Thread: New 4WD and electrics

I would, outback touring included. I would however own it for a few months and drive it locally to work out any bugs before i drove it bush. But i would most definitely put my faith in the D3. Matt

I can understand people being wary of the gizmos...

I can get just about any basic mechanical motor running with just a few basic tools. That said the little black boxes everywhere in newer cars lose me quickly. - but they are a fact of life that will not change - so I need to get educated.

The simple facts are ALL new vehicles will have some amount of electronics in them - like it or not.

Rather than wishing for the good old days when fuel.. spark.. timing - bingo! - it's running was the rule - I think eventually everyone will need to accept that newer vehicle are like this - and I for one intend to learn as much as I can about how the features work - what I can do to work around failures and at least have an understanding of what I can and cannot fix in the bush - and BE PREPARED for it.

I realise that there will be failures in the electronics that I simply can't fix - so I need a plan BEFORE going seriously outback as I how to handle that - and I need the vehicle to be properly maintained.

I agree with Ace - you definitely need to drive it a LOT around your local area and get to know the bugs - and learn what you can do to defend against these possible failures. That said - I think in the case of a brand new model - like the D3 --- I'd be a little cautious until common issues start to surface.
Or at least pack a few extra Sandwiches and keep the number for Landrover assist in the sat phone [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Just my thoughts...

Mark

yes i would [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img] [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif[/img]

my 130 has electronics and i'd take that anywhere :wink: :wink:

And You Do, The water and mud don't seems to trouble the SUB [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

Originally posted by River
And You Do, The water and mud don't seems to trouble the SUB [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif[/img]

only the front pulley's and bearings :wink: :wink:

I plan on taking my D3 everywhere. Naturally I will try everything out in my local area, alot, as much as I can, have fun doing it.

Planing to take it on a trip to the Kimberley next year via the Plenty Hwy and the Tanami Road! I should have it for a year before I do this trip though!

I've got no problems with electronic gadgets. Try to keep water out of them though.

i had no choice.....i had to buy a NEW car according to the handbrake...
she was sick of my OLD cars......so i bought a brand new defender...

i did find a nice series III with bullbar towbar winch spotties roofrack tyres radios and accessories for five grand.........but the handbrake wouldnt allow it......

the look on her face when i brought home the defender was PRICELESS!!

she said "it looks old".....

The fact is .. doesn't matter where you go on this big brown land .. you will still be in a first world country .. no dangerous animals (unless you get stuck in a creek up North :wink: ) .. no dangerous locals. Armed with a sat phone, gps, enough food and drink .. I'll take any modern 4wd to the most remote parts of AU. If the **** hits the fan .. at worst you'll be stuck for a week or two ... or pay a premium for a very long trip on the back of a truck.

What are the odds of a modern fourbie breaking down in the middel of nowhere .. most unlikely I would say. If somebody like PCH employed that thinking .. he would not be out enjoying his D3 ... not even a DII TD5 ... he'd be driving a late model 300tdi .. good as it may be .. it ain't no TD5 or D3.

...however ...

If I was travelling through Africa ... I'd think long and hard about the vehicle I was taking .. most likely leave the TD5 at home and take the 300tdi.

My 5 cents worth ...