Diff guards or steering/sump guard??

In your opinion, which one is the most important purchase? I'll not likely be off-roading often, but I've been greenlaning regularly and intend to continue, and have felt the diff's scrape on occasion whilst in deep ruts.

I'm fairly new to Land Rovers, and I'm petrified of damaging my pride and joy!

So let's have your opinions - what do I need to spend my hard-earned cash on?

drink and drugs?

Being as the diff is the lowest point, I'd say diff guard, as the standard diff pans aren't the strongest of things.
Only really go for a steering guard if you're going to tackle the rough stuff.

biscuits said:

drink and drugs?

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S'ok - I spend my not so hard-earned cash on that already

Mark L said:

Being as the diff is the lowest point, I'd say diff guard, as the standard diff pans aren't the strongest of things.
Only really go for a steering guard if you're going to tackle the rough stuff.

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That was the opinion of a mate of mine - but someone else i know with a defender swears that the steering is the weakest point and as such needs the most protection, and that the diff pans on a defender are very strong already??

My money is on beefing up steering.

Unless yer gonna remove and clean behind the diff gaurd on a regular basis the trapped cack behind the gaurd will rust the diff pan through.

I'd rather replace a piece of the steering than the differential should something go wrong, so a diff guard would be my priority

ratty said:

Unless yer gonna remove and clean behind the diff gaurd on a regular basis the trapped cack behind the gaurd will rust the diff pan through.

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Or just do away with the original diff pans completely.

I've seen far more people come away from laning/off-roading with bent steering rods than fecked diffs due to dented/holed diff pans.

OTOH, a steering rod can be fettled in the field with a hammer, hi-lift jack handle and ratchet strap. We did (not my Disco, but my handle and strap!) it a few weeks ago in North Yorkshire!

So overall I'd probably start with Diff protection ... or larger tyres would be my actual first thought ..

aaarghhh! So many opinions!! - perhaps i need to start nagging the missus and just buy both! And then some bigger tyres....

Well you asked!!

I bought steering guard and diff guards together, both off ebay, about £40 altogether!! Dropped on lucky, a guy had bought 'em, never used 'em and flogged 'em on when he sold his Disco!

Tyres make the biggest difference really, 'cos they raise the diffs off the deck a tad, or more, depending what you fit! Don't ask ...

I'm not complaining about the advice, believe me! Given that I'm not all that mechanically able, I think i'll start with the steering guard if that's the most damaged bit, then work on her indoors for the diff guards.

As for tyres - I think i'd have a hard time explaining that away whilst the current ones still have tread

ebay items 120940790030 and 230818299944 as examples ...