Thread: New tow vehicle decision to make

John, the D4 is as capable if not more so offroad than a relatively stock Defender...

Body off is actually a very quick and easy job (they're designed for it) and for those odd occasions saves time and therefore money.

Replacement tyres are everywhere now, and for a simple tool kit add a Gap IID tool (modern tools for modern vehicles) even the 2014 Defender needs diagnostics.

I went from a 6.5 Chev V8 diesel powered GQ Patrol to a D4 for the same reasons as you. I've done far more extremely remote trips with the D4 than we ever did with the GQ and have never looked back. The D3/D4 is one of the best vehicles there is for remote towing duties and long distances on either good or bad roads just melt away. Yes, some things are expensive to maintain such as the air struts, air con compressor, suspension compressor and timing belt etc but mine has never let me down on a trip, only around town once or twice. The things that are expensive to maintain are what makes the car so good in the first place, so they are the price you pay for the excellence of the car.

We just bought a V8 Petrol D3 for my son and I can't believe how good it is. It is getting better fuel consumption than my modified 3.0l D4 and is incredibly smooth and quiet, with less expensive engine maintenance required overall and no timing belts. It was well under $20,000 and is well worth a look if you get the opportunity, especially if not doing a lot of remote trips where petrol may be in short supply. In saying that, the only place we have seen that there was no petrol on any of our trips all over Australia was at Murchison and Gascoyne Junction in WA.

Gus, if you decide to keep yours, a couple of tips that I noticed owning Defenders. The drivers and passenger seats can be adjusted further back with the help of Mulgo seat rail extensions. Also, tinting the windows cuts the heat down - a lot. Another thing you might want to try is tape some clear plastic sheeting to the cargo barrier. It effectively made the cabin smaller and hence the air-con more effective, especially with the tinted windows. If you decide to buy a Disco, then you are set anyway! As you already know, both are great vehicles in their own particular way.

Hi Gus. I've got both a 110 and D4 at the mo (110 is up for sale) and I lagged the exhaust from front to back and that certainly helps with cabin heat. Parking is a prob. with a turning circle similar to the Queen Mary but I don't park right outside the store door and that helps as there are usually plenty of spots further away.
We haven't yet managed to get away to remote areas in the D4 but have fellow club members who go everywhere a vehicle can with theirs and none have had problems.
I'm sure either vehicle will serve you well but probably the D4 will tow even better then the Defender.
Enjoy the ride.
AlanH.

Extended seat runners, Dynamat insulation and you'll be fine.

Didn't the D3 also need a body lift for some things? Isn't there an hourly rate ( 8 maybe ) quoted for that job? Isn't it once every 160,000 km? Would it stop me buying a D4 if funds permitted. NO!

The D4 doesn't even need body off for belt changes - dealer price $1200 and it's done and dusted for 5 years

Thank you all for your replies, mostly it was what I was hoping for.

Yes, I could modify the defender to extend the seats back, but there's still the problem of the small foot well area, I have offsetted the handbrake which has helped a little. Lagging the the exhaust will help, I have tinted the windows already, but it will never drive or feel as comfortable as the disco.

Still unsure whether it is worth paying more for low kms and warantly. The vehicle will mainly be used when we are touring, the rest of the time it will be sitting in the garage.

Cheers

John