Thanks for all your support and sharing your thoughts on the breakdown ! This is also why we share our personal experiences and love to read yours. Regarding our vehicle's requirements, we won't change them. We did learn to take time, an important thing in this new life, but, with all the different points of interest we have and the long distance drives to reach them, adding that we don't have unlimited amount of time in the country, we want to be efficient. This is also why we have a car and not a truck. We need to be able to drive long distances in a decent amount of time. If you think this Defender's transmission and engine cannot handle heavy weight or drive at regular speed on highway, this means you also think a 130 Defender is a dangerous vehicle as these parts are exactly the same but with a 3500kg gvm. I personaly think fewer of you found out what we are planning for the rest of the trip ;) If you were in the exact same situation, with this exact vehicle and setup, on this continent, with 2 teenagers, what would you do ? Can't wait to read you :)
@offtrackfamily I think you will get it repaired or modified as you are away from home. Too much to abandon so far away from home. Maybe a new vehicle will emerge once you finish your trip and you get home?
@offtrackfamily I think if I were in your position, I would look for a Defender repair specialist in the area and attempt to repair the gearbox but first and foremost there is a need for a diagnosis of what has happened. Sending the gearbox back to Winchester Gears , repaired and returned will take many,many years therefore trying to repair it locally is probably the better option.
This is really ironic that this is posted this week. I ran into a young couple here in PEI Canada from Scotland with a transmission failure on a Puma Defender this past week. This must be a super common issue! My thoughts for you on this dilemma, is that an F-150 with a camper shell would fix so many problems so fast. Space, power, reliability, parts availability, etc. I expect however you will put a gas V8 with an automatic transmission in your car and maintain the suffering.
Dear family, I’m driving 4x4 since 2010, and mostrly Land Rover. As a mechanical engineer, my simple opinion, is that teinforcong all te transmission was the problem to broke the gearbox: better explanation is that you removed all “mechanichal fuse” from the wheel till the gearbox! Bigger tires = higher torque at same driving speeds. Bigger torque requires stronger flanges… your primary mechanichal FUSE. Stronger flanges requires stronger halfshafts, stronger and reduced conic gears, stringer driveshaft, stronger trans case, stronger clutch… and what remain to save your gearbox from higher stress? Nothing! Put back original flanges on the axles and thanks good when those break!! Replace easily, inexpensive, fast, and enjoy a long safe ride. Sorry to say that there aren’t so many mechanichs in all those “high quality & stronger parts designers/mfr”. Your def has nothing wrong, place properly a “fuse” in the transmission chain, something you want it fail to save something else much more important… like the gearbox!
I myself a strong believer than original size wheel are the the number one key for reliability in long travel. I absolutly dont understand why people goes for bigger wheels, with all te mechanical stress it brings on the car , and when where there are plenty of choice of proper tyres in standard wheel size .
This cannot be overstated. Reinforcing stuff from the wheel end moves the stress up the chain. Also at the same time remapping the engine puts more stress from other side onto the gearbox. What I did not get, was the gearbox reinforced as well? The TD4 has the Getrag MT82, a gearbox that is also fitted in the Ford Mustang, so you should find a used one easily in the US… but I do not know if is a drop in replacement with the flange towards the intermediate gearbox. However, going by default with a fully loaded or even overloaded vehicle calls for disaster. The Defender works very well within its specs and the standard setting was chosen wisely by its engineers (I learned that the hard way as well). But if your specs are not matching those of this car, you might have to look for something bigger. I would always stay at least 30-40% under the load capacity of any vehicle used for long distance travel in off-road conditions, so you have some reserves. So your travel weight should define your platform.
You guys are inspirational.We too overland with a 110 poptop,& we also have had breakdowns,the worst of which was a totaly siezed engine in remote Bosnia requiring us having to ship the car back to France.Breakdowns will always happen,no mater what vehicle you choose for overlanding,in my view,& I'm sure you will agree,a Defender 110 is one of,if not the best vehicle for the job. Be strong guys,you will look back with fantastic memories from your trip,including the breakdowns.
But at the end it is a defender thing :-) I had so many cars, never had any serious problem, also with high mileage. But you are right, many cars have at some point a breakdown. Thats why i swap my cars all three years latest. Except my Defender. Which is not a reliable car. But one to love. And which love is perfect? :D
Thanks for the support! We were mentally ready for an engine failure and other small breakdowns. So when something unusual happens we tend to analyse what we’re able to do better and try to find the best solution to go forward 👍
I believe a lot of the problems with any of these types of vehicles are the mods that people do. The manufacturer did not design the vehicle for these big lifts and weights. I have looked at many vehicles that are for sale as soon as I see they have been lifted and oversized tires, installed, I walk away. This also goes for most modifications to the engine. I still remember my brother-in-law telling story how they were hunting, and they came upon a modified Jeep stuck it had a big lift and large tires. As they were struggling to get it unstuck long came an old stock military jeep (M-151), it just drove right around them and kept going. The point is that old stock M-151 was way more capable than the highly modified one.
You don't need to do any modifications or upgrades to the defender. I can speak from experience as I overlanded for 77000 km in 21 months and never once had to go to a workshop anywhere. My Landy was 25 years old before the trip and did some serious driving over al sorts of terain. I tend to agree with the comments that those big wheels are a mistake. Good luck forward with your trip.
You guys are a true insperation we enjoy your content since the beginnig ,the breakdown is just a small setback. A defender owner does have family in every corner of the world..... a bad day on expedition is still mutch better than the best day at office working 8 to5
Thanks for sharing you real experience, wish you can continue with your journey, now the defender, run it stock, 235 85 tyres, keep the weight down, only way for it survive, as you said very well, upgrade parts moves the weak points to other parts of the car. Although I love land rovers, I now have a 80 series and travel long distances no problem. Family of 4 setup I thin you doing amazing but weight is your enemy. Will continue to watch your adventures and keep us updates. Best of luck Luis 🇵🇹🇬🇧
You've had the vehicle since 2009 (15 years) & it broke down. I have a one year old land cruiser 300 & it broke down on Stockton beach. Just how it goes. Fix it & move along.
It's scary what you've been up to I've been watching your videos for quite a long time and going back to some of them again, you've put so much heart and money into Defender. A DEFENDER that should protect you , be reliable and not give you headaches and unnecessary stress. Please make sure you make a video under the title of what caused the failure and what position the gearbox supplier took on the matter. I myself have been modifying my Defender 130 for 4 years to finally be able to travel the world with my son and I know what you have been through to get the car to this state, it is very sad what has happened to you, I wish you good health and a trouble free journey ahead.
Thanks for your support! Supplier was of a great help and made it way less stressful as said in the video. we’ll update as soon as we know. Enjoy your travels too !
The trouble when you have so many aftermarket parts on a car is that ( no matter what you might think about Landrover original quality ) it's hard to ensure the quality of low volume parts partiularly since 2020 where it seems to be clear there is a general drop in the quality of all sorts of parts . Also no-one is testing the exact combination of parts fitted to any one project so you the owner are the vehicle development department.....
There might have been a drop of quality also in genuine parts or any other fields (not only automotive). And yes it’s difficult to compare any overlanding vehicle since most have different setups and way of using them.
Great attitude - that's what makes overlanding possible - all vehicles break down - with Defenders and especially your one , you have so much history so you know it so well - thats a real plus - not many vehicles can be modified like a Defender - good luck in whatever you choose to do
There is ample parts supply in the USA. Shipping is fast from the UK as well. Buy a trans outright from Ashcroft. On the shelf you would have it in 3 days. Keep the LR.
Sure this is in theory, you didn’t add in there: company putting you in first in line, building the part, garage also putting you first in line over his regular customers, shipping delivery delays and hours on the phone dealing with all this 👍
Dear Off-Track Family, I am truly admiring how you "want" to travel the four of you in such a small space of the One Ten. Chapeau!..Having been driving Defenders for 20 odd years I believe to know a little bit about them and I truly understand your desire to go for something else..but keeping your general outlines the same. I have just come back from Algeria´s Grand Erg occidental where we did over 650 km of breathtaking and challenging sand dunes in a group of 15 vehicles. Mostly 80 Series Land Cruisers which I consider to be "old" cars by now with huge mileages : ours had between 300 and up to 560.000km on the clock! None of them missed a beat..but yes ALL cars can potentially break down but Toyotas are simply built to a higher standard than most other vehicles and user friendly and mechanically easy to service and work on. The logic behind the design is what cuts the edge over a Land Rover any time. A Defender is theoretically a tough vehicle but with inconsistent build quality issues raising their ugly head at unexpected times..what most Defender drivers consider general maintenance most Land Cruiser owners would call a rebuild. Just ask my wife how much more time I have for her now that I drive a Land Cruiser (15 years of overlanding and everyday driving without a single breakdown). Being in the US I would go for a first gen Toyota Tundra double cab V8 and get the IFS linkages and ball joints renewed with ONLY original parts. Only weak point they had. Once that is sorted you will have space, comfort and power for your family adventures. Perhaps get a pop-top camper shell in the load bed and enjoy actual living space and shelter in uncomfortable climes. Your Defender will fetch premium in the US being such a rare vehicle if you can manage to get it registered over there. Tacoma is also an option but once again a lighter /smaller truck.. As for heavy duty parts on a Defender: as you have painfully experienced they can often put stress on other parts of the drive line. Driving any vehicle overland with a family of four under 3000kg is an illusion. So best go for a heavier truck to start with. A V8 Tundra would be my choice. Mud tires, a good suspension set-up, some protection underneath and a good service with original filters and parts and off you go. If you should go the Toyota route than stick to original parts whenever possible, be it filters or else..they are always the best choice to keep your Toyota as reliable as their reputation. Something that cannot be said for Land Rover parts..unfortunately. The Defender community is a great asset and Defenders make great content for thew very reason you have just experienced. My personal travel vehicle choice is for peace of mind and getting to and out of places in comfort, safety and eyes, ears and mind on the trip and not on the vehicle. Excited to see what your choice will be..as you have surely an idea already for some time..
Vous souhaite courage, Surtout prenez bien soin de votre Super Def... Cette épreuve n'est juste une amélioration deplus pour votre monture. On apprend bcp de vos expériences. MERCI Bon vent.
Twenty years a Defender (93 Tdi) owner with three flat bed recoveries on my Land Rover despite endless maintenance and servicing. Two clutches and one front axle CV joint, all failing whilst regular motoring. Each time has made me want to sell but if and when the fourth arrives Daisy (the Defender) is gone. The transmissions on these cars are notoriously weak despite your best endevours - I recalled yonks ago the Winchester gears install transfer box. Good luck - me I would have a Grenadier which I think out the box would be perfect - built like a lorry.
🙌 imo Grenadier is as niche as the Defender and would certainly have its fare share of breakdowns on the long term. But who knows, might be the next best overlanding vehicle 😊
@offtrackfamilyThe Grenadier is engineered to a vastly better standard than the Defender whose axles date back to the fifties, the gearbox in mine saw service in a 1970's TR7 and a transfer box frankly made of chocolate. Do not get me wrong I love the Defender but as a vehicle to roam the planet it would not make the list unless supported by LR themselves. Grenadier would be top choice followed by Toyota Landcruiser - not the latest one. Defender is good for the clicks though as it has 'risk' captured within the title. Good luck with your travels.
The reason that you have destroyed the transmission is: 1. Overloading. 2. Fitting tyres that are too tall, thereby increasing the torque going through the transmission. 3. Trying to drive this brick at highway speeds ( like a normal car ), instead of being satisfied driving it at lower speeds. And 4. it is a very old LandRover. LandRover Defenders were designed back in the Dark Ages. Replace it with a newer more reliable Toyota Troopy.
Bah je pourrais vous dire de rouler en Land-Cruiser mais bon vous avez choisi la difficulté 😂😂 Les Defender sont de súper 4x4 et les pannes cela arrive parfois même au meilleur !!! Courage et profitez bien
All vehicles broke down. It’s a wonderful vehicle with all the manual basics, not that comfort compared to other vehicles. Saw your family having fun with it, just one breakdown, repair and move on with it. Have more adventures with it.
I've had my fair share of issues in ten years of Defender Puma ownership, only one actual recovery needed but plenty of only-just-made-it-homes 😂. But I love that car, and after all, she never talks about changing her unreliable owner so I won't change her either 😅
My d2 td5 discovery set up for touring went round Australia broke down at the end of 20,000 klm trip spent 20k on all new ashcroft drivetrain is an even more amazing 4WD and now waiting 😂
Sorry to hear, i know u guys love the defender i mean who doesn't, it's such a lovely unique design that can't be matched, if you would like to keep the defender and not have to worry about the brake down i would suggest putting toyota engine/gearbox/axles. If that idea doesn't look suitable then going for a land cruiser, mybe building a fj80 rig, that's what i would do if i were in ur position, that just me lol, im a series 3 with 2. 25 petrol old timer here from Algeria, hope things get better for you guys, good luck
I truly believe that no matter what brand you choose and leave stock or modify it will have a issue of some kind. Who’s to say once you get the trans fixed it could be the last major break down. At least it sounds good.
Though, surprisingly, I still adore my 2013 Defender, it has had more serious breakdowns since new than any other vehicle I have owned. Now I don't have much confidence in it. Yes, my gearbox let me down as did the oil pump, the clutch, the turbo two times not to mention break discs and cost of tyres etc. Each breakdown has entailed breakdown recovery and endless days in a garage. I've been trying to convince myself that this was an unlucky, friday car, but this makes me wonder. The Ford Transit engine was designed to be fitted transversely. In the Land Rover it has been squeezed in longtitudinally. This has caused several problems with various pipes wearing through. Despite all this, I love it!
Buy a 110 td5 and rebuild, Ford engine and many parts from clutch backward were a mid time disaster. But...thank you for share all these years... I hope you're still running a Defender anyway.
@@2586fransb yes I know. I have one. I'm just saying there is a school of thought in the LR community that the TDis dont have the issues that the folks with TD5s and Pumas can experience.
The only problem is the Ford transit engine in your defender.. the most popular choice is a bmw 330d engine swap which mated upto the tdci gearbox with an adapter plate.. or you could swap the gearbox with the bmw 6 and 8 speed auto.. my td5 has come out and my 2014 330d xdrive and gearbox will go in the defender.. Just have a look on TH-cam for Mahker in England.. Great project and the ultimate combination for these vehicles.. If only Landrover did this.. like the new Grenadier bmw all the way.. Hope this helps as you have a decent package already.. And MW Machines in England also do these type of conversions check them out on TH-cam..
As Rabby Burns wrote over 200 years ago, 'The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry' These days we just say, 'shit happens'. I have had defenders for 20 years, and I have looked after them all. Things have broken, leaked, split and exploded, but I have never had a gearbox problem. You could have a defender for another 20 years and never have a gearbox problem again. It's just bad luck - and that can happen to any vehicle.
What a shame , grizzlyNbear have taken their couple half way around the world and they haven’t I don’t think had any gearbox or engine issues , they have had wear and tear breakdowns but their 130 Landrover is still going strong 😢😢
MHO. manufactures design the components of a vehicle to work together, engine, gearbox, axles, brakes, steering etc.. The minute you change things you are putting on extra strains and stresses on other components that it wasn’t designed for. Classic example back in the 70’s was people putting massive wheels and tyres on standard cars just for show without considering the effect on the wheel bearings, brakes, steering geometry etc.. Imho keep it standard and definitely no remaps.
As explained, stock Defender wouldnt be able to do what we want, so why have a Defender ? It was one of the fewer real 4x4 available on the market for non professionals and at a “decent” price in Switzerland back in 2009.
I’m very curious if you think LOFs output shaft had anything to do with this. When I installed mine, the mechanics were a bit concerned about how rigid the connection between the gearbox and transfer case became, perhaps providing additional stress to the gearbox.
My thoughts, you’ve upgraded everything bar the gearbox and thats now broken. Upgrade the gearbox. Make sure your drive train is rock solid. You’ve done a lot to your landy, inside and out, if you swap it for another vehicle, you have to start from scratch. That said, I’m a single traveler and the Landy (a from new 2014 puma 110, 6 speed, not remapped or lifted), is sometimes a bit small for me and a couple of dogs, so you as a family of four must have to make a fair few sacrifices.
The best Defender is TDI and TD5. The rest are Ford. Nothing will last. Go to the service center and they will open the transmission and there are also good car mechanics in the USA. It will probably be a bearing. You can buy it everywhere in the USA. Don't send it to the UK. it's a waste of money and time. It can be fixed beautifully. Don't be stressed about it. You're driving a Land Rover. It's a lot of fun.
Yep. I’ve got a 200tdi defender with 320,000 miles under its belt and I’ve owned it for 25 years as my daily work vehicle. In all that time it’s left me on the side of the road once when a Britpart clutch exploded! Obviously it’s had problems but they aren’t ever problems which leaves me stranded.. you can normally always sort the problem.
Agree, don’t send that Ford gearbox to the UK unless you intend to drop it in the Atlantic on the way. Get an Ashcroft gearbox from the UK. Will be there within a week.
@@matymaty7477 i am excited to see how they compare. I have both a Defender with the 2.2 Puma and a Ford Van. Had another Ford before and this car was very reliable. Very poor build in general, but the engine and gearbox had no issues with almost 200k km at all.
I agree! Tdi and td5 are peak defenders. High milage pumas now are starting to show their limits and it’s not as high as tdi and td5. I’d say keep their set up as simple as possible. Less weight starting with the tires. If they still want a bit of ground clearance, go with 255/85 rather than 285/75 to shed some weight.
Breakdowns happen. If you live on the road, it’s only a matter of time. We’ve seen plenty of broken down vehicles on our travels. (Yes, Toyotas included). There is no such thing as the perfect vehicle.If a single breakdown makes you want to change the vehicle, I’m not sure this lifestyle is for you.
Wrong the lifestyle is up to them, but with a Landy and esp those mods, parts are not everywhere, you can have a modified Toyota eg a Landcrusier and get parts anywhere in the world modified or otherwise, that is one of the key strengths of a Toyota over Landrover especially, Jeep, Nissan or any other brand.(world Wide, not just someone country of origin) Saying that I do think they are asking allot from any vehicle that is a wagon, possibly the best option for them is a Landcruiser Troopy conversion! Toyota's network world wide is hard to beat and most things are pretty easy to work on yourself without being a mechanic
@@maverick2242that’s not our experience. We’ve been all over Africa, Asia, Aus and NZ. Breakdowns happen to all vehicles and not always easily fixed locally. Especially if they have modified parts fitted. But hey. If it works for you, great. 👍. The best place to breakdown is where you can get assistance such as in this case. It would be a much bigger ordeal if you were deep in the middle of nowhere.
@@maverick2242 btw I do agree that Toyota network worldwide is the best. Problem is when you have older Toyotas. It’s still hard to find parts locally and likely will require international shipping. Troopy is awesome. But they still break.
@@richardweerasinghe3296 I have an 80 series and I can get parts almost anywhere, I have watched many travellers in Africa, Aussie and US and anyoine can pretty much work on a Landcrusier and get parts, some parts are interchangable, you dont need to send a trans back to the UK for example! sure nothing is perfect thats the adventure but parts and support is, I worked in parts also so I know the challenges of many vehicles! Mods I have done are all easily worked on and serviceable by myself and I am no mechanic, I am mechanical, but its experience, that said I couldnt and wouldn't want to work on may modern vehicles its a nightmare, I have also bought and see LC products in the US, Africa, Aus and NZ and Asia no problems its a huge aftermarket network even if OEM+ !
@@maverick2242 they have never sold the 70 series troop carriers in North America, but they have sold defenders. So just because it is Toyota doesnt mean everyone and their mammy has parts for them.
I worked with a guy that had a Defender and was in the Defenders club, and he said most members are all in denial about the issues, even though they all have them because they look the part and earlier models were famous (albeit, still not reliable). He left the club and got a Mitsubishi Triton. Personally, I'm loyal to Land cruisers as they are used extensively across Australian farming, mining, construction and extreme 4x4 expeditions, and all through Africa - it's a big clue. The only thing that kills a Land cruiser is dodgy after-market parts, poor maintenance, over-loaded or completely reckless driving. Otherwise, you simply won't have issues with them - by design they are simple and robust. Defenders - you'll have issues even if you do everything right.
Land Rover gear boxes are not or have never been up to the job the size speed loading is too much how do know I have 3/4 of a million miles in 110s they need or needed a heavy duty gear box even the LT 95 isn't up to the job. ~Good luck keep going. oh and on this type of trip everything needs to be checked every day. Big wheels upgraded axles remapped engine the weak link is the gear box 110s anr't meant to travel all day fully loaded at high speeds.
Not sure if I’d call it a major breakdown when you could still drive it for 1.5hr afterwards, to your destination, and onto the tow truck. At least when these old Land Rover’s break… they’ll still get you home. It’s a manual transmission, shame you can’t find someone near you to service it instead of sending it off to England. Speaking from experience- that will take FOREVER to receive back. My advice would be find something more permanent than an Airbnb so you’re not paying for it for a whole entire month!!!
Very unfortunate circumstances but I do not believe it is the fault of your upgrades or maintenance. I have seen several old defenders on extreme overlanding trips both here in Canada and Africa without significant breakdowns. Yes there is a quality and accessibility issue with Land Rover components and parts. Makes your situation really bad but do not lose faith. Adjust and carry on. We are all hoping your North American Adventure will continue. Go Toyota!
You need a INEOS Grenadier or perhaps Quartermaster 😎 My brother have 3 old Defenders and I know it a bit 😉 I have a Grenadier since this year for daily driving, it's so much better in all things but have the same spirit... and it's an new not so big company so I think you would have the chance for support your project ✊ Greetings from cold Switzerland 🥶
I take the liberty to write, that there are several aspects to consider while selecting a vehicle. First of all, in my humble opinion, Puma generation of Defenders is nothing to write home about, especially if you remap the engine management system. I would rather go for a TD5. However, TD5 Defenders are old and if you want to use them intensively you need to rebuild the vehicle down to the last bolt. Defenders are very old design for better for worse. Take into account its weak points but do not reinforce one and leave the other as it left the factory as it will fail. Certain parts should act as “safety fuses”. Another issue to consider is not to overload and overstress the vehicle as it will lead to premature wear. With regard to footprint, Land Rover in general and Defender in particular, are not very popular in North America. At the same token other brands like Toyota don’t sell the same vehicles in all markets. For instance, the Landcruiser 78 also known as the Troopy, a vehicle that may suit your needs. is not sold in North America thus parts for it are scares and unlike urban fairytale Toyota breaks down like every vehicle. If you look around you will find there several Land Rover specialist in North America such as East Cost Rover, Britania Restoration etc. Last thing I ran a 4X4 Toyota replacing it with a Land Rover, frankly the Toyota, which I purchased new, broke down at leas as many times as the Land Rover which I bought used with 156 K Km.
Very sorry to hear about this. I follow a lot of overlanders and saw that Next Meridian Expedition had an engine failure in Australia and Lewie and the Rover are changing their Defender to a Toyota pickup. I think Land Rovers have a loyal following, but I just would not have the confidence to travel around the world in one. Have a look at Alveto Expedition in English. They have travelled the globe in an old Toyota LC Prado, but there are only two of them so it would be too small for your family. Maybe a 7.5 tonne expedition truck would be the best suited for you?
Its not the defender that has let you guys down,its the upgrade and after market parts and all cars or trucks have their limits and thats all makes of vehicles
@Coordinator61 what you have forgot is that its an after market part thats let them down .my daily drive is a 40 yr old 110 and still on her original gearbox,chassis,axles etc .if i wanted to be like everybody else then i would drive a jap motor lol.life is an adventure and nothing ever is plain sailing
I don’t agree with all of that. All cars have their limits, yes agree, upgrades and aftermarket parts, no, I think it’s more how you take care of it and how you use it
Probably agree with that all these extra strong half shafts people fit etc just move the issue of weakness to another place. Keep things simple is my motto
I have a 1987 landrover 90.. its been on my drive for 2 years with a cracked cylinder head!🙄 they aren't the most realiable but i still absolutely love mine!!❤ .. i would happily be buried in it!! But why not try a patrol or a land cruiser?🤔
Emeline & family, nice videos and adventures! I still own a Land Rover (Freelander 2) but sold our Defender Puma mainly because of one reason: safety. All big 4x4's are strong, some arguably a bit more than others, a matter of opinion and also facts to blur the opinions! However, too many examples of people suffering badly in an accident with a Defender. I'm talking about on a main tar road, higher speeds, and other vehicle involvement. I moved to another make (pointless to say which one or model) but it's definitely safer in every respect, but especially from impact and in a rollover situation. So, I guess what I am trying to say is, consider other aspects and not only vehicle reliability, longevity, performance, and ability to repair no matter where you are on earth. Ciao and enjoy your travels!!!
Sorry to see that you are having trouble with your rig, and I hope you can get this sorted out very soon and continue your journey. Any plans to be up here in the Pacific Northwest at some point during your USA trip?
Perso, je pense plus à la taille des pneus. Sur le long terme, c'est une contrainte énorme pour la transmission. Pour avoir voyagé en Amérique du Nord et centrale avec mon véhicule européen, je connais ce type de situation et vous souhaite de trouver une solution rapidement. Mais il est également certain que le véhicule idéal est très difficile à trouver... Tout est question de compromis 😉
I know a lot of people write that weight was the problem, but isn’t that gearbox used it in Defender 130’s with a GVM of 3500 kg and a tow rating of 3500 kg? I’m not saying that being over GVM is not bad, but that should not be a problem for that gearbox! Do the gearbox have an oil cooler?
I already asked if you are in the whats group land rover de las americas? you can get a lot of help.Anyway any vehicle can break bad luck ,we did the Panamericana 55000km our vehicle 3,4t heavy no problem at all and we did offroad and some time extream
Closest comparable is a JK or a landcruiser. Cant get the land cruiser J70 without a year lead or something, and the wanted engines are against EU regulation. Not familiar with MT82, but take a look at what Jeep will give you in terms of the gearbox by comparison they don't offer much. Your family vehicle is very laden/heavy and the video of it driving may be an exaggeration but its going through its paces. If your mileage is that high on the engine you will probably hit failure in main bearing soon / oil pressure, make sure your guages are dialled in etc. In the states / south america your probably better off with an early Ford superduty or something.
Posseggo da anni un 110 Tdi 300 con 280,000 km. Propulsore, Cambio, Frizione, Trasmissione, Pompa gasolio, Turbina, originali mai toccati se con con le regolari manutenzioni. Sempre guidato in conservazione e senza alcuna modifica se non alle sospensioni rinforzate con elementi originali del 130. Il Td5 resta anche questo un buon modello. Non tanto si può dire perla serie TDci, mezzi deboli sulla scatola del cambio, la frizione e la trasmissione , tutti poco equilibrati con il gruppo motore (scarsi anche sui materiali usati...). Voi per questo avete fatto una lunga serie di modifiche cercando di ottenere il meglio delle prestazioni, come in genere si fa su un'auto sportiva, a scapito però di un equilibrio di base. Forse, come hai accennato, avete preteso troppo e tutti sappiamo che le prestazioni non vanno d'accordo con l'affidabilità e un viaggio... è soprattutto fatto di quest'ultima. Spero comunque per voi in una buona stella e che il guasto, contrariamente a quello che si pensi, sia riparabile senza gravi perdite. Buona strada ai Defender nel mondo, sempre!!! 🍀
You are over GVM, that g’box was the weakest link to carry all that weight. Remapping it also pushed the torque beyond its limits. Did you weight it, do you know how much over you were, you joked, but this is what happens when you load up a vehicle like this. Sorry this happened, but these are the consequences of carrying way too much extra weight the car was never designed to carry.
@offtrackfamily the 130 was factory, there is NO way you are anywhere near factory weight. Remapping the engine, different turbo etc, you have pushed this too far and the gearbox broke, have you even weighed it? Most vehicles have very little extra weight to give, and remember, some don’t even count people, start adding extra water, fuel, you need to accept, you pushed it too far, broke it because of what you did to it.
I hope it all works out for you all Nothing worse when you’re out of you own country and all living in it 🥺😢😩Hopefully you finances can cover this issue and you find a Toyota you like 🤞🏻🤐😬
Why are you sending it to the UK? There are enough UK Land Rover mechanics in the US/Canada. A handful in Ontario. Wouldnt that be much cheaper? The guys I know in Ontario built defenders in the UK decades ago.
Yes there are many and also many haven’t worked on Tdci as not imported yet and not all of them have time to help asap travelers in their already very busy schedule with old defenders. Talking real life experience here ! What isn’t shown in the video is all the hours spent on the phone to deal with this issue the best way possible according to our Land Rover defender
It remains to be seen what is faulty and what was the cause. Personally, I don't think it's just one single issue, rather a combination of several factors. Whether the Defender is fundamentally a bad vehicle, I don't think so. There are enough examples on TH-cam to show that things can be done differently. And yes, even Toyotas break down at some point. I'm really curious to know what's faulty and why. Speculatively, I would guess the one-piece shaft and bearing.
As many have said, any vehicle can haven mechanical parts fail even toyota's. As I think you've realised, some of the problems lie with yourselfs. Don't think the ford engine works well in the puma and the 6 speed gearbox has its known problems. Don't know if you've upgraded the gearbox ?. Tuning the engine for more power isn't a good idea in my opinion, particularly for a high mileage heavy overlander . You can't have everything; very capable off roader, overlander and something that will sit happily at 130km on the motorway. Well you can if you spend 80k gpd on a ineos grenadier! Keep in mind, many people watch your channel because you have a defender .
Drop the speed requirement you set yourself. It is just not possible to compete with the modern 2L 200hp+ turbo engines and electric cars. It is overlanding not a race. When I drive my Suzuki Jimny overlander my cruise speed is 100km/h. Sometimes I stay behind trucks instead of overtaking. You drive an overloaded defender with your whole life and family in it. Please slow down 🤗
Put an engine from Mercedes om 605 or 606 whit R380 gearbox, there is not much electricity on the engine and they are very reliable, you will never have problems again. Good luck.
Only 230 000 thats not much my td5 at 365000 almost at 366000 km still going strong everyone is running away ill stay with my defender thankyou. All cars brake down .
Bon courage est bonne course sinon la marque la plus étendue dans le monde c'est Toyota mais sa tombe en panne aussi suivant votre utilisation je suis passer d'un defender a un Toyota hdj 100 c'est une histoire de gout le def est légendaire est fait un vrai baroudeur .
Your setup is great but your van not so great for parts and service everywhere better off with Toyota for that you guys going thru this 😢😢 by the way you are so beautiful ❤❤
as a defender owner i would say: the Defender is not a normal car, it is not desingt to do normal road speeds!I ti is clear that the car will brake. The td 4 was a compromise for Land Rover. The 300 TDi ore the TD5 are much bether engines! I own both of them. They work well in this Defenders. So maybe it is the Wrong 4x4, for youre wishes. A Dodge RAM diesel ore a Land Cruiser with a biger Diesel engine would be a bether fit!
Precisely. Tooo much speed, tooo much weight and should have stuck to Ashcroft - 5 Africa trips inc all of Algeria, overweight and no problems with gearboxes or anything else apart feom a battery cable worked loose.
We are full Ashcroft ;) as said in video speed and weight certainly dont go well together but we don’t want to drag ourselves with a car. Having any type of breakdown isn’t fun so happy to know you were able to enjoy your holidays free of any problems 👍
Unfortunate breakdown indeed, it’s the modifications which makes it less reliable in my honest opinion, lifting the vehicle, heavy big tires,a stock defender drives better, can handle full payload with ease for a much longer time, won’t drive that fast yes but a defender isn’t meant for driving fast, also I doubt about the quality of a lot of aftermarket parts to be honest because real quality you can only buy at Land Rover in my experience, already did see a lot of LOF and Winchester parts with quality issues, sure a TH-camr gets great customer service for obvious reasons
@ it wasn’t meant to be negative Emily, just an opinion sharing some thoughts about how it could be more reliable and supposedly should give you more trust in your vehicle because every vehicle even a Toyota will break down when heavily modified especially when the drivetrain is involved into the modifications,a lot of Defender overland travellers has stock parts and are trouble free for a long time and are easy to repair when something breaks down eventually,a Defender will run a lifetime as long as parts are available and runs best when especially the engine and drivetrain will be kept stock, converting it into a camper and driving it over his payload isn’t part of the problem
Lots of 'van lifer' types make the same mistakes. Spend way too much time on interior design and ambient lighting and spend as little as possible time and money on servicing and preventative maintenance. If you rely on a vehicle to not only be your home but to transport you to wild remote place then you need to have a much more aggressive maintenance schedule than the average person?
Emeline, hope you are all ok and happy after all that problems. Trully, I follow you from the start of the channel. Enjoyed every video, but when you start drasticly change all parts on defender, somehowe that wasnt that what I was used to at the first place. I know now it is over, of course every year and every adventure brings new ideas, but sometimes, keep it simple and it is the best. It is what it is, no point to return, enjoy every moment with your family and landy, but try to keep it simple, you know how it is in life, fewer things, less things to wory about and enjoy in moment :) Cheers from Croatia, when you are nearby, call :)
Former Product Developer for Toyota here. I suggest a used 80 SeriesToyota LandCruiser, which has an ironclad durability reputation, though it's not as large inside as your current vehicle. Or a solution that gives you much more interior space and will meet your needs offroad - the Ineos Grenadier. I'm quite certain I've identified your solution and look forward to the update. Cheers.
Thanks for all your support and sharing your thoughts on the breakdown ! This is also why we share our personal experiences and love to read yours.
Regarding our vehicle's requirements, we won't change them. We did learn to take time, an important thing in this new life, but, with all the different points of interest we have and the long distance drives to reach them, adding that we don't have unlimited amount of time in the country, we want to be efficient. This is also why we have a car and not a truck. We need to be able to drive long distances in a decent amount of time.
If you think this Defender's transmission and engine cannot handle heavy weight or drive at regular speed on highway, this means you also think a 130 Defender is a dangerous vehicle as these parts are exactly the same but with a 3500kg gvm.
I personaly think fewer of you found out what we are planning for the rest of the trip ;)
If you were in the exact same situation, with this exact vehicle and setup, on this continent, with 2 teenagers, what would you do ?
Can't wait to read you :)
@offtrackfamily I think you will get it repaired or modified as you are away from home. Too much to abandon so far away from home.
Maybe a new vehicle will emerge once you finish your trip and you get home?
@offtrackfamily I think if I were in your position, I would look for a Defender repair specialist in the area and attempt to repair the gearbox but first and foremost there is a need for a diagnosis of what has happened. Sending the gearbox back to Winchester Gears , repaired and returned will take many,many years therefore trying to repair it locally is probably the better option.
A second Defender? 😂
This is really ironic that this is posted this week. I ran into a young couple here in PEI Canada from Scotland with a transmission failure on a Puma Defender this past week. This must be a super common issue!
My thoughts for you on this dilemma, is that an F-150 with a camper shell would fix so many problems so fast. Space, power, reliability, parts availability, etc. I expect however you will put a gas V8 with an automatic transmission in your car and maintain the suffering.
I’d fix the gearbox.
Dear family, I’m driving 4x4 since 2010, and mostrly Land Rover.
As a mechanical engineer, my simple opinion, is that teinforcong all te transmission was the problem to broke the gearbox: better explanation is that you removed all “mechanichal fuse” from the wheel till the gearbox!
Bigger tires = higher torque at same driving speeds.
Bigger torque requires stronger flanges… your primary mechanichal FUSE.
Stronger flanges requires stronger halfshafts, stronger and reduced conic gears, stringer driveshaft, stronger trans case, stronger clutch… and what remain to save your gearbox from higher stress? Nothing!
Put back original flanges on the axles and thanks good when those break!! Replace easily, inexpensive, fast, and enjoy a long safe ride.
Sorry to say that there aren’t so many mechanichs in all those “high quality & stronger parts designers/mfr”.
Your def has nothing wrong, place properly a “fuse” in the transmission chain, something you want it fail to save something else much more important… like the gearbox!
I myself a strong believer than original size wheel are the the number one key for reliability in long travel. I absolutly dont understand why people goes for bigger wheels, with all te mechanical stress it brings on the car , and when where there are plenty of choice of proper tyres in standard wheel size .
This cannot be overstated. Reinforcing stuff from the wheel end moves the stress up the chain. Also at the same time remapping the engine puts more stress from other side onto the gearbox. What I did not get, was the gearbox reinforced as well? The TD4 has the Getrag MT82, a gearbox that is also fitted in the Ford Mustang, so you should find a used one easily in the US… but I do not know if is a drop in replacement with the flange towards the intermediate gearbox.
However, going by default with a fully loaded or even overloaded vehicle calls for disaster. The Defender works very well within its specs and the standard setting was chosen wisely by its engineers (I learned that the hard way as well). But if your specs are not matching those of this car, you might have to look for something bigger. I would always stay at least 30-40% under the load capacity of any vehicle used for long distance travel in off-road conditions, so you have some reserves. So your travel weight should define your platform.
😂should have watched til the end before commenting… you it yourself 😊
You guys are inspirational.We too overland with a 110 poptop,& we also have had breakdowns,the worst of which was a totaly siezed engine in remote Bosnia requiring us having to ship the car back to France.Breakdowns will always happen,no mater what vehicle you choose for overlanding,in my view,& I'm sure you will agree,a Defender 110 is one of,if not the best vehicle for the job.
Be strong guys,you will look back with fantastic memories from your trip,including the breakdowns.
But at the end it is a defender thing :-) I had so many cars, never had any serious problem, also with high mileage. But you are right, many cars have at some point a breakdown. Thats why i swap my cars all three years latest. Except my Defender. Which is not a reliable car. But one to love. And which love is perfect? :D
Thanks for the support! We were mentally ready for an engine failure and other small breakdowns. So when something unusual happens we tend to analyse what we’re able to do better and try to find the best solution to go forward 👍
I believe a lot of the problems with any of these types of vehicles are the mods that people do. The manufacturer did not design the vehicle for these big lifts and weights. I have looked at many vehicles that are for sale as soon as I see they have been lifted and oversized tires, installed, I walk away. This also goes for most modifications to the engine. I still remember my brother-in-law telling story how they were hunting, and they came upon a modified Jeep stuck it had a big lift and large tires. As they were struggling to get it unstuck long came an old stock military jeep (M-151), it just drove right around them and kept going. The point is that old stock M-151 was way more capable than the highly modified one.
We love these stories too 😄 but there are also many stories the other way around where we unstuck or help a completely stock 4x4 😊
The issue is Land Rover shoved a transit van engine and gearbox in a defender. It was a crap idea.
You don't need to do any modifications or upgrades to the defender. I can speak from experience as I overlanded for 77000 km in 21 months and never once had to go to a workshop anywhere. My Landy was 25 years old before the trip and did some serious driving over al sorts of terain. I tend to agree with the comments that those big wheels are a mistake. Good luck forward with your trip.
Thanks for your comment!
@@PhilUys my thoughts exactly and also the modifications to the engine and driveline which will wear parts out very quickly
You guys are a true insperation we enjoy your content since the beginnig ,the breakdown is just a small setback. A defender owner does have family in every corner of the world..... a bad day on expedition is still mutch better than the best day at office working 8 to5
Thanks for sharing you real experience, wish you can continue with your journey, now the defender, run it stock, 235 85 tyres, keep the weight down, only way for it survive, as you said very well, upgrade parts moves the weak points to other parts of the car. Although I love land rovers, I now have a 80 series and travel long distances no problem. Family of 4 setup I thin you doing amazing but weight is your enemy. Will continue to watch your adventures and keep us updates. Best of luck Luis 🇵🇹🇬🇧
Thanks Luis 🙌😊
You've had the vehicle since 2009 (15 years) & it broke down. I have a one year old land cruiser 300 & it broke down on Stockton beach. Just how it goes. Fix it & move along.
👍🙌
It's scary what you've been up to I've been watching your videos for quite a long time and going back to some of them again, you've put so much heart and money into Defender. A DEFENDER that should protect you , be reliable and not give you headaches and unnecessary stress. Please make sure you make a video under the title of what caused the failure and what position the gearbox supplier took on the matter. I myself have been modifying my Defender 130 for 4 years to finally be able to travel the world with my son and I know what you have been through to get the car to this state, it is very sad what has happened to you, I wish you good health and a trouble free journey ahead.
Thanks for your support! Supplier was of a great help and made it way less stressful as said in the video. we’ll update as soon as we know. Enjoy your travels too !
First thing I would do is go back to (nearly) original tyre size. Those big tyres put a lot of stress on the entire drive train.
Big tires are on for a reason 👍
@offtrackfamily I understand. But that doesn't change laws of physics. Enjoy your travels.
@offtrackfamilyfür was werden die großen Reifen gebraucht ? 7.50R16 oder 235/85R16 ist die beste Größe
The trouble when you have so many aftermarket parts on a car is that ( no matter what you might think about Landrover original quality ) it's hard to ensure the quality of low volume parts partiularly since 2020 where it seems to be clear there is a general drop in the quality of all sorts of parts . Also no-one is testing the exact combination of parts fitted to any one project so you the owner are the vehicle development department.....
There might have been a drop of quality also in genuine parts or any other fields (not only automotive). And yes it’s difficult to compare any overlanding vehicle since most have different setups and way of using them.
Great attitude - that's what makes overlanding possible - all vehicles break down - with Defenders and especially your one , you have so much history so you know it so well - thats a real plus - not many vehicles can be modified like a Defender - good luck in whatever you choose to do
Thanks 🙌
There is ample parts supply in the USA. Shipping is fast from the UK as well. Buy a trans outright from
Ashcroft. On the shelf you would have it in 3 days. Keep the LR.
Sure this is in theory, you didn’t add in there: company putting you in first in line, building the part, garage also putting you first in line over his regular customers, shipping delivery delays and hours on the phone dealing with all this 👍
Dear Off-Track Family, I am truly admiring how you "want" to travel the four of you in such a small space of the One Ten. Chapeau!..Having been driving Defenders for 20 odd years I believe to know a little bit about them and I truly understand your desire to go for something else..but keeping your general outlines the same. I have just come back from Algeria´s Grand Erg occidental where we did over 650 km of breathtaking and challenging sand dunes in a group of 15 vehicles. Mostly 80 Series Land Cruisers which I consider to be "old" cars by now with huge mileages : ours had between 300 and up to 560.000km on the clock! None of them missed a beat..but yes ALL cars can potentially break down but Toyotas are simply built to a higher standard than most other vehicles and user friendly and mechanically easy to service and work on. The logic behind the design is what cuts the edge over a Land Rover any time. A Defender is theoretically a tough vehicle but with inconsistent build quality issues raising their ugly head at unexpected times..what most Defender drivers consider general maintenance most Land Cruiser owners would call a rebuild. Just ask my wife how much more time I have for her now that I drive a Land Cruiser (15 years of overlanding and everyday driving without a single breakdown). Being in the US I would go for a first gen Toyota Tundra double cab V8 and get the IFS linkages and ball joints renewed with ONLY original parts. Only weak point they had. Once that is sorted you will have space, comfort and power for your family adventures. Perhaps get a pop-top camper shell in the load bed and enjoy actual living space and shelter in uncomfortable climes. Your Defender will fetch premium in the US being such a rare vehicle if you can manage to get it registered over there. Tacoma is also an option but once again a lighter /smaller truck.. As for heavy duty parts on a Defender: as you have painfully experienced they can often put stress on other parts of the drive line. Driving any vehicle overland with a family of four under 3000kg is an illusion. So best go for a heavier truck to start with. A V8 Tundra would be my choice. Mud tires, a good suspension set-up, some protection underneath and a good service with original filters and parts and off you go. If you should go the Toyota route than stick to original parts whenever possible, be it filters or else..they are always the best choice to keep your Toyota as reliable as their reputation. Something that cannot be said for Land Rover parts..unfortunately. The Defender community is a great asset and Defenders make great content for thew very reason you have just experienced. My personal travel vehicle choice is for peace of mind and getting to and out of places in comfort, safety and eyes, ears and mind on the trip and not on the vehicle. Excited to see what your choice will be..as you have surely an idea already for some time..
Vous souhaite courage,
Surtout prenez bien soin de votre Super Def...
Cette épreuve n'est juste une amélioration deplus pour votre monture.
On apprend bcp de vos expériences. MERCI
Bon vent.
Merci pour ce message ! On se réjouit de reprendre la route et partager la suite 🙌
Twenty years a Defender (93 Tdi) owner with three flat bed recoveries on my Land Rover despite endless maintenance and servicing. Two clutches and one front axle CV joint, all failing whilst regular motoring.
Each time has made me want to sell but if and when the fourth arrives Daisy (the Defender) is gone. The transmissions on these cars are notoriously weak despite your best endevours - I recalled yonks ago the Winchester gears install transfer box.
Good luck - me I would have a Grenadier which I think out the box would be perfect - built like a lorry.
🙌 imo Grenadier is as niche as the Defender and would certainly have its fare share of breakdowns on the long term. But who knows, might be the next best overlanding vehicle 😊
@offtrackfamilyThe Grenadier is engineered to a vastly better standard than the Defender whose axles date back to the fifties, the gearbox in mine saw service in a 1970's TR7 and a transfer box frankly made of chocolate.
Do not get me wrong I love the Defender but as a vehicle to roam the planet it would not make the list unless supported by LR themselves.
Grenadier would be top choice followed by Toyota Landcruiser - not the latest one.
Defender is good for the clicks though as it has 'risk' captured within the title.
Good luck with your travels.
The reason that you have destroyed the transmission is: 1. Overloading. 2. Fitting tyres that are too tall, thereby increasing the torque going through the transmission. 3. Trying to drive this brick at highway speeds ( like a normal car ), instead of being satisfied driving it at lower speeds. And 4. it is a very old LandRover. LandRover Defenders were designed back in the Dark Ages. Replace it with a newer more reliable Toyota Troopy.
If I could choose, I would put in an BMW M57 engine with the manual 6-speed ZF gearbox... Happy Land Rovering.
Ineos grenadier
No possible swaps with Swiss registration 🤷🏼♀️ it would’ve been already done long time ago 😁
Bah je pourrais vous dire de rouler en Land-Cruiser mais bon vous avez choisi la difficulté 😂😂
Les Defender sont de súper 4x4 et les pannes cela arrive parfois même au meilleur !!!
Courage et profitez bien
All vehicles broke down. It’s a wonderful vehicle with all the manual basics, not that comfort compared to other vehicles. Saw your family having fun with it, just one breakdown, repair and move on with it. Have more adventures with it.
I've had my fair share of issues in ten years of Defender Puma ownership, only one actual recovery needed but plenty of only-just-made-it-homes 😂. But I love that car, and after all, she never talks about changing her unreliable owner so I won't change her either 😅
😆
All will be well, don’t give up on it just yet ok😊 get some sage and give it some thanks! You have a great truck!!
🙌😊
My d2 td5 discovery set up for touring went round Australia broke down at the end of 20,000 klm trip spent 20k on all new ashcroft drivetrain is an even more amazing 4WD and now waiting 😂
Hope it all goes well 🙌
Sorry to hear, i know u guys love the defender i mean who doesn't, it's such a lovely unique design that can't be matched, if you would like to keep the defender and not have to worry about the brake down i would suggest putting toyota engine/gearbox/axles. If that idea doesn't look suitable then going for a land cruiser, mybe building a fj80 rig, that's what i would do if i were in ur position, that just me lol, im a series 3 with 2. 25 petrol old timer here from Algeria, hope things get better for you guys, good luck
I truly believe that no matter what brand you choose and leave stock or modify it will have a issue of some kind. Who’s to say once you get the trans fixed it could be the last major break down. At least it sounds good.
This sounds very good 🙌😁
Though, surprisingly, I still adore my 2013 Defender, it has had more serious breakdowns since new than any other vehicle I have owned. Now I don't have much confidence in it. Yes, my gearbox let me down as did the oil pump, the clutch, the turbo two times not to mention break discs and cost of tyres etc. Each breakdown has entailed breakdown recovery and endless days in a garage. I've been trying to convince myself that this was an unlucky, friday car, but this makes me wonder. The Ford Transit engine was designed to be fitted transversely. In the Land Rover it has been squeezed in longtitudinally. This has caused several problems with various pipes wearing through. Despite all this, I love it!
I take the view that every incident adds to the experience. Chill, roll with the flow and enjoy the trip.
A typical Land Rover owner response. 😂
Yeah chill and 💸💸💸 with all the side costs 😅
Buy a 110 td5 and rebuild, Ford engine and many parts from clutch backward were a mid time disaster. But...thank you for share all these years... I hope you're still running a Defender anyway.
🙌 thanks for the support
A lot to be said for keeping it stock. A lot of folks with very reliable stock 200 and 300tdis. Not fast but no engine or transmission issues
This is not a TDi it’s a PUMA - read Ford!!
@@2586fransb yes I know. I have one. I'm just saying there is a school of thought in the LR community that the TDis dont have the issues that the folks with TD5s and Pumas can experience.
Will see overtime what happens with this one :)
The only problem is the Ford transit engine in your defender.. the most popular choice is a bmw 330d engine swap which mated upto the tdci gearbox with an adapter plate.. or you could swap the gearbox with the bmw 6 and 8 speed auto.. my td5 has come out and my 2014 330d xdrive and gearbox will go in the defender..
Just have a look on TH-cam for Mahker in England..
Great project and the ultimate combination for these vehicles..
If only Landrover did this.. like the new Grenadier bmw all the way..
Hope this helps as you have a decent package already..
And MW Machines in England also do these type of conversions check them out on TH-cam..
As Rabby Burns wrote over 200 years ago, 'The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry' These days we just say, 'shit happens'. I have had defenders for 20 years, and I have looked after them all. Things have broken, leaked, split and exploded, but I have never had a gearbox problem. You could have a defender for another 20 years and never have a gearbox problem again. It's just bad luck - and that can happen to any vehicle.
Absolutely 🙌 and we really hope it was only bad luck but analysing the situation it might not be the case
What a shame , grizzlyNbear have taken their couple half way around the world and they haven’t I don’t think had any gearbox or engine issues , they have had wear and tear breakdowns but their 130 Landrover is still going strong 😢😢
Sure! They did have breakdowns that we never had, only common point is that we both had some kind of breakdowns 😜
MHO.
manufactures design the components of a vehicle to work together, engine, gearbox, axles, brakes, steering etc..
The minute you change things you are putting on extra strains and stresses on other components that it wasn’t designed for.
Classic example back in the 70’s was people putting massive wheels and tyres on standard cars just for show without considering the effect on the wheel bearings, brakes, steering geometry etc..
Imho keep it standard and definitely no remaps.
As explained, stock Defender wouldnt be able to do what we want, so why have a Defender ? It was one of the fewer real 4x4 available on the market for non professionals and at a “decent” price in Switzerland back in 2009.
I’m very curious if you think LOFs output shaft had anything to do with this. When I installed mine, the mechanics were a bit concerned about how rigid the connection between the gearbox and transfer case became, perhaps providing additional stress to the gearbox.
My thoughts, you’ve upgraded everything bar the gearbox and thats now broken. Upgrade the gearbox. Make sure your drive train is rock solid. You’ve done a lot to your landy, inside and out, if you swap it for another vehicle, you have to start from scratch. That said, I’m a single traveler and the Landy (a from new 2014 puma 110, 6 speed, not remapped or lifted), is sometimes a bit small for me and a couple of dogs, so you as a family of four must have to make a fair few sacrifices.
Love your content. Love the defender build. I hope you don’t sell it as I feel it is almost a member of your family. If you do though I’ll buy it!😂
The best Defender is TDI and TD5. The rest are Ford. Nothing will last. Go to the service center and they will open the transmission and there are also good car mechanics in the USA. It will probably be a bearing. You can buy it everywhere in the USA. Don't send it to the UK. it's a waste of money and time. It can be fixed beautifully. Don't be stressed about it. You're driving a Land Rover. It's a lot of fun.
Yep. I’ve got a 200tdi defender with 320,000 miles under its belt and I’ve owned it for 25 years as my daily work vehicle. In all that time it’s left me on the side of the road once when a Britpart clutch exploded! Obviously it’s had problems but they aren’t ever problems which leaves me stranded.. you can normally always sort the problem.
Agree, don’t send that Ford gearbox to the UK unless you intend to drop it in the Atlantic on the way.
Get an Ashcroft gearbox from the UK. Will be there within a week.
@@matymaty7477 i am excited to see how they compare. I have both a Defender with the 2.2 Puma and a Ford Van. Had another Ford before and this car was very reliable. Very poor build in general, but the engine and gearbox had no issues with almost 200k km at all.
Ford garages didn’t want to touch this Defender 😖
I agree! Tdi and td5 are peak defenders. High milage pumas now are starting to show their limits and it’s not as high as tdi and td5. I’d say keep their set up as simple as possible. Less weight starting with the tires. If they still want a bit of ground clearance, go with 255/85 rather than 285/75 to shed some weight.
Breakdowns happen. If you live on the road, it’s only a matter of time. We’ve seen plenty of broken down vehicles on our travels. (Yes, Toyotas included). There is no such thing as the perfect vehicle.If a single breakdown makes you want to change the vehicle, I’m not sure this lifestyle is for you.
Wrong the lifestyle is up to them, but with a Landy and esp those mods, parts are not everywhere, you can have a modified Toyota eg a Landcrusier and get parts anywhere in the world modified or otherwise, that is one of the key strengths of a Toyota over Landrover especially, Jeep, Nissan or any other brand.(world Wide, not just someone country of origin)
Saying that I do think they are asking allot from any vehicle that is a wagon, possibly the best option for them is a Landcruiser Troopy conversion! Toyota's network world wide is hard to beat and most things are pretty easy to work on yourself without being a mechanic
@@maverick2242that’s not our experience. We’ve been all over Africa, Asia, Aus and NZ. Breakdowns happen to all vehicles and not always easily fixed locally. Especially if they have modified parts fitted. But hey. If it works for you, great. 👍. The best place to breakdown is where you can get assistance such as in this case. It would be a much bigger ordeal if you were deep in the middle of nowhere.
@@maverick2242 btw I do agree that Toyota network worldwide is the best. Problem is when you have older Toyotas. It’s still hard to find parts locally and likely will require international shipping. Troopy is awesome. But they still break.
@@richardweerasinghe3296 I have an 80 series and I can get parts almost anywhere, I have watched many travellers in Africa, Aussie and US and anyoine can pretty much work on a Landcrusier and get parts, some parts are interchangable, you dont need to send a trans back to the UK for example! sure nothing is perfect thats the adventure but parts and support is, I worked in parts also so I know the challenges of many vehicles! Mods I have done are all easily worked on and serviceable by myself and I am no mechanic, I am mechanical, but its experience, that said I couldnt and wouldn't want to work on may modern vehicles its a nightmare, I have also bought and see LC products in the US, Africa, Aus and NZ and Asia no problems its a huge aftermarket network even if OEM+ !
@@maverick2242 they have never sold the 70 series troop carriers in North America, but they have sold defenders. So just because it is Toyota doesnt mean everyone and their mammy has parts for them.
I worked with a guy that had a Defender and was in the Defenders club, and he said most members are all in denial about the issues, even though they all have them because they look the part and earlier models were famous (albeit, still not reliable). He left the club and got a Mitsubishi Triton. Personally, I'm loyal to Land cruisers as they are used extensively across Australian farming, mining, construction and extreme 4x4 expeditions, and all through Africa - it's a big clue. The only thing that kills a Land cruiser is dodgy after-market parts, poor maintenance, over-loaded or completely reckless driving. Otherwise, you simply won't have issues with them - by design they are simple and robust. Defenders - you'll have issues even if you do everything right.
we can surely say denial with this vehicle is quite common😆
Wow! You guys were so close. We have several good local LR shops here in North Georgia. Dahlonega has Roverland and Zovas.
And apparently so many in Florida where we were supposed to be few days after 😅. Local garage is good 👍
Land Rover gear boxes are not or have never been up to the job the size speed loading is too much how do know I have 3/4 of a million miles in 110s they need or needed a heavy duty gear box even the LT 95 isn't up to the job. ~Good luck keep going. oh and on this type of trip everything needs to be checked every day. Big wheels upgraded axles remapped engine the weak link is the gear box 110s anr't meant to travel all day fully loaded at high speeds.
This is what we pointed out in the video, speed and weight might be killing it
@ that has been my experience over the last 40 years Emilly
Not sure if I’d call it a major breakdown when you could still drive it for 1.5hr afterwards, to your destination, and onto the tow truck. At least when these old Land Rover’s break… they’ll still get you home. It’s a manual transmission, shame you can’t find someone near you to service it instead of sending it off to England. Speaking from experience- that will take FOREVER to receive back. My advice would be find something more permanent than an Airbnb so you’re not paying for it for a whole entire month!!!
Very unfortunate circumstances but I do not believe it is the fault of your upgrades or maintenance. I have seen several old defenders on extreme overlanding trips both here in Canada and Africa without significant breakdowns. Yes there is a quality and accessibility issue with Land Rover components and parts. Makes your situation really bad but do not lose faith. Adjust and carry on. We are all hoping your North American Adventure will continue. Go Toyota!
Could be only bad luck 🤞we’ll see how it goes after that and are, in any case, already adjusting ;) 🙌
You need a INEOS Grenadier or perhaps Quartermaster 😎 My brother have 3 old Defenders and I know it a bit 😉 I have a Grenadier since this year for daily driving, it's so much better in all things but have the same spirit... and it's an new not so big company so I think you would have the chance for support your project ✊ Greetings from cold Switzerland 🥶
I take the liberty to write, that there are several aspects to consider while selecting a vehicle.
First of all, in my humble opinion, Puma generation of Defenders is nothing to write home about, especially if you remap the engine management system.
I would rather go for a TD5. However, TD5 Defenders are old and if you want to use them intensively you need to rebuild the vehicle down to the last bolt.
Defenders are very old design for better for worse. Take into account its weak points but do not reinforce one and leave the other as it left the factory as it will fail. Certain parts should act as “safety fuses”.
Another issue to consider is not to overload and overstress the vehicle as it will lead to premature wear.
With regard to footprint, Land Rover in general and Defender in particular, are not very popular in North America. At the same token other brands like Toyota don’t sell the same vehicles in all markets. For instance, the Landcruiser 78 also known as the Troopy, a vehicle that may suit your needs. is not sold in North America thus parts for it are scares and unlike urban fairytale Toyota breaks down like every vehicle.
If you look around you will find there several Land Rover specialist in North America such as East Cost Rover, Britania Restoration etc.
Last thing I ran a 4X4 Toyota replacing it with a Land Rover, frankly the Toyota, which I purchased new, broke down at leas as many times as the Land Rover which I bought used with 156 K Km.
I’d highly recommend a land cruiser or Lexus gx470 for overlanding
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Very sorry to hear about this. I follow a lot of overlanders and saw that Next Meridian Expedition had an engine failure in Australia and Lewie and the Rover are changing their Defender to a Toyota pickup. I think Land Rovers have a loyal following, but I just would not have the confidence to travel around the world in one.
Have a look at Alveto Expedition in English. They have travelled the globe in an old Toyota LC Prado, but there are only two of them so it would be too small for your family.
Maybe a 7.5 tonne expedition truck would be the best suited for you?
Looking forward to share what’s coming up 😊
Its not the defender that has let you guys down,its the upgrade and after market parts and all cars or trucks have their limits and thats all makes of vehicles
Land Rover gearboxes and engines are sheit. Get a Toyota for this hobby.
@Coordinator61 what you have forgot is that its an after market part thats let them down .my daily drive is a 40 yr old 110 and still on her original gearbox,chassis,axles etc .if i wanted to be like everybody else then i would drive a jap motor lol.life is an adventure and nothing ever is plain sailing
I don’t agree with all of that. All cars have their limits, yes agree, upgrades and aftermarket parts, no, I think it’s more how you take care of it and how you use it
Probably agree with that all these extra strong half shafts people fit etc just move the issue of weakness to another place. Keep things simple is my motto
I have a 1987 landrover 90.. its been on my drive for 2 years with a cracked cylinder head!🙄 they aren't the most realiable but i still absolutely love mine!!❤ .. i would happily be buried in it!! But why not try a patrol or a land cruiser?🤔
6x6 Pinzgauer would be perfect for your family.
😃
Two words of advice... ' Land Cruiser ' 🙏
Emeline & family, nice videos and adventures! I still own a Land Rover (Freelander 2) but sold our Defender Puma mainly because of one reason: safety. All big 4x4's are strong, some arguably a bit more than others, a matter of opinion and also facts to blur the opinions! However, too many examples of people suffering badly in an accident with a Defender. I'm talking about on a main tar road, higher speeds, and other vehicle involvement. I moved to another make (pointless to say which one or model) but it's definitely safer in every respect, but especially from impact and in a rollover situation. So, I guess what I am trying to say is, consider other aspects and not only vehicle reliability, longevity, performance, and ability to repair no matter where you are on earth. Ciao and enjoy your travels!!!
Thanks for your support 🙌 we also consider many other aspects that we don’t especially share ;)
@offtrackfamily I'm sure you do! Good luck and hoping your adventures continue for many years!
Pinzgauer it is then!😂 BMW M57 engine & gearbox conversion. Whatever you do, good luck & I hope you get everything sorted.
Thanks! Can you send us one 😁?
Sorry to see that you are having trouble with your rig, and I hope you can get this sorted out very soon and continue your journey. Any plans to be up here in the Pacific Northwest at some point during your USA trip?
Thanks for the support! Don’t know yet the exact plans for up coming months
Perso, je pense plus à la taille des pneus. Sur le long terme, c'est une contrainte énorme pour la transmission. Pour avoir voyagé en Amérique du Nord et centrale avec mon véhicule européen, je connais ce type de situation et vous souhaite de trouver une solution rapidement. Mais il est également certain que le véhicule idéal est très difficile à trouver... Tout est question de compromis 😉
Fingers crossed Winchester Gears look after you better than they did me
Thanks 🙌
hi, could you elaborate, I am about to get a t-box from them having had an appalling experience with another company. Thanks
@@jimmydstsend me your email
Driving it for 1.5 hours after it started is a GREAT way to completely $%#@ the car!
Sometimes you have to make difficult decisions
Taking part in a trail run is hardly a good reason for destroying a car!
I know… you’re changing out the Defender for a family friend 6x6 Pinzgauer 😂
🫣🤫😄
I know a lot of people write that weight was the problem, but isn’t that gearbox used it in Defender 130’s with a GVM of 3500 kg and a tow rating of 3500 kg? I’m not saying that being over GVM is not bad, but that should not be a problem for that gearbox!
Do the gearbox have an oil cooler?
Same opinion here, 130 has same gearbox and is rated stock with higher gvm. No oil coolant
@ Maybe the highway driving at “high” speed cause a lot of heat in the transmission? I know that’s the case with my R380 and I have an oil cooler!
I already asked if you are in the whats group land rover de las americas? you can get a lot of help.Anyway any vehicle can break bad luck ,we did the Panamericana 55000km our vehicle 3,4t heavy no problem at all and we did offroad and some time extream
Happy to know you enjoyed it without dealing with any breakdowns 🙌
Closest comparable is a JK or a landcruiser. Cant get the land cruiser J70 without a year lead or something, and the wanted engines are against EU regulation. Not familiar with MT82, but take a look at what Jeep will give you in terms of the gearbox by comparison they don't offer much. Your family vehicle is very laden/heavy and the video of it driving may be an exaggeration but its going through its paces. If your mileage is that high on the engine you will probably hit failure in main bearing soon / oil pressure, make sure your guages are dialled in etc. In the states / south america your probably better off with an early Ford superduty or something.
Posseggo da anni un 110 Tdi 300 con 280,000 km. Propulsore, Cambio, Frizione, Trasmissione, Pompa gasolio, Turbina, originali mai toccati se con con le regolari manutenzioni. Sempre guidato in conservazione e senza alcuna modifica se non alle sospensioni rinforzate con elementi originali del 130. Il Td5 resta anche questo un buon modello. Non tanto si può dire perla serie TDci, mezzi deboli sulla scatola del cambio, la frizione e la trasmissione , tutti poco equilibrati con il gruppo motore (scarsi anche sui materiali usati...). Voi per questo avete fatto una lunga serie di modifiche cercando di ottenere il meglio delle prestazioni, come in genere si fa su un'auto sportiva, a scapito però di un equilibrio di base. Forse, come hai accennato, avete preteso troppo e tutti sappiamo che le prestazioni non vanno d'accordo con l'affidabilità e un viaggio... è soprattutto fatto di quest'ultima. Spero comunque per voi in una buona stella e che il guasto, contrariamente a quello che si pensi, sia riparabile senza gravi perdite. Buona strada ai Defender nel mondo, sempre!!! 🍀
Get a Unimog...
Difficult to find a double cab unimog…
Bring it to Utah and I will swap in a 300 tdi. Or Vegas for an ls swap
Yep, 300tdi with an Ashcroft ZF auto box is my choice.
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hopefully1 should be sometihing easy to solve in maintenance.
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Ive watched Deboss Garage in Africa using Landy, they cannot continue their journey without any issues, try to consider buying a Toyota 70 Series
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You are over GVM, that g’box was the weakest link to carry all that weight. Remapping it also pushed the torque beyond its limits. Did you weight it, do you know how much over you were, you joked, but this is what happens when you load up a vehicle like this. Sorry this happened, but these are the consequences of carrying way too much extra weight the car was never designed to carry.
I don’t agree with that, saying it’s because of the weight only. 130 has higher gvm stock and has the same gearbox
@offtrackfamily the 130 was factory, there is NO way you are anywhere near factory weight. Remapping the engine, different turbo etc, you have pushed this too far and the gearbox broke, have you even weighed it? Most vehicles have very little extra weight to give, and remember, some don’t even count people, start adding extra water, fuel, you need to accept, you pushed it too far, broke it because of what you did to it.
@@marktalbot4wdmy thoughts also
I hope it all works out for you all Nothing worse when you’re out of you own country and all living in it 🥺😢😩Hopefully you finances can cover this issue and you find a Toyota you like 🤞🏻🤐😬
Should be all good soon and crossing fingers for the rest of the trip 🙃.
2.8 Cummins and auto or 6 cyl turbo Toyota diesel and auto either one will handle your type of travel👍
Maybe 👍
I had Land Rovers for more than 30 years and not 1 breakdown. Keep your vehicle maintained and the chance on a serius breakdown is nearly zero.
Les Defender ont un aspect robuste mais reste très fragile et doivent être suivi de prêt pour éviter les problème comparer a Toyota nissan ou Isuzu
Why are you sending it to the UK? There are enough UK Land Rover mechanics in the US/Canada. A handful in Ontario. Wouldnt that be much cheaper? The guys I know in Ontario built defenders in the UK decades ago.
Yes there are many and also many haven’t worked on Tdci as not imported yet and not all of them have time to help asap travelers in their already very busy schedule with old defenders. Talking real life experience here !
What isn’t shown in the video is all the hours spent on the phone to deal with this issue the best way possible according to our Land Rover defender
@offtrackfamily okay fair enough. Valid point.
If jou must drive a money pit, make shure jou have a Toyota as a standby!
It remains to be seen what is faulty and what was the cause.
Personally, I don't think it's just one single issue, rather a combination of several factors.
Whether the Defender is fundamentally a bad vehicle, I don't think so. There are enough examples on TH-cam to show that things can be done differently.
And yes, even Toyotas break down at some point.
I'm really curious to know what's faulty and why.
Speculatively, I would guess the one-piece shaft and bearing.
We’ll update as soon as we know 👍
SO BRAVE (OR STUPID) TO KEEP MOVING WHITH THAT NOISE
Sometimes you have to take a difficult decision as explained in the video
The latter, sorry but you destroyed the transmission for no important reason at all.
As many have said, any vehicle can haven mechanical parts fail even toyota's.
As I think you've realised, some of the problems lie with yourselfs. Don't think the ford engine works well in the puma and the 6 speed gearbox has its known problems. Don't know if you've upgraded the gearbox ?. Tuning the engine for more power isn't a good idea in my opinion, particularly for a high mileage heavy overlander . You can't have everything; very capable off roader, overlander and something that will sit happily at 130km on the motorway.
Well you can if you spend 80k gpd on a ineos grenadier! Keep in mind, many people watch your channel because you have a defender .
All vehicles have good and bad and we wouldn’t do it any different with this Defender
Drop the speed requirement you set yourself. It is just not possible to compete with the modern 2L 200hp+ turbo engines and electric cars.
It is overlanding not a race.
When I drive my Suzuki Jimny overlander my cruise speed is 100km/h. Sometimes I stay behind trucks instead of overtaking.
You drive an overloaded defender with your whole life and family in it. Please slow down 🤗
It’s for sure our personal requirements 😊
Yikes this is not good, are you still in N Georgia. We’re in north Alabama if you need to re group for a couple of weeks.
Yes I know :) Thanks! We should be back on the road next week 🤞
Contact Performance Rovers in Charlotte and speak to Adam. They may be able to help you out quickly.
Earth Cruiser Mitsubishi Fuso. They only cost $595,000😃
🤔 with that amount of money I think about other more intelligent things I would do 💰
@offtrackfamily Yes, crazy price. Me too, like just buy the truck and kit it out myself.
Put an engine from Mercedes om 605 or 606 whit R380 gearbox, there is not much electricity on the engine and they are very reliable, you will never have problems again. Good luck.
No swaps possible with Swiss registration 😕
Irrespective the brand of the vehicle that size of vehicle is not going to work for 4 people as your kids get older.
Four adults for sure don’t travel in only one car size vehicle
Only 230 000 thats not much my td5 at 365000 almost at 366000 km still going strong everyone is running away ill stay with my defender thankyou. All cars brake down .
Bon courage est bonne course sinon la marque la plus étendue dans le monde c'est Toyota mais sa tombe en panne aussi suivant votre utilisation je suis passer d'un defender a un Toyota hdj 100 c'est une histoire de gout le def est légendaire est fait un vrai baroudeur .
Oui c est vrai que Toyota est plus étendu dans le monde mais on pense également qu ils doivent avoir des pannes 😁
Your setup is great but your van not so great for parts and service everywhere better off with Toyota for that you guys going thru this 😢😢 by the way you are so beautiful ❤❤
Will see how it goes for the rest of the trip 🙌
Get an Ashcroft gearbox and get rid of the factory Ford rubbish
We have a Ashcroft transmission parts
as a defender owner i would say: the Defender is not a normal car, it is not desingt to do normal road speeds!I ti is clear that the car will brake. The td 4 was a compromise for Land Rover. The 300 TDi ore the TD5 are much bether engines! I own both of them. They work well in this Defenders. So maybe it is the Wrong 4x4, for youre wishes. A Dodge RAM diesel ore a Land Cruiser with a biger Diesel engine would be a bether fit!
The only thing Land Rovers are good for, is content. So get another Defender please!
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Just part of it...heavy and modified tends to wear faster.
Precisely. Tooo much speed, tooo much weight and should have stuck to Ashcroft - 5 Africa trips inc all of Algeria, overweight and no problems with gearboxes or anything else apart feom a battery cable worked loose.
We are full Ashcroft ;) as said in video speed and weight certainly dont go well together but we don’t want to drag ourselves with a car. Having any type of breakdown isn’t fun so happy to know you were able to enjoy your holidays free of any problems 👍
Unfortunate breakdown indeed, it’s the modifications which makes it less reliable in my honest opinion, lifting the vehicle, heavy big tires,a stock defender drives better, can handle full payload with ease for a much longer time, won’t drive that fast yes but a defender isn’t meant for driving fast, also I doubt about the quality of a lot of aftermarket parts to be honest because real quality you can only buy at Land Rover in my experience, already did see a lot of LOF and Winchester parts with quality issues, sure a TH-camr gets great customer service for obvious reasons
Seems you're having a hard time posting non-negative comments on any of our posts...
@ it wasn’t meant to be negative Emily, just an opinion sharing some thoughts about how it could be more reliable and supposedly should give you more trust in your vehicle because every vehicle even a Toyota will break down when heavily modified especially when the drivetrain is involved into the modifications,a lot of Defender overland travellers has stock parts and are trouble free for a long time and are easy to repair when something breaks down eventually,a Defender will run a lifetime as long as parts are available and runs best when especially the engine and drivetrain will be kept stock, converting it into a camper and driving it over his payload isn’t part of the problem
Lots of 'van lifer' types make the same mistakes. Spend way too much time on interior design and ambient lighting and spend as little as possible time and money on servicing and preventative maintenance. If you rely on a vehicle to not only be your home but to transport you to wild remote place then you need to have a much more aggressive maintenance schedule than the average person?
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Wow you have a holder car and things are going to break you just have to fix it / 😚😚😚remember you don't drive a new car
Even if it’s an old car, most parts are newer except the engine 😁
Not really landcruser would be best
Emeline, hope you are all ok and happy after all that problems. Trully, I follow you from the start of the channel. Enjoyed every video, but when you start drasticly change all parts on defender, somehowe that wasnt that what I was used to at the first place. I know now it is over, of course every year and every adventure brings new ideas, but sometimes, keep it simple and it is the best. It is what it is, no point to return, enjoy every moment with your family and landy, but try to keep it simple, you know how it is in life, fewer things, less things to wory about and enjoy in moment :) Cheers from Croatia, when you are nearby, call :)
Thanks a lot for your support! Cheers to you :)
Its a Puma. Say no more.
m57 and auto swap.. i guarantee it
Off-road = as slow as possible, as fast as neccesary. Ralleying around with + 3000kg is stupid
Who said we drive fast while offroad ?
Just fix it and keep going
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Former Product Developer for Toyota here. I suggest a used 80 SeriesToyota LandCruiser, which has an ironclad durability reputation, though it's not as large inside as your current vehicle. Or a solution that gives you much more interior space and will meet your needs offroad - the Ineos Grenadier. I'm quite certain I've identified your solution and look forward to the update. Cheers.
Looking forward to sharing what’s next 🙌