| Author | Message | ||
     R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 621 Registered: 07-2002 |
So I have had a few chances to get into one of those mid-1980's 110's with Tdi... But I would like to know what people know specifically about the difference between towing with a 3.9L V8 Auto vs the 300Tdi with a 5-speed. All the other benifits of the 110 with Tdi outweight the older Disco, but we tow a camper and a boat sometimes so it would be important to know if I will be seeing worse or better tow performance on hills especially. | ||
| Andy Thoma (Andythoma) Senior Member Username: Andythoma Post Number: 395 Registered: 01-2003 |
Well, you should not get the 110... so I can get the chance to pick up that 110  Where did you find it? Is there more than 1? Email me if don't want to talk about it on the bbs. I've been thinking about going to a series, but finding a 109 LHD hasn't been easy. I like the lwb for use as a camper long haul rig. Andythoma@netzero.com | ||
| Chad Meyer (Ccdm3) Member Username: Ccdm3 Post Number: 137 Registered: 07-2002 |
www.lrx.com has several under defenders (not nas defenders) | ||
| Jaime (Blueboy) Senior Member Username: Blueboy Post Number: 731 Registered: 02-2002 |
Andy, In case you haven't looked lately, a few have shown up on LRX and Rovers North sites. A friend of mine is looking for a 88" and mentioned to me he has seen a few 109" for sale as well. Agree the 109" is great for camping trips. Jaime | ||
| Shaun Power (Shaunp) Member Username: Shaunp Post Number: 107 Registered: 05-2003 |
80's 110s didn't come with TDI engines this car must have had a retro fit. In Autralia 110 s came with 3.5 v8 or 3.9 non turbo diesel which are great. 110 5speeds also had a really strong "santana gear box". | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 622 Registered: 07-2002 |
Yes, it has been upgraded, as well as the gear box has only 10k on it. Actually, in the past year, I have come across 3 of these mid 1980's 110's. Technically, they are grey market, unless the conversions were done by a certified Registered Importer, or if they were brought into the country and licienced titled etc, by the owner. If you want a 109 look at http://www.skytoprovers.com or http://www.roversunlimited.com But... NONE OF YOU HAVE ANSWERED MY QUESTION! Anyway, like I said, if I didn't tow a 2300 lbs trailer 4-6 times every summer for a good 300 miles each time, it would be a no brainer... sell the IIa, sell the Disco, and get the classic 110 Tdi. | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 623 Registered: 07-2002 |
http://www.skytoprover.com | ||
| Richard Dekkard (Richard_dekkard) Member Username: Richard_dekkard Post Number: 109 Registered: 04-2003 |
300tdi wins the towing contest hands down... | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 624 Registered: 07-2002 |
So even though it has less horsepower and less torque I can expect to go up the hills faster than 45mph? | ||
| zane pukajlo (Zane) New Member Username: Zane Post Number: 23 Registered: 03-2003 |
Towing with an automatic transmission is generally preferred since you shift faster, smoother, and lose less Rpm's when upshifting. Now if this was an apples to apples comparison than the Disco would be better. But in this case I'm guessing that it would be a draw. The Disco is lighter in either form, gas or diesel, and it has a bigger tank. The towing weights are identical. Obviously, the Disco would be more comfortable in distance driving. The Tdi should make up for the small tank with better mileage. If you live in Colorado than the Tdi may be a better bet. Now I like 110's, but I do an awful lot of off-roading. So, I prefer the Disco. Here is a suggestion for you. Do what Richard did and drop a 2.8 Powerstroke into your Disco. You would have more power, better mileage, and more cruising distance than any 110 Tdi could ever give you. Plus, you can keep your automatic behind it. Anyway, hope this helps some! Zane | ||
| Richard Dekkard (Richard_dekkard) Member Username: Richard_dekkard Post Number: 112 Registered: 04-2003 |
Dont quote me on this, but I believe the stock 300tdi tdi has more torque ( low rpm ) then the V8. Also an automatic loses a large percentage of its horsepower at the torque converter making it much less effective. But comfort wise, I agree, go automatic. You can pretty easily put a mondo huge tank on the 110 so the stock small tank isnt really a concern if it were me. But again, the Disco would be more comfortable for long distance trips... tough call.. but if the only concern is towing , I will stay say the tdi wins.. There were times when if I were towing something in my V8 I would have not even been able to achieve forward motion... All depends on altitude, condition of engine, etc. though... sorry, Zane and I probably just confused the situation even more..... | ||
| Shaun Power (Shaunp) Member Username: Shaunp Post Number: 108 Registered: 05-2003 |
110 and defenders have a lower final drive ratio in the transfer box. | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 625 Registered: 07-2002 |
The 300Tdi does have more tourque at 1800 rpm, but that is it, it basically peaks at 2000 rpm at best, while the V8 continues past that as the rpms go up. You are right about the torque converter, it looses a lot of torque. There is an article about towing campers in this months LRO, it talks about how good Rovers are at towing anything anywhere!!!! But my in-laws' V6 Trooper tows thier 3500lbs trailer as good as my V8 pulls a 2300lbs trailer. What's up with that? If it is over 85 degrees at 4000' I can't even hold 55 on flat ground without shifting down to 3rd. The 110 would be the truck I would have for 20 years. To me it is the perfect mix between the Disco and the IIa. The 1980's 110's even have galvanized trim. And you can get A/C and nice seats and trim for the interiors. I would be willing to sell off both my Rovers to get into one of those - if I could get some definitive proof that it will tow better on the hills. Even my wife would go for it!! I would like to be able to hold 55 on the passes around hear - steeper hills I can understand having to go slower. (I only drive 65 tops anyway.) But when mini-vans pulling 4 kids and a camper trailer pass me up I get mad! I don't really care to go to a larger engine (4.6 Pursuit) unless I can get some better mpg. | ||
| Mahn England (One_iota) New Member Username: One_iota Post Number: 5 Registered: 02-2003 |
RBB, Try posting your question here: http://www.lrenthusiastforum.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?Cat= Mahn | ||
| Pete Stefano (Pete_s) Member Username: Pete_s Post Number: 65 Registered: 02-2003 |
Has anybody ever put dual tanks in their Disco? | ||
| zane pukajlo (Zane) New Member Username: Zane Post Number: 24 Registered: 03-2003 |
Have you considered going to a 3.80 ring and pinion to improve your performance? Maybe change the 1.22 high range to the Defenders 1.4? Either one should improve your towing going up hills or on the flats while pulling 2300 pounds. In answering your question from above, I'm guessing at this, the answer would be no. I don't think the 110 would tow better going over the hills. Its heavier and has a 2.5 liter engine under the hood. You're asking a lot from that motor. Now a Pursuit 4.6, 302 lb ft, or a 2.8 Powerstroke, 277 lb ft, would do the trick. However, my above questions may be a better alternative and cheaper. Again, hope this helps some! Zane | ||
| Shaun Power (Shaunp) Member Username: Shaunp Post Number: 111 Registered: 05-2003 |
Zane you don't have to change the diff ratio just the transfer case ratio. LT 230 boxes came with about 3 different ratios, depending what they are fitted to 110/defender, Rangie v8 or VM diesel, Disco tdi or v8. | ||
| Scott Scott (Scottoz) Member Username: Scottoz Post Number: 87 Registered: 02-2003 |
From memory the TD5 (a little different from 300 but should have basically same torque specs) gets about 300nm at 1950 rpm and the v8 4.0 gets 340nm at 2600 rpm. I am a big believer in the extra 4 (or 3 if you compare td5) cylinders and the extra cubic capacity for low end towing performance. The problem with the Diesel is that even though the slow burn of the fuel creates plenty of torque, the turbo is what really gives it grunt and it gets going a little high for my liking. You get pleny of people singing the praises of the diesels, but there are also plenty that report overheating, real lack of grunt (so much so that with BIG loads - within its limits though - they need to start in low range from the traffic lights) and overheating in one cylinder in particular. Also you might consider that whatever you tow will end up with a coating of diesel smoke on it. Just my few bobs worth. PS. If you get it and plan to tow big loads, get some blinkers for the 110 so that it cant see the hills comming. | ||
| John Davies (200tdi) New Member Username: 200tdi Post Number: 1 Registered: 07-2003 |
As an owner of a Tdi I can tell you, they are slugs compared to a V8. On the flat for towing they are ok, but hills forget it. I have a disco 200 Tdi with defender 1.4 transfer gears. This helps get it going but does nothing for you once you are a speed John D | ||
| Kai Dussling (Kai) Member Username: Kai Post Number: 75 Registered: 06-2002 |
RB, As far as trailers are concerned, a 2300# trailer is pretty light. It may be slow, but you shouldn't have a problem. | ||
| MDH (Mdh_ii) New Member Username: Mdh_ii Post Number: 3 Registered: 07-2003 |
Just to whom it may interest. We had a V8i Disco I for seven years and then changed to a TD5 DII in 2002. Towing the same trailer weighing about 2400lbs revealed very little difference in real world performance, but massive difference in fuel costs! That said, we did most of our towing at elevations above 1000m (around 3000ft). Also the TD5 is an auto while the V8i was manual. The auto and the Turbo Diesel make an exceptional combination since the torque converter causes the perception of turbo lag to be much less. However when towing such a heavy load the turbo lag effect is quite pronounced. The torque converter though, simply lets the engine spin to 1800rpm and then the torque floodgates open. The nicest thing about the TD5 is that you can absolutely drive it flat out without having nightmares about fuel bills. The turbo needs to be looked after though and has been known to cause expensive trouble if poor quality fuel (plentiful here in Africa) is used. Best thing for towing in my mind is the SLS system… |
