6x6 Problems

[Dragon Wagon]

The main things I am not happy about so far is really ordinary on road performance and the lack of availability of the many unique 6x6 parts. Have any others had success obtaining parts from JRA? I have had no success through my local dealer. The 6x6 is pathetically slow on road, quite thirsty and noisy and off road performance is also not great due to ordinary axle articulation in my experience. It was probably adequate for army use, parading around, but many of the private owners, like us have greater and more demanding needs and a private enterprise driven budget, without access to virtually unlimited government support! We’ve also been running five ex army Acco, mainly 6x6 continuously from the 80’s and these have magnificent axle articulation, great spare parts availability and excellent off road performance and are not much slower on road than the ruddy 6x6 Perentie! Thanks.

[dugite]

Most of which you list is known about, and not a lot can be inexpensively dealt with.

The 4X4 Perenties with a higher gearing are easier to live with on road, but presumably you purchased a 6x6 to carry lots of stuff.

For parts (parts numbers in the library section of REMLR) try KLR at Windsor NSW.

HTH

[STDDIVER]

HI Dragon, as Dugite says all of these problems are known, but what you do get with the LR 6x6 is fantastic off road capability, the 6x6 will back up to the most unbelieveable places, just used one for a week on ATA and nothing comes close to the performance.  Spend time and $ on sound proofing and insulation.  It pays back in spades.  Fuel economy @ 80 kph is king, 90 plus, - buy a refinery.  There is no other platform to transport 2 tonnes of stores off road on the type of terrain the 6x6 can deliver IRT its spacial footprint and I have not found any other vehicle that comes close, having owned an OKA, Mog etc.  Parts are out there, I bought what I considered the hard to get bits from the auctions, as did many other 6x6 owners, and parts are still coming up from time to time.  Study the NSN numbers and you will be surprised at what is out there still.   Warning though, the 6x6 does NOT, I say again, does NOT like sharp left/right hand turns and can break axles.  Treat the steering box like it is not powered and generally speaking, they are pretty good.  (Turn in the opposite direction before reversing etc and do not turn the steering wheel unless moving and other 'driving in general' directions as per LWP-G 4-3-1 Driver's Handbook.)   The 6x6 turns in 1.43 QML (Queen Mary Lengths) more than a standard 4x4, but this is something you learn to live with and there is a bull bar fitted for misjudgement  .   KLR is an excellent resourse and the guys there have worked on the 6x6 and really know their stuff.   I have an F! as well, and find the fit between the LR 6x6, the LR 4x4 and AACO specific to what you want to do.  All perform a different role and I agree, for recreational purposes, you have to choose the one with the most advantages/less disadvantages that work for you.

Welcome to the forum - I look forward to following your posts -  STDDIVER

[Dragon Wagon]

Thanks for that. I’m looking mainly for 6x6 LRPV parts. I’ve got a fair bit through the auctions, but reckon there will be plenty of problems regarding availability of the more specialist parts going forward. JRA could be more helpful.

[Dopey]

Re: LRPV parts, what do you need?

And, what do you have?

I’ve possibly got some spares, I’d have to look through my piles of bits and pieces to check.

I may be interested in either buying or swapping LRPV parts.



Are you planning on building a replica?

[fc101]

Looks like you bought the wrong vehicle for what you need - maybe needed a bit more research before buying.

They are a specialist vehicle.

[Dragon Wagon]

Not really. We’ve owned land rovers continuously from the 1950’s and ex military vehicles for longer, from WW2 infact. We own lots and lots and use them every day. I’m just saying to some of those potential buyers that have been buying them on credit cards to be a bit careful. There are a lot of keyboard warriors who use their computer much more than their Land Rover and may be romantically ignoring the faults. For me, it just means that I focus one on a particular use. I’m not looking for an all rounder, but some are. Have owned well over fifty series, defender type land rovers! Thanks.

[Dragon Wagon]

While I am at it, the reported rated towing capacity is abysmal too! But I guess for what the army wanted, they worked quite well. A bit more carrying capacity and quite a few common components and servicing procedures to the 4x4. I am pleased I spoke with my LR mechanic mate before I bought one, because he was right. They might look quite nice, but make sure you drive one on the open road before you buy!

[Mick_Marsh]

While I am at it, the reported rated towing capacity is abysmal too! But I guess for what the army wanted, they worked quite well. A bit more carrying capacity and quite a few common components and servicing procedures to the 4x4. I am pleased I spoke with my LR mechanic mate before I bought one, because he was right. They might look quite nice, but make sure you drive one on the open road before you buy!

I've found mine to be excellent on the open road. Very comfortable. Not as noisy as some of my other vehicles.
Towing capacity, mine is adequate. I guess some might be better off buying a Dodge Ram, but, no. When you take into account the GCM, they would be abysmal too.
The 6x6 can carry and tow a decent load up hill and down dale. The civvy stuff can carry or tow a decent load on the road.
Oh, and it doesn't look quite nice.

[Dopey]

Thanks for that. I’m looking mainly for 6x6 LRPV parts. I’ve got a fair bit through the auctions, but reckon there will be plenty of problems regarding availability of the more specialist parts going forward. JRA could be more helpful.

Once again....

Re: LRPV parts, what do you need?

And, what do you have?

I’ve possibly got some spares, I’d have to look through my piles of bits and pieces to check.

I may be interested in either buying or swapping LRPV parts.

Are you planning on building a replica?

[Kobsperentie]

Is there anyway to have the towing capacity upgraded at all?