LR4 to Disco 5

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nhskibm

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I have a dropper post, but my bike is also an XL. It certainly does not fit with the front wheel off. I have yet to try it, but my assumption is it'll fit upright if I remove both wheels. Not a big deal for longer trips. The LR4 had clearance to spare with the front wheel off. Just had to lower the dropper and put it in back wheel first.

Back wheel height is the same regardless of frame size - and those bikes are 29ers. Biggest issue is your seat tube + dropper height but based on how much clearance I have in mine I think you'll be fine. The trick is you need to have the seats down all the way (hit the button and then once down push them down again, there's a final little movement all the way down). Then your trunk has to be mostly empty because you basically have to put the bike in on a diagonal and then can turn it upright. Also, rear wheel is going to be into the center between front seats a couple/few inches on one bike if you want to get two in.

Totally hear ya on the LR4 - used to run three bikes in there. Still have our D2 and it is actually easier to get two bikes into the D5 than getting them in the D2.
 

remember5

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So having read all this and having decided that I was going to save for a 2020 Defender, I'm seeing some deals on 2018 D5s and thinking about maybe making a move on a diesel but reading so many bad reviews, what are you guys seeing in diesel reliability, real world fuel economy, etc.?
 

ar077

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How's the noise on those Terra Grapplers. I have the same Nittos on my LR4 and wind noise is awful.

You mean road noise, right? The Nittos had a very minor road hum at first but I hardly notice it now (the Goodyear Eagles were dead silent). A small price to pay for having tires that give me the off road capability that I bought the vehicle for in the first place.
 

ar077

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So having read all this and having decided that I was going to save for a 2020 Defender, I'm seeing some deals on 2018 D5s and thinking about maybe making a move on a diesel but reading so many bad reviews, what are you guys seeing in diesel reliability, real world fuel economy, etc.?

My diesel powered vehicles are a joy to drive and have the most reliable engines I've ever encountered. Neither one uses a drop of oil between oil changes. The 6.6L engine in my GMC truck has so much torque that it throws the 7600 pound truck around like it's a toy. I get almost the same feedback driving my Disco, which gets 20 mpg around town and 26 mpg on highway trips.

I probably wouldn't consider getting a Defender if it didn't have the same big diesel engine that's only otherwise available in Range Rovers and the D5.
 

nhskibm

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Pics of a Med frame 29x3 bike in truck. Just about largest wheel you can get. 1” clearance by rear overhead light. Dropper all the way down. Since one bike centered. With two bikes i’ll stagger just a hair and push further back making sure I clear both c pillars. Drove 11k miles like this last summer with two bikes.
 

jptruck

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Yeah. You can see that it's tight on the hight clearance with that medium frame. I'll try mine centered out and see if it works. Mounting it over to the side was obviously the easy option on the LR4. I would basically hang the rear (via bungees) from the rear seat handle. The front of the bike would get wrapped by the seatbelt for the 3rd row. The window was off-set out just enough that the handles fit perfectly. It was pretty simple.
 

jptruck

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So, a little geometry lesson for us all. Here's what an XL Bike looks like in comparison. This is a bike with 27.5s on it. A 29" wheel bike would not fit unless I removed the seat or back wheel. I could probably squeeze in a second bike, but only if it were a smaller bike.

IMG_2108.jpeg


IMG_7616.jpeg


IMG_9568.jpeg
 

RobRover88

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Regarding jptruck's comments re D4 versus current Discovery; IF somebody buys a Land Rover to actually
offroad it then they should NOT buy the current Disco.
I've had my 2014 D4 since new here in Australia & I've almost finished adding the aftermarket gear I want.
I've just got back from a 3 week roadtrip to Brisbane where APT Offroad fitted their beautifully designed
& fabricated rock slider/sidesteps plus a bunch of their underbody guards - Trans. guard, air-comp. guard,
air-tank guard. Ben Woodgate (owner) bought a current Disco when first released to use to design guards
& other gear to add to his extensive range of LR protection gear.
He's about to sell the Disco. He an engineer & describes it as a "soft truck". There's nowhere to mount a good bullbar.
He describes the front end as "airspace". He tried to fabricate additional & proper jacking points. When he
fitted them & jacked up the vehicle the body deformed!! He's had it straightened several times now.
His gear is so well designed & fabricated - check out the APT Offroad YouTube videos.
He tells me he's now selling more of his gear to U.S. customers than Aussies - even with the freight costs.
I now have an Opposite Lock Bullbar, Narva lights, Kaymar rear steel bumper with wheel carrier, a Brown
Davis 110 liter aux. fuel tank with only a Safari Snorkel to come in a few weeks. I use a Projecta power pack to run my Engel fridge when the engine is not running.
I now have 18" Compomotive wheels with BFG A/T KO2's. They really set off the vehicle's looks & I finally have tires I can trust in the bush & the Outback. Don't consider other cheaper options when upgrading
tires & wheels. A D4 is so good it deserves the best!
I'm keeping my D4 FOREVER. I'll look at a new Defender to replace our other two vehicles when it's finally released. As far as I'm concerned the current Discovery is a family car/weekender with limited potential for offroading, despite LR's claims for capabilities.
 

jptruck

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I don't disagree with that. I buy a Land Rovers as daily drivers that can definitely do off-road if I want. Most of us are limited to snow driving issues, driving on beaches (simple reduction in air pressure), hunting, etc. I use mine for work to check job sites and such.

If you are getting an off-road vehicle, the D4 or even GX570 is your ride of choice. If I truly need to go off-road, I pull my Santa Cruz out of the trunk and start pedaling.
 

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