Has anyone recorded a good range of accurate mpgs/kpls in the desert (not around town) for this car? (James S?).

I have calcs for a Discovery.

thanks

CS

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Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

With our Defender 110 TD5 through africa, we averaged about 15 liters per 100 km. For example: Nouadhibou to Nouakchott. This was what our TD5 generally consumed both on and off piste. With the roof top tent acting like an air break at higher speeds, and weighing 3200 kg with 220 lt fuel and 100 liters of water, it seemed to equal out in most cases. There were a few exeptions: we used closer to 21 liters per 100 km around Lake Chad since we were dragging our rear diff a lot on very deep tracks. It did make a beautiful rooster tail behind us though... But this was only there, and on some spots through western Sudan where we took the "wrong" pistes used by big trucks.
In retrospect I would leave a lot of stuff we brought with us, including the roof top tent, and thus save a lot of weight. This might make differance in fuel consumption both because of less weight and less air resistance.
It was a bit of a gamble going with a TD5 (electronics...) but we had no engine problems what so ever, and haven't actually heard of anyone who has, although there were many rumours when the engine was new on the market. I've heard that even newer LC 78s have some electronics!

Erik D.

www.dunia.no


[This message has been edited by Erik D. (edited 27 November 2003).]

Hi Eric, thanks for your info. Caramba, 15L/100k is pretty terrible for a Td5 - that is 6.6 kpl or 19mpg! Still it looks like you were very heavy.
I wonder if the Defender is simply an unaerodynamic shape which makes a big difference.
I used an auto Discovery last year in the NT and got 10kpl easily (10L/100 - or 28.5 mpg) tearing around and bush bashing. I never managed to crack 30 mpg which was a shame.
The high roofed Britz 78 I hired after could not crack 8kpl even at 100kph with me laying on the floor dressed like a kangaroo. Its built like a brick of course (also non aero-d) but the IHZ engine is a guzzler.
It's true what you say - some 78s come with the 1HDT FE-XYZ turbo engine with computer management and they are better - so they should be.
It seems the only (or cheapest) way to make a heavy diesel powerful and economical these days is with chips.

Ch

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Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

The figures don't look far off what I'd expect. On my 300 TDI 110, fully loaded we were getting about 15 mpg. I'm guessing from the description that it was similarly loaded to the TD5. Whilst the engines seem good on a stock standard, lightly loaded Defender, once they are loaded up and / or the wind resistance is changed with roll cages / roof racks / roof tents etc, the engine seems really underpowered and has to work quite hard. Whilst the electronics on the TD5 might help a bit, doubt it will make a massive difference to increasing the economy.

Hey Chris,
Aerodynamics have a lot to say. Now that we've taken the roof tent off (but not the roof rack)here at home in Norway, we use 11L/100 km instead of 15L/100km. If you take a look at the introduction page on our website (www.dunia.no) you'll see how much bigger a brick your pushing through the air!
When it comes to power, or rather lack of power with a TD5, I think adding a bigger intercooler and having a MILD chip upgrade would be an idea. Nothing over the top, just enough to add for example 40-50 NM. I feel that the engine lacks umph at low revs with a heavy load. We often had to use a lower tyre pressure and gear than I think would be needed in simular situations with a bigger engine because of the lack of power + heavy weight (often down to 0.6 bar with our tubeless XZYs)
During our trans africa trip, I mentally discarded almost 200 kg that would be left at home on a future desert trip. On the other hand, some of the stuff we brought with us was nice to have, just in case, since we prefered to drive alone most of the time. Trans african equipment needs aren't always the same as a "desert trip" for a couple of months.
Tobys observation with his 300 TDi are the same as other 300 TDis we met along the way that were heavy loaded.
Just as a curiosity; a german LC Prado with 3.0 lt engine we drove Nouadhibou to Nouakchott together with, used more than 15l/100km. I don't remember the exact figure, but he was mildly pissed that our TD5 "beat" his Toyotas fuel consumtion...

My only problem now in wintery Norway, is that I constently think of travelling more in north africa... Perhaps a small bank robbery is needed...
Or, if you want Chris, you can rent my Defender with me as a driver to do an indepth test of the TD5 in the desert! I only crave an occational meal, and a pat on the head every now and then! I'm also house broken!

Erik D.

www.dunia.no


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Re: aerodynamics & roofracks etc, is there not something on the market similar to the curved spoilers that larger trucks have above their cabs, that is suitable for LandRovers etc?

If not, perhaps it's worth having a go at making your own, it shouldn't cost too much in money, time or effort? Even if it only gave another 2-3 mpg, thats a considerable saving on a long haul.

Steve

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Hi Erik,

11L/100 km (9kpl/26mpg) is a bit more like it.

>a brick your pushing through the air!
I see what you mean, it seems to be above the roofrack. Well at least you folded the tent down while driving...

>When it comes to power, or rather lack of power with a TD5, I think adding a bigger intercooler and having a MILD chip upgrade would be an idea.
I always assume this sort of after-factory meddling is asking for trouble in the demands of Africa - on any vehicle. The auto Discovery I drove was great for power, but I think autos 'disguise' lack of grunt well - and it probably on carried 150kg of stuff.

>Trans african equipment needs aren't always the same as a "desert trip" for a couple of months.
This is true.

>Just as a curiosity; a german LC Prado with 3.0 lt engine we drove Nouadhibou to Nouakchott together with, used more than 15l/100km. I don't remember the exact figure, but he was mildly pissed that our TD5 "beat" his Toyotas fuel consumtion...
Very interesting, I've heard those Prados have great engines and are efficient - but it seems no better than a td5. So its altogether a normal figure then

>Or, if you want Chris, you can rent my Defender with me as a driver to do an indepth test of the TD5 in the desert!
I'm taking an enforced rest from expensive 4wds. My new desert project does 46mpg and weddings on weekends - we will see how long it lasts on the piste.

Re Steve's aero spoiler. I have seen curvy half pipes on the front of racks and my 61 had the solar panel, hinged at the front top edge of the brownchurch rack. When the rack was fully loaded for a bike tour the panel would angle up with stuff underneath and the mpg was always stable on the autoroute/with or without rood stuff. Maybe old fashioned part time 4wd and fwd really does help or maybe a big engine is less sensitive to loads and poor aero.

Any other desert mpg/kpl records - fire away.

Ch

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Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

Chris this might be of interest to you, as a bit of a guide, you just have to read between the lines to work out which vehicle and engines they are.

http://www.4wdaustralia.com.au/TrekN...ekFuel_All.asp

Col

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An aussie escaped from london, now in Dubai.

It looks to me like our 15L/100km is pretty average accoding to Cols web link.

Chris - Your right, the tent was mounted on the top bars of the rack, creating a space between that we used for light items: Filters, some cloths, alu table etc. Aerodynamicly it was really stupid and won't be repeated. Never to old to not learn from my mistakes!
And yes, we tried to remember to fold the tent down when driving...

">Or, if you want Chris, you can rent my Defender with me as a driver to do an indepth test of the TD5 in the desert!
I'm taking an enforced rest from expensive 4wds. My new desert project does 46mpg and weddings on weekends - we will see how long it lasts on the piste."
How about skipping the food part of the deal and just giving me a pat on the head every now and then...

Most interesting Col, a Prado (4cyl 3L?) does not come out so well.

What would the 2.8 4- or 6-cyl be then - Patrol?

Ch

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Adventure Motorcycling Handbook 8 • Morocco Overland 3 • Overlanders Handbook 2 • Twit

2.8L 4 cyl. could be a Pajero.

Erik D.

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Argh, I just found it, click on the route just above each members name and it links you into more info, vehicle types, driving conditions etc.

Col

PS. I wish bloody LR would do a 3lt, or even a nice 4lt or so, but then again maybe pigs might fly.

[This message has been edited by Col Campbell (edited 07 December 2003).]

[This message has been edited by Col Campbell (edited 07 December 2003).]

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An aussie escaped from london, now in Dubai.