Thread: Disco 4 V Landcruiser 200

Originally Posted by gghaggis

Yes, I'd agree - I think one thing LR have got better than anyone else are the 4WD systems and their control. Still not perfect, but still the best. By far the most annoying trait in the Prado was the layout of the 4WD control systems. Buttons scattered everywhere! Some are in the centre console, some are under the steering wheel (where your knee hides them) and some you have to scroll through the message centre to find! It took 30 ~ 40 secs at each different obstacle to set the car up and check it.

The Pajero was the most surprising - it did almost everything the Prado did, was simple to set up and seemed less 'plasticy'. The Jeep did better, but then we were expecting that.

Cheers,

Gordon

Hi Gordon,

Loved your report.

I've bounced a fair few military 110's and Unimogs off trees, etc but have only just bought my first 4WD...an ex demo Disco D4 3.0 TD SE (with a couple of extras). I don't really know much about 4WD'ing and the technology but my D4 blew me away when I took it off road a few weeks after buying it. Ruts, water crossings, bumps and corregations were a yawn. But then I sat looking at a very steep hill, covered in gravel and soccer-ball sized rocks with numerous cut/wash-outs that appeared to me as close to vertical as I'd like to get, wondering how well my 2.5 Ton+ D4 with standard tyres would fair and how expensive it would be should it fail.

Selected Low Range, Grass-Gravel-Snow and the 4WD screen so that I could watch the gear do it's stuff. Hardly any throttle and away we went (3 adults and 3 kids on board). The front lock icon came on straight away and the rear only turned red momentarily at each wash-out. It was an absolute breeze....minimum accelerator, a tiny bit of wheel spin at the wash-outs and the truck appeared to steer normally.

I don't know what is actually locking when those icons go red but the traction was seriously impressive.....diff lockers?...don't diff lockers affect steering? Anyway, so impressed I had to go the other way. Hill decent on, foot off brake and throttle....a few small slides (gravel and gravity I suppose ) but amazing poise.

VERY IMPRESSED!!!

Oh, I did tear a mudflap thou....

Originally Posted by Disco4SE

Hey, funny part is, he had a Disco 2 before his Landcruiser 100

He lost the plot when he lost the D2

Cheers

[QUOTE=robbotd5;1258180]I agree. Toyota are imitators. You hear a lot about "toyota reliability and build quality". Remember the IFS 100 series front diffs exploding and the suspension collapsing??? All I have to say about this is that they wait for Land Rover to develop a new model then they "borrow" the technology, call it something slightly different, then reap the rewards. QUOTE]

Yep, reading new Prado review recently, came across their "new" KDSS cornering enhancement- hydraulically controlled swaybar. Sound at all like ACE? released with the D2 in 1999.

KDSS wasn't invented by Toyota, they bought it. It is kind of like ACE, but ACE itself has been replaced by the dynamic suspension system a la the high performance RRS variants and no doubt at some point the Discoverys once something even better is developed for the Sports.

When the diff icon goes red it's locked, and yes a locked diff on the axle especially affects steering. However, the advantage of the electronic lock in the way LR have designed it is that it can lock or unlock instantly, or anywhere in between, so as soon as you turn the wheel it permits sufficient differential action to make the turn.

A classic cross-axle locker doesn't do that, and those with dogclutches take a little while to engage/disengage so are not feasible for this sort of instant on/off operation which is what is really needed to optimise traction throughout.

Pros & Cons The 200 series was on my list, along with the Patrol and the D4. ( I came from the Patrol camp )

A case of weighing up what you intend to use the vehicle for and how it fits the purpose. The 200 is a big vehicle ( but surprisingly not as long as a Patrol with a spare mounted on the tailgate ) It is wide, or perhaps you could say wider than a D4. This was a minus for me. Anyone who has led a convoy through rough scrubby territory with the widest vehicle will understand.

In a shopping centre carpark the D4 scores above both other options. Very important for SWMBO.

The 200 has a serious issue with weight when fitted with the KDSS, and requires a GVM upgrade before you can load up for the outback trip. Another minus. ( for me )

The Patrol had fallen off the list long ago. ( still good value for money through )

Electronics and reliability. I rated the 200 and D4 about the same. They both have ( or have had ) issues, and realistically if you wish to buy a modern 4wd, you will not be able to avoid the extensive use of electronic aids.

So horses for courses. Everyone has different priorities, and has to make their own judgement call.

Hey Admiral, the D4 is actually wider than the 200 series, but to look at them both you wouldn't think so.
I had the same decision without the Patrol in the equation.
My mate went for the Patrol. After just 47,000Klm's it is in today to have the clutch replaced.
He has the 3.0Lt 4 cyl TD and hates the lack of power, but puts up with it as he doesn't do many Klm's or towing.
Another mate went for the 200 mid last year and has had a tailshaft replaced already. He is now regreting his decision. Not only the tailshaft thing, but other issues as well.
As you said, you have to choose the vehicle to suit your purpose.

Originally Posted by Disco4SE

Hey Admiral, the D4 is actually wider than the 200 series, but to look at them both you wouldn't think so.
I had the same decision without the Patrol in the equation.
My mate went for the Patrol. After just 47,000Klm's it is in today to have the clutch replaced.
He has the 3.0Lt 4 cyl TD and hates the lack of power, but puts up with it as he doesn't do many Klm's or towing.
Another mate went for the 200 mid last year and has had a tailshaft replaced already. He is now regreting his decision. Not only the tailshaft thing, but other issues as well.
As you said, you have to choose the vehicle to suit your purpose.

Yes the Patrol didn't impress. I had an attachment to them from my previous ownership. By coincidence my brother in law purchased the latest common rail version during my decision period. I was unimpressed and so is he now. More power and torque...but uses a lot more fuel. No change to anything else. Probably very much like buying a Puma after a 130. Great if that's what you are after.