Grenadier Vintagizing

[ShootingCar]

I was talking with Jonathan Hansen of the Exploration Quarterly and Founder of the Overland Journal about the quirks of the Grenadier a while back. One of which he brought up was the dash and instrumentation and the lack there of like found in vintage Land Cruisers and Series Land Rovers with analog dials. We talked about looking down and just seeing the idiot lights in the small panel in front of the steering wheel as being just disappointing.
I suggested that Dakota Instruments make a vintage looking instrument panel to install on the Grenadier dash. I think that would be cool and one more step to completing the Grenadier to eventually have a manual transmission and diesel engine one day to be completely retro. Oh well

Hey a guy can dream more can’t he?

 

[Jeffrey]

Pretty bored today, eh?

 

[FrankeMatt]

Pretty bored today, eh?

How cool would that be! Ive sat in photoshop for far too long trying to figure out how to make mine look more like the old Defender 110 that we all wanted. However wanted it to drive and handle just like the Grenadier.
I figured, if you shaved all of the attachment points on the sides you could get more 110 look.
I guess im bored today too.

 

[anand]

I think that would be cool and one more step to completing the Grenadier to eventually have a manual transmission and diesel engine one day to be completely retro.

It's just North America that can't get the diesel...

 

[ShootingCar]

Pretty bored today, eh?

No actually having a great day with my family vacationing in Julian, CA this holiday weekend.
But thanks for asking Jeffrey. Knowing that you care just means a lot to me.

 

[DaveB]

I was talking with Jonathan Hansen of the Exploration Quarterly and Founder of the Overland Journal about the quirks of the Grenadier a while back. One of which he brought up was the dash and instrumentation and the lack there of like found in vintage Land Cruisers and Series Land Rovers with analog dials. We talked about looking down and just seeing the idiot lights in the small panel in front of the steering wheel as being just disappointing.
I suggested that Dakota Instruments make a vintage looking instrument panel to install on the Grenadier dash. I think that would be cool and one more step to completing the Grenadier to eventually have a manual transmission and diesel engine one day to be completely retro. Oh well

Hey a guy can dream more can’t he?

I find when I get in vehicles that have the dash in front, and you have to look through the steering wheel to see the speedo etc, very annoying now.
You have to take your eyes completely off the road and look downwards.
At least on the Grenadier you can still look out the windscreen while checking the speed etc.
I tend to use cruise control a lot, we have the good old fashioned cruise control, not the stupid take control type.
This means that once I set the speed I don't need to look at the dash much.


On the other hand RHD vehicles have zero room for a clutch so no chance of a manual.
As the gearbox stays in the gear you choose in manual, unlike most auto's, then the only thing missing is a clutch.
Manual vehicles (Stick shift??) are still very popular in Europe but only represent 3% of sales in Australia and 1% in USA.

BMW dropped the diesel from it's line in USA so that means that Ineos would have a unique engine for that market.
Not a good option.
US Diesels seem to be great in large sizes but pretty ordinary in the 3 litre and under range.
Compared to European diesels that is.
I have the diesel in my Grenadier and after 47,000 kms (30,000 miles) it is very smooth and nice to drive.

 

[Dokatd]

I will admit that I don't mind the Gren dash that much. I would have preferred an old school dash, but I'm ok.

 

[Tazzieman]

If I was to vintagize my Grenadier, I'd remove the muffler, install solid race mounts for the engine/trans and remove all sound deadening.
And lob some gear oil around the cabin. Scent diffusers are all the rage amongst expensive brands.

 

[Dreadfully Distinct]

I simply love the dash. At night especially. No more glaring light below my line of sight. And what idiot lights in the small panel? One or two maybe with the headlights on, but certainly nothing obnoxious.