Thread: Are 4WDs too high-tech for the bush?

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, some computerized or electrical issues do seem to be beyond fixing in the bush although, in a lot of cases, the fault is not the actual unit, but some dodgy connection or so on, which could be fixed if the person knew how to find it.
On the other hand, there are also a lot of mechanical problems which also can't be fixed in the bush. For example, my shredded timing belt has cracked rockers and bent pistons, which could not be fixed in the bush.
So I think the real question is not if vehicles are too high-tech to be fixed in the bush, but which systems - mechanical or electrical - are more likely to break down in the bush. I don't know the answer to that one.

I guess that vehicle preparation and preventative maintenance will help a lot to reduce possibilities of mechanical break down.

Don't think it makes much difference there's still so called mechanics out there that think a 300tdi is to complicated

When a blown stop light bulb can put a transmission into fault mode, that's too high tech. When a blown suspension actuator necessitates a ride home on a flat bed truck, thats too high tech.
I'm sure there's a few people on here that have heard the story of a guy carving a big end bearing for his engine out of a bit of wood to get himself to where he was going; that's not high tech
We wont be allowed to go off road soon, so it may become a moot point

Originally Posted by Gerokent

When a blown stop light bulb can put a transmission into fault mode, that's too high tech. When a blown suspension actuator necessitates a ride home on a flat bed truck, thats too high tech.
I'm sure there's a few people on here that have heard the story of a guy carving a big end bearing for his engine out of a bit of wood to get himself to where he was going; that's not high tech We wont be allowed to go off road soon, so it may become a moot point

Have you ever heard of private property?

There are remarkably few areas of wilderness in the UK for "going bush" but they still find places.

I get to see a lot of live data that's output from haul trucks for work. The trucks do more running hours than most peoples cars easily, and they have just as much high tech computers etc running around them nowadays compared to cars. Sure they don't have all the safety tech, but the engine management and electrical managment in the electric drive trucks is very similar. For the constant vibrations that they are exposed to there's very little in the way of "computer issues". The most common faults are faulty sensors, fault connections and cable rubs creating shorts or open circuits. Some of these faults you could put down to things not being done right after maintenance, which happens every 500hrs or so (every 20 odd days), someone's a bit rough pulling a connector apart, or cabling not tied up properly etc..Your more likely to have issues after maintenance.
I think most electrical systems are fairly robust, in saying that some cars seem to have nothing but lots of electrical and mechanical gremlins from day one.

The only issue I have with my 4 landy's over the years that didn't allow me to get home was a broken water pipe on my 300tdi that resulted in a warped head. I think electronics in 4 wheel drives are great! I love climate control and traction control and love the comfort of my bus on long trips. I have a D2 and a Nanocom and there aren't too many issues I can't resolve myself generally. But all things break down eventually. But proper and preventative maintenance is the key. My D2 hasn't broken down once in 5 years and it's been the most reliable vehicle over ever owned (including a 96 diesel troopy and old diesel hilux). But I am aware of the common d2 issues and maintain it myself including a fair bit of preventative maintenance.

I'd have a D4 and take it anywhere if I could justify the purchase and maintenance price

And I'd much prefer to rely on newer technology than an old series or county. In my experience a car that is a few years old is much better in design generally speaking compared to a car designed 40 years ago. (Now preparing to duck to avoid quips from the series brigade)

Originally Posted by Gerokent

When a blown stop light bulb can put a transmission into fault mode, that's too high tech. When a blown suspension actuator necessitates a ride home on a flat bed truck, thats too high tech.
I'm sure there's a few people on here that have heard the story of a guy carving a big end bearing for his engine out of a bit of wood to get himself to where he was going; that's not high tech
We wont be allowed to go off road soon, so it may become a moot point

When a blown stop light bulb can put a transmission into fault mode that's bad design -simple solution, replace the lamp or put in a LED one.
Height sensors are eaily replaced - it's just a matter of having one. No different to a broken fuel pump diaphram - a broken one will stop you in the bush and there is no way to fix it without parts......

Regards,
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