The DARK Side!

[jonesfam]

As it is EOFY I have to re-negotiate my salary deal.
After a bit of back & forth, Argy Bargy it has been decided that as part of my package I will now have a company vehicle for any use I require.

Now, I did suggest a new top of the range Defender, I even said a near new D4 - but no,
I will soon be driving a Prado.[bigsad]
OK, it will save me a lot of money & I'm pretty sure it will be reliable but will it have Soul? Character? Will I even have to swear at it?
I am currently deciding what to do with the D2 but it will probably be sold. I don't see the point in keeping it registered, insured & running if it won't be used.
SWMBO likes her Delica bus, some of the kids are at/getting to license age but some little 4 pot buzz box dungger would be a better first car for them I think.
So I'm going over to the Dark Side & becoming an Arsehole because I will have a Toyota just like everybody else.
I will try not to forget what oil under the car looks like, I will try to recall the joy of trying to fix things I know nothing about, I will store in my memory all the odd sounds, shakes & rattles &, of course, pine for design idiosyncrasies.

Not sure when I will get the Devil Seed, it is my Bosses car he has had for 18 months so he has to get a new car first but just like the bloke in the Bull Paddock, I'm bracing myself!
Jonesfam

[trout1105]

Just keep the D2, You know you want to[thumbsupbig][biggrin]
The resale on a D2 is pretty pitifull anyway and by all accounts it is better off road than the prado and much more fun to drive so why not keep it and use it recreationaly .

I also have a 79 series which is capable, practical and reliable But I will never part with my D2a because it is so much more enjoyable to drive[thumbsupbig]

[Homestar]

You'll find a lot of us here drive Toyotas as daily drivers but all keep the Land Rovers as well. :)

My daily is a Hilux so you're doing well getting a Prado. [thumbsupbig]

[austastar]

Hi,
Town car - Corolla.
Fun car - Defender.
Cheers

[Tombie]

Don’t worry, Toyota’s have heaps of little idiosyncratic items to keep you amused.

Ours even leak oil… and the new ones chew fuel like it’s going out of fashion - oh wait, it is [emoji41]

[trout1105]

Don’t worry, Toyota’s have heaps of little idiosyncratic items to keep you amused.

Ours even leak oil… and the new ones chew fuel like it’s going out of fashion - oh wait, it is [emoji41]

My 79 series V8 is more economical to run than my V8 D2a, Neither of them leak oil either.

[DiscoMick]

Keep the D2. The kids can learn to drive in it.

[Tombie]

My 79 series V8 is more economical to run than my V8 D2a, Neither of them leak oil either.

Anything is more economical than a Rover V8 [emoji41]

And you’d be surprised how many Toyota’s leak…

[SpudHeadTed]

I've driven Toyota's for work for years and I have nothing good to say about them in comparison to my Defender.

Land Cruisers and Hiluxs all ride like a horse and cart, they use twice as much fuel, they are nowhere near as good on dirt roads or off road, they cost more to service and repair AND they are so boring to drive! Oh and reliability? - zero difference in my experience.

I've never driven a Prado, thank my lucky stars! ...Hope you don't fall asleep at the wheel! [thumbsupbig]

[V8Ian]

Paul, it might be mildly embarrassing driving a company provided Toyota, but there is nothing to be ashamed of, unless you actually purchase a Toyo. [wink11]

[Tombie]

Paul, it might be mildly embarrassing driving a company provided Toyota, but there is nothing to be ashamed of, unless you actually purchase a Toyo. [wink11]

True

A second class drive is still better than a first class walk.

[SpudHeadTed]

True

A second class drive is still better than a first class walk.

Not necessarily [bigwhistle] Many of the walks I've done over the decades have been far preferable to a second class drive!

[Homestar]

Anything is more economical than a Rover V8 [emoji41]

And you’d be surprised how many Toyota’s leak…

Yep, the Hilux sure does - no way it would pass a RWC like it is - bottom of the engine and box is covered in oil. It is 6 years old with 200KKM on it - My Daughters 97 Camry doesn't leak a drop at 360KKM though. Doesn't burn a drop between services either - that thing will outlive me I'm sure.

[NavyDiver]

True

A second class drive is still better than a first class walk.

Unless you Jog then you rock[biggrin]

Back on topic- daily is now a quiky MG EV. My Disco is soooo much nicer except the fuel costs [thumbsupbig]

[Vern]

If you have to go to the dark side, atleast go a y62

[3toes]

Have been in places before where the most senior take the new vehicle and they are then progressively handed down until they reach the workers at the third or fourth owner. You have to work on the seniors so they think it is their decision to buy what you actually want

[jonesfam]

After much discussion with SWMBO the D2a will be sold.
It's in pretty good nick, won't cost much to get ready for sale & we could use the money for the old house.

I was offered the Prado but told I could have a new car if I wanted, as the Roadhouse has to bare the cost of said car I went the most business economical option. Anyway, I still would not have got a Landrover!
I'm thinking of putting Roadhouse signage all over it so everybody knows it's not really mine.[thumbsupbig]

I will report once I have the thing, if I haven't died of boredom!
Jonesfam
PS I still have the Series 2a in great state of disrepair!

[DiscoMick]

What is the most 'business economical option'? Maybe an LDV or Triton?

Do you have to sign write it to be able to claim it as a business vehicle?

At my last workplace if we got a work logo on our clothes we could then claim the cost as a tax deduction.

[Saitch]

At my last workplace if we got a work logo on our clothes we could then claim the cost as a tax deduction.

Was that "Palen Creek Co-op", Mick?

[scarry]

Do you have to sign write it to be able to claim it as a business vehicle?.

No,normally,LV's have to be 1 ton capacity,5 seats or less.Sign write is optional.
All our vehicles are business,100%,no FBT.

Apart from the S1,but its usually hibernating,and for tax purposes our private run around[wink11]

[DiscoMick]

No it was a school. My accountant said it was a common arrangement for workplaces to have a uniform standard, require logos, have staff buy them and then claim the cost as a tax deduction.
My workplace would also refund $100 in uniform costs directly, but then it couldn't be claimed as a tax deduction, of course.
Was that "Palen Creek Co-op", Mick?

[350RRC]

Was that "Palen Creek Co-op", Mick?

Some place out of 'Twin Peaks'? perchance, what is it?

DL

[DiscoMick]

It's a bit of an 'in' joke up here.

Palen Creek Correctional Centre - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palen_Creek_Correctional_Centre?wprov=sfla1)

[jonesfam]

So. I now drive a 2018 white Prado Toyota.
I have only driven it on 2 short drives and it OK. That's all, just OK.
Next week I will be off to Cloncurry & Mt Isa so I will report back on comfort etc.
I have booked it in to get spot lights & canvas seat covers, it has a steel BB & not much else.
If I get some time off this week-end I will take it down some tracks to some creeks around here & see how it goes while cocking wheels.
One thing I will say is it seems very BIG after the D2.
Jonesfam

[350RRC]

So. I now drive a 2018 white Prado Toyota.
............................
One thing I will say is it seems very BIG after the D2.
Jonesfam

That's coz of the plastic around the cabin uprights in a D2. Just massive.

After being used to a RRC looking out all the windows in a D2 is like looking out portholes.

Then there is all the plastic on the sides behind the rear seats in a D2........

And on the inside of the tailgate...............

DL

[simonmelb]

What about the rear load space? D2 looks to have more usable storage for a touring setup?


So. I now drive a 2018 white Prado Toyota.
I have only driven it on 2 short drives and it OK. That's all, just OK.
Next week I will be off to Cloncurry & Mt Isa so I will report back on comfort etc.
I have booked it in to get spot lights & canvas seat covers, it has a steel BB & not much else.
If I get some time off this week-end I will take it down some tracks to some creeks around here & see how it goes while cocking wheels.
One thing I will say is it seems very BIG after the D2.
Jonesfam

[I Love My Landy!]

Next week I will be off to Cloncurry & Mt Isa so I will report back on comfort etc.
Jonesfam

I often drive a Prado at work. Despite their reputation for comfort, I ALWAYS get a sore neck and shoulders on long trips no matter how I adjust the seat. Funny thing is though, I never have any issues in my so called 'unergonomic' 110 County. I find the work Triton much comfier than the Prado as well.

Apart from the sore back and annoying turbo lag I don't mind the Prado. They have a pretty good load space and they pull the 2 tonne trailer quite well too, although the rear suspension does sag a lot.

Enjoy!

Edward :)

[RANDLOVER]

My mate and I came to the conclusion that the most tempting offering from the "Dark" side to replace a D2 or even a D3,4,5, would be a Ford Everest as the 3.2L is even a 5 cylinder like a TD5. It also has a Terrain Response system similar to L-R, possibly even "borrowed" from L-R when Ford owned them. The 2.0 L Bi-Turbo has similar specs to a D5 2.0 L at 500Nm each and has electronic locking rear diff. The rear seat arm rest cupholders also look just like the D2's. Obvious negatives, a bit down on towing 3100kg vs 3500 and no air suspension.

[scarry]

Obvious negatives, a bit down on towing 3100kg vs 3500 and no air suspension.

And a lot smaller than a D3/4/5.

[jonesfam]

Um, it's OK.
5 hours to Cloncurry, 3 or so hours to Mt Isa & back & 5.5 hours back from Cloncurry to Doom.
First thing I noticed is the suspension, very soft & sort of feels like the top half of the car is connected to the bottom half by rubber bands. It's not sloppy, just sort of wallow & sway over all our dips, lumps & un-even surfaces. Absorbs bumps well but feels odd.
BTW My D2 has after market suspension.
The second & by far most annoying, frustrating, inexplicable part is the 6 speed auto box!
What an odd bit of kit. 6th is moon shot high, it constantly changes from 5th to 6th & back even on our flat roads West of Burke & Wills. When in 6tth it feels & sounds like the engine is under revving, straining at 100kph, at 1010-115 it feels a little more comfortable but not right. At 110 even a gust of headwind will drop it back to 5th, from B&W to Curry, which is all little hills, dips but nothing in any way steep, the thing changed gears constantly, grabbing 4th now & again. Drove me crackers, after about 50k I put it in manual mode 5th but it still would change gear occasionally.
Much, much, MUCH prefer the 6 speed in the D3 or even the 4 in the D2, it's a silly gear box!
The engine is not really very powerful &, this might be the gear box, lacks torque.
The divers seat is OK, took a while to get the position right &, as I'm short, I was surprised that the seat base didn't reach the back of my knees but no real complaints. The kids like the back, said there was more room than the D2, wider & A/C. SWMBO said it was OK but the window base was a bit high, she is really short.
It's not as big as I thought until you fold the back seats, then it has some room but I doubt it is big as the D3. A funny thing is that to fold the 3rd row seats into the floor they have raised the floor? Makes for a bit of a lift & just seems lazy. Speaking of lazy several bits of the car design seem that way. The center stack & touch screen looks like an after thought, the switches are a bit all over the place & who uses a stalk for the Cruise Control any more?
The positives are it rained all the way from B&W to Doom it didn't leak a bit, the parking sensors put a cool little diagram on the touch screen, the A/C is outstanding & it's fairly quiet though I miss that 5 pot sound.

Now I dive one I have noticed they really are as common as the proverbial & I can't explain why. They are OK but in no way impressive or exceptional, maybe people like bland but I'm buggered if I know how they put up with that gear box??
Jonesfam

[Vern]

Sounds like a typical toyota auto, they love to hunt for gears.

[jonesfam]

Well, the D2 left the building yesterday.
Sold!
To a local bloke, who I hope will look after it, most the locals don't look after their cars.
Sad to see it go but life moves on I guess. Now in a year or two I am thinking how to convince SWMBO that I really, really need a second hand "New Defender"?
Better start working on her now.[thumbsupbig]
Jonesfam

[4bee]

Don’t worry, Toyota’s have heaps of little idiosyncratic items to keep you amused.

Ours even leak oil… and the new ones chew fuel like it’s going out of fashion - oh wait, it is [emoji41]



Sounds like Toymota's sales strategy is working then? [bigrolf]

[4bee]

Well, the D2 left the building yesterday.
Sold!
To a local bloke, who I hope will look after it, most the locals don't look after their cars.
Sad to see it go but life moves on I guess. Now in a year or two I am thinking how to convince SWMBO that I really, really need a second hand "New Defender"?
Better start working on her now.[thumbsupbig]
Jonesfam



From what you have said about her in the past, you'll need to be just as formidable as SWMBO to get your evil way. Good luck with that, Paul. [bigrolf]

Btw, I just hope your boss doesn't back down on your "new" car or you'll be in deep doo doo.

[jonesfam]

From what you have said about her in the past, you'll need to be just as formidable as SWMBO to get your evil way. Good luck with that, Paul. [bigrolf]

Btw, I just hope your boss doesn't back down on your "new" car or you'll be in deep doo doo.

The Toymotor is sitting in Cloncurry, I had to fly back last tip due to floods.
It should be safe, SWMBO refuses to drive it.
Calls it "Common". This from a woman who drives a beat up old Delica?
Jonesfam

[Vern]

The Toymotor is sitting in Cloncurry, I had to fly back last tip due to floods.
It should be safe, SWMBO refuses to drive it.
Calls it "Common". This from a woman who drives a beat up old Delica?
JonesfamMy wifes the opposite, my life is so hard[emoji25]

[emoji1][emoji1]

[4bee]

The Toymotor is sitting in Cloncurry, I had to fly back last tip due to floods.
It should be safe, SWMBO refuses to drive it.
Calls it "Common". This from a woman who drives a beat up old Delica?
Jonesfam


It is all in the eyes of the beholder really. [bighmmm] Could be worse she could see it as Rolls Royce thing.

[V8Ian]

It is all in the eyes of the beholder really. [bighmmm] Could be worse she could see it as Rolls Royce thing.
:blink: We are talking about a Toyota, not a Land Rover, aren't we? [bighmmm]

[scarry]

:blink: We are talking about a Toyota, not a Land Rover, aren't we? [bighmmm]

Well we better stay on topic,you know what happened last time i ventured off,**** hit the fan.......[bighmmm][biggrin]

Anyway,no complaints from mine with the Toyota,but she has been eyeing off Teslas[bigsad][biggrin]

Just the price of them has made my heart skip a few beats[bigsad]
Oh,and i can hear her on the end of the phone,out somewhere,its gone flat,i thought it was charged.......[biggrin][bigsad]

[Gav 110]

Oh,and i can hear on the end of the phone,out somewhere,its gone flat,i thought it was charged.......[biggrin][bigsad]
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I reckon that will be heard by many a bloke in the years to come
And if the EV revolution takes off and us tradesmen star using EVs, I’m sure we’ll hear that over and over again from the apprentices [emoji848]

[Tins]

Prados are ok if you sit in the front. However, I once travelled six hours in the back of one. I'll NEVER do that again.

[loanrangie]

Prados are ok if you sit in the front. However, I once travelled six hours in the back of one. I'll NEVER do that again.Poky pile of crap they are, D1 is more comfy.

[4bee]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I reckon that will be heard by many a bloke in the years to come
And if the EV revolution takes off and us tradesmen star using EVs, I’m sure we’ll hear that over and over again from the apprentices [emoji848]

Just when motoring organisations got the hang of supplying juice out of a 2 gallon can will they start to carry spare Battery sets & a fork lift? The Hi-aces of the RAA will need summat a bit bigger instead. Or will they leave a portable Gennie on the roadside with the driver while they have a kip?:Rolling:


That'll get through 2 x service calls per day per van.

[RHS58]

Prados are ok if you sit in the front. However, I once travelled six hours in the back of one. I'll NEVER do that again.

Personally, I don’t think the back seat in the D4 is much chop either.

[Gav 110]

Personally, I don’t think the back seat in the D4 is much chop either.

The rear of a 110 isn’t bad, put the seat forward and me and the missus spend hours in there, I’d call it very comfortable [emoji12]

[scarry]

The rear of a 110 isn’t bad, put the seat forward and me and the missus spend hours in there, I’d call it very comfortable [emoji12]

Hmm,sounds similar to the HQ ute with a fibreglass canopy i had many years ago,when i was an apprentice.
The rear load area was often more comfortable than the front bench seat[biggrin][wink11]

[Tins]

Poky pile of crap they are, D1 is more comfy.
Not to mention the ride.

[4bee]

Personally, I don’t think the back seat in the D4 is much chop either.


Solution to that is tellem you get car sick. They'll shove you in the front every time.

Works for me. Still.:Rolling:

[4bee]

The rear of a 110 isn’t bad, put the seat forward and me and the missus spend hours in there, I’d call it very comfortable [emoji12]


You wish to elaborate on that? No, probably not.:Rolling:

[Tins]

Personally, I don’t think the back seat in the D4 is much chop either.
I’ll bet the ride is WAY better in the D4 though.

[scarry]

I’ll bet the ride is WAY better in the D4 though.

Until its at off road height.

[Tombie]

Poky pile of crap they are, D1 is more comfy.

Mine spec ones are worse. There’s ROPS in them…

[Tins]

Until its at off road height.

Yeah well, the Prado doesn't have that option, and my journey was all on bitumen.. First time in my life I've felt car sick.

[Tins]

There’s ROPS in them…

My OKA has that, but it is roomier. It's what saved it when I tipped it over.

[Tombie]

My OKA has that, but it is roomier. It's what saved it when I tipped it over.

Yes, it serves it purpose well.

In a Prado it stops the front seat rearward movement so driving positions are even worse.
In the back you have to get legs past the upright before you can get in.

[Tins]

Yes, it serves it purpose well.

In a Prado it stops the front seat rearward movement so driving positions are even worse.
In the back you have to get legs past the upright before you can get in.

And, like my old Datto with a roll cage, it makes it a bugger to get out in an emergency. Especially for those of advancing years. Still, better than getting squashed.

[4bee]

Paul, it might be mildly embarrassing driving a company provided Toyota, but there is nothing to be ashamed of, unless you actually purchase a Toyo. [wink11]



I guess signing on the bottom line could change one's life forever.[bighmmm] To be fair I have only purchased 2xHi-Aces & 3x Corollas & 1 Camry & have found all those to be excellent & reliable vehicles for what use I gave them. Certainly never had reason to purchase some of the models pertained to ^^^^ & when I did buy a vehicle with some balls it was a Discovery 1 3.9 Facelift.

Was ok as well but when it's time was up, it was up & time to go, although I could foresee there were big expenses coming so not wanting to get stuck with it it was traded in. "How much? I hear you clamour? Ah, trade in started at $750 & finished at $1000.[bighmmm]

****ing crooks! But she was a good vehicle in her time & served us well & I still miss her like an old girlfriend. It actually saddened my heart to see her looking all forlorn & lonely sitting in their car park on leaving.


Cest la vie.[bigsad]

[4bee]

And, like my old Datto with a roll cage, it makes it a bugger to get out in an emergency. Especially for those of advancing years. Still, better than getting squashed.


I wish I knew how to post an image in Win10 cos I could show you a van in a real emergency that a friend sent me about a year ago.

Picture this if you will?

Uk Motorway HGV & trailer braked with a piece of heavy earthmoving gear on the back. Speed 0mph & sitting in LH lane.

Traffic of all sorts belting along @ 100 MPH. Wet road surface.


White van man stopped behind earth mover trailer.


Another loaded HGV barreling up behind White van Man also in LH Lane, doesn't slow or stop. Truck Driver reported as asleep at the wheel.???????

Truck plows into WVM


WVM ceases to exist as his/her method of conveyance is 15cm front to back. Probably from a standing length of about 3 or 4M. No idea what make of Van it was. But it was deffo white.

[Tins]

I wish I knew how to post an image in Win10 cos I could show you a van in a real emergency that a friend sent me about a year ago.

Picture this if you will?

Uk Motorway HGV & trailer braked with a piece of heavy earthmoving gear on the back. Speed 0mph & sitting in LH lane.

Traffic of all sorts belting along @ 100 MPH. Wet road surface.


White van man stopped behind earth mover trailer.


Another loaded HGV barreling up behind White van Man also in LH Lane, doesn't slow or stop. Truck Driver reported as asleep at the wheel.???????

Truck plows into WVM


WVM ceases to exist as his/her method of conveyance is 15cm front to back. Probably from a standing length of about 3 or 4M. No idea what make of Van it was. But it was deffo white.

You can't be protected from everything. People forget this.

[4bee]

You can't be protected from everything. People forget this.

I made a small mistake in my reporting, instead of 15cm it looks like it was 50cm as I have just dragged the photo up again & most of that was the Van portion trying to get into the cab bit.

[scarry]

Paul, it might be mildly embarrassing driving a company provided Toyota, but there is nothing to be ashamed of, unless you actually purchase a Toyo. [wink11]

The company provides me with whatever.[wink11][smilebigeye]

If they were as unreliable as the ones Tombie is provided with,we would have moved off to another brand very quickly[biggrin][wink11]

Actually,we havent privately owned a vehicle for well over 30yrs[wink11]
Paid quite a bit of fringe benefits tax though,well we dont,the company does,so they sort of catch up anyway,kind of.[bigsad][biggrin]
Didnt someone say there is no such thing as a free lunch?

[trout1105]

If they were as unreliable as the ones Tombie is provided with,we would have moved off to another brand very quickly

If Toyota had the same reliability and dealer back up that Landrover has in Aus they would be out of business by now[bigwhistle]

[scarry]

If Toyota had the same reliability and dealer back up that Landrover has in Aus they would be out of business by now[bigwhistle]

If LR had the same reliability as the Japs in the 70's,and 80's,and continued with it,they would have had the world 4X4 market to themselves.No one else would have got a leg in.

[ramblingboy42]

I really don't think other manufacturers are concerned about LR reliability.

Right from day dot the 663 has had issues..... the dualcab 4x4 manufacturers must be laughing their guts out. The defender means nothing to them.

LR only perhaps pose a threat to the luxury market , but have you looked at Bentley/Porsche/Aston Martin/Maserati suv's recently......wow.

[superquag]

If LR had the same reliability as the Japs in the 70's,and 80's,and continued with it,they would have had the world 4X4 market to themselves.No one else would have got a leg in.


Nor-Western side, the story is.... Mining companies wanted paper/dry air filters, as the LR oil-bath was too much for the young Uni-grads doing their exploration. - Some areas need a change every few days... and you can imagine the quality of 'workmanship'.
LR told them that 'oil' is only way for their needs....

So they switched to Tojos and Datsuns 4WDs'. I think at that time Thiess (?) was bringing in Toyotas.... Both with paper filters....

[V8Ian]

Les Thiess privately imported the first Cruisers into this country, for use by his company on the Snowy Mountains project. He was so impressed by Toyota's back-up and willingness to adapt, that he became the exclusive importer and distributor of Toyota vehicles, until Toyota assumed the mantle themselves.
I've owned a number of Toyota vehicles. None of them majorly let me down, but nor did they inspire passion. They were simply reliable and adequate appliances.

[austastar]

Hi,
I believe Toyota sent a rep to the Snowy scheme to assess their vehicles. Broken bits were sent back to Japan for engineers to know what failed and where to improve manufacturing design.
Cheers

[ramblingboy42]

I drove an ex snowy swb landcruiser when I was quite young

having cut my teeth in Land Rovers I was quite overcome by the Toyota . It was an ungainly growling noisy uncomfortable and incapable thing that I soon put on it's side doing what a Land Rover would have done easily.

I think Don, the cocky , stopped a lot of others from buying a toyota for some time as he regretted buying it and let everyone know.

he also had a cut down VW sedan with big tyres which he used in preference to the toyota when didn't need 4x4

he rebuilt a series 1 out of bits from the dump and drove that until his next clip came in when he bought another LR. He onsold the toyota to some clown near Tibooburra.

[V8Ian]

Those original Cruisers were only three speed, sans low range, with atrocious suspension, but Toyota listened to the operators and quickly adapted the car.

[scarry]

Hi,
I believe Toyota sent a rep to the Snowy scheme to assess their vehicles. Broken bits were sent back to Japan for engineers to know what failed and where to improve manufacturing design.
Cheers

LR did something similar,sending out engineers to look at the problems with their vehicles.

LR were still often the vehicle of choice until the mid to late 70’s,which is when the Japs took over.
Series 3 was the last LR the company my father worked for,ever bought,it was Tojo from then onwards.

The LR’s they had were extensively modified,winches,large water and fuel tanks,bull bars,scrub bars,etc.
And off road trailers to suit.
They were pretty underpowered,and once loaded,trailer on,and LWB,the long handled shovels,and winch were definitely needed.
I can remember one of them being bogged getting off the western beach of Fraser,near Worallie ck,it took the whole day to get it out.No one around in those days to help.

[gromit]

Hi,
I believe Toyota sent a rep to the Snowy scheme to assess their vehicles. Broken bits were sent back to Japan for engineers to know what failed and where to improve manufacturing design.
Cheers

I remember an elderly gentleman spoke at the Cooma 2008 dinner.
He was sent out by Land Rover very early in the Snowy scheme to feed back product problems.
He mentioned the scroll rear main seal on the early 80's, back into a pile of dirt/snow and the dirt got into the bellhousing and the scroll seal screwed it into the motor.

He made some comment like " I came to Cooma in 1949 and I'm still here", some clown on another table commented "probably still fixing Land Rover problems......."

Weren't the early Toyota's that came to Cooma 6 cylinder but only 3-speed ?


Colin

[3toes]

Difference was attitude. Not just Land Rover most European brands were the same. This is what we make and if it breaks you did something wrong

Uncle worked with PMG who trialed some Isuzu trucks. At the end of the trail there were factory reps there wanting to know everything good and bad. They were back in 6 months with modifications to see if the issues were solved and asking what else they could do to to make them better for purpose. European brands would come out and listen, deny there was a problem with the product then you might see a change 5 years later but probably not

Land Rover needed a decent 6 or 8 cylinder Diesel engine to keep the market. Not just Australia but globally. This was never going to fly with head office as it would never sell in Europe due to vehicle taxation rules which made under powered vehicles the norm

[trout1105]

Weren't the early Toyota's that came to Cooma 6 cylinder but only 3-speed ?

As were the early Nissans.
I once owned a G60 which was as rough as guts to drive, uncomfortable, noisy and dusty (Much like the early Series Landrovers) and despite having only a 3 speed gearbox and fitted with "armstrong" steering it was Very capable off road.
The poor things body rusted itself to death unfortunately But the running gear and chassis was pretty much unbreakable despite the constant abuse handed out to it during my ownership[bigsad]