The New 2020 Defender First Drive (Overland)
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- Опубліковано 22 сер 2024
- Overland Journal and Expedition Portal was some of the first test drivers to evaluate the new Defender, and one of only a small group that were able to drive them properly overlanding. We spent four days driving the new 2020 Land Rover Defender in Namibia on several remote and challenging routes near the Angolan border, including Van Zyl's Pass and others.
Refer to our detailed review article with scoring here: expeditionport...
Listen to The Overland Journal Podcast episode here: overlandjourna...
As a South African who knows Namibia fairly well I can appreciate the test you put the vehicle through. Yet most of the reviews I've seen of this trip left me rather unimpressed with the lack of genuine knowledge of that type of travel. You sir on the other hand gave a very good account and for me rate as the best yet. Thank you and well done. FWIW.
Thank you, Francois. South Africa is one of our most favorite regions of the world. Eden for overlanders and I am grateful to have traveled in your beautiful continent.
Saw a number of reviews of this vehicle in Namibia. Your footage and editing was absolutely top notch, without a doubt the best! Thanks. Now I think I want this vehicle.
Being from Britain I want the Defender to be a success but I can’t see it being very popular here in Australia. I literally don’t know anyone here in the 4x4 & overlanding industry that runs 18” rims, 16” seem to be by far the most popular with very few choosing 17” rims. This is obviously not a dealbreaker but all the reviews I’ve seen so far on the new Defender are quite biased. I’m very eager to hear Andrew S Whites review when he finally gets his hands on one.
Agree that 16" wheels are preferred. I am curious why you say all of the review are biased? We received no compensation from Land Rover, and they are not an advertiser.
Expedition Portal well.... did you pay for your own flight, business class? Did you pay for your hotel, 5 star?.
You kept mentioning how “remote” you were but it doesn’t really matter, you could have been on the moon, we just want to see the capability of the vehicle. Scenery is part of Land Rovers ploy to get you in the mood. The root where you would have driven would have been researched months in advance to make sure the vehicles could handle it, and with all the review videos I’ve seen so far they’re all on the tame side.
It’s all setup for positive reviews and if you gave a bad one you’d never get invited back.
Wow, a real review. With actual experienced 4x4 folk. Thanks again for not being like the others.
This is the best review from this press drive on UA-cam! Great job!!👍
Very kind, thank you.
I admit I have been critical of this Defender where it is unit/body frame built with front and rear independent suspension, but every off road review has impressed me!... I'm an overland lover with high standers.. I have a 2019 4Runner TRD Off Road and an 80 Series Land Cruiser, but will admit i could see myself driving a new Defender :)
You own two of the greatest overland vehicles of all time. Thanks for commenting.
Just came across your channel, best new defender review I've seen.
Looking forward to others on this truck.
I'd like one, maybe a 90.
Great work on one of the rare reviews from people who know off-road, and especially your comment at the end, regarding the fact that the high payload capacity is partly due to the air springs. There are lots of commentators who grumble about air suspension, complexity, reliability etc. But clearly if LR had stayed with coils, payload would have been much less. We will see when the commercial version goes on sale; it will I think be coils as a base version, and have less payload.
Great comment about the additional benefits of the airbags. They also make such a difference for towing too.
Thank you for that very clear review. I read from other reviewers that the LR engineers out in Namibia with you were getting useful feedback from the journalists. I imagine it gave those preproduction vehicles a good final workout before final engineering sign off.
Agree. They were very open to feedback.
Say what you want this car is a brilliant piece of engineering. Great review 👍
Can you explain how the new defender 120 is substantially better then the current Discovery? It is a similar width, similar length, hauls the same 7 people, tows the same weight, wades in the same 900mm of water and has the same air suspension, transfer case and active rear locker. Even explain how it could do things on that trip that an LR4 could't do.
@@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080 Even if it has the same capabilities of this LR4, does that mean it's not a brilliant piece of engineering, as Bumba Clat commented? He didn't say it's better than any other vehicle made. We just need better reliability from LR, at least from what I hear, i've never owned one myself, but id love too.
Tata troll !
FABULOUS OFF ROAD DESIGNS I’m sure once the full reviews are out, these questions will be answered. This was an abbreviated test.
FABULOUS OFF ROAD DESIGNS although similar it actually does not share many parts with disco it’s 90% new parts, new platform. A lot of parts are strengthened for better durability, better angles more ride height and better tech. Other reviews seem to show LR have finally got a good infotainment now as well. JLR will have focused on reliability with this car as such a small percentage of the market actually take a Range Rover off road however with this car it’s different and the sole purpose of the car.
Thanks for the informative and honest review, Scott. Such an iconic brand in the Overland space.
Thanks, Steven
Agree with Benjamin. Have been watching all of the Defender reviews. This is the “best x far”
Great little review. This thing has towing and payload capacities of a half ton truck!...and more horsepower and torque than nearly all trucks. It’s an amazing vehicle. The capabilities and versatility are simply incredible. Even the technology is seriously off road centric and groundbreaking...the see through hood and 360 degree cams for self spotting are next level. The childish naysayers are only mad because they can never afford one and THAT is the truth. Don’t argue it.
This is Oscar worthy! Camera man, script, video editing. Wow what review! Thank you!
HA ;)
I don't have enough money to risk the repairs on any Land Rover. With that out of the way I realized something while watching this. A fully independent suspension with air springs can provide an opportunity that I don't know if anyone else has considered. McLaren hydraulically linked the suspension dampers on opposing corners of the MP4-12C for better handling and a stiffer suspension. With the air suspension control valves could be installed that would enable one to link the air springs together. If this was done when one wheel went into its droop travel and it's air spring is stretched it would expand the air springs volume; which would allow the linked wheel's air spring to compress further. You wouldn't want to leave it this way as handling would suck because the whole car would just lean over in corners. It would need a way to de-link the wheels as well as self level and recalibrate. Automating it and linking it to a terrain mode might work best. Someone pass the idea along to Land Rover. The premium brands develop the new tech first anyway. I think Land Rover was one of the first companies to make off-road traction control, maybe they can reinvent independent suspension for off-road too.
that is what is in place on this defender, the airbags are linked
Airbags are cross-linked on this vehicle. The valve opens at low speeds allowing forced articulation. Thanks for the comment and feedback! (the McLaren system is amazing).
@@ExpeditionPortal Cool, thanks for the reply. That explains why I was seeing more articulation than I've ever seen on any other independently sprung system.
For an overlander, especially in Africa, less technology is more. For weekend warriors not far from home its fine if you can afford the repairs when out of warranty. Otherwise forget the tech
That crosslinked suspension has-been available on Land Rovers for over a decade now. Range Rover and LR3 both had it in the early to mid 2000's, and just about every air suspended LR product since.
Wow that's a lot of air between tire and ground on those wheeling shots...... i guess hardly any wheel travel to be expected with front and rear independent suspensions...
It is less than most solid axle vehicles, but as you know (being an experienced fourwheeler) that a descent like that will exaggerate a wheel lift, as the rear is unloaded.
I've driven my old defender down Van Zeil's pass last year, so I can compare. I even have the videos of me going down the exact same part. My wheels didn't get off the ground. It's true that I had more load in the back (roof top tent, 110L of fuel + 40L in jerry cans), but that would only explain a small part of the difference. On the other hand, they have much more control than I had. I was pumping the brakes to slow down the car without losing control, and the brakes were making squeaky sounds. I was going down at a safe speed but still quite a bit faster than them. Based on what I see here I'd say what you lose in wheel articulation and wheels not touching the ground you seem to gain in more modern controls. In my opinion the old and new defender both handle this part about equally well, even if they do so using different techniques and styles. Maybe the rubicon would do it best because they have the solid axles and modern hill descent. But I agree with you, based on this video everything about the new defender looks pretty good except those wheels flying in the air when you offroad. To me that's the biggest drawback of the new model. Then for that drawback you do get way better handling on roads and all the modern comfort.
@@stephanekiss Glad you enjoyed the route, Stephane. What a beautiful part of the world!
The nature of Namibia is wonderful❤️
It is such a beautiful country. Thanks for watching.
Nice video, nice truck, and nice Randolphs
:) American Optics (although Randolphs are excellent)
It seems Land Rover is going around and giving the new Defender to all popular vlogers to make a nice infomercials (aka 'reviews'). To me this is what the new Discovery should have been. I love the old Defender and always will. I don't expect it to be Toyota reliable but it had character and it is a legend. The new one..? Time will tell but they could make it more rugged looking and that air suspension..Was it really necessary?
Sorry to see you dismiss the video as an infomercial without knowing our company or the editorial ethics we employ. Land Rover is not an advertiser and I received no compensation for the review. Going on this trip was the only way we could evaluate the vehicle before it was made available to the public.
Anyone desperately expecting the camera to pan to the destroyed cars on the descent?
It was an old Land Cruiser and a newer compact pickup. The risk was quite high on that shelf.
@@ExpeditionPortal to be honest doing that pass in an unladen vehicle is very different to fully laden. And then not slipping or going too fast is another bit. No matter the vehicle type
Great review Scott, thanks.
Thank you, Mike!
Good review. As I suspected it would be at least equally competent to past Discovery's. I'm starting to notice a trend though. I've watched 5 reviews from this Africa trip and not one reviewer has mentioned the exterior design or the character of the car. Seems like only reviewers that would guarantee a positive review and not mention design would be included. It also seems a bit embarrassing that they chose a track that was opened by a 2WD Ford model T, almost a hundred years ago.
Thanks for the comment and asking the hard question: I can assure you that they did not require a positive review or for us to not mention the design. Have a listen to our podcast, where we clearly comment on our dislike of the front end styling. This is a review of the performance attributes of the vehicle. overlandjournal.com/new-defender-overland-test/
@@ExpeditionPortal I look forward to seeing the rest of the review(s). I enjoy your work. I don't mean to be cynical towards you, but I can be towards the manufacturers because I don't feed my family with the content or advertising. I am thoroughly disappointed with the 120 design.
@@ExpeditionPortal Absolutely a fluff review. Land rover will not invite journalists that will actually critique the Pretender.
Hi guys great video 😊👍
Thank you 🤗
@@ExpeditionPortal you're welcome!
Good channel. Cheers to growth
Thank you
Amazing review. Thank you. Few questions please. At what speed does the the air suspension lowers the car while offroading ? & if we wish to change the tires to bigger tires what are the possible sizes ? I guess this one is 255/70 R18. Is it possible to fit smaller wheels like 17" or the break discs won't allow it ?
Khaled,
The suspension lowers in two stages. At 30mph, it only lowers 20 mm from the off-road height. At 50 mph, it lowers back to normal mode. An improvement over previous models. Not sure on the 17" wheels yet, although it looks possible. The engineers mentioned fitting a 33" tire stock and even testing the vehicle with a 35" tire
@@ExpeditionPortal thank you for your reply. I hope there is an after market solution to stop the lowering of the suspension
Great video!! but your opinion are not real(In that it could be a overlander)!! Agree with the defender being cabable, but it is not reliable or serviceable in remote áreas as a toyota. Even though toyota is aiming towards the same path of dealer dependence.
My review was with regards to the vehicle attributes and performance. Having driven Toyotas around the world a few times, I have deep respect for the Toyota brand. Please help me understand what you mean by "not real"
Were the inter-coolers/radiators in front of the wheel wells? That really irritated me on the Disco 5.
The next issue, is a 4-cylinder with all the overland/off road options is high $60k to mid $70k. It's tough to justify a small-stressed out motor and all the unproven electronics when you are in 200-series Land Cruiser/GX460 territory with a low-stressed V8 and a plethora of aftermarket options, not to mention the Rubicon-trim Wrangler/Gladiator if you are looking for ultimate off-road performance.
That said, I'm still intrigued. I'm glad you guys keep plugging driver fatigue. I've found I'm more likely to "go exploring" if the vehicle is fun and relaxing to drive in lieu of my more capable rigs which are just exhausting after a long trail. How you feel at the end of the day is extremely important, and it's rarely commented on.
Thank you for the detailed comments. I was able to spec the vehicle appropriately in the mid-50s. The 200 is such a special vehicle, no doubt.
@@ExpeditionPortal , I'll have to price them again then.
Best review of the bunch. Well done.
So here’s my take on the Defender- it’s not a Defender at all, it’s a relaunch of the Discovery. Here’s my reasoning:
1. The Disco was launched as a near luxury offroad vehicle, slotted to fit between the purely rugged but lack of creature comfort Defender and the superbly apportioned but extremely pricey Range Rover. A true allrounder, something you take the kids to school with, go shopping with, tow your boat with, go for a road trip in comfort with, or go offroading with. Look at the market segment the new Defender occupies- it is that same segment. While there may be no more rugged and spartan vehicle in the LR family on the one side of it, the market segment is the same as that occupied by the Disco 1 and really all Discos (and LR3 and LR4) here in the States.
2. Let’s look at the underpinnings of the vehicle- namely the suspension and four wheel drive system. First, the suspension. It is the same air suspension that LR has been using in the Disco 3 and 4 now for like 15 years. While initially the Disco 3s had some issues with them, I have not heard of substantial issues with the units in the Disco 4s. All air sus is not created equal, and the reason Discos are not harsh is because they don’t use all of their extension in their offroad settings- there is more to be accessed should you get high centered and also to allow for articulation. It is also why you can lift them another 2 inches to fit 33s on 18 in wheels using Johnson Rods- even though you are taking up 2 more inches of travel, there is still plenty to spare to allow for articulation. Also, the air sus in the Discos works just like the new Defender in that when one wheel rises it sends extra air to the other wheel to push it down. It is a very good system that works well offroad- as good as a solid axle- no, but plenty good for what 90% of people are going to be doing offroad. Second, the four wheel drive system. Again it is the same terrain response that has been used since the Disco 2. It is a phenomenal system- imo the best out there of any of the systems that aren’t just traditional front, rear and center lockers. Ford basically uses it in it’s vehicles (insert Raptor here), as they took it with them after selling off JLR. It has high and low range with a very good low crawl ratio. The terrain response adjusts throttle tip in, steering wheel sensitivity, and height, as well delivering power to the wheels in a capacity designed for the certain types of terrain. The Disco 3 and 4s also had the optional locking rear and center diffs called the Heavy Duty (HD) package, just like the new Defender.
3. Cameras, cameras and more cameras- yup, you guessed it, just like the Disco 4.
4. Towing and cargo capacity- Disco 4- 7,716 lbs. New Defender- 7,716 to 8,201 lbs.
5. So the basic underpinnings are an LR4. So now what does it take from the Disco 1 and 2? How about the swinging rear door with mounted spare tire. This wasn’t unique to the Defender, it was on the Disco 1 and 2 also. And the alpine windows- everyone is talking about how cool a desig touch from the old Defender they are- well they were also in the Disco.
So how good will this new Defender be? Well I think that depends on what one wants to with it. If you plan to go rock bashing and playing on black diamond gnarly trails in offroad parks, this isn’t the veh I would recommend. Then you want solid axles, coils springs, disconnecting sway bars, and traditional front and rear lockers (manual preferably bc I have seen plenty of electronic ones fail). If you plan to go overlanding or otherwise driving for several days out in remote stretches where there may be no help for days, then this is not the vehicle I would recommend. I would recommend something more mechanical so that, when it breaks, you can repair it on the spot. Oh, and bring spare parts. I love when people brag about the superiority of mechanical offroaders and then I run across them broken down on the trail and they can’t fix themselves bc they don’t have the parts or parts to improvise. But if you want an all around veh- one that will be good on road, especially on long road trips, one that can tow a 5000-7000 pound trailer, and one that can offroad on moderate trails (blues and some more mellow blacks, beaches, desert) and you are going out not too far from civilization- say days trips up to a long weekend or so, then the Defender will be a great vehicle for that. It is definitely a more well rounded vehicle than a solid front and rear axle veh, will tow more than most offroaders (so if that’s a necessary criteria it will exempt vehicles like the Jeep Wrangler from your options and probably put you in half ton truck territory), yet will still do what probably 95% of people do offroad with their dailies. So many rigs I see on the same trails I’m on doing the same features as me with my LR4 are overbuilt. I mean you don’t need 37s and solid axles to drive to your favorite surfing or surf fishing spot on the beach, or do any of the green and blue trails. And let’s face it- a lot of that is for the look, not the necessity. And if it offends anyone to use the Defender name on something that isn’t a backbreaking sheep hauling tin can, take the Defender name off the front and put on Land Rover and just tell yourself you got the new Disco, because in reality that’s what it is anyway.
It kind of is the ultimate Discovery 6 :)
Sadly, you are largely correct. The new Defender would have been far better badged as a Discovery. I may even consider one as a replacement for my LR3 now that it's been demoted to light trails (aka 'overlanding'). The LR3/4/5 were never really going to be highly capable trucks just based on the lack of solid axles, the air suspension, and the sheer weight. This follows exactly in those footsteps. Just look at the video clips where they challenge the truck and you'll see it teetering around on 2/3 wheels - just like all late model Rovers - due to lack of articulation. This will be far more comfortable on the road and likely nice for long-range back-road travel, but not suitable for serious off-road use. Sadly the only remaining (factory) option for a proper off-roader in the US is Rubicon.
The other big reason this would have been better badged as a Discovery is traditionally the Defender was highly utilitarian and modular. They were work vehicles. Tow trucks, bucket trucks, utility trucks, farm trucks, and yes, military trucks. This is, as you pointed out, very far from that and will never be able to fill that roll no matter how much tech you throw at it in an attempt to overcome it's shortcomings.
In my ideal world I'd have seen this released as the new Disco, and a simpler, more utilitarian, more easily modified/customized-to-need vehicle sold under the Defender name. Basically, give us a slightly nicer Rubicon with a bit more payload and towing capacity and watch the faithful salivate. Give us a new halo vehicle to aspire to. Something that can drive 1000 miles to the Rubicon, through it, and back home. Something that will uphold and even bolster Rover's long off-road history. Unfortunately Rover has ceded this market entirely to Jeep. I'm no Jeep fan, but they win by default as the last man standing.
Don Happel well put. I hate the new Disco, was planning on leaving LR when time to replace my LR4, but the Defender gives me an option to stay now. They are fine for the offroading I do. Jeep is really it for an on-road veh for hardcore offroading, although at least they have the Gladiator now. My problem with Jeeps had always been that the Wrangler doesn’t tow enough for me, so at least now there’s a veh in their fleet that can tow more. The new full size Bronco might fit the bill too. I agree it would have been nice if LR had built a more hardcore, utilitarian veh along with this- basically wish they’d released the new Disco as some other name, released this as the new Disco 4/LR4 replacement, and then released a new solid axle, body on frame, traditional lockers Defender. But the world has changed. Now side by sides fill a lot of the roles that Defenders used to. And road going vehs have gotten so expensive to design and create that veh manufacturers have to build to the largest market segment to justify the costs.
Great video production. We have been looking to move into a 4x4 and the new Defender is certainly on our radar. I do have one question not related to the review and that is this vehicle, as I am being told, has 85 ECU's which some have said prevents it from being picked up by an emergency tow vehicle. Do you think there's any truth to that?
We winched them and towed them out of the mud (on a strap), so I suspect that is not likely.
I am going to paste a link to this video into TFL channel.
Where are you now¿ Stay safe from the outbreak
I made it home just prior to many of the airlines closing. Thank you for asking.
"Large diameter tires"... how about mentioning the size, because they look smaller than most factory offroad vehicles tires.
It will fit a 33-inch tire stock
Want!
I’m yet to see a proper review as Land Rover r not giving defender to reviewer for free driving always with Land Rover team 🤔🤔
If you know of a way to get access to the new Defender otherwise, I would love to see it :)
Expedition Portal I’m not planing u u did good job
Seemed like much too much time on three wheels, I expected better wheel travel
It has traction control, it doesn't need wheel travel
@@ltcharma no, you need tyres on the ground, especially if loaded
@@ltcharma you're joking, right? No amount of brake based traction control will help when a wheel is flying through the air. Nor will will substitute for a proper locker. I can only guess you haven't spent a lot of time doing any technical wheeling or you were simply trying to provoke.
Pity there’s no 3 litre diesel option !!!
Agree
Coming 2021
If I want to cross Africa I wont make more than a few thousand miles before it breaks and when it breaks you wont be able to fix it at any garage, you will have to go to a LR dealership and connect it to a computer to see what electronic broke. The defender really is dead and the old ones will go up in value.
Have you had the chance to drive it?
@@ExpeditionPortal Iv driven many SUVs but not this one specifically. In my experience the high tech ones didnt last long before they go to the garage. I am not saying its a bad off roader, its probably one of the best, I'm saying it most likely wont be reliable just like 90% of landrovers.
@@TheCls63 That was 20+ years ago. Please stop regurgitating this nonsense.
I do love the look, but every auto make is meeting the bar not surpassing it. I am I little disappointed. This is coming from someone that has owned several generations. I was hoping for an all new platform. More simple, and effective. I can’t see a missionary group having a fleet of them.
It does seem to be positioned towards a different audience than the previous model.
Nothing on the corrugations? More important than van zyla pass is the hundreds of kilos on corrugations, are your teeth still OK?
most reviews said that the defender ate the corrugation
It was excellent on the corrugations. We were expecting more shock fade, but only found minor fading, a reflection of the 2" shock body and the light rebound. Seemed to keep heat at bay.
@@ExpeditionPortal for a light load thats good , were you on low tyre pressures ? . expedition weight might generate more heat .
Land Rover marketing at it again. Toyota never does this stuff, esp not with Land Cruiser lol.
I have been on several Land Cruiser trips with Toyota. I drove the TRD Tacoma to the Arctic Ocean. . . All mfgs do trips like this to allow for media to test the vehicles before they launch publicly.
Because Toyota just don't need it. People are buying toyotas because they're capable and reliable - not because of good marketing :D
Even the elephant is more aerodynamic........Yeah your guaranteed to break down & have an huge bill to put it right....JLR { Jaguar Lemon Rover } are now a joke on pricing
What an insightful comment, thank you for sharing 🙄
Getting tired of these commercials masquerading as reviews. A RAV4 could have done this route.
I've done this route a number of times in various vehicles, Defenders, Prados, Fortuners, LC79s, Disco 2,3,4. There is no way a lightweight like a RAV would survive this. The only vehicle that didn't lift a wheel was my Defender 130. The LC79 was the worst.
Have you been to Kaokoland? Van Zyl's is no joke.
Interesting comment. Have you driven in that area? Have you driven the new Defender? As an FYI, we received no compensation for the review, and Land Rover is not an advertiser.
Expedition Portal -unless you chose to omit any footage of the difficult areas, I stand by my statement. There is nothing particularly rugged about those wimpy tires and wheels and lack of articulation. Looked like mostly dirt roads and some water crossings. I do have extensive off road experience all over the US.
Greg stop being an idiot. If you had been there you would know that the entire route, of about 100 ks (the water and the 'gravel' roads are not part of that section) is very testing and only robust vehicles will make it.
How much u r paid for fake review
We received zero compensation from Land Rover, and they are not an advertiser.
Hogwash pandering review. Guaranteed to fail air suspension, no solid axles, and a bunch of electronic geegaws that will crap out do not equal an overlanding vehicle. Also, oversized wheels that can't be changed due to caliper size means lower profile tires. Not a recipe for a true off road vehicle.
Thank you for the comment. Help me understand why it is pandering? Please. Land Rover is not an advertiser and we received no compensation from Land Rover for creating the video.
Air Suspension: Long-term durability is an issue, as it is for the Prado that shares the same system.
Solid Axles: While I have crossed all seven continents with vehicle on solid axles, IFS and even IRS has proven itself reliable. A great example is the Land Cruiser 200 IFS, proven to be proper for both long-distance travel and durability.
Electronics: Electronics are here to stay, many mandated by national regulations. Even the HiLux that I drove across Antarctica was computer controlled.
Wheels: I speak specifically about the wheels being an issue. It is in all of my reviews on the Defender.
I find you comment about "true off road vehicle" most interesting, as the new Defender is clearly more capable in stock form then the outgoing Defender (I own a classic 110).
The unknown and obvious concern with the new Defender will be ultimate durability and reliability, but I cannot test that in four days. That will take time to determine, so it cannot be determined for this review.
Stay safe during this challenging time. :)
I think it would be a nice 4x4 for the wife to do the shopping, i would like to see how it stacks up against my 16 year old nissan patrol in the Australian bush, instead of these nice hand picked tracks that i could do in two wheel drive.
Have you driven that part of Namibia?
@@ExpeditionPortal Yes i have i lived in Swakopmund for 5 years then Keetmanshoop for a while before going to Angola for work, Etosha National Park is somewhere i know pretty well also. Windhoek is were i settled for 10 before i went to Australia, i do like the new landy but i know it couldn't do the tracks i have to encounter without portal axles and 35s, i would love to drive one and review it for you but it won't be pretty when we got back.
@@tonylawton6513 Then you are aware of the challenges of driving the Skeleton Coast dunes or the Hoarusib River during rains, particularly in a 2wd (as you suggest). If you have been to this area, you know that Northern Namibia is not a "hand picked" region, but one with significant variability in both terrain and difficulty. I am not suggesting that the Defender is the ultimate vehicle, or even equivalent to your Patrol (a vehicle I deeply respect), but would you consider commenting in a way that was constructive?
@@ExpeditionPortal I think before you get all hot and flustered i didn't suggest doing the tracks in 2wd, i stated that the tracks you showed were not that challenging and i could do them in 2wd in my patrol. Please read and understand my comment and digested what i said, from ground to diffs i have 24 inches of ground clearance there isn't many vehicles that can go where i go to be fair, as i stated i would gladly review one for you and i promise i won't go on any hand picked tracks that everyone uses. Please don't say there not as i tested the VW Amarok there. ;)
@@tonylawton6513 So what you are doing is essentially comparing a modified Patrol with a stock Defender? I have driven a Patrol for years, no way a stock vehicle has that amount of ground clearance.