Using the disco a an off roader

[les14]

hi. i am new to 4x4ing and own a 96 disco 1 tdi 300. i am wondering how capable is this vehicle off roading?
i went to a 4x4 park called the springs near Warwick on the weekend with my club and found it was useless to attempt the course without a 2 inch lift.

then i also get mixed views from other members about the disco too in regard to 4x4 ability. i am told that with my center diff lock on it will make the rover capable as a patrol or a landcruser without lockers.

again i am new to this hobby and am looking for other peoples views on using my land rover as a 4x4 and what would be suitable upgrades to make it a good 4x4. i am also wondering too if adding these upgrade to the rover will be worth it in relation to the cars value too.
thanks for you time
leslie

[Tank]

The centre "diff lock" only removes the differential action from the Transfer Box and transmits equal power to front and rear axles, it does not lock up front or rear axles.
When you leave the tarmac behind you move the short lever to the left and either back for High range or forward for Low range. If you are driving off road in High or Low range and you have a wheel (tyre) slip at one end the other axle will keep you moving till a wheel on that axle slips. All other 4WD vehicles are the same, whether they are full-time 4WD's or Part-Time 4WD's.
Now if you have a front or rear "diff lock" installed in your axles then unless all of the wheels are off the ground you will be able to move off.
Traction involves having the driven wheels being ON the ground, Land Rovers (all of them) have excellent articulation straight from the factory, esp. the solid axle models, they do better than most other 4WD's (straight from the factory, i.e. no mods), as Land Rovers have a very flexible suspension system they excell off road, you need to get some instruction on how to get the best from your Land Rover and I'm sure there are some AULRO members in your vicinity that will be able to help, good luck, Regards Frank.

[Tombie]

Mostly it comes down to driving ability.

If you get that bit right... Throttle control. Wheel placement etc. you'll be amazed where you can drive.

[Distortion]

First of all,

You are unlikely to ever recover the money you spend on upgrades when you go to resell it on a pure $ basis

I spent easy the value of my car again on fixing stuff I've broken and up specing tyres, suspension and diffs and would do it all again because of the fun value it gives every time I get to take it out.

Value for money the D1 is right up there in terms of capability I took mine nearly standard everywhere mates patrols and toyotas were going without fuss sometimes it was easier as its a fair bit smaller on tight tracks.

I would price up a decent set of AT/MT tyres in the 245/75R16 range and a set of longer springs and shocks. These are improvements to the car that will get used all the time not occasionally like a locker. Then look at lockers/big ticket items down the track once you've decided it's the 4x4 for you.


Cheers

[Judo]

I bought my '95 300TDI Disco specifically for 4x4'ing. I don't really drive around the city or during the week. It's a weekend getaway vehicle. It is definitely a capable off road vehicle. I do agree that a 2" lift would be ideal though. If you want a 1990's Land Rover with high clearance you buy a Defender. OR add 2" on a Disco - LOTS of people do it. Still, I've been up and down tracks in VIC that have signs stating (or a map rating) it's a "difficult/hard" track and I only have factory suspension. Then it comes down to driving ability - the vehicle can do it.

Enjoy!

[Reads90]

I have a disco 200tdi which I have a 2" lift on with 235,85 r 16 which are the standard defender size. But look good on a disco and give it a decent set of boots which can be picked up cheap on eBay as a lot of people don't want that size. I have this as a weekend bush basher.


But I also have two defenders.

And I would say that the disco has a better wheel base than the 110 for off roading , but both defenders and discos have shared the same engines gearboxes , axles, prop shafts, radius arms and lots of bits underneath. ( 110 rear different but my 90 has the same front and rear as the disco.)
The big difference between the defender and the disco (as well as the RRC )is the body over hangs a lot So if you don't care about the body then this is no real problem. The defender seems to more have a wheel in each corner and not so large on the body side of things. But them the disco is more comfortable to drive.

Why you might ask do I off road a disco when I have two defenders in the garage. Well the disco was $1900 and I don't care if I rub it down a tree but I would be really really ****ed if I did it to the 110 or 90. My defenders are my touring overlander trucks and not red must off roaders. :-)

[les14]

if i go ahead and put a 2 inch lift on the disco, will i need to any mods to the vehicle so it drivable?

also i have found that dobinsons sell a 3 inch lift kit of the disco, does any one else have this lift? and is it a legal lift and are there any mods required?

i feel that the disco is a great 4x4 and it will be better as my skills increase.

[Reads90]

if i go ahead and put a 2 inch lift on the disco, will i need to any mods to the vehicle so it drivable?

also i have found that dobinsons sell a 3 inch lift kit of the disco, does any one else have this lift? and is it a legal lift and are there any mods required?

i feel that the disco is a great 4x4 and it will be better as my skills increase.

My disco has 2" lift dobinsons.

Longer travel shocks are a must if you are off roading.

And if you want to go hardcore than extra long front braided brake lines.

Some say caster correction bushes but I have never fitted then to any of the 22 land rovers I have put 2" lift on and never had a problem. My 110 and 90 don't have them.

[Blknight.aus]

if you do your upgrades as part of maintenance replacements you can make a surprisingly effective vehicle.

the rest of it is driver ability and you'll pick that up in spades.

suspension stuff do a mates rates 2 inch lift kit.

2 inch lift is about the limit you can goto without needing extra work and its enough for most user add decent rubber and then once youve done an axle or diff some kind of torque controlling diff and I'd be fairly happy to put money on the ability of the vehicle will exceed the average drivers pucker factor.

[Franrick]

Hi Les, I have two Disco's. My '97 Disco I got for a song at an auction. No history, no service record but it ran like a bird and I got if for crap.
I added a 2in lift, snorkel and bull bar (thats about $3k) and it has turned out to be an excellent vehicle. We took it to Cape York this year towing a camper trailer. We did the whole of the Tele Track, the Bloomfield Track (should be called Bloomfield Road) Frenchmans Track, Captain Billy Landing, Vryila Beach, Palmer River to Maytown to Laura tracks and it did it all faultlessly.
Don't worry about what the people in your club say about your Disco. You have a very capable 4WD already. Operator experience makes a huge difference, Take your time, watch what others do, learn from what they do and their mistakes. You will have a lot of fun while at the same time be having the time of your life.
Mate, I have been doing this for 35 yrs and still get a buzz out of going down a new track.
Cheers, Rick.

[Reads90]

Although a disco 1 are good fun.

You can still get in trouble with them :-)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/11/700.jpg

Sorry could resist posting that pic

[les14]

ha thats a good one...:lol2:



Although a disco 1 are good fun.

You can still get in trouble with them :-)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/11/700.jpg

Sorry could resist posting that pic

[dullbird]

Hi Les

my advice to you would be to forget the modifications for the moment you said you were new to 4wding.

the Disco is a very capable car out of the box you will be surprised where the car will take you.

ideally what you need to do is go out and do some easy moderate 4wding with something that will on occasions test you and the car....not for the whole trip just a section that will do that...that way it will give you a real sense of achievement when you conquer it

get out and about in the car a fair bit and get a real feel for the car and learn about wheel placement and your throttle control etc....learn how to drive it first!!!!

Then start to slowly add the mods as and when you feel the car is being held back (for instance a lift if you do harder tracks that really require some ground clearance)...by getting to know the car and its limitations will make you appreciate your limitations and keep your expectations of the car and any mods you make to it, realistic.


too many people buy a car throw heaps of money at it to mod it up how they think it should be modded and then still drive like **** off road.
However these types of people then tend to blame the car for being a peice of junk that cant get anywhere, 80% of the time its the driver and their experience.

Too many people rely on their modifications to get them out of trouble..the key is to drive well not get in trouble and if you do your driving and your modifcations will help you to get out as damage free as possible :)

Just my personal opinion of course:) and not one you have to take.

I had my car 5yrs before I put lockers in it just to give you some idea...one of our cars is not modified at all and it goes everywhere

[les14]

thats good advice. thanks

thanks every one to for all your experience, it make me feel better that my rover is a capable 4x4. i suppose that what you get in a club full of Toyota and nisains... they make you second guess your purchase.
thanks again.
Les


Hi Les

my advice to you would be to forget the modifications for the moment you said you were new to 4wding.

the Disco is a very capable car out of the box you will be surprised where the car will take you.

ideally what you need to do is go out and do some easy moderate 4wding with something that will on occasions test you and the car....not for the whole trip just a section that will do that...that way it will give you a real sense of achievement when you conquer it

get out and about in the car a fair bit and get a real feel for the car and learn about wheel placement and your throttle control etc....learn how to drive it first!!!!

Then start to slowly add the mods as and when you feel the car is being held back (for instance a lift if you do harder tracks that really require some ground clearance)...by getting to know the car and its limitations will make you appreciate your limitations and keep your expectations of the car and any mods you make to it, realistic.


too many people buy a car through heaps of money at it to mod it up how they think it should be modded and then still drive like **** off road.
However these types of people then tend to blame the car for being a peice of junk that cant get anywhere, 80% of the time its the driver and their experience.

Too many people rely on their modifications to get them out of trouble..the key is to drive well not get in trouble and if you do your driving and your modifcations will help you to get out as damage free as possible :)

Just my personal opinion of course:) and not one you have to take.

I had my car 5yrs before I put lockers in it just to give you some idea...one of our cars is not modified at all and it goes everywhere

[Franrick]

Dullbird, You should post that message at the top of the Aulro folders. For someone just getting into the off road lifestyle there could be no better advice, no matter what they drive.
Cheers, Rick.

[Judo]

Wise words dullbird.

I have a snorkel - never been in deep enough water to need it, but have done plenty of creek crossings.
I have a winch - used once but I was being over ambitious because I wanted to test the winch. :angel:
I have factory suspension, no lockers or any other mods.
I do have decent tyres - and worth while doing at next change IMO.

All the 4wd'ing I do is achieved without the mods to get me there. Plenty to learn and do with a factory standard '95 Disco!!

[OffTrack]

It could be worthwhile checking out driver training run by a Land Rover club.
I did the Land Rover Owners Club of Victoria 4x4 proficency course when I first got my Disco 2, and found the day invaluable.

There are some suggestions for the Brisbane/GC area in this thread:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/135515-4wd-driver-training-brisbane-area.html

[ade]

2inch lift is a waste of money , learn how to drive it, mine is stock standard and will go anywhere a two inch lift will go.

[Matplat]

Les, I see you are in Ipswich

The 3" dobinsons lift you mentioned will not be road legal. For QLD the biggest spring lift you can do under any circumstances is 2" that is if you want your insurance to remain intact :)

245/75R16 is the largest tyre you can go, unfortunately 31" tyres are 2mm too big and although popular for Discos 235/85R16 is illegal in QLD.

[Neesaan1via]

I had a 60 Series cruiser with 33s and 3" lift . Bought a disco and took it out stock standard and I was really surprised how well it went . And now it has 2" lift and 32" tyres it goes better then the 60 series did .

Need to have a big landy group outing in Ipswich ! Ive been seeing a few tough ones lately

[Blknight.aus]

feel free to drop on over this or next weekend if you like...

Ive got a stock tdi200 d1 and a 2 inch lifted tdi300 d1

[Reads90]

I had a 60 Series cruiser with 33s and 3" lift . Bought a disco and took it out stock standard and I was really surprised how well it went . And now it has 2" lift and 32" tyres it goes better then the 60 series did .

Need to have a big landy group outing in Ipswich ! Ive been seeing a few tough ones lately

Oh sounds like fun

I am not in Ipswich , i am in Cleveland but at in laws live at Laidley and i am there almost 2-3 times a month.

[theborderdog]

Im at springfield lakes, count me in.

[dullbird]

Take it to up and coming events please!!,

[les14]

so there is an Ipswich land rover owner club meet up???:idea:

i have also heard , through my X club that qld now allows a 3 inch lift... and i also saw an article in the X action mag about someone doing up a D 1 as an off roader too...

[Blknight.aus]

no, that was an invite for you to come over to my place and eyeball what is easy, cheap and legal to do to a D1 without having to engineer it.

find a suitable engineer and you can go up to 6 inch over size rubber with a 6 inch lift and a 4 inch body riser set.

Expensive and over-rated.

[les14]

cool, that be great.



no, that was an invite for you to come over to my place and eyeball what is easy, cheap and legal to do to a D1 without having to engineer it.

find a suitable engineer and you can go up to 6 inch over size rubber with a 6 inch lift and a 4 inch body riser set.

Expensive and over-rated.

[Reads90]

There is nothing better than going out in a pretty much stock trucks and showing up people with all the gear and no idea.

When I first got to Australia I took my 90 up to Fraser. On the way I came to the top of rainbow beach at in skip point . Where there was a line of 4x4's . They were all waiting to have a long run up to drive across the soft sand. In the middle were two toyotas bogged with no one helping them. So I drove past all these 4x4's just potting along and drove to the first stuck truck and asked him if he need help. He told me no I would be stuck now, so I drove off to the other stuck car and he told me the same. So then I just slowly drove off up the track and left them to it.

My wife told me off for being a show off.


Ali


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Reads90]

so there is an Ipswich land rover owner club meet up???:idea:

i have also heard , through my X club that qld now allows a 3 inch lift... and i also saw an article in the X action mag about someone doing up a D 1 as an off roader too...

Hi
As you are local

If you want we go out and I can show you round the disco off road

I am a Land Rover Off Road driving instructor, would be happy to show you want they can do in standard mode with out the need for too much money being thrown at them.


Ali


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[les14]

that would be great.
i have done the beginners course at my 4x4 club i was impressed at what it could do as stock. as there was other with there 2 inch lift plus cars.

Les


Hi
As you are local

If you want we go out and I can show you round the disco off road

I am a Land Rover Off Road driving instructor, would be happy to show you want they can do in standard mode with out the need for too much money being thrown at them.


Ali


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Matplat]

find a suitable engineer and you can go up to 6 inch over size rubber with a 6 inch lift and a 4 inch body riser set.



I'm gunna disagree with you there. Having recently looked into this myself I found the current rules from the dept of transport website, then spoke to a QLD based engineer.

50mm larger is all you can go on diameter of tyres, and 50mm is all you can lift in springs, neither of which require an engineer certificate.

You can do a further 50mm body lift however this will require an engineer certificate. It is however pretty pointless, as you can already fit the legal limit of tyre size without a body lift.

[Blknight.aus]

not sure what got lost in translation but

a, read the original statement again and b, Find a better engineer...

theres more involved in it than just bolting on bigger tyres, the lift kit and the body blocks. but its doable and if the engineer approves it, documents it and plates it then its also on road legal.

50+50+50 for a total of 150mm over stock height is the MAXIMUM you can do without requiring engineering certification. (and the body block lifts may now also be questionable)

For a disco generally going a 2 inch lift and an extra inch of rubber (which only gives a half inch rolling radius increase) is as far as you go without having to start looking at brake lines, camel cuts, castor bushes, brake upgrades, drive line components. its also easier to get an early disco approved for a body lift than a later one.

[Matplat]

First up, don't patronise me.

If you read section LS9 part 1 in the link below you will see there is no allowance for increase of ride height beyond 125mm.

It clearly states that 75mm in a combination of tyres and spring lift is the maximum allowable permitted without certification.

http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/~/media/Safety/Vehicle%20standards%20and%20modifications/Vehicle%20modifications/Industry%20codes%20of%20practice/qldcodeofpracticevehiclemodifications1112part1.pdf

Please note of course that this is applicable to QLD only.

If you can provide documentation to back your claim of 50+50+50 I would be more than happy to hear it!

[Blknight.aus]

50mm larger is all you can go on diameter of tyres, and 50mm is all you can lift in springs, neither of which require an engineer certificate.

You can do a further 50mm body lift however this will require an engineer certificate. It is however pretty pointless, as you can already fit the legal limit of tyre size without a body lift.


which nicely summates what I said the limits of what you can do without an engineer..



First up, don't patronise me.


Since I cant patronise you, I'll challange you.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP11_Section_LS_Tyres_Suspension_Steering_V2_1Ja n_2011%20v3.pdf

start there and begin digging here's a hint, the D1 in question does not have ABS brakes nor Airbags

welcome to the squirrelly world that is ADRs, VSB, AS and NCOP, be careful of contradictions between the documents and applicable vehicle dats and versions.

Have fun.