Thread: LandRover build quality

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Some of the things that people complain about in reliability surveys really aren't about reliability at all, such as larger than normal or inconsistent panel gaps, badly-fitted carpet or other things which have nothing to do with whether the vehicle will get you home.
Another point is that 4WDs often get treated rougher than city cars, so its no wonder their treatment might cause more issues than something only driven to the shops.

Strangely enough, operator error induced faults can still get recorded as a fault .... cause it upsets the owner ....

My 2014 oct SD D4 beeps its reverse warning alarm because my van has LED lights. So I switch the volume on the radio dial down. I could put an old fashioned light bulb onto the trailer lights somewhere - but I don't see the need.

I doubt gearbox changes modes due to the trailer lights not being known by the car to be connected when towing either.

I have read though that when off road its good to use the manual settings or at least he sport mode on the gearbox, as it stops the gearbox changing gears and locking and unlocking a lot, which doesn't benefit longevity I've read.

An extra fuel tank is a good thing, and pays for itself in the bush. But for me, I don't like all that weight sitting in the spare wheel area, which puts all the weight on the rear axle. I prefer the idea of the 90lt Outback Accessories Long Range tank, which maybe can be located behind the front seats. Thats much further forward and takes a heck of a load off the rear axle. When trailering, one has to add the ball weight, and it all adds up.

For me, putting a 32kg tyre wheel tyre on a roof rack, means the car has less rear axle weight, and its more standard too IMO.

Traxide will get you to fit it at his place too - he's in Southern Qld, a drive I think from Brisbane. Timothy knows people who can fit it for you too.

Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

My 2014 oct SD D4 beeps its reverse warning alarm because my van has LED lights. So I switch the volume on the radio dial down. I could put an old fashioned light bulb onto the trailer lights somewhere - but I don't see the need.

I doubt gearbox changes modes due to the trailer lights not being known by the car to be connected when towing either.

I have read though that when off road its good to use the manual settings or at least he sport mode on the gearbox, as it stops the gearbox changing gears and locking and unlocking a lot, which doesn't benefit longevity I've read.

An extra fuel tank is a good thing, and pays for itself in the bush. But for me, I don't like all that weight sitting in the spare wheel area, which puts all the weight on the rear axle. I prefer the idea of the 90lt Outback Accessories Long Range tank, which maybe can be located behind the front seats. Thats much further forward and takes a heck of a load off the rear axle. When trailering, one has to add the ball weight, and it all adds up.

For me, putting a 32kg tyre wheel tyre on a roof rack, means the car has less rear axle weight, and its more standard too IMO.

Traxide will get you to fit it at his place too - he's in Southern Qld, a drive I think from Brisbane. Timothy knows people who can fit it for you too.

On the fuel tank, isn't the main point to get the fuel as low as possible to benefit stability? My Defender has a 110 litre tank in the same place as the original tank, and it doesn't seem to cause any issues. Is the weight of say an extra 35 litres of fuel really going to make much difference to the weight on the rear axle? My Defender also has rear drawers, which weigh about 35 kilos from memory. Even when I also hitch the camper trailer up the rear doesn't seem to drop noticeably. On the other hand, when I carry extra fuel on the roof rack I do make sure its right in the middle to balance the weight.
Can't comment on D4s, but I would assume they should be well engineered to easily cope with that much extra weight, which is no different to loading up extra luggage in the rear. Doesn't your air suspension just adjust the ride to keep it level?

Originally Posted by Melbourne Park

An extra fuel tank is a good thing, and pays for itself in the bush. But for me, I don't like all that weight sitting in the spare wheel area, which puts all the weight on the rear axle. I prefer the idea of the 90lt Outback Accessories Long Range tank, which maybe can be located behind the front seats. Thats much further forward and takes a heck of a load off the rear axle. When trailering, one has to add the ball weight, and it all adds up.

How much further forward do you think it is...

If its behind the back seat - its right over the rear diff

As I said, I think it can be behind the front seats. Behind the middle passenger seats would still be forward of the entire spare wheel area, which is where the typical spare tank goes.

And then ... when you put in the spare tank, many hang the tyre off the rear of the vehicle, via swing out wheel carriers. Which puts even more weight over the rear axle.

When I looked at the D4, the most concerning aspect of the vehicle, was the amount of weight on the rear axle and the capacity of the rear tyres, compared to the D4's competition. I think that hanging a rear tyre off the vehicle and having an extra tank with 100 litres of fuel where the spare tyre went, is fine for a vehicle that will not be towing. But a two tonne trailer should have a minimum of 200kg on the rear two ball, for proper trailer control. That's an extra 200kg on the rear axle. Or 320 kg for a 3200kg trailer. Then add a fridge. A fridge slide. A drawer setup with things in it, and a tool box with tools in it. A proper jack. A spade. A snatch strap. 150kg?

Hence for me, I'd prefer not to add a tyre out the back and add a fuel tank at the back where the spare tyre normally goes.

114 tyres are 1180kg a tyre, well above axle rating.

Plenty here are towing, with a LR tank, Kaymar Wheel carrier and 3.5t on the back without issue..

Originally Posted by Celtoid

Strangely enough, operator error induced faults can still get recorded as a fault .... cause it upsets the owner ....

Very true.. The auto electrician dropped me off in town in my car, actually his wife did, I was not really that happy about her driving my Defender actually . As she drive off I could see she was rushing the gears big time clunking the drive line for sure . I was just glad it was only a short drive back to the garage, not too many gear changes!! Anyway my point is is is she bought a new defender very quickly something in the drive line would fail for sure due to the way she drives not due to any particular fault IMO.
Chris

I have a 105 litre LR tank and rear wheel carrier. I also tow a 1 ton camper trailer and have a fridge and tools etc in the back. I do think it pushes the limits of the car doing that. You can certainly feel the difference between a full tank and an empty tank even when not towing.

Having said that it does cope with it.