Research Exhaustion

[aus86inch]

Hi All, wanting to do 12 months plus towing a caravan around our big island.
I was thinking of buying a late model D3 or early D4 as either will have to be modified with Llams, long range tank, rear carrier, bullbar and rock sliders as i do like to get to the harder places that i can find but from the research i have done on line the general census seems to be that a discovery does not belong in the outback because of reliability issues.
I am the owner of a series 1 86" and a series 2a 88" so am not afraid of mechanical issues or oil leaks LOL, but the electrics sound a bit scary.
now the question, can anybody put my mind at ease because i really want one!!! but do not want to be a statistic. is it possible to carry diagnostic tools so things can be fixed or is there $10,000 worth of sensors to carry with me.

also the price difference used between D3 & D4 is it warranted if i stick to the 2.7L motor, as if i go 3L twin turbo i run into tyre issues.

will be towing (when purchased) 20' van dual axle

any advice appreciated, thanks for reading my novel.

[LandyAndy]

The same age opposition wether it be Tojo,Nissan,Mitsi,Jeep are all filled with electronics too and also open to the same pitfalls.
Buy a decent fault reader and become knowledgeable with your vehicles electronics and common fault issues and how they are dealt with,its all here on AULRO.
I did with my D2/Defender TD5 and have been able to sort my issues with a Nannocom and AULRO help.
I will be going D4 within the next year
ENJOY
Andrew

[rocmic]

Landyandy is right. There are people on here who have done the Simpson, Cape York, Canning Stock Route etc, etc. A Greek couple took there D3 through Africa, central Asia, Mongolia, Siberia, south america well around the world.
I won't go on.
Make sure the vehicle has a good service history, any recalls are done, get a diagnostic tool, get to know the vehicle. Research and ask questions on here.
I have 163,000 km on my 08 D3. Just came back from Melrose via Flinders and Cameron Corner, car performed perfectly.
I love driving the D3, still have the permagrin after nearly six years.
Cheers
Mike

[sheerluck]

I think you gave up on your research quite early!

If you read through the D3/D4/RRS forum you will find plenty of posts of D3/4s out bush/climbing Big Red/doing the lap dragging a mansion.

You will find posts on D3/4s breaking down. The same as you will find on Toyota or Nissan forums with the equivalent vehicles.

Yes, they are very complex vehicles, and a good diagnostic is as much a part of the toolkit as a spanner. I have been lucky in a number of ways () to get up close and personal with my D3 and pull it to pieces, so that the electronics and other components now hold no fears for me.

If you do decide in a D4 over the 3, then do search on here for the GOE 18" wheels for the 3.0. Tyre issues solved.

[Mungus]

I researched this and other makes forums for about four years.
Picked up the latest model D4 last week. In sleeping at the dealers tonight with a BCM software glitch. No big deal. My '88 commodore stopped dead in its tracks when the BCM packed up and that was doing 100k in highway traffic. Getting myself a decent diagnostic tool in the next week or so. Will be able to read, clear and calibrate/test/modify a few settings. Nearly all modern vehicles have many electronic modules that may have hissy fits and a diagnostic tool and this forum and it's members experiences will get you around most of them. From what I have been reading over the years there have been far more great experiences in the bush with no issues with the D3/4 than there have been issues. Reports of problems (no matter how minor) seem to leave a bigger impact though.

[ADMIRAL]

The point has been made already. There are issues with any modern vehicle, and providing you are sensible, and take precautions, none should let you down. If your research has included towing capacity, you will quickly find your list has shortened, and the D3/D4 is towards the top of the remaining vehicles. Yes the range of offroad accessories and options is less for the Disco, but pretty much everything is available, you just have to dig a little to find it .
You will also find this forum invaluable. If it has happened to someone, or they thought it could, there is generally a fix on the forum. You will also find a lesser proportion of members on this forum are intent on burying their brand, compared to other brand forums, and are instead open to requests for info and are willing to assist where they can.
Once your research includes test drives, the list will get even shorter, and guess which vehicle will still be right up there.

[Graeme]

I suggest that any D3 that still hasn't been fitted with the later improved suspension compressor have the new compressor fitted before such travelling. Spare left and right suspension height sensors could be worth carrying due to their low cost but the failure rate is very low anyway, unlike the sensors fitted to the earliest D3s.

[mowog]

4.5 Years into D4 ownership and its great. It loves to tow.

NOTE: watch your weights a modified D4 with extras and a big van will get very close to the GVM.

[aus86inch]

I suggest that any D3 that still hasn't been fitted with the later improved suspension compressor have the new compressor fitted before such travelling. Spare left and right suspension height sensors could be worth carrying due to their low cost but the failure rate is very low anyway, unlike the sensors fitted to the earliest D3s.

Do you have part number of the compressor or did they change at a certain MY
also in an emergency can the suspension be hooked up to air tank of aftermarket compressor in back of vehicle?

[sheerluck]

Do you have part number of the compressor or did they change at a certain MY
also in an emergency can the suspension be hooked up to air tank of aftermarket compressor in back of vehicle?

The latest part number for the compressor is LR045251, which is made by AMK rather than the original Hitachi. It needs a software update to make it run correctly though.

And GOE also do a couple of kits that allow you to hook up a standard compressor in case of emergency.