Thread: Replace a Defender with what?

Originally Posted by ramblingboy42

I tend to agree scarry, but this is a land rover forum and died in the wool defender owners just can't see anything else , which is sad.

Except Maybe Amaroks.But if you don’t want a Ute and need a wagon there is not much around.

Don’t want to rock the boat too much though....

What I forgot to say,and numerous accessories are available for them as well,a bash plate or three will cover those vulnerable areas.

I was talking to a customer the other day that has a 76 wagon with a coil rear end set up.Sure it’s expensive,but it is what he wanted.Had it for 5 yrs.Had LRs for the previous 30 yrs.Still a member of a local LR club.

Defenders are are very difficult to replace for serious bush work.

Tojo 70's are ok but nowhere near as tough as a Defender in the long term IME. Only 70 series traybacks have airbags, so no ANCAP wagon. Different front and rear wheel tracks would be a nightmare for punctures in that kind of scrub too, not to mention picking your line. From what I hear, 200 series run Hilux drivelines..

My 300tdi Defender has outlasted Tojo work vehicles and mates Tojos twice over.

It's seriously harsh running vehicles in the bush for significant periods of time. Nothing is as rugged as a Defender IME.

I can also vouch for Bridgestone 661's - have run them for 15 years. Seriously tough sidewalls. All the mines run them for a reason. I get 80,000km out of a set.

G Professional Wagons are reportedly available, but still none on carsales.
As such, small volume sales would mean repairs would be a PITA anywhere outside a city. Not sure if ANCAP 5 anyway. Mega bucks too.

I hear you JD. It seems there is nothing that meets proper bush spec and is ANCAP 5.

Massive opportunity for new Defender, but IFS will probably kill it for serious bush work, if not being available with 16 inch rims doesn't first.

If anyone is interested, this is his website Groundwater Imaging

Going through scrub off track only option is 14 ply cross ply tyres o split rims. preferably steel belted if you can soyrce them.

As for vechile their is nothing 5 star ancap that will do it stock.
He basicly needs to put an old fiberglass f truck ambo body on a 70 series ute or g merc. But nether come with split rims to fit the cross ply tyres.

But yeah their is nothing out their that meets what he wants with ancap 5 if he drops that 70 seriers troopy is way to go. So what is more imprtant for him the ancap 5 star or the wagon/panelvan body cause he cant have both

What about a team of draught horse and a good drey, wasn't many place they couldn't go, good fuel ecomeny, good ground clearance with not much under there to snag
cheers
blaze

Originally Posted by lyonsy

Going through scrub off track only option is 14 ply cross ply tyres o split rims. preferably steel belted if you can soyrce them.

As for vechile their is nothing 5 star ancap that will do it stock.
He basicly needs to put an old fiberglass f truck ambo body on a 70 series ute or g merc. But nether come with split rims to fit the cross ply tyres.

But yeah their is nothing out their that meets what he wants with ancap 5 if he drops that 70 seriers troopy is way to go. So what is more imprtant for him the ancap 5 star or the wagon/panelvan body cause he cant have both

The ANCAP 5 is a mining industry requirement, not his. Without that, there would be no need to replace the Defenders.

Originally Posted by bblaze

What about a team of draught horse and a good drey, wasn't many place they couldn't go, good fuel ecomeny, good ground clearance with not much under there to snag
cheers
blaze

Horse teams do not have particularly good fuel economy, and cannot be operated continuously for ten hours or so per day, have high maintenance requirements, even when not being used, and are kind of slow moving long distances between jobs. Drays usually do not have closed bodywork, and finally, I don't think they have an ANCAP rating!

Wooden wheels don't go flat though !