Naks

Finally got to go off-roading with the club again after almost 6 months! Some photos, video to follow in a few days

https://www.defender2.net/forum/post1013324.html#1013324

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzCkzPIy99a/ "Beefier new suspension system, that seems to be hydraulic... we suspect to help increase articulation, remove antiroll bars & reduce high speed body roll etc. 👊🏾 Also shown, high clearance rear quad exhausts, rear orange recovery hoops, possible front grill lights, 33s higher ride hight, roof load. 🔥 Release is eminent and 600hp+"

Ineos officially opens Sub-Saharan African headquarters in Cape Town – With a seafront 4×4 track for customers: https://topauto.co.za/news/90184/ineos-officially-opens-sub-saharan-african-headquarters-in-cape-town-with-a-seafront-4x4-track/

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/this-week-in-autocar/autocar-magazine-26-july-sale-now [quote="J77"]According to CEO Adrien Mardell it will arrive in 2027 on the EV only EMA platform, built at the new UK factory, likely to be called Defender Sport. Just an Autocar image so don’t expect it to be like this though they have said it will be boxy.[/quote]

Wifey just finished her build!

https://blog.londolozi.com/2023/06/24/unveiling-the-first-hydrogen-safari-vehicle-in-the-world-right-here-at-londolozi-could-this-be-the-new-solution/

@Mike110DT Mate, could you please post a link for the DRL controller you bought? thanks!

finally got the DRLs fitted on a refurbished bumper

https://l2sfbc.com/is-this-why-jlr-are-dropping-land-rover "... Here’s a theory. I’d suggest that the Land Rover name, brand and image is in fact well known and that is exactly why JLR are dropping it. Why? Because the name “Land Rover” conjures up images of Defenders, Series vehicles, farmers, Camel Trophy, rough 4×4, working class, winching through mud. This is exactly what JLR is not about. They don’t want to be associated with such imagery. Instead, it seems to me they’re now for the affluent, socially mobile class who want an ‘adventure’ vehicle that’s also luxurious and is a bit different to the MD’s BMW or the CEO’s Mercedes. I don’t think JLR intend or want their vehicles to be seriously used offroad any more, but they need to retain some capability as a differentiator. True offroad owners are annoying; they know lots about the vehicle to irritate salespeople, they modify it, they complain about minor things that aren’t important to the company, they ask silly questions about how the 4×4 systems work, they use specialist mechanics, aftermarket companies start modifying the vehicles and people still expect warranty, the owners form clubs and ask for help, and enthusiasts start waving logos around at Places We Would Rather They Not, and generally behaving Off Brand. Much better to have a few C-level execs or high-flying managers driving your cars to the golf clubs, marinas and skifields , hassle-free, all relying on main dealer servicing. And then you won’t get scruffy, bearded types rabbiting on about Series vehicles, making the lycra-clad adventure-picnic set uncomfortable. ..."

The infamous Moegatle hill https://www.instagram.com/reel/CrAxj-egz6D/

https://media.landrover.com/news/2023/05/land-rover-classic-reveals-classic-defender-works-v8-islay-edition "... Land Rover Classic has revealed its first heritage themed special edition Defender – the Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition. The themed edition celebrates both the remarkable Spencer Wilks, Managing Director of the Rover Car Company and one of the founders of Land Rover, and the Isle of Islay, Scotland, where the Land Rover name was born, as contributors to the unrivalled legacy of Defender. The Classic Defender Works V8 Islay Edition is inspired by a Series IIa Land Rover owned and used by Spencer Wilks, that now forms part of the Land Rover Classic collection, and the Hebridean island where he holidayed. The Wilks’ Laggan Estate on Islay was used to test early prototypes and in 1947, while driving his heavily modified Rover across the rugged landscape, the estate's gamekeeper remarked that it must be a "Land Rover", thus the name was born. Based on the same technical specification as the Classic Defender Works V8, the Islay Edition is powered by a 405hp 5.0-litre V8 petrol engine mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Each one is comprehensively restored, re-engineered and upgraded, utilising donor vehicles from 2012-2016. Each carefully crafted and hand-assembled vehicle provides a unique proposition to discerning clients looking for a truly luxurious, comprehensively engineered, collectible classic Defender, direct from the original manufacturer. The Works V8 Islay Edition will be limited to 30 examples, all Station Wagons, with 17 available as a 90 short wheelbase and 13 available as a seven-seat 110 version. ... The Defender Islay Edition is priced from £230,000 for the 90, and £245,000 for the 110."

Another interesting video on the Lion engine:

The Aschroft ATB uses standard LR diff oil, so no issues there.

tyres are 275/60R20s

New Land Rover Defender SVX spotted with performance upgrades: https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/land-rover/defender/357810/new-land-rover-defender-svx-spotted-performance-upgrades "... The big changes come beneath the window line however. The flared wheel arches are needed because they house some chunky BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres on a new alloy wheel design. The suspension has also been raised up for extra ground clearance and it’s almost certain the spring rates have been adjusted for off-roading too. At the front there’s camouflage covering the front bumper and grille - suggesting this SVX model will gain a new face, in a similar fashion to the SVX versions of the old car. The front and rear lights look unchanged from the standard model. The powertrain sitting underneath the beefed up bodywork is a mystery. The most obvious choice is the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 from the Defender V8, producing 518bhp and 625Nm of torque. Our images show a quad-exhaust tip set up, but the backbox looks different to the Defender V8 and the tips are set a little further back into the body work. Only time will tell if this Defender has actually made use of Land Rover and BMW’s engine partnership, borrowing the German firm’s 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8. ..."

Land Rover Designs New Roll Cage And Suspension For A Hardcore Offroad Defender: https://carbuzz.com/news/land-rover-designs-new-roll-cage-and-suspension-for-a-hardcore-offroad-defender

Mate, you've got it all wrong: the whole point about an engine limp mode is that it enables to LIMP somewhere and get help without destroying the engine/gearbox/etc.

Yikes, on RHD vehicles, the driver's left leg will probably be quite toasty after an 8-hour drive 😶

I priced one for ZAR1.7million on the online configurator, the middle spec model. Same price as a new/slightly used ND D300

Sarek Automotive is working on a lockable rear diff: https://www.facebook.com/X5offroad/posts/pfbid0GhN3ZaJ1i87UyPywtLFT4y8D36fACrkQyWFLtb6Cu9hxgtNTLyU9p7paNBDrxQoDl He just posted some more details: "Almost have the working prototype for a selectable air locker for folks without the factory rear TOD rear locker. Final product will be a Billet case half to replace the factory differential case half and an ARB carrier unit. This will give the ability to manually lock the rear differential independent of the terrain response system settings or in case of failsafe operation. The ARB differential is also much stronger than a stock differential. The ARB has 4 spider gears vs stock with 2 spider gears with a single pin. Billet housing will include a larger carrier bearing and reinforced bearing race support. Case half will have all provisions to connect air line without the need to drill and tap."

https://www.autoevolution.com/news/jaguar-land-rover-i6-engine-may-leak-oil-affected-vehicles-will-get-new-cam-carriers-209820.html "... Jaguar Land Rover has announced a recall affecting nearly 7,000 vehicles from the Land Rover, Ranger Rover, and Jaguar brands. Ryobi Aluminium Casting, the company that supplies the cam carrier for the 3.0-liter Ingenium inline-six engine, informed the British automaker about a major concern in November 2022. ..."