| Author | Message | ||
     Rich (Rbtrader) New Member Username: Rbtrader Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2003 |
I am interested in a Discovery that is set up for some offroading. Most of the ones I have found that are already set up have had some hard use already. I know that the accessories are a big investment, but how much premium should I expect to pay for a truck that has deteriorated some from being offroad a lot? Maybe I would be better off to find a good deal on a stock Discovery and add the accessories. I am thinking I need a lift, winch, and some guards to get started. Which approach makes the most sense? Any thoughts? | ||
| Aaron Richardet (Draaronr) Member Username: Draaronr Post Number: 94 Registered: 09-2002 |
I would build it. I think you stated the best reasons. I would rather build a soccermom disco, than daily drive a ragged out disco. Do it the way you want it for the offroading you require. | ||
| Mike Bauer (Mikeb) New Member Username: Mikeb Post Number: 23 Registered: 02-2003 |
I think the best way to learn off-roading is to start with a stock truck. Go out and drive it and see what it can do. When you learn it's limitations, start making modifications to suit your needs. The best off-road gear that you can have is a good set of highly skilled off-roading friends and some basic recovery gear. Everything else after that is just icing on the cake. If you start with a heavily modified truck then you really never get to learn it's true capabilities; especially if you are new to off-roading. Best of luck in your quest. Thanks, Mike B. | ||
| John Kruger (Johnnyk) Member Username: Johnnyk Post Number: 203 Registered: 02-2002 |
Despite the fact I am selling an outfitted Disco, I suggest you build one. Or at least start with minor changes, drive it, then change it some more. You will learn alot, not only about the truck, but also your abilities as a driver. John www.teampb.com | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 264 Registered: 11-2002 |
Actually , since I have seen the price tag on Krugers come down. BUY HIS! Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Ron L (Ronl) Member Username: Ronl Post Number: 49 Registered: 11-2002 |
"I think the best way to learn off-roading is to start with a stock truck" Great advise Mike. Rick... Listen to Mike | ||
| Alan Bates (Alanb) Member Username: Alanb Post Number: 166 Registered: 07-2002 |
If you are on a budget, buy a built up one, alot cheaper than trying to build one. If you build one up, just know and accept the fact that you will never get your money back, just use and enjoy it, it will be a big money hole, there is always something else to add to it and modify. | ||
| Ron Ward (Ronward) Senior Member Username: Ronward Post Number: 312 Registered: 02-2002 |
Rich, I agree that building one is better, more fun, and you'll learn something about your truck that otherwise you may not know, but need to know just the same. You know I've got mine on the market but if I were in your shoes, I'd build one up like I did with the one I have. That didn't sound right but you know what I mean... Cheers! | ||
| RVR OVR (Tom) Senior Member Username: Tom Post Number: 761 Registered: 07-2001 |
OK, let me start out by saying that my Disco is for sale, and it is built. So, choose wether or not you want to call me full of crap or read on... Wether you buy mine, Ron's, John's, or whoever's, I think you can't loose buying one that is already built and is a good value. When buying a used car, you never know what you are going to get. Mechanically when it comes to engine components, drivetrain, etc, I would bet that you will have better luck buying from an enthusiast instead of a stock Disco off the lot. An enthusiast is far more likely to maintain the Disco better (doing the work themselves) over just the average Disco on the street. Also, all this business about "learing to drive offroad" with a stock vehicle may have some merit, but how much sense does it really make? You are learning to drive the truck you have. Everytime you change it, you are learning new things. So, learn things over and over? Become and open-diff pro and spin the wheels like mad and risk breakage on stock tires to climb the same hill you walk right up with lockers and MT's? Also, do you want to lightly (or not so lightly) tap a stock bumper or your door sills on a stock vehicle and cause damage or do you want to have the protection in place at the start? Why destroy your bumpers or body and then have to buy replacement parts or upgraded parts? You will pay full retail, or if you are lucky, find them used after spending a lot of time shopping. On a stock truck with a stock bumper, where does the winch go? Everyone says recovery equipment should be the first thing to buy. A winch is definately useful in that department. So, you have to buy a new front bumper and winch anyway, which leads to springs, which leads to potential drivetrain vibration issues, etc. etc. Like any other sport, the right equipment doesn't make you a pro out of the gate, but it definatley helps. Would you play football or hockey without pads on your body to get the feel of it? Finally, financially, you can save a lot of money buying a built truck if you shop it the price is reasonable. My rule of thumb is blue book value for the trucks real condition, and then around 1/2 the cost of all the add on parts to make up the total cost of the vehicle. This way, you can spend your weekends in the future driving that puppy and learning, rather than tinkering with it to get it up to snuff. Everyone should know thier vehicle and try to learn how to repair it, especially basic repairs on the trail. However, you don't have to buy each part bit by bit to learn how to do that. I don't know how many people have had to quickly replace a rear bumper on the trail, or would have got home quicker if they put their own sliders on the truck. It is the mechanics of the motor, drivetrain, and electrical systems that you will most likely need to address on the trail, and most modded vehicles have those parts stock or upgraded to more HD components anyway. Grab a shop manual, and do drills. Remove the driveshaft and put it back on if you want to learn how. Pull off the wheels and study the suspension. Heck, pull apart one side and put it back together if you want to. However, don't think that unless you install every customization on your vehicle yourself and drive it each step of the way you won't learn how to wheel. If you have kids, when they turn 16 and can start wheeling and you had a built truck, would you not let them drive and think they had to use a stock one? OK, I am done....sorry for the rant, but I am sitting at work waiting for a phone call with not much else to do.... Tom | ||
| J E Robison Service Co (Robisonservice) Member Username: Robisonservice Post Number: 99 Registered: 10-2002 |
If you want a truck built for you I have two good 1995 and 1996 soccer mom stock Discos to start from. You could buy them stock or built to any extent you want. We built lots of trucks. John www.robisonservice.com | ||
| Alan Bates (Alanb) Member Username: Alanb Post Number: 167 Registered: 07-2002 |
I have to agree with Tom, it makes economic sense to buy one built up, but if you have the money it is definitely more fun to add the stuff yourself, and it will be a learning process. And I bet my 92 RRC with 120k is more reliable and better maintained than some soccer moms rover that gets only an oil change once a year. | ||
| Ron L (Ronl) Member Username: Ronl Post Number: 52 Registered: 11-2002 |
Rich, Listen to Tom. Buy his disco | ||
| R. B. Bailey (Rover50987) Senior Member Username: Rover50987 Post Number: 542 Registered: 07-2002 |
Build: You learn about the truck as you go, (a very important part of owning any Land Rover) And you are able to pick and choose the exact stuff you want to add on, not the stuff someone else likes. http://landrover.mrbaileyshistory.net | ||
| Ho Chung (Thediscoho) Moderator Username: Thediscoho Post Number: 141 Registered: 02-2002 |
rich, all vehicles are setup differently. you might save some cash by getting one that is already done up. but consider the fact that not all installation job and choice of goodies is up to your standards. i myself got lucky to find one where the previous owner took real good care of and installed everything meticulously. no mickey mouse job anywhere in the truck. good luck. ---------- Ho Chung | ||
| Greg Davis (Gregdavis) Senior Member Username: Gregdavis Post Number: 839 Registered: 08-2002 |
I'd have to say that as long as the rig you're looking at has decent upgrades, and you won't want to change everything, buy a built-up rig. I agree that most enthusiasts maintain their rigs to a much higher degree than the average driver. You'll also save ALOT of money and time buying one that's ready to roll right out of the box. Spending your weekends in the hot and cold trying to make parts fit, figure out how to improve something, etc., ain't all it's cracked up to be. I truely look forward to the day that all my mods are done so I can just relax and enjoy it.  | ||
| Ray Gerber (Raygerber) Member Username: Raygerber Post Number: 60 Registered: 09-2002 |
I'm new to the Land Rover world having purchased my 94 DI last August, but the truck I purchased came set up with OME HD suspension, ARB Bull Bar w/9,000lb winch, 265/70/16's, steering & diff guards, roof rack, Hella 4,000k... you get the picture. I paid $8k, the guy had all the service records and it was well set up despite some ghetto interior mods that I really cared less about. I may or may not have paid too much-its immaterial now, but it was set up the way I wanted and I needed to get rid of my 300ZX due to new daughter. My learning curve, like any new Rover owner, has been steep-but I can say my wallet is very happy that the truck has 80% of the mods I wanted already done. Sure I want lockers/axles/CV's upgraded, but its a decent truck now and if I could keep myself from thrashing my clutch I could just use the winch to get out of places. (Thank god that ordeal is over) I think the comment about enthusiasts maintaining their trucks to a higher standard has merit, despite the double edged sword of implied off-roading that comes with a built up truck. If you have a deep wallet and a lot of paitence buy it stock and do it your way, if you want to jump in find a middle of the road to highly modified rig and go for it if the price is right. You'll learn to drive what you own, prior to the Disco I had a Tacoma which I eventually lifted and put a locker in the back-each time changing the vehicles driving characteristics significantly-forcing a relearning period, but that was a far different truck that the one I have now so the similarities are few and far between. I would do it the same again given the chance, but it was the right truck for me at the right time/place. Good luck! Ray | ||
| Mike McUne (Mikem) New Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2003 |
Learning to maintain/repair your truck is extremely important when offroading, but you should learn that regardless of the mods on your truck. The reason to start with a stock vehicle is so that you learn how to drive offroad. With lockers all around, upgraded axels and a hugh lift, all you have to do is point and shoot. With a stock truck, you'll have to carefully pick your line, be able to read the terrain and actually think about what you are doing. It will make your offroading experiences safer and and more rewarding in the long run. -MM | ||
| Rich (Rbtrader) New Member Username: Rbtrader Post Number: 2 Registered: 05-2003 |
Wow, I never expected to get so much good information so quickly. I would seem to me that there is a minimum list of accessories beyond stock that make the soccer mom's truck safer and more reliable on the trail. On a budget, what would you add right away? | ||
| Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) Moderator Username: Kyle Post Number: 270 Registered: 11-2002 |
Well , I think the guy from Robinsons throwing his pitch was perfect. Call him and see what its gonna cost you to take one of the soccer mobiles he has and add all the accesories that Krugers truck has. I am betting your choice will be real clear after. Kyle "Blow me" | ||
| Ricky Smart (Rikstaboogie) New Member Username: Rikstaboogie Post Number: 1 Registered: 05-2003 |
For what its worth.... Buying a stock disco and doing all the mods yourself brings enjoyment to some. Its all part of the offroading scenario, just as repairing the damage. Depending on your budget and mechanical knowledge would possibly sway your decision. For example, I would rather spend more money on a stock truck with a good engine (low milage) etc, with maybe a little body damage to help keep the cost down, and then add the bits you need. Saying this I would certainly recommend bigger tyres (235 85 16 at least) and a lift/aftermarket suspension. Also a snorkel will help even if your not venturing into water (dust avoidance measures). Check your breathers and wader plugs... maybe some sliders (depending on terrain)..... Go Play!! If your like myself (skint) then a set of shackles and ropes accompanied with a highlift jack will get you out of most winching scenarios (with a little graft). It does keep cost down. Dont forget your shovel!! Its all very well buying a truck with all the toys but do you really need them? Again this would depend on the severity and terrain of your offroading.. Just my opinion. :-) |
