Thread: Defender Questions

Off the tarmac I always engage it but I look for slippery bits to allow the differential between front and rear to relieve "wind up" in the system.

Don't be frightened of engaging the CDL. Where the wheels can spin then it is ok and kinder on the tracks. Sand or gravel or mud.

When the wheels are spinning and you are going nowhere then it is too late to engage it.

Don't be a hero and use what Land Rover gave you: a very capable vehicle.

As for the rest spend some time here reading and you will find much wisdom.

Hi your lubricants should be:
ENGINE -- 15W40 (standard mineral oil(dont go for synthetic)
TRANSFER BOX AND BOTH AXLES-- EP80/90
GEARBOX/POWER STEERING-- DEXTRON II ATF ( red oil) (changed to MTF in 1998 models)

Generally you CAN go a lot of places without the entre diff locked that would need four wheel drive in the Series, but it is better to engage it before it is needed. Only real error you can make is to engage it on hard surfaces. It is also considered good practice to engage it on very rough surfaces where wheels are bouncing clear of the surface (including severe corrugations) to avoid hammering the centre diff with abrupt, repeated, slip/no slip conditions.

Oils - see the owner's handbook, the critical item is that the main gearbox does NOT use gear oil, and will be damaged by EP90 or similar, especially in cold weather. Recommendations vary between engine oil and ATF, the differences being ease of gear change rather than any damage. Transfer case can use either gear oil or same as the main gearbox. Front and rear axles EP90, swivels either the same or special 'one-shot' grease. Power Steering ATF, engine, your choice of appropriate diesel engine oil - I use Castrol RX Super because that is what my local stock & station agent sells.

The way the ARMY work's, is to lock the centre diff as soon as you get onto the dirt.

However I am no longer with them, I tend to lock the centre diff when I beleive that I am going to get excessive wheel spin. With out it locked you are effectivly in one wheel drive and that is the most un tractive wheel (easiest to spin)

One other thing to remember is that the centre diff is the smallest and the most expensive to repair, lock it in earlier instead of later and save on repair costs.

The CDL is a very small differential... and i mean small..
when you lock it, it becomes a solid center in the transfer.
if you leave it unlocked it is then a small diff carry alot of load.
as soon as i hit the dirt i lock it. i have never blown one, i dont know of any who have, but when i was shown its size i then became aware of how important it is to lock it.

I started of by locking mine automatically when I hit dirt. That was because I travelled with a pajero so when they went to 4wd their centre diff was naturally locked. I have started to experiment with the ride without it locked but find it handles better at speed on dirt with the centre diff locked.

Originally posted by JONEZY
Hello, I have just upgraded from a series 3-swb to a 1993 200tdi tray back defender (only go 84000 on the clock). I just have a few questions ..

What is the go with the center diff lock? I have already taken it on a few tracks and had no problems in low range with out the center diff locked. I under stand how it works just not sure when to use it, in soft sand or climbing rocky tracks? Do most people lock it and leave it in while they are off road or swap between locked and unlocked.

I would also like to know what oils people are using for engine, gear box, transfer case, diffs. And any other information that may be useful to a 18 year old new to servicing a defender!!!-And i dont really know a lot about desiels, just that they are really economical.

The word by Land Rover is when you see somthing which you may think may be a bit tough then move it across from low box to diff lock (while on the move and driving) . when you have got though it then move it back to low with out the diff lock in (still on the move and driving)

Dont forget to change the fuel filter/s ASAP. If you don't know when the servicing was done last, you should figure it hasn't been done at all :x Diesel engines hate dirty/watery fuel and the system needs special attention. Its a good idea to find out how to bleed the system before tampering with it though

Service intervals should be in the sevice manual for oil, lubricant, coolant , hydrolics etc so try to follow them and record what you do and when ( date/km's)

Did you fix the gearbox in the SIII ? or is the Defender the fix

Bruce.