.. but after getting stuck every now and then while travelling with a friend in his Jeep Cherokee and getting tired of shoveling snow for the spinning rear wheels and the front ones staying stationary I asked him why did he not engage the central diff lock and he said he does not have it as it only is an aftermarket product and not factory installed.

"reported to have performed well" despite being unreliable, you say? My goodness, it will be wise to stay away from Cherokee then as well.

"flowery language"? Honourable sir, had I only known or understood the American slang and acronyms I may have been able to express myself more clearly. As it is I still smile at the words a lawyer in British Columbia said to me: "You speak funny English!", to which I replied: "Sir, I do not speak funny English - I speak English, and you speak Canadian".

The cultural difference sometimes show in the spoken or written word, but I am getting there. One of these days I'll be good with badderies, and my head won't spin from reading about dizzies anymore, (Australian slang refers to these parts as "dissies" (now ain't that sumpin'?). As it is - down south, what they call a bison is something an Austriliaan washes his faice in... .

But not to worry - in Manchester, England they have not spoken English ever.

This forum is a place of learning and sharing, and hopefully sometimes even in a little humerous fashion too. I am still thinking where sarcasm could be seen to fit in?

 

Don't worry, sir - as a Englishman who was born in Oxford, I can say that a) I get sarcasm and b) you are 100% correct about Manchester.

As for Landrovers and Jeeps - I'm reasonably well placed to talk about both as I own a 1995 XJ Cherokee (factory fitted with centre diff lock) a 1996 ZJ Grand Cherokee (similarly well equipped) and a 2003 Discovery 2 (no centre diff lock). All have different attributes and abilities - I would back the XJ to get to anyplace here in Abu Dhabi that a Landcruiser or Patrol can get to (but not to be fully serviceable at the end of it). However, if I wanted to get (most of the way) there in some sort of comfort I would take the Discovery.

The Jeeps are well equipped with electronics - and my definition of "well equipped" is lacking most of them No TC, HDC, ESP, SLS, ACE etc and all the better for it. The Cherokee doesn't even have ABS. The Grand Cherokee is half a ton lighter than the D2 and the Cherokee is lighter still - so they go OVER the terrain, rather than beating it into submission.

Horses for courses and I'm glad to have a foot in each camp.

 

tis quite the story, ole chap. tell it once more would you?

like i said, if it was a XJ cherokee, he is wrong. if it was a KJ liberty/cherokee, he is wrong, if it was a KK liberty/cherokee, than yes, i believe there was an option for no factory diff lock on the basic one as well as on the basic WK grand cherokee. all the new models have ABCD/XYZ/123 electronics too.

 

Now Moss...

That is a sterling English name, sir..

I believe a (now deceased) orthopaedic surgeon in my home country had owned that racing driver's British racing-green Cooper and had restored it.

 

I do not know the designations but have driven it quite a long distance bit of late - certainly no central differential lock. We have just replaced all steering and associated components - horrible condition of tie-rod ends and anti sway bar ball joints - the latter broken off on left side. It is a Grand Cherokee, 75,000 miles. I think it is a reliable vehicle but I like the square and lighter Cherokee better, and now that you have convinced me that it has a central diff lock that is what I'll scout for and buy once I have sold or given the Discovery away.

 

I am still thinking where sarcasm could be seen to fit in?


Why I mentioned the above was because sarcasm, on a forum where people learn from others' difficulties also is a cultural "new" to me.

 

Ford is definitely not loosing money on Land Rover as they sold it a few years back. Tata Motors now owns Land Rover. Also many of the new Land Rover models can't be kept in stock and having waiting lists to buy them.

 

I am not one to speak much in this forum.. but,
I just returned from a 3000 mile trek to the grand canyon with my 99 D1. The normal vacation car is my wife's drive, 2002 525 that she has put 30,000 miles on since 2004 (yes 3000 miles per year - the daily driver was my 91 e30 318is that just went to a collector in Jeff City Mo)

The 99 D1 was checked over starting with the Oil Pan dropped to look for metal shavings. None - so new water pump (just because) and 2 cats and 3 O2 sensors later we were ready for the trip. No codes, sounding great with the new magnum muffler.. Got just west of Tulsa and the fuel pump died.

The overall experience was not that bad other than a crappy hotel and a day lost. Did not even get ripped off as I was correct in telling the shop what to do based on the 3 years of working on this D1.. and having the RAVE on a laptop.

The rest of the trip was perfect - the Rover never even came close to getting hot even on the elevation climb against a hellish headwind. and the a/c never had to go over 3.. Was a perfect vacation car and I would do it again and feel confident.

The ONLY weakness was in the fact that the car was designed and geared at a time when 55 was the limit and 65 was passing speed. For this reason I stayed at 65 and just enjoyed the scenery.

There may come a time that I could regret these words but.. it is just metal, plastic, rubber and wires. Add the iron oxide and dissimilar metals for the electrical corrosion and circuit board failures and you have what makes all cars the same. Just some tend to be mystified more than others.

NOW all who are up to a new challenge please look for my post asking for help with the $500.00 1998 twin i bought the day before the vacation... (did not tell the wife cause did not want to hear about it the whole trip .. especially after the fuel pump died)

 

Particularly this bit..

"NOW all who are up to a new challenge please look for my post asking for help with the $500.00 1998 twin i bought the day before the vacation... (did not tell the wife cause did not want to hear about it the whole trip .. especially after the fuel pump died)"

I love the integration of art and fine engineering and science and form and function of a well designed and built rifle, which means I fully understand the above sentiment...

 

Does Kia own Rover UK?