Thread: "D3/D4 Remote Area Repair Training Day" - Is this a good idea?

This last week had to get an un-jam procedure done for park brake at Land Rover Specialist in town. I raised with him the idea of whether he could run some sort of training session/ day so that I (and others) could learn how to repair or fix common things or tricky things that might immobilise the vehicle especially if travelling remotely. I know I take the caravan across large swathes of Australia as well as the vehicle. I worry about a simple fault causing lots of grief especially if I was in the middle of the Simpson or towing the van accross the Great Central Highway for instance

I realise there is a sticky thread for travelling spares which is a great idea, but I have no idea how to replace a wheel speed sensor for instance in the bush or how to replace a fuel filter or clear specific fault codes that may leave me stuffed in a remote area. I thought it's so much nicer if I could be shown how to do some of these tasks. I used to do virtually everything on my old HJ47 Troopie and could troubleshoot issues in the bush. The D4 is simply daunting by comparison.

Anyway I ran the idea with the local Land Rover Specialist about whether he would be amenible to the idea of him running a training day/s to show anyone interested how to carry out remote area repairs for things that could be an issue when you are well away from a LR service centre and you are on you own.

So firstly, is this a good idea and would people be willing to attend something like this if it was offered? The guy is based in Bathurst NSW so only a couple of hours from Sydney so reasonably central to much of NSW.

Secondly. if the idea is a goer, what type of training/ instruction would be needed? I guess there is simple stuff and complex stuff so if the idea has merit you could run beginner days and advanced days I suppose. Specifically what list of instruction would people think would be helpful? Can we compile a list that would allow us to utilise all the travelling spares? eg Fanbelt?, Hoses, speed sensor, brake light switch, height sensor replacement, etc. I guess for some even learning how to put the vehicle in neutral or release parking brake would be nice to see how to do.

I guess having a list of spares to carry when travelling is good. I would like instruction about how to use and replace those spares when needed in terms of specific tools, methods and procedures.

There are no commitments on anybody at this stage least of all the guy who is the LR expert, however, I have got his approval to sound out this group to see if this kind of thing would be a goer.

I mean I would quite happily pay a couple of hundred dollars for a days instruction about how to do this stuff. However, size of group for a training days is totally up in the air as would be cost to make it viable. There is obviously a trade off between numbers and cost. I'd think that about 10 as a max per group would be the most so everyone can get a close up view of how to do stuff. The LR mechanic specialist suggested that a D3/D4 would be the best to do first if such an idea were viable.

What do others think.

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

Many of us here can thank Green Oval Experience/ Gordon German for a strong interest and better understanding of our cars.

The Terrain Response Seminars and driver days are brilliant. Don’t let recent conversations on parts supply lose sight of this brilliant information resource.

Take all the training you can get.

But, if nothing else every D3 / D4 owner should read and have his book.

GreenOvalExperience2 | Product Page

I think the book may/would be of great help but you already raise the problem. The book is a "parts supply" issue with GOE and so I am reluctant to part with money and wait 6 months for delivery. But I would happily pay someone good $$$ to copy it for me and send me the copy. PM if interested