Are 4WDs too high-tech for the bush?

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

It was interesting that the TV story showed a Prado as they are not particularly hi-tech or advanced vehicles.

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Agree, but the tech level in them would be on par with at least 80% of new vehicles sold

It must have been a slow news week for them to show that story.


Having said that it isn't that far wrong and those who go to distant places no matter what they drive always risk a costly and very annoying brake down that could have been avoided in many cases if they had gone reasonably well prepared in the first place.
I would say no matter what modern 4x4 you drive a diagnostic tool that clears faults is a must, even just for peace of mind.

There is not a snow flakes chance in hell I would drive out there without the basics and now a diagnostic / fault clearing tool is beyond a doubt something that needs to be in the basic tool list in my opinion.

No need for me to say much, my trip reports speak for themselves, one point was made about control bushes, yes they flog out, but no worse than most bushes on any vehicle, new or old, airbags and struts normally last 200,000ks + lets see you get that out the springs and shocks in a Fender, the bushes are not a show stopper, neither are height sensors, or most of the electronics on the car which are easily replaced anyway or reset with a diagnostic tool, I don't see anymore late model cars than old duggers breaking down out there, I've been out with and seen lots of old dungers that have needed fixing or towed home, even helped them out.

Just scaremongering as far as I can see, never had any real issues with either the D2 or D4, touring around the outback, well except for breaking an axle in the D4 and an axle and CV in the D2, coincidently both at Mt Airley:twisted: but that was a day drive.

I'm confident enough in our D4 to go anywhere I want, and no amount of you dunger driving drongoes will convince me otherwise, so buggar off to some Toyota and Nissan forum and spin your opinions there:p

Baz.

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Originally Posted by SBD4

Terry, Can't remember if you spilled your latte while dunking your bikkie on this section of the Hume, don't think you did did you?:D

Land Rover Extreme 4x4 Offroading - AULRO Trek Mt Walker - YouTube

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Just off topic,everyone should watch that video,notice there was no foot to the floor rev's trying to get up,Terry,I can assume you've never broken diffs,axles,CV's?. Pat

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Originally Posted by PAT303

Just off topic,everyone should watch that video,notice there was no foot to the floor rev's trying to get up,Terry,I can assume you've never broken diffs,axles,CV's?. Pat

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Jeez you have put the mocker on me now Pat, just watch next time I go out in my 'lame duck' D3 I bet I'll end up breaking axles and CV's ... ;)

But the answer to your question is no I have not broken any drive line parts, having said that D3's and 4's are as close to cheating when in the rough stuff as you can get. They nearly drive themselves when the going gets a bit tough. Anyway I enjoy driving the D1 off road just as much as the D3 but as I am a sook and don't like the cold driving a vehicle home in the early hours of the morning with no heater around here when its usually -6 is enough to make sure you don't go far in winter. So the D3 tends to get used more often than not in the colder months.

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Originally Posted by TerryO

I'll bring a tow strap just incase you need a tow home, chances are it would be the fastest your Fender has ever gone. ... ;)

No point you bringing one for me, your old girl wouldn't be able to tow nearly 3 ton of Disco. ... :angel:

Ok I'll leave the van at home but I will still bring the genie so as to keep the electric blanket on the stretcher bed warm. Remind me to bring an extra set of noise cancelling head sets so it doesn't keep you up all night. ... :cool:

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I think I can out snore the generator and we both know I can out snore the heater. The ute has not needed a tow in 372.000 and don't think it will need one any time soon.

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Originally Posted by isuzurover

Highly amusing, but the reality is most (consumer) 4x4s these days are not made to be repaired.

I was exchanging a few emails with a senior ARB engineer the other day, and was surprised by his comments about specific vehicles, that they have single use fasteners on many components (even drivetrain) and lots of parts are designed to be replaced as entire assemblies rather than repaired.

Notice I am not talking about computers or electronics here - just the trends that vehicle manufacturers are following.

A good example of this is the need to lift the entire body off a D3/D4/RRS to replace the turbo(s)!!!

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Taking the body off is reverse of assembly,they are made that way.How long does it take to remove the body and re-fit,12hrs and you sit right next to the thing as if it was on a bench,try changing a turbo on another make of 4wd the old way,how long does that take and will the job be as good seeing you need triple jointed elbows for most of it?.One use fasteners are decades old,it means reliability as old bolts aren't used,sub assemblies are old hat,again set-up from the factory means no mistakes,it also means the parts price is higher but labour is lower,the hubs on L322 are an example,you replace the lot,wheel bearings pre set pre lubed all new seals stubs the lot,old one off,new one on,perfect. Pat

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Originally Posted by TerryO

You have put the mocker on me now Pat, just watch next time I go out in my 'lame duck' D3 I'll end up breaking axles and CV's ...

But the answer to your question is no I have not broken any drive line parts, having said that D3's and 4's are as close to cheating when in the rough stuff as you can get. They nearly drive themselves when the going gets tough.

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Just making a point Terry,notice that some people can go anywhere without issue's yet others can't even go down the beach without breaking things?,just an observation. Pat

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Originally Posted by Redback

No need for me to say much, my trip reports speak for themselves, one point was made about control bushes, yes they flog out, but no worse than most bushes on any vehicle, new or old, airbags and struts normally last 200,000ks + lets see you get that out the springs and shocks in a Fender, the bushes are not a show stopper, neither are height sensors, or most of the electronics on the car which are easily replaced anyway or reset with a diagnostic tool, I don't see anymore late model cars than old duggers breaking down out there, I've been out with and seen lots of old dungers that have needed fixing or towed home, even helped them out.

Just scaremongering as far as I can see, never had any real issues with either the D2 or D4, touring around the outback, well except for breaking an axle in the D4 and an axle and CV in the D2, coincidently both at Mt Airley:twisted: but that was a day drive.

I'm confident enough in our D4 to go anywhere I want, and no amount of you dunger driving drongoes will convince me otherwise, so buggar off to some Toyota and Nissan forum and spin your opinions there:p

Baz.

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No need to be nasty Bazza but if it floats ya boat

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Originally Posted by 460cixy

No need to be nasty Bazza but if it floats ya boat

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A bit rich following some of your comments.

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Originally Posted by PAT303

Just making a point Terry,notice that some people can go anywhere without issue's yet others can't even go down the beach without breaking things?,just an observation. Pat

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Yes. Land Rovers don't break axles. Drivers do.