Coming from toyota world

[MJA]

G'day people. I'm the proud owner of a toyota troopy at the moment. Travelling around the country, but when I get back to sydney I'm going to need a ute for work. But also for 4wding, camping and some extended trips. I want a dual cab with live axles. So that pretty much leaves the dual cab cruiser or a defender 130. Since my budget is only around 10 - 20 grand, I won't be able to afford the cruiser. But I have always had a soft spot for defenders. Love the look of them. And since watching some of the camel trophy, it got me into them even more. Thing is, I know nothing about them. I've done a bit of research, and I think I'm after the 300tdi as I like simple engines, but it might be hard to find one in good nick. But not completely against getting a td5. So people, convince me to jump the fence into land rover land! Everyone else I know says its a bad idea, but it's usually toyota and Nissan blokes that know nothing about land rovers. I'm Not after a 300tdi vs td5 debate. Just the general pros and cons of owning your defender. Cheers!

[2stroke]

As you've already said most people who'll say it's a bad move won't really have any real experience with Defenders. Best you drive one or 2 before you commit too, as not everyone is comfortable in one, though I am.
Pros: Will happily perform in real offroad conditions at GVM. Payload of a130 is a lot more than even your troopie. Outstanding economy at full load.
Cons: Don't expect to just rock up at any mechanic and expect him to be happy to see you. When it's a hot day and you turn on the AC don't expect it to cool you that much.When it rains don't expect to be totally dry, or the demister to be worth turning on.
Seriously though you should drive a few, and in terms of pure performance they have no equal.

[Patchy]

Hi mate welcome I was the same as you about 3 months ago after owning toyota's my last one a cruiser which I hydrauliced in a river crossing since I always had a soft spot for defender ended up purchasing a 2004 TD5 110 as wanted something capable off road with plenty of room.

things I've learnt since owning it... there are a lot of mechanics that dont know what they are doing mine came with full service history with lots of money spent but also a lot of crappy repairs some were laughable I used these to get a better price. I dont quite get it as a mechanic myself I find them really easy to work on and parts are easy enough and cheap enough if your not in a hurry. Things I've had to do are oil leaks simple gasket change, rear axles and drive flanges very simple job and cheap and the rear diff ball joint.

On road the td5 surprised me much more poke than I was expecting from a small engine and the seating position is something different but i got use to it pretty quickly fuel economy is good for a car this large.

offroad in stock form the defender is a lot better than the cruiser ever was with heaps of aftermarket gear this can only get better only down side is it is a little laggy in the sand but tyres down and not in a rush its very capable.

Cheers Brian

[djam1]

300 tdi 130 inch Performance will be pretty easy to equal
Datsun 120Y comes to mind

That said off road they are as good as you can get in standard form

[frantic]

If your looking for dual purpose , a 130 dc is ideal, in your price bracket stay older than 2003 so you get rear Salisbury diff. This is stronger and your can get hy-tuff axles from Qld that go well with a Detroit locker from the states(6-700 depending upon exchange rate)
255/85 r16 fit (33.2in) without a lift and with the rear you can have your cake and eat in to ,as unlike the toyota you can fit airbags inside the coils. Or you could go dislocation cones front and rear with raised shock mounts and longer travel shocks to increase articulation.
Being a 130 there is no abs, tc or any other electrics to worry about apart from the ECU in the td5. Have a look at parts prices from u.k suppliers like paddocks, ashcroft, as well as others like lucky8 and GBR in the USA . Some locals like all4x4 in Newcastle or apt in Qld are very good as well.

[bcj]

A 300 tdi ain't the fastest on the road, most jap 4wder's seem hell bent on getting places fast. Mostly I cruise on 90 but my old girl will keep up with traffic at 100 or 110 (un laden or at gvm) but she don't like much more than that. You've gotta be certain you want a off-road truck, if you're after a car stick with one of the japs.
Unloaded (110 cab/chassis) ride is quite harsh, r380 shifts are slower, cab is noisey and there's a few clunks you don't get on part time jap 4wd's - would I drive anything else, no chance. I've had my tdi for 5 yrs and a series 3 for 10 yrs before that.

Brett

110 300tdi

[MJA]

Cool thanks for the information guys. I'm in no way after a car, I find them boring. The troopy is a proper truck and with leaf springs front and rear I'm used to having little comfort. Plus the 1hz is bloody slow too and I always cruise at 90. And I'm used to the clunks and bangs. I'm not after a speed demon but rather a robust and reliable work horse. But it sounds like I'll need to find a good land rover mechanic. Hopefully not too hard to find in Sydney. I like working on my vehicles myself (not the huge jobs) and like learning about how things work. Can the AC problem be fixed? Also it seems like there's a huge amount of aftermarket gear available for them at a decent price too am I right?

[2stroke]

A 300Tdi (well mine at least) is a bit faster than my friend's 1HZ 100 series, though that doesn't say it's fast. Performance is adequate for me though.

[Doc130]

They're chalk and cheese, 130 defender all the way!! And I'm pretty sure that Apart from the jeep the defender has the most aftermarket/ bolt on accessories of any 4wd

[mickashay]

I have had a defender 300tdi 130 for 2 years now and have ups and downs with it,but wouldn't replace it and if I had to it would be with another one,