By Scott Tomer (Stomer) on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 11:52 am: Edit

I am currently looking at a 99+ discovery. I am very new to the Land Rovers. I have been into jeeps and currently have a 96 grand cherokee w/ lift, ARB front locker, etc. I have been looking at this board and see where a few people have lockers in their discoverys. One of the selling points from the dealership was that the traction control was so good it did not need lockers. Are there problems with traction offroad being stock? Anything else that seems to have problems? The dealership guy told me to only get the 99+ because of the bosch electronics and the others before were not really good. I just need a little help and pointing in the right direction from those that have real world experience which looks like this site. I am very impressed with the pics and durabilities of the discoverys on this board. All help is greatly appreciated.
Scott

By ryan on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 12:01 pm: Edit

Is that a Discovery 1 or Discovery 2? Either way, they both kick ass!!

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 12:01 pm: Edit

newer model years are almost always better. The best Disco Series 1 (made thru 1999) you could get would probably be a model year 1999, unless you're looking for a project vehicle...

Traction is the same for everyone, whether it's a Rover, Jeep, or Hyundai: one wheel in the air with unlocked diff = no traction.

By Mike B. on Monday, September 10, 2001 - 03:54 pm: Edit

Discos are very capable vehicles (both the Series 1s and the Series 2s.) Electronic Traction Control (ETC) on the Disco 2s eliminates the need for a center diff lock and lockers in a great many situations. When the speed difference between the wheels is 8 mph or better, the computer system applies the brakes to the wheels that are spinning to equal out the traction between the wheels that slip with the wheels that grip. The results are pretty amazing, however, not foolproof. ETC starts fading out at 30 mph (applying less pressure) and completely shuts off at 60 mph (I swiped a page or two from the LR service books!).

If you push it hard (like a good number of people on this board), then you will want a center diff lock and maybe lockers. Also, off-roaders tend to like simple systems that they can control (and fix). I own a Disco 1. Good old fashioned lockers and center diff locks are much preferred off-road because we can control them and we have a better chance of fixing them if they break down out in the field.

Thanks,
Mike B.