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

Originally Posted by Dougal

Yes 4wd's are far too complex for the bush.

You guys should consider riding a horse instead. If the horse breaks down you can eat it while waiting for help to arrive.

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)!!!

Originally Posted by TerryO

Sorry if my noisy (can't hear it inside the van by the way) diesel heater kept you awake all night 460, but one has to keep the mobile palace at a constant 21 Celsius when one is out roughing it bush camping in Belanglo Forest. I also hope I had the volume on the TV down low enough that it didn't bother you to much either. ...

So getting back to my question about what real life experience do you have with late model Disco's that would cause you to call them lame ducks it would seam the answer is none, as I thought it would be.

Good luck collecting your fire wood I think I'll stick with the noisy (but extremely warm) diesel heater and the feather top queen size bed. ...

How about flogged out ball joints and the quality electric park brake not that the latter is a show stopper but a pain in the arse and I'm always fixing those little gems. And it's best you stick your heater mate. I wouldn't want you to hurt your self cutting wood in your condition.

Might be right for a bit of corner time out or go out and play in the yard for a while before the dialogue gets a bit out of hand?

I doubt the original intent of the posting was to do much more than pose the general question of whether or not modern 4X4s were getting a bit advanced to be bush friendly - especially in response to a fairly innocuous TV segment.

Always going to end up with polar views between the nostalgics and modernists. Doesn't need to get personal really.

Cheers

Originally Posted by 460cixy

How about flogged out ball joints and the quality electric park brake not that the latter is a show stopper but a pain in the arse and I'm always fixing those little gems. And it's best you stick your heater mate. I wouldn't want you to hurt your self cutting wood in your condition.

Who cares about the electric park brake, mine doesn't work so no big deal. The park brake on the caravan works really well so who really needs one in the Disco?

So next time we go out rock hopping in our lame duck Disco's do you think you might be up to tag along in the Fender? ...

I promise not to bring the van it that makes you feel more comfortable.

Originally Posted by FeatherWeightDriver

What fight ?

Originally Posted by TerryO

Who cares about the electric park brake, mine doesn't work so no big deal. The park brake on the caravan works really well so who needs one in the Disco?

So next time we go out rock hopping in our lame duck Disco's do you think you might be up to tag along in the Fender? ...

I promise not to bring the van it that makes you feel more comfortable.

I'd be up for that and yeah leave the heater at home where it belongs.

Originally Posted by 460cixy

I'd be up for that and yeah leave the heater at home where it belongs.

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. ...

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. ...