| Author | Message | ||
     Raf usher (Zonamaya) New Member Username: Zonamaya Post Number: 25 Registered: 05-2003 |
ok gang.. we are getting ready for the journy through mexico again. we are going to central america. (if you have a map, we will be followthe high way along the gulf coast) the roads in Mexico are HELLISH! sometimes the roads are good..and sometimes bad. things will change at the blink of an eye.(SERIOUSLY) In the past we drove an old 95 geo tracker w/ 180k that totally KICK BUTT! it was unstoppable, and had no problems. NOW we have a DISCO... after reading all the little crappy things that can go wrong with these things, i am not feeling confident that my disco can handle the 3 day travel. so, my question is for EXPERTS.. Facts: we will be traveling 3,000 miles @ approx 70mph. THe roads will change from paved to dirt without warning. Pot-holes are a big concern. they can be 2-3ft deep, and 4ft diam. also Mex has the speed bumps/humps/traps. they are meant to slow traffic. it is common not to see these things and hit them at 70mph. esp at night. and finally, there can be blinding dust storms(sometimes volcanic ash we may have to drive though . what can we do to off set these problems? 1. what items need to be checked BEFORE we go? 2. will the wheel bearings bust at the first pot-hole being hit at 70mph? 3. what about the front axle, the big ball thingy that connectes to the hub(makes them turn).. how often do they go bad? 4. what modifications (i.e, shocks, springs, lifters) should we use? 5. what spare parts should we bring along? fyi: 95 disco 145k...runs good..no leaks. | ||
| Jim H. (Victor_mature) Member Username: Victor_mature Post Number: 52 Registered: 02-2003 |
I'd say No. 1 accessory should be your Visa card. It's the plastic thingy in your wallet.  | ||
| roald windrich (Roald) New Member Username: Roald Post Number: 22 Registered: 09-2002 |
the "balls" dont go bad aslong as there are no rust spots on them. -check all your shock bushings (you can buy them as a repl. set) -hitting putholes with 70m/hr is not a problem make sure you dont have to much pressure in the tires around 35psi works fine. under normal load - check ALL fluid levels (axles/gearbox/tf swifelhousing etc. -take with you,..serpentine belt,small amount of ALL oils used (for topping up).duct tape/steel wire. trial/roadside toolbox. i drove last year 5700m in 6days without any major problem (disco '94 88k) | ||
| Raf usher (Zonamaya) Member Username: Zonamaya Post Number: 49 Registered: 05-2003 |
where can i buy a good but cheap durable steering damper? | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 302 Registered: 10-2002 |
The "balls" (swivel ball housing, protects the CV) are very unlikely to be damaged but a pothole as you described at those speeds could tear the suspension out from under an H1 or maybe even a Disco I would suggest keeping an extra quart of oil or two, gear lube oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid, etc. and a toolbox of basic tools. I personally carry a large tool box (& one small one) all the time with just about every tool needed to make any repair. Luckily i've used my tools more times helping other people than working on my own vehicle but I still have them there if needed. You might need to get a large lug wrench if you only carry the little OEM thing under the rear seat and also a tire repair kit and 12v compressor incase the spare decided to retire too. Might want something besides the little OEM bottle jack also. Of course all this adds alot of weight. Since you will be on the coast I guess you don't really need extra water incase of overheating but then again the salt water would eat everything up so maybe you would. Extra fuel may need to be carried too (Disco probably gets less than half the mileage of that Tracker). As mentioned above, I would carry a few spare belts: alternator, power steering, serpentine belt, etc. (All should be available from a retail parts store) Is this a cannonball run or vacation? If money is not a deciding factor go for the Stage III Fox coil-over suspension from Safarigard. Just a basic Bilstein or OME shock with heavy duty springs should be suitable though. OME has a decent steering dampener too. expeditionexchange.com, northwestparts.com, etc. | ||
| Raf usher (Zonamaya) Member Username: Zonamaya Post Number: 52 Registered: 05-2003 |
no.. it is not a run.. it is my job. i am a missionary. i live down there in the jungle. so.. i need locate cheap stuff, but @good quality. actually the rover and tracker do the same per mile.. it is about $.10 per mile for both. the rover is like having a tracker w/ a 25gln tank. | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 303 Registered: 10-2002 |
...and a little more cargo room (or was the Tracker a 4 door?) | ||
| Raf usher (Zonamaya) Member Username: Zonamaya Post Number: 53 Registered: 05-2003 |
what do you think about old man emu? will they last a few years and take a slight beating? | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 304 Registered: 10-2002 |
Yes, OME's should last several years living a relatively rough life. | ||
| charles pastrano (Charles) Member Username: Charles Post Number: 217 Registered: 08-2002 |
There is a rover dealership in Leon,GTO MX. Kind of off your beaten path but there is one there. Make sure your cooling system is in top shape. Rod, flush, change thermostat, with this many miles buy waterpump. Potholes should be the least of your worries. Do you have a place for a good set of off road lights? I have rarely heard of cheap and good quality in the same sentence. I would consider changing all the fluids just to be safe. | ||
| Reed Cotton (Reedcotton) Member Username: Reedcotton Post Number: 123 Registered: 01-2003 |
Driving in Mexico should pose no problems for a Disco. I have put many miles on mine throughout Northern and Western Mexico. Before the Disco, the 109 used to make the trip regularly. My advise has less to do with the Disco, and more with common sense. 70MPH at night on Mexican roads is at the very least attempted suicide. Not only are road conditions as you have described, but most of the "highways" I have been on have ditches or berms on either side that can drop 10 or 15 feet very rapidly. If something dark like a cow, or truck is in the middle of the road, you have nowhere to go, and at 70MPH no time to worry about dodging the obstuction. When a truck breaks down on the road at night in Mexico, often as not rocks are placed on the "pavement" as a kind of warning flare. They feel just like speed bumps and small potholes if you drive over them. While you are wondering "What was that?" you suddenly see what it is all about coming over your hood and through the windshield. A Disco loaded for travelling is just too heavy to stop in time. I wouldn't even drive 70 KPH at night down there. Just my not-so-humble and very experienced opinion -Reed | ||
| Raf usher (Zonamaya) Member Username: Zonamaya Post Number: 56 Registered: 05-2003 |
OME... where are the best prices for OME? what about the brands sold in autozone, or 4x4 shops ? those are cheaper.. but are they good? | ||
| Jorge D. Hinojos (Tenoch) New Member Username: Tenoch Post Number: 39 Registered: 02-2003 |
Raf, you should not be concerned driving a disco across Mexico, just use common sense as you would off in any other vehicle. as a native of Mexico, I love taking my Disco II all over northern and central Mexico (including the Sierra Tarahumara)and never had any problems. what I can tell you is that if I was in a reck, I would like to be in a disco when that happens! don't forget the good side of it..you will be making stops to eat good food in some town in the middle of the nowhere! there are some dealerships in Mexico (Leon, Monterrey, Zapopan, Mexico city (2), chihuahua, Yucatan,), but I wouldn't worry about it because someone, somewhere will figure out what is wrong with your disco and fix it for free!! good luck!! | ||
| Luis Constantin (Luisc) New Member Username: Luisc Post Number: 16 Registered: 02-2003 |
I'm with Reed on shutting it down at sundown. What difference does it make if it takes 3 days of 5 days to get to CenAm. ? I've driven to Belize and Guatamala, and from experience, just driving down there is a great risk day or night. Lower the risk, drive during daylight hours. The cheapest place I found OME suspension was from Four Wheel Parts, though they were the least knowledgable. I found the LR steering dampener to be satisfactory. As far as spare parts, I believe most of what you'll need has been covered. May not be a bad idea to take a spare waterpump and alternator. Never have had either go out, but those were amung the spares we took when we went down. Spare fuel filters too. You know how bad Mex gas is. Can get those at Autozone. It's an AC Delco part cheaper than at LR. | ||
| Raf usher (Zonamaya) Member Username: Zonamaya Post Number: 71 Registered: 05-2003 |
ok.. i have one last question.. the shocks offered asked if i have air suspension or regular?? how do i know which i have and which shocks to buy? | ||
| Jason T. Barker (Speedminded) Senior Member Username: Speedminded Post Number: 316 Registered: 10-2002 |
You do not have air suspension, air bags/bellows are only on Range Rovers. | ||
| charles pastrano (Charles) Member Username: Charles Post Number: 218 Registered: 08-2002 |
Buy your springs and shocks from EE. Worth the extra pennies. They have matched springs makes a big difference. |
