New Defender does the Rubicon.

[DaveB]

See you can do the Rubicon Trail in a new Defender with hardly any mods.
I wonder how the Grenadier will go.

 

[stickshifter]

This is just crazy. Getting 35s to fit on that Defender cost about half a gazillion dollars, and they still need to do some trimming. I bet it was also really tippy. While the traction-control on these is awesome, and it can keep moving forward with tires in the air, on a hard technical trail the lack of articulation in the suspension is really noticeable, and is super-sketchy.

I think the Grenadier would finish the Rubicon on its stock tires (31.7 inches in diameter), because it has solid axles, lockers (if you spec them), and good overall dimensions. However, it would spend a lot of time on its skid plates, and you would have a lot of dents and scratches. You would need rock sliders to avoid damaging the rocker panels and doors. Its possible that some of the undercarriage is not protected enough for this trail on stock tires, and you might do some real damage. No way I take mine on that trail with the stock rubber. Maybe on a true 33, but 35s seem to be the minimum tire size in order to keep damage limited to some dents and scratches on the skid plates.

 

[Tazzieman]

You could put a Hyundai Accent on 50 inch tyres and it would be fine.
Clearance always helps. It's a pity Unimogs are so wide, heavy , noisy , uncomfortable and thirsty!

 

[ECrider]

5" lift plus 37's - guess need make a few more vids to buy portal axels on indie suspension!! Looks in damn good shape post Rubicon experience. Would like to see some film of it having a go.

 

[emax]

Pimping and driving are different things.

The wheels don't look like they'll fit well in the wheel arches. And as the guy said, they "had some rubbing," but it seemed to me that he tried to avoid the attention it deserved.

And the independent suspension can never imitate solid axles.

It looks good, but until I see it driving through the terrain the car was modified for, it's just a mock-up to me. I would really like to see a video of it in the terrain that it is said to be made for.

 

[ECrider]

Many marks of Rubicon valour on this 90. Not looking showroom fresh.

 

[DaveB]

Pimping and driving are different things.

The wheels don't look like they'll fit well in the wheel arches. And as the guy said, they "had some rubbing," but it seemed to me that he tried to avoid the attention it deserved.

And the independent suspension can never imitate solid axles.

It looks good, but until I see it driving through the terrain the car was modified for, it's just a mock-up to me. I would really like to see a video of it in the terrain that it is said to be made for.

Yes I thought it was bullshit. Not a scrape or a mark.

 

[emax]

There are some scratches e.g. on the skid plate. But they look a bit made up.

The proof was in pudding driving.

 

[DCPU]

 

[DenisM]

You could put a Hyundai Accent on 50 inch tyres and it would be fine.
Clearance always helps. It's a pity Unimogs are so wide, heavy , noisy , uncomfortable and thirsty!

Shackleton returns to Antarctica to make history… in a Hyundai | Practical Motoring

A modified Hyundai Santa Fe makes history as the first passenger vehicle to cross Antarctica.

practicalmotoring.com.au

even better!!

 

[emax]

Yes, looks like the shown Defender. Would really like to see the video.

What might the upgrade have cost ... ?
Will it still have it's former on-road qualities?

 

[DCPU]

 

[emax]

Plus fitting, rims, tires. Not a bargain.

What makes me wonder is that they spend 13 minutes for the video above but I can not find even 5 seconds of Rubcon-driving footage with it on the web, though this would even be much more spectacular.

 

[bemax]

Yes, looks like the shown Defender. Would really like to see the video.

What might the upgrade have cost ... ?
Will it still have it's former on-road qualities?

Ähh, probably not

 

[Elijah]

Just to put 33s or 35's you have to relocate the oil cooler or leave it exposed next to the tire on the back side. On that 37 that had to redesign the entire system. "We had to sacrifice down travel and ride quality". 50k for the build?

 

[DaveB]

Even if they did actually drive it they can't really claim they did it in a new Defender. That has been so heavily modified that there isn't much of the original vehicle left.

 

[Tazzieman]

Shackleton returns to Antarctica to make history… in a Hyundai | Practical Motoring

A modified Hyundai Santa Fe makes history as the first passenger vehicle to cross Antarctica.

practicalmotoring.com.au

even better!!

My wife's previous 2 cars were Santa Fe's. Couldn't fault them!

 

[DCPU]

Just to put 33s or 35's you have to relocate the oil cooler or leave it exposed next to the tire on the back side. On that 37 that had to redesign the entire system. "We had to sacrifice down travel and ride quality". 50k for the build?

Not sure they were saying it was necessary for the tyre swap, but rather just a good idea to move it from in front of the tyres as it's in a particularly vulnerable position.

There's exactly the same issue with the Grenadier.

 

[Elijah]

Not sure they were saying it was necessary for the tyre swap, but rather just a good idea to move it from in front of the tyres as it's in a particularly vulnerable position.

There's exactly the same issue with the Grenadier.

Same location for the cooler but Grenadier has a lot more clearance

 

[Fidei Defensor]

Many marks of Rubicon valour on this 90. Not looking showroom fresh.

But you notice some much less "beat up" Rovers shown in glimpses on the same video. And there are videos of fairly stock Discovery 1/2 doing it...... I would think the IG should do it without problems, but more comfortsbly on 33's