D2 Vs P38, the P38 side

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Originally Posted by Marshall

The only reasons I would go D2 is the ground clearance and the availabilty of aftermarket stuff. Where would a dual battery system fit in a P38?

A D2er commented: "The EAS and the HVAC systems on the P38A will be big ticket repair items and could "

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Does a D2 have better ground clearance ? :eek: On high setting the P38 is quite high and diff clearance depends on your tyre choice. Main thing lacking in aftermarket parts in my mind is a winch bar, which Hardrange can cover - or you could make up your own removable winch system like mine using an off the shelf winch tray (like Warn or Tigerz) and fitting a front receiver. See http://www.aulro.com/afvb/p38a-range...nch-mount.html

Couple of places you can fit a dual battery system. I've got a redarc isolator installed next to the standard battery and a second (AGM) battery where the tool set/jack normally goes in the spare tyre well. I've seen some photos of people with Thor engines modifying the original battery area and putting two in there - Thors have more room there to play with, mine is a GEMS. I've got an lpg tank in my wheel well, but would fit even easier with just the standard spare tyre in there.

EAS isn't a big ticket repair in my mind. Every 12-15 years or so you can probably assume you need to replace the airbags - they are just rubber after all. A set of four new ones is around $800-1000 - every 15 years .... not expensive as a repair item. Valve block similarly needs maintenance by replacing its seals from time to time - seal kit is very cheap and takes a couple of hours of your time. HVAC is a bit more complex with its blend motors etc but using UK eBay parts are quite cheap and after that it's just your time to fix it.

I did my first attempt at a storage/ battery set-up for my load space. Don't laugh, it's the first attempt, and my imagination might have outstripped my ability. I have a 110A/h sealed battery in a box installed in the nook behind the panel on the right.

Once the planned bigger tyres come on it would probably be relocated into the spare wheel well.

All other technical stuff aside....

I am quite tall, and I have never been physically comfortable in a D2.

For me it always feels like the seat should go back a couple of more notches. The footwell also seems narrower.

If long distance trips is what you are doing, you will be infinitely more comfortable in a P38.

I also agree that the EAS is no longer black magic. Its a simple set of components that are easy to understand and easy to maintain.

Dave

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Originally Posted by RoverHse

I did my first attempt at a storage/ battery set-up for my load space. Don't laugh, it's the first attempt, and my imagination might have outstripped my ability. I have a 110A/h sealed battery in a box installed in the nook behind the panel on the right.

Once the planned bigger tyres come on it would probably be relocated into the spare wheel well.

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No laughing matter, that looks the goods! Well done!

I'll add my bit!

Search on youtube - P38 Range Rover! I've got a few videos on there and I know there are a few lads from this forum who do as well! There will also be some D2's on youtube, so you'll be able to see them in action and decide from that too!

Mine goes "proper" off-road most weekends and i'm the lead car every time - pulling out nissans! Only mod to mine is a set of BF Goodrich KM2's and it's transformed it from capable to virtually un-stoppable!

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7550775_n.jpg

Cheers
Keithy

Marshall go buy a jap truck mate, these things are shockers. Trust me I loved mine to death and it just kept coming back to bite me time after time. You won't find a better vehicle comfort wise but it comes at a huge price

Not everyones life experiences are 100% positive, but I guess you gotta listen to their opinions... I suppose not everyone is cut out to be a RR owner either. However, the massively clear majority of owners I have met love these cars and the entire experience of them not just the 'good days'.

Most agree that you need to be up for maintaining them, checking under the bonnet every week or so and doing a bit of work yourself. Dealers costs will hurt if you get everything fixed there, however, plenty of cheaper parts and DIY fixes are available here at AULRO.

For what its worth, we have both a P38 and a 100 series landcruiser and though the 8 seater is essential for our family at times, both my Mrs and I take the P38 as the preferred drive everytime (on and off road).

If you couldn't care less about your car and you just want a shiny toy, then go buy something else.

Everybody seems to bag the crap out of me saying how unreliable my P38 is and that I should have brought a nistoy.

-I have had the engine rebuilt twice, and needs to be done a third time. Now is that because its a range rover? or is it the engine builders fault?
-I have had the gearbox rebuilt once and it still sticks when cold in first. Now is that because its a range rover? or is it the gearbox builders fault?
-I buggered a set of tyres because the Viscous coupling seized (270,00kms). Now is that because its a range rover? or is it because i didn't check the coupling?
-I cooked my motor because I didn't keep the cooling system up to scratch. Now is that because its a range rover? or is it a maintenance fault?

Seriously, once you get over the initial quirks and idiosyncrasies of a P38, your left with a good car that just wants to be looked after. Where a jap car will allow you to run it into the ground, a rangie will stop if you don't look after it.

It is seriously like the saying, "you don't buy a range rover, you adopt one"

If somebody came to me in the street and said "What's a good mid to late 90's 4WD to buy?" I wouldn't reccomend a rangie. If someone said "I really like the shape, style and character of a P38, should i get one?" I would direct them here.

Sorry, it just irks me when people make completely negative and unhelpful comments.

Stu

P.S. Mine has done 289,000kms, and my friends still say its the most comfortable car they've travelled long distances in.

Stu, it sounds like you have had an abnormally bad run with your rangie, I hope it picks up for you.

Comparing the 2 posts I put up (this one and the "same" one on the D2 side) The only real reason you would get a D2 is the availability of after market stuff and possibly a tad more storage space, for the rest, P38s seem to be just as capable, more comfortable and hell, they cost $120,000 new!

Horses for Courses, I have weighed up the info I have recieved and I am going to buy a rangie!
(Get ready to keep the advice coming:angel:)

Thanks to all RR AND D2ers for your help, they are both still great trucks and I will be the idiot in a rangie waving :D

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Originally Posted by Marshall

Stu, it sounds like you have had an abnormally bad run with your rangie, I hope it picks up for you.

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Oh, don't worry about that, it will get better :bat:. I don't give up, if someone does the wrong thing by me I will go after them until they tell me to F Off, then I will take them to court and sue for everything (Can I sue for damages to the Range Rover reputation?) :D

Good luck on the purchase, the only way you can go wrong is if both http://www.aulro.com and http://www.rangerovers.net go offline. And everybody loses their copy of RAVE.

Cheers Stu