D5, Defender 110 or LC300

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Originally Posted by Barraman

Thanks for that - interesting reading.

The Defender still has the front running for me! [wink11]

Having to wait for one is not a problem - I'll just keep the D4 until I get it!

For the record, I think I have had a good run with the D4 and regret that I just can't buy another one - which I would do in a heartbeat.
I have maintained the D4 above and beyond and followed all the advice available here.
It only let me down twice in 220,000 km resulting in tilt tray truck rides back to home - once was its fault (stuck in park) and the other wasn't (near new battery dropped a cell).
The D4 is the easiest cruising, easiest towing (2.5T boat) vehicle I have ever driven.

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Sounds like you have already made up your mind.
Now for me, to purchase whats in the current market would go.
1 defender
2 y62
3 range rover
4 76/79 with lots of mods
5 d5


Now for those that say the new defender is the new disco. It looks that the new 300 is the new prado. Much smaller all over than the 200, and not winning many hearts unless you are a Toyota fan boy.

Defender P400 has stolen my heart, I don't want to let my trusty D4 go, but can't deny she's getting on a bit. Buggered if I will be driving a UJV...

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Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Pffft, Toyota fan boys always have to have something to complain about. If their vehicles are so reliable, why do they need a service centre in every town?

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Because that’s almost the only brand vehicle you see west. ;)

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Originally Posted by Vern

Sounds like you have already made up your mind.
Now for me, to purchase whats in the current market would go.
1 defender
2 y62
3 range rover
4 76/79 with lots of mods
5 d5


Now for those that say the new defender is the new disco. It looks that the new 300 is the new prado. Much smaller all over than the 200, and not winning many hearts unless you are a Toyota fan boy.

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The Y62 is the cheapest among that group, and is pretty reasonable value. If the spend limit was $85 (incl common mods to 76/79) the Datsun would prob come out in front. For me they have a lot more appeal than a RAM.

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Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Defender P400 has stolen my heart, I don't want to let my trusty D4 go, but can't deny she's getting on a bit. Buggered if I will be driving a UJV...

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It does sound appealing.

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Originally Posted by Barraman

Thanks for the interesting responses so far.
I’m in the fortunate position of being able to buy what my heart desires not what my head suggests!
The comments on the LC 70/76 series are also interesting, but neither my heart nor my head are listening. I hired a 70 series ute a couple of years ago to complete a fishing trip to the NT after the D4 had a tantrum in Mt ISA and got a piggyback home on a tilt tray. It was a pathetic tow vehicle compared to the D4!

My heart seems to have the high ground ATM, and is yelling, “Defender”!

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In that case , Defender it is !.
Might be optimistic but I think the basics ( and engines ) should be good for the long haul ( straight 6 over the V6 design is better straight off the bat ).

I have a few mates that are tojo fan boys and 1 has a workshop in Perth. He was undecided about the 300 so drove his mates new one to his workshop ( wasn't overly impressed on the drive ) put it up on the hoist and went through it, shortly after, decided he won't be buying one.

I think there could be problems towing in Oz with the hot "V".

The others will just blindly buy them regardless, assuming they will be as reliable as their 1HZ powered 80 series

At least they don't have timing belts I guess

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Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Buggered if I will be driving a UJV...

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Yep,the UJV isnt in the same class,its in the commercial vehicle tractor class,even fully modded.

Not many would go from a D4,LC,or y62 to a UJV,no matter how well its modded.

They are also no where near as good a tow vehicle as the others,and the OP tows.

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Originally Posted by Eric SDV6SE

Pffft, Toyota fan boys always have to have something to complain about. If their vehicles are so reliable, why do they need a service centre in every town?

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Work the maths out,Land Rover,as an example, have one service center for every 100 or so vehicles sold,annually,Toyota have one service center for around every 600 vehicles sold per year.

Whatever that all means[bighmmm][biggrin]

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Originally Posted by discorevy

( straight 6 over the V6 design is better straight off the bat ).

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For sure, I'm glad someone said it, diesels in a "V" design have been a known problem for at least 30 years, always with the crankshafts.

The only real way around it would be spacing the cylinders further apart, but then you'd loose the main benefit of a "V"-- small form.

Give me a straight 6 (or 5!) Any day.

We have 5 "V" diesels on the place, and tbh the TDV6 is probably the best of them.

Petrols get away with it for the obvious reason.

Here's a good game to play with friends one night.... Name 3 good "V" configuration diesels!

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Here's a good game to play with friends one night.... Name 3 good "V" configuration diesels!

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Caterpillar, GM, 4.5l toyota.
All diesels and All robust long lasting engines,