Thread: Good Bones..

Interesting question. The earlier RRC's with the 10 spline axles wouldn't be my pick as the strongest driveline ever made. But even in this trim, in stock format, they were and are still very capable off road. What criteria are you using overall though? My L322 with 20" road tyres was better off road than my RRC any day but overall probably not as strong and won't be as long lived but bloody good. Pretty much any of the modern variants of Land Rovers would run rings around any RRC off road too, so not the best bet to use that one to judge it by IMO. If you wanted to compare it to other Brands of the same era, it would be no contest. Overall ruggedness they would rate ok apart from the models that have the Lucas electrics - I improved mine dramatically by removing anything that was made by the Prince of Darkness and sticking in an extra 10 relays or so.

3.9 suzi county.

its just about as perentie as you can get without green paint and blackout markers.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

3.9 suzi county.

its just about as perentie as you can get without green paint and blackout markers.

And more seats and doors. I agree here.

When I first set eyes on my 110, the clincher was that I could rub some of the chassis with my hands, and find original satin finish factory paint, and no surface rust anywhere. The best engine, drivetrain and capability of a simple vehicle of it's time I think.

I rebuilt my perentie from a rolling chassis, it’s done 1/2 the km of my L322 tdv8, both have had a gearbox swap in my ownership. The L322 starts every time, does my offroad demands with more ease, and I can drive it all day and not break a sweat.

I’m very attached to the 110, mainly because I rebuilt it, and it took the family on some great outback trips.

But the L322 is so good.

I’ve never owned a classic. But I understand the appreciation. It was a momentous progression for Land Rover.

RRC is only the best as far as innovation/functionality and fashion/style for the time was appreciated in my opinion. The only strength they had for underpinnings was the chassis, coil sprung live axles front and back and that's it.

I also agree with Blknight.aus that the Isuzu counties were superior as far as underpinnings go. However, RRCs instill a sickness. 2 doors are arguably the most desirable model the brand has ever made (sorry Series 1) and for design, style, period engineering advancements and a 'legacy' goes. No other green oval product will ever replace them. They made the brand global, if it was as a RRC, or a Discovery or a Defender, they all owe success to the RRC.

Originally Posted by Blknight.aus

3.9 suzi county.

its just about as perentie as you can get without green paint and blackout markers.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by rar110

I rebuilt my perentie from a rolling chassis, it’s done 1/2 the km of my L322 tdv8, both have had a gearbox swap in my ownership. The L322 starts every time, does my offroad demands with more ease, and I can drive it all day and not break a sweat.

I’m very attached to the 110, mainly because I rebuilt it, and it took the family on some great outback trips.

But the L322 is so good.

I’ve never owned a classic. But I understand the appreciation. It was a momentous progression for Land Rover.

When you say "Does my offroad demands with more ease" what do you mean by that? Also note my prefix 'when any electrical assistance functions cease to work' e.g. traction control.

So what I am saying is essentially, do you believe that your L322 will eclipse your perentie in offroad ability without the electrical assisted functions - i.e. when there is a system failure.?

Originally Posted by Homestar

Interesting question. The earlier RRC's with the 10 spline axles wouldn't be my pick as the strongest driveline ever made. But even in this trim, in stock format, they were and are still very capable off road. What criteria are you using overall though? My L322 with 20" road tyres was better off road than my RRC any day but overall probably not as strong and won't be as long lived but bloody good. Pretty much any of the modern variants of Land Rovers would run rings around any RRC off road too, so not the best bet to use that one to judge it by IMO. If you wanted to compare it to other Brands of the same era, it would be no contest. Overall ruggedness they would rate ok apart from the models that have the Lucas electrics - I improved mine dramatically by removing anything that was made by the Prince of Darkness and sticking in an extra 10 relays or so.

Agreed - yet this is a discussion I am having with myself 28 years after my RRC was manufactured.

The parallel here is that the 110/defender was produced at the same time and essentially there is little difference other than some minor drivetrain spec differences - and obviously the cab which is entirely different. - which brings me to the "bones" again.

So the 110 county - better bones than a 3.9/4hp22/bwtc/10spline ? I guess it would be pretty hard to disagree on historical evidence of mechanical parts 'failures'
but - is it better mechanically than the L322? Is that L322 mechanically bulletproof, or is it simply a mechanical timebomb waiting to explode? Noone's owned one long enough to really define "legendary reliability" - at the same time as being able to effect a roadside repair and get moving again.
furthermore - the electronics package cannot be ignored - We have a brilliant example in D2a and P38a electronics that precedes the L322 - and the vehicles capabilities are somewhat diminished when there is a system failure.

Then there is the transfer case - L322 case reliability? Some say it's great, others have destroyed more than 2 since owning. I have no experience with L322 ownership - so while on the whole, the consensus is they are very capable offroad, there are some who have experienced the downside to owning one.

Certainly the RRC is no angel here either - as the BWTC has proven to fail spectacularly and instantly, the v8 isn't perfectly reliable either, and the electrics are abysmal.

It's really looking like the 110 County has the best bones - or perhaps "least numerous points of failure".

At least from a purely mechanical standpoint "good bones" it's difficult to argue a case for anything more modern than the 110.

we could delve further - 200tdi / 300tdi / 3.5 / 3.9 / VM / 4bd1(t) and then LT77/95/R380/ZF/torqueflite / BW / LT230 / 10spline rover / 24 spline rover / salisbury... but I think the definition is "ex-factory" and the debate is what vehicle in it's standard offering from the factory has the best bones.

Seems like the 110 county might be it?

Might need a few more proposals for other models to round it up.