Quartermaster stretching its legs

[ADVAW8S]

This weekend I did a trail run with a friend and made some new friends. Funny thing, I have talked to many of them before on the Land Rover Forum when I had my L663.

There were 3 L663, a 1994 Defender and the Quartermaster. We pulled in to air down and 5 minutes later two jeeps pulled in. What did I hear, the electro pump whine from one of the jeeps. I had to laugh.

This was the first real opportunity I have had to really see what it could do on the trails. The first drive last month was mostly fire roads with a couple offshoots. This time was a true off road trail that was straight up, tight and rocky. The QM ate it all up and came back for more. I ran most trail in low with center lock. Couple climbs, I put the rear locker on to be safe. Side note: at the start we came to the gate keeper which was a high cross axel crossing. I wasn't thinking and had yet locked my center diff. I tried going over with no luck. Soon as I locked it, I was up and over.

Everyone loved the Quartermaster and each group we passed were taking pictures and asking questions. The largest admiration came from the l663 guys I was with. Our final climb was a technical one that had off camber turn that quickly dumped you into several cross axel situations. I had L663 with a sub frame lift and 35 go up ahead of me. In true LR fashion it tipped backed and forth with sizable height. So much so that the driver got on radio telling everyone to take it slow because a wrong line could make it worse. Well the QM just did it's thing, flexing back and forth, keeping me flat to horizon. The guys were all watching slacked jaw. I may have converted them into new buyers. Even the 1994 Defender with no sway bars ate up the climb. That driver started asking me about the station wagon. I feel when I see him again, it will be in a Grenadier.

One last note, one of my happiest decisions was buying RadFlo shocks. They were amazing when it was time to work. The group was camping for night and my daughter and I need to get home. So we split from the group and head back the way we came. I picked up the pace and the shocks ate it all up. I caught 4 broncos Sasquatch packages heading down the hill and they were rocking back and forth. They tried picking up the pace but I stuck with them on my 33. The RadFlo just crushed it, I highly recommend them.

Thanks for reading and here are two videos with a couple pictures from the trip.

View: https://youtu.be/_IX0ZfekCMM?si=imU8ojWJVjxrrBFE

View: https://youtu.be/hjSPRGU12MY?si=4XwuEyc7Mj4Mqrln

 

[CRH]

Had a black QM as a courtesy vehicle when they were just released in UK. They are too long for UK parking spaces and a few councils are starting to fine vehicles that are too long.
Never really liked pickups and I need the tall secure boot are and open access to cabin, but that vehicle was beautiful, just loved the look. Drive was also slightly better than the shorter wheelbase Grenadier.

Good choice, if it fitted my lifestyle, and UK car spaces, I would so want one.

 

[Tom109]

This weekend I did a trail run with a friend and made some new friends. Funny thing, I have talked to many of them before on the Land Rover Forum when I had my L663.

Any takeaways to compare/contrast the QM to Grenadier body and wheelbase?

 

[Major_B]

Any takeaways to compare/contrast the QM to Grenadier body and wheelbase?

Last weekend was the offroad gathering for French owners. I had the only QM so was center of attention as well.
Forest paths, with (big) holes, mud, more holes, grooves, climb and steep descents. All with central and rear diff locked, sometimes front one (for the driver muscles…)
Takeways:
- It went everywhere the wagons went, most of the time even easier than the shorter versions who got stuck in holes, while I always had that one wheel out to give me traction.
- Only exception are big holes the size of the QM where I would’ve got stuck,
- and of course narrow paths between trees where I had to maneuver
For most of the people who had Landys or Discos before it was a pleasant surprise, especially the engine and gearbox. Missing a few inches below to come to level of a Def 110. I must say I have original springs.
I was always the one winching or pulling people, never got stuck once!