Defender or RR for DD / long term project?

[denks]

Hi everyone!

After much deliberating and thinking Im finally down to choosing between a Rangie or a Defender. I want to use the car as a daily driver but also a longer term project for off-road. Which year models are the best for this purpose? Which is easier / cheaper to mod? More reliable? Better off-road? Problems to look out for in both? Im assuming the Rangie would be better on-road, though likely far thirstier.

Any thoughts / comments / opinions most welcome!

Thanks style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Andrew

[camel_landy]

IMO The 100" chassis of the RaRo makes it perfect... It's great on-road, all the creature comforts and it also performs great off road. The residual values are quite low too compared to the Defender.

Down side is that there are not as many after market accessories for the RaRo compared to the Defender which makes it slightly more expensive depending on the mods that you want to do.

Mark.

[DaveS3]

Originally posted by camel_landy


Down side is that there are not as many after market accessories for the RaRo compared to the Defender which makes it slightly more expensive depending on the mods that you want to do.

Mark.

I kind of disagree with this.
Anything you need for a defender you can get for a range rover.

I'd try the defender first to see if you like the ergonomics as they are not for everyone but i like it.

Either way you should be happy.

Dave.

[landy_man]

Originally posted by camel_landy
Down side is that there are not as many after market accessories for the RaRo compared to the Defender which makes it slightly more expensive depending on the mods that you want to do.

Mark.

Perhaps that is the case in the UK, but in Oz there is far more aftermarket support for the Rangies.. eg Rangie Spares etc..
Most of the accessories for Defenders here are all chequer plate bolt on bits :?
You cant body lift a Defender (well it is very hard) and as mentioned, the 100" wheelbase is a definate advantage...
Try get one on LPG to offset the fuel costs.... plus you get a V8 mate :wink: and can get em in auto

[denks]

Thanks for the feedback (and keep more coming if anyone has anything to add!). The big question - what year RR would be the best? Im rather ignorant on the RR mechanicals but Id be guessing the latest RR without air suspension (no idea which year that was - 90 perhaps?)

Again - thanks heaps so far

[landy_man]

imo you want a pre 88 which still has the LT230 transfer ( i think date is correct) as after that they went to the Borg Warner viscous transfer which is rubbish and has no place on a proper 4wd...
also depends if you want auto or manual... if manual.. I would be going for 4 spd manual which unfortunately only comes with carby models...
if auto.. go the 4sp ZF which was available post '85 i.e. efi.. although flapper type efi from that time is pretty average...
I suppose it all boils down to
a: how much $$ you have to spend on total project...
b: how mechanical you are...

[camel_landy]

Originally posted by DaveS3+--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveS3)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-camel_landy


Down side is that there are not as many after market accessories for the RaRo compared to the Defender which makes it slightly more expensive depending on the mods that you want to do.

Mark.

I kind of disagree with this.
Anything you need for a defender you can get for a range rover.

I'd try the defender first to see if you like the ergonomics as they are not for everyone but i like it.

Either way you should be happy.

Dave.[/b][/quote]

When I was running a RaRo as an overland truck, I did notice that there was a greater selection of accessories in Oz. However, you can still get quite a few bits for the RaRo but you usually end up paying more of a premium due to good old "Supply & Demand"... I don't know if that's still the case though - Discuss. :wink:

ISTR that one of the main things I had problems getting for the RaRo was security grilles for the rear load space area. Getting a decent aux fuel or water tank in the UK is impossible without having to pay $$$.

M

[Michael2]

As already mentioned the 1988 Range Rover is a good choice.

The transmission remains mechanical, and therefore longlived and easy to repair.

The engine is the last of the 3.5 V8s, so it's at the peak of that engine's development.

The wheel base is great for off roading.

Modifications are econimical if you're prepared to wait and buy 2nd hand.

You can probably buy one with many of the mods you require quite cheaply.

LPG is a must. I'm currently getting around 15 km per $1 around town and similar in the country (higher price, but better milage).

If I could afford a Defender, I'd prefer one, but the RR is so easy & economical to live with (recent gearbox rebuild @ 406,000 km aside).

You'd get a 1988 RR with half the mods you want for $10K, a Defender for $20K+. Even without LPG, you'd never make up the difference by fuel savings.

Having said all this, I'd rather fork out the money and get a Defender if I was going to be in the bush (or touring) for prolonged periods. I'm even thinking my SIII would be first choice for a Simpson Desert trip over the '88 RR, it's just a better pack horse.

[LRHybrid100]

why not buy an early Disco 1?

200 TDI are getting very cheap these days

Just a thought

LRH

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by LRHybrid100
why not buy an early Disco 1?

200 TDI are getting very cheap these days

Just a thought

LRH

I'm in agreeance with LRH there, 200tdi is a good engine if you like diesels. A lot of people like the newer disco interior as well. If I was able to get one of these I would, but hte missus likes the defender better, so who am I to argue style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

Oh, and welcome to AULRO Denks style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif

[denks]

Thought about a Disco but my main worry is how much work would have to be done to fit larger tyres, especially wider ones (eg 33x12.5). If thats not too much hassle Id be seriously considering a Series II Disco.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Oh, and welcome to AULRO Denks [/b][/quote]

Thanks Phoenix style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif Im sure Ive bumped into you on another forum somewhere, just cant place it style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

[sclarke]

Go the RR as its Cheappppppppp

[Phoenix]

Originally posted by denks

Thanks Phoenix :D Im sure Ive bumped into you on another forum somewhere, just cant place it :lol:

Yeah, same :wink:

Disco (especially the D1) doesn't take as much to modify for big wheels as you would expect. Just have a look through the pics on the gallery here :!:

[Greylandy]

Denks, get a Defender .. rangie is an old farts car!!! style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif

just joking fellas ... but to put things into perspective ... there is a huge difference in pricing between a Series 1 Disco/80's rangie compared to a Defender. You are looking at 5k .. maybe more. Make that your first decision and work from there. This is how I see it, in order of preference:

Daily Driver - 1.Disco 2.Range Rover 3.Defender
Touring 4x4 - 1.Defender 2.Disco 3.Range Rover
Heavily moded, big wheels, rock crawler - 1.Range Rover 2.Disco 3.Defender
Diesel Motor - 1.Defender or Disco 2.Range Rover
Price - 1.Range Rover 2.Disco 3.Defender

Cost of mods should be roughly the same ...

[DaveS3]

Originally posted by denks
Thought about a Disco but my main worry is how much work would have to be done to fit larger tyres, especially wider ones (eg 33x12.5). If thats not too much hassle Id be seriously considering a Series II Disco.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'>Oh, and welcome to AULRO Denks

Thanks Phoenix style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif Im sure Ive bumped into you on another forum somewhere, just cant place it style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/b][/quote]

Its pretty much exactly the same as a RR.
Except that everyones scared to do it :roll:

You can fit Q78's (about 35.8' tall) on a Disco with 2 - 3' springs and 2 inch body lift with trimming and flares.

Just depends what you want to do....

Also wider tyres are not always better, if you can keep to under 11' or so they make it much easier to fit to the vehicle.

Dave.

[dungarover]

Go the Rangie 8)

Cheap as chips and you can get them in autos, the best way to get one. I paid $2500 for my 83 4 door and although I have spent close to $10K inc. purchase, I have fitted diff locks, body and spring lift as well as convert it to a Zf auto (86 Rangies have these autos).

A good 87-88 vintage will set you back about $5K now, can't beat that for value. I have nothing against Def/110 County LR's but Rangies offer a level of comfort and great off-road ability to boot.

Discos are a good buy, earlier 92-93 3.5 EFI variants are not cheap as chips (seen a 93 5 door Disco, 3.5 V8 Auto in the trading post for $7K last week). I've had a Disco in the past (93 3.5 V8 auto) and would suggest you get the later S1's, 94 onwards. These are hell of a lot more vehicle and can be bought for under $10K now, plus they have dual air con and the 3.9 V8 as well. that's if you wish to spend that much.

Anyway, good luck in your search. Still recomennd the Rangie though, guess I'm biased style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif

Trav