Hi all,
Long time watcher, first time posted. So, we finally got some land to start making a forest (as you do). This has allowed me to realise a bucket list ambition and get a ‘89 Defender 110. She’s lovely and going to be really nice with a bit of work.
As expected, in stock form (original wheel and tire sizes too) it struggles in the field a great deal. It has four challenges: the field is REALLY steep in two directions, there is a large stream at the bottom which means everywhere within about 15 metres has much softer soil (and is too deep for that ‘cut through the soil to harder stuff underneath’ idea), and the field currently has 50cm+ grass which gets damned slippery when wet. The field’s about 100m wide, so there’s nothing to attach a winch to unless you’re at the top of the hill (where the defender doesn’t struggle).
The first expedition to the field it did great, even by the stream, and then the rain came. Bogged in and almost slipped into the stream. I tried a rescue in fairer weather, and after making it about two vehicle lengths up the hill on recovery boards, the rain came back and washed it straight back down.
So the question then is what are the most cost-effective options to handle moving about the field better? So far considering:
LSD(s) because you’re basically always on a slant and evening out the drive power would help (I found I couldn’t ever get both wheels to drive, even on the boards).
Diff lock(s) for the same reason, but more expensive. Would they be worth it?
Bigger tyres because the narrow ones even lost grip on the boards 😅 How big can one go before lifting, and is it worth going bigger?
Add a winch and dig a looooot of big holes?? 😂
What would you recommend?
