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

We are getting away from the question, all you owners of old Land rovers can skite all you like, if you want. Doesn't answer the question. Bob

New vehicles are fantastic , unfortunately you can't take stupid out of humans ......

So, the vehicles will carry on even tho the operator probably should have ( re ) considered their options .

And yes I own old vehicles !

I miss the physcality of my old bangers - right up until I'm about to do up to 1000km a day towing a caravan or a camper !

And thats where the new vehicles shine , In the industry I am involved in , the list would go , Ranger - Dmax - Prado -Patrol -Hilux .
Yes there are landrovers also , but very few . The funny thing is the other makes get modified in order to travel , whereas most Land Rovers get new tyres ....

Originally Posted by bob10

We are getting away from the question, all you owners of old Land rovers can skite all you like, if you want. Doesn't answer the question. Bob

And the question is not only about Land Rover is for any brand.

Originally Posted by Chucaro

And the question is not only about Land Rover is for any brand.

Hullo, Mr Chucaro, all I hope is my not so old/ new land rover can make it to Tasmania one day. Bob

Originally Posted by vnx205

There is a school of thought that says that parts not fitted cost nothing, weigh nothing and can't break down.

On that basis, it gives me great comfort knowing that I can take my Defender off-road and be confident that i will not suffer the great inconvenience of having the cup holders break.

Wow..that's soo True! make so much sense!, no wounder the Army chose a basic 110 for the Australian fleet! and used them for soo many years

This thread has gotten a bit silly and off topic.

For remote area touring I don't believe a new 4x4 of any make is any less reliable than an older 4x4 of the same or similar make.

Newer 4x4s are however harder to repair if something goes wrong in a remote area. I suspect this will mean they will likely see less use for touring as they age. The manufacturers view these vehicles as throwaway items and would be happy if they were scrapped once they reach 10 yo or so.

Before the barrage of comments, some cases in point that I encountered on recent trips and had to repair (note in most cases these were repairs I had to do to other people's vehicles in the group - not my own).

1. Vibration fracture of radiator tank (RRC). This was easily repaired in the bush using a small blow torch and solder salvaged from the tank. A new(er) vehicle would have had plastic tanks - making the repair at the very least a lot more difficult.

2. Fuel pump failure (RRC). I happened to have a spare (Generic) fuel pump for my (diesel) sill tank which was close enough to do the job on a (petrol) RRC. A newer vehicle would have a vehicle specific in-tank high pressure pump.

3. Thermostat failure - fix was to remove thermostat. I assume this would be just as easy on a new vehicle.

4. Shock turret failure - used ratchet strap as limit strap. This would presumablly also be possible on a new vehicle.

5. Radiator hose (hilux) rubbed through on dual battery mount. Replaced hose with spare - gain just as easy on a new vehicle.

6. Clutch hydraulics failure - started in gear and drove ~500 km with no clutch. Not sure if a newer (manual) would allow this?

7. Brake line fracture (x2). Blocked off problem brake line and drove 000's of km with no rear brakes.

In my experience with breakdowns and being stuck, 90 % of the time it has been a mechanical failure,ie something has broken with no way of fixing it or damage from a driving accident or animal collision and this is 90 % of the time other people I have travelled with. Electronic driver aids can be very helpful in accident situations and sometimes not. Computer protection of vehicle components can in most circumstances eliminate permanent failure ie over heating etc. I have had 2 friends with TD42 Patrols that have 1. broken a piston, probably the first and only and 2. a broken injector pump. Both these cars had been well maintained and under 200k km. These cars are said to be one of the most reliable vehicles ever made. To this I think there is a greater power looking over us all Maybe there was a possibility of a catastrophic incident in which this was avoided by you being stranded. I dunno, In these situations you have to look on the upside. What I have done is tempted fate and gone to the dark side and purchased a second hand D4 3 ltr. We will see how this goes, all I know is if I got a PRADO I probably would have smashed just through total boredom!
First post out the way.

If we see the amount of the factory vehicle recalls in the last 10 years we also can think that it can be for two reasons, one quality control and the second more sophisticated equipped vehicles and perhaps not proper trained the work force that assembly the vehicles.
I would be more happy touring in a basic equipped vehicle like a Defender Tdi300 or the County than a new heavily optioned models regardless of the brand.