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

Originally Posted by scarry

And following on from Celtoid...

The diff pumpkin and live axles can be a hindrance, in soft sand,particularly where there are deep wheel ruts, and a big hump in the middle.the independent suspension is way better,but i suppose there are those wishbones,although i have never found them to be a real issue.

It is all swings and roundabouts,but the D4 is way ahead in almost,if not all areas.

The Deefer does win out in character by miles?..

Not to mention the fact that in Low-Range the D4's suspension cross flow replicates a live axle by always pushing it's boots on the ground ....


So live axle like pluses without the pumpkin ....

Originally Posted by Celtoid

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.

So the wheels never move up in bump ?

It's a kart !

I'm not talking about static load height, I'm describing when the suspension is articulating.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

Not to mention the fact that in Low-Range the D4's suspension cross flow replicates a live axle by always pushing it's boots on the ground ....


So live axle like pluses without the pumpkin ....

That can work really well.
It's something a number of us have looked at when doing air bags on live axles too.

Originally Posted by Celtoid

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 .....

Why cant you replace panels on a D4????
Never heard of having to replace the body due to a damaged panel.
Andrew

Originally Posted by rick130

So the wheels never move up in bump ?

It's a kart !

I'm not talking about static load height, I'm describing when the suspension is articulating.

The independent suspension means going much slower in a D4 or you will hit stuff on the ground. That is the main thing you learn when going from a Patrol in my case or a Defender in this thread. The traction control and smarts usually make up for any lack of speed.


The first time I drove my D4 off road I smacked the front cross member into the ground really hard by driving through a rutted hole at the same speed as I would in a Patrol. Since I realised this I simply slow down and clearance is never a problem on anything I could drive my 2inch lifted GQ on 33's through.

Originally Posted by LandyAndy

Why cant you replace panels on a D4????
Never heard of having to replace the body due to a damaged panel.
Andrew

You can replace any door (ouch $), you can replace the two front fender panels, you can replace the bonnet; tailgate & hatch and all the plastic add-ons (bumpers and wheel arches) .... no question.


Ding anything from the tail lights to the engine firewall on the main panel .... you've cracked the egg.


However .... chances of doing that are?


Actually, very good point Andy ...Bugger All chance of that being an issue :-)

Actually a good point has been raised, repairability.
Simple item like a rock through a windscreen/side window. In a defender ( as long as you don't insist on a heated replacement)all you need is a good glazier to cut it to size using flat automotive approved glass, the kind most front end loaders use and a lot of trucks. In a disco it's a custom shape that has to be ordered, this could take days or over a week depending upon your location.
Panel damagability. What height do the panels start where they could be belted by a root or rock sticking out of an embankment on a slippery clay climb?
In a disco the panels curve out from the base , as is the current style, but this makes the far more susceptible to being damaged, in a defender the sliders stick out 2 inches wider than the vertical panels, and if your allowed the same parameters as Terry's disco , with -25 mm offset wheels and 315 tyres your tyres also protrude several inches outside the body further reducing the chance of panel damage.
Cost, if I dent a rear or lower panel, ( in sme people's cases entire car )IMHO it looks fine to have a bit of aluminium cheq plate pot riveted over it costing about $20-50 a few pot rivets and cut to shape/size or order pre cut . I haven't seen any disco 3/4 drivers try that yet. Now what's the cost of a new panel under doors, a rear side panel, rear bumper and spray paint to match in a d4 ? And again how long to fix?

Hahaha this thread is just getting silly.

Keep it up