Himalaya Spectre

[WreckITFrank]

Nice write-up from pop mechanics on a Himalaya built 110. I'd like to see more about that steering setup.

9 Cool Things We Learned Driving the Spectre Land Rover Defender

Created by the custom shop Himalaya, this Defender is a Land Rover like you've never seen before—complete with a Chevy V8 and a Jeep steering box.

www.popularmechanics.com

 

[Z.G]

Lol, why would you ever put a Jeep steering box in a Defender? I've watched a Jeep box break in front of me, and am told it's a common issue with the sector shaft. Never seen a sector shaft break on a Defender, just leak.

 

[Napalm00]

Maybe because Land Rover steering boxes are $1600 and leak like a sieve ?

They are stronger but they're just not reliable

 

[WreckITFrank]

that's a mighty fine point. Dude claims the steering is the dream, so was curious on how that went down. Although having minimal experience, I can say my 91is not what I would call tight. also made me think of it when I was reading Jimmy's steering box post.

 

[RDavisinVA]

Jeeps greatly oversteer.
The one and only time I drove one I nearly flipped on a U-turn just after starting out.
Land Rovers understeer greatly!

 

[Z.G]

I'd rather run a leaking steering box than a broken one, easier & cheaper to add fluid rather than limping your truck to the nearest road and AAA'ing hours home.

 

[Napalm00]

Ha ! If I keep talking shit mine is gonna start pissing

 

[jymmiejamz]

Lol, why would you ever put a Jeep steering box in a Defender? I've watched a Jeep box break in front of me, and am told it's a common issue with the sector shaft. Never seen a sector shaft break on a Defender, just leak.

I've seen Jeep steering boxes break two times off road at the sector shaft. I'd definitely rather have a leaking one than not have steering at all.

 

[brdhmltn]

I bought a brand new LR one from UK as well. Sprayed fluid right out the faulty casing that had been painted over. Had to weld it.

 

[WreckITFrank]

ok, so good learning experience for me with this one. I think what you are all saying is that LR can't build a dry, leak free, easy to source, or cheap steering box to save their life, but still considerably more reliable than what Chrysler puts on their Jeep?

I still find it interesting that they chose a retro fit that for big dollar build, as I never heard of that being done before which is why I'm curious.

 

[AdamSanta85]

I still find it interesting that they chose a retro fit that for big dollar build, as I never heard of that being done before which is why I'm curious.

FWIW it's not like there are Wranglers broken down all over the place from failed steering boxes. This truck is seeing light off road duty at best. I'm sure it will be just fine. I bet the owner would be more upset with a power steering puddle in their garage or imprecise steering vs the possibility of having a box fail under extreme circumstances.

This thing is a luxury truck.

 

[The Dro]

FWIW it's not like there are Wranglers broken down all over the place from failed steering boxes. This truck is seeing light off road duty at best. I'm sure it will be just fine. I bet the owner would be more upset with a power steering puddle in their garage or imprecise steering vs the possibility of having a box fail under extreme circumstances.

This thing is a luxury truck.

I disagree... It's still a tractor with an LS engine.

 

[Uncle Douglas]

I'd rather run a leaking steering box than a broken one, easier & cheaper to add fluid rather than limping your truck to the nearest road and AAA'ing hours home.

Wasnt it the steering box that the jeep guy from Boston broke in that hole @ Romp as we all stood around encouraging him to just "monster truck it"

 

[Z.G]

Wasnt it the steering box that the jeep guy from Boston broke in that hole @ Romp as we all stood around encouraging him to just "monster truck it"

Yep, that was Jake

 

[rlynch356]

I’ve seen 3 jeep steering box failures in the past year (and 2 new JL frame cracks at the panhard)

I’ll keep my old tech