Is the TDV6 "S" ok for Offroad

[Geoffy]

I'm awaiting the arrival of my new TDV6 "S" but I'm becoming a little concerned about it's potential off-road abilities owing to its lack of Terrain Response and Air Suspension.

I'm not too concerned from a ride height point of view, as we mainly do beach work (nothing too hard-core), however from reading various forums, it seems the "S" is little more than a soft roader with low range.

Can anyone put my mind at ease, or should I be changing my order to an SE???

Geoff.

[Jamo]

I've never driven an 'S' but you should be right.

tyres and tyre pressure are most important on the beach. I believe the coil sprung still has the electonically locking centre diff.

If you can afford the air suspension then get it, but if not the 'S' is still a very capable vehicle.

[Jamo]

Welcome aboard!:D

[Geoffy]

Thanks for the info.

I'll have a talk to the dealer tomorrow and see how much more the SE will lighten my wallet.

[Utemad]

I have no idea of the ability but if it is only beach work you are doing then I wouldn't worry. No lifting of wheels etc. Beach/sand driving is all about tyre pressure.

[WhiteD3]

Geoffy,

I think you'll find that the S is still a very capable machine. There's 5 S owners active on the forum (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-zone/50196-what-d3-do-you-have.html) so I'd expect one them will post a comment here soonish.

[BigJon]

From memory, the TR / Air Suspension option is about $3000 on top of the S price. We have sold a couple like that and I reckon they are the pick of the Disco 3s. Throw in another $1000 for the locking rear diff and nothing else in standard form will get close offroad.

[RichardK]

Mines an S but with Air suspension and of course terrain response, but no rear locker, see what the extra will be to spec the S up, it's worth it

[Geoffy]

There are no "S" with Air available at present so I'll be taking delivery of the standard "S" (albeith with side steps) tomorrow.

We spend a lot of time at Straddie (Pt Lookout) so most of our off-road is pretty basic. Most of the time you could get a 2WD onto Flinders, although when we were over there a couple of weekends ago it was pretty badly chopped up and the entry/exit at Adder Rock was deeply rutted.

My current vehicle (2006 TD Pathfinder) has been to Fraser etc. but we only go there once a year, and I can't imagine the Pathfinder would be a significantly better off-road package compared to the "S".

[surfsup]

i have had no worries off road in my 'S' matter of fact ive had mine up some hard tracks that i thought it would not handle but did with ease.

my only concern is the ground clearance and i am looking at lifting it soon

when off road slow and low(gear) and these beast's just eat it up

[Geoffy]

Well I'm feeling a bit less stressed after the responses here. I picked it up this afternoon.

It's almost impossible to detect that it's a diesel from inside, and the power it produces is impressive for an oiler.

Sadly we won't get over to Straddie again for a few weeks, but I can't wait to christen it on the beach..... :)

Stay tuned....

[WhiteD3]

Congrats Geoffy.

Keep an eye out for trip threads out of Brissy, it'd be nice to have another D3 along.:):)

[Geoffy]

Congrats Geoffy.

Keep an eye out for trip threads out of Brissy, it'd be nice to have another D3 along.:):)

Will do..... ;)

[WhiteD3]

Will do..... ;)

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/upcoming-events/50742-day-trip-ex-brisbane-sat-feb-16-a.html

[John58]

Hi Geoff
I've got an S TDV6, but i ordered it with air suspension and the "active rear diff". Because I didn't need and didn't want to pay for 7 seats. There weren't any of that spec in the country at that time, so I had to order it in. It took about 5 months to be built and shipped out from England, but well worth the wait.
Cheers

John58

[Geoffy]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/upcoming-events/50742-day-trip-ex-brisbane-sat-feb-16-a.html

Sounds like a great event, but I've got a photo shoot up at Noosa to do and "SHMBO" took it as a good opportunity to stay up there for the weekend.... :)

[rovers1952]

Had my "S" for over a year now.....found it to be very capable compared to SE's in convoys I have been in. Ground clearance is clearly not as good and I may investigate a minor lift after ARB bull bar fitted. But in reality, how much ugly stuff would one take an $80k vehicle without care to wheel placement.