By Bill on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 11:14 am: Edit

I have followed many threads here for a few months now in order to get an idea of what I need/want for a new DS II. Here is what I have come up with so far...I would appreciate any input or opinions. Upon buying the truck, I am pretty free to purchase what aftermarket gadgets I want. The truck will be my daily driver and off roader so I'd like it to keep "some" road manners.....

1)OME HD springs
2)2-3" body lift
3)ARB bull bar
4)Tires (still researching which ones)
5)rubber mats
6)wet okole waterproof seat covers
7)Thule/Yakima bike/kayak/rocket box
8)rear steel bumper (?)
9)OME shocks (?)
10)Rovertym HD sliders

Would you guys recommend buying all this stuff right off the bat or just driving the Disco stock for a while? I don't want to get into a situation where damage will cost more than the aftermarket part I want. Also, I am considering a used truck. Any thoughts on that? I have heard of the aftermarket warranties here...any good? You guys have the experience....teach this young Jedi!! LOL.
--Bill

By Roverine on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 01:56 pm: Edit

Complex question, Bill (for me at least). I have been trying to decide just how far I want to go with modifications to a brand new Disco SE for my uses. I used to have a 4X4 that was primarily used only for camping, offroad trips, etc. For various reasons this is no longer the case (used to have a company car). I use the new Disco daily now. What kind of offroading do you have in mind? In my case, I told myself to dismiss the question of "how much" offroading (vs. street use), because that is irrelevant for ME if I am going to find myself on challenging terrain. At this time, I decided that I just go to destinations I want to get to using trails that are reasonably mild to moderate conditions. But there are always the unanticipated obstacles. So. What to do. Seems like once you start fiddling with lockers, lift kits, etc. then you need to also go into more reenforcements and modifications in other areas. How many of these modifications would effect any warranty? These are also issues for me.
I will probably start with springs and shocks first. (For my uses, I'm fine with my new BFG's for now.) I do have a little concern about my stock bumper, but I had my LR dealership put on a brush bar before I even picked it up (was concerned about airbag issues & warranty). So, for now, (for ME) I'm driving it with what I picked it up with. I have 2 warranties. The Factory, and another extended warranty (dual warranties for me! LOL). I did a huge amount of research on my other warranty. (That is too long to go into here.) The best thing I can say about if you want to find out about aftermarket warranties quickly, is this: Take a couple of hours and start calling around to as many different service operations in your area as you can, and ask what they accept and don't accept, and which ones work the best (you can make up scenarios). I found out a huge amount of information, a lot of folks willing to help, and most were pretty upfront and honest (you can tell when after enough calls, you've received a lot of the same answers). I will be interested in any feedback on your questions you've posted here too. Sorry for the lengthy post, I know I'm not giving you any answers. Best Wishes,

Kim

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 02:03 pm: Edit

Bill, you do realize that your daily driver is going to be a good 6"+ in the air between the springs, tires, and body lift.

I always have thought it is best to experience the vehicle on and off road stock first. Learn how the vehicle handles and what it can do. That way, with each modification, you can identify the changes in handling, etc. You'll learn a lot more about yourself and the vehicle.

Jeff

By Kevin Kastner on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 02:21 pm: Edit

FYI
Bilstein has a new part number for the Discovery II shocks. I have been on the phone with them for weeks...it seems the shocks have not yet left the Vaterland, so I will be sitting on my OME spring installation until the Bilsteins arrive. I think the Bilsteins will be worth the wait.

By Bill on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 04:54 pm: Edit

Excellent points guys. I think driving it stock will be in order before too many mods....I am still thinking of that ARB though....

Are the airbags "not activated" in a crash with an aftermarket bumper?

By Kevin Shaw on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 08:30 pm: Edit

Body lift and ARB will be a difficult mix. A 3 inch body lift will have the ARB bolted to the chassis, 3 inches lower than where it should be to look right. The ARB will need to be remounted and raised, which will drastically change it from the way it was designed to work, i.e. in an accident, the crush can sections will be getting twisted rather than crushing. Also if its a winch bar with a winch fitted it going to need some careful re-engineering to make it save. ARB put a lot of R&D into their bars getting them to work right and remounting for a body lift will take a bit of work.

Just my 2c.

Kevin

By Bill on Thursday, May 24, 2001 - 11:46 pm: Edit

Point well taken Kevin. What are those suspension spacers made by Rovertym? Is that essentially a body lift? Someone please educate me!

By JA on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 07:32 am: Edit

Let the vehicle impress you in off-road ability, and on-road comfort and power. I had other 4x4's that needed befing up. THEY didn't have Center locking differentials, aluminum bodies, even weight distribution, AWD, and v-8's (necessarily). Land Rover has had to perform for 60 some odd years now in African mud, cliffs, and rivers. The fact that the goofy box actually looks good is just a bonus. There's a guy "Nathan Crabtree" who'll sell you parts cheap -- he hangs out on here.

I bought a 4 yr. old model with a 1 yr/12K mile Wty - I drove 12K in 5 months. I've had it 10 months - problem free.
Cheers.
-JA

By Bill on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 09:29 am: Edit

I've exchanged e-mails with Nathan already....

I have also been contemplating a used Disco, just because there is a HUGE price gap between the new and used.

By Jeff Bieler (Mrbieler) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 09:33 am: Edit

There are some amazing deals out there on certified end of lease D1's....

By Gil Stevens (Gil) on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 01:21 pm: Edit

there are some good 99 series II deals as well, $25,000-$30,000.....If you want a D1, get a 99, they still have balance of warranty + Certified, and they were great Discos...I would personally avoid the body lift, I dont think you need to go that route, and Id imagine that it would be more $$ than doing the suspension....Suspension spacers are not body lifts...they mount over or under(?) the spring to provide a higher suspension lift..

By Bill on Friday, May 25, 2001 - 05:28 pm: Edit

Thanks for the explanation on the spacers Gil. You guys have piqued my interest in checking out a used Disco now. The price sure seems right, and if I make an intelligent purchase it seems that not much can go wrong. Do you have any specific advice when I look at the used ones?

Thanks to you guys for all your info...my girlfriend is getting sick of all the talk, websites, and magazines about land rovers. I sure am glad this message board is here!