it has a CDL or not (and mine doesn't).

Alan

[Redback]

Dumb magazine, with dumbarses writing in it:mad:

[scarry]

Dumb magazine, with dumbarses writing in it:mad:

EXACTLY

I used to buy it frequently a few years ago,but have recently given it the arse.:p

[PAT303]

It was good when it first came out but it didn't take long before it started towing the line regarding vehicle tests. Pat

[Landy Smurf]

toyota needs to sponsor them otherwise they would never get good reports

[zuno555]

Massive 292 Pages!!!

(224 pages of advertising........)

Some of the feature 4WD's are interesting and the photos from all around Oz are good - besides that the magazine is just filler repetitive crap that has been covered a million times before.

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

The exact wording is : 4WD Activation : Quote]"shift on the fly
Automatic locking hubs"[ Unquote
2000 Disco V8 and 2.5 lt turbo diesel.

Yes toyos and patrols dominate the mag, the owners stand there on the vids and crap on about their accessories and name every nut an bolt and who fitted them. ( Giving the sponsers free plugs.)
Landies get the odd mention usually with a dig, but since Landies are so capable of doing a lot of stuff in std factory form then I suppose it would not be of benefit for the sponsers of after market accessories:D. I reckon owning a toyo or a pootrol would be dearer than trying to run a Land Rover .... since you have to fit all that kit to get anywhere.:p

[BMKal]

I still buy it - for the DVD's. The magazine itself is generally crap, with only the occasional interesting, and sometimes accurate, article.

Interestingly, they have changed their views on Landrover a bit of late. After previously bagging the Disco 3 after they trashed one on a pretty dubious test, they have recently awarded the D3 the gong in an article "The Best of The Best".

But I've never really taken any notice of any of their vehicle comparisons or new vehicle reviews, particularly since their "4WD of the Year" a while back where one issue (part 1 of the comparison) awarded it to the Nissan and then the following issue was devoted pretty much entirely to the LC200 - with the articles actually written for them by Toyota.

Their technical knowledge has been crap for some time - has pretty much gone down the gurgler since Pat Callinan moved on. About the only one on there with any real practical knowledge is Roothy, and he's a bush mechanic with a sense of humour that some like, some don't. I don't mind him personally. Once you get past his jibes at Landrover and realise that he's actually a closet Landrover admirer ............... :p

At least he drives proper Toyotas, and not a bloody Hilux, which if you believed what you read elsewhere in that magazine and on their forum, is the "Toughest Truck ever built". But even Top Gear probably can be accused of something when it comes to this piece of crap. ;)

[disco2hse]

The exact wording is : 4WD Activation : Quote]"shift on the fly
Automatic locking hubs"[ Unquote
2000 Disco V8 and 2.5 lt turbo diesel.

Thanks. Yup, that's wrong. No locking hubs on any Disco 2, on the fly or otherwise. No need for them. ;)

CDL can be engaged up to a recommended 50km/hr IIRC. But that's a diff not a hub, maybe they don't know the diff---erence :P

[MickS]

They have it arse up....you can shift "on the fly", sure...but that's if going from high range to low range up to a speed of 8kph.

[100inch]

Just went through my stack of 4x4 WD action with the Disco 2,3,4 comparison. And again....bla, bla, there could MAY be a problem...bla,bla. Sorry, but there is no way I will get another subscribtion. No ones cares, but don`t tell me that all the other brands are so good and flawless. It is a shame, because I liked 4WD Monthly really with all the travel and comps in it..Just my 2 cents.marc

[Shamo]

I love the quote in the latest one... "Every Land Rover owner is either a really good mechanic or knows one"

Even though I may be and may know one.... bloody stereotypers......


Shamo

[stevo68]

Bloody hell...welcome to the sooky la la LR owners thread. I read and subscribe to 4WD Action/ Custom and the Camper Trailer Mag. I also look forward to reading them as well. Why....because above and beyond owning an LR.....I like 4WDing and camping.

Now if you read the magazine regularly for you metro sexual owners....there is a heap of LR content in both the main magazine and the Custom mag. In fact we ( GCLRO) have now had about 4-5 cars in the Custom mag...plus many other LR's......and also quite a few stories in the main mag....a recent one with Psimpson with his D90....plus a comparo of D1-D4. So cut the crap.

Magazine with adverts...well blow me over with a feather. Must be the only magazine to have them :angel:. It also comes with a crackin DVD.......so to me value for money.

As for the **** taken out of LR's......ummm hello........the marque has a reputation....that is slowly being turned around with the advent of the newer models...though the new defender ( refuse to call it a mountain lion) seems to be issue ridden.

So stop being so precious some of you........if you ever notice...in most if not all cases....in the same hand...if there is a **** take......there is also a grudging respect. Plus at the end of the day...its a.......................MAGAZINE :p,

Regards

Stevo...4WD Action Fan and Roothy Admirer ;)

[scrambler]

I love the quote in the latest one... "Every Land Rover owner is either a really good mechanic or knows one"

Even though I may be and may know one.... bloody stereotypers......


Shamo
That seems more a compliment ... presumably people driving certain other makes aren't decent mechanics and don't know any either.

[DiscoMick]

I was pleased to see in the shorties comparo they criticised the 3 door Prado for the amount of electronics in it and questioned if it would be OK in the bush, while not making any similar criticism of the Defender.
Usually they're criticising LRs for their electronics. Maybe the reality is finally getting thru.

[robbotd5]

Bloody hell...welcome to the sooky la la LR owners thread. I read and subscribe to 4WD Action/ Custom and the Camper Trailer Mag. I also look forward to reading them as well. Why....because above and beyond owning an LR.....I like 4WDing and camping.

Now if you read the magazine regularly for you metro sexual owners....there is a heap of LR content in both the main magazine and the Custom mag. In fact we ( GCLRO) have now had about 4-5 cars in the Custom mag...plus many other LR's......and also quite a few stories in the main mag....a recent one with Psimpson with his D90....plus a comparo of D1-D4. So cut the crap.

Magazine with adverts...well blow me over with a feather. Must be the only magazine to have them :angel:. It also comes with a crackin DVD.......so to me value for money.

As for the **** taken out of LR's......ummm hello........the marque has a reputation....that is slowly being turned around with the advent of the newer models...though the new defender ( refuse to call it a mountain lion) seems to be issue ridden.

So stop being so precious some of you........if you ever notice...in most if not all cases....in the same hand...if there is a **** take......there is also a grudging respect. Plus at the end of the day...its a.......................MAGAZINE :p,

Regards

Stevo...4WD Action Fan and Roothy Admirer ;)
I'm sorry but I don't share your enthusiasm. I will not be renewing my subscription. Roothy is a smart bloke ok, but his toyota clouded mentality is not to my taste. Spend as much as he has (or his sponsors) on that 40 on a series 2a or series 3 and see what you get. Whack a 300tdi in it and go from there.
Regards
Robbo.

[stevo68]

I'm sorry but I don't share your enthusiasm. I will not be renewing my subscription. Roothy is a smart bloke ok, but his toyota clouded mentality is not to my taste. Spend as much as he has (or his sponsors) on that 40 on a series 2a or series 3 and see what you get. Whack a 300tdi in it and go from there.
Regards
Robbo. It's ok...I wasn't asking for my ethusiasm to be shared...more make a point. So what if his mentality is clouded by being a fanatic toyota owner.......have a read of some of the posts here by clouded LR mentalities. Would we be complaining if he were pro LR and drove an old fender.....I highly doubt it......wouldn't even mention a peep. Again so what if he or sponsors have chucked stuff to keep his old girl going....wouldn't you if you had the chance?

My point...again......is that LR in all guises....from highly modified through to a standard 2 inch lift with 33's are being shown in the magazine. I know that...because I buy the mag. At the end of the day driving a Disco/LR is my choice....getting off road and camping is my passion. If I couldnt do it in an LR...I'd be doing it in something else.

What we drive isnt the be all and end all and from a marketing perspective...whether it is 4WD Action or Overlander etc......they are going to target the biggest audience. And that audience is Toyota and Nissan...bit of a no brainer really. Ridiculously enough...when they put a shout out for LR's to showcase in the mag....its starts a whinge thread here.....cause they might have hurt our feelings in the way they expressed the shout out....blardy hell,

Regards

Stevo

[rockyroad]

The best DVD was the one where the quiet spoken defender driver endured all the jibes and had to snatch rooty out of a bog.

[DiscoMick]

Theyu give LRs a fair go so that's good. Roothy's old Toyota would be better with a few LR bits in it though, to stop it breaking down all the time.

[Hamish71]

It's ok...I wasn't asking for my ethusiasm to be shared...more make a point. So what if his mentality is clouded by being a fanatic toyota owner.......have a read of some of the posts here by clouded LR mentalities. Would we be complaining if he were pro LR and drove an old fender.....I highly doubt it......wouldn't even mention a peep. Again so what if he or sponsors have chucked stuff to keep his old girl going....wouldn't you if you had the chance?

My point...again......is that LR in all guises....from highly modified through to a standard 2 inch lift with 33's are being shown in the magazine. I know that...because I buy the mag. At the end of the day driving a Disco/LR is my choice....getting off road and camping is my passion. If I couldnt do it in an LR...I'd be doing it in something else.

What we drive isnt the be all and end all and from a marketing perspective...whether it is 4WD Action or Overlander etc......they are going to target the biggest audience. And that audience is Toyota and Nissan...bit of a no brainer really. Ridiculously enough...when they put a shout out for LR's to showcase in the mag....its starts a whinge thread here.....cause they might have hurt our feelings in the way they expressed the shout out....blardy hell,

Regards

Stevo

Here! Here!...buy that man a beer

[agius.philnsue]

Yeah, I don't think I'll be buying another copy. One of my mates was in the tough tourer comp in coffs harbour, the 350 rwkw patrol. As part of the deal in entering the comp, he was supposed to recieve all his fueletc paid for, a years subscription to the mag, and a ****load of other goodies. To date, he has recieved nothing. Now even though his rig had a lot of dramas over the week, he still shelled out over $20,000 to get the rig prepped for the trip, he spent weeks off work prepping the rig, as well as paying his own way to and from the comp. All so these clowns could sit there and take the **** out of him, and he even had to buy the copy of the mag with his truck in it. And in his words, the most impressive rig, was the little 90 defender, not the cruiser.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/121.jpg

[Tikirocker]

I've got no problem with the one eyed Toyota and Nissan love from these magazines but it would be nice to have an Aussie magazine that has a bit more LR content and a more even handed display of LR love for us to share in and enjoy. I don't buy Aussie 4wd mags much because I so rarely ever see anything about old Landy's/Fenders/Disco's the way the British dedicated LR mags do.

I bought a 4wd action mag just a few days ago ... the DVD had a custom County that was featured but then the LR content to Toyota/Nissan content is about 10-1 easy. Shame, as I'd like to buy more - I just get tired of the bias. And no, I personally wouldn't complain if the bias went the other way, but it isn't the other way so I have my reasons to complain. :D

Tiki.

[Ace]

I dont so much have an issue with the mag, i buy it, read it, and watch the DVD. Sure Roothy is a bit one eyed but he is entitled to like what ever he likes. He likes toyota, we like land rover. Roothy may bag them out but as a person who respects 4wd's and all things mechanical he secretly cant deny their off road capability and this shows.

[d2dave]

I subscribe to 4X4 Australia mag. I find they give a fairly unbiased view to LR.

In the current issue there is a comparison between Landcruiser, Pootrol and the D4. The D4 won this.

In recent years LR have often won their 4X4 of the year award including the new defender! They even shocked them selves when they tallied up the points and deefa won.

Dave.

[Ace]

I subscribe to 4X4 Australia mag. I find they give a fairly unbiased view to LR.

In the current issue there is a comparison between Landcruiser, Pootrol and the D4. The D4 won this.

In recent years LR have often won their 4X4 of the year award including the new defender! They even shocked them selves when they tallied up the points and deefa won.

Dave.

I'll agree with that, Land Rover fair pretty well in that mag, they have done to an extent in overlander also, just not on their forum :D

[bn172]

at least the toyos keep the drongo's out of landys haha
i'm off to fix an oil leak now!!!!!!
ben

[ramblingboy42]

Nothings changed, this discussion used to rage when I was in the NT in the '70's. When a group of us went anywhere though, the toyotas and nissans would have got there , made camp and have the billy boiling by the time we trundled up in the land rover. Just for a laugh, sometimes I'd volunteer to carry all the eskies.....they never sprinted too far in front then......but in all reality, in those leaf sprung days there was hardly any difference in their abilities off road and in the end a lot of it came down to wheels and tyres especially if we hit muddy stuff. Every barby or party I attended in the top end ultimately had a (sometimes loud) discussion about which 4x4 was best......no one ever won. No one still ever wins. and thats the way I love it.

[BMKal]

I subscribe to 4X4 Australia mag. I find they give a fairly unbiased view to LR.

In the current issue there is a comparison between Landcruiser, Pootrol and the D4. The D4 won this.

In recent years LR have often won their 4X4 of the year award including the new defender! They even shocked them selves when they tallied up the points and deefa won.

Dave.


I'll agree with that, Land Rover fair pretty well in that mag, they have done to an extent in overlander also, just not on their forum :D

I've just read the artice in 4x4 Australia too - was a pretty fair comparison I thought and pointed out a few home truths. I find this magazine a far more informative one than 4WD Action, though I still buy the latter for the DVD's - they are boody good entertainment and the quality has been improving in leaps & bounds over recent issues.

I buy Overlander occasionally for something to read on the plane. Usually not a bad magazine either. I had a look on their forum once. Once was enough. ;)

[LowRanger]

It's ok...I wasn't asking for my ethusiasm to be shared...more make a point. So what if his mentality is clouded by being a fanatic toyota owner.......have a read of some of the posts here by clouded LR mentalities. Would we be complaining if he were pro LR and drove an old fender.....I highly doubt it......wouldn't even mention a peep. Again so what if he or sponsors have chucked stuff to keep his old girl going....wouldn't you if you had the chance?

My point...again......is that LR in all guises....from highly modified through to a standard 2 inch lift with 33's are being shown in the magazine. I know that...because I buy the mag. At the end of the day driving a Disco/LR is my choice....getting off road and camping is my passion. If I couldnt do it in an LR...I'd be doing it in something else.

What we drive isnt the be all and end all and from a marketing perspective...whether it is 4WD Action or Overlander etc......they are going to target the biggest audience. And that audience is Toyota and Nissan...bit of a no brainer really. Ridiculously enough...when they put a shout out for LR's to showcase in the mag....its starts a whinge thread here.....cause they might have hurt our feelings in the way they expressed the shout out....blardy hell,

Regards

Stevo

I agree,and the amount of LandRover content is probably proportional to the ratio of LandRovers in the general 4wd community.
Take a look at the lack of aftermarket repairers for LandRovers,compared to repairers for the Japanese brands.Hence more aftermarket bits available,all over the country,and more advertisements for their products in the magazines,which brings more money into the magazines,which allows things like DVDs etc to come with mags.I think people would really whinge if the magazine came with non glossy black and white pictures etc.
But I do agree that the magazine was much better when it was run by Pat Callinan.It is tending to cater a lot more for the comp/extreme scene these days.But I still subscribe,and if there is an article that doesn't interest me,then I just don't read it.

Wayne

[cockie55]

EXACTLY

I used to buy it frequently a few years ago,but have recently given it the arse.:p

ditto.....

[stevo68]

I've got no problem with the one eyed Toyota and Nissan love from these magazines but it would be nice to have an Aussie magazine that has a bit more LR content and a more even handed display of LR love for us to share in and enjoy. I don't buy Aussie 4wd mags much because I so rarely ever see anything about old Landy's/Fenders/Disco's the way the British dedicated LR mags do.

I bought a 4wd action mag just a few days ago ... the DVD had a custom County that was featured but then the LR content to Toyota/Nissan content is about 10-1 easy. Shame, as I'd like to buy more - I just get tired of the bias. And no, I personally wouldn't complain if the bias went the other way, but it isn't the other way so I have my reasons to complain. :D

Tiki.I don't mean to bang on :D, but the reality is that there is a lot of LR content amongst the 4WD Action showcase of magazines...ie 4WD Action/Custom/ Extreme. In fact I would say that there would be LR content in just about anyone of them at any time.....and in general they always get a good rap.

So I cannot see what the problem is. In the latest Extreme mag.....our club was in it...even Smokey with a pic or 2. Many of our club have featured in Action/Custom or Extreme....with rave reviews. These are from newish D2a's through to County's and RRC's. You will find more LR content in this stable of mags than you will in OL or 4x4.

If you want pure LR content....buy a UK mag. Your not going to get that volume of LR content in an Aussie mag....but you will get LR content on a regular basis. I like reading about 4WD's, camping, modifications etc if it has a landy in it...even better...but is sure ain't the be all and end all.

If LR was never "invented" you'd all be driving something else and crying how your beloved doesn't get enough "picture" time........some folk are just sooks whichever way you look at it :p,

Regards

Stevo

[stuee]

I don't mean to bang on :D, but the reality is that there is a lot of LR content amongst the 4WD Action showcase of magazines...ie 4WD Action/Custom/ Extreme. In fact I would say that there would be LR content in just about anyone of them at any time.....and in general they always get a good rap.

So I cannot see what the problem is. In the latest Extreme mag.....our club was in it...even Smokey with a pic or 2. Many of our club have featured in Action/Custom or Extreme....with rave reviews. These are from newish D2a's through to County's and RRC's. You will find more LR content in this stable of mags than you will in OL or 4x4.

If you want pure LR content....buy a UK mag. Your not going to get that volume of LR content in an Aussie mag....but you will get LR content on a regular basis. I like reading about 4WD's, camping, modifications etc if it has a landy in it...even better...but is sure ain't the be all and end all.

If LR was never "invented" you'd all be driving something else and crying how your beloved doesn't get enough "picture" time........some folk are just sooks whichever way you look at it :p,

Regards

Stevo

I have to admit I am liking the 4wd Extreme mag more and more. Probably more to do with the fact that the dude from BBM is running it. I wont touch the normal 4x4 Action but the extreme mag is pretty good. I purchased a copy after the commotion about the portaled defender on outers and as a bonus got the issue with Glenn Dobbins buggy in it. Both were good reads and most importantly have original content (especially the DIY fab articles).

I used to buy 4x4 Monthly (going back a while now) but the repetition of articles became a joke and their special mags where just a rehash of the monthly editions articles which was very disappointing as a regular reader. I gave up and every 4x4 action mag I picked up after I thought was crap.

4x4 Australia is openly biased towards the touring scene and have stated this a fair few times, but this is the only mag that I buy regularly, good for 4wd news and as soon as the money becomes available I will look at getting a car more suited to touring instead of my current weekend hack.

[Tikirocker]

I don't mean to bang on :D, but the reality is that there is a lot of LR content amongst the 4WD Action showcase of magazines...ie 4WD Action/Custom/ Extreme. In fact I would say that there would be LR content in just about anyone of them at any time.....and in general they always get a good rap.

So I cannot see what the problem is. In the latest Extreme mag.....our club was in it...even Smokey with a pic or 2. Many of our club have featured in Action/Custom or Extreme....with rave reviews. These are from newish D2a's through to County's and RRC's. You will find more LR content in this stable of mags than you will in OL or 4x4.

If you want pure LR content....buy a UK mag. Your not going to get that volume of LR content in an Aussie mag....but you will get LR content on a regular basis. I like reading about 4WD's, camping, modifications etc if it has a landy in it...even better...but is sure ain't the be all and end all.

If LR was never "invented" you'd all be driving something else and crying how your beloved doesn't get enough "picture" time........some folk are just sooks whichever way you look at it :p,

Regards

Stevo


No worries Steve ... we're all entitled to our own tastes and peccadillo's; I am very interested in camping and touring as well as 4wd-ing but I guess my tolerance for stories on vehicles I have no interest in is extremely low after being a dedicated Brit Land Rover mag buyer for so long. If I see something in an Aussie mag with LR content worth buying I will and do but I'll never subscribe ... I'm just not that interested in anything other than Landy's to be quite honest. ;)

Cheers, Tiki.

[Ace]

In the UK most 4wd's are Land Rovers, in Australia there is a larger proportion of Toyota's and Nissan's being used off road, as a result the magazines have to have a proportionate amount in their magazine to keep their readers happy. If they were filled with Land Rover stuff all the time none of the toyo and nissan drivers would buy it and they would loose sales.

over the past few years there has been a marked increase in the featuring of land rover products in these magazines. I think this has alot to do with the fact that the disco's offer such great value for money as a family off roader and people are starting to pick up on this, i mean check out how many newbies join this forum saying they are looking at buying a disco because they are such a good price on the second hand market compared to toyotas and nissans.