| Author | Message | ||
     matt wawak (Chicagorovers) Member Username: Chicagorovers Post Number: 42 Registered: 09-2003 |
In your opinion, which mod will make my 1998 Disco more capable off road. I'm deciding between a limited slip in the rear diff or some longer OME shocks. I guess its the suspension vs. traction dilemma. I already upgraded to HD OME springs and 235 85 16's A/T tires. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 681 Registered: 02-2003 |
underbody protection would be my investment. | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 122 Registered: 12-2003 |
depends what kind of terrain you take it off road with, if your doing colorado type rock climbing hard core articulation u'll want longer shocks and drop out cones to improve articulation, if ur doing florida style mud bogging, u need the traction. Thats my take on it, the way i'd approach it. Cheers Jack | ||
| matt wawak (Chicagorovers) Member Username: Chicagorovers Post Number: 44 Registered: 09-2003 |
Yeah the underbody protection sounds good too. Do those diff guards help, or would the steering protection be the best chioce? | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 124 Registered: 12-2003 |
steering needs protection first, this is what happens if you don't have it (or krappy hummer type) and kit a rock; http://www.4x4movies.com/download/pafiledb/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=74 I forgot about protection, that would deff be my first mod, and it was, rock sliders and diff gaurds (xd came with steering) Cheers Jack | ||
| Jack Leitch (Liveattheedge) Member Username: Liveattheedge Post Number: 125 Registered: 12-2003 |
make that hit* a rock Cheers Jack | ||
| matt wawak (Chicagorovers) Member Username: Chicagorovers Post Number: 45 Registered: 09-2003 |
That sounds good to me. Ill probably get the steering protection and then decide between either shocks or the limited slip diff. | ||
| marc olivares (Pugs) Senior Member Username: Pugs Post Number: 347 Registered: 12-2002 |
steering rods, some type of diff protection, rock sliders, traction control devices (i.e. lockers) then long travel blah, blah, blah..... protect it, lock it, then flex it  marc | ||
| Victor (Vabiro) Member Username: Vabiro Post Number: 199 Registered: 10-2003 |
Hi, I have been thinking that my next investment is going to be diff protectors and steering protection. I have a question though about Steering protection. It seems that there are three approaches: 1. Skid plates 2. Reinforcing the components 3. Relocation and off-setting the components Skid plates seem pretty obvious, but can get pretty expensive. The same is true of some of the reinforced components, and they still seem to get broken, so skid plates seem to still be called for. Then there's the Tie Rod Offset and Steering Stabiliser Relocation Kits from Rockware (http://www.rockware.net/rover/). I have read that the people using this path rarely, if ever, have problems with dammaging the steering components. Is this true? If so, and given that this - at first glance - seems much less expensive than the other two choices, would this be an effective alternative to the other two? Victor http://www.landroveradventure.com | ||
| Alan Yim (Alan) Senior Member Username: Alan Post Number: 1066 Registered: 09-2002 |
Victor, I did tires first then protection. Also one of the first things I did too was trim my front air dam off. For protection I did it in this order: - front diff guard - rear diff guard - front skid plate - upgraded to OME steering damper (I should of actaully relocated it too). I've also added JATE rings along the way but my next goal is to get/make some sliders. I added some fog lights too not too long ago. The extra lighting and wide beam pattern on mountain trails is nice to have. My truck is still stock as far as suspension and diffs go and I'll probably leave it that way for now. I haven't had a need to upgrade that yet but the protection helps for learning in the mean time. I started out the way I did partly because I don't wheel hardcore like some folks here do nor have I been to terrain that required it, plus mods like diffs and suspensions are more on the big ticket items. I decided to stay stock to learn what my truck can do and how it reacts so that when I do go to the big ticket mods, I have a benchmark for evaluation. Plus being stock, you have to be a bit more careful so in a way your driving skill improves. | ||
| Mike Rupp (Mike_rupp) Senior Member Username: Mike_rupp Post Number: 307 Registered: 02-2002 |
My vote is for a Detroit and GBR axles. It will be the best money spent. An extra 3" of drop isn't going to matter as far as traction is concerned. That tire is going to have virtually no weight on it to keep the Disco moving. Whereas with the Detroit in the same situation the stock suspension, the stuffed tire is going to have almost all of the weight of the rear of the Disco on it giving it good traction. I've had both setups: 1. 2" lift with Rear RTE Upper shock mounts, cones, long-travel Ranchos, no traction diffs. 2. 2" lift with OME rear shocks, DT / TT. After blowing out 2 sets of Ranchos, I gave up on the Ranchos. My rig now will blow away my old super flexy setup. I can't take the super sexy rear wheel drop pics anymore, but it doesn't really concern me. | ||
| Phillip Perkinson (Rover4x4) Senior Member Username: Rover4x4 Post Number: 684 Registered: 02-2003 |
That hummer break wasnt because of lack of "protection" | ||
| David Statler (Falconx84) New Member Username: Falconx84 Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2004 |
Then what caused the hummer break? It looks like a situation I'd like to avoid | ||
| David Statler (Falconx84) New Member Username: Falconx84 Post Number: 9 Registered: 02-2004 |
Speaking of skid plates -- has anyone tried making their own? I'm new to this, so I don't know how difficult it would be or how reliable for that matter. I did have some access to 1/4 steel... it's looking pretty tempting and it has to be easier on the wallet. | ||
| David Statler (Falconx84) New Member Username: Falconx84 Post Number: 10 Registered: 02-2004 |
Matt -- you said you have 235/85/16 tires, you also have a stock suspension and without cutting the fenders, right? Do you have any pics, because I was looking at getting the same size for my 98, for more off-road prowess - looks like you're one step ahead of my stocker hmmm 3 posts in like 10 min -- perhaps I should wait a little while before hitting post this time...might think of something else | ||
| Micky_dee (Micky_dee) Member Username: Micky_dee Post Number: 63 Registered: 11-2003 |
try alantic british. they offer a skid plate kit. it consists of front skid plate, front and rear diff gaurds and a transmission skid plate. as for expense, being offroad somewhere with a broken sterring rod or a punctured dif or even cracked transmission? how can you compare cost? look at it as insurence.... | ||
| David Statler (Falconx84) New Member Username: Falconx84 Post Number: 12 Registered: 02-2004 |
I checked out atlantic british, its actually a pretty good deal @ $729 ... The problem is, I'm still in college and that's like a month's pay (I work at a convenience store, Sheetz for those familiar) It's not great pay, but it covers the bills. At least until I got my disco and I want to go play Also, I was checking out the rocksliders. I live in WV, go to college in VA, (Virginia Tech if anyone knows of some trails) so I won't really be beating them up a lot. I'm thinking they'd be used on shale and logs. I kinda like the idea of having additional jack points. Is there any brand someone can recommend? I've checked out the nerf/non-nerf bar thread, but like I said, I won't be beating them on rocks most of the time. Insurance, like Micky said... | ||
| matt wawak (Chicagorovers) Member Username: Chicagorovers Post Number: 46 Registered: 09-2003 |
Dave, I did upgrade to the OME HD springs before fitting the 235/85/16 tires. The springs give a good 2" lift and a much better ride. I also removed the front air dam (better approach angle)and trimmed the rear inner fenders (very little) to allow articulation. You dont have to trim with a HD OME set up and 235/85/16's untill those axels start to articulate. Its a great set up!!!!! Feel free to email me if you have any questions on the set up. |
