Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Light Overland Vehicle Tech
Light Overland Vehicle Tech Tech issues, tips and hints, prepping for travel
Under 3500kg vehicles, e.g. Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Subaru etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 16 Jun 2011
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Yorkshire,U.K.
Posts: 51
New 2.4 Defender 90's

Anybody got one? any good? any problems?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Jun 2011
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 268
I work on them for a living (of sorts!) Majority of the car is the same as the last 20 years but IMHO I think the engine fitment was a bodge to please Ford - the sump is VERY close to the front axle - was subject to lots of modifications including extended bump stops to avoid contact but they can still touch during "spirited" offroading, and should you trap even a small rock or branch in there...
The engine drives quite nicely but it is no "developing world" motor - even just changing the fuel filter can require a special valve and vacuum to get the fuel to flow and the engine to run. A friend of mine who drives big yellow recovery trucks says the most common white van he picks up is the Puma engined Ford. Read into that what you may but it doesn't sound great to me.
Front axles are weak,especially off road in low ratio where the very low 1st gear and engine braking characteristics of the engine caused numerous front half-shaft breakages at Eastnor - a shopping trip to Ashcrofts Transmissions for heavy duty halfshafts and cv joints would be the best investment you could make. Anti-stall system is amazing though.
Inside the cabin it's the most cramped Land Rover yet - try before you buy and imagine a long journey, or perhaps just trying to crawl from the driver's seat into the back when the side doors are trapped shut by traffic, deep ruts or because of bad weather.
I've had Land Rovers for 24 years and I love them despite their shortcomings, but I would never buy a new one because I think the last honest Land Rover was the 300tdi. I know they're not as nice to drive as a TD5 (while it's running properly at least, but that's another story!) and the R380 gearbox is not as smooth as the current offering but the most common phrase in the workshop is "Why did they do it like that? At least on a 300 you could..." (fill in the blank with "reach, change, fix, bodge") It saddens me to say that the current sales success of the Defender range is purely a triumph of marketing and brand loyalty.
Sorry!
Decent tyres and a roofrack and they still look damn good in the desert though - THE overland icon. (Just leave the bonnet down for the photos!)
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
GS 500 wheels on a 90's XT? elv73 Yamaha Tech 18 11 Mar 2010 21:06
90's forks and swingarm into an 80's frame? elv73 Yamaha Tech 5 29 Nov 2009 10:24
Buying a Defender 90. old/new ekimorfa Equipping the Overland Vehicle 5 6 Jun 2005 04:49
Sensible spares for Defender Rebaseonu Equipping the Overland Vehicle 7 12 Apr 2005 09:06
Td5 Defender mpg Chris Scott Equipping the Overland Vehicle 11 7 Dec 2003 23:42

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:15.