Duck's Guts' kitted out 2.7TD D4

[Duck's Guts]

Thought I'd be a bit self indulgent and post some piccies of my pride & joy.
Hopefully, they might be of some interest...

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1190.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1190.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1190.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2010/12/1190.jpg

:)

[irondoc]

hey DG, what are those lights on the roof? how are they mounted?

cheers
lucas

[cols110]

Very nice mate. :D

[robbotd5]

Awesome. I bet you love passing Toyota's (and D2's!!) in that baby. Hopefully you might pass me some day and we could meet.
Regards
Robbo.

[Owl]

Nice.
What are the side steps / sliders?
Ian

[CSBrisie]

Wow!!! sensational!!

[Duck's Guts]

hey DG, what are those lights on the roof? how are they mounted?

Lucas,
They are 4x 55W spreadbeam driving lights, switched in pairs via relays direct from the battery, so not connected to the high beam. Therefore only for offroad use.
Attached to the roof via double sided 3M tape.

To be honest they don't do much, and are excessively outpowered by the Xenon headlamps with upgraded H7 55W HIDs and 35W HID Eurobeam Driving lights on the winch bar.

But they do remove the shadows when driving over conservation mounds and crests. So they provide just that little bit extra warning should something be lurking over a crest or rise.

Irrespective of all that, my 4WDing brothers reckon it just looks great with lights ablaze as I ford creeks & rivers at dusk & night! So, a bit of pose value really!!! :p

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1819-blackwidow-alloy-roof-rack-wind-deflector-4x-55w-driving-lights-roof-light-pod-auto-headlight-assist-auto-windscreen-wipers.jpg

[Duck's Guts]

Nice.
What are the side steps / sliders?

Hey Ian,

I got them from GN Vehicle Protection in the UK.
A few more photos of them:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1805-rock-sliders-side-steps.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1806-front-stainless-steel-door-sill-plates-rock-sliders-side-steps.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1807-rear-stainless-steel-door-sill-plates-rock-sliders-side-steps.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1809-rock-sliders-side-steps.jpg

.

[irondoc]

Where do you run the wiring for the lights DG? Hard to see from the photo.

cheers
lucas

[big guy]

NICE!

[go-disco4]

Hi All & partcularly to those that have fitted a Steel bullbar to their Disco 4
such as the ARB/OL ones.

I have a 2.7 TD disco 4 and considering to fit an ARB or similar steel one.

I have some concern regarding its weight which may stress out the airsprings. I have been informed that with just the bullbar, the front airsprings have a marked delay in raising the front end, say if you enagae off road height, compared to the rear end.

Could that in the medium/long term damage the compressor/springs and with warranty issues

I noticed that Duck's Guts have both the bar & a winch which would make it nearly 100 kg.

Have you noticed any lag in the front airsprings and has it altered any driving characteristics especialy when under load such as climbing up steep hill with fullload?

regards

go-disco4

[CSBrisie]

I had a winch and ARB bar on my D3 - no issues in the 88000kms I did; and no issues with front suspension - it raised as per normal - and that included significant use of compressor both on (car parks) and off road.

[go-disco4]

thanks Stornoway SA

reassuring!

[OzAd4x4]

Looks awesome Duck's Guts - well done, very nicely setup!

A couple of questions if I may...

- How much were the sliders landed here in Aust as they are the ones I've been looking at (happy for a PM if you'd rather not say in public)?

- Where did you get the window vent/shields from on the side windows, I desperately want some of those!

- And finally what mudflaps are you running, wasn't sure from the pics if there the LR ones?

Thanks!

Phil



Thought I'd be a bit self indulgent and post some piccies of my pride & joy.
Hopefully, they might be of some interest...

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1790-drivers-side-view.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1789-passengers-side-view.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1791-front-view.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture1792-rear-view-camera-roof-rack-ladder.jpg

:)

[RichardK]

That DOES look nice!!!!!

Well kitted out;);)

[Duck's Guts]

Where do you run the wiring for the lights DG? Hard to see from the photo.

From the roof pod to the roof rack, then to the roof rail cover strip, under that down to the windscreen, then under the A-pillar trim & into the engine bay.

[Duck's Guts]

Hi All & partcularly to those that have fitted a Steel bullbar to their Disco 4
I have some concern regarding its weight which may stress out the airsprings. I have been informed that with just the bullbar, the front airsprings have a marked delay in raising the front end, say if you enagae off road height, compared to the rear end.
Could that in the medium/long term damage the compressor/springs and with warranty issues.
I noticed that Duck's Guts have both the bar & a winch which would make it nearly 100 kg.
Have you noticed any lag in the front airsprings and has it altered any driving characteristics especialy when under load such as climbing up steep hill with fullload?

Hi GO-D4

I can't respond re the longevity, but Stornoway SA gives hope.
For me, any increased time that may be occurring to raise the front end is unperceivable. So far...
Also haven't noticed any difference in driving characteristics, but have yet to tow with it. I'll report back in January after Xmas holidays with the c/van.

You are right re the weight at the front. The bar weighs ~45kg, the winch with rope ~40kg, + driving lights (2.4kg) & stone guards.
But ~25kg was lost with the removal of the factory bar with it's associated steel work. I didn't weigh all the removed items, just lifted the bits & judged it to weigh a bit more than a 20kg bag of cement!

[Duck's Guts]

Looks awesome Duck's Guts - well done, very nicely setup!
A couple of questions if I may...
- How much were the sliders landed here in Aust as they are the ones I've been looking at (happy for a PM if you'd rather not say in public)?
- Where did you get the window vent/shields from on the side windows, I desperately want some of those!
- And finally what mudflaps are you running, wasn't sure from the pics if there the LR ones?



Hi Phil,

Sliders were £475 + £100 delivery = £575
With foreign exchange back in September '10, that equated to AUD$1038. Visually, they have a very high weld quality & gloss black powder coating. IMO better than ANYTHING I've seen in frontal bar work from our local manufacturers. So, I'm happy. Please note that I have not looked at other local or overseas providers of sliders/steps, so am not comparing my observations to their items.

The set of 4 tinted perspex weathershields were from eBay (Aust) for a Disco3, but they do fit a D4. Off the top of my head I do not remember the sellers name, but if you really need to know I can find out. Cost $65 + $15 delivery.

Mudflaps are from eBay (UK), and were a copy (again I can find out the sellers name if you wish). The small logo stamped on each says "LAND FOVER", but unless to get close a look you would never know. Cost $112 delievered back in July '10. Same quality as factory flaps IMO.
As most others have found with this style of mudflap, they easily get damaged and torn off when offroading. Mine are getting pulled off from their mounting screws. In the future I will not buy these again, but will design something more purposeful myself.

[ozscott]

Best I have seen. Really nice.

Cheers

PS. First I have seen to challenge the ballsy shape of the D2 when its done up as an off roader.

[connock]

Good work, looks tough, love it.:D

Regards connock

[Tombie]

Very tidy looking vehicle...

Now post some pics of it dirty ;)

[roverrescue]

Im finding it a bit hard to tell what your drive is constructed from - there is a big grey box in the way ;)

Totally off topic but what surface is that drive area, doesnt appear loose like gravel but seems too rough a surface to be a conc. product?

S

[Nomad9]

Hi Ducks guts,
Nice touch............. tastefully done. The wheels and tyres look great, something with a bit of meat on them. The best I could find at the time was set of 18 inch Cooper HT plus tyres. I'll know how good they are when I get back from my round trip over East via Alice Springs and Adelaide Xmas. I really have to keep the pressures up to keep the temp down.
Like the colour as well, all goes together very well. :clap2:

[Duck's Guts]

Thanks to all for the generous positive comments.

Tombie, I'll do just that in the new year! Some from the VHC.

Rovarescue, [biggrin], it's cold sprayed bitumen with loose sub 5mm gravel thrown over the top. Not too obvious in the photos...

Go-disco4, something else to consider with respect to the weight of bar & winch at the front, is that L/R offer a dealer fit option of a Warn 9500 winch (~40kg) in a cradle (guesstimate ~15kg) whilst retaining the front bumper & associated mounting steel work. These obviously are L/R approved for the stock air suspension operation and driving dynamics.
So, replacing these with a steel bar & winch doesn't add significantly more weight, and should certainly be within L/R's engineering design factors of safety.

[go-disco4]

Thanks DG

Yes, you have a very nicely kitted out Disco!

Read an article by Robert Pepper (4 hweel Drive journalist etc) on his website About GPS Vehicle Navigation in Australia | Robert's Books (http://www.gpsvehiclenavigation.com). He descirbed his conversion of a G4 Challenge Disco 3 which he bought off LR.

He took out the LR Rubber nudge bar and the LR winchmount and the Winch that it came with. He weight the nudgie, winchmount and related parts EXCLUDING the winch and it came to 67 KG. Add another 40 KG for the Warn winch would make it 107 KG extra. As you said these are LR approved

He weigh the ARB D3 bar and it was only 55 kg. He also weigh the front body work and the internal bar which needed to be removed to fit the ARB bar and those things weighed 14 kg

Assuming the D4 ARB bar is much the same weight as the D3, the net weight gain would only be 41 kg or if you are right in your estimate of 25 kg for the D4, then the net gain may only be 30 kg (55-25)

In either scenario, if you only mount the bar, it is well within the LR weight limit.

Even if you add the winch, it comes out to say 41 + 40 kg=81 kG, which is in fact less than the LR approved G4 setup for the D3 , 107kg.

Assuming the D4 is much the same as the D3, then even bar plus winch is well under the LR weight limit, it would appear

Anyone working with LR cars who can confirm these?

Interestingly ARB recalled their DISCO 4 bars recently due to some tolerance issues, Would that be related to the front lights??

regards gd4

[SWH]

Looks great,

Where did you get the rock sliders?

[Narangga]

Looks great,

Where did you get the rock sliders?

Here.



Hi Phil,

Sliders were £475 + £100 delivery = £575
With foreign exchange back in September '10, that equated to AUD$1038. Visually, they have a very high weld quality & gloss black powder coating. IMO better than ANYTHING I've seen in frontal bar work from our local manufacturers. So, I'm happy. Please note that I have not looked at other local or overseas providers of sliders/steps, so am not comparing my observations to their items.

The set of 4 tinted perspex weathershields were from eBay (Aust) for a Disco3, but they do fit a D4. Off the top of my head I do not remember the sellers name, but if you really need to know I can find out. Cost $65 + $15 delivery.

Mudflaps are from eBay (UK), and were a copy (again I can find out the sellers name if you wish). The small logo stamped on each says "LAND FOVER", but unless to get close a look you would never know. Cost $112 delievered back in July '10. Same quality as factory flaps IMO.
As most others have found with this style of mudflap, they easily get damaged and torn off when offroading. Mine are getting pulled off from their mounting screws. In the future I will not buy these again, but will design something more purposeful myself.

[Duck's Guts]

Great info GD4. Thanks.
IMO the ARB recall has to do with winch fitment. My bar would not go on without surgery. Needed to redrill the bar for the winch, also chop/chop plastic shrouding AND cut/cut trim/trim non-structural steel to provide clearance.
ARB Newcastle struggled big time during the fitting, following the ARB HQ instructions but not getting anywhere. Video conferenced to HQ to discuss & show problem on vehicle. HQ decided that it would be best to send the bar back.
I said NO. Cut this bit, trim here, and so on, on the D4. As long as it wasn't structural & particularly no impact to radiator support, go for it.
ARB Newcastle did particularly well. 2 blokes for 4hrs, then 3 blokes for another 5hrs!
All trimming very neat, primed & painted automotive black.

SWH, sliders from GN Vehicle Protection in UK. Details earlier in this thread.

PS.: Thanks Dale, ya beat me to it! My post took to long (got distracted by work!)

[OzAd4x4]

Thanks!

I've already ordered the weathershields and am now looking at options for the mud flaps as like you say the LR type ones won't last long!

The sliders look great - will add them to the ever growing list...at least the CFO said that the car needs a bull bar and side steps although she didn't say when ;)


Hi Phil,

Sliders were £475 + £100 delivery = £575
With foreign exchange back in September '10, that equated to AUD$1038. Visually, they have a very high weld quality & gloss black powder coating. IMO better than ANYTHING I've seen in frontal bar work from our local manufacturers. So, I'm happy. Please note that I have not looked at other local or overseas providers of sliders/steps, so am not comparing my observations to their items.

The set of 4 tinted perspex weathershields were from eBay (Aust) for a Disco3, but they do fit a D4. Off the top of my head I do not remember the sellers name, but if you really need to know I can find out. Cost $65 + $15 delivery.

Mudflaps are from eBay (UK), and were a copy (again I can find out the sellers name if you wish). The small logo stamped on each says "LAND FOVER", but unless to get close a look you would never know. Cost $112 delievered back in July '10. Same quality as factory flaps IMO.
As most others have found with this style of mudflap, they easily get damaged and torn off when offroading. Mine are getting pulled off from their mounting screws. In the future I will not buy these again, but will design something more purposeful myself.

[rmp]

Not self-indulgent at all, thanks for sharing!

[Redback]

How was the VHC, did you especially like lunch at Wheelers Creek Hut:mad:

Baz.

[Hamish71]

Awesome. I bet you love passing Toyota's (and D2's!!) in that baby. Hopefully you might pass me some day and we could meet.
Regards
Robbo.


:lol2::Rolling: Wont be passing MY TD5 D2!....but seriously, best looking D3/4 I have seen.

[Duck's Guts]

Very tidy looking vehicle...
Now post some pics of it dirty ;)

Mt Gibbo Track, eastern VHC
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1.jpg
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1.jpg

Rescuing a drowned Suburu - Geehi Trail, Kosciuszko National Park
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1.jpg

Murray River, Tom Groggin
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1.jpg

at Cali Hut on California Trail, Wollemi National Park
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/02/1.jpg

[Dirty3]

Bloody good looking rig. Great photo's too.

[Mikes defender]

G'day Duck guts,

Looks great, What brand are the rims and how do they hold up off road? Look a bit better than steelies!

cheers

Mike

[Duck's Guts]

They are Performance Wheels BB6 17x8" alloys with +42et 5x120PCD and 1400kg capacity in Charcoal colour.
Their HQ is in Adelaide S.A., with distributors in each state.

With respect to how well they hold-up offroad, I guess you could compare them to the performance of the factory rims at 955kg capacity. I haven't heard any reports on this forum of people having problems with the factory alloys, same for the many who run the BB6's.

[Duck's Guts]

Another piccy:
Sheepyard Hut, Hunter Main Trail, Wollemi National Park

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members/duck%27s+guts-albums-duck%27s+guts+2.7td+d4-picture2050-sheepyard-hut-hunter-main-trail-wollemi-national-park.jpg

[steven64]

Hi Duck's Guts, sweet ride it looks awesome. just thinking why a D4 2.7 when you could save a packet $ and get a D3 i can under stand if it was the 3lt.

I would love to upgrade to a D4 3lt only two things stopping me the cost and 19in wheels its hard enough to get 18 off-road tyes:( but a greet 4x4 all the same.
Cheers Steven

[CSBrisie]

dont let the tyres stop you - I went the 3.0l engine option (wow!) and got an extra set of 19 inch rims with MTR's; They have performed faultlessly offroad; expensive upfront investment (5 x $250 for rims and 5 x $495 for the tyres) but they are the "second set" so should last quite a while.

[Duck's Guts]

...just thinking why a D4 2.7 when you could save a packet $ and get a D3 i can under stand if it was the 3lt...

Steven,
1. Why new? Same reasons anyone buys a new car I guess. For me it includes new car warrenty, <50kms on the odo, no one has driven it or thrashed it, you know the history of the vehicle with 100% confidence, you get the options you want & it the colour you like, & so on... Plus there were many improvements made to the D4. Also, personally I like the D4 interior better than the D3, and in my circumstances it is a novated lease purchase (so I get corporate benefits such as purchase & servicing discounts).

2. Why 2.7 & not the 3.0? In no particular order, my reasons are: (a) light truck construction tyre availablity issue (b) the 2.7 does everything that I require of it (c) upfront purchase is much cheaper than the 3.0 (d) I was comparing to similarly priced new vehicles - Prado, LC200, Patrol, Jeep (e) at the time of my purchase the 2.7 was an established engine that had 'all' the bugs sorted and had a known reliability history whereas the 3.0 was still the new kid on the block who had yet to prove himself (in reality this later reason did not bear alot of weight in the decision making).

[Outlaw]

Please don't let anyone I know hear this comment, but, Bloody nice looking D4 [thumbsupbig]

[Camo]

Yep nice car for a Disco;)

Nothing beats a new car.. you will love it for years

Camo

[steven64]

I can understand your reasons, i would love to own a D4 if i could afford it. A great looking rig and i know it will perform as good as it looks. We were camping/fishing way up north pass the daintree towing a camping trailer when i tried to turn around and bogged down in the sand (soft dry beach sand)a combination of too slow and a incline a recipe for disaster the D3 was fully laden and towing a trailer.I unhitched the trailer and the D3 walked out of the bog i turned around and re-hitched the trailer and continued on our way. My Dad was laughing, he was saying i should have brought a Nissan patrol like him. When he tried to turn around in wet firm sand on a decline (his patrol was light as he had unloaded all the gear) he bogged, now it was me laughing telling him to trade up to a D3, I should also mention my Mum traveled in the land rover on the rougher sections of the trip because she had cracked ribs that happed just before the trip the patrol wagon was just to rough for Mum.
So they are a very capable 4x4 and i guess the D4 must be a that much better. Gee I have to get a corporate job if only I listened at school instead of just going there to eat my lunch, lol.
Cheers Steven.

[Gaviatrix]

Hi Phil,

Sliders were £475 + £100 delivery = £575
With foreign exchange back in September '10, that equated to AUD$1038. Visually, they have a very high weld quality & gloss black powder coating. IMO better than ANYTHING I've seen in frontal bar work from our local manufacturers. So, I'm happy.

Ducks, thanks for your posts in this thread. Lovely set-up you have. I've contacted GN in the UK for a quote on delivery of the sliders plus their under- sump and transmission plates that look good value (at current exchange rates!) and a natty gadget to put on your trolley jack to locate it in the Disco's jacking points.

Cheers, Gavin

[my disco 4]

Hi Phil,

Sliders were £475 + £100 delivery = £575
With foreign exchange back in September '10, that equated to AUD$1038. Visually, they have a very high weld quality & gloss black powder coating. IMO better than ANYTHING I've seen in frontal bar work from our local manufacturers. So, I'm happy. Please note that I have not looked at other local or overseas providers of sliders/steps, so am not comparing my observations to their items.

The set of 4 tinted perspex weathershields were from eBay (Aust) for a Disco3, but they do fit a D4. Off the top of my head I do not remember the sellers name, but if you really need to know I can find out. Cost $65 + $15 delivery.

Mudflaps are from eBay (UK), and were a copy (again I can find out the sellers name if you wish). The small logo stamped on each says "LAND FOVER", but unless to get close a look you would never know. Cost $112 delievered back in July '10. Same quality as factory flaps IMO.
As most others have found with this style of mudflap, they easily get damaged and torn off when offroading. Mine are getting pulled off from their mounting screws. In the future I will not buy these again, but will design something more purposeful myself.



Hi Ducks Gut,
Nice, and I bet a very useful machine.

Just a question about the rock sliders, did you install them yourself? If so was it difficult? or did you get someone to install for you?

Thanks

[Duck's Guts]

Yes, installed them myself. THey came with all required stainless bolts & washers. Used a trolley jack to balance the heavy slider and lift into position. It is an easy install. Took my time..about 1hr & 1 stubbie.

[WhiteD3]

Please don't let anyone I know hear this comment, but, Bloody nice looking D4 [thumbsupbig]

Noted and minuted. Josh, I can see you in a D3 and I know where there's one for sale. Never been off road, only driven to Church on Sundays, etc.