Defender with Discovery gearing

**Andrew Baker** · #1 20 Sep 2005

Hi Folks,

I wonder if anyone has used Defenders with Discovery higher ratio gearing on expedition - i.e. with a standard 1/2 ton in the back. How do they perform - obviously less acceleration on the road and higher top speed, but how do they fare in the rough? Would you recommend changing the gearing to the higher 1.2 ratio, or stick with the standard 1.4 gear?

Conversley, how does the standard discovery Tdi perform with a half ton load in the dez??

Thanks,

Andrew.

**tony johnston** · #2 20 Sep 2005

Can't comment on hybrid except to restate the mantra that overlanding can be pretty unforgiving on hybrids.

Drove Disco V8 Series 1 for 6 yrs in Oman and UAE and they are excellent overlanders.Put HD springs and shockers on the back.

The TDi will be underpowered in the sand and u will be forever stuck and thrashing it but great for all else.

**Andrew Baker** · #3 20 Sep 2005

The Defender 110 is standard, the only mod would be the transfer box cog that would set up the gear ratios to equal a discovery's.

Andrew.

**Jabbawocky** · #4 20 Sep 2005

Hi Andrew

We put a Disc transfer box on my mates 110 200tdi and it is great on the tarmac. If you are driving on poor roads with your 110 in high box with a lot of weight, I think you would regret the change. If I were you I would fit one of the new Rocky Mountain overdrives that they have just tested in Oz. Should sell for around £700 and will offer you the best of both worlds. It you have a tdi and feel the turbo kick in, it is set slightly wrong for offroad use. Alter the boost on your turbo so that it cuts in earlier. Makes it drive much better off-road.

Cheers Mick

**Col Campbell** · #5 24 Sep 2005

Big ask from a TDI, gotta agree with the others.

If it was just for road use yes, but otherwise it`ll probably end in tears. Overdrive would be good, but its a lot of money for very little fuel saving, should cut down on a bit of noise through with dropping the RPM.

**Runner** · #6 27 Sep 2005

Im running a Defender 200tdi (and big Allisport intercooler) with Disco transfer box. Very happy with it to date, both on and offroad, though power is well up from a standard tdi thanks to intercooler. Economy is also considerably better, the main reason I went for the swap.
Havent used it in desert yet, that will come this winter, though I have no especial worries for the setup.