Handling of D4 + ARB Bull Bar + Winch

[aferrier]

Hi,

I'm going to order an ARB bar next week and am considering the purchase of a winch to be fitted at the same time but have a concern about how it will affect the handling of our D4 3.0L.

Anyone out there with the D3/4 and winch who can comment on the impact of the vehicle's handling?

Thanks

[Ivan]

I have an OL bar and winch on my D3. I have not noticed any change in the handling at all.

HTH

Ivan

[NavyDiver]

Hi,

I'm going to order an ARB bar next week and am considering the purchase of a winch to be fitted at the same time but have a concern about how it will affect the handling of our D4 3.0L.

Anyone out there with the D3/4 and winch who can comment on the impact of the vehicle's handling?

Thanks
ARB bar, winch and long range tanks have little if any effect on my D3. I see a fuel ecconomy hit with my roof rack on of about 1-2 litres per 100kms. I could not see any noticable diferance pre other bits. I put some nifty rock sliders on recently so mine is getting a fair bit heavier than stock. Handling does not seem effected at all but I may be a very suttle driver of course :eek:

[discojools]

Definitely noticed a difference with bullbar fitted this week. Steering a touch tighter and ride slightly harder on front. Doesn't appear to have affected handling though. Probably won't notice it a few weeks.

[PaulGOz]

i also noticed an impact on feel lf steering after a few weeks i no longer notice. I also found that adding 2 psi to the front tyres seemed to negate the tighter steering. With the air suspension and self levelling it probably has the least impact on of std suspension.

[sniegy]

I drive lots of Land Rover vehicles everyday!
In my opinion there is a remarkable difference.
If you purchase the vehicle & have all these items fitted & then drive away happy with your new purchase, then you will probably never notice any difference.

The steering is heavier, when braking the nose dives quicker, the suspension takes longer to lift the front end.

Cheers.

[BMKal]

I've just had an ARB winchbar (minus the winch) fitted this week, and have driven from Perth to Kal on Thursday night.

Can't say that I have noticed any difference in handling / steering / braking, but definitely agree with Sneigy's comment that suspension takes longer to raise the front end from access height to normal height. Mine's a 2.7 D4

[aferrier]

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Still unsure about the added weight of the winch... but i'll still go with a winch version of the ARB. Thinking about it, a 'Roo slamming into the engine bay would also have a dramatic effect on the steering. :eek:

Oops... forgot to mention the Optima D34 that's about to be dropped in under the bonnet!

[Redback]

Just a further comment on the suspension taking longer to raise, I have a Kaymar bar and 109l auxcillary tank and drawers fitted to mine as well as a OL bar and winch, the front still takes longer to raise, even with the fuel tanks full (that's 190lts of fuel)

Does anyone notice if the front takes longer even when standard??

I did notice that the front seem to be a bit different, but not a lot.

Baz.

[Ozzy119]

Just a further comment on the suspension taking longer to raise, I have a Kaymar bar and 109l auxcillary tank and drawers fitted to mine as well as a OL bar and winch, the front still takes longer to raise, even with the fuel takes full (that's 190lts of fuel)

Does anyone notice if the front takes longer even when standard??

I did notice that the front seem to be a bit different, but not a lot.

Baz.

Hi Redback,

yes I think it is/was always slow. Mine is stock at the moment and I have always thought the front goes up slower than the back. Back seems to go first, quite fast and then the front gently gets there.

[Graeme]

I suspect there's a reservoir pressure threshold below which all air is directed to the rear springs before continuing with the fronts. When the reservoir is empty, my D4 (bull-bar but no winch mounted) appears to only start raising the rear rather than both together, yet both ends start to raise when there's full pressure. The rear valve block has a smaller orifice to allow more air to the normally-heavier front to attempt to raise evenly when both are raising at the same time but mine has never completed a raise together.

[drowell]

My D4 3.0 has a lot of extras fitted which have added weight and taken the edge off the handling, but it's a question of what you want to achieve. Mine is a bit of an outback warrior which I am sure still out handles a lot of the other brands. I couldn't get the result without some sacrifice.
I'm running an ARB bar with winch, Kaymar twin wheel bar, 104 L aux tank, Black Widow drawers, roof rack, twin aux batteries and 82 L water tank.
The main weight adders are, I think, the two aux batteries, the second spare wheel, the roof rack (Front Runner 2.2 m), Hannibal Roof tent, Aux fuel (100 kg of fuel plus I guess 25kg for the tank), fridges (42 plus 21L Engel as I can't fit a 60 L and don't underestimate the drawers or what's in them).
She still handles well for what she carries. I just don't expect her to drive like a Lotus!
I'm mindful there's too much weight I my set up and if you didn't have the third battery or the Aux tank and two spares, the outcome would be much lighter.
If you're interested, she had an 8 page spread in January's Overlander.
I love my Disco ...