TD5 manual or auto

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Originally Posted by LRJim

.... Nothing beats manual at down hill.

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We used to have a really nice downhill test run in the Mt Disapointment area, not far from where I live.
Not scary as it's safe if you get a bit of speed up(which the D1 tdi auto would), but easy peasy if you start with the handbrake on, and release it just enough to allow you to creep down(with the brake still on just enough to allow slow movement.

Done in the wet and dry, and no problems. So that's my method now on very steep descents where it may get too much speed up.
The Tdi would then max out and hold 3500RPM in 1st low .. whatever speed that equates too. Did feel a bit too fast for my liking tho.

So manual in those situations is more ideal, but can be compensated for.

On most other 4WDs tho where the handbrake operates on the rear axle .. I wouldn't trust that method.

For me, the only true downside of an auto is that you can't push start an auto if (say) the starter packs in, or battery(s) all give up or whatever and you're stranded alone miles from anywhere.

What feels like a million moons ago, I once ran out of fuel in my RRC(which I changed it's LT95 to an LT77) manual.
I had broken leg and wrist at the time, and didn't fancy the 1klm walk to the servo to get some juice.

So I just ran it on the starter(I had dual batteries) got a slight amount of momentum up, third, slip clutch, more starter .. etc, etc.
Got to 50m at an intersection, pulled up .. made the walk (with my broken leg) a lot easier(ie. 100m all up, and not 2klms!).
Probably wouldn't do that if it ever happened again without the extenuating circumstances, but just to highlight the downside of an auto.

With all that tho.. still prefer an auto in a D2 tho.
In a Defender, I'd probably prefer a manual .. probably just a psychological thing.

All the manual Landrover products I've driven .. I don't think the shift quality of the manuals would rate as mid range, compared to many other vehicles.
Best gearchange was sisters little Polo .. clutchless power shifts perfectly, and had to drive it across town(ie. Melb) about 40+ mins with a snapped clutch cable.

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Originally Posted by AK83

We used to have a really nice downhill test run in the Mt Disapointment

For me, the only true downside of an auto is that you can't push start an auto if (say) the starter packs in, or battery(s) all give up or whatever and you're stranded alone miles from anywhere.

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How often do you go to mt D? I've only gone once it was on the fly and really struggled to find tracks. I found the ladder and that's about it.

And i completly agree with the starter thats the only real worry I've had I've been meaning to get a spare. Everything else you can generally bush mechanic your way home.
I had a rodeo 98 with a cactus starter solenoid and I drove it for almost a year like that. Worked every 1000 time so i just either keep it running or park on a slope. Generally it would fire 1st time at a servo (it must have known I would burn it)
When it didnt I'd just tap the starter with a hammer and put a few more dings in the door and it would eventually start.
My even older rodeo had the same problem, I'd start it with a screwdriver bridged over a couple of wires on the starter.

I miss having a manual for play but I drive into melb everyday so I had to make life easier on myself a little bit. But it's the v8 so she's a glutton.

[emoji106] [emoji106]

I often short shift the 5 speed in the 4.6 and you wouldn't know in normal traffic. 1st...3rd...5th or 2nd...4th. Love the 5 speed. Couldn't prise it from me. And quick too...and let's face it sometimes we like to shift the beast along quickly.

Cheers

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Originally Posted by LRJim

How often do you go to mt D? ....

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A few short years ago, I used to go almost every Friday(I'm about 30mins drive up the Hume.
Take the Clonbinane exit and immediately past the fwy, turn left, then you hit a hairpin. This is now the Spur Rd.
Once over the really steep section(great views) it then gets into the gravel roads in the state forest.
Main Mountain Rd then Two Tees Rd to Camp 1(or something like that). From No. 1 Camphead north(and a bit east-ish) up Murchison Road. Nice smooth gravel. Past the Falls turnoff, then you see Tunnel Hill track(dead end, not much to see).
Then maybe a few hundred meters north of this(on the RHS) is a couple of newly formed tracks.
Not long ago, there was a track that wasn't a track that lead almost vertically down the 'cliff' through some farmland and out the gate, over the Strath Creek, and onto Falls Rd and into Strath Creek 'town'.
They're done some works, now this track heads down, has quite a few erosion ramps, but still steep in a few sections.
The track that wasn't there last time I was there, is now called Sailor Jack Track. Quite steep between trees rutted and loose shale like surface.
Lots of fun on bros locked D2(but no CDL .. yet). Didn't really trouble the D2 tho.

if you use OziExplorer I can upload a short tracklog to show the old track, which is close to these new sections.
But the gate onto the easy Falls Rd and into Strath Creek is now closed(no entry sign). So it's steep down into nothing and back up again.

Really appreciate the feedback guys, some great points. Im still looking at the moment and think i will happy either way clutch or no clutch.

Busting to get my Disco, then received a message from a fellow forum member who will have a stella D2a available in a month or so. Its hard being a bloke and trying to exercise this stupid thing they call "Patience" .....I want one and i want it now!


Will keep you posted.

Matty P

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Originally Posted by LRJim

went down a really really steep hill, all engine brakes gone never been so scared off road. Lucky LR have the transmission brake which saved the day made it labour enough to get some engine brakes back.

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Is there a particular figure which we apply in ft/lbs on a torque wrench when it's applied to tightening the sphincter nut. Say between 10-100ft.lbs

. . . Do the manual drive have the same TR selections, plus hill decent, as the auto has and with speed control on the + - steering wheel switch ?? [wink11]

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Originally Posted by Salt grinder

Is there a particular figure which we apply in ft/lbs on a torque wrench when it's applied to tightening the sphincter nut. Say between 10-100ft.lbs

. . . Do the manual drive have the same TR selections, plus hill decent, as the auto has and with speed control on the + - steering wheel switch ?? [wink11]

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Ohh i think it was well passed 100ft.lbs I had the wife in the car and I was sweating bullets she thought all was good till she looked at me hahaha. I have ABS that helped also to stop skidding but I don't know how good it is for it.

I have a D1 auto no HDC and never had the manual you would have to ask someone else who has one sorry mate!

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Originally Posted by ozscott

Manual better economy in a D2 V8 for sure. Better downhill when the sphincter tightens in very steep areas in an auto.

Sand, auto easier, uphill rock hopping auto easier and better. 5 speed more ratios.

Cheers

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Even the R380 didn't have a low enough low/low for me in the Deefer, it would runaway at times, hence Maxi Drive low range.
That fixed it. [biggrin]