Help needed - New 4x4

[JimmyTwoFaces]

Hi,

I bought a Landrover 110 (from the classifieds) several years ago, and she has been a great servant. Right now I am looking to replace.

I run a photography company and it is really important I can seat three rows of shooters all with opening windows. I live in a pretty remote area and often go off road and drive in snow so a 4 x4 is essential. Having looked around for a replacement I can't seem to find anything that will do the job other than another defender. I was hoping to get something more comfortable, efficient and kinder on my ears...

- Hilux/Navara type don't have the option despite ticking all the other boxes as the back cab is totally seperate
- Disco or Pathfinder don't have rear opening windows-

So I am not sure what else there is?

The other that maybe cheaper is upgrading my current vehicle. It's an old F reg 1987 I think. Rust has got to it and I want to switch from the 9 seater to the seven seater and course a newer engine and replace the part of the body/doors that are falling apart. Ideally for me a replacement was the first option, but if I have to fork out 20K on a new Defender may be this would be an alternative??

Thanks for any help....

[Fleckers]

do the new shoguns have opening rear windows ? the old ones did

or you could get the Lamborghini LM002

[JimmyTwoFaces]

Will check, thanks.

When I day opening they have to actually be enought to point a camera out of. I.e. they have to wind down or slide open

[JimmyTwoFaces]

Fleckers said:

do the new shoguns have opening rear windows ? the old ones did

or you could get the Lamborghini LM002

Looking at pictures looks like the only have the windows that pop out an inch or two.

[Fleckers]

the rears on this defo slid open

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

its what I had

[JimmyTwoFaces]

Fleckers said:

the rears on this defo slid open

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

its what I had

Thanks. Did they come down or slide back - looks better than what I have now!

[JimmyTwoFaces]

Looks like they changed windows in the 2002 model to pop out windows.

[TurboBlue]

JimmyTwoFaces said:

Fleckers said:

the rears on this defo slid open

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/m...

its what I had

Thanks. Did they come down or slide back - looks better than what I have now!

The front portion of the window slides back, just measured it - 230mm. This is on my Mk 1 Shogun; pretty sure that the advert linked above which is for a Mk 2 would be similar or the same. The later Mk 3 & 4 rear windows are I think fixed in place.

Mk 2 Shogun would be ideal, lots of kit, reliable & good value.

Here's a picture of my Mk 1 rear window

[JimmyTwoFaces]

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate you taking the time.

What are they like reliability and rust wise?

I don't do many miles, but they are pretty tough miles.

[surveyor]

used one of these if you can find one?

http://www.autoevolution.com/news/ford-offers-all-...

[TurboBlue]

JimmyTwoFaces said:

What are they like reliability and rust wise?

I don't do many miles, but they are pretty tough miles.

Mines been a restoration project (that only started last October) but in spite of sitting unloved in a barn for years it was not rotten and I've been using mine regularly with no problems at 170,000 miles under it's belt. There is a long readers cars thread on the Shogun detailing the work.

The Mk 1 was built from 1982 to until 1991 and then the Mk 2 from 1991 to 1999. The Mk 1 is more agricultural and basic; I'd go for the Mk 2 which was available as a turbo-diesel or V6 petrol with either in manual or auto. These also come with more sophisticated part/full time 4WD and anti lock brakes as standard (not available on the Mk1).

You'd need to buy carefully to avoid rot, ideally you'd want to have a good look underneath - they have a separate chassis just as the 110/Defender; body panels can be replaced easily enough but start with something without structural rust. Don't know much about the engines but don't see why they wouldn't be reliable if correctly serviced/maintained.

Hope that helps. Go and have a look at one, plenty about. Mk 2 were Discovery rivals so much quieter than Defenders too.

Edited by TurboBlue on Sunday 27th October 20:50