Sheerluck's project D3 [Archive] - Australian Land Rover Owners

sheerluck

6th February 2013, 08:51 PM

Given that my D1 is getting a little long in the tooth, the family cruiser (a Merc ML320) much the same and between the 2 of them I have to buy shares in Caltex, it's time to consolidate the cruiser and the off road machine into 1 vehicle. And a diesel one at that.

SWMBO wanted a direct replacement for the Merc, but as the money tree at the bottom of the garden is totally......plucked, that's not an option, at the moment it is very much champagne on a "I'll just have a glass of water, please" budget :D.

So with a little persuasion, and husbandly charms much in use (:cool:), I finally managed to get to the point where a D3 is not just a "I suppose" type of replacement, but she actually seemed quite excited by the prospect.

And she wasn't even fazed when I bought one that required "a little work" :Rolling:

Yep, it was an auction bargain, unable to be refused. Only requires a bit of a polish and it'll be alright [nose extends Pinocchio-style and pokes her in the eye]
Here it is. The good side:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/02/1163.jpg

The not so good side (pictures after a bit of dismantling):
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/02/1164.jpg

But hey. It's a D3 for less than $10k. An 07MY D3 TDV6 SE with e-diff, in Zermatt Silver for less than $10k to be exact.

It needs one or two new parts.:angel: Or a boatload. Auspost may get a little busy beating a path to my door.

So after spending half the last few weekends dismantling the front end, drilling out spot welds to remove the bent crossmember and other panels, we have a final tally of parts needed. Approximately $3500 worth, from new body panels, to sensors, lights, service parts......

So all being well, as some of the drivetrain has had limited testing at the moment, I should have a D3 for about $16000 with a set of decent rubber boots, tested (and am fully armed with the QLD rules for re-registering repairable write-offs), rego'd. Bit of a billy bargain considering the cheapest 07 D3 TDV6 I could find up for sale was around $28k

So there are 3 phases to the project.

Get it roadworthy, with LLAMS as an add-on
Install dual battery system, front ARB bar
Rear wheel carrier, remap, snorkel

So let the howls of laughter begin :p

Rohan

6th February 2013, 09:10 PM

No laughing here, that's a bargain!
How many k's?

AnD3rew

6th February 2013, 09:25 PM

sheerluck

6th February 2013, 09:27 PM

It's got 200k on it, but with a traceable service history. It's spent some time in the red centre, as there's a fair bit of dust in it, but it's being taken apart so will be cleaned at the same time.

One point of concern is that where is has spent a fair chunk of time on dirt or gravel roads, the chassis is showing a few chips and will require treatment.

But I can live with that!

sheerluck

6th February 2013, 09:42 PM

If you have the time and skills to bring it back to life then it's a good deal. Have you had the chassis properly checked for alignment? If not could end up driving like a pig and wearing and breaking all sorts of bits faster than usual.

Time, not an issue, skills, mostly ok apart from I might need to call in the professionals if I can't get the bonnet looking straight.

Chassis has one issue, which is that the front left body support bracket is slightly bent. I'm not sure if I'll be happier trying to get it realigned, or cut it off and get a new one made up.
It seems like it had an impact with a post of some sort, as there was a few chunks of wood littered amongst the debris.

AnD3rew

6th February 2013, 09:46 PM

Time, not an issue, skills, mostly ok apart from I might need to call in the professionals if I can't get the bonnet looking straight.

Hope you aren't going to try and repair that bonnet? I don't think even the professionals would have a go at that, I think they would just replace it.

Bren

6th February 2013, 09:49 PM

Gotta love a project! It's ok for me, i am a teacher with 12 weeks a year holiday. The perfect Landrover owner! Don't be too concerned about the chips sheer luck. I just bought a D3 with the same deal. Lived out west on gravel roads and the rear chassis and the bits of the rear suspension chipped badly. I brushed on a rust converter undercoat and then coated with a K&N underbody sound deadener stuff. It is like a tar that you can thin it with thinners. I did this to a Disco 1 about ten years and had never had a problem. I have always washed the chassis out and sprayed it with a full can of wd40 inside and out either once a year or after beach work. I do the same with my Series land and have not had a prob with rust.

Good luck with the project.
Cheers
Brendan

sheerluck

6th February 2013, 09:55 PM

Hope you aren't going to try and repair that bonnet? I don't think even the professionals would have a go at that, I think they would just replace it.

I believe the bonnet is aluminium, so will be a real pig to getting it to look even halfway decent. TRS at Adelaide have one in silver if it looks like a dog's breakfast once I've had a go. :D

AnD3rew

6th February 2013, 09:59 PM

I believe the bonnet is aluminium, so will be a real pig to getting it to look even halfway decent.

Yep.

TerryO

6th February 2013, 10:04 PM

Hi Sheerluck,

Might be able to point you in the right direction for some of those parts you may need.

I just bought a complete set of original new LR D3 plastic wheel arches, inner plastic guards and the plastic sills for around $300 dollars, the gentleman in question also had new D3 headlights and tail lights that had been sitting up in his roof since 2005.

He might be worth a call. ...:) PM me if you want his number.

cheers,
Terry

sheerluck

6th February 2013, 10:16 PM

clubagreenie

9th February 2013, 09:17 AM

Hmmm...

My D2 looked like that courtesy of a kangaroo. $9800 - insurance dollars later and I'll pick it up monday. About the same in parts.

Mike_S

9th February 2013, 08:42 PM

sheerluck

9th February 2013, 09:29 PM

UK eBay has headlights from £40 upwards, no need to pay $1000! I had a minor altercation with an immovable object that left me with a cracked headlamp on my RRS, £600 for a new one ($1000). Picked up a perfect 2nd and one off the bay for £100 (complete with the xenon ignitor etc). There's plenty of D3's being broken for spares so get all the small, easy to post stuff from the mother country, you'll likely save a fair bit.

Good luck with the rebuild :)

Thanks Mike.

The buying has started in earnest, with eBay giving up some bargains:
1 headlamp for $100
1 airbag sensor (LR genuine still in the packet) for 99 pence
1 driver's airbag, brand new for 40 pounds
Amongst others.......

Some sellers won't send to Aus, but my sister has been sending stuff on to me.

Need a few more bargains for the bill to drop significantly though.:D

wayneD

9th February 2013, 10:40 PM

In my kennards storage shed I have the bumper from my 2007 D3 which was replaced by ARB bullbar it is Zermatt silver. Also have the LR nudge bar sitting next to it.
I will be in Sydney briefly later this month and mid next month before heading back to the USA. If you have an interest in the items PM me.

Bren

13th February 2013, 09:55 PM

Here are the picks.

56723

56724

56725

Tombie

13th February 2013, 11:52 PM

Get a D4 look a like grill :)

sheerluck

14th February 2013, 08:13 AM

Get a D4 look a like grill :)

I quite like the "RRS Supercharged" style grille that a company on eBay are selling (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2004-09-DISCOVERY-3-LR3-SILVER-Grill-Supercharged-Style-w-FREE-Land-Rover-Badge-/360453106162?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3ADiscovery&hash=item53ecade9f2), I've stolen one of their pictures and attached it.

On a serious note, someone locally was selling a set of D4 bumpers and I did think about giving it a go to bolt them on.

sheerluck

3rd March 2013, 12:36 PM

.....On a serious note, someone locally was selling a set of D4 bumpers and I did think about giving it a go to bolt them on.

Well, given I've been practically bed-ridden for the past couple of weeks, not much has happened. The new set of boots is here and ready to go on (a set of Coopers Zeon LTZ 285/60/18 that a forum member was selling), along with a few parts purchased locally.

However, I decided after much reading, measuring, pricing up and playing about with numbers that I'm going to give it the D4 dress up look. Having worked out that it was going to cost me about an extra $450 to do it, I thought stuff it, why not.

Normally I hate the "take one model and dress it up to look like something it's not" approach, like taking the body kit from a Falcon XR6 and putting it on a plain jane version, knowing that it will still only have the acceleration of a snail carrying some very heavy shopping. But in this case, the D4 look does appear more modern and fresh than the D3. And as they are quite similar under the skin it's worth a go.

I've bought a front and rear bumper for a D4 from a forum member, and as soon as they get here, (either by AULRO courier or otherwise) they'll be matched up. Rear bumper is quite simple from what I've read, with just the rear loom for the PDC needing changing. The front though, appears to be the challenge, with lights and grille needing alteration.

Some of the other parts - i need one LHF wheel arch moulding in standard dark grey which is $150, or some UK suppliers are selling a complete set of all 6 painted wheelarch mouldings for about $20 more. No-brainer really!

For the tailgate, the lower tailgate moulding can be changed for a painted one for $30, and the upper handle for $25.

However, changing the tail lamps for the D4 LED style is the killer at $500. But the front fogs balance that by being $50 each instead of $110 each.

I'm still working out how to punch the hole in the LHF guard to put the D4 style vent in there (the RHF will be covered by a snorkel), I had some ideas around creating a press mould out of some hardwood chunks I've got (some lumps of grey iron bark in the garage), using using my neighbour's 10 ton press to push the indent through.

My plans and costing for the rear wheel carrier are just about complete

Yes, some of these parts are coming from local suppliers, but some will be imported where the price difference is too big to justify. And there is also money budgeted to support some of the forum vendors too.

And yes, I do know that underneath it all, it will "only" ever be a D3, and not a D4.

And all of this is theory only, until I'm upright for long enough to get the couple of bits done that I need to on my D1 to be able to sell it, to have the money for the parts I need......:(

chuck

3rd March 2013, 12:46 PM

Douglas

Looking forward to seeing the repair & build.

Graeme

3rd March 2013, 07:37 PM

I had an idea that the D4's front guards start a little further back or have a different angle to a D3's where they meet the bumper.

sheerluck

3rd March 2013, 07:49 PM

I had an idea that the D4's front guards start a little further back or have a different angle to a D3's where they meet the bumper.

Apparently there's 15mm in it Graeme, from what I've read in a similar thread on Disco3. The guy there took the unusual step of welding together the front and back of a D3 and a D4 guard to get round both the guard vent installation issue, and length of the guard overall. He wanted to keep the D3 bumper though rather than the D4 one.

sheerluck

10th March 2013, 06:35 PM

Well, my neighbour came over over today, and between him and my wife (she's a keeper I tell you!), and me bellowing instructions from a nearby chair, the interior is now semi stripped to a) remove the dash to replace the passenger airbag and seatbelt pretensioners, and b) clean out the several hundred kilos of red dust in there.

Take it from me, the D3 interior does not come apart easily! (Or rather take it from my wife and my neighbour). The floor console, the centre console, the driver's side lower dash, the passenger side lower dash and gloveboxes have to come out before the dash top and attached airbag can be removed.

Also traced where the cooling system leak was, found to be one of the bottom hose connections was cracked. New radiator already on the shopping list.

Soon be time to start assembling I hope!

sheerluck

15th March 2013, 05:43 PM

Meant to post some photos from the weekend's labour (and someone else's labour at that!).

Outside view - not much change. Radiator needs to be replaced, but the air con condenser got away without anything other than cosmetic damage (tested by my neighbour - he has a fridgy license)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/03/615.jpg
Windscreen guy comes on Thursday to replace the cracked screen. Am toying with the idea of an Allisport radiator to replace the original. Will have to see what the final bill is first.....:angel:

Part stripped and rather mucky interior:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/266.jpg
Needs a little bit of a clean before reassembly. Waiting for a vinyl repair bloke to actually call back (seems like he doesn't want any work) about coming and seeing if he can repair the dashboard, or wether I need to buy a new one. I may not be able to do much beyond lie on the floor at the moment, but I can hassle people on the phone!

And do you reckon this might have contributed to the crash?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/1376.jpg

Four racing slicks in place of tyres. All four down to the wear markers or beyond.

clubagreenie

15th March 2013, 07:14 PM

Only if it was wet.

Or dirt.

sheerluck

15th March 2013, 07:24 PM

Some bargain parts still being bought too.

A pair of new/old stock seat belt pretensioners, $107 delivered for the pair.
Got a brand new bonnet on hold with a supplier 'shop soiled' (apparently has 3 little dings from storage), for $290. Just waiting for the confirmation from the couriers about sea versus air freight costs. A chunk of aluminium 180cm by 110cm is not something that can apparently fit in an envelope.....?

One of the benefits of having plenty of time on your hands, and struggling to sleep, is the ability to talk to suppliers in their time zone.:D

sheerluck

15th March 2013, 07:26 PM

Only if it was wet.

Or dirt.

Judging by the mess, it was a dirt road :(

Also it seems it desperately needs a wheel alignment. The fronts are scrubbed on the inside quite badly.

sniegy

15th March 2013, 07:52 PM

Dave send me a list of things that you want/need (either PM or post it up)
& I will see what I have lying around ;-)

Cheers

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

sheerluck

15th March 2013, 09:26 PM

Dave send me a list of things that you want/need (either PM or post it up)
& I will see what I have lying around ;-)

Cheers

Sent from my iPad using Forum Runner

PM Sent.

Thanks Sneigy

~Rich~

3rd June 2013, 08:18 PM

Anyone up for another project?
Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE 2005 6 SP Automatic 4 4L Light Damage LOW KMS | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-HSE-2005-6-SP-Automatic-4-4L-Light-Damage-low-kms-/140988141254?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item20d38c4ec6)
V8 too.
Mitch Hitch.
Or perhaps an ARB bullbar:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LANDROVER-DISCOVERY-SERIES-3-TDV6-SE-ARB-STEEL-BULL-BAR-PAINTED-SILVER-/321134774919?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac51fca87

Disco Muppet

3rd June 2013, 08:29 PM

And do you reckon this might have contributed to the crash?
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/06/1376.jpg

Four racing slicks in place of tyres. All four down to the wear markers or beyond.

Mum has those on her liberty.
Hands down, noisiest tyres I've ever heard, muddies included.
If I was close by I'd come and help you out, I'm awful good and pulling things apart :D
Putting them back together, well, that's not my department :D

sheerluck

3rd June 2013, 08:38 PM

Mum has those on her liberty.
Hands down, noisiest tyres I've ever heard, muddies included.
If I was close by I'd come and help you out, I'm awful good and pulling things apart :D
Putting them back together, well, that's not my department :D

Well if she wants 4 spares......?

Muppet, hitting things repeatedly with a hammer does not necessarily constitute taking something apart :p

And a I've got to wait a few weeks until the boat arrives with the new big bits on before I can think about reassembly. :(

sheerluck

3rd June 2013, 08:42 PM

Anyone up for another project?
Land Rover Discovery 3 HSE 2005 6 SP Automatic 4 4L Light Damage LOW KMS | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-HSE-2005-6-SP-Automatic-4-4L-Light-Damage-low-kms-/140988141254?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item20d38c4ec6)
V8 too.
Mitch Hitch.
Or perhaps an ARB bullbar:
Landrover Discovery Series 3 TDV6 SE ARB Steel Bull BAR Painted Silver | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/LANDROVER-DISCOVERY-SERIES-3-TDV6-SE-ARB-STEEL-BULL-BAR-PAINTED-SILVER-/321134774919?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4ac51fca87)

That D3 has done the rounds a little. If anyone is interested, make sure you do your homework on it.

Disco Muppet

3rd June 2013, 08:42 PM

Well if she wants 4 spares......?

Muppet, hitting things repeatedly with a hammer does not necessarily constitute taking something apart :p

And a I've got to wait a few weeks until the boat arrives with the new big bits on before I can think about reassembly. :(

Nope, She wants the large dent The Phantom put in her bonnet gone :angel:
They're insanely noisy, really quite absurd.

Hey! I Object to that! When it comes to disassembly, I'm Weird Al:

"Weird Al" Yankovic - Like A Surgeon - YouTube

:angel:

It's when it comes to putting things back that I start getting violent :rocket:

sheerluck

15th June 2013, 06:14 PM

Well I've spent part of the day attempting to paint my wheel arches, having bought myself a new HVLP paint gun to play with.

Made the mistake of not practicing with it first, and jumped straight into painting the basecoat (already primed appropriately). Couldn't get the flow right at all and got every paint defect known to man. Sags, runs and blisters all over.

Finally got things going right, just as I ran out of things to paint. Moral of the story, don't try anything working on anything essential with new or unfamiliar equipment.

Oh well, out with the wet and dry :(

Disco Muppet

15th June 2013, 07:48 PM

sheerluck

5th August 2013, 08:44 PM

Not much happened on this over the last 5 months, given that I've been laid low with a stuffed back, but it's now time to push on and get this finished.

To that end, Christmas came early last week with a load of big boxes fresh off the boat from Blighty.

It was a new bonnet, wing, dashboard, airbag, D4 grille, radiator cowling and a few smaller bits.

Was a bit disgruntled to be charged more for "Port Charges" (the cost of moving the container with my goods in it from the ship, moving the container to the bonded warehouse, unpacking the container and giving my goods) than it cost to get them from my sister's house in deepest rural Suffolk, to Southampton, then to Singapore, then to Brisbane. But hey, those last 400meters were the best, right? :mad:

But hey, the whole lot, including delivery cost me $1500, so I'm not really complaining!

Neighbour will be coming round with his welder this weekend to do the couple of bits of welding needed, and then it's up to me. Fair bit of painting to do, few smaller bits to buy, but it's all back on track.

The interior should be reassembled this week, providing I can find an AV cable to attach the rear camera (and providing I can remember where everything went!

SBD4

5th August 2013, 10:03 PM

Looking forward to seeing how it all turns out Dave. Don't forget post up some more progress shots so we can see what you're up to.

Disco Muppet

5th August 2013, 10:07 PM

Coming along nicely mate, you'll have to come for a trundle down to the freezing hell-hole I call home for a drive once it's all back together :D

sheerluck

5th August 2013, 10:16 PM

Coming along nicely mate, you'll have to come for a trundle down to the freezing hell-hole I call home for a drive once it's all back together :D

Funny you should say that, a road trip may be on the cards. :angel:

Disco Muppet

5th August 2013, 10:33 PM

Funny you should say that, a road trip may be on the cards. :angel:

You do realise I'm going to be incredibly offended if I don't come home to find you blocking my driveway declaring "none shall pass"? :p
Let me know if you're down our way :D

sheerluck

11th August 2013, 08:28 PM

A few hours were spent on the D3 this weekend, to the point where the interior is just about reassembled (excluding the front seats, as they need a bit of a clean again after sitting in the shed for a few months). Not bothered putting the steering wheel back on yet either, as someone who shall remain nameless, after replacing the steering column shroud, twirled the clockspring around saying "is this supposed to move like that?".

"Yes dear, it is supposed to move, just you're not supposed to move it."

Ah well, a new clockspring is only a few hundred dollars. :angel:

Neighbour came round with his welder, but as we measured up the new panels, the panel gap was pretty lousy in a few places. A bit more work with the slide hammer, and a little more straightening up to do next weekend.

Then the final painting and assembly can begin in earnest.

rb30gtr

12th August 2013, 12:37 PM

Awesome work Dave, looking forward to seeing some more of the progress pics and then the final assembly.

Still looks like a great money saving project, and you get to learn/play while you save.

The ho har's

12th August 2013, 05:34 PM

Terrific To see it going forward:)

So now full time work, when can I drop in for a chat??

Oh and my Land Rover books, about time you came to visit us;)

Mrs hh:angel:

sheerluck

12th August 2013, 05:46 PM

Awesome work Dave, looking forward to seeing some more of the progress pics and then the final assembly.

Still looks like a great money saving project, and you get to learn/play while you save.

Will get around to posting some more pics tomorrow, I've taken a few just didn't have time to upload them last night.

There's one thing I've found whilst dismantling it and starting to rebuild - the D3 body really is built with strength in mind. But getting in amongst the nuts and bolts is a great way of finding out how your vehicle ticks.

It wasn't really bought with money saving in mind, it was a case of an impulse buy of something I wanted at a price I could easily afford:D

sheerluck

12th August 2013, 05:53 PM

Terrific To see it going forward:)

So now full time work, when can I drop in for a chat??

Oh and my Land Rover books, about time you came to visit us;)

Mrs hh:angel:

It's about time isn't it!

Not quite working full time yet, I still get two short days a week with physio! Still welcome any time, but as soon as this is finished and up and running, I'll be rejoining GCLRO, so I'll be out on a trip or two then. ;)

I've finished all the mags, let me know when's a good time to drop round and I'll be there!

The ho har's

12th August 2013, 06:02 PM

It's about time isn't it!

Not quite working full time yet, I still get two short days a week with physio! Still welcome any time, but as soon as this is finished and up and running, I'll be rejoining GCLRO, so I'll be out on a trip or two then. ;)

I've finished all the mags, let me know when's a good time to drop round and I'll be there!

Anytime latish in the afternoon is fine. Harry is home a LOT as he lost his job:mad: So when convenient we will be around:D

Mrs hh:angel:

sheerluck

17th August 2013, 04:31 PM

Here's the promised shot of the resurrected interior, now with integrated Sat Nav screen (thanks Sneigy!). Bit of wiring left to do for the Raspberry Pi to go in the upper glovebox, but the cabling is in place for the rear camera, aux sound input. Got to test yet that the OEM screen will play nicely with the RPi, best do that before cutting anything up. :D
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/586.jpg

Considering getting the silver(ish) interior finishers redone in walnut, as they're looking a bit dowdy.

And now....it lives IT LIVES!!!!!!......finally it has moved around under it's own power. Got it started, (started first turn of the key!) and had it going backwards and forwards up the drive. Had to fix one suspension leak first of all, thankfully it was quite easy to find, and I had a length of suitable pipe on standby. Suspension tested all the way up to extended mode quite happily. Left it there and will see if it droops anywhere overnight.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/787.jpg

Belt tensioner was a bit noisy, but I've bought a spare to replace it with. Now it's moved up off it's bum, there's a few more defects visible, the rear wheel arches are looking a bit scuffed and the liners are rubbed through.

Good news though, SWMBO has given the go-ahead to get some sliders. :D

Disco Muppet

17th August 2013, 05:47 PM

Well Done! :clap2::twobeers:

schuy1

17th August 2013, 06:23 PM

On and on, ever onwards and upwards! :D

SBD4

17th August 2013, 06:54 PM

Great stuff Dave - must have been great feeling to have it going!

sheerluck

17th August 2013, 07:07 PM

Great stuff Dave - must have been great feeling to have it going!

Relief is the word! Sometimes, just sometimes a bargain does turn out to be a proper bargain, other times a bargain = money pit. Fingers crossed this one will be OK. Autobox only got as far as second, but felt good. Brakes were a little spongy, but that was probably down to the lack of use for 10 months or so. Drivers window switch on the master panel won't work at the moment, but I can pull that apart and have a look later.

Word of advice to all - never try and drive a D3 whilst sat on a milk crate. :D

Disco Muppet

17th August 2013, 07:14 PM

Word of advice to all - never try and drive a D3 whilst sat on a milk crate. :D

I'm going to surreptitiously remove both your front seats and replace them with milk crates now, just because you said this :twisted: :angel:
Inspiring work, you should call it the black knight.
After all, 'tis but a scratch! :D

sheerluck

17th August 2013, 07:17 PM

I'm going to surreptitiously remove both your front seats and replace them with milk crates now, just because you said this :twisted: :angel:
Inspiring work, you should call it the black knight.
After all, 'tis but a scratch! :D

You'd only have to break into the shed and take them at the moment....:o

Black knight hey...hmm...I think it shall be christened the Silver Knight because it was MORE THAN JUST A BLOODY SCRATCH!

Disco Muppet

17th August 2013, 07:27 PM

You'd only have to break into the shed and take them at the moment....:o

*starts walking*

Black knight hey...hmm...I think it shall be christened the Silver Knight because it was MORE THAN JUST A BLOODY SCRATCH!

Call it the Zombie Rover, as you brought it back from the dead :D

sheerluck

17th August 2013, 08:14 PM

*starts walking*

Keep walking, Orange boy!

Call it the Zombie Rover, as you brought it back from the dead :D

Hmmm, excellent idea. Make it so Number One. :)

Disco Muppet

17th August 2013, 08:49 PM

Keep walking, Orange boy!

When it comes to the purposes of skullduggery and conniving, I will walk all night :D
Either that or going to get a kebab after a night out :angel:

Hmmm, excellent idea. Make it so Number One. :)

:clap2::thumbsup:

sheerluck

18th August 2013, 06:15 PM

Just to prove how good these vehicles are, my D3 is not even fully assembled yet, and already it's been involved in it's first recovery.

My neighbour came round this afternoon to help me again. He found out what I was intending to get done, then he went back over the fence to get some of his tools.

Next thing I know, 10 minutes later he's trundling along the front fence in his Bobcat, tools in the bucket (it was nearer than going up to the house for the keys to his Ranger apparently :lol2:). Then, all of a sudden, it just ground to a halt as he went to turn through our front gate, and refused to restart.

After some tinkering, we decided it wasn't going anywhere, so made the decision to tow it down to my shed to find out what was wrong, rather than block the driveway any longer.

Anyway, the D1 refused to start (flat battery), the Merc has no tow bar, so it was down to the D3 to drag (a Bobcat is hydraulically driven and steered) the Bobcat down my gravel drive to the shed. First low, still on it's racing slicks, on a gravel drive dragging a locked up 3t Bobcat and only once did it break traction.

Seriously impressive for a vehicle that still looks a little like something out of Mad Max 3 with all it's missing panels.

Good news though - I didn't have to sit on a milk crate this time as I'd replaced the driver's seat now. :D

So instead of spending the afternoon straightening the D3 bodywork some more, we spent the time dismantling the Bobcat engine and hydraulics. Looks like the injector pump had died.

Redback

20th August 2013, 07:29 AM

eddomak

20th August 2013, 12:33 PM

Here's the promised shot of the resurrected interior...
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/586.jpg

Got it started, (started first turn of the key!) and had it going backwards and forwards up the drive.

In case you need to steer, you could always take a page out of this guy's book. :P Driving on drugs ... with no steering wheel (http://news.drive.com.au/drive/motor-news/driving-on-drugs--with-no-steering-wheel-20130723-2qgn4.html)
http://images-2.drive.com.au/2013/07/23/4593868/art-SteeringWheel-620x349.jpg

The ho har's

20th August 2013, 07:11 PM

Yes that's is quite often our choice of steering mode around here;)

Mrs hh:angel:

sheerluck

26th August 2013, 04:48 PM

Disco Muppet

26th August 2013, 04:55 PM

Quiz of the week. Is Dave's front window motor:
A. Perfectly OK, look elsewhere for a reason why the window won't open.
B. Absolutely buggered, the molten globs of plastic plus the fact that the motor is fused to the inside of the case give that away.

:Rolling:

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/08/230.jpg

C. A figment of his drug induced imagination. Dave doesn't actually have a window motor, or a D3 for that matter. He's actually dismantling his mrs' blender with a cheese knife and a fridge magnet.

:p
Would have been smelly :D

sheerluck

26th August 2013, 05:05 PM

C. A figment of his drug induced imagination. Dave doesn't actually have a window motor, or a D3 for that matter. He's actually dismantling his mrs' blender with a cheese knife and a fridge magnet.

:p
Would have been smelly :D

Cheese knife?? You're posh you are. In our house, if the cheese is too hard to break apart with our toes, we give it to the dog to chew first.:)

Actually, I can't claim the prize for discovering this one, it was SWMBO who dismantled the door.

And we threw the blender out a few weeks ago, after it stopped blending. Not much use, a blender that won't blend. We tried to give it to one of the kids to wear as a hat, but they complained saying it was uncomfortable. :mad:

Disco Muppet

26th August 2013, 05:12 PM

Cheese knife?? You're posh you are. In our house, if the cheese is too hard to break apart with our toes, we give it to the dog to chew first.:)

Luxury. We have to break it up with a sledge hammer first, that's if we can fight the wildlings of Orange off it.
They've got no teeth, but to them it's a holy shrine.

And we threw the blender out a few weeks ago, after it stopped blending. Not much use, a blender that won't blend. We tried to give it to one of the kids to wear as a hat, but they complained saying it was uncomfortable. :mad:

Kids these days...

sheerluck

26th August 2013, 05:50 PM

Luxury. We have to break it up with a sledge hammer first, that's if we can fight the wildlings of Orange off it.
They've got no teeth, but to them it's a holy shrine...

Rumour has it that the Will Smith film "I am Legend" was actually shot in Orange, and that they didn't actually need to use make up or costumes for the extras that were employed from the townsfolk. ;)

The ho har's

26th August 2013, 05:59 PM

Both you pair HAVE to come to Glernreagh to meet:ohyes::ohyes::clap2:

I have met you both, about time you met:D

Mrs hh:angel:

sheerluck

26th August 2013, 06:05 PM

Both you pair HAVE to come to Glernreagh to meet:ohyes::ohyes::clap2:

I have met you both, about time you met:D

Mrs hh:angel:

I'm not sure about that. He wants me to chop his arms and legs off. Last film I watched that had that happen, the guy with no arms and legs started head butting the other guy in the nuts. I'm not going if Muppet does that. :mad:

The ho har's

26th August 2013, 06:39 PM

I'm not sure about that. He wants me to chop his arms and legs off. Last film I watched that had that happen, the guy with no arms and legs started head butting the other guy in the nuts. I'm not going if Muppet does that. :mad:

I would like to see that:o:wasntme: Oh come on be adventurous:D :

Mrs hh:angel:

Disco Muppet

26th August 2013, 06:55 PM

Rumour has it that the Will Smith film "I am Legend" was actually shot in Orange, and that they didn't actually need to use make up or costumes for the extras that were employed from the townsfolk. ;)

And those were the friendly ones! :D
You're only to have at me with a machete if I grow a mullet.
That will happen when I buy a dunnydore with sick rims and cranked doof doof.
I.e Never :p

I would like to see that:o:wasntme: Oh come on be adventurous:D :

Mrs hh:angel:

:banban::Rolling:

I'll be there, just have to gather some funds together, every time I go to pay the rego I remember insurance or car rego or uni fees or.....:censored: :D
But I'll be there, Couldn't stop me if you tried :D

sheerluck

9th October 2013, 05:41 PM

Mr DHL has been back a few more times now. The end is in sight. :MileStone:

After attempting to do a bit more body straightening, the issue was found. A kink in the inner guard, that meant the LH side was 10mm out of alignment. No amount of straightening or pulling managed to get the kink out.

So that meant a few more body panels and a $800 dent in the budget :o

All being well the last bits will be here in a few days and reassembly will begin in earnest.

First stage of the D4 dress up program:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/d3-d4-rrs/66785d1381296828-theory-cause-multiple-systems-faults-image.jpg

Mmm, shiny!

sheerluck

9th October 2013, 06:19 PM

Next dilemma. I quite liked the black option pack for the D4, so was mulling over leaving the D4 grille black when I do the front conversion. Thoughts?

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=66790&stc=1&d=1381306641

SBD4

9th October 2013, 09:00 PM

sheerluck

9th October 2013, 09:23 PM

Getting there Dave!

I liked the idea of the black pack and have been considering getting the bits for mine. I reckon it would look good with Baltic blue - just worried it would look too gangster. No risk of that with your colour though - you can always go back if you don't like it...

don't forget your build pics...;)

Thanks Sean. I'm leaning towards the black pack. I've got a pair of D4 guard vents that I may paint in black, and considering getting the wheels painted too. The Zermatt Silver is very light, and I'm not sure how it would look next to the black. The bullbar I have is black as well.......

Got a whole raft of pictures, just got to organise them. :D

SBD4

9th October 2013, 09:45 PM

Thanks Sean. I'm leaning towards the black pack. I've got a pair of D4 guard vents that I may paint in black, and considering getting the wheels painted too. The Zermatt Silver is very light, and I'm not sure how it would look next to the black. The bullbar I have is black as well.......

Got a whole raft of pictures, just got to organise them. :D

Dave have a play with the build feature on the LR website choose your colour and the black pack. Doesn't look too bad at all:

Discovery 4 Configurator - Customise Your SUV Online | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/discovery-4/build/)

sheerluck

9th October 2013, 09:57 PM

Dave have a play with the build feature on the LR website choose your colour and the black pack. Doesn't look too bad at all:

Discovery 4 Configurator - Customise Your SUV Online | Land Rover Australia (http://www.landrover.com/au/en/lr/discovery-4/build/)

Thanks Sean. Mmmm, I think I like it a lot!

SBD4

9th October 2013, 10:17 PM

:thumbsup:

Dumb and Dumber - i like it a lot [HD] - YouTube

SBD4

13th December 2013, 09:53 PM

Hey Dave, how's the project going?

sheerluck

15th December 2013, 11:56 AM

Disco Muppet

15th December 2013, 12:30 PM

It stopped for a few weeks. Ran out of cash to get the last bits I needed, as I was a bit slack and didn't get the D1 sold.

Still, the last bits are now ordered, and I'll be taking advantage of the holidays to get it done. :)

Excellent!
This is a great thread, I find your lack of updates disturbing :p
Will be great to see it powering around under its own steam, it's certainly given me a few ideas....

sheerluck

15th December 2013, 03:32 PM

Excellent!
This is a great thread, I find your lack of updates disturbing :p
Will be great to see it powering around under its own steam, it's certainly given me a few ideas....

I think it's already been noted that you are disturbed, Muppet. :p

I've got dozens of photos that I need to sort through and post up, I've been trying to put a document together to take to the inspection (when it's finished of course).

I need to dedicate some time to getting it finished off. :(

sheerluck

22nd March 2014, 06:44 PM

So, finally an update......after I've promised one several times over the last 12 weeks or so.

This was it several weeks ago. The front end stripped right down, and I had decided to do the timing belt whilst access was easy. :angel:

My intention was to replace the timing belt, even though it had been replaced on time 60k ago, the most important aspect was checking the oil pump housing - was it the dodgy one that snaps? Or was it replaced with the belt? Bugger. Old, fragile style it is. Wait for another couple of weeks whilst a new one comes from the other side of the world then. :(
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/793.jpg

At the same time, the water pump had to be replaced
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/513.jpg

At that point, the parts that were left to do:
Finish replacement of inner guard
Start rebuilding.....

Still waiting for new air con condenser to become available. I've tried to buy a new one three times now, with no luck - "sorry, out of stock mate, none in the country". The old one is slightly damaged, still useable, but ugly. As soon as I can find a new one, my tame fridgy next door can come and evacuate the old one. :)

More photos to come.

Disco Muppet

22nd March 2014, 06:54 PM

:eek: I'll stick with my Td5 :D
Nice tyres :cool:
I'm expecting more pics Mr Sheerluck :D

sheerluck

22nd March 2014, 07:05 PM

:eek: I'll stick with my Td5 :D
Nice tyres :cool:
I'm expecting more pics Mr Sheerluck :D

I'm sure that anyone who owns a D3/4 will look at that photo and think "holy cow, there's a lot missing". At that point, there was some very large boxes full of bits in the shed. :D

More photos to follow.

SBD4

22nd March 2014, 07:22 PM

good timing Dave, was just about to poke you with a big stick to see if you had made any further progress. Don't need to now:D

Hope you know how it goes back together mate.:o

sheerluck

22nd March 2014, 07:32 PM

good timing Dave, was just about to poke you with a big stick to see if you had made any further progress. Don't need to now:D

Hope you know how it goes back together mate.:o

There is much, much more done. I'm just a bit slack at getting the thread updated.

Plus I haven't quite got the finish on the new bonnet that I would like. I've sanded it back and repainted a couple of times as it wasn't quite right. And now my polisher has died, partway through the third attempt. :mad:

sheerluck

22nd March 2014, 07:35 PM

I spent a long time faffing about with the interior wiring too. I was originally trying to splice in the loom for the OE sat nav and screen. I gave up on that and ended up just adapting the dash and H-trim, and some wiring to hold an aftermarket GPS unit and camera.

That was about a month lost :angel:

Disco Muppet

22nd March 2014, 07:58 PM

good timing Dave, was just about to poke you with a big stick to see if you had made any further progress.

Just as well you didn't, Dave only knows how to deal with being attacked by a man with a piece of fruit :D

sheerluck

22nd March 2014, 08:00 PM

Just as well you didn't, Dave only knows how to deal with being attacked by a man with a piece of fruit :D

I do react quite badly to being prodded with a gooseberry. :twisted:

Disco Muppet

22nd March 2014, 08:10 PM

I do react quite badly to being prodded with a gooseberry. :twisted:

Did we do mangos last week?

sheerluck

22nd March 2014, 08:24 PM

Did we do mangos last week?

Speak for yourself. I've only got room for a gooseberry. :angel:

Disco Muppet

22nd March 2014, 10:48 PM

Not even a tiny, wafer thin after dinner mint? :twisted:

Redback

23rd March 2014, 07:33 AM

So you need a bit of prodding ehhttp://www.lrrforums.com/images/smilies/th_smiley_pokestick.gif

Baz.

scarry

23rd March 2014, 07:50 AM

my tame fridgy next door can come and evacuate the old one. :)

Didn't know there was any such thing....

Suppose you learn something every day:D

Good to see an update,waiting for some more pics:)

sheerluck

23rd March 2014, 04:56 PM

Alright, seeing as everyone loves pictures.......:D
This was it about ten days after the last picture, with the new oil pump and water pump in place.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/469.jpg

Took a whole day to get it from the previous picture, to remove the starter motor, remove the crank bolt, remove and replace and oil pump and crank seal and then realise I had neglected to buy a new crank bolt. :mad:

That took another week.

The starter is an absolute bastard of a thing to remove. You need the arm strength of a gorilla, with fingers that can bend in three different ways at once.

I had thought the crank bolt was going to be the biggest pain in the bum, but that just took a 450mm shifter, with a 2m length of pipe for leverage.

And if you were in any doubt about the redesign of the oil pump housing, and how they have been snapping and introducing Mr Piston to Mr Valve, take a look at the top left hand corner of the old and new here:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/470.jpg

Ok, so I'm going to dripfeed a couple of pictures a day, so I can bring it up to date.
Tomorrow - the interior. :D

Redback

24th March 2014, 06:47 AM

Are you or did you replace any hoses while it was apart like this??

Baz.

sheerluck

24th March 2014, 06:55 AM

Are you or did you replace any hoses while it was apart like this??

Baz.

Baz, yes I replaced several of the water hoses, the thermostat, the plastic water manifold that sits at the front of the 'V' and the turbo/intercooler hoses were replaced with some silicon ones. More photos of shiny bits to follow. :D

Redback

24th March 2014, 07:12 AM

Baz, yes I replaced several of the water hoses, the thermostat, the plastic water manifold that sits at the front of the 'V' and the turbo/intercooler hoses were replaced with some silicon ones. More photos of shiny bits to follow. :D

That water bottle funnel is an absolute pain in the arse to replace when everything is still in place, I almost threw it away a few times:twisted:

Disco Muppet

25th March 2014, 08:28 PM

Come on Sheerluck, interior pics? :)

sheerluck

25th March 2014, 09:01 PM

Come on Sheerluck, interior pics? :)

Someone has moved the SD card with all my pics on. Buggered if I can find it. Daughter number 1 has been "tidying up" my desk to get to the printer to change the cartridge. "I haven't moved anything", she says.......:twisted:

Disco Muppet

25th March 2014, 09:17 PM

Someone has moved the SD card with all my pics on. Buggered if I can find it. Daughter number 1 has been "tidying up" my desk to get to the printer to change the cartridge. "I haven't moved anything", she says.......:twisted:

Excuses Excuses :twisted:

sheerluck

26th March 2014, 05:20 PM

Excuses Excuses :twisted:

Found it! "Someone" had put it back in the camera......:angel:

So, you want interior pics do you?
This was how it looked some time back
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/266.jpg
Fast forward several weeks, add one new dashboard, two airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, a lot of elbow grease to get rid of the dirt, wire in a USB power adapter, aux sound input for the new satnav, new cheapo chinese satnav with D4 surround, and this is what it looks like now
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/267.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/268.jpg

The driver's airbag isn't fully pressed home, and won't be until I confirm that the steering wheel is on straight.

sheerluck

26th March 2014, 05:23 PM

And today's picture (or is it yesterday's?)

All the boxes of bits that needed to be attached :D
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/265.jpg

sheerluck

31st March 2014, 06:15 PM

That was the pile of everything. This was the pile of just body parts.

There's a bonnet, front guard, front crossmember, inner guard, inner reinforcer and the big front end unit.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/12.jpg

About $1800 worth of bits :(

Disco Muppet

31st March 2014, 06:48 PM

Excellent progress, although I'm not a fan of the D3 shifter nob.
Keep up the good work! :)

The ho har's

31st March 2014, 07:32 PM

So when are you bringing it through Drive Thru ? :D

Mrs hh:angel:

sheerluck

31st March 2014, 07:38 PM

So when are you bringing it through Drive Thru ? :D

Mrs hh:angel:

The target was to get it finished by today. It might be a couple more days yet. :angel:

sheerluck

31st March 2014, 10:00 PM

Now is a good a time as any to do a bit of a write up on the mechanicals, especially seeing as I didn't manage to post photos every day this week as promised.

Even though the body was a little worse for wear, the oily bits have turned out to be in better shape than I'd hoped.

I've done a full flush of all fluids so far except the gearbox. (That was only done 50k km ago, but I might well do that yet as soon as I get all the other parts finished.)

I changed the timing belt, even though it was only done 50k km ago, basically so that I should never have to change it ever again. Part of the reason was to get a look at the oil pump, and change if necessary. It was necessary. As was the water pump. The timing belt replacement was really quite simple, and the methodology and components really logical and well thought out. The rear HPFP belt replacement was not. :mad:

In doing that, I learned a lot about the ease, or otherwise, of accessing some of the main components. For example, the alternator is really quite straightforward to access and remove. The starter motor, on the other hand, is not. If that ever goes, I will be paying some other poor bugger to replace it.

In replacing the diff and transfer oils, I was concerned about about the front diff, as it had a look about it of having been overheated. However, the oil that came out was in quite good shape, and there was only a little bit of "fuzz" on the magnetic drain plug.
That said, the drain plug and filler location for both diffs and the transfer box are easy to get to, the main issue is getting hold of appropriate oils without needing a second mortgage.

The transfer box fluid (genuine LR stuff) I bought on eBay for $65 for 2 litres. The front diff oil (Castrol SYntrax Long Life) I found in Auto One for $22/l. With my D3 having a rear e-diff, it needs a different oil for the rear. And predictably it is liquid gold :( $40 /litre.

In doing a test run around the property today, I got the "suspension rising slowly" message. There's also a bit of a hissing from the front somewhere, so I'm wondering if I didn't manage to fix the leak from the front air pipe properly.

That's tomorrow's job.

bbyer

1st April 2014, 01:28 PM

I have been following this thread with great interest; more so, I guess because I very much enjoy the writing style, particularly the missing SD card drama.

As such, my startled first reaction re the finished interior shot above was "O my, my, the steering wheel is on the wrong side!"

Well, at first glance, that is how it looks from here in the New World.

Of more relevance, I noted the comments about changing oil in the differentials and I got to thinking about the LR4 style front differential breather cap I installed a year or so ago on my 3. I thought I would mention it as I actually think upon removal of the original breather, that it was near plugged, and that this was one mod that did make sense and really cost only cents, comparatively. The link below outlines the change.

DISCO3.CO.UK Photo Gallery - Breather Cap Front Differential installation (http://www.disco3.co.uk/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=23952)

sheerluck

1st April 2014, 02:16 PM

...........Hope you know how it goes back together mate.:o

Yes, is the answer!
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/1302.jpg

The blue hoses stand out a little :angel:

You could probably see why I was keen to change the air con condenser too.

SBD4

1st April 2014, 08:53 PM

Yes, is the answer!

The blue hoses stand out a little :angel:

You could probably see why I was keen to change the air con condenser too.

Yes!

do you think any one would notice if you toddled down to to the shops with it like that?:D

CaverD3

1st April 2014, 09:33 PM

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/1290.jpg

:eek:

sheerluck

2nd April 2014, 08:06 AM

Yes!

do you think any one would notice if you toddled down to to the shops with it like that?:D

Are you kidding?? I look at some of the pieces of junk on the roads around here, and I'm sure half of their drivers would look at my D3 and think "I wish I had a car that was in as good a shape as that" :p

SBD4

2nd April 2014, 08:22 AM

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/1290.jpg

:eek:

Caver, sorry for being somewhat obtuse but, huh??

Can you give a little hint?

Redback

2nd April 2014, 08:24 AM

Excuses Excuses :twisted:

Yeah, bloody slackarse:p

Baz.

SBD4

2nd April 2014, 08:51 AM

Yeah, bloody slackarse:p

Baz.

he's come good now Baz.

Ean Austral

2nd April 2014, 09:00 AM

Caver, sorry for being somewhat obtuse but, huh??

Can you give a little hint?

Read post 110.... The blue hoses stand out a little

Then think anyone would notice if you went down the shops like that.

:wasntme:

Cheers Ean

Redback

2nd April 2014, 09:55 AM

he's come good now Baz.

Oh OK, bout time;)

SBD4

2nd April 2014, 10:12 AM

Read post 110.... The blue hoses stand out a little

Then think anyone would notice if you went down the shops like that.

:wasntme:

Cheers Ean

thanks Ean... makes perfect sense now - nice one Caver! Now I can laugh 24 hours after everyone else... must make an effort to get more sleep so I sharpen up a little.:D

sheerluck

2nd April 2014, 10:30 PM

The update for the day is the write up of the aftermarket sat nav installation I've started.

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/194749-how-installing-aftermarket-sat-nav-reversing-camera-into-d3.html :D

sheerluck

5th April 2014, 06:29 PM

Two things turned up yesterday that proved to be bit of a distraction

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/1127.jpg

And one of these:

USI-160 - 160 amp Winch Isolator | TRAXIDE - RV | Traxide - RV (http://www.traxide.com.au/isolators/usi-160---160-amp-winch.html)

rar110

5th April 2014, 08:20 PM

Yes, is the answer! The blue hoses stand out a little :angel: You could probably see why I was keen to change the air con condenser too.

So the radiator is at the back, the big unit in front is AC condenser, under that is engine oil cooler (?), and then FM intercooler?
Id be interested to know. So are they all covered in red dust?

rar110

5th April 2014, 08:22 PM

Are you kidding?? I look at some of the pieces of junk on the roads around here, and I'm sure half of their drivers would look at my D3 and think "I wish I had a car that was in as good a shape as that" :p Being Jimboomba, have you built in some anti theft electro wizardry? Your going to stand out driving around there.

sheerluck

5th April 2014, 09:55 PM

So the radiator is at the back, the big unit in front is AC condenser, under that is engine oil cooler (?), and then FM intercooler?
Id be interested to know. So are they all covered in red dust?

Radiator at the back with air con condenser at the front. Underneath is an extra fuel cooler, and below that is the intercooler. Yes, red dust is the problem, everything is stained with it, particularly aluminium parts.

There doesn't appear to be an oil cooler that I can see, but there does seem to be 3 fuel coolers - one near the starter motor, the one across the bottom of tye radiator, and one at the front of the engine "V".

The cooler for the gearbox fluid is built into the radiator.

bbyer

6th April 2014, 12:02 AM

And one of these:
USI-160 - 160 amp Winch Isolator | TRAXIDE - RV | Traxide - RV (http://www.traxide.com.au/isolators/usi-160---160-amp-winch.html) I wondered if you had thought about doing anything special regarding mounting the in cabin switch and LED light that goes with the USI-160?

I suppose one could just hide the little box somewhere as the switch is not the sort that one is going to use daily, but the LED would be nice to watch as it tells you what the isolator is doing, or not.

rar110

6th April 2014, 05:21 AM

Radiator at the back with air con condenser at the front. Underneath is an extra fuel cooler, and below that is the intercooler. Yes, red dust is the problem, everything is stained with it, particularly aluminium parts. There doesn't appear to be an oil cooler that I can see, but there does seem to be 3 fuel coolers - one near the starter motor, the one across the bottom of tye radiator, and one at the front of the engine "V". The cooler for the gearbox fluid is built into the radiator.

Any idea why cooling fuel is so much a priority. I've never heard of it. But I'm a novice when it comes to modern motors.

sheerluck

6th April 2014, 05:46 AM

I wondered if you had thought about doing anything special regarding mounting the in cabin switch and LED light that goes with the USI-160?

I suppose one could just hide the little box somewhere as the switch is not the sort that one is going to use daily, but the LED would be nice to watch as it tells you what the isolator is doing, or not.

I'm not anticipating doing anything unusual with it, just mounting it near the headlamp switch. I did think about mounting it somewhere like under the cubbybox lid, so that that you can get to it or look at the LED only when you need to, as I was concerned about the LED flashing being a distraction at night.

sheerluck

6th April 2014, 05:50 AM

Any idea why cooling fuel is so much a priority. I've never heard of it. But I'm a novice when it comes to modern motors.

Only in terms of very basic physics - the cooler the fuel, the more dense it is, and the higher the calorific content of each injector opening, and the bigger bang for each cycle.

I'm not sure if that theory translates well into real life or not though!

Plane Fixer

6th April 2014, 05:57 AM

Fuel cooling is usually done on pump bypass fuel before being sent back to the tank.
The pump is cooled by the cool fuel coming from the tank, and the engine only uses a small portion of the total amount the fuel pump processes.
This is also true for most turbine engines in aircraft.

bbyer

6th April 2014, 08:40 AM

I'm not anticipating doing anything unusual with it, just mounting it near the headlamp switch. I did think about mounting it somewhere like under the cubbybox lid, so that that you can get to it or look at the LED only when you need to, as I was concerned about the LED flashing being a distraction at night.Yes, I suppose the flashing would be a distraction; I kind of forgot about that.

I have my Black Berry cell phone mounted on the round air vent beside the NAV and at night, the flashing blue BlueTooth light can be annoying. At times, I think I should be turning the indicator light off.

I was wondering however about a switch something like Llams uses with that little LED buried down low beside the knob.

clubagreenie

6th April 2014, 09:34 AM

I changed the LED to a different color and put it and the switch into a blank on the R of the binnacle in my D2.

Fuel cooling is a necessity if running high pressures and multiple pumps. In the Supra there was a W/F cooler before the rail and another on a separate circuit circulating the tank contents.

sheerluck

6th April 2014, 09:59 AM

~Rich~

6th April 2014, 10:10 AM

Please let us know what you replace it with, where from and how much. ;)

sheerluck

6th April 2014, 10:31 AM

Please let us know what you replace it with, where from and how much. ;)

This one is looking favourite at the moment:
Intercooler Turbo Fmic V Mount 3 5" Core RX7 450x300x90 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/400226257673'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649)

It's one third larger in cooling area than the OE item. I think I'll order one and see how it is for fit.

rar110

6th April 2014, 07:56 PM

The news from yesterday was a little frustrating. I found the cause of the hissing from the front end, and it wasn't a suspension problem. The intercooler was cracked. :mad: Oh well, it's a damned good excuse to get a bigger one. :angel:

I'm surprised at how small euro diesel ICs are. I thought the D3 would be bigger. However it's probably proportionally bigger than my wife's 2.0 lt diesel factory IC.

sheerluck

6th April 2014, 08:06 PM

I'm surprised at how small euro diesel ICs are. I thought the D3 would be bigger. However it's probably proportionally bigger than my wife's 2.0 lt diesel factory IC.

The intercooler goes back further than it looks, the core size is 580 x 140 x 120mm. The D4 one for the 3.0 is much larger, but because of the feed from the second turbo, it won't fit in the D3.

sheerluck

10th April 2014, 04:57 PM

Been a bit slack again, visitors from the Old Dart distracting me this time! :D

Finally got the finish I was looking for on the bonnet. Stuck the new lettering on, but am not convinced. Perhaps a bit too bling? Thoughts?

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/894.jpg

(And yes I know that "Land" doesn't quite line up with "Rover". The template that came with it was none too flash)

Disco Muppet

10th April 2014, 05:38 PM

Too bling for your colour.
There should be lettering on ebay that's brushed titanium or something, more of a matte finish than chrome, although that might blend in too well. black?
Looking good though :cool:

Marmoset

10th April 2014, 06:15 PM

Too bling IMHO, unless you're a drug lord, and I've not really associated the phenomenon of rebuilding land rovers with people awash with drug money....

bbyer

10th April 2014, 11:08 PM

I am biased of course, but the factory grey letters deteriorated on the bonnet of my Zambezi Silver 3 and I replaced them with the chrome letters per your jpg.

Since I was still using the same bonnet, I just replaced each letter one at a time and that helped with the placement. As it was, it was not clear to me that the strip of paper my letters were mounted was a true template. It did not seem quite right.

I regard chrome letters as more conservative / mainstream than the current trend of coloured signage. As such, I see the chrome as the opposite of bling; that is better looking, and more conservative than the factory coloured lettering.

In others words, I like what you did and believe the chrome looks better and is more appropriate than any colour coordinated fashion alternative.

clubagreenie

11th April 2014, 08:41 AM

I actually think that the chrome blends better given the lighter metallic of yours than black (which would be obvious but not stand out.

Want bling, get gold.

bbyer

11th April 2014, 08:56 AM

I almost mentioned gold in my previous post.

I recall a few years back it was the rage here. It was sold as being 24 carat, however it apparently was not the stuff buried around Perth.

It seemed that a few months later, the "gold" was tarnishing and then later flaking of the plastic - very sad for some, as they paid as if it was - well gold!

I seem to recall seeing on AURLO a picture of a pink FFRR a few years ago that one of your football players did up for his girlfriend - that would be the market. I thought it was Photoshop, but it was apparently real.

Marmoset

11th April 2014, 12:28 PM

That's probably Stephen Ireland you're referring to. Check out his other cars if you get a chance too. He's spent many tens of thousands of pounds reducing the value of his cars by many tens of thousands I reckon. :D

sheerluck

11th April 2014, 01:08 PM

Well, so far it's 2 fors, 2 againsts and me sitting on the fence.

The LAND part has to come off anyway, but I'm still not sure whether to bin the lot.......:(

chuck

11th April 2014, 03:50 PM

Dave

I like the bling.

To put another fox in the henhouse what about modernising and putting Discovery on the front?

Redback

11th April 2014, 04:46 PM

Well, so far it's 2 fors, 2 againsts and me sitting on the fence.

The LAND part has to come off anyway, but I'm still not sure whether to bin the lot.......:(

Mate don't bin it, I think because it's not straight, in your mind it doesn't look good, once you get them on the way you want, it will look great, besides you've done a great job so far.

Nothing wrong with a bit of bling.

Baz.

sheerluck

11th April 2014, 05:06 PM

Mate don't bin it, I think because it's not straight, in your mind it doesn't look good, once you get them on the way you want, it will look great, besides you've done a great job so far.

Nothing wrong with a bit of bling.

Baz.

I've been out looking at it again today, and it's started to grow on me. My second choice was a gloss black so that I could do a "black pack" version, so I painted up a couple of the old letters and blutacked them in place, and they looked cack.

So I think that it will be a case of repositioning the "LAND" and then getting the same colour for the tailgate.

clubagreenie

11th April 2014, 05:53 PM

Brushed titanium would look great.

SimmAus

11th April 2014, 07:16 PM

I think it looks ok against the silver bonnet...so much hard work, don't bin it...

sheerluck

16th April 2014, 05:41 PM

Please let us know what you replace it with, where from and how much. ;)

Well this arrived in the post today:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/647.jpg

It is much bigger, heftier and more solid than the OE item. Will have a go at fitting it over the long weekend and report back.

sheerluck

17th April 2014, 05:18 PM

Side by side comparison of new intercooler and OE one:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/605.jpg

And from above:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/606.jpg
The welding looks a little crude, but it weighs twice as much as the OE item. It is pretty hefty.

This is the crack in the original. Doesn't look much, but I've confirmed it is a crack by filling it with kero. Probably repairable, (but SWMBO gave the go ahead for a new one) but I wanted to fit a new bigger one at some point anyway.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/04/607.jpg

Been measuring up, and I think the best way to attach it is to manufacture some brackets out of sheet aluminium to attach it to the front of the chassis. It fits inside and below the front crossmember.

scarry

17th April 2014, 06:14 PM

Be interesting to see how you get the hoses on,not much room around the front there.:(

sheerluck

17th April 2014, 06:55 PM

Be interesting to see how you get the hoses on,not much room around the front there.:(

Paul, I've just been measuring up for some extra silicon hoses and bends and aluminium pipe to extend the existing hoses.

Ît looks tricky, but not impossible.

BSM

17th April 2014, 07:23 PM

This is the crack in the original. Doesn't look much, but I've confirmed it is a crack by filling it with kero.

Kero? Why kero?

sheerluck

17th April 2014, 07:34 PM

Kero? Why kero?

I was originally filling it with water, but couldn't make out where it was leaking through. I couldn't get enough pressure in with the compressor to use soapy water, but the blue kero stood out OK against the aluminium to show where it was leaking out of.

There was probably a better way of doing it, but it worked. ;)

sheerluck

23rd April 2014, 02:29 PM

Paul, I've just been measuring up for some extra silicon hoses and bends and aluminium pipe to extend the existing hoses.

Ît looks tricky, but not impossible.

And it seems I made a big error in measuring up. In doing a trial fit over the weekend, I found that not all the pipes need to be the same size. From the turbo pipe to the intercooler, it goes from 2" to 2.5". Yes, I only bought 2.5" pipes. :censored:

And in doing a trial run around again today, I found coolant dripping from the front left. The brand new coolant bottle has split along the front seam. :censored:

And also, the airbag light now refuses to go off. Still waiting for a USB-serial cable so I can use my new Faultmate, so that I can find what the problem is. :(

SBD4

23rd April 2014, 03:10 PM

Bugger! Frustration upon frustration! It's that last bit of the project that always gets you. It's when you've got the whiff of home and the pedal is flat to the floor that all these finicky little problems show up. I hope there's not too many more for you Dave.

sheerluck

23rd April 2014, 04:04 PM

Thanks Sean. It's days like today that make you want to throw your spanners on the floor in disgust.

The most worrying part was when I put the battery back in, I disturbed the large electrical connector (just to the left of the battery as you look at it) without realising it. As I tried to start it, I got a whole raft of faults, "transmission fault - limited gears available", "HDC fault", "Parking Brake fault - auto release not available".........

I pulled my hair out for an hour, before I looked at the modules and wiring around the battery. Bingo. Unplugged and replugged the connector, one hard reset and it started first turn of the key. :D

sheerluck

16th June 2014, 09:00 PM

Well to say that it's been a lousy couple of months would be an understatement. Times and life have been better, but life still goes on.

Anyway, just to continue with the works that went on over the last few months.

Body was lifted from the chassis to remove the creased inner guard. (Can't get to it otherwise)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/641.jpg

This is what a peeled D3 looks like. And this is My neighbour trying to wash the 100 or so kilos of red dust off the chassis
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/642.jpg

Inner guard removed all the way back to the bulkhead. About a hundred spot welds drilled.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/643.jpg

New inner guard, other LH panels and front crossmember all spotwelded in and given a protective spray coat.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/644.jpg

And how it looked about 2 weeks ago
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/645.jpg

In the last 3 weeks, I've had to replace the gear selector cable - it wasn't quite pushed back into place properly after the body lift, and let go after moving the car around. It was a bit of a pain that it chose to break whilst in Drive. At the same time, one of the connectors in the rear wheel arch chose to separate slightly, meaning that the air suspension and EPB stopped working too.
I had to park the car outside the house and shout my wife to come and chock the wheels so I could get out and take a look at what was going wrong. :mad:

No air suspension to raise the suspension, so had to slither underneath and put the gearbox into park without putting myself in too much danger.

It then took 2 weeks to trace the popped connector. The rubber seal inside the connector had pinched slightly, pushing the connector out far enough to cut the power to everything.......and with the D3 that means a dash like a Christmas tree. :(

I've realigned the bonnet badge, and am happier with it now. It's not quite OE spacing, but it's better than my first attempt.

I've just got to finish off the new intercooler mounts, and install that, attach the bullbar and exterior plastic trim, lights and grille and it's done.

However, two of the wheel arch trims need to be repainted. My wife went to attach them at the weekend and found that something had been dropped on them. Not happy at all. :mad:

Oh, and I managed to stand on the compressor cover. Broke it, so need a new one.

Disco Muppet

16th June 2014, 09:11 PM

Excellent progress mate, good to see it's coming together :)
Hope things are okay on your end, your absence has been noted.

sheerluck

16th June 2014, 09:47 PM

Excellent progress mate, good to see it's coming together :)
Hope things are okay on your end, your absence has been noted.

It's so close! But it's stupid little things that are taking the time. Like removing and repositioning 4 letters took 3 hours (heating them up to soften the glue, gently prising them up, removing all the sticky stuff, measuring and replacing). And there's a thin aluminium plate that goes between the bonnet catches (there's two on the D3) and the magnesium alloy front end carrier. One of the two plates was missing, so made a new one up (naturally there wasn't one in stock in the country, and I wasn't going to wait a week or so to get one from the UK). That was another half day gone.

And all the messing about with trying to find the defective connector was a right royal pain in the bum. You have to disconnect about 30 connectors to separate body from chassis. And it'll come as no surprise that it wasn't the first connector I tried.

All is improving here now, thanks. You hadn't even noticed I'd gone though! :p

SBD4

16th June 2014, 10:09 PM

sheerluck

16th June 2014, 10:23 PM

Just saved me going on the hunt for the thread Dave - thanks!

There's no doubt you've been well and truly up close and personal with the vehicle when you taken the body off. It wont matter what message or light shows up on your dash in the future because you'll know that thing inside out and have the issue sussed and sorted in a jiffy.

It's looking good. Hope it all comes together quickly now so you can get out and enjoy it.

I think it's fair to say that I've been in deeper than most would. :D

I was a bit overawed when I first got it, but once you have dismantled something and can visualise where everything is, it holds no fears any more.

And let me tell you how easy it is to change the fuel filter or rear belt when the body is off........:D

Disco Muppet

17th June 2014, 12:00 AM

All is improving here now, thanks. You hadn't even noticed I'd gone though! :p

Excellent!
And I think you'll find I did, my posts were starting to make sense :p

bbyer

17th June 2014, 12:00 AM

I figured that the rebuild was going just too well; it seemed to me if the biggest problem was the placement of the chrome Land Rover letters, that just seemed too easy.

Lifting the body will eventually seem like a good idea as it provided the opportunity to wash Australia from the chassis; now when finished, your 3 will look like it just came off the boat.

The reality, and I guess it is good, is that when finished, all we will note of significance is the nice chrome Land Rover logo on the bonnet and maybe your tailpipes as you chase off into the distance.:cool:

rar110

17th June 2014, 04:44 AM

Access to the rear belt looked real easy with the body off. Great opportunity to save yourself a $1000. Did you do the oil pump?

I've been wondering how this and the touch screen project have been progressing.

I've done a project like this with my 110, it took me 5 years. You get to know every inch which is handy.

sheerluck

17th June 2014, 05:28 AM

Access to the rear belt looked real easy with the body off. Great opportunity to save yourself a $1000. Did you do the oil pump?
Rear belt access made things very easy. The problem I had was that I dropped a locating washer without realising, and couldn't work out why the tensioner wouldn't sit straight. If I'd been trying to do that with the body on, I'd have been screwed.

And yes, oil pump changed http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/168610-sheerlucks-project-d3-3.html#post2112145

I've been wondering how this and the touch screen project have been progressing.

I've done a project like this with my 110, it took me 5 years. You get to know every inch which is handy.
Touchscreen project is all complete and installed. The only thing I'm not keen on is it's visibility in direct sunlight.

sheerluck

17th June 2014, 05:29 AM

Excellent!
And I think you'll find I did, my posts were starting to make sense :p

Your posts were starting to make sense?? I haven't been gone that long. :angel:

Redback

17th June 2014, 06:37 AM

Your posts were starting to make sense?? I haven't been gone that long. :angel:

It's OK, they weren't really;)

Great progress mate, I did notice you hadn't been around and was going to go searching but it was on the front page to my delight:D

When I saw you had the body off, I was going to suggest changing the exhaust cross over pipe, but noted you had already put the body back on.

I reckon this will be one very sorted D3, keep up the progress reports.

Baz.

ozscott

18th June 2014, 05:34 AM

What a terrific project. Dont lose heart mate she will be a ripper. You will know it backwards. From the photo I like your spacing better.

Cheers

Meken

18th June 2014, 07:41 PM

It's so close! But it's stupid little things that are taking the time. Like removing and repositioning 4 letters took 3 hours (heating them up to soften the glue, gently prising them up, removing all the sticky stuff, measuring and replacing). And there's a thin aluminium plate that goes between the bonnet catches (there's two on the D3) and the magnesium alloy front end carrier. One of the two plates was missing, so made a new one up (naturally there wasn't one in stock in the country, and I wasn't going to wait a week or so to get one from the UK). That was another half day gone.

And all the messing about with trying to find the defective connector was a right royal pain in the bum. You have to disconnect about 30 connectors to separate body from chassis. And it'll come as no surprise that it wasn't the first connector I tried.

All is improving here now, thanks. You hadn't even noticed I'd gone though! :p

Yes there's a saying that the last 20% takes 80% of the effort ;) glad it is coming along great. As others have said you will now know the car inside out. And you should be very proud of returning life to a vehicle that was probably destined for parts & scrap.
Did you get the chassis alignment checked?

Meken

18th June 2014, 07:42 PM

Oh ps have you got pics / more details of your touchscreen ?

sheerluck

18th June 2014, 08:02 PM

Yes there's a saying that the last 20% takes 80% of the effort ;) glad it is coming along great. As others have said you will now know the car inside out. And you should be very proud of returning life to a vehicle that was probably destined for parts & scrap.
Did you get the chassis alignment checked?

That's how it's feeling at the moment! I must admit that up until the body came off a few weeks ago, and I got that last bent body panel replaced, it had started feeling like a burden. But now I can see the end in sight, the enthusiasm has returned.

Yes we did a chassis check while the body was off. The specs are here Land Rover Workshop Manuals > LR3/Disco 3 > 501-26 Body Repairs- Vehicle Spec Info & Tolerance > Body And Frame > Page 3180 (http://workshop-manuals.com/landrover/lr3/501-26_body_repairs-_vehicle_spec_info__tolerance/body_and_frame/page_3180/)

I guess that it has been confirmed as being all square by the way everything has bolted on without an issue.

My neighbour told me (after we'd finished) that he'd had a sleepless night the night before worrying about how everything would line up. I showed him that workshop manual with all the measurements, and he laughed and told me that was cheating!

Meken

18th June 2014, 08:07 PM

Did you happen to check cross diagonal measurements were both equal? (Front right to back left & front left to back right)

sheerluck

18th June 2014, 08:10 PM

Oh ps have you got pics / more details of your touchscreen ?

Sure, what did you need to know? I did a writeup of the install somewhere on here.

Meken

18th June 2014, 08:12 PM

I saw write up but I don't think it was finished - what brand touchscreen - how much - did you keep the oem unit connected but hidden somewhere?

LandyAndy

18th June 2014, 08:25 PM

sheerluck

18th June 2014, 08:31 PM

Did you happen to check cross diagonal measurements were both equal? (Front right to back left & front left to back right)

We got inventive with lengths of steel, spirit levels, a couple of plumb bobs, and performed all the measurements in that repair manual. I don't think corner to corner was one that was listed, only to the third body mount back. One measurement was 3mm out (front left to 3rd body mount on RH side). There was enough movement in the body mounting bolts to be able to live with that though.

It was tricky to get the measurements, but clearly worth it in the end. It would have been somewhat unexciting to get all the welding done and then find that it doesn't meet the chassis in the right places.

sheerluck

18th June 2014, 08:41 PM

Dave.
First time I have came across this thread on your rebuild.
WELL DONE.
Any chance on a ballpark figure for the total investment????
My Bro has suggested I look into D4 pranged units.He has plenty of mates in the panel industry/wreckers.He bought an XR6 Turbo write-off with 7000km on the clock from Pickles.Cost him $25000 on the road repaired,and due to some sort of overlook from Ford Australia its still under new car warranty:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

Thanks!

There's not that many that come up, but for me it's been worth it. Including the service parts and tyres (I replaced what I could while I had access) I have spent $14650 so far. There's maybe another $200 to spend.

Pretty good for a MY07 D3 as far as I'm concerned.

sheerluck

18th June 2014, 08:50 PM

I saw write up but I don't think it was finished - what brand touchscreen - how much - did you keep the oem unit connected but hidden somewhere?

I thought I'd finished it. Senility is a terrible thing.

It is a generic cheapo 7" tablet/GPS. Cost about $100. I didn't get the OEM unit fully connected, I had to give it up as too hard after trying for a few weeks to splice the wiring into the existing loom.

The tablet that's in there doesn't have the visibility I would like in direct sunlight, so will be doing something about that soon.

Meken

18th June 2014, 08:58 PM

~Rich~

18th June 2014, 09:00 PM

I thought I'd finished it. Senility is a terrible thing.

It is a generic cheapo 7" tablet/GPS. Cost about $100. I didn't get the OEM unit fully connected, I had to give it up as too hard after trying for a few weeks to splice the wiring into the existing loom.

The tablet that's in there doesn't have the visibility I would like in direct sunlight, so will be doing something about that soon.

Does the tablet have a gloss screen?
I put a anti glare matt screen protector on my Nexus 7 to fix that problem.

sheerluck

18th June 2014, 09:40 PM

Diagonal dimensions would have ensured the chassis hadn't become a rhomboid - I guess there's enough tolerance to have the wheel alignment straighten everything up to track correctly - unlike live axle where you'd end up like a crab

The dimensions given in the manual definitely only cover front to 3/4 of the way back, I've just checked.

Given the body bolted back on to the chassis with no issue, I took that as another good sign that everything was as straight as it needed to be.

It will need a tracking check though.

sheerluck

18th June 2014, 09:42 PM

Does the tablet have a gloss screen?
I put a anti glare matt screen protector on my Nexus 7 to fix that problem.

It does. I might have a look for a screen protector then. Does it affect the touchscreen operation much? Still the same level of sensitivity?

~Rich~

19th June 2014, 05:51 AM

No it does not affect sensitivity, I also had a polarizing problem when wearing sunglasses it fixed that too. Check your screen in the sun turning it from portrait to landscape with polarizing sunnies on.

sheerluck

19th June 2014, 06:50 PM

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/06/551.jpg

So, one repainted D4 bumper, with some eBay UK bargain reversing sensors, some D4 rear light clusters, and painted rear handle and trim.

I prefer it to the standard D3 anthracite plastic trim.

rar110

19th June 2014, 07:16 PM

Getting there. Looking good.

scarry

19th June 2014, 08:34 PM

[QUOTE=sheerl

So, one repainted D4 bumper, with some eBay UK bargain reversing sensors, some D4 rear light clusters, and painted rear handle and trim.

I prefer it to the standard D3 anthracite plastic trim.[/QUOTE]

Just scrape off the 3 and stick on a 4,know one will ever know:D

All of a sudden it is worth a few more $$$..:o

sheerluck

19th June 2014, 09:08 PM

Just scrape off the 3 and stick on a 4,know one will ever know:D

All of a sudden it is worth a few more $$$..:o

I did think about getting a "." And a 5, and making it a Discovery 3.5

LandyAndy

19th June 2014, 09:22 PM

Thanks!

There's not that many that come up, but for me it's been worth it. Including the service parts and tyres (I replaced what I could while I had access) I have spent $14650 so far. There's maybe another $200 to spend.

Pretty good for a MY07 D3 as far as I'm concerned.

Thanks for that.
You also have performance bits over stock in that so a reasonable project.Labour is love and enjoyment of the build.
I may start looking at the auctions,Im guessing parting a wreck out would be quite profitable if one got it home and Discovered it wasnt repairable for reasonable cost.
Andrew

sheerluck

19th June 2014, 10:08 PM

Thanks for that.
You also have performance bits over stock in that so a reasonable project.Labour is love and enjoyment of the build.
I may start looking at the auctions,Im guessing parting a wreck out would be quite profitable if one got it home and Discovered it wasnt repairable for reasonable cost.
Andrew

I thought that with the original purchase - if it didn't work out I'd break it, or even transplant the engine into my old D1.

If I'd stuck to just getting it on the road, I could perhaps have knocked $1000 off that spend. Things like the D4 rear lights cost me about $100 after flogging the old ones on eBay, the built in GPS was another $100, the Traxide DBS a few dollars more, the rear wheel carrier (not finished yet) another $150 in bits......

Disco Muppet

19th June 2014, 11:18 PM

Quite remarkable the difference the lights and some paint makes....

Redback

20th June 2014, 04:03 PM

Looks great with the new lights and bumper:BigThumb:

Baz.

sheerluck

20th June 2014, 04:28 PM

Looks great with the new lights and bumper:BigThumb:

Baz.

Thanks Baz. The D4 bum certainly looks more modern than the D3, though you'd hope so really wouldn't you!

$300 buys you the bits to make a D3 look like a D4 from behind.

If you squint.

From a distance. :D

sheerluck

20th June 2014, 06:44 PM

Now SWMBO is not what you'd call blessed with height. It runs in her family. In fact, if she, her father, her uncle, aunts and several other relatives are together in one room, it's all you can do to stop yourself breaking into the "Hi Hooooooooo" song.

I'd left the D3 in offroad height, because I was putting the splash guards in place when I happened to look up and notice that the bonnet came up over her shoulder.

OK, I shouldn't have pointed and laughed. I know that now. The swelling should go down soon. :D

LandyAndy

20th June 2014, 07:13 PM

I have seen a few older D3 pilots lowering their vehicles to make climbing in easier.At first I thought it was faulty air suspension as they all dont look like low riders when parked.First saw some octagenarians,well they looked bloody old,doing it in Albany,seen a few more since.
Andrew

sheerluck

20th June 2014, 07:59 PM

I chose the evil husband route.....she climbed in with the aid of a milk crate.

letherm

20th June 2014, 08:35 PM

sheerluck

20th June 2014, 09:24 PM

I've been following this thread without comment so far. What a fantastic effort.

I envy you your skills to be able to do what you've done. You must be getting a great sense of satisfaction from a job well done.:clap2:

Martin

Thanks Martin.

I had a lot of help from my neighbour (and SWMBO has more than played a part), but I'm certainly glad I'm nearing the end.

I've learnt a lot along the way, like never put compressor covers where you can stand on them, and made errors along the way that have cost time and money, but overall the lessons have been worth it.

I wrote a list yesterday of the 27 things that are left to complete. I shall see how many I can complete over the weekend. ;)

Leigh 110

20th June 2014, 10:36 PM

Great thread, very interesting. Just 1 question, where do u get a neighbour like that??? I like the photo of him washing the chassis, you must be very influential!!!!:D

sheerluck

21st June 2014, 05:32 AM

Great thread, very interesting. Just 1 question, where do u get a neighbour like that??? I like the photo of him washing the chassis, you must be very influential!!!!:D

We're very very lucky with our neighbours. Not many like them left in the world, and we're not moving!

Disco Muppet

4th July 2014, 10:47 PM

Chop chop Mr Sheerluck, progress report? :)

sheerluck

6th July 2014, 04:38 PM

Chop chop Mr Sheerluck, progress report? :)

Busy couple of weeks. Included in that was my daughter's 18th birthday, the preparations for her birthday, and someone trying to kill me. Bit of a mixed few days really. :D

Anyway.....it's progress you're looking for is it?

Here's how it looks today:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/1051.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/1052.jpg

All that's left to do is:

attach the washer bottle
attach the bullbar
install the new intercooler, once the "friend of a friend" does the welding for me
adjust the bonnet shutline and catches
push the wheelarch liners into place
put the wheelarch trims back on (once some more clips have arrived)
do the gearbox flush/filter/sump

~Rich~

6th July 2014, 05:27 PM

Looking good, just need to "De-Tango" those headlights.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/1048.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/00729EC5-1D06-41D2-ACFE-127F36788F7F_zps8addb5f9.jpg.html)

sheerluck

6th July 2014, 06:01 PM

Thanks Rich. The de-tango is on the horizon, and I've bought some yellow LED indicator bulbs and resistors in preparation. :D

Oh, and is that a Narpy, or a Beanie?

~Rich~

6th July 2014, 06:06 PM

rar110

6th July 2014, 06:07 PM

Busy couple of weeks. Included in that was my daughter's 18th birthday .... and someone trying to kill me. Bit of a mixed few days really. :D

Sounds a bit like Jimboomba (from someone who grew up & worked there when it de-ruralised). I might move back one day.

Keep those updates coming. Off to see DTMR next week maybe? Really looking forward to seeing end product.

sheerluck

6th July 2014, 06:39 PM

Sounds a bit like Jimboomba (from someone who grew up & worked there when it de-ruralised). I might move back one day.

Keep those updates coming. Off to see DTMR next week maybe? Really looking forward to seeing end product.

It wasn't Jimboomba that I think was the problem. It was in Browns Plains that I had parked (had come out of the cinema late at night, to find the car all on it's own one night, and out for a meal in another area on another night)

Looking to get the roadworthy done in the next couple of weeks, then book the re-birthing check once I get that.

rar110

6th July 2014, 06:42 PM

It wasn't Jimboomba that I think was the problem. It was in Browns Plains that I had parked (had come out of the cinema late at night, to find the car all on it's own one night, and out for a meal in another area on another night)

Looking to get the roadworthy done in the next couple of weeks, then book the re-birthing check once I get that.

Grand Plaza, that's a different level again.

rar110

6th July 2014, 07:56 PM

It's a Beanie ;)
RRS Shadow chrome insert.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/07/1037.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/D3/1B31B41C-70EC-4831-8CED-7DA2803A4295_zpss1tviqvs.jpg.html)

DISCO3.CO.UK - View topic - Headlamp opening and modification in photos (http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic36286.html?highlight=headlamp+opening)
The headlight mod can easily be done in 1hr, especially if you already have the lights out or as you do - have done it 10 times already ;)
I bought some of these reflectors to replace the original orange side ones:
6pc 85mm X 22mm White Reflector Adhesive Trailer Part Truck Caravan Side | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/6pc-85mm-x-22mm-White-Reflector-Adhesive-Trailer-Part-Truck-Caravan-Side-/110889854171?hash=item19d18ce4db&_uhb=1)
Use 2 and 1/2 each side, Just cut 1 in half for the correct length.

I just had a look at the Narpy and Beanie versions. Land Rover should have done this for the 2007 update. I like the thick grill Beanie version in particular. What really tops it off is removing the orange indicators. Im still getting my head around this mod. Did you buy MY09 side indicators?

scarry

6th July 2014, 08:07 PM

Grand Plaza, that's a different level again.

Exactly,the new Wood...... if you know what i mean:wasntme:

Grand Plaza,we used to go to the pictures there,but never again after an incident there a few years ago.

~Rich~

6th July 2014, 08:12 PM

I just had a look at the Narpy and Beanie versions. Land Rover should have done this for the 2007 update. I like the thick grill Beanie version in particular. What really tops it off is removing the orange indicators. Im still getting my head around this mod. Did you buy MY09 side indicators?

No I bought all my bits off UK retailers.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/120913-show-us-your-disco-sport-please-read-first-post-first-post2149801.html#post2149801

HAWKE Smoked Side Repeaters / Indicators Lights for Range Rover Sport and Discovery 3 & 4 | sixonetwo (http://shop.sixonetwo.co.uk/hawke/land-rover-discovery-3/17382)

Supercharged Style Side Vent Black with Silver for Land Rover Discovery 3 | sixonetwo (http://shop.sixonetwo.co.uk/hawke/land-rover-discovery-3/17482)

LandyAndy

6th July 2014, 08:52 PM

IF I end up with a RRS,and it would only be to have a TDV8:cool::cool::cool::cool::cool::cool: I would be looking for some bling Disco badges to call it what it should be,A Disco Sport;);););););)
Andrew

~Rich~

13th August 2014, 07:33 AM

Any update on how the project is coming along?
Must be close!

SBD4

13th August 2014, 07:48 AM

You just beat me to to it Rich! So, how's it coming along Dave?

sheerluck

13th August 2014, 05:35 PM

I know, I know, I've been slack. Also been crippled again for a couple of weeks. :(

But yes, 4 items now left on the list. Pictures will come soon.

SBD4

13th August 2014, 06:34 PM

That's bad luck mate, I hope it comes good soon.

SBD4

17th September 2014, 09:41 AM

Hey Mr Sheerluck, where have you been?

Hope the back is not giving you so much trouble that you haven't been able to tick off the last few items left to do on your project.

Looking forward to seeing some of those pics you promised. Must be close to being able to get registered.

Disco Muppet

17th September 2014, 09:49 AM

^This!
Come on Sheerluck, just a small picture or two...
You're killing me here man! :(

Redback

17th September 2014, 12:04 PM

^This!
Come on Sheerluck, just a small picture or two...
You're killing me here man! :(

^What he said:cool:

rar110

31st March 2015, 08:10 PM

Bump.

About 6 mths since last update. Has something happened?

LandyAndy

31st March 2015, 09:01 PM

If anybody knows Dave can they call into see him.
His last posts talked of back pain cripling him.
There is a general chat post on his absence,Mrs McDonalds promised several times to call in but never reported back.
I too suffer long term back pain and are fully aware how low constant pain can drive you.Several tried phoning,he wont answer calls.
Andrew

johnharte

11th May 2016, 09:40 PM

Wonder what ever happened to this....

LandyAndy

12th May 2016, 07:23 PM

Dave hasnt visited AULRO since 22 sept 2014.
Andrew

sheerluck

14th May 2016, 01:50 PM

Who hasn't?

Keep up LandyAndy!

Alright, alright. Is anyone interested in what happened with it?

pop058

14th May 2016, 02:06 PM

Who hasn't?

Keep up LandyAndy!

Alright, alright. Is anyone interested in what happened with it?

don't keep us waiting, come on spill the beans :D

sheerluck

14th May 2016, 02:11 PM

Is it pictures you're after?

Homestar

14th May 2016, 02:20 PM

Of course it is. :)

pop058

14th May 2016, 02:22 PM

Is it pictures you're after?

did not happen without them :D

sheerluck

14th May 2016, 03:54 PM

This one do for starters? :angel:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=109171&stc=1&d=1463208795

Homestar

14th May 2016, 05:16 PM

I think you need to show us the money shot - front LH corner. ;)

Disco-tastic

14th May 2016, 06:13 PM

Did i see the edge of a rego plate? :eek:

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::D:D:D

Cheers

Dan

sheerluck

14th May 2016, 06:25 PM

I think you need to show us the money shot - front LH corner. ;)

I will. Just as long as no one comments on the broken mirror. Don't ask. :angel:

sheerluck

14th May 2016, 06:26 PM

Did i see the edge of a rego plate? :eek:

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::D:D:D

Cheers

Dan

You sure can. Don't know who it belongs to, I stole it off a random car outside Woolies :D

LandyAndy

14th May 2016, 06:31 PM

Dave.
Great to see you are still around:cool::cool::cool::cool:.
Its always a worry when a regular disappears into the ether.
Andrew

sheerluck

14th May 2016, 06:42 PM

Thanks. :D

Since I've actually started reading emails again recently, I got the notification overnight that someone had posted in this thread. So I thought I'd best come back over and say hello. :cool:

Disco Muppet

14th May 2016, 07:16 PM

Hello.
Is it me you're looking for?
:Rolling:

More pics!

Sent from my HTC One using AULRO mobile app

sheerluck

14th May 2016, 08:28 PM

Hello.
Is it me you're looking for?
:Rolling:

More pics!

Sent from my HTC One using AULRO mobile app

Awww Muppet, I can see it in your eyes, and I can see it in your smile, but I take better pictures with the aid of daylight!

LandyAndy

14th May 2016, 08:32 PM

Hello.
Is it me you're looking for?
:Rolling:

More pics!

Sent from my HTC One using AULRO mobile app

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84RxK4N1wfE
Andrew

sheerluck

15th May 2016, 02:46 PM

I think you need to show us the money shot - front LH corner. ;)

Just for you Gav. I have to be careful though, she's rather shy :lol2:
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

sheerluck

15th May 2016, 02:49 PM

Bugger. Didn't notice that the grille wasn't on :mad:

SWMBO was trying to stick one of the clips back on for me, afer a heavy handed fool managed to snap it off. :angel:

sheerluck

15th May 2016, 02:56 PM

Awww Muppet, I can see it in your eyes, and I can see it in your smile, but I take better pictures with the aid of daylight!

And Muppet, is this all you ever wanted,
Because my bonnet's open wide.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=109260&stc=1&d=1463291561

If not, you know just what to say,
And you know just what to do......
:D

Disco Muppet

15th May 2016, 04:53 PM

Looking good :cool:
We still need more :p

Sent from my HTC One using AULRO mobile app

sheerluck

15th May 2016, 05:41 PM

Jeez you are demanding :lol2:

Will put the grille back on tomorrow and take some more. :cool:

Disco Muppet

15th May 2016, 05:47 PM

How's it drive? :) no nasty trace of the front end damage?

Sent from my HTC One using AULRO mobile app

sheerluck

15th May 2016, 06:20 PM

Drives very well. :)

No detectable trace of undesirable handling, wandering, knocking etc. However, I'm looking to change the tyres to something different, as one of the Coopers had the tread start to separate from the carcass a couple of months ago, and two others have cracks visible in the sidewalls.

Will get those changed, and then a wheel alignment I reckon.

Just to prove she's a Land Rover though, the windscreen washer pump packed in last week, and the plastic cover i had made up to cover the vacant winch area in the bullbar decided to fall off somewhere.

So I've got an aluminium sheet to make a new one out of, just need to find a friendly person with CNC or laser cut facilities.

AND...after giving it a pressure wash underneath (still finding lumps of red dust, even after 2 years) 10 days ago, I keep getting a suspension error on first start up. :mad: