Old 4wds vs new 4wds, which is better?

[1nando]

Came across this article. It's a interesting read, enjoy!

New vs. Old: Which 4x4s Are Better Off-Road? | Outside Online (https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.outsideonline.com/2128256/new-vs-old-which-4x4s-are-better-road%3Famp)

[BigJon]

I would have hoped for better from a "journalist" who works for a 4wd publication. It is not an FJ79. FJ denotes a petrol engine. That one is a VDJ79. I would also not refer to it as a modern 4WD.

[Eevo]

here's a crazy idea. buy what you like.

[pop058]

I would have hoped for better from a "journalist" who works for a 4wd publication. It is not an FJ79. FJ denotes a petrol engine. That one is a VDJ79. I would also not refer to it as a modern 4WD.

It is still the current shape/model, is it not ??

[ozscott]

New vs. Old: Which 4x4s Are Better Off-Road? | Outside Online (https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/www.outsideonline.com/2128256/new-vs-old-which-4x4s-are-better-road%3Famp)

[ozscott]

What isn't taken into account is that there is no sense that the older vehicles were well maintained. This makes a huge difference. I would put my well maintained and upgraded D2 against that crop any day. Further how will the current crop fair in 20 plus years time...

Cheers

[cripesamighty]

Got to the Snowy Mountains bit and never realised that thousands of Land Cruisers were imported to help on the Scheme because Land Rover couldn't keep up. Learn something new every day....

Seriously though, what was the actual number of Land Cruisers used after 1956, a few dozen?

[Mick_Marsh]

Got to the Snowy Mountains bit and never realised that thousands of Land Cruisers were imported to help on the Scheme because Land Rover couldn't keep up. Learn something new every day....

Seriously though, what was the actual number of Land Cruisers used after 1956, a few dozen?
I thought the number was six.

[cripesamighty]

Theiss Brothers brought in 13 Land Cruisers in 1956 or 1958 (after all the roads were built). One of these was not driven but was used for spares. Theiss Bros were smart because they wanted the import licence for these vehicles and the Snowy was just somewhere they got used. They weren't bought specifically for the Scheme. I would like to know how many of the early models were used by the time it was completed (late 1960's) but I would hazard a guess it was a few dozen, not a few thousand. I'm sure the more learned on here know more. It is only a small oversight by the author but it does keep the Toyota "tall tales" continuing....

[V8Ian]

I couldn't finish reading that diatribe. Factually inaccurate lithographic detritus littered with inappropriate terminology.
It's been a couple of years since I've been to Birdsville but I'm confident the servo hasn't been replaced with a gas station.
No trucks were taken on the jaunt, fourbies, utes, wagons, but no Kenworths or Scanias!
Journalist? I think not, he wouldn't make a journo's fundamental orifice.

[trout1105]

here's a crazy idea. buy what you like.

Agreed.
New trucks are wonderful, Shiny, No dents/scratches or any errant stains on the interior and they look/smell absolutely Amazing But do you really want to take this pristine example of motoring excellence bush amongst all the mud, rocks and scratchy scrub that loves to caress the duco ?
There is always something rather "Special" about driving an older truck that you have maintained/restored and modified that you know exactly what it is capable of and what it isn't and Not being afraid of getting it dirty or the odd scratch or two on it.
Maybe the comfort or the aesthetics on an older vehicle is not up to Par with the newer editions But the satisfaction of being able to traverse a difficult bit of terrain is just the same But without getting your heart broken about an odd dent or scratch that would occur if it happened to a brand new truck [bigwhistle]

[cripesamighty]

That's what you get with a US reporter!

[Redback]

Agreed.
New trucks are wonderful, Shiny, No dents/scratches or any errant stains on the interior and they look/smell absolutely Amazing But do you really want to take this pristine example of motoring excellence bush amongst all the mud, rocks and scratchy scrub that loves to caress the duco ?
There is always something rather "Special" about driving an older truck that you have maintained/restored and modified that you know exactly what it is capable of and what it isn't and Not being afraid of getting it dirty or the odd scratch or two on it.
Maybe the comfort or the aesthetics on an older vehicle is not up to Par with the newer editions But the satisfaction of being able to traverse a difficult bit of terrain is just the same But without getting your heart broken about an odd dent or scratch that would occur if it happened to a brand new truck [bigwhistle]

We took our brand new D4 bush 2 weeks after we got it, scratched it and got it muddy on the first day of the trip, I don't see the point of owning a 4WD if you're not going to use it as a 4WD.

[numpty]

We took our brand new D4 bush 2 weeks after we got it, scratched it and got it muddy on the first day of the trip, I don't see the point of owning a 4WD if you're not going to use it as a 4WD.

Agree.

We took our then 4 week old Defender on an extended outback trip in 2006 and it looked decidedly second hand by the end of the 6 weeks. Only dirt and a few scratches though.

[Saitch]

I couldn't finish reading that diatribe. Factually inaccurate lithographic detritus littered with inappropriate terminology.
It's been a couple of years since I've been to Birdsville but I'm confident the servo hasn't been replaced with a gas station.
No trucks were taken on the jaunt, fourbies, utes, wagons, but no Kenworths or Scanias!
Journalist? I think not, he wouldn't make a journo's fundamental orifice.

Just what are you trying to say, Ian? [bighmmm]
Steve

[DeanoH]

I particularly liked this bit ................................. "This trip is one of the hardest challenges that can be completed by a 4x4 vehicle anywhere in the world". :Rolling:

This comment, after declaring modern 4WD's superior I found most interesting ........................ "you simply cannot argue the objective superiority of modern technology and conveniences. Modified appropriately, a modern truck is just as capable". So if you buy a new 'truck' and throw enough money at it it can be made as capable as an old one ? :unsure:

Deano :)

[V8Ian]

Just what are you trying to say, Ian? [bighmmm]
Steve
What a load of tosh. [bigwhistle]

[V8Ian]

I particularly liked this bit ................................. "This trip is one of the hardest challenges that can be completed by a 4x4 vehicle anywhere in the world". :Rolling:

This comment, after declaring modern 4WD's superior I found most interesting ........................ "you simply cannot argue the objective superiority of modern technology and conveniences. Modified appropriately, a modern truck is just as capable". So if you buy a new 'truck' and throw enough money at it it can be made as capable as an old one ? :unsure:

Deano :)

How much did Les Beadell spend on the Series 1, at ARB? [bigrolf]

[carjunkieanon]

Didn't watch the video but, my 2c worth.

If I'm driving the entire family across Australia - someone buy me a D5 please - I'll take every bit of comfort and convenience I can get.
If I'm driving across Australia with some mates who won't complain - I'd prefer an old truck just for the fun of it.

[ozscott]

How much comfort would you get on 20's. I hope they offer at least 18s on the D5. Cheers

[B.S.F.]

As you probably know ,I travel in an old Series L/R. One day in western Queensland a bloke approached me and asked where I was going. When I told him he said "Reckon the old girl is gonna make It ?" I said " It's got four wheels , two diffs ,a gearbox, an engine, just like yours. For 15 years I've done my own repairs and maintenance on this car. I know every nut and bolt on this car. I can trace and replace every wire, what makes you think you're gonna make it and I'm not ?" He thought for a moment and said "Actually you've got a better chance than me.".W.

[DiscoMick]

I found it hard to take the report seriously after the rubbish at the start about Toyota and the Snowy Mountains scheme. Obviously the reporter didn't do his homework on that or he would have realized the first Toyotas only turned up years later after the hard work was already done - and they didn't even have low range!

As for the new vs old argument, wouldn't something be seriously wrong if a new vehicle was not better than a previous version? What does that actually prove?
My BIL sold his new Triton and bought an old 80 series because he wanted to be able to fix it himself, rather than having to take it back to the dealer under warranty. Does that prove anything?
As the owner of a relatively recent version of a Defender I wouldn't hesitate to take it across the Simpson, in the same way we took our old Discovery 1 across it. Does that prove anything?
If we're going to discuss what is 'best' we have to first define what we mean by 'best'. Is best something that is the best performer or something we can bash about and fix ourselves?
So, really, when people divide about what is 'best' maybe it's because they disagree about what 'best' actually means. What do you think?

[BathurstTom]

The biggest bit of stupidity was giving the award in one section because of the tyres fitted. Like apparently some four wheel drives can't be fitted with certain brands?
Pathetic.

Tom.

[DiscoMick]

The other reports I read said the Defender spent a significant time towing the 40 and seemed to cope with many obstacles better than most other vehicles.
The 40 was broken down for much of the trip. The 79 had a wheel fall off. The Nissan used a lot of fuel. The Hilux was gutless. That's what I remember reading.

[TimNZ]

Yeah, but besides all that Mick the Defender was unreliable and no good. Apparently.

Cheers,

[1nando]

TimNZ

Actually the defender only had some grease issues which taking into consideration it's age I think wasn't an issue at all.
Loosing a wheel like the 79 did is a issue, a big issue! That could have killed someone.

[JDNSW]

I found it hard to take the report seriously after the rubbish at the start about Toyota and the Snowy Mountains scheme. Obviously the reporter didn't do his homework on that or he would have realized the first Toyotas only turned up years later after the hard work was already done - and they didn't even have low range!

As for the new vs old argument, wouldn't something be seriously wrong if a new vehicle was not better than a previous version? What does that actually prove?
My BIL sold his new Triton and bought an old 80 series because he wanted to be able to fix it himself, rather than having to take it back to the dealer under warranty. Does that prove anything?
As the owner of a relatively recent version of a Defender I wouldn't hesitate to take it across the Simpson, in the same way we took our old Discovery 1 across it. Does that prove anything?
If we're going to discuss what is 'best' we have to first define what we mean by 'best'. Is best something that is the best performer or something we can bash about and fix ourselves?
So, really, when people divide about what is 'best' maybe it's because they disagree about what 'best' actually means. What do you think?

Exactly. This is why I did not even bother to look at the original. The same applies to any argument over which (anything) is best. First define and agree on what you mean by "best"!

[TimNZ]

1nando, I should have added the /s tag.

Cheers,

[PAT303]

Got to the Snowy Mountains bit and never realised that thousands of Land Cruisers were imported to help on the Scheme because Land Rover couldn't keep up. Learn something new every day....

Seriously though, what was the actual number of Land Cruisers used after 1956, a few dozen?

13 all up and they weren't on site,they didn't get here untill 1960. Pat

[PAT303]

We took our brand new D4 bush 2 weeks after we got it, scratched it and got it muddy on the first day of the trip, I don't see the point of owning a 4WD if you're not going to use it as a 4WD.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say our limited edition X-Tech defender has seen more of outback Oz than most. Pat