Driving a Perentie.

[landy]

Well, today I drove my first Perentie in almost two years of driving G-Wagons. Now first off I should say I own a Defender (Td5) I've driven Perenties for 15 years, 4x4s and 6bies and I drove Series 3s and early 110s in the British army.

But bugger me, today it was ****** horrible. Why, why, why would anyone want one. And tell you how good they are!!! It rattled, it bumped, it growned. Admittedly it wasn't the best example but it was horrible..

Discuss!

[Ashleylipus]

Ok so you listed all the good things. What about the bad?

[landy]

Ok so you listed all the good things. What about the bad?

Hahahaha. I've got nothing. Well done. They are horrible but you can't but love them can you.

[rangieman]

Hahahaha. I've got nothing. Well done. They are horrible but you can't but love them can you.

It`s no different to a series:angel:

[Paultan]

Nothing that a set of ear plugs can't cure !!:wasntme::wasntme:

[MVFrancis]

Because you feel alive! You have no choice but to take in your surroundings to the point most people would call uncomfortable, at times you have to wrestle it and even the simplest trips feel like an adventure. Nothing makes you appreciate a nice campsite like 2 hours of corrugations in a perentie to get there.

I swapped my mate for a few hours on my last trip with his gq patrol. Similar set up, non turbo 4.2 diesel. Both did everything asked of them, but i just felt empty and unsatisfied in the patrol.

I stagger out of the perentie at the end of a long day deaf and shaken to bits, but theres always a big stuid grin and a sense of achievement to go with it!

[DazzaTD5]

When customers see an ex-army Land Rover 110 in my workshop the first thing they say is "ohhh whats it like?" (and said with such excitement).

I say..... Have you ever been on or driven a 1950 massey ferguson tractor?....
Its a tractor with a fancy body.

to some up (only the 3.9lt Isuzu powered models).
*grossly overpriced for what they are.
*You are better off getting a civilian Defender and fixing that up.
*noisy rattly slow.
*most dont have power steering as standard.

*huge amounts of torque.
*Extremely reliable engine.
*pretty well bullet proof (no not literally, there is no armour)
*Hose out the inside/outside whatever

*Realistically its a perfect remote travel vehicle, no electronics, no computer, in fact doesnt even need a battery, once running, just like the same engine in generators I used to work on, if the battery dies, simply disconnect the linkage from the external fuel solenoid to the mechanical shut off on the injector pump and jump start.

While I find the Merc G wagon a great vehicle and the 6x6 version awesome and both are really really good specs. Realistically what a ridiculous vehicle for Military use, might as well use a Discovery 4 or a Range Rover for all the use it is.

Regards
Daz

[JCR]

I love mine, I take it for what it is and don't pretend it's something that it isn't.

With the low floor compared to a tray back, I can go without a trailer for taking my dirtbike camping or taking another bike to the race track. It's great to drive with the sides up / roof off.

It's NOT a substitute for a disco or anything else, but there's few LWB topless 4x4 out in the market.

[PAT303]

The biggest trouble is the fatigue behind the wheel,I can drive my Tdi/TDCi for 12hrs no problem,do that in a Perentie and your done. Pat

[carlschmid2002]

I have driven an Army 110 from Townsville to Darwin and Cape York. I have also clocked up probably 100000kms in BJ 40 Land Cruisers travelling around this country. Now I have a D3 nothing feels comfortable except a D4. We get old and soft. I grew up in FNQ and I don't think I ever travelled in a air conditioned car except a taxi until I was 30. I have test driven a few dual cab utes and except for the coil sprung Navara I was horrified. I would rather drive my D3 than the F6 Typhoon. (Well not all the time, that much power is a little addictive) Nowadays I do a trip and wind up the windows and put on the aircon and listen to music. It is rather serene, but I can't help but feel we have lost something.

[justinc]

I have a civvy 110 4bd1t 4spd and a l322 vogue. Best of both worlds in my personal opinion. I don't even have any form of sound system in the 110 as i couldn't hear it anyway😅. It is reasonably comfortable on trips however with the shoulder as it is find it painful shifting gears so it has sat for a few months. The rangie on the other hand is like travelling in a concert hall with perfect seating and climate.
Both are just magnificent in their own ways!☺☺☺😍😍😘

Jc

[jon3950]

It is rather serene, but I can't help but feel we have lost something.

Which is why I have gone from a D4 to a Defender. No question the D4 was more comfortable, quicker and easier to drive point to point and an all round brillianter vehicle. The Defender is just so enjoyable to drive though, because you really do have to drive it.

I have just spent 6 hours in my Defender today driving up to Gloucester and back. How did I feel after that? Well I just had to go for a little drive in it. Sitting here now after a bottle of red and a little Glenmorangie I'm thinking if I hadn't had too much to drink I'd probably think of another reason to take it for a little run.

Cheers,
Jon

[Mick_Marsh]

Driving the Perentie is an adventure.
Driving the 100" is an adventure. Driving the 101 is an adventure. Driving the Mercs is an adventure, in style.
If I had a D4, the drive would be more comfortable than the Camry, but just as boring.
I think I might get a D4 some time down the track. I think it might be easier to source and cheaper than a turbo Territory.

The Perentie is actually quite comfortable. I really enjoy getting out and about in it.

[justinc]

Driving the Perentie is an adventure.
Driving the 100" is an adventure. Driving the 101 is an adventure. Driving the Mercs is an adventure, in style.
If I had a D4, the drive would be more comfortable than the Camry, but just as boring.
I think I might get a D4 some time down the track. I think it might be easier to source and cheaper than a turbo Territory.

The Perentie is actually quite comfortable. I really enjoy getting out and about in it.


Kind of disagree with the D4 Vs Camry analogy Mick..😮 they are a huge step up from a jap 4x4.....

They do feel more 'wooden' thsn a RangeRover classic vogue LSE to drive however... but there is a huge gap in design and years separating those 2!!!

Jc ☺

[Mick_Marsh]

Kind of disagree with the D4 Vs Camry analogy Mick..😮 they are a huge step up from a jap 4x4.....
But still just as boring.

When touring, I like to experience the environment I am driving through.
Touring in a D4 would be much like watching a "David Attenborough" on the plasma in the lounge with the surround sound.
What the home cinema has over the D4 is I can watch a Star Trek movie after.

[justinc]

But still just as boring.

When touring, I like to experience the environment I am driving through.
Touring in a D4 would be much like watching a "David Attenborough" on the plasma in the lounge with the surround sound.
What the home cinema has over the D4 is I can watch a Star Trek movie after.


Gold! 😅

[BigJon]

When touring, I like to experience the environment I am driving through.


Even D4s have windows that go down...

[87County]

Even D4s have windows that go down...

so does Mr Marsh's 6X6 Perentie ..... :o

[Dervish]

Even D4s have windows that go down...

Windows that go up and down? Luxury. I unbolt the top half of my door.

A couple of swags, the bush and a Perentie - now THAT is living.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/08/1147.jpg

[Phil B]

Windows that go up and down? Luxury. I unbolt the top half of my door.



A couple of swags, the bush and a Perentie - now THAT is living.



https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2016/08/1147.jpg



X2 Dervish!!!

[Landy Smurf]

I have not yet driven one, but I am trying to decide whether to get a perentie or a defender next year (assuming I get enough work).
I do like the defenders and having air con was nice and being able to listen to music.
I drove a s3 around for a while and loved it. the roughness and noise didnt bother me at all.
The good thing as more people drive these as civvys the more stories that will come out.

[vnx205]

Even D4s have windows that go down...

Up and down?

Real Land Rovers have windows that go backwards and forwards (and leaf springs). :)

[Mick_Marsh]

Up and down?

Real Land Rovers have windows that go backwards and forwards (and leaf springs). :)
I am happy to say, my Perentie has leaf springs on two axles.

[Bushie]

Up and down?

Real Land Rovers have windows that go backwards and forwards (and leaf springs). :)

On that basis a real Landy should have a 1.6 petrol motor and an 80 inch wheelbase,

-progess is permissible.


Martyn

[carlschmid2002]

I have not yet driven one, but I am trying to decide whether to get a perentie or a defender next year (assuming I get enough work).
I do like the defenders and having air con was nice and being able to listen to music.
I drove a s3 around for a while and loved it. the roughness and noise didnt bother me at all.
The good thing as more people drive these as civvys the more stories that will come out.

G'day Tony, There are many different models of Defender to choose between as well. I have spent many miles in Perenties and a Defender with a Ford engine, but I never driven a TD5 or an Isuzu Defender. I have been a passenger in an Isuzu Defender. Personally, I would go a hard top over soft top any day. Not many Perenties were ever stored under cover and the soft tops are often threadbare and leak. (Not to say a New Puma doesn't leak) The Army did have a number of Hard Top TD5s. I am not sure if these are all sold yet. From what I have heard aircon in a TD5 is for show only. Unless you really want an ex-army LR for nostalgic reasons I reckon the toughest are the Isuzu Defenders or the 300TDI versions which are reasonably priced.

[Landy Smurf]

I grew up driving a 300tdi 110 s/w and have owned one myself and the air con was freezing cold, but it does seem like most are not like this.
I would not be able to afford a puma and not as interested would prefer tdi or Isuzu.
I will look in to it more early next year.
Thanks for the info though.

[Bearman]

I just driven around 2600 klm in 3 days in my perentie 6x6 towing a PT2 haulmark trailer both pretty well loaded and absolutely love it. Admittedly I do have aircon and insulation in mine but could have really done with the heater instead. Living in the north I didn't bother fixing the heater after the core started leaking. just blanked the hoses off. I really could have used it yesterday and today - fair dink I could smell penguin **** in the air around Broken Hill - Peterborough this morning. Doing about an 8000k round trip to Kalgoorlie area and back so will see if I am sick of it by the time I get home - but I doubt it as I have been driving this type of vehicle for over 20yrs now:D

[Svengali0]

Yes the Defender TD5 & 300TDi and Pumas are nice- almost civilised- but long after they have died or broken, the 4BD1 powered vehicles will still be going. They deserve their reputation in spades. I am looking forward to the market when most owners of Perenties have come to the not unreasonable conclusion that effort and discomfort are optional..

[DiscoMick]

I was happy on Monday when the elderly FIL said he found the back seat of our 110 surprisingly comfortable. Unfortunately the MIL didn't agree, so we had to take the Mazda 2 instead. Oh well...

[wpalmo]

I was happy on Monday when the elderly FIL said he found the back seat of our 110 surprisingly comfortable. Unfortunately the MIL didn't agree, so we had to take the Mazda 2 instead. Oh well...

Best part about throwing the MIL in the back of a Perentie is that you won't hear her no matter how uncomfortable she is!

[Baytown]

27 years in the military, and was around in 87 when they first started arriving.
Even had to retrain to drive the new coil sprung vehicles vs the out going leaf sprung units. We thought they were brilliant back then, and they were.
That being Spain, I'm quite happy to never drive one ever again!
It's strange seeing the public driving them around now days.
If you get a good one, it will be a great vehicle. Many had an understandably hard life but were very well maintained.
Enjoy.

Ken