Thread: disco 2 vs defender

Don't know about d2 but i would think suspension travel between d1 and defenders would be quite close. Approach, departure and ramp over angles all go the defenders way. As blk.knight stated change to the tyre size and a little lift and the d1 would be awesome. In fact if you look at camel disco's that just had some protection added and the taller tyres they were truly amazing offroad.

The problem with Australian road rules is that they only allow 10% tyre diameter increase from stock diameter.

A DII comes stock standard with 29" tyres, which is miniscule by today's standards. Even a Toyota Kluger has a taller tyre. If you follow the 10% rule, the tallest tyre that you can fit would be a 245/75x16" which is no good in most state forests because the ruts are deeper than what that tyre size can cope with.

Most DII owners (like me ) have fitted 32" tyres (same diameter as Defender) to be able to clear the sort of obstacles that are out there today. But without an engineer's certificate, we are not road legal.

Now, for a Defender, it has 32" tyres standard, so you can up the tyre size by 10% and still remain legal without needing a cert.

Originally Posted by tempestv8

The problem with Australian road rules is that they only allow 10% tyre diameter increase from stock diameter.

A DII comes stock standard with 29" tyres, which is miniscule by today's standards. Even a Toyota Kluger has a taller tyre. If you follow the 10% rule, the tallest tyre that you can fit would be a 245/75x16" which is no good in most state forests because the ruts are deeper than what that tyre size can cope with.

Most DII owners (like me ) have fitted 32" tyres (same diameter as Defender) to be able to clear the sort of obstacles that are out there today. But without an engineer's certificate, we are not road legal.

Now, for a Defender, it has 32" tyres standard, so you can up the tyre size by 10% and still remain legal without needing a cert.

Agreed in part mate...

But, if your spending... Fifty g on a vehicle, and 15k on the accessories (bar work, lockers, fridge, UHF, Tanks, Driving lights, winch, lift etc...)

Then $800 for a "I am now fully legal" engineering certificate isnt too much is it...

Especially compared to "Sorry Sir, you killed that occupant of the other car - You owe $1million in compensation to their family... And heres your jail time"

On that note... I have approval from the Engineer now for 37's on my disco if I want to go that far As long as it passes a swerve test, they're approved ... Yippee

Originally Posted by catch-22

ok so seems ground clearance and approach angles are area where the def is better......

....but it is really worth giving up ALL that comfort??

NO, Regards Frank.

80% off road , in the bush..Defender
Towing the caravan around the country with detours off road and lets not forget doing the shopping and picking up the kids D2..





Only kidding ..bet some faces started going red.......

set up properly either vehicle is very capable..just choose your comfort level and decide

Agreed.

I've always liked the "means business" look of the Deefer, extra space and less precious interior. Though I have seen pics of member's Disco's that are very "means business" too! Guess I bought a D2 because I'd had a D1 and I do appreciate the day-to-day comfort on a fairly long commute.

Just need a custom rear bar to up the departure angle...
Mike

Custom rear bar??

Presumably rear bumper? Have a look at Discoparts website.

When bought the D2 in UK one of the first things done to it were throwing away the silly bumpers on it and putting decent metal ones on which improved both approach and departure angles all those that was not the main reason for fitting them.

The real reason (along with rock and tree sliders) was the standard of driving skills by the 'locals' in Bradford

Regards


Brendan


PS D2 for comfort. 110 for long overland trips!