10,000km tow test: D4 vs LC200, Munja Track

[GregMilner]

This will be an interesting comparison.
We're heading to the Kimberley in 3 weeks, in convoy with a mate's LC200 Sahara, both towing identical heavy Pioneer camper trailers. Prime objective is the Munja Track via Mt Elizabeth Station to Bachsten Camp and Walcott Inlet.
His has had a mild suspension upgrade (just stronger springs and shocks) whereas my 2016 D4 SDV6 is stock standard apart from a long-range tank and a compressor guard I fitted yesterday.
Both running LT tyres, mine on Maxxis Bravo 980. Two spares each.
(I'm also carrying a couple of spare wheel speed sensors and a spare brake light switch, neither of which I have any experience in fitting:-)
I'll keep some records of relative fuel consumption, track ability etc, look forward to reporting results on return.

[justinc]

Greg have a fantastic time!! I would say that the Lc200 will possibly suffer some wallet burning fuel use in the soft stuff... their transmissions are no where NEAR as well matched and programmed as the D4. Wish I was going..😫

[Milton477]

Should make for some interesting fireside discussions.
I have heard that in the unlikely event of a breakdown, if you have the parts, a manual, some tools, no knowledge & plenty beer, someone will come along & do the job for you. Urban legend maybe?

Have a great time & we look forward to the comparison.

[GregMilner]

Greg have a fantastic time!! I would say that the Lc200 will possibly suffer some wallet burning fuel use in the soft stuff... their transmissions are no where NEAR as well matched and programmed as the D4. Wish I was going..😫

Yep. He says his Sahara chews through about 14litres per 100km around the city. And he's not a leadfoot. It'll probably rise to 18-19 towing on the highway I'd guess, a shed load more on rough tracks.
Mine uses about 11-12 litres towing at highway speeds.
Had to have a chuckle last weekend. He drove my car after getting out of his. "Mmm. Does seem smoother...and quieter...and, er, nicer than mine," he muttered. I didn't have the heart to rub it in.

[101RRS]

My brother has a 200 series Sahara and is moving it on in favour of a HSV Chev Silverado because of poor towing performance and high fuel consumption of the 200 series.

[Vern]

Yep. He says his Sahara chews through about 14litres per 100km around the city. And he's not a leadfoot. It'll probably rise to 18-19 towing on the highway I'd guess, a shed load more on rough tracks.
Mine uses about 11-12 litres towing at highway speeds.
Had to have a chuckle last weekend. He drove my car after getting out of his. "Mmm. Does seem smoother...and quieter...and, er, nicer than mine," he muttered. I didn't have the heart to rub it in.Good the see another mighty 200 thirstier than the petrol v8 patrol, and a lot thirstier than the d4.

[roverrescue]

Have a cracking trip!
Don’t rush the Munja
Some beautiful places that we rushed through to get to Walcott!

I’d contemplate taking a handful of heavy internal patches and vulcanising glue as well as some tubes. The tyres sidewalls will cop a hiding- unless by two spares you mean two for vehicle and one for Trailer ie three spares each?

You wanna have the biggest live mullet you can net, swimming in “Malcolm’s Hole” just as the tide turns and starts to run in ;) take some 10/0 Gama SL12 for the big mullet
Big bait big fish

S

[GregMilner]

Have a cracking trip!
Don’t rush the Munja
Some beautiful places that we rushed through to get to Walcott!

I’d contemplate taking a handful of heavy internal patches and vulcanising glue as well as some tubes. The tyres sidewalls will cop a hiding- unless by two spares you mean two for vehicle and one for Trailer ie three spares each?

You wanna have the biggest live mullet you can net, swimming in “Malcolm’s Hole” just as the tide turns and starts to run in ;) take some 10/0 Gama SL12 for the big mullet
Big bait big fish

S

thanks for the heads up on the tackle! I know it’s lazy, but I’m thinking a chopper down to Walcott from Bachsten Camp might be the way to go:)
I’ve got two spares each for the car and trailer. The 200 has two spares for the car and one for the trailer, so we’d be pretty unlucky to go through all of them.
have you got any specific locations along the Munja worth an overnight stop or two?

[RobA]

Our experience towing an AOR Q+ at 2500kg is we average 15.7 in level going and no headwinds. Same conditions an LC200 will use around 20l per 100km. Our figure includes a Rhino platform with space case, second spare and JC plus the odd bag of wood. GRR which is slower going add 2l per 100km for the D4.

Last year from Mt Dare to Chambers Pillar we averaged 20l per 100km as it was very soft with plenty of bull dust holes to contend with as well. The LC200's travelling with us were hitting 30l per 100km

Rob

[roverrescue]

A few photos from our trip

Re camping when we went in late November the caretakers were not at Bachstein in any case we went straight through

On the way back we scratch camped with a beaut sunset over the King Leopalds
Awesome scenery (bottom right)

The fresh crossing of the Calder is not too far from Walcott but a million times nicer camping than at Walcott!! (Bottom left)

My favourite camp though was a mission to get too. We loaded up and took the tinny up to the Charneley Rock Bar (and beyond) was stinking hot camping on the baking rocks but an awesome camp and a little nearby spring is the closest fresh water to WAlcott (but tide dependent)
(Second from top on right)

Top Left is the camp at the Walcott

And a couple of barries - it’s muddy water as can be seen by the rat Barra half in half out ... just dissapears!

Anyways - have a cracking trip and any question just fire away

Steve

[GregMilner]

Our experience towing an AOR Q+ at 2500kg is we average 15.7 in level going and no headwinds. Same conditions an LC200 will use around 20l per 100km. Our figure includes a Rhino platform with space case, second spare and JC plus the odd bag of wood. GRR which is slower going add 2l per 100km for the D4.

Last year from Mt Dare to Chambers Pillar we averaged 20l per 100km as it was very soft with plenty of bull dust holes to contend with as well. The LC200's travelling with us were hitting 30l per 100km

Rob

good to know, thanks Rob. We aren’t travelling with much on the roof, just max tracks and a rod tube so hopefully we’ll use a bit less than you did.

[Markus1]

Lc200 motor is substantially larger and so is the transmission. Less technology and less performance but more robust. Size does matter.

[Vern]

Lc200 motor is substantially larger and so is the transmission. Less technology and less performance but more robust. Size does matter.More robust? There are A LOT of 200's out there that are on their second motor, even 3rd, under 200kkm. Injectors and dusting being the major culprit.

[Graeme]

The LC200 transmissions overheat easily due to TC slippage unless an after-market TC lock-up module is fitted which also significantly improves fuel consumption.

[Dagilmo]

The LC200 transmissions overheat easily due to TC slippage unless an after-market TC lock-up module is fitted which also significantly improves fuel consumption.

My brother has just had that (and some other go better stuff) done to his 200. Incredible improvement in economy, especially towing.

[BradC]

Our experience towing an AOR Q+ at 2500kg is we average 15.7 in level going and no headwinds. Same conditions an LC200 will use around 20l per 100km. Our figure includes a Rhino platform with space case, second spare and JC plus the odd bag of wood. GRR which is slower going add 2l per 100km for the D4.

Last year from Mt Dare to Chambers Pillar we averaged 20l per 100km as it was very soft with plenty of bull dust holes to contend with as well. The LC200's travelling with us were hitting 30l per 100km

Rob

How odd. My old man did a lap 2 years ago and averaged ~17l/100 in his LC200 towing a 20ft 2.8T block of flats. Under the same conditions his LC200 uses about 1-1.5L more than my D3.

While the LC200 is certainly more agricultural, I've done half the amount of Ks and been in the Workshop 9 times in 2 years while his has had routine servicing only. Horses for courses.

[scarry]

How odd. My old man did a lap 2 years ago and averaged ~17l/100 in his LC200 towing a 20ft 2.8T block of flats. Under the same conditions his LC200 uses about 1-1.5L more than my D3.

While the LC200 is certainly more agricultural, I've done half the amount of Ks and been in the Workshop 9 times in 2 years while his has had routine servicing only. Horses for courses.

Here we go agaan[biggrin]

I have Toyota’s and LR’s,and I know which one has more trips in for repairs and expensive maintenance costs,than the other.

As for all these engine failures,all vehicles have their problems,the number of LC’s around far outweighs the number of LR’s around,the percentage that have these issues would be good to know.

There are also numerous issues that can cause problems,and are not necessarily the fault of the manufacturer.

The 200 is also at the end of its model run,and now the Hiace has been replaced is the longest model run in the line up,with the 70 series.

It is due for replacement in the near future.

As some guy from Toyota recently said in the media,the 200 hasn’t really got any major competition,the only competition is itself.

Possibly a bit of arrogance there,but the sales figures talk for themselves.

And FWIW,there are more LC200 sold each year than what LR sell total vehicles per annum,in Aus.

[Victim]

Either way, you'll have a ball - the Munja track was a highlight of our 14 week 20,000km "half lap" back in 2017. I can't remember specifically where we camped on the way in & out, but we spent a few relaxing days camped at Bachsten doing the local walks & shorter drives in the area. Nobody else around apart from the lovely caretakers at the camp.

We were travelling solo in a 2014 D4 (myself, wife and 2x kids), loaded up and towing a Kimberly Kamper. I carried plenty of spares, but had no issues at all. Had to do the occasional bit of track building in the rougher sections, but all great fun...

I was running 19" Maxxis 980's at 28psi front, 35psi rear and around 25psi on the trailer. We did get 1x nasty looking pinch in a front sidewall, but that tyre survived another 50,000km beyond Munja before being replaced with another set of Maxxis.

[GregMilner]

Either way, you'll have a ball - the Munja track was a highlight of our 14 week 20,000km "half lap" back in 2017. I can't remember specifically where we camped on the way in & out, but we spent a few relaxing days camped at Bachsten doing the local walks & shorter drives in the area. Nobody else around apart from the lovely caretakers at the camp.

We were travelling solo in a 2014 D4 (myself, wife and 2x kids), loaded up and towing a Kimberly Kamper. I carried plenty of spares, but had no issues at all. Had to do the occasional bit of track building in the rougher sections, but all great fun...

I was running 19" Maxxis 980's at 28psi front, 35psi rear and around 25psi on the trailer. We did get 1x nasty looking pinch in a front sidewall, but that tyre survived another 50,000km beyond Munja before being replaced with another set of Maxxis.

That's good intel, thanks for that. I'm tempted to keep the D4's tyre pressures higher than that for the really rocky jump ups, given I'm also running Maxxis 980s in 19inch - just a bit wary of the sidewalls taking a rock through them at lower pressures. Obviously, I'll run them much lower on corrugations. The LC200 is running LT tyres but on 18s so he's got a bit more wriggle room than I have.
Given we're loaded up near max GVM and towing a two-tonne trailer, I doubt I'll be able to go lower than about 32psi on the rears.

[Odysseyman]

That's good intel, thanks for that. I'm tempted to keep the D4's tyre pressures higher than that for the really rocky jump ups, given I'm also running Maxxis 980s in 19inch - just a bit wary of the sidewalls taking a rock through them at lower pressures. Obviously, I'll run them much lower on corrugations. The LC200 is running LT tyres but on 18s so he's got a bit more wriggle room than I have.
Given we're loaded up near max GVM and towing a two-tonne trailer, I doubt I'll be able to go lower than about 32psi on the rears.

They’re more likely to take a rock through them at higher pressures... I think the bigger risk is damage to the rims at lower pressures so it has to be a compromise.
I’m running the 19” Maxxis as well and will run around 28 psi on the car, 25 on the camper. With the fabulous terrain response programming in the Disco we just need to keep the speed down and let it do all the work.
Enjoy your trip. I’m jealous.
David

[Melbourne Park]

I had an order in for a new Sahara. the dealer took $30k off for a sale on the 31st of December. But I rang up at 11am. and they called back and said hey could not register it i time. The dealer wanted a sales record.

So I bought a demo type 2014 Disco. No issues so far. The service is much more expensive v a new Toyota with fixed servicing. But its made up for in fuel economy. Plus it drives like a sports car and rides like a 7 series. And it goes up and down when attached the Matrix van. plus the reversing camera tracks onto the van.

Only problem I have had so far is with the rubber door seals on the drivers side, and the dealer refuses to pay for them. And there was some sort of maintenance on a front suspension which cost $600 or so more than I expected.

There's lots of reasons why the Disco is good on fuel. One is the engine is made from a better metal than Toyota use. Another is that the 8 speed is far more efficient than the Toyota's transmission. The 8 speed maybe the best gearbox in the world, its saves 6% of fuel over the 6 speed too. And the 6 speed uses far less fuel than Toyota's 200 gearbox too. Its not all about injection or capacity.

[letherm]

Only problem I have had so far is with the rubber door seals on the drivers side, and the dealer refuses to pay for them.

Known issue AFAIK. I had 2 replaced under warranty but had to push hard to get it done the second time. First one went in less than 6 months. The rubber is soft and wears easily but creates a great seal. Out of warranty now so I'll let it degrade until really necessary to replace it.

Martin

[itfarmer]

The LC200 transmissions overheat easily due to TC slippage unless an after-market TC lock-up module is fitted which also significantly improves fuel consumption.

Correct, I have a LC200 Sahara TTD 2012. I tow a 3ton type caravan, 4 people and two dogs (yea I know... on the weighbridge they might have something nasty to say).

After I installed an after market (richardsauto) the fuel consumption went way down. I now use in brisbane city traffic around 6-7 liters per 100km. When towing the van up and down to victoria mount hottam last winter I averaged 14 liters per 100km.

I recently installed an oil cooler, still testing if it makes much difference to the temperature. Time will tell when I tow the tractor over mt glorious. That be about 2.5ton. or when hauwling hay.

At the end of the day, if Toyota would had done it's homework then there would not be a need for aftermarket stuff like this.

Would I buy a LC200 Sahara again (or what ever the number might be). ABSOLUTELY NOT, the electronics are a royal pain in the ...... towing wise... can't fail it though.

[GregMilner]

Correct, I have a LC200 Sahara TTD 2012. I tow a 3ton type caravan, 4 people and two dogs (yea I know... on the weighbridge they might have something nasty to say).

After I installed an after market (richardsauto) the fuel consumption went way down. I now use in brisbane city traffic around 6-7 liters per 100km. When towing the van up and down to victoria mount hottam last winter I averaged 14 liters per 100km.

I recently installed an oil cooler, still testing if it makes much difference to the temperature. Time will tell when I tow the tractor over mt glorious. That be about 2.5ton. or when hauwling hay.

At the end of the day, if Toyota would had done it's homework then there would not be a need for aftermarket stuff like this.

Would I buy a LC200 Sahara again (or what ever the number might be). ABSOLUTELY NOT, the electronics are a royal pain in the ...... towing wise... can't fail it though.

That's interesting, I'd never heard of a lockup kit for the 200...I've got two mates with late model Sarahas, I'll be passing that info onto them. THey both complain about getting 13-14litres per 100 around town. Seems a hell of a chore to install it though, found this explanation on YouTube: YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBjxWAcxAQ4)

[Vern]

That's interesting, I'd never heard of a lockup kit for the 200...I've got two mates with late model Sarahas, I'll be passing that info onto them. THey both complain about getting 13-14litres per 100 around town. Seems a hell of a chore to install it though, found this explanation on YouTube: YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FBjxWAcxAQ4)Once again, thirstier than my petrol v8 patrol[emoji6]. Anyway, I can't see how a converter lock up will halve those fuel figures! [emoji848]

[scarry]

Once again, thirstier than my petrol v8 patrol[emoji6]. Anyway, I can't see how a converter lock up will halve those fuel figures! [emoji848]

Mate of mine gets less than 12/100 around town,in his Sahara,he records the fuel and K’s at every fill up.

Very few accessories.

I bet that Patrol of yours doesn’t have many if any.

It’s the weight,and large tyres that hurt fuel economy,including driving style,etc,etc.

FWIW,fuel economy isn’t everything.

[SPROVER]

Correct, I have a LC200 Sahara TTD 2012. I tow a 3ton type caravan, 4 people and two dogs (yea I know... on the weighbridge they might have something nasty to say).

After I installed an after market (richardsauto) the fuel consumption went way down. I now use in brisbane city traffic around 6-7 liters per 100km. When towing the van up and down to victoria mount hottam last winter I averaged 14 liters per 100km.

I recently installed an oil cooler, still testing if it makes much difference to the temperature. Time will tell when I tow the tractor over mt glorious. That be about 2.5ton. or when hauwling hay.

At the end of the day, if Toyota would had done it's homework then there would not be a need for aftermarket stuff like this.

Would I buy a LC200 Sahara again (or what ever the number might be). ABSOLUTELY NOT, the electronics are a royal pain in the ...... towing wise... can't fail it though.I find the 6-7 litres around town a bit hard to believe. That would probably make it the most efficient turbo diesel on the market.

[GregMilner]

Yes, 6-7 litres per 100 in a 200 series LC does seem pretty remarkable. I only get about 9 litres per 100 around town, although that drops to about 8.4 (indicated, not tested) on the highway, not towing.

[BradC]

How odd. My old man did a lap 2 years ago and averaged ~17l/100 in his LC200 towing a 20ft 2.8T block of flats. Under the same conditions his LC200 uses about 1-1.5L more than my D3.

Now in context I understand the comments about the LC200 consumption. When my father bought his someone recommended he buy an OBDII display to watch the transmission, so he drives it to maximise the time the converter is spent locked rather than just hook up the van and "point and squirt". That explains why he's getting a more reasonable consumption while towing than some of the figures I've seen thrown around.

I'll now go away and point him toward some of the auxiliary converter locking electronics to see if they pique his interest. It's a bad day when you don't learn something.

[Vern]

Mate of mine gets less than 12/100 around town,in his Sahara,he records the fuel and K’s at every fill up.

Very few accessories.

I bet that Patrol of yours doesn’t have many if any.

It’s the weight,and large tyres that hurt fuel economy,including driving style,etc,etc.

FWIW,fuel economy isn’t everything.Sahara runs 31.5 tyres vs y62 32.6.
Yes, very few accessories.
And for sure, fuel economy isn't everything, reliability, driveability, performance, cost and value for money are to me, that's why I got the nissan.

[Markus1]

So let's say watching the OBD2 gets you 1 litre better, then driving like a snail gets you another 2, finally a lockup kit 'might' get you another 2 if your lucky. Might and lucky being the operative words.

Your now 5lph better off, with a hole in your wallet, late to every bbq, and ended up OCD over your obd.

[scarry]

Sahara runs 31.5 tyres vs y62 32.6.
Yes, very few accessories.
And for sure, fuel economy isn't everything, reliability, driveability, performance, cost and value for money are to me, that's why I got the nissan.

And the more I look at those Yota forums,the more I think when you have an LC,either a 200 or a 70,it seems the purchase is only half the car.

The rest of the cost goes to ARB,Roo systems,or whoever....[biggrin]

[Vern]

And the more I look at those Yota forums,the more I think when you have an LC,either a 200 or a 70,it seems the purchase is only half the car.

The rest of the cost goes to ARB,Roo systems,or whoever....[biggrin]And a new engine[emoji1787][emoji1787].
They even have dedicated 'dusted' Facebook pages.

[Graeme]

After-market metal air-boxes are available that seal properly but they're very expensive as a fix for the factory non-sealing version, although not as expensive as a new engine.

[Vern]

After-market metal air-boxes are available that seal properly but they're very expensive as a fix for the factory non-sealing version, although not as expensive as a new engine.Yeah, you spend say $95k give or take on a VX, then option it up with a rear locker, kdss suspension, then go an aftermarket airbox, converter lock up, 33" tyres and you are now on par with a bog stock ti y62 patrol, at the princely sum of $65k, I am amazed people buy these 200's. [emoji6]

[Markus1]

That's because the vast majority buying them arent interested in off-road and all such requiring lockers etc. They just want the best towing rig.

[Vern]

That's because the vast majority buying them arent interested in off-road and all such requiring lockers etc. They just want the best towing rig.Well if they want the best tow rig, why are they getting the 200, there are much better tow rigs out there.

[blackrangie]

Well if they want the best tow rig, why are they getting the 200, there are much better tow rigs out there.D5 would have to be one of the best normal sized 4x4 tow rigs wouldn't it even on stock susp?

Without going to a Ram or the like.

[Odysseyman]

That's because the vast majority buying them arent interested in off-road and all such requiring lockers etc. They just want the best towing rig.

An LC 200 the best towing rig! Really???

David

[Vern]

D5 would have to be one of the best normal sized 4x4 tow rigs wouldn't it even on stock susp?

Without going to a Ram or the like.Yep, just fit a tow bar and go. 200, rear springs, converter lock up, and still not in the same league

[trout1105]

When you get to Walcott inlet don't park too close to the high banks as they have a tendency to collapse every now and then But they are better than parking on the low areas as the lizards cant get up the banks and there are less mozzies and sand flies if you camp away from the inlet/river[thumbsupbig]
Have a great trip[bigrolf]

[Markus1]

What's the range of the d5 towing 3 tonne?

[Vern]

What's the range of the d5 towing 3 tonne?Td6 d5 is 3.5t

[101RRS]

you are now on par with a bog stock ti y62 patrol, at the princely sum of $65k, I am amazed people buy these 200's. [emoji6]

Yes but the only reason those Patrols are so cheap is that no one wants to buy them so if Nissan wants to stay in the market they have to virtually give them away.

[Vern]

Yes but the only reason those Patrols are so cheap is that no one wants to buy them so if Nissan wants to stay in the market they have to virtually give them away.Yes, it's great isn't it, and only because everyone is scared of petrol, similar fuel economy to the cruiser, especially towing arount 3t, and $30k cheaper, also no real known show stoppers. Those sales are only here in Australia, look overseas, it's a different story. There are A LOT of 200 folks trading in on the patrol now too.

[Ean Austral]

Yes but the only reason those Patrols are so cheap is that no one wants to buy them so if Nissan wants to stay in the market they have to virtually give them away.

Maybe its time for Land rover to wake up and follow Nissan's lead on pricing. Cant see the "Archie" being a cheap option to boost Aus sales of L/R

Cheers Ean

[scarry]

And a new engine[emoji1787][emoji1787].
They even have dedicated 'dusted' Facebook pages.

I had Three D2’s over the years,and every one of them got dust on the clean side of the air filter.There were quite a few threads about this issue on here over the years,and LR did nothing about it.The airbox is a very poor design,although reports of dusted engines were non existent.

The LC OEM airfilter has now been modified with a thicker rubber seal.

[Vern]

I had Three D2’s over the years,and every one of them got dust on the clean side of the air filter.There were quite a few threads about this issue on here over the years,and LR did nothing about it.The airbox is a very poor design,although reports of dusted engines were non existent.

The LC OEM airfilter has now been modified with a thicker rubber seal.Yet they are still dusting engines, or is the issue somewhere else?

[twr7cx]

This'll be a more interesting read once the actual data from the trip is in...

[trout1105]

Yet they are still dusting engines, or is the issue somewhere else?

Maybe it has more to do with the quality of the filter and the frequency of changing them out than the design of the air box itself.
I know for a fact that IF I put a crappy air filter into my D2a V8 it will "dust up" very fast But when I put a top quality filter in there and change it every 20,000k or even more often on really dusty tracks I have No problems at all with "Dusting up".
I have found that since fitting the snorkel to the D2a I can now extend the filter service by at least 10,000k as well.
I imagine IF the L200 owners( and just about any other brand/model) followed a similar regime with their air filter then "dusting up" would be a thing of the past.
I wonder how the new D5's will fare on the super dusty black soil tracks with their super long extended services, These long periods between servicing especially in harsh conditions seem like a recipe for disaster to me as is taking your air filter for granted in ANY 4WD.

[Ean Austral]

This'll be a more interesting read once the actual data from the trip is in...

X 2

Cheers Ean

[Graeme]

The dust enters because the air-box isn't sufficiently rigid and the lid isn't sufficiently attached so gaps occur on rough roads and tracks. My SIL coats his filter seals with grease which reduces dust ingress but doesn't stop it so he's going to invest in a metal air-box which uses the standard Toyota filter before his up-coming trip to the Kimberly area.

[Arapiles]

And the more I look at those Yota forums,the more I think when you have an LC,either a 200 or a 70,it seems the purchase is only half the car.

The rest of the cost goes to ARB,Roo systems,or whoever....[biggrin]

... portals, 6x6, service bodies, chassis extension, Cummins engines, autos, rear track correction ....


I must admit that I find it hard to understand spending $90k on an LC200 and then cutting it in half to make a ute - wouldn't towing a trailer be the cheaper option?

[Vern]

Maybe it has more to do with the quality of the filter and the frequency of changing them out than the design of the air box itself.
I know for a fact that IF I put a crappy air filter into my D2a V8 it will "dust up" very fast But when I put a top quality filter in there and change it every 20,000k or even more often on really dusty tracks I have No problems at all with "Dusting up".
I have found that since fitting the snorkel to the D2a I can now extend the filter service by at least 10,000k as well.
I imagine IF the L200 owners( and just about any other brand/model) followed a similar regime with their air filter then "dusting up" would be a thing of the past.
I wonder how the new D5's will fare on the super dusty black soil tracks with their super long extended services, These long periods between servicing especially in harsh conditions seem like a recipe for disaster to me as is taking your air filter for granted in ANY 4WD.Nothing to do with the filter quality, also changing them frequently isn't a great idea, it's to do with the filter housing.

[scarry]

Maybe it has more to do with the quality of the filter and the frequency of changing them out than the design of the air box itself.
I know for a fact that IF I put a crappy air filter into my D2a V8 it will "dust up" very fast But when I put a top quality filter in there and change it every 20,000k or even more often on really dusty tracks I have No problems at all with "Dusting up".
I have found that since fitting the snorkel to the D2a I can now extend the filter service by at least 10,000k as well.
I imagine IF the L200 owners( and just about any other brand/model) followed a similar regime with their air filter then "dusting up" would be a thing of the past.
I wonder how the new D5's will fare on the super dusty black soil tracks with their super long extended services, These long periods between servicing especially in harsh conditions seem like a recipe for disaster to me as is taking your air filter for granted in ANY 4WD.

Umm,no I used OEM filters only.
Grease around the filtervdid help but didnt totally eliminate the issue.

What did help the most was a snorkle,only because the air coming in was cleaner.

It’s just a poorly designed airbox.

[Melbourne Park]

I don't think most snorkels reduce dust. Great in river crossings, although what deep water might do to a D4's electronics is a concern to me.

The snorkels I liked were those with a cyclonic dust removal design. But those seem mostly to have gone. And with bulldust, I don't think they'd separate the bull dust anyway, unless they incorporated a filter.

And when I look at dusty roads, I don't see less dust at the snorkel height than at the air inlet height. I see a road with dust evenly distributed if the dust is due to a vehicle that is a minute up the road. And if the snorkel provides a ram effect, then IMO that would makes matters more difficult for the air filter.

[scarry]

I don't think most snorkels reduce dust. Great in river crossings, although what deep water might do to a D4's electronics is a concern to me.

The snorkels I liked were those with a cyclonic dust removal design. But those seem mostly to have gone. And with bulldust, I don't think they'd separate the bull dust anyway, unless they incorporated a filter.

And when I look at dusty roads, I don't see less dust at the snorkel height than at the air inlet height. I see a road with dust evenly distributed if the dust is due to a vehicle that is a minute up the road. And if the snorkel provides a ram effect, then IMO that would makes matters more difficult for the air filter.

From my experience it makes a massive difference,Sure there are a huge amount of variables,but I had one D2 without a snorkle,then another with.
Ram effect is actually minimal,particularly for a diesel.

Most snorkles actually reduce airflow slightly.Thats also why they whistle at different revs on some vehicles.

Just ask anyone that works on vehicles that run on LPG,as very small changes to intake air flows and pressures upset mixtures,which cause issues.LPG engines are very sensitive to intake air changes.

[Ghost-Who-Walks]

X 2

Cheers Ean

x3

I thought this thread was about fuel consumption...? [wink11]

[BradC]

X 2

Cheers Ean

Where'd Ean go?

[SBD4]

Where'd Ean go?
He's decided to take some time away from the forum.

[dirvine]

When I bought my D4 I also bought a &6 Tojo wagon and put in a Marks (LC200) auto at the same time. The toyota was going to be my trip truck as I was concerned about LR reliability. The difference in final purchase costs was about $300 dearer for the Tojo. By the time I changed the D4 tyres, rims, pit on a snorkel and some body armour bash plates etc, the D4 cost considerably more. Other accesories were put on both vehicles so not counted in cost. After driving both, towing a caravan, and some "easy" 4WDing, I "gave" the Toyota to my son. He has noted a considerable fuel use reduction from his old toyota single cab tray 70. But it is still in the 14/100k area, and he lives in the hinterland of Byron and not stop start. When we stay ther I get a "true" 9/100 with my D4. Toyotas are thirsty and a 76 is noisy, rough inside and rough ride and very little comfort. I know I made the better choice. In any case there was no fixed servicing when I bought the Toyota and service is every 10,000k. It works out about the same as my 26000k service by an Indi and me doing my own oil and filter change at the 12k mark.