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Joe Micciche (Little_Joe)
Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 10:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I wanted to formally say hey to everyone here. I've been lurking and posted just a few inane questions over the past few months - but a week ago I finally bought a 1996 Discovery SE w/ 82k and in VGC.

After thoroughly checking it out, my wife and I promptly drove it 1300 miles and I am completely smitten with it now. Wow!

My other 4WD is a beat up Toyota. I do plan on wheeling the Disco and doing some lighter mods to it, we'll see what comes up.........
 

Kennith P. Whichard III (Kennith)
Posted on Saturday, November 30, 2002 - 11:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Congratulations!

Welcome to the passion. Have you named her yet? :)

Cheers,

Kennith
 

Carter Simcoe (Carter)
Posted on Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 01:24 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

welcome to the insanity
 

M. K. Watson (Lrover94)
Posted on Sunday, December 01, 2002 - 07:35 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

yea, what carter said!
mike w
london, ohio
 

Joe M. (Little_Joe)
Posted on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 09:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Thanks for the welcome! No name for the truck yet, we'll see what kind of identity it develops.

Mike, I am in Cleveland. Do you do any wheeling around the state or area?
 

Robert Sublett (Rubisco98)
Posted on Monday, December 02, 2002 - 09:41 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hey Joe, I've also got a '96 but it's no longer in VGC:) Follow this board and all will be well, don't be shy to ask stupid questions, we've all done it at one point and time on here, well, at least I have. Be sure to stay on top of fluids(swivels,diffs,etc.) My rig has about 128k on it and other than the usual power steering leak and exhaust leak it runs great with no worries. Welcome to the roverhood.. RS
 

L_Tilly
Posted on Tuesday, December 03, 2002 - 02:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Aloha, Little Joe! Good choice of rig. We bought our 96 (w/ 46k miles) Thanksgiving '00. It now has 106k. Minor leak around swivel balls (I have the seal kits, just no time to tear into it yet) and around the oil sump, and one bad break caliper, but that's been about it.

At the end of this past summer I finally started down the mod-road with an upgrade to OME HD springs/shocks all around. There are naturally many more items on the list, but I refuse to wait until it's "done" (loose term) before playing with it. I've been wheeling it stock with my local Rover club since we bought it. As I'm sure you've heard, you may be surprised what a stock Disco can do. With any luck you'll have a similar Rover club near by.

Oh, one thing you may seriously want to consider before going out: put together a basic recovery kit (shackles, tow straps, gloves, Hi-Lift, etc.). You may well find yourself stuck, or one of your trail mates stuck. Even though you can usually get away with relying on your fellow riders for recovery essentials for your first couple outings, it's not good to over extend someone's hospitality. Plus, I have pretty much used my kit twice each winter to pull some SUV-driving twit out of a median ditch when they think 4x4 means "can drive like an idiot in ice and snow". I don't know what's a better feeling; bringing my truck out the far side of a difficult trail, or the look on an Excursion driver's face as you drag their pathetic butts out of the snow. :-)

Enjoy and happy Rovering!!!

Lawrence lnctilly@metrocast.net
96 Disco - Beowulf - NH, USA
 

Joe M. (Little_Joe)
Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 08:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Hi Lawrence, you've put a lot of miles on in a short time - so I guess yours has been very good to you?;-) So far I have the infamous steering box leak and a small leak around the oil pan. Unfortunately it's cold and snowy here and I don't have a garage so I can only wait and vicariously explore this thing online.

I have a complete recovery kit - thats a great suggestion for everyone. I've been wheeling for 6 yrs now in my Toyota and have assembled a few things over those years, so I'm ok on that front.

I'd like to figure out how to mount at least one front tow hook w/ the stock bumper. A new bumper will be a while yet. Any suggestions?

There is an active Rover Community here (or so I hear), but the Centre said they're not going out while it's snowing.

Thanks again for the warm welcome and words of wisdom!
 

John Cinquegrana (Johnc)
Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 09:04 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

Front tow hook: jate ring
 

L_Tilly
Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 09:37 am:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

I sympathize about the garage. We just bought our first house in May so I finally have a garage myself. Before that our appartment complex had a dirt driveway, so I couldn't even attempt a lot of projects for fear of getting dirt where it didn't belong (that's why swivels still leak despite me owning the repair kit).

On the driver's side of the front bumper there's a little hole in the airdam with a metal loop sticking out. There are a few people who will caution against using it, but a number of people here (myself included) have recovered with that ring. I would strongly advise against a snatch-style recovery, but if you only need a steady pull to help out, I think it works fine. Just check it good for excessive corosion damage that may weaken it, and it would probably be a good idea to avoid using a chain "just in case". Also, be careful not to use the little metal loops hanging down from the frame front and rear. Those are just tie-downs for transporting your rig and I've heard you'll likely rip them off if you try to recover from there. Naturally, if you can pick up a set of jates and bolt them on that's the way to go.

Lawrence lnctilly@metrocast.net
96 Disco - Beowulf - NH, USA
 

Robert Sublett (Rubisco98)
Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 12:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post Print Post

http://www.discountrovers.com/Specials/specials.html

I've got two of the jate rings from Nathan at DiscountRovers and they have saved me a few times now. Broke my front diff and needed lots of assistance to get back down the trail. They mount right to the frame, you just need some nice strong bolts/nuts. Also, trimming of the airdam up there helps alot too.

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