OUTBACK TRAVEL

We have just done a trip from Yass to the Jeep Jamboree in Woodford Old in SWMBO's Rubicon Wrangler and her 1983 CJ10 which is powered by a Nissan SD33 diesel (and was a competitor for the perentie contract). After a couple of thousand kilometres in which neither vehicle gave any major trouble I'm pretty sure which one I'd rather drive and it isn't the 3.3 naturally aspirated diesel in which the closest thing to electronics is the analog motor that drives the injector pump cutoff...

Regards,
Tote

Ok,
Thanks to everyone who responded to my question, what has been said is of great intrest to me.
However I am still left wondering.
How many of you that own a Discovery, Range Rover or Defender, built after 2010 and onwards would be brave enough to take it on a cross country expedition for a couple of weeks.
The route would be comprised of maybe, a couple of thousand klms on the blacktop, a thousand or so of bush tracks (heavy and low range would be required) then another thousand across country desert with numerous sand and limestone ridges to negotiate.
Regards:-
Patrick M

Dangit! that rules me out with my 1998 air suspsension, electronics filled range rover :D

-P

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick M

The route would be comprised of maybe, a couple of thousand klms on the blacktop, a thousand or so of bush tracks (heavy and low range would be required) then another thousand across country desert with numerous sand and limestone ridges to negotiate.

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You seem to be looking for white stones to shy at. Just do it and enjoy the trip in comfort like many have done, albeit with at least half-decent AT tyres.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick M

Ok,
Thanks to everyone who responded to my question, what has been said is of great intrest to me.
However I am still left wondering.
How many of you that own a Discovery, Range Rover or Defender, built after 2010 and onwards would be brave enough to take it on a cross country expedition for a couple of weeks.
The route would be comprised of maybe, a couple of thousand klms on the blacktop, a thousand or so of bush tracks (heavy and low range would be required) then another thousand across country desert with numerous sand and limestone ridges to negotiate.
Regards:-
Patrick M

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My D4 has done those sort of trips all its life.

Nothing to do with bravery. I have absolutely no reason to doubt the vehicles ability or reliability.

On several of the trips, all well over 2000km each, the only vehicle not to have an issue has been the D4 (in a pack of all different marques).

If it’s well maintained, it’s as good as any other.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Patrick M

Ok,

How many of you that own a Discovery, Range Rover or Defender, built after 2010 and onwards would be brave enough to take it on a cross country expedition for a couple of weeks.
The route would be comprised of maybe, a couple of thousand klms on the blacktop, a thousand or so of bush tracks (heavy and low range would be required) then another thousand across country desert with numerous sand and limestone ridges to negotiate.
Regards:-
Patrick M

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The Cook and me have done many trips in our 2016 D4 on our own on remote roads and off. Only problem we have had was the EPB and that was very near home. :)
Yes it's up for sale but I'm wondering why every day.....
I've even been doing some figuring on how much I'll lose if I flog the new Prado instead!
AlanH.

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Originally Posted by Tombie

If it’s well maintained, it’s as good as any other.

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Oh! Goody. I can pick an argument with Tombie. I would argue that a well maintained (and set up) D4 is the best 4WD available. Refer post #2 above. Sure, for outback/Vic Alps travel you need LT tyres (and 18" wheels) and the spare wheel location is daft (but readily fixed with a carrier) but remember that for many other 4WDs if you really want to set them up for an expedition, the first thing you do is replace the entire suspension!
As for maintenance, Tombie is also referring to preventative maintenance. Case in point: EAS compressor and airbags should be replaced about every ten years. After my Madigan trip, my compressor is getting a bit noisy. At 155,000kms and ten years it is due for replacement anyway. So it will be replaced before my next trip in a week or so. Airbags seem OK, dampers are fine and there's no error codes, so I'll retain them for the time being.
Can't speak for Rangies or the new Defender, but I could take the D4 on any extended expedition you like with just a few days notice.

My 2012 4.4 TDV8 RR could be ready for another desert trip as soon as the cargo barrier and RWC for the 2nd spare are refitted but unfortunately the vehicle isn't the impediment.

One point which has only been briefly touched on here is the apparent incompetence of the Dealer in diagnosing problems associated with these so called "electronic" issues.

This applies to all makes and models and I have two friends who own/owned new Jeep and LR products who had torrid times with the Dealer/s to fix problems which ultimately turned out to be very simple ones.

These Dealers seem to employ Fitters (and I use that word deliberately 'cos that's all they are these days) who although presumably have attended Product Service Training Schools yet lack the ability to systematically fault find and diagnose faults.

This then manifests into long drawn out sagas which ultimately give the Product a bad reputation and low esteem from the owner.

I guess one problem is that many top notch mechanics leave Dealerships and become self employed Indies or work for an Indie which has a great reputation; but its doesn't help the poor sods who have Warranty problems on new vehicles.

One of my mates had a series of silly little problems with his Jeep Cherokee and had to drive from Airlie Beach to Mackay every time. On one occasion the car wasn't ready after having a new steering wheel fitted for some reason and they told him it was his problem to get back to AB at 5pm.
No huge nasty probs with the car; just silly little things which took the Dealer too long to diagnose and fix.
And in many cases after eventually finding the problem, the "parts" would have to be ordered and the car booked in for about 3-4 weeks later 'cos the Dealer is very busy.....

After having owned it since new for just over 3 years he sold it two months ago to an independent used car dealer; dropped a massive bundle of cash in depreciation in the process but was so exasperated he took the easy way out.

Has just taken delivery of a new Ford Everest "Wildtrack" V6 from the Prosperpine dealer who he says is excellent and like a breath of fresh air.

Parts problem seems to be an all makes thing. Neighbor has a VW. Doing a pre trip check before driving across Europe found one rear spring had broken. Nothing unusual in that in this part of the world coil springs break through rust on a regular basis. Went to buy replacement. Was a 4 week wait for it to arrive. That was fastest after checking both OEM and aftermarket suppliers