Which spec defender is best to live with?

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mikerajjers

mikerajjers

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Bedford UK or Trnava SK
Which Defender overall is best to live with? TD5? The head on my disco TD5 needed replacing when I had it, does this fault occur on the defender TD5?

I do a lot of motorway miles, are the Defenders happy cruising at 70-80mph (i drive a lot in Europe where 80 is standard)?

I know its not built for speed, but I've always wanted a defender!
 
If you mean the porous or cracked head problem, then yes, it can occur with any TD5 engine. Best cruising speed is 60 mph, leaving a little in reserve for overtaking. You could fit a Discovery transfer box that will give more relaxed cruising, but not so good for towing.
 
No, I don't think a defender would happily cruise at 80. I know mine is only a TDi but after 70 it gets scary and doesn't feel safe
 
Thanks for your replies! I will need to try one properly at some stage. I've got a Series III, the only Defender I've driven was a 2008 model 110 and it seemed okay at 70mph (ish). Admittedly I didn't drive very far. What diesel engine would that have been? Was the gearbox on those different to the 200/300TDIs and TD5 ?
 
You might have found the 110 felt OK due to the longer wheelbase...they feel a bit more stable at speed and less likely to wander around. Tyres also make a big difference, my old tyres were very very road focused, my new ones are Cooper Discoverer STT Pros with much more of an off-road bias, and the handling it not as good, the vehicle wanders more, it's noisier, and slower. I understand it's also critical that suspension bushes and the myriad of joints in the steering are all in good health.

The gearbox is not very relevant but the transfer box is. Mine has a Discovery 2 transfer box in it which certainly makes things a bit more relaxed. I'm not sure you actually drive any faster, but you'll just use less revs and fuel and decibels doing it.

I'd genuinely say as much as I love the Defender it's not the ideal vehicle to to cruise at 80mph in. I'm a bit of a speed freak...I also drive a Porsche, but in the Defender you soon settle into a far more relaxed "you'll get there when you get there" driving style.
 
+1 on the last.

The Defender is designed for low range low gears. Everything about it focuses on that and that's why the transfer box is the way it is. Sure it can do motorway miles but fuel and volume alone will be against you.
 
mikerajjers said:
Thanks for your replies! I will need to try one properly at some stage. I've got a Series III, the only Defender I've driven was a 2008 model 110 and it seemed okay at 70mph (ish). Admittedly I didn't drive very far. What diesel engine would that have been? Was the gearbox on those different to the 200/300TDIs and TD5 ?
Click to expand...

The 2008 model would have a 2.4 ford Duratec engine and a 6 speed gearbox that was different to the earlier trucks with 5 speed boxes. The first gear is very low, so might feel different to drive. I presume the engines are reliable enough as they were fitted to Transits.
 
ER1C said:
+1 on the last.

The Defender is designed for low range low gears. Everything about it focuses on that and that's why the transfer box is the way it is. Sure it can do motorway miles but fuel and volume alone will be against you.
Click to expand...

I don't totally agree that the Defender must stick with it's factory tfr box ratios. Mine is more than happy with the more relaxed ratios the Disco box gives it, and that is also on 265/75/16 tyres too. When mine came out the factory gates it only had a 2.5n/a under the bonnet, so I expect Tdi power will more than make up for the ratio changes.

I will agree that if it's a true utility Defender doing a lot of heavy towing, the standard ratios are going to be best, however sounds like the OP (like me) wants something that is going to give better general road driving manners and at sub £100 for a Disco tfr box this is probably by far the cheapest and easiest way of doing this.

The only slightly annoying thing I have found is that for 30mph town driving, I'm really needing "3rd and a half gear" as 4th is too high and 3rd too low. But out on the open road there's no way I'd swap to a standard Defender tfr box now.

Point to note...low ratio is the same regardless so off road ability is not affected.
 
One thing to consider is the higher ratio 5th from Ashcroft.

I have that fitted to my TD5 which will happily cruise at 70- 75 and easily pull on from there - that said it is mapped, larger intercooler and increased boost.

However the higher ratio 5th is the main contributor to the better cruising. 65mph is excellent, quiet (for a defender) and mpg is improved, managed 35mpg before on a run to Brighton. Thats with a cage and many other heavy additions on 265/75 cooper discoverer stt tyres.

Mine is a daily drive and I happily live with it every day, though I dont often do mid week mway miles...
 
Thanks for posts, they are very helpful! I am keeping an eye open for a suitable vehicle. Trouble is I'm limited to an LHD. There are loads of RHD in very good condition and the prices tend to be much cheaper
 
bankz5152 said:
One thing to consider is the higher ratio 5th from Ashcroft.

I have that fitted to my TD5 which will happily cruise at 70- 75 and easily pull on from there - that said it is mapped, larger intercooler and increased boost.

However the higher ratio 5th is the main contributor to the better cruising. 65mph is excellent, quiet (for a defender) and mpg is improved, managed 35mpg before on a run to Brighton. Thats with a cage and many other heavy additions on 265/75 cooper discoverer stt tyres.

Mine is a daily drive and I happily live with it every day, though I dont often do mid week mway miles...
Click to expand...

Just googled this and they also have it for my Series 3!!! didn't even know such a thing existed!

Did you fit yours yourself? Is it an easy job? Do you have the standard defender transfer box or the D2 one?
 
2007 on tdci is most suitable for what you are looking for. Mine is a high spec model with all the modern comforts, better sound proofing, quieter than my wifes ford ka. No problem cruising at 80, and speed limited to 90 (that is definitely at what feels like its handling limit). Excellent heater, air con that works. Most of the mileage I have put on it is fast cruising on trips 200 - 300 miles at a time. Only thing I would want to improve is the crap radio, but at least it is audible at normal levels.
 
The Disco would be comfier, but I drove from Scotland to France in my 200Tdi Defender with no problems. I do think the 2.4 with the 6 speed would be a vast improvement on a long trip though, and you can get cruise control for them.
 
I have a 2013 2.2 tdci with big BFG MT tyres. It will happily cruise along at 80mph, I've often done it traveling from Warminster upto Liverpool or Wales.
 
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