Topic: Typical Newbie Question...sorry! (Read 6303 times)

rusty · « **on:** February 13, 2012, 19:08:04 »

Hey Guys,

My recent divorce has bought out a new zest for life in me and Having always had a longing to do some proper off roading. Gonna do a few days around the country with various organisations to get a taste for it and hopefully learn a few skills, but the biggest question for me right now...

What's the best vehicle for it?

...been looking at Izuzu's and Defenders, but I'm open to suggestions.

Really looking for something that needs some TLC A: to keep the costs down but B: having taken a 2.8 v6 out a Mk3 Golf and stuffing it into a Mk2 Golf whilst turbo charging it in the process, I found a new passion for tinkering with mechanics...so would be happy to make suitable alterations if required to make something right...

Apologies if this has been asked a million times, but I searched for over an hour and found nothing to help me find something suitable!

Cheers all,

Rus.

LandRoger · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2012, 20:36:43 »

Cheapest way would probably be a 300tdi Discovery engines good for 250,000 + miles rust around the back end is the biggest problem boot floor, rear crossmember,inner/outer sills are the main problem areas ,but on the up side just a set of coils and shocks longer brake lines some all terrain tyres and thats the basis of a sound offroader, imo,

lambert · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2012, 20:40:44 »

Depends on what you want want it for. Defender is properly capable and will amble over fairly much any terrain. But they are noisy brutish things to live with. Isuzu is less capable but way more civilized to drive and live with.

Personally you can try and pry my 90 from my cold dead fingers. It is the best car I have ever owned.

rusty · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2012, 21:08:14 »

Thanks guys, these are just the kind of replys I was after.

I'm looking at a reasonable all rounder, at this stage as I have yet to experience any form of off roading. Whilst always loving the look of mud bogging, it's more of a specialist thing with only certain places to do such things. But general off roading is more accessible to me in the Cotswolds...

Landies looking more appealing as I can do the basic work on them...

...anyone point me in the direction of a "How to guide" on 4x4's common upgrades etc, like adding a snorkel and making ready for water, body lifts etc...

Skibum346 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2012, 23:56:29 »

I'd second the idea of a 300tdi... or if you want a wee bit excitement a 3.9 version of it. BEhaved on road effective off road with loadsa space inside.

Have to say though... NOTHING beats the look and capabilities of a defender 90 or 110. But they are agricultural if you are spending a lot of time going up and down the country.

Despite the reputation.... 70% Land Rovers ever built are still on the road, that must say something for them*

* In the interest of balance, othe less capable marques are also available... but only a muppet would buy them

Saffy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2012, 06:22:28 »

Where can you offroad in the cotswold, also barely any green lanes I thought?

LandRoger · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2012, 12:03:40 »

Yes i agree not many lanes left in the cotswolds and those that are left have been surfaced to try and take any appeal they might have had to (mudpluggers ?),on the subject of whats a good truck we all know the 90/110 is the best but this guy did say that cost was a consideration and that well and truly takes the 90/110 out of the equation ,on the subject of "how to " there are loads of books and mags,on the subject also look back through the pages on here and other forums allthough most info will relate to the green oval,

rusty · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2012, 17:26:37 »

I have yet to find out but there is an event on at Newman's Quarry near Chipping Norton this coming weekend which I'm going to with my brother in law as he's just picked up a Disco 2 for a good price, so I'll talk the locals up and find out what the crack is locally.

Thanks for all the input though guys! Has been a help and is appreciated!

Bishops Finger · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2012, 01:30:00 »

Quote from: Skibum346 on February 13, 2012, 23:56:29

I'd second the idea of a 300tdi... or if you want a wee bit excitement a 3.9 version of it. BEhaved on road effective off road with loadsa space inside.

Have to say though... NOTHING beats the look and capabilities of a defender 90 or 110. But they are agricultural if you are spending a lot of time going up and down the country.

Despite the reputation.... 70% Land Rovers ever built are still on the road, that must say something for them*

* In the interest of balance, othe less capable marques are also available... but only a muppet would buy them

Thats because the AA/RAC havnt turned up yet....buy a Jeep...

YT · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2012, 07:41:09 »

Quote from: Bishops Finger on February 21, 2012, 01:30:00

Quote from: Skibum346 on February 13, 2012, 23:56:29
I'd second the idea of a 300tdi... or if you want a wee bit excitement a 3.9 version of it. BEhaved on road effective off road with loadsa space inside.

Have to say though... NOTHING beats the look and capabilities of a defender 90 or 110. But they are agricultural if you are spending a lot of time going up and down the country.

Despite the reputation.... 70% Land Rovers ever built are still on the road, that must say something for them*

* In the interest of balance, othe less capable marques are also available... but only a muppet would buy them

Thats because the AA/RAC havnt turned up yet....buy a Jeep...

Yeah, jeep. Enough room for most needs, RELIABLE, all I've done to mine in a years driving is replace the battery, you can pick the up cheap.

LandRoger · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2012, 17:55:42 »

I have owned a Cherry 4.0 if j33p could of squeezed another 10mpg out of it they would of sold thousands more in uk but at 15ish it just couldnt compete also its never had that road presence that a Range Rover or V8 Discovery has ,the guy that started this thread did say that money was a consideration and one thing a J33P isnt and thats cheap in any department bad fuel consumption,pricey new parts, shame really as they are great motors to drive,

YT · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2012, 19:31:30 »

Quote from: LandRoger on February 21, 2012, 17:55:42

I have owned a Cherry 4.0 if j33p could of squeezed another 10mpg out of it they would of sold thousands more in uk but at 15ish it just couldnt compete also its never had that road presence that a Range Rover or V8 Discovery has ,the guy that started this thread did say that money was a consideration and one thing a J33P isnt and thats cheap in any department bad fuel consumption,pricey new parts, shame really as they are great motors to drive,

I'll admit, they do like their fuel, but I regularly see 25-30mpg showing on a run. I'm dissabled, and retired due to that, so only have my benifits and at present thats the only money coming in to the house. Over the past yer I've found it affordable to run. :azn:As for the price of new parts, No idea s I've not had to get any, apart from the battery (

LandRoger · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2012, 22:07:56 »

25/30 MPG on a run ermmm well i and most of the people in the J33P club would have to say that is wildly opitimistic 18/20 is the usual figure quoted for a 4.0lt in good mech nick,

Rus sorry for hijacking your thread (bad manners) Roger.

Bishops Finger · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2012, 23:32:29 »

My old ZG Cherokee did 22-26 mpg and was good for journeys to Kernow and a bit of a hoot off road....

As YT says horses for cources......but know why 3 Grand cherokees have been in my ownership....and yes have looked at Discos....

YT · « **Reply #14 on:** February 21, 2012, 23:49:34 »

Quote from: LandRoger on February 21, 2012, 22:07:56

25/30 MPG on a run ermmm well i and most of the people in the J33P club would have to say that is wildly opitimistic 18/20 is the usual figure quoted for a 4.0lt in good mech nick, Rus sorry for hijacking your thread (bad manners) Roger.

In that case the trip computer is way out ! It may Aslo be worth noting, I rarely break the 60mph on motorways. I got speed out of my system years ago on bikes and trikes. On lanning trips I never spend any more on fuel than V8 discos.
But I stand to be corrected.

LandRoger · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2012, 13:08:48 »

YT your probably right in your instance and as we all drive differently shouldnt really quote average anything

maybe my right boot needs some lead taking out of it! and dont get me wrong on this J33P issue i love em and would drive an old Wrangler tomoz if they were a tad more pump friendly you have to give em stick or might as well drive a Jimny,

rusty · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2012, 15:33:54 »

Plaease don't apologise for jacking the thread, all such debates have their worth and it's interesting to hear peoples experiences.

YT certainly found a bargain and, from what I've read, believe is lucky not to have shelled out on anything other than upgrades and a battery in his years of ownership.

No one has piped up about the Jap market so far. Guessing the Mitsubishi's and Nissan's aren't much of a crack?

This might be a ridiculous question, but what's considered best in a 4x4, auto or manual?

LandRoger · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2012, 18:04:31 »

The yanks who are into their rock crawling use auto,s full stop allthough with a super low transfer box , in the uk it would seem that mud and more deep mud is the order of the day and would of thought that manual is favourite , its auto for me personally though,

lambert · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2012, 18:16:45 »

Auto is kinder to the rest of the transmission less shock loads. I often think of putting an auto in my defender especially if the manual that's in it dies.

rusty · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2012, 20:50:12 »

There is a HSE for sale close to me for

Bishops Finger · « **Reply #20 on:** February 23, 2012, 02:40:16 »

Never ever thought Id go auto.....but now struggle with a manual..and as for auto of road....1 less brain cell to engage....Tong last year was so much fun....

YT · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2012, 19:03:54 »

Quote from: Bishops Finger on February 23, 2012, 02:40:16

Never ever thought Id go auto.....but now struggle with a manual..and as for auto of road....1 less brain cell to engage....Tong last year was so much fun....

Have to agree, I said for years, 'I'll never drive an auto' ! MS changed that. But now even taking MS out of it, I really don't think I'd go back to a manual. This one really is personal choice tho. :)
Going back a few posts, I do drive easy, most times, but there are times ya just CAN'T resist prodding the loud pedal, but be warned, with that 4l straight 6 the numbers that come up WILL drop like a hippo thru a paper floor, I have seen 3-4mpg when the pedal hits the carpet. Lol All summed up, the cherry does what I require it to and really, that's what matters. If your choice of truck does what you need it to then its the right one for you. :)

rusty · « **Reply #22 on:** February 26, 2012, 16:59:47 »

OK I'm packing all such previous thoughts in!

I've spent the afternoon with the MROC RTV guys at an event less than a mile from where I am. Real nice bunch of guys and had offers to ride shot gun with a few. So took a ride in a Disco 2 and a D90...have to say the D90 is definitely my preffered oprion of the two and much more versatile for the courses they mapped out.

So the hunt is on for a D90. Question is, V8 or Diesel? Seems to be a good argument for both!

Joanne · « **Reply #23 on:** February 26, 2012, 21:05:45 »

Quote from: rusty on February 26, 2012, 16:59:47

So the hunt is on for a D90. Question is, V8 or Diesel? Seems to be a good argument for both!

Will a Diesel 90 be allowed into the London Low Emission Zone (LEZ) ?

Joanne

lambert · « **Reply #24 on:** February 26, 2012, 21:24:29 »

Yes if it is a proper csw or euro 3 emissions or higher compliant.

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AuthorTopic: Typical Newbie Question...sorry! (Read 6303 times)