Letter to Lynne Calder

[Dlucky]

I'm 58 years old. To some that might make me a grumpy old man. I grew up driving cars that didn't have these modern "improvements" and they worked just fine. I want all but the engine and transmission management computers out of the car. They add unnecessary complication and distraction.

I don't need "off road mode";
I don't need a computer telling me when I can lock my diffs;
I don't need something reading speed limit signs for me;
I don't need traction control;
I don't need stability control;
I don't need digital gauges, especially when the are terribly wrong... hello fuel gauge;
I don't need something telling me that I just crossed a lane line;
I don't need a service reminder;
I don't need a drowsy driver alert bonging at me;
I don't need parking sensors;
I don't need auto start stop;
I don't need a backup camera;
I don't need crappy driving lights that only can be turned on in off road mode;
I don't need tire pressure monitors that tell me that I have low pressure in the morning then 30 minutes of highway driving they tell me that tire pressure is too high.
I don't need it to automatically put me in park when I try and move with the door open because I actually need the door open to see something;
I don't need carplay.

I would trade all of the above for:

A climate control that actually works;
More caster in the steering geometry;
A front pinon that points up towards the transfer case;
A windshield that doesn't cost $3,000 USD to replace... seriously WTF!;
A stereo worthy of a $90,000 truck;
The ability to lock the front diff without the rear and to lock either whenever I want.

Mechanically the truck is near perfect but the software has issues that are entirely self inflicted. I continue to hope for code fixes or ways to bypass much of the BS.

Well said. 100% agree.

 

[Max]

I'm 58 years old. To some that might make me a grumpy old man. I grew up driving cars that didn't have these modern "improvements" and they worked just fine. I want all but the engine and transmission management computers out of the car. They add unnecessary complication and distraction.

I don't need "off road mode";
I don't need a computer telling me when I can lock my diffs;
I don't need something reading speed limit signs for me;
I don't need traction control;
I don't need stability control;
I don't need digital gauges, especially when the are terribly wrong... hello fuel gauge;
I don't need something telling me that I just crossed a lane line;
I don't need a service reminder;
I don't need a drowsy driver alert bonging at me;
I don't need parking sensors;
I don't need auto start stop;
I don't need a backup camera;
I don't need crappy driving lights that only can be turned on in off road mode;
I don't need tire pressure monitors that tell me that I have low pressure in the morning then 30 minutes of highway driving they tell me that tire pressure is too high.
I don't need it to automatically put me in park when I try and move with the door open because I actually need the door open to see something;
I don't need carplay.

I would trade all of the above for:

A climate control that actually works;
More caster in the steering geometry;
A front pinon that points up towards the transfer case;
A windshield that doesn't cost $3,000 USD to replace... seriously WTF!;
A stereo worthy of a $90,000 truck;
The ability to lock the front diff without the rear and to lock either whenever I want.

Mechanically the truck is near perfect but the software has issues that are entirely self inflicted. I continue to hope for code fixes or ways to bypass much of the BS.

Spot on.

I am just having a set of front disc brakes fitted and it is ready to roll again...stopping is a bonus in these old girls. After twenty years of thinking and preparing to stop all I will have to worry about is putting the roof on before the rain[Climate control}

Series II 1959

 

[ECrider]

Spot on.

I am just having a set of front disc brakes fitted and it is ready to roll again...stopping is a bonus in these old girls. After twenty years of thinking and preparing to stop all I will have to worry about is putting the roof on before the rain[Climate control}

Series II 1959

saddle leather upgrade?

 

[Logsplitter]

Thanks. So its not a plug and play option then.. I'm waiting for my XLW winch bumper to arrive so I'll have to see how that goes together, hopefully I won't need the brackets.

Hi Tom. I’ve just looked up that XLW winch bumper. Looks a like a good substantial bit of kit. I presume as you are fitting an aftermarket winch then you can get away with this non EU spec bumper that is not pedestrian friendly. Can I ask who you insure with as I’ll probably have to change insurer once I get modifications done.

 

[CRH]

Hi Tom. I’ve just looked up that XLW winch bumper. Looks a like a good substantial bit of kit. I presume as you are fitting an aftermarket winch then you can get away with this non EU spec bumper that is not pedestrian friendly. Can I ask who you insure with as I’ll probably have to change insurer once I get modifications done.

Insurance is always the pain.
I do like the look of that bumper but I have got used to using the standard one for putting things on or sitting on when having a rest, etc

 

[Tom D]

Hi Tom. I’ve just looked up that XLW winch bumper. Looks a like a good substantial bit of kit. I presume as you are fitting an aftermarket winch then you can get away with this non EU spec bumper that is not pedestrian friendly. Can I ask who you insure with as I’ll probably have to change insurer once I get modifications done.

I'm currently with NFU. I'll notify them once its fitted, and see what they say, I haven't had any issues in the past....
Famous last words!

 

[ECrider]

That's a good looking bumper. Presume it works with the OEM winch. The plastic one though I like dimensions etc just seems far too flimsy for this type of vehicle.

 

[Sean326]

I had a Bronco Sasquatch before the Grenadier and a fullsize Range Rover. The Bronco was loud and uncomfortable and had a habit of breaking tie rods and when you strengthen those then the steering rack end casting breaks. The Range Rove was comfortable but not capable enough off road. The Grenadier is exactly what I want just hate the damn software and wish I could bypass all of it.

Commadore,
The jeep in the pic is one i've had for 16 years. Like your Bronco because of the rag top and aggressive tires it is noisy and not the best for long highway runs. Mechanically it never failed me except the transmission when the sump pan rusted out and I didn't notice it till it ran dry. Its pretty capable and its even an auxiliary vehicle that I use in my rescue unit as the 1st Lt. its's got covert LED strobe lights, siren and radios, big winch duel batteries and a 30 amp inverter. The 2500 Cummins diesel ram is capable as well, a pleasant driver on both highway and dirt, tows 10 tons which is handy for my day job where I occasionally have to haul heavy equipment on non-roads for the construction/development company I own.
Like most grenadier buyers i had a bit of history and love for the classic defender, I had hoped that for $90k i could get the modern incarnation of the classic and capable defender with most of the contemporary conveniences and safety tech one expects in a $90k new vehicle. Honestly I'd pay more if they offered a suite of contemporary ADAS as an optional package. Having said that $90K is Just about the same price i could get a fully tricked out Bronco or Wrangler with all the bells and whistles including up to date ADAS and very good off road capability as well. In todays world there is no need to micro control every aspect of your vehicle especially when your driving on a straight boring highway for possibly hours at a time. It should be possible to have it all, a fun, capable off road vehicle when you need it and a smart semi self driver when you have to spend 4 hours on a straight multi lane interstate going from eastern PA to pittsburgh.
Apparently per my dealer the USA is more than half the total market for the grenadier, its already priced at the top of the mainstream SUV market exceeded only by the G-Wagon which is about $60k more. If they ever hope to sell to more than the classic defender nostalgic crowd and maybe sell to USA customers who aren't familiar or nostalgic for the defender heritage they will have to step up to compete with the top of the line broncos, wranglers, land rovers and BMW SUV's etc.. especially since most americans that have defender experience or nostalgia are all Boomers and old X'rs who are a rapidly shrinking demographic.

 

[Krabby]

@Tom D - since you can access things, can you share/shed light on the stupid HVAC system? Maybe it'll give us some hope of potential modifications to improve its performance.

 

[CRH]

@Tom D - since you can access things, can you share/shed light on the stupid HVAC system? Maybe it'll give us some hope of potential modifications to improve its performance.

Ha ha ha ha & ha ha

 

[DenisM]

@Tom D - since you can access things, can you share/shed light on the stupid HVAC system? Maybe it'll give us some hope of potential modifications to improve its performance.

And also the wiring diagrams for the under seat set up...
(Hang on, I'll make a list!)
T'is an excellent initiative you have udertaken Tom D and "we" (dare I use the Royal plural) are most grateful

 

[FlyersFan76]

I wouldn't know. I downloaded an ISO for my 1025R years ago and then ripped it into a file folder. ipad in the garage, with all the manuals for everything I own in a folder. It's nice just having access to what you need when you need it... without worrying about logging in, whether the rules will change, they're down for maintenance whathaveyou. But... I'll take what I can get at this rate. It is just my personal preference to have a stand alone version of a service manual.

Totally agree. My Hummer service manual was probably 6" - 8" thick fully printed. But it was well worth it to have what I needed or print a few small sheets for the task at hand. Mind you this was before the iphone was even invented so physical pages were my preference. Still are actually.

 

[CRH]

If you don't mind helping, could you just print a page off for me, say 1-last. If you have a minute, just laminate and ring bind, shouldn't take you more than a minute or so.

Joking aside, you really have done a great job getting the attention of Ineos and to have them finally working with the buyer

 

[FlyersFan76]

@Tom D Maybe I missed it mention here or elsewhere but does the manual show how or where the ADAS click comes from? Is it a separate speaker that can be disconnected?

 

[Phobiac]

But you don't need the mirror!

View attachment 7897632

 

[Tom D]

Each support ticket is £100 and gets you one page of the manual. If IA take their time releasing it I could be rich by the time it comes out lol.

Seriously I can't help everyone, hopefully you'll all have access soon.

 

[ADVAW8S]

@Tom D, question around using the QR code on parts and if it launches the online manual to the page. Thinking out loud.

 

[Max]

Remember when they were talking about Flying Spanners?

I couldn't help but post this thinking of @Tom D being asked for this and that about the workshop manual, after the little drip feeds that have been posted...I think I can see an IslandFalconer in that nest

 

[Tom D]

I made a video showing the operation of the Grenadier Workshop Manual

View: https://youtu.be/z1vr9qRRjpY

 

[Baron von Teuchter]

Very impressed