Advice Please Re Outback Suitability

[tonyci]

Hi There
I know this topic is very subjective but I would love to hear from those of you who have taken you D4 or RRS sport outback.
My situation, currently have a Defender 2010 with very few K's on the clock about 12000 that has taken me on a few Central Australia trips.
She who must be obeyed has taken to the idea of such trips but finds the defender a bit agricultural.
So we are looking at selling the defender and considering a D4 or RRS.
The question is we know both motors are fine for our city needs, however
are they truly rugged enough to provide hassle free outback touring.
By outback I mean Northern Flinders, Gib river road, Simpson desert etc.
I gather from these boards that the tyres on both motors x the show room need changing.
Any comments suggestions welcome.
Cheers
Tony

[mowog]

The issue of suitability and support in remote areas always comes up when being compared to Toyota's

It gets raised in forums and magazine articles. But I don't believe any of the resources who raise these questions have ever put it to the test.

I would love to see various locations selected based on the ability for repairs to be done. Then to have range of parts ordered from those locations for various brands.

The parts should be general service items through to some common parts known to be show stoppers for the vehicles.

This should then either prove or disprove the myth of outback support.

[Slunnie]

You can overnight parts to just about anywhere. After putting a fan through the radiatorin my D2 at Cape York, Kowari motors were able to get me a genuine radiator overnight - which included 2 or 3 flights enroute.

My personal opinion is that if you have that little faith on your vehicle to go to these places without reliability then you wouldn't take it, or you would carry the spares. The D4/RRS will do it. I have been through the Desert (across and up)with a D3 and it was faultless. The next year he did Madigans line in it without problem.

In my opinion, tyres is the concern. This fellow changed his tyres for an offroad set and had no problems, running Cooper ST in 275x?/18. They were also larger in diameter which increased sidewall height.

I have not driven the GRR, but the D4 or RRS will not have any problems in dealing with Northern Flinders and the Simpson Desert, and those that own them will probably argue they do them very comfortably too.

[Slunnie]

BTW, that is the exact terrain that these vehicles were designed for.

[gghaggis]

We've done the Canning Stock Route in an RRS and a D4 (in convoy), plus the GRR, Cape Leveque, Pilbara, Gunbarrel, Gt Central Rd etc . No issues - as Slunnie said, it's what they were built for.

Obviously, for these sorts of vehicles, your list of tools and spare parts is quite different to those of more traditional vehicles. As long as you're reasonably prepared and know how to use the car, it should be at least as suitable as anything else, if not more so.

Cheers,

Gordon

[Xtreme]

Hi There
I know this topic is very subjective but I would love to hear from those of you who have taken you D4 or RRS sport outback.
My situation, currently have a Defender 2010 with very few K's on the clock about 12000 that has taken me on a few Central Australia trips.
She who must be obeyed has taken to the idea of such trips but finds the defender a bit agricultural.
So we are looking at selling the defender and considering a D4 or RRS.
The question is we know both motors are fine for our city needs, however
are they truly rugged enough to provide hassle free outback touring.
By outback I mean Northern Flinders, Gib river road, Simpson desert etc.
I gather from these boards that the tyres on both motors x the show room need changing.
Any comments suggestions welcome.
Cheers
Tony

Hi Tony,

The vehicles you are considering, as others have already indicated, would not have a problem with traversing any of the areas you have mentioned, and many more remote and rugged areas also.

The problem you have is to keep SWMBO happy and contented and if changing from a Defender to a D4 or RRS Sport will achieve this and has her consent then I think you had better place your order ASAP.

By the way, what do you want for your low mileage, well maintained Defender?

[Gords]

One point that is worth noting that even though the D3's, D4's and RRS have all the great electronic systems under the sun, the new landcruisers also have plenty of electronically controlled systems & complicated parts. Old mate bush mechanic in Mapoon (or wherever) won't want to or be able to work on / replace parts for the new cruiser either! Unless you want to go back a few series in the cruisers.

Good maintenance, preparation, regular servicing and careful driving will keep you out of most trouble. Most things that will fail will not cripple you and you should still be able to crawl home (worst case).

I have found that the D3 is chalk and cheese with competitors for on and off road performance as well as fuel consumption so i'm happy to tollerate a bit of inconvenience with parts / servicing.

Good luck in your decision mate!

[tonyci]

Roger
Thanks. I agree I should act ASAP, SWMBO , does not often grant such approvals when cars are involved.
I hope to get about $43,000.I have not done much research yet Red Book suggests about that. The only mod I did was a dual battery. As much as I like the thought of a D4 or RRS.I will miss the Defender.
Thanks to every body who has replied thus far.My confidence is growing.
Tony

[connock]

Hi Tonyci

I had a defener for years, 9 in fact it was my work car and family drive. So I was in it every day .Do yourself and your wife a favor and get the D3/D4/RRs ( dont get me wrong I did enjoy the Def ) The grunt, the comfort, the ability etc You,ll love it

connock

[Tombie]

Hi Tonyci

I had a defener for years, 9 in fact it was my work car and family drive. So I was in it every day .Do yourself and your wife a favor and get the D3/D4/RRs ( dont get me wrong I did enjoy the Def ) The grunt, the comfort, the ability etc You,ll love it

connock

Was thinking the same thing!

I enjoyed Lara, enjoy my D2...

But absolutely love the D4