Thread: Which is better Off Road a D3/4 or a late model Defender? ... Puma 110

Originally Posted by TerryO

... what would you rather be in with your family if someone drives head on into you on a freeway at great speed, a Defender or a Disco 3/4?

Depends on tyre size

Originally Posted by MrLandy

Agreed TerryO,

Tyre OD should be as close to stock as possible for comparo:
235/85R16 = 31.7 x 9.3R16 (Puma Defender)
235/80R17 = 31.8x9.3R17 (D4 17" rims)
265/65R18 = 31.6x10.4R18 (D4 18" rims)

Extra (diff) clearance and air suspension on D4 looks to be an advantage, but is it more of an advantage than the robustness of live axle and coils of Defender over the long term? Intriguing question.

Perhaps Tombie's just answered it: "Is the Defender any more or less robust? Highly doubt it. Off the show room floor it's a pretty even contest..."

I'm clearly a Defender devotee, but I've only had a brief drive of a D4, so not qualified to compare the two off road. Enjoying this thread. Cheers all.

Those aren't stock d4 size 255/60 r18= 29.? To 30 inches depending on manufacturer
The ones you quoted are plus 2 in special custom offset alloys and either at or possibly mt , are they now lt as well?
On original tyres in original positions, how easy is it to change a wheel when your bogged with a speared tyre in deepish mud?

Originally Posted by Tombie

D4 isn't monocoque either

Yep it is - monocoque body bolted to a ladder frame chassis

If it wasn't it would be a defender

Originally Posted by Meken

Yep it is - monocoque body bolted to a ladder frame chassis

If it wasn't it would be a defender

So therefore, by definition it is still a body on chassis construction, just with an inherently stronger body

The T5 platform introduces a new construction method which Land Rover calls an Integrated Body-frame. In essence, this places a self-supporting steel monocoque on top of a modern-design ladder chassis to provide a massively strong structure with the refinements (tight panel gaps, fine surface finish and excellent vibration suppression) of a modern monocoque.

Originally Posted by Tombie

D4 isn't monocoque either

Isn't just monocoque is what you are trying to say I think


I was referring to the cost of a single panel replacement V the whole body of a D4 ..... the body is monocoque, the whole assembly is a monocoque body on a ladder frame .....

depends what you mean by "better off road"


Defenders have more metal exterior trim hence doesn't damage so easily and no-one notices the odd scratch and dent anyway


The disco 3/4 will be spoilt by scratches and dents.


Disco 3/4 will have better offroad ability due to traction control, rear diff lock and various advanced tech.


Defender needs a hammer to fix, disco 3/4 needs a laptop (over generalising I know)


Disco 3/4 is light years ahead in every other aspect, I presume you'll be driving on road too. I have driven a defender onroad, an would not like to again.

Originally Posted by Meken

Out of the box... D4 has deeper wading & greater ground clearance - not taking account of the extended height that will lift it to 310mm clear. (Can you mod a defer to get 310mm under the axle )
Attachment 104274
Attachment 104275

A little misleading.

OK, the diff on a live axle is what it is, unless you go to portals or taller tyres, but...

Both diffs are on the same side and there's a heap of extra height to the axle tubes on a live axle.
We all know how to place wheels and use that extra clearance when we can under the axle tubes.

When independent suspension is in bump (heavily loaded and compressed) ground clearance is reduced, it's not a static height, with a live axle our clearance is always a fixed height.

It's swings and merry go rounds.

I'm really interested to know what the clearance is under the outer ends of the lower wishbones/control arms.
Every D4 and RR I've followed looks lowish, and much closer to the ground than a Deefer (note the italics )

Originally Posted by rick130

A little misleading.

OK, the diff on a live axle is what it is, unless you go to portals or taller tyres, but...

Both diffs are on the same side and there's a heap of extra height to the axle tubes on a live axle.
We all know how to place wheels and use that extra clearance when we can under the axle tubes.

When independent suspension is in bump (heavily loaded and compressed) ground clearance is reduced, it's not a static height, with a live axle our clearance is always a fixed height.

It's swings and merry go rounds.

I'm really interested to know what the clearance is under the outer ends of the lower wishbones/control arms.
Every D4 and RR I've followed looks lowish, and much closer to the ground than a Deefer (note the italics )

A D4 has active air suspension (EAS as it's tagged). It has sensors and an on on-board compressor and air reservoir. The suspension is never compressed regardless of the load.