T
Tony Smith
Guest
> Most modern SUVs have IFS, which translates as less front axle
articulation
> and less mobility.
And Landrovers have less ground clearence than Unimogs...... Comparing a
Series Landrover to a current SUV is not exactly a fair comparison of
purpose or intent is it?
That said, ultimate articulation is very rarely the determinant of where you
get to on the trail, there is most usually another way, so this is really
only relevant in some sort of artificial competition environment.
The fact that axles, spring hangers, springs, etc genrally do not break in
Japanese vehicles subjected to normal use when the same things do in fact
break on series Landrovers in the same conditions is a reasonable indication
of fitness for purpose.
I have no particular memory of the low range on Landrovers conferring any
particular additional capability, I remember it more as a failed
compensation for inadequate power availability.
That said, my wagon was afflicted with Series III, 1 ton ute drive
mechanicals (which ignoring the really early stuff are the lowest ratio
Series gearing in the business) which gave (with O/D off) a top speed of 52
mph at the redline of the 4 pot diesel which was not IIRC compensated by any
great amount of increased offroad capability other than the fact that in L4
you could leave it in gear idling and have a ****, light a smoke scratch
your balls and not have to work up a sweat to catch it.
The only time this ever came in handy was for crossing rivers (after the
wagon was converted to a soft top) you could sit on the roll bar and steer
with your feet and have a very good view of the upcoming terrain.
> The soft top Landie (the ones i prefer) is lighter and hence easier to
winch
> around. making it easier to get out of problems.
> The Landie final drive ratio is generally lower than the modern SUVs,
> providing better low range use.
> >
> > Also, what do you mean when you say "is easier to fix on the trail"?
> >
> If your EFI goes on the trail in a modern SUV, or any electric control
> modules, you're pretty well stuffed. with a Landie there are no such
> electronics, if something goes wrong you don't need a computer science
> degree to fix it on the spot.
BUT. The EFI system on the modern vehicle is fundamentally less likely to
**** itself than the points coil and associated Lucas bastardry fitted to a
Series Landrover. I simply don't recall having to do *any* emergency
electrical work since getting rid of the last Landrover.
Your point does admittedly have some validity, but if you look at the
overall "****offedness" factor, having one total failure in the life of the
vehicle that may require specialist assistance is probably preferable to
setting out on every journey knowing that at some point you are going to
have to fix the bastard.
>
> simplicty is a virtue when 100Km+ from the nearest garage.
>
> As to breaking axles and drivetrain compodents, doesn't your mange rover
> have a V8? thats far more torque than nessesary, a Holden straight six has
> all the power you need, and no computers to go south on you, while not
> producing surplus torque to make pretzels of your axle.
> >
I did not own the infamous "Mange Rover, that is another participant. I did
however own a V8 powered Landrover, a hybrid concoction consisting of a
British Army model forward control Land Rover (which ended up on evaluation
at the army base near where I lived at the time and was subsequently
auctioned off in very, very sad condition) to which had been fitted Range
Rover running gear and a P76 V8. It was called "The Animal".
"The Animal" didn't ever actually break very much (other than people's
spirit). It was simply scary being blessed with little directional stability
(my fault) combined with excess power and the ability to reach (by virtue of
the already light forward control body being converted to soft top)
absolutely insane speeds. Off road it had good capability, but may I say
that you have not truly experienced "thrilling" 4WDing until you do it
forward of the front axle. there should be a club.....
Whoops forgot for a moment. In some ways it was fun. But every time I get
back onto the black stuff now after a days outing, crank up a nice soothing
classical CD and sit back listening to it on the way home, secure in the
knowledge that the only "cost" of my day's 4wding yet to be paid will be a
trip through the local car wash and not a couple of evenings underneath it
fixing what broke I wonder that anyone still bothers with them.
Tony Smith
))
