Thread: Disappointed in the D5 / waiting for the Defender

Originally Posted by tact

Gotta call you out on that comment, just for accuracy - not claiming this one detail makes much difference to the weird discussion.

Defender stock is 235/85R16 (~31.73”). My Defender is running 255/85R16 (smidge over 33”) and all I had to do was take the old rubber off the stock rims and fit the new rubber.

i.e. No spacers, no rim change, no susp lift, no body lift, no cutting or shunting and no rubbing.

Can it it be any more simple!?

Whats the stock size tyres and rims on the ‘rok? What changes did you have to make to fit 33” tyres?

Okay. A Rok needs non std rims and a front lift or front mudflap trim or removal.

Hey Rammy, everyone has different priorities. It's great to hear you're loving your Rok, they're a nice car and certainly very capable in certain circumstances.

Whether it's a viable alternative to Defender is an interesting question...they are entirely different vehicles. My experience is that the Amarok is not an alternative to a Defender.

As I mentioned earlier, I tried an Amarok for two years (in between owning two Defenders). ...I didn't like it and upgraded to a new Defender in 2014. I haven't regretted my decision for a second. ...They are like chalk and cheese to me. Defender is easily more robust and durable IMO.

It's not all about cross-axle capability, but it's pretty clear to me that Defender is more capable without modification. My 2014 Defender is stock except for upgrading the shocks to Koni's for durability reasons on severe corrugations over many years. I find the Defender heaps better off road than the Amarok for my purposes.

I also much prefer the interior of the Defender over the car-like interior of the Amarok...for so many reasons, not least the upright super supportive seating position and four corner visibility...

Cheers

Originally Posted by rammypluge

Okay. A Rok needs non std rims and a front lift or front mudflap trim or removal.

ahh... caught out with the boast that it was easy, and that it’s not easy on a Defender. Both assertions patently untrue.

So the ‘rok needs mods to fit 33” tyres to get anywhere in the challenging stuff. Better allow a Defender a mod like a rear locker to even the score.

Now try and convince anyone your modern ‘rok (with 33”s) can beat a modern Defender (with rear locker) in any off-road situation!

Rok gets through (i gunned it a bit but didnt need to) ...
Amarok Club of South Australia along the Border Track (21) - YouTube

Oops, mav gets stuck...
Amarok Club of South Australia along the Border Track (20) - YouTube

Hmm, defender is stuck bad...
Amarok Club of South Australia along the Border Track (19) - YouTube

Originally Posted by tact

ahh... caught out with the boast that it was easy, and that it’s not easy on a Defender. Both assertions patently untrue.

So the ‘rok needs mods to fit 33” tyres to get anywhere in the challenging stuff. Better allow a Defender a mod like a rear locker to even the score.

Now try and convince anyone your modern ‘rok (with 33”s) can beat a modern Defender (with rear locker) in any off-road situation!

No, i said it was easy to fit 33" on the Rok, and not easy to fit bigger than 33" on a defender.

Fitting a rear locker to an otherwise standard Puma will make it closer to my Roks capabilities, but with only 32" tyres, diggy diffs, and unladen with stiff coils and anti-roll bars, it would still lose out a bit. It might have more ramp over, definitely better sill clearance, fully locked centre unlike auto rok, better reverse drive than an auto rok, but not much else.

If you were planning to go into the high country with a trailer you would want a manual Rok over the auto Rok.

My rok would still kill it in ruts, all sandy conditions, and on tarmac.

I've never replaced a CV on my Defender in more than 15 years.

Originally Posted by Zeros

I've never replaced a CV on my Defender in more than 15 years.

Okay, show me some videos of you working it hard!

Having fun at The Coorong - YouTube

Nice hard sand...

Looks like my D2 4.6 when I'm running late for the barge...only I'm doing it in more style with a sound show to match