Land Rover Defender 90 question

[British Red]

Was with you right up to the point about "Land Rovers are generally reliable". As a person who has had more than one, and Toyota Land Crusiers for decades, I'd say I've had 10 Land Rover problems for every one Toyota one. They are unsurpassed off road, no doubt about it, and the simplicity of their construction is a joy. Build quality could and should be improved though. Still worth having, but it is an issue worth considering if ultimate reliability is the goal

Red

 

[Martyn]

The land rover may have a history of poor reliability and it may be well founded, but most of the Landcruisers I see on the roads today, seem to be made after 1990, on the other hand, most of the Land Rovers seem to be at least that old. Maybe it's just that the other makes have historically reached the point of economic write-offs, before they get old and battered enough to be known as unreliable? I think if you are assessing reliability, you have to compare year for year, new for new or old for old to be fair. Dont really hear folks moaning about Td5 reliability and it's been around for 8 or 9 years now.

 

[Nathan Sturgess]

A very good point, my dad has a 1952 series one that is still running. Land Cruisers are reliable but seem to have a use by date on them

 

[Martyn]

It'll be interesting to see what happens with the new 2007 "Ford" Defender with it's transit powerplant and ford-designed interior.

 

[British Red]

Try looking at Landcruisers in some of the gulf states! I won't even bring up the longevity of Hilux trucks!

Red

 

[Martyn]

You are probably right Red, still dont see many of these on the road though...

 

[Nathan Sturgess]

The vehicles in the gulf states don't have to put up with constant wet though. And you probably see more same age series Land Rovers on the road over here.
It is up to personal choice and opinion really.

 

[Silverback]

This is my heavily modified old girl, she has a pivoting waterproof roof that lifts up to give adequate head room for all weather vermin control. weather treated hessian side flaps roll up to keep out the driving wind and rain when necessary. She has (fox/rabbit) carrying boxes fitted at the front and rear with bottom drainage. The seats have been removed inside on one side to the rear to make room for 'gear' and there are umpteen lamp sockets inside for all manner of lamps of different colours and powers. There are two gun carrying boxes fitted on either side at the top to ensure that both big and small rifles are always close at hand when needed. The bull bars on the front are home made and I wouldn't fancy a bulldozers chances let alone a bull We call her 'The Verminator' and she has earnt herself quite a reputation locally among keepers and farmers alike . She took eight years of trial and error before she became the ultimate lamping vehicle but now she is spot on and I have yet to see another one like her!

I appreciate that the photo may not be to everyone's taste so I will understand if the mods deem that it should be moved/removed

 

[havingagiraffe]

Thanks to havingagiraffe for more window info too.
Swyn.

You're welcome.

 

[havingagiraffe]

most of the Landcruisers I see on the roads today, seem to be made after 1990, on the other hand, most of the Land Rovers seem to be at least that old. Maybe it's just that the other makes have historically reached the point of economic write-offs, before they get old and battered enough to be known as unreliable?

Toyota have never officially imported utility Landcruisers into the UK, and they only started importing smaller turbocharged diesels in the late eighties which probably explains why there aren't many about. Elsewhere in the world there are lots of twenty to thirty year old Landcruisers still working. http://www.trademe.co.nz/browse/sea...region=100&searchtype=all&&page=2&sort_order= I did consider buying a Landscruiser after I sold my Td5 110 but decided on a 90 instead as Land Rover spares are much cheaper....this is the point where the Delcia fan club will probably say "But if you went Japanese you wouldn't need to keep on replacing faulty components..." Toyota don't seem to sell Landcruisers in India, instead they sell the Qualis which is a less macho but much more economical alternative...http://auto.indiamart.com/cars/toyota-qualis/

 

[havingagiraffe]

Toyota don't seem to sell Landcruisers in India, instead they sell the Qualis which is a less macho but much more economical alternative...http://auto.indiamart.com/cars/toyota-qualis/

These are more fun...http://www.mahindra.com/mahindras/automotive/NC640DP.htm usually seen with unfeasibly large mesh cage bolted to the back to increase carrying capacity. Folding windscreen as standard but less than half the power of a 110

 

[Martyn]

These are more fun...http://www.mahindra.com/mahindras/automotive/NC640DP.htm usually seen with unfeasibly large meash cage bolted to the back to increase carrying capacity. Folding windscreen as standard but less than half the power of a 110

My goodness, Mahindra, that takes me back - they use to have a "red indian" as their logo IIRC, presumable because that was a cooler type of "indian"? Anyway, even the guy who worked in the dealership I knew reaconed they were a bag of c**p.

 

[EdS]

Land Rovers break but are cheap and easy to fix, are easy to modify and change around. Plus they have/had better articulation in factory form which is why they only fitted central diff lock, while Toyota, Merc fitted front and back lockers.

However, Japanese cars are very reliable but are expenisve to fix when (and eventually there is a when) they break.

The Defender (and Series in its time) up until the TD5 and its awful gearing is just about the best utility 4x4 off road in standard trim. However the basic Land Cruisers are about the best compromise 4x4 very good off road and reliable (and that is from a die hard Landy owner)

 

[Martyn]

I dunno if anyone has seen these yet but...

New 2007 model defender at the Paris motorshow...

Check out that dash layout.

 

[EdS]

Martyn - is that you that has just posted about the OBD interface over on Difflock?

 

[swyn]

I like the pic Silverback . I still have my fathers ex army series 3 lightweight for shooting as the doors lift off easily so we can leap out after squirells, and as it is petrol it is very QUIET! I have not modified it at all apart from electronic ignition and rebuilt mechanics. It is still lovely to drive and sails through its MOT every year. It has been in the family from its demob in 1980 so is genuine too. We had a choice of 30 and picked the best one. (HQ no 3)
I had a super set of studded ex Nato Michelin tyres but sadly were not really allowed on the road according to the MOT station so I had to pick them all out.... This took a very long time as you could imagine! Also very sore hands.

I have just seen Martyns post of the new LR.... Interesting....Cheers!

Swyn.

 

[Martyn]

Martyn - is that you that has just posted about the OBD interface over on Difflock?

Blimmin eck, small world - yes mate.

 

[EdS]

good crowd over there.

Once you got a few posts in you should be able to organise some poeple to go laning or off roading with.

If you ever get up to Yorkshire I could show you some decent lanes.

 

[Bushman_Brett]

if ur worried about pollution then why not convert to lpg, that or use one the new things the insurance companys are coming up with where they donate some of the cash to green projects, counter acting ur emissions.

Landys are cool, but notorious for the odd part falling off from somewhere on the car )

 

[Martyn]

good crowd over there.

Once you got a few posts in you should be able to organise some poeple to go laning or off roading with.

If you ever get up to Yorkshire I could show you some decent lanes.

That sounds like great fun mate, but be careful, I might just take you up on it.


It's costing me loads though...

So far, a pair of roof bars added, swapped the tow ball for a 3.5 ton dixon-bate, steering guard, swapped the plastic rad grille for a steel one, front light guards, a bunch of shckles, slings and ropes and I've got a scorpion steel cubby on the way. ...oh and a breather tube extension kit.

....and I havent got me tyres yet.