New defender axle and suspension

Hi All,
I know the subject of new defender vs old defender has been done to death. But I have a major problem with one thing. As the new defender doesn’t have beam axles, it will never have the same off-road potential as the old defender. You can have as many hi tech gizmos as you like, but when the going gets tough, you need 4 wheels on the floor.
I drive a standard defender, and I’m an occasional off roader. But several times I’ve driven down a rutted lane that a new defender would not have the ground clearance to negotiate.
If I was to purchase a new defender it would really annoy me that an old coil sprung Land Rover could embarrass me off road.
I’m not saying I hate the new defender, I think it’s a lovely looking vehicle. But it offers me nothing.

In standard not modified, the new defender has more ground clearance than the old one. Also with its trick off road modes it can lift wheels off the ground and still drive,
Something the original defender cannot do, until the later ones arrived with traction control.
I have an original defender 90, with lockers to allow progress in trickier situations, but I also have a new 110 which has a rear locker and off road modes and I can assure you it’s a competent off road vehicle, but I cringe when I hear branches grating down the sides.

Surely a stock New Defender with air suspension is better off road than an original Defender.

I know the the clever driver modes let’s you drive with a wheel lifted, but this is just compensating for lack of articulation. Ideally you want all wheels on the ground at all times. A four wheel drive is better than a three wheel drive.

Your 4 wheel drive in stock form only drives one wheel on each axle with the diff lock on, without diff lock you drive one wheel on one axle, and with open diffs it’s the wheels with least grip.

K14 said:

Hi All,
I know the subject of new defender vs old defender has been done to death. But I have a major problem with one thing. As the new defender doesn’t have beam axles, it will never have the same off-road potential as the old defender. You can have as many hi tech gizmos as you like, but when the going gets tough, you need 4 wheels on the floor.
I drive a standard defender, and I’m an occasional off roader. But several times I’ve driven down a rutted lane that a new defender would not have the ground clearance to negotiate.
If I was to purchase a new defender it would really annoy me that an old coil sprung Land Rover could embarrass me off road.
I’m not saying I hate the new defender, I think it’s a lovely looking vehicle. But it offers me nothing.

Click to expand...

Beam axles can lift a wheel too. Or even lift two wheels.
This is demonstrated by the fact that spring dislocation can, and does, occur. It has happened to me.
Never driven a new Defender, but I am sure they are excellent off road.
Also sure they are quite expensive to run, which is why I won't be buying one.

K14 said:

I know the the clever driver modes let’s you drive with a wheel lifted, but this is just compensating for lack of articulation. Ideally you want all wheels on the ground at all times. A four wheel drive is better than a three wheel drive.

Click to expand...

Motocross bikes are one wheel drive, and often only have one wheel on the ground as well.
And they seem to get on pretty well.

Theory, stats, and navel gazing are all very well, but the vehicle you like, and have is generally going to be best for you.
So you can contemplate that for a bit. I am going to change some Series brake shoes.

the ND has greater ground clearance - I think

not sure at what speed the suspension drops down

but the proper Defender with front and rear diff lockers will always win the slippery hill contest - whether that's mud or sand or shale rock

i also suspect the nd is a 1000 pounds fatter and that's not good

The weight is a problem for the new one. When our Land Rover club was out on a trip last year, one soft peaty bit defeated the new one while all the old style 90’s drove straight past on A/T’s

I drove down hill on a rutted lane the other day in an original Defender and got stuck or would have been if I didn't have diff lock.
Think a new one would have been too fat.

I am not an offroad driver, though I do drive across a moor often but I am careful not to break through the grass into the peat. I do this in a 1993 90 and whilst it does this comfortably, I am sure a new Defender would be more than capable of the same.

The big differences in my mind are these;

I can't afford a new one.

If I could I wouldn't want to risk damage due to hidden rocks etc.

At 30 years old I doubt the new Defender will still be going.

I enjoy the basic rugged nature of my very, very basic truck!!

johnlad said:

Your 4 wheel drive in stock form only drives one wheel on each axle with the diff lock on, without diff lock you drive one wheel on one axle, and with open diffs it’s the wheels with least grip.

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This is true if you are in say muddy conditions, and losing grip on one or more wheels. But it’s not always the case.
I have done some off roading in cyprus, and never needed to use diff lock due to the dry grippy terrain. I rarely lost equal drive to all 4 wheels.
I do see your point though. But my point is more to do with the core mechanical make up of the new defender

a new Defender vs Old Defender ‘ which one is better off road?’ debate, oh goody……

….it’s like comparing wives.

Turboman said:

Motocross bikes are one wheel drive, and often only have one wheel on the ground as well.
And they seem to get on pretty well.

Theory, stats, and navel gazing are all very well, but the vehicle you like, and have is generally going to be best for you.
So you can contemplate that for a bit. I am going to change some Series brake shoes.

Click to expand...

Ahh the old motocross bike comparison, good point

Turboman said:

Beam axles can lift a wheel too. Or even lift two wheels.
This is demonstrated by the fact that spring dislocation can, and does, occur. It has happened to me.
Never driven a new Defender, but I am sure they are excellent off road.
Also sure they are quite expensive to run, which is why I won't be buying one.

Click to expand...

Yes, but you will always have better articulation with beam axle

slomofo said:

a new Defender vs Old Defender ‘ which one is better off road?’ debate, oh goody……

….it’s like comparing wives.

Click to expand...

I think you missed the point. The key word in my first post is potential. Have another read

K14 said:

I drive a standard defender,
If I was to purchase a new defender it would really annoy me that an old coil sprung Land Rover could embarrass me off road.
I’m not saying I hate the new defender, I think it’s a lovely looking vehicle. But it offers me nothing.

Click to expand...

So dont buy one & keep the standard defender. Close thread please !!!! Job jobbed.

Doesn't a new Defender "air-down" at the touch of a button and then reinflate at the touch of another?

I thought it had pooters on it to do everything?

If not, it really is sheee1te!

kevstar said:

So dont buy one & keep the standard defender. Close thread please !!!! Job jobbed.

Click to expand...

Chill out kevtard, it’s Saturday

K14 said:

Chill out kevtard, it’s Saturday

Click to expand...

This is me chilled