What mods would you recommend

[wbowner]

Hi,
I am thinking of buying a D4 to be used for touring towing a van.
The van is an offroad van and is not very big - under 2000kg but may upgrade at some time to a larger van.

I would like to be able to take it offroad but not to extreme places, just places like in the Oonatdatta and similar. .

To do this what mods would you recommend as a minimum?
eg
suspension and/or airbags ?
tow bar need this one :)
larger fuel tank ?
????

Rich

[AnD3rew]

Hi,
I am thinking of buying a D4 to be used for touring towing a van.
The van is an offroad van and is not very big - under 2000kg but may upgrade at some time to a larger van.

I would like to be able to take it offroad but not to extreme places, just places like in the Oonatdatta and similar. .

To do this what mods would you recommend as a minimum?
eg
suspension and/or airbags ?
tow bar need this one :)
larger fuel tank ?
????

Rich

It comes with airbags and the best suspension you can buy. I believe the D4 tow hitch is better than the D3 one, but the Mitch hitch gives a more secure and better height hitch than Land Rover. A bull bar for country touring is a good investment in my view, there are an awful lot of Roos, emus, pigs and various other stock and wildlife on the roads out there.

Depending on your routes and your engine choice you may want to consider a long range tank which gives you much more touring flexibility, but with careful planning and a Jerry or two you can get away without one.

If you plan to do any significant sand driving I recommend Llams or GOE rods which override the height control speed restrictions imposed by Land Rover. And a UHF radio.

The D4 19" + wheels also significantly limit tyre choices so you may want to consider a set of 18" wheels.

[jon3950]

OK, here's my take on it.

Andrew has come up with a pretty good list there, but as a minimum I would say the only thing that is necessary for what you want to do is a decent set of tyres. Everything else is nice to have, but not essential.

Cheers,
Jon

[wbowner]

Thanks guys.

After doing lots of mods to my current car I wanted to do as few as possible to get going.

Agree on hitch - mandatory

Additional fuel tank (best and worst one I did in current car). On the wish list though as also need some where for the spare so an expensive option.

Richard

[AnD3rew]

Additional fuel tank (best and worst one I did in current car). On the wish list though as also need some where for the spare so an expensive option.

Richard

It is, tank plus rear wheel carrier is @ $3k fitted. The upside is that you elimate the ridiculous, garuanteed to fail, have to unload the whole load space to get to, spare wheel winch. ;)

[AnD3rew]

OK, here's my take on it.

Andrew has come up with a pretty good list there, but as a minimum I would say the only thing that is necessary for what you want to do is a decent set of tyres. Everything else is nice to have, but not essential.

Cheers,
Jon

I wouldn't disagree with that. Everything I mentioned is nice to have but not must have.

[Graeme]

If using the standard D4 hitch then use the recovery loop as the safety chain anchor point rather than the 2 tabs because they're not particularly strong.

[jon3950]

I wouldn't disagree with that. Everything I mentioned is nice to have but not must have.

I think the trouble with many of us is we tend to get carried away with modifications, when in reality most of them aren't necessary and a standard D3/4 will do pretty much everything we'd ask of it.

I have had my D4 for nearly 6 months now and its still virtually standard (except for the Zeons, dual battery, cargo barrier, uhf, rear draws, water bladder, roof rack, rear ladder & RAI) and I intend to keep it that way. The only things I plan to fit to it are 18's, a bar, winch, driving lights and an awning.

Hmmm... :o

Cheers,
Jon

[AnD3rew]

I think the trouble with many of us is we tend to get carried away with modifications, when in reality most of them aren't necessary and a standard D3/4 will do pretty much everything we'd ask of it.

I have had my D4 for nearly 6 months now and its still virtually standard (except for the Zeons, dual battery, cargo barrier, uhf, rear draws, water bladder, roof rack, rear ladder & RAI) and I intend to keep it that way. The only things I plan to fit to it are 18's, a bar, winch, driving lights and an awning.

Hmmm... :o

Cheers,
Jon

:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

[wbowner]

I think the trouble with many of us is we tend to get carried away with modifications, when in reality most of them aren't necessary and a standard D3/4 will do pretty much everything we'd ask of it.

I have had my D4 for nearly 6 months now and its still virtually standard (except for the Zeons, dual battery, cargo barrier, uhf, rear draws, water bladder, roof rack, rear ladder & RAI) and I intend to keep it that way. The only things I plan to fit to it are 18's, a bar, winch, driving lights and an awning.

Hmmm... :o

Cheers,
Jon

Jon,
In other words - standard (ie your standard :)). I think mods are an addiction, there always something else you want. Mine at the moment is a new car, the rest is standard :).

Thanks all for comments.

[Redback]

I think the trouble with many of us is we tend to get carried away with modifications, when in reality most of them aren't necessary and a standard D3/4 will do pretty much everything we'd ask of it.

I have had my D4 for nearly 6 months now and its still virtually standard (except for the Zeons, dual battery, cargo barrier, uhf, rear draws, water bladder, roof rack, rear ladder & RAI) and I intend to keep it that way. The only things I plan to fit to it are 18's, a bar, winch, driving lights and an awning.

Hmmm... :o

Cheers,
Jon

Yep, sounds pretty standard too me:cool:

[TerryO]

A Mitch Hitch in my opinion is a no brainer even for a 2 ton van. A good set of A/T tyres wouldn't go astray either.

Carrying Jerry cans of fuel is a pain in the arse to say the least, unless you can carry them on your A frame. The standard tank for Australian vanning is a D3/4's weakpoint. I wouldn't bet on getting much more than 500 km between fill ups when towing on good straight roads at 110 kph. Hilly back rounds will be worse on fuel consumption.

If your mainly doing highway towing with the odd side road / track then standard will do the trick easy. If your planning on being adventurous on a regular basis then for peace of mind some other common Disco mods would be a good idea.

Personally given the number of Roo's we have hit while away with our van I wouldn't want to go anywhere to far off the beaten track without a bull bar. Hit one and take out your headlights and radiator and your trip comes to an abrupt end.

Enjoy your D4 you have purchased an excellent vehicle.

[mowog]

My D4's main use is towing.... So

Mitch Hitch & Rapid Hitch Combo

The Van has a McHitch Coupling which is a simply great.

I have an AUX tank, I did one trip without it and that was enough to convince me to get one fitted. I have a Kaymar rear bar for the spare but there are cheaper options.

[wbowner]

Thanks for the replies.

I can carry a couple of jerry cans on the van but agree it is a pain.

Even with highway driving knowing you don't have to fill up for a whole day (I do some long trips) is great.

I have an aux tank and a smart bar on my current vehicle. The aux tank has been great. Where it has been a pain is that they had to redirect the exhaust pipe and that has been a problem since.

The aux tank for the LR seems to be a much cleaner install, just more expensive as you need the move the tyre.

Rich

[TerryO]

Yes you have to move the spare wheel if you have a long range tank ... but then you don't have to get down and grovel in the wet/mud/dirt/traffic etc to get the spare out as its sitting up there on a carrier just waiting for you.

Much easier, cleaner, no hassle, no swearing or skinned knuckles, no having to unload the back of the D4 in the wet/mud/dirt/traffic etc to unwind the bloody spare and then reload it after changing it.

There you have it, a couple of good reasons for a rear wheel carrier ...;)

For me anyway, a pretty basic set up for a D3/4 which is required for reasonable vanning off road and towing long distances is as follows.

Bull Bar
Longe Range Tank
Rear Wheel Carrier
UHF with a decent arial
A/T Tyres
Mitch Hitch
Stone Stomper (protects your van and the back of the Tug from rocks)
Decent tow hitch. (I like the Trigg hitch but not many do)
Hawkeye or Fault Mate etc (For diagnosing and clearing faults in the middle of no where)

My list of mods for bush camping with a van, for most, might be considered excessive, but I'd rather have most bases covered then be stuck in the middle of no where because of something that was easily avoided or fixable.

[PaulGOz]

Hi All,

Do you really think the mitch hitch is necessary? I have one and needed it with the camper trailer as I needed the height I now have an off road van and need a lower ball height so I am thinking of going back to the standard hitch. The d4 hitch is much better than the d3 version so I am thinking it may be acceptable. It will also enable me to secure my breakaway cable to the recovery point and make my car approx 100mm shorter making it easier to park.

P.S You dont need to unload the car to lower rear spare. With a 1/4 inch drive 23mm I think socket and extension you leave the socket on the wind down nut and with removal of one ofcthe plastic trims on the seat you can lower wheel without lifting rear seats I regularly do this even with nothing in the rear.

[mowog]

I fitted a Mitch Hitch after hearing about a couple of confirmed D4 hitch failures. My van is over 3000kg I just didn't want to gamble with the standard D4 system.

I use a Rapid Hitch to get the height I needs for the van. The van actually tows better because all that extra movement the standard hitch cause is gone.

[gghaggis]

I'm probably in the minority, but I'm more than happy with the std hitch for my 2.7T van. If I was in a situation where there was the requirement for a lot of articulation, I'd go for the Mitch Hitch, but I'm not, and I like the fact that its removable and that the ball is a little closer to the rear axle. And really, no more D4 hitches have failed than Mitch hitches - it's usually down to the user.

Cheers

Gordon

[disco4now]

I too have stuck with D4 hitch with no issues. I have towed 3500Kg van for three years now, includes to cape york and back in 2011 and just returned from 15000km loop which included the savanah way and Gibb river road, which is a fair test on corrigations. I only ever remove the tongue and leave the thing with the green knob permanently attached.
I also put safety chains to the tow loop rather than to holes under the hitch.

Regards
Gerry

[IvanR]

Their is very few occasions where you will have need to carry extra fuel when towing a van, so if its possible to put a couple of jerry cans on your van, I think this is the best way to go. The occasional inconvenience of filling from a jerry in my view out ways the constant inconvenience of the spare wheel carrier on the back.

Ivan

PS I have a tvan and carry up to 4 Jerrys and often find myself 1 or 2 full even on remote trips. They are there to keep SWMBO happy

[mowog]

Their is very few occasions where you will have need to carry extra fuel when towing a van, so if its possible to put a couple of jerry cans on your van, I think this is the best way to go. The occasional inconvenience of filling from a jerry in my view out ways the constant inconvenience of the spare wheel carrier on the back.

Ivan

PS I have a tvan and carry up to 4 Jerrys and often find myself 1 or 2 full even on remote trips. They are there to keep SWMBO happy

While agree with you on some level I really like the convenience that the AUX tank offers. The spare wheel carrier isn't an issue for me.

I would need to carry 4 Jerry cans to match the AUX tank and when we take the van out the spare Jerry holders carry water & fuel for the genny & Diesel heater.

[TerryO]

There would be a reasonable difference in fuel consumption between towing a single axle relatively light and low profile Tvan compared to a large dual axle 2.5 to 3.5 ton off road van.

If its just a case of towing a van around the coast then a standard tank will be fine. Go inland any decent distance and a long range tank becomes a good idea.

[BMKal]

I haven't done much towing at all, but the long range tank and rear wheel carrier I've fitted to mine are amongst the best mods that I've added.

I drive regularly between Perth & Kalgoorlie (1,200km round trip). Great to be able to do this without stopping for fuel - especially at some of the inflated prices that I see on the road. Also, having the spare wheel on the back rather than under the vehicle is to me a no brainer. I've only had to change the wheel once so far, but getting the spare off the back and throwing the flat one up on the wheel carrier is far easier than using the original carrier - without even considering the fun of doing it if you're bogged or otherwise stuck in sand / mud etc.

Also makes a handy place to hang the rubbish bag when out camping. Much better than carrying all your rubbish inside the car with you. :D

[Graeme]

I'd like to have an aux tank for decent range but will put up with the frequent refills until I think of a 'must have' reason due to the cost. I already have a RWC that's not normally fitted but was for a recent short trip for a 2nd spare and opening it was only a problem if not parked straight enough due to the jerry mounted on the van drawbar getting in the way.

[wbowner]

Hi,
I have been told that I should get the Rear Electronic Diff.

Just want to know if it really is worth having. I would get it if ordering a new one but to get some good offers I may have to look at demo models which may or may not have it.

I will use the car mainly for towing but not in rough 4wd environments (I think).

So is it good if you can get it but no worries if you can't.

Rich

[AnD3rew]

Hi,
I have been told that I should get the Rear Electronic Diff.

Just want to know if it really is worth having. I would get it if ordering a new one but to get some good offers I may have to look at demo models which may or may not have it.

I will use the car mainly for towing but not in rough 4wd environments (I think).

So is it good if you can get it but no worries if you can't.

Rich

I would love to have it, but mine doesn't and so far I have not found a situation the standard car couldn't handle. If you get a good deal on a car without it I would say go for it. I don't think you will miss it.

[wbowner]

Andrew,
Thanks for the reply.

Do you tow, if so what fuel economy do you get.

Rich
PS I am hunting forum for this answer as well.:)

[jon3950]

I've had one on my last 2 Discos and wouldn't be without it, but that doesn't mean I need it.

If you were ordering a new one, I'd say get it - you might as well. If your main use is for towing I wouldn't worry about it. These vehicles are very capable off-road without it.

Cheers,
Jon

[AnD3rew]

Andrew,
Thanks for the reply.

Do you tow, if so what fuel economy do you get.

Rich
PS I am hunting forum for this answer as well.:)

Was getting about 12.9 as read on the Disco computer on my last trip with a camper trailer. Spare wheel on the roof rack and all my other mods.

[wbowner]

OK, here's my take on it.

Andrew has come up with a pretty good list there, but as a minimum I would say the only thing that is necessary for what you want to do is a decent set of tyres. Everything else is nice to have, but not essential.

Cheers,
Jon
Re tyres. What tyres are recommended. They come with 19" tyres and there does not seem to be many options. The profile of these tyres is not good for offroad either ?

Is this a concern when travelling in out of the way places, ie if you destroy a tyre trying to get a replacement may prove difficult.

Rich

[jon3950]

Following many positive comments on here, I fitted Cooper Zeons in 255/55R19 from new. They've now done 20,000km including trips to the High Country and the Flinders Ranges. I've had no problems with them chipping and no sidewall damage. Overall I've been very happy with them and can recommend them as a touring tyre.

I have more confidence in the 19"s now than when I bought the the D4 and feel they will get me most places I want to go. I would still prefer some 18"s though and when funds permit, that will be my next investment.

As for availability in remote areas, yes its a problem. Just carry a second spare.

Cheers,
Jon

[wbowner]

Following many positive comments on here, I fitted Cooper Zeons in 255/55R19 from new. They've now done 20,000km including trips to the High Country and the Flinders Ranges. I've had no problems with them chipping and no sidewall damage. Overall I've been very happy with them and can recommend them as a touring tyre.

I have more confidence in the 19"s now than when I bought the the D4 and feel they will get me most places I want to go. I would still prefer some 18"s though and when funds permit, that will be my next investment.

As for availability in remote areas, yes its a problem. Just carry a second spare.

Cheers,
Jon

Would these tyres be good for towing as well.

Seems odd to get a 4wd then have to change so much to take it off road :)

[jon3950]

Would these tyres be good for towing as well.

Yes. I tow about 2t of car & trailer regularly with them and they are fine. There are other options too though, plenty of threads about tyres on here.


Seems odd to get a 4wd then have to change so much to take it off road :)

You don't have to change anything to take it off-road. :D

Cheers,
Jon

[wbowner]

Yes. I tow about 2t of car & trailer regularly with them and they are fine. There are other options too though, plenty of threads about tyres on here.



You don't have to change anything to take it off-road. :D

Cheers,
Jon

Jon,
I want to come back as well :).

Seems like tyres would be a good future investment.

Rich

[AnD3rew]

Jon,
I want to come back as well :).

Seems like tyres would be a good future investment.

Rich


Tyres are really the only thing that are a must have if you want to do anything more than the ocassional gravel road and sandy beach.

[NavyDiver]

Steel bull bar, mitch hitch and 18 inch rims and tires. A falcon can do the oodnadatta track. Most SA dirt roads are better than many Victorian Tar ones:)

Ever tried buying a replacement 19 inch tire anywhere out side a city. Your range with a van or without makes a long range tank only an option. ( I have one:D) Rods or llams http://www.llams.com.au/is not needed unless your off road not just on dirt roads.

[wbowner]

Steel bull bar, mitch hitch and 18 inch rims and tires. A falcon can do the oodnadatta track. Most SA dirt roads are better than many Victorian Tar ones:)

Ever tried buying a replacement 19 inch tire anywhere out side a city. Your range with a van or without makes a long range tank only an option. ( I have one:D) Rods or llams Llams PTY LTD (http://www.llams.com.au/)is not needed unless your off road not just on dirt roads.

No what you say. When I bought my Pajero 18" tyres were the hard ones to find, I got 17" and still had trouble.
19" will I guess eventually become more available but not sure if i want to go through it all again with my next car.

Going back to my earlier point wouldn't it be good if one of the purchase options was an off road pack for what is supposed to be a car with off road capabilities.

For example if you could say I want 18" rims with appropriate tyres (assuming they fit the car. I think Jeep do it (was told this but by a friend).

Unfortunately most other vehicles are like this but at least some do not start off with 19" rims :) ( a bit of a gripe, sorry as have been through the very same issue with my last two cars - ie chasing bloody tyres to replace the crappy ones provided with the car)

Rich

[Tombie]

Hi All,

Do you really think the mitch hitch is necessary? I have one and needed it with the camper trailer as I needed the height I now have an off road van and need a lower ball height so I am thinking of going back to the standard hitch. The d4 hitch is much better than the d3 version so I am thinking it may be acceptable. It will also enable me to secure my breakaway cable to the recovery point and make my car approx 100mm shorter making it easier to park.

P.S You dont need to unload the car to lower rear spare. With a 1/4 inch drive 23mm I think socket and extension you leave the socket on the wind down nut and with removal of one ofcthe plastic trims on the seat you can lower wheel without lifting rear seats I regularly do this even with nothing in the rear.

What :eek:?

The vehicle being 10cm shorter dead in the guts makes parking easier?
Really? Is there some precision parking team in Sydney?


And your second part... About the spare...

Just how many flat tyres do you get? :o

[samandfee]

Just how many flat tyres do you get ?

right i can answer that.......in 37 years of driving on and in everything i reckon i have had to change a tyre at least 3 times cos it was flat.
thats once every 12.3 years.......man i hate that.