By John Horton on Sunday, April 01, 2001 - 06:28 pm: Edit

Hi There

I am about to take delivery of a 2000 model Discovery TD5 Auto, with ACE & SLS which I would like to set up for Off road trips.
I intent to fit the following :- Bull bar & winch, Snorkel, dual batteries, driving lights, cargo barrier, rear ARB diff lock, Stiffer/taller front spring.

I would appreciate any recommendations or advise as to:-
1):- Bull Bar & Winch combinations.
2):- How far the front suspension can be raised whilst leaving ACE intact (would like to raise it at least 1-2 inches (25-50mm)
3):-Modifications to rear SLS sensors to set standard height to match raised front, (can be raised up to 41mm at present but drop back down at speeds over approx 30mph).
3) Mud terrain tire, as high as possible with out having to modifying body work.
4) ABR rear diff lock
5) Modifications to enable Center diff lock to be manual switched on & off.

Any recommendations as to other suitable modifications appreciated.

Cheers
Horto
Melbourne Australia.

By Milton Mars on Sunday, April 01, 2001 - 09:38 pm: Edit

John,

I am sure you will get all sorts of info here on bull bars etc that we cannot get here in OZ. Being in OZ I will simply tell you what I did. I fitted an ARB bar and Warn 9000 cost about $3,000. You really should then install OME (thats Old Man Emu) or other, Front springs, mine are HD, and also better shocks than standard ALL AROUND. Mine has ACE and SLS and I fitted Nitrochargers, highest rating, cost all up $1,000. Raised it 40mm, or back to the pre bar/winch fitting height. Note though that I had my dealer fit them (we get on well) as the bunnies in the aftermarket shops here in the ACT told me "Oh your the first!". Well my warranty is still intact and the LR mechanics know how to handle the ACE etc. BTW it really gives a better ride with them fitted, by a long way.

Haven't adjusted the sensors yet, not much difference, maybe 10mm from front to back (back is higher), but the SLS can be adjusted or retuned by the dealer using Testbook to recalibrate the sensor.

You can fit a 245/75/16 tyre on with the above mods. I have both Cooper Discoverer STT and BF Goodrich muds, but I believe the Super Swamper TSL 33x10.5x16 also fit without any cutting etc.

Don't have one (rear diff lock) and don't need one at present. Look also at Maxidrive who make them in QLD.

I would wait and see what Justin Dermody (aka Disco2guy) comes up with as his will be electrically operated (I think?) and easy to fit, but we will have to import it from the USA. Otherwise AMV market a Disco 1 arrangement, they are in Melbourne, cost about $500.

Cheers

Milt

By John Horton on Sunday, April 01, 2001 - 10:54 pm: Edit

THANKS FOR YOUR INPUT MILT

AS FOR TYRES I ULTIMATELY WANT TO RUN TWO SETS RIMS, A SET OF STEEL WITH BFGOODRICH MUD TERRAINS & THE STANDARD MICHELINS ON THE ALLOYS.

WILL BUY STEEL RIMS LATER IN THE YEAR AFTER BASE MODEL DISC HAVE BEEN RELEASE IN AUGUST, WHICH SHOULD SEE PLENTY OF CHEAP SETS BECOME AVAILABLE AS PLENTY OF PEOPLE WILL OPTION THERE WHEELS UP TO ALLOYS.

IN MEATIME I WAS GOING TO BUY THE MUD TERRAINS & PUT THEM ON THE ALLOYS & THEN SWITCH TYRE ONCE I GET A SET OF STEEL RIMS.

HOW DO THE COOPER & THE GOODRICH COMPARE AS I WAS TOOSING UP BETWEEN THESE, ALTHOUGH I WASNT SURE AS TO WHAT WOULD FIT.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

CHEERS
HORTO

By Milton Mars on Monday, April 02, 2001 - 01:02 pm: Edit

John,

Your thoughts on when to buy the steels are very good. I bought mine in Melbourne, but only got 4, I need a fifth as these will have the larger tyres, so I might wait until the new SD comes out to.

I was happy with the Cooper STT, my only problem with them is that they do seem to tear themselves up a bit on the shale and limestone rocks here. I only had them for 1 month when I unfortunately got a slash in the sidewall on a creek crossing that rendered it virtually useless and unrepairable. Haven't had too much trouble since and they do work well in the mud (c'mon winter!).

Just be aware if you use your alloys you will ruin them, that is you will scratch and dent the hell out of them. I bought a second set of alloys for the road tyres.

The choice is really yours, but I would perhaps now go for the BFGoodrich MTs, and get the 245/75/16s (after the OME or whatever spring change).

Ohh, and when they mount them, and this is a personal choice of course, have the white lettering on the inside of the wheel. You will find that after some use the white rubber under the black will wear through and whilst not practically harmful, looks shithouse.

Be aware also that you MUST get the steel wheel nuts to use with the steelies, these are about $5 each. You will need 20. The alloy nuts can be used, BUT, they are fitted with a fixed but loose washer which makes a really nice tingly noise when you drive.

Regards

Milt

By carl on Tuesday, April 03, 2001 - 01:17 pm: Edit

I would like to know what I can do with my Series II (usa) disco that has 18" wheels? What modifications would you do to make it both unique and great off road without loosing much on road?

By disco2guy on Thursday, April 05, 2001 - 11:29 am: Edit

Howdy all!

This stuff is all covered in detail and everyday on disco2owners. Check it out. We cater to the serious DSII enthusiasts and the disco2.com front bumper, rock sliders, and CDL kit will make their debut at Twist-Off '01 this Saturday.

For the only curious, we also extend disco2owner memberships to the "shopper" for a short timeframe to see what the enthusiast world looks like.

To answer your questions, it seems like the ARB is the most logical bumper choice until I can get my stuff exported over there ;^) My CDL kit will be shipping over there within 60 days, and it is cheaper and electronic with much less effort for installation. Also my ABS/ETC Disable Switch assy.

Go with the OME HDs and you can fit easily 265/75s or even 33x10.5 Super Swamper TSL Radials, which I have and love. It depends on the terrain you anticipate. As you said mud, nothing compares to the Swampers in mud in a size for the DSII.

I am into KISS, and thus dislike ACE & SLS. You can easily do the OME lift without affecting the ACE. However, I would not "tweak" the sensors on the SLS, but actually make spacers (I will, but it is way down the list, and thus not soon) for the airbags in the rear. Doing otherwise is forcing the airbags to operate at an inflation level they are not designed to handle for extended periods or high speed use.

The ARB for the rear diff is a nicity that will see VERY little use, but is a nice "security" measure. Engaging the CDL is a much more useful mod, and less expensive.

With the 33's, gears (diff and/or t-box) would be nice.

My bumper is designed around the HS9500, which I think is the premier winch currently made. Depending on how much you are "isolated", you may choose a more basic design (worm, hydraulic, etc).

That's my .02. Hit disco2owners for the opinions of 200 other DSII enthusiasts...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/disco2owners

disco2guy

By Milton Mars on Sunday, April 08, 2001 - 01:19 pm: Edit

John,

Had the SLS reset,ie recalibrated, at the dealers. Makes a difference and levels up the vehicle now. Interestingly the two blocks they put on top of the axle between the chassis for the calibration didn't fit initially. Seems the slight lift above normal at the front "sat" the rear down a little, plus the car is now 18 months old. Anyway, without spacers or anything in the SLS we raised it to the standard height (using the calibration blocks) then raised it using a spacer with the calibration blocks another 10mm. made all the difference. The LR tech was here and said it would have no adverse affect on ride or travel. Actually when you read about their tolerences and specs there is no reason they would be affected. Looks nice and even too.

If you want some local Australian LR Disco conversation, a good place to try is http:/groups.yahoo.com/group/discodownunder or http:/groups.yahoo.com/group/4WD-enthusiasts. They have a good amount of talk on our recreational scene as well as accessible dealers and parts.

Milt