Newb Question Defender 110 vs Chevy Z71

[swrider]

So quick question, a Defender 110 beats the Chevy, or so i have been led to believe by pretty much everyone i've talked to. That's not the question. The question is, what makes the defender a better vehicle. Or to put it another way; what can I do to my Z71 to make it more capable?


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[Stryder106]

What year is your Z71? I have an 02 Avalanche NFE. My opinion on the Defender 110 vs Z71 is that the 110 is pretty much purpose built for overland/offroad travel whereas the Z71 is designed for the street with some dirt use. IMHO those two are a big difference. But, if you're like me, and my Av is my platform and I can't change that, then there is plenty you can do to it. The newer it is, the more options you will have because more companies offer suspension upgrades for those with coil over front ends. I have the torsion front end so my options are really limited which leads to a lot of fabrication and research. Good luck!!!!!

 

[justcuz]

Apples and Oranges really.

Depends on the years of both. Defenders are not a great highway vehicle and long turns behind the wheel on the road can be fatiguing, they are not known for front leg room or great driving position.
Defender does have great off road chops, solid axles, stout chassis basically purpose built for off road.

Z71 pickup, Tahoe or Suburban? Great highway ride, comfy roomy infinitely adjustable seats some with heaters.
Suspension is IFS front, not as much travel or articulation. Out back is either long leaf or coils, can be made to move quite a bit.

Frankly depending on where you live you may never use a Defenders full capabilities.

In North America from a service and repair standpoint a Chevy is easier and cheaper hands down.

Evan Bomberg wrote in his book "Common Sense Not Required" that certain vehicles suspension harmonics actually stimulated blood circulation and created less fatigue.
The Defender is not one of those vehicles although a Jeep Cherokee is and I believe the wheelbases are close to the same.

 

[02TahoeMD]

In North America from a service and repair standpoint a Chevy is easier and cheaper hands down.

THIS ^^ You will be able to find parts for a Chevy anywhere. A Land Rover, not so much. I have found my Tahoe to be perfectly capable, reliable, and functional off road. Never been stuck yet. (knock on wood) Does the Tahoe have the same "cool" factor of a Defender 110? Nope. But it is way more affordable.

 

[swrider]

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. Mine is a 2014 Z71, and yes it comes with heated leather seats, a great bonus in the harsh winters of Las Vegas :REOutCampFire03:
The reason for this post is that when I bought the truck I told myself that I wasn't going to upgrade anything until I needed it, more than I wanted it. So, my tires are just about done, so out they go and I can move on to better ones. I am thinking of going with 33's to gain a bit more clearance, with a more aggressive thread. Also, maybe time to look at a suspension upgrade; because you know, I "might" need the extra clearance for the bigger tires. And well it just snowballs from there.
I've always been a fan of the Defenders, yes I know what a PITA they are, onroad and maintenance wise. But they are capable overlanders. And that's what I want from my truck. A vehicle that is capable of taking me out into the middle of nowhere for a weekend of camping and then coming back home to a 70mile daily commute. So bigger and better tires, upgraded suspension and undercarriage protection, and a few other things thrown in...

 

[Stryder106]

Well - having a 2014 you certainly have more suspension options than I do on my 02. What gears are in it? Mine came with 4.10s and the Eaton locker so I'm good on gearing unless I want to go to a 37" tire (but then that would open a WHOLE new can of worms). 35s are where I'm headed (I have 33s now). Since you are buying them and upgrading the suspension anyway - you may want to just look at what it would take to do a 35" because in all likelihood that's where you are going to end up. Good luck - the full size Chevy's are good trucks.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

A Z71 will never even come close to the capability of a 110, but is was never intended to. If you really want a capable offroad rig that is budget friendly and more along the path of the 110 just buy a 4-door JK like the rest of the masses, plenty of aftermarket support and Chinese made parts for them. I love my Chevy but it was never built to be a serious off road vehicle, but it is hands down a better riding vehicle than 90% of 4wd vehicles out there. Sure, the 110 has the "cool factor" going for it, but have you ever ridden in one? I have been in a 90 and a 110 and you couldn't pay be to daily drive one, your z71 is far more comfy.

 

[rayra]

Seconding 'apples and oranges'. It's a nonsensical debate.

The best 'overlanding rig' is the one you already have. If you are starting with nothing, the choice depends on so many personal factors that again, argument is useless.

 

[sonoronos]

IMHO, don't spending a dime "upgrading" your 2014 truck.

It's basically new. Leave it alone. Clearly you have disposable income. Keep it stock. Buy stock tires.

What is your objective, exactly?

 

[ExplorerTom]

Doubly agree about parts availability.

And while the D110 is more capable, is it more capable for the places YOU WILL GO?

 

[justcuz]

IMHO, don't spending a dime "upgrading" your 2014 truck.

It's basically new. Leave it alone. Clearly you have disposable income. Keep it stock. Buy stock tires.

What is your objective, exactly?

I would not completely rule out going up one or two tire sizes. Otherwise yes a fairly stock truck will go more places than you expect it would. I would pull the front air dam before off roading though, no sense in busting it up.

 

[swrider]

Thanks for all the replies guys. I guess I should have been a bit more clear on what I was asking. I am not trying to compare the D110 to the Chevy. Yes they are apples to oranges. That's not the point. I used the D110 as an example of a capable vehicle that has a reputation of a go anywhere do anything truck. The Chevy is what I have, and its what i wanted because of the utility a truck brings just from being a truck. The 4x4 is because I have always wanted one, and going to the backroads in Mexico, they are good to have.
My intention with this post is to obtain as much information as I could concerning upgrades that would make the truck that I have and love, become more capable and reliable when I do venture out to the middle of nowhere...
So far the ideas that I have are to install a leveling kit, mainly because I hate the way the truck sits right now. And next year when I need new tires, i would like to go to 33's. Don't know that I will ever want or need a suspension lift. I need to do way more offroad driving so that I can see whether or not I will need it given that I live in Las Vegas and most of our backroads tend to get pretty crazy after a few rains.
As always, any and all tips and comments are greatly appreciated !!!