Angono, Rizal PHL | November 4, 2013
The CJ8 behind the Range Rover
The LR and the RR were very fine vehicles. They were the best 4x4 money can buy. However, they are very expensive to maintain - parts are bought in British pounds, and not very many maintain inventory of parts. You have to import from HK, Singapore or USA. I was advised, 4x4 with RR is more expensive than playing golf. And that was correct. Furthermore, RR are like prima donnas and are quirky and performance. The metal parts are also brittle and break easily: the half shafts, drive shafts, differential gears (and sometimes you wreck the entire differential in an outing)
A congressman who heads a committee in revenue generation said that the Japanese 4x4 are better than European counterparts: are more reliable and cheaper to maintain. He owns a Porsche Cayenne and a VW Touareg.
I thus learned why other LR members do not like offroading - they simply like the travel, camping in groups, they bring the family, or just show off parade their LR and RR. And they being elite, just talk and joke among themselves.
Because of the huge costs with LR we invested in other vehicles. We bought a CJ8 and when its original engine conked out, we transplanted an entire Nissan SD 33 power train. It was very strong and capable 4x4 with towing capabilities. We saved many vehicles from gullies and bottom of ravine with this vehicle.
I also swapped 2 BMWs for a series 80 TLC VX TD ex Subic, AWD, with manual transmission. I spent P50t for fixing its brakes, suspension, steering. It was a one time expense, and I never had it to be repaired it again. However it was heavy and not fit for 4x4 competition. But it was a lot better to maintain than RR and friendlier and tolerant of my mistakes
I used to an officer (Trustee and Secretary) of the Land Rover Club of the Philippines. This site recalls and relives the past 4x4 offroading experiences. About my experience with Range Rover, Defender and the classic. Land Cruisers - series 40 and series 80. Renegade with SD 33 Nissan engine - the best. We now use for daily use a Subaru Forester. | Land Rover | Range Rover | Renegade | 4x4 | Defender 110 | Jeep | CJ2 | CJ3 | CJ8
4 x 4 Slider Pictures
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
I am not a purist Land Rover fan, I am a 4x4 off roading enthusiast, period
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