My D3

[Owl]

I was asked in another thread if I could post some photo's of my D3 - so here goes:

Heading back home via Grampians last Friday - stopped to take some photo's. Saw another Disco on Lodge Rd leading a Landcruiser - anyone here?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/09/423.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/18599/title/right-front/cat/1089)
Rear step / wheel carrier is Kaymar. Roof Rack is Tradesman Oval. Tow bar is on a Mitch Hitch

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/09/424.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/18598/title/right-front/cat/1089)
Winch is Avenger 9000lb filled with Synthetic Rope in the ARB bullbar

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/09/425.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/18601/title/right-front/cat/1089)
Snorkel is Safari

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/09/426.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/../app/showphoto.php/photo/18600/title/right-front/cat/1089)


Hopefully I will have new Continental Cross Contact tyres this week. Drive through the Grampians was easy on the D3 - didn't tackle anything too difficult though. It's beautiful country so I must go back for a more extended look. I spent a fair bit of time there in my misspent youth, but haven't been back for years.

Ian

[Owl]

Had 4 Continental Cross Contacts fitted today. Seems like there is a shortage of these in Aus in 255/60R18. One available locally and 3 came from WA. No more available until the next shipment. I have to wait for the 5th one.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/12/672.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/18605/title/conti-4/cat/1090)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/09/20.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/18604/title/conti-3/cat/1090)

1st impressions - they're noisy!! No - that's wrong. They're definitely noisier than the tyres they replace but definitely not intrusive. I've stepped out of a 20 year old GQ with BFG Mud's into this D3 - I know noisy. The D3 is naturally so quiet that any noise is noticeable!

The tread width on these seems wider than the tyres they replace with square shoulders - I like the look. Time will tell how they perform.

Ian

[Jamo]

Hello Ian.

If they're too noisy you could try getting a 4 wheel alignment done. I have these tyres on the cayenne and would not class them as noisy at all.

I found with my D3 that tyre noise increased significantly when the wheel alignment was out.

[Owl]

Hello Ian.

If they're too noisy you could try getting a 4 wheel alignment done. I have these tyres on the cayenne and would not class them as noisy at all.

I found with my D3 that tyre noise increased significantly when the wheel alignment was out.

Thanks Jamo,
My next service is due soon - I'll have it checked then. Point I was making was that they appear noticeably more noisy than the tyres they replace - which incidentally had worn fairly evenly, giving no cause for suspecting poor alignment.

Worth checking though.
Ian

[DiscoWeb]

Had 4 Continental Cross Contacts fitted today. Seems like there is a shortage of these in Aus in 255/60R18. One available locally and 3 came from WA. No more available until the next shipment. I have to wait for the 5th one.

1st impressions - they're noisy!! No - that's wrong. They're definitely noisier than the tyres they replace but definitely not intrusive. I've stepped out of a 20 year old GQ with BFG Mud's into this D3 - I know noisy. The D3 is naturally so quiet that any noise is noticeable!

The tread width on these seems wider than the tyres they replace with square shoulders - I like the look. Time will tell how they perform.

Ian


Ian,

I have had the Cross Contact A/T's on for a couple of months and find that whilst they are noisier than the OEM they are not intrusive.

I really only notice if i travel with the window is down (rarely) or I am travelling above say 80kmph close to a concrete barriers of in a tunnel where you get a bit of trye noise feedback.

This has definitely not been a problem for me. And more importantly my wife, who uses the D3 during the week has not to mention tyre noise as an issue.

I certainly think they look good and so far have performed well for me on & off road. Doing another trip to Mt Walker/Lithgow tomorrow and with a bit or rain forecast I might get to see how they go in the mud.

BTW, nicely kitted out D3.

Regards,

George

[Owl]

Mmmmm.....
Maybe I gave the wrong impression. I did say it wasn't intrusive, and it isn't. The D3 is naturally so quiet that any minute increase in noise is noticeable.

The roof rack hums at 100K/h, but again, it isn't intrusive.

Thanks for the comments

Ian

[Owl]

Had 4 Continental Cross Contacts fitted today. Seems like there is a shortage of these in Aus in 255/60R18. One available locally and 3 came from WA. No more available until the next shipment. I have to wait for the 5th one.........

Ian

I was originally told shipment was due end of October and have been chasing my "Tyrepower Pro" for a delivery commetment since without any feedback whatsoever until today. He confirms the next shipment of Cross Contact AT's in 255/60R18 is due 2nd week of December. We'll see!

I'm not sure now if I have made the right choice. If these tyres have this long delivery time, what do I do if I need a replacement in a hurry?! What do I do if I have a flat now (the spare I have is OK - but very much road oriented)?

Ian

[discomaniac]

If you need one quickly, just jump on the net and order one from the USA. Only takes 5 days and is probably cheaper than your local dealer anyway. Remember "Globalisation"? Make the most of it and order from anywhere on the Globe:D

To give you an example, I had a stone chip in the driving Light down in the bumper of my D3. Was quoted $613 for a replacement light from Australian Dealers and one week to get it from Melbourne to QLD. Ended up ordering it from a dealer in the UK, took 4 working days for delivery and got the original Land Rover Part as quoted from Aust Dealers for only $119 including Exchange rates, Transport and Fees from the UK.

So my message is, don't worry about what your local supplier says, more than likely you can buy the same tyre from anywhere in the world quicker and cheaper than you can from your local guy.

Hey, your D3 looks great by the way. Good tyres and Raised Air Intake among everything else looks very swish and ready for anything !!!

Just my experience and two bobs worth.

discomaniac

[Duck's Guts]

Ian, nicely set-up rig. [thumbsupbig]

[Owl]

Hey, your D3 looks great by the way. Good tyres and Raised Air Intake among everything else looks very swish and ready for anything !!!


discomaniac


Ian, nicely set-up rig. [thumbsupbig]

Thanks Guys.

Still have a little more work to do......... But getting there.

Ian

[Owl]

Mmmmm......

Victorian High Country in a weeks time - I get to try it all out.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/08/1068.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/19304/title/mmmm/cat/1119)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/06/587.jpg

[discojools]

HI Owl,
Interesting to see that you managed to get the 245/75/17 KM2s.. When I was after KM2s could only get 245/70/17 even though the 75s were listed. Do they rub at all?

Jools.

[Owl]

HI Owl,
Interesting to see that you managed to get the 245/75/17 KM2s.. When I was after KM2s could only get 245/70/17 even though the 75s were listed. Do they rub at all?

Jools.

Imported from the US. Was quoted 3 - 6 months delivery locally and they couldn't give me a price even though they are listed. I think they are trying to tell me something........
Alternate sizes are also on back order with 10 weeks delivery quoted.

I ordered from Tire Rack on a Friday and they were delivered to my door the following Monday week. Since the order was over $1000 I had to pay GST and Quarantine inspection - hence the extra delay! Local distributors need to get their act together.

I would have preferred to buy locally, but.......


Ian

[Owl]

HI Owl,
Do they rub at all?

Jools.

I haven't had them on as yet - and probably won't until later in the week. I'll let you know.

[SuperMono]

I ordered from Tire Rack on a Friday and they were delivered to my door the following Monday week.

A lot better than what I could get locally, it took more than 2 months (in total) for me to get a full set of 5 in 245/70/17

I would have gone for 75 profile if they were available locally.

[Owl]

A lot better than what I could get locally, it took more than 2 months (in total) for me to get a full set of 5 in 245/70/17

I would have gone for 75 profile if they were available locally.

....and I would have taken the 245/70R17 IF they were available locally.

It's not just Michelin (BFG). It took months for me to be able to get a full set of Continental Cross Contact AT's. The market seems to think we all still run with 15" or 16" rims.

Ian

[sniegy]

I opted for these tyres, little bit bigger than yours 265/70/17.
Cheers.

[Owl]

I opted for these tyres, little bit bigger than yours 265/70/17.
Cheers.

I'm hoping the similar dia but narrower tyre will not rub. We'll see.

[SuperMono]

....and I would have taken the 245/70R17 IF they were available locally.

It's not just Michelin (BFG). It took months for me to be able to get a full set of Continental Cross Contact AT's. The market seems to think we all still run with 15" or 16" rims.

Ian


Want to swap?
:)

There is 2 elements to the availability story as well with BFG.
1: Shipments to Australia are generally short of what was ordered.
2: Retailers may have stock (for instance 4 tyres) but don't want to split them up (for instance for my spare).

I listened in on a couple of telephone calls and the story was generally that the locals had ordered say 50 tyres and that 47 were spoken for, then 38 arrived in the container.

My local retailer is pretty good and I have dealt with them for years.
I ordered 5, 3 turned up in about 6 weeks, then 1 about 1 week later, then 4 about 1 month later, leaving the retailer with 3 in stock. Not many takers for 3 tyres..........

Was also told that the BFG situation for all of the popular sizes (including for the Toybotas and Pootrols) on newer vehicles was the same.

[Owl]

Want to swap?
:)



Ah..... No.
Since I was ordering from the US and I could choose any size, I chose what I considered the best for me.



I listened in on a couple of telephone calls and the story was generally that the locals had ordered say 50 tyres and that 47 were spoken for, then 38 arrived in the container.



Well is it any wonder there's no stock in the country. If 47 tyres are already spoken for, they should be ordering 100.

My local Bob Jane man (who fitted and balanced this set) was ****ed that he didn't have the opportunity to sell me tyres - but still acknowledged that he couldn't supply them (or match the price). Mine was the 6th set of imported tyres he fitted in 2 months and says it is becoming more common.


Ian

[Owl]

Hey - this site has a censor. I didn't write ****ed!

[SuperMono]

Well is it any wonder there's no stock in the country. If 47 tyres are already spoken for, they should be ordering 100.

The number was just an example.
As mentioned the locals are ordering what they think they need, then being advised that less than that number can be shipped (so as example: Order 100, receive 50).

Also been told that production of BFG tyres has been wound back with some facilities shut down due to panic over the ongoing fallout from the great GFC of 2008-2009.
How true that is I have no idea.

[Owl]

It's my first real 4WD outing in the D3 and I'm impressed. Spent 4 days in Victorian High Country and everything performed so well.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1259.jpg (http://www.aulro.com/app/showphoto.php/photo/19406/title/no-rubbing/cat/1119)
245/75R17 tyres on LR 17"X8" rims have no sign of rubbing at all. Seems to me that this is the ideal size tyre for my use - pity it's not a readily available size in this country.


https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1260.jpg
Typical camp setup for this trip. I'm pretty happy with the way the car is set up so far. Next I need to sort out storage for everything carried.

Ian

[gghaggis]

Nice setup :BigThumb:

[oldsalt]

Heading up "over" the mountains tomorrow - just a quick road trip from Bairnsdale to Mansfield via Omeo - Dinner Plain etc - wish it was longer (and we were camping) but it's better than nothing :D

[Owl]

Been a little busy of recent times - but not too busy!

Fitted an ARB air compressor under the bonnet. The 2 relays on the guard are for driving lights.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/16.jpg

Then mounted the control switch. Some minor trimming with the Dremell required here. Also mounted the microphone for the UHF.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/17.jpg


UHF main unit mounted here with Velcro (where would we be without that stuff!). Llams also fitted while covers were off in the standard position

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/18.jpg


Redarc brake controller mounted here also required some Dremmell work. Switch near steering column is for driving lights.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/03/19.jpg

And lets not forget the Fire Extinguisher.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/10/939.jpg

[ADMIRAL]

Hey - this site has a censor. I didn't write ****ed!

It's a filter. The mods prefer you say it as it is, and let the filter do the work. If you try to self censor, they will pull you up. ( smack on the hand!! )

[Owl]

Forgot to mention the Auxillary Fuel Tank. Make is Long Range Automotive and advertised as 110L - I have only been able to squeeze in a little over 100L. It's been in for a few months now and is working well.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1127.jpg

Fuel Guage and transfer switch is mounted here:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/1126.jpg

Ian

[CSBrisie]

Owl, what fire extinguisher mounting did you use? Is its genuine LR, home made or after market? Cheers!

[Disco4SE]

Hi Owl,
what tyres are they???
Cheers, Craig

[Owl]

Hi Owl,
what tyres are they???
Cheers, Craig

They are the BFG Mud terrain KM2's described earlier in this thread!
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/113947-my-d3-2.html#post1411880

Awesome off road and not overly noisy on the black top - there is noticeable background rumble, but the D3 NVH and suspension soaks up most of the agro normally associated with mud tyres.


Ian

[Owl]

Owl, what fire extinguisher mounting did you use? Is its genuine LR, home made or after market? Cheers!


Fire extinguisher is simply mounted directly to the plastic trim in front of the seat with panel washers behind to spread the load. I don't believe the plastic will be the weak link in this mounting. The bracket the trim is mounted too is a fairly flimsy affair from here back to the seat itself - I might have to do something about that sometime.

Ian