Advice wanted - D3 mods for trip around Aus

[Leecewah]

G'day,

We are taking our '09 D3 TDV6 around Aus for 7 months towing an Expanda Outback setting off from Perth mid year. Will be a fair bit of tarmac driving, but also planning on Gibb river road, and some beach work. I am keen for any tips on must haves and any general tips in addition to advice specifically on the following:

Long Range Tank - keen to put one in along with single rear wheel carrier, any advice on which one to go for (long ranger has been recommended to me) and on who to get to install (ARB/OL/ORE??)

Tyres - Tossing up whether to put on Cooper AT3 275/65/R18 (which I am told can be done but they are big and can apparently rub) or the BFG AT KO 265/65/R18, or the Bridgestone Dueller 697 265/60/R18, all LT versions, have been quoted $475, $465 and $445 respectively per tyre from a tyre power up in Perth

Dual Battery system - been told that Traxside do an easy one that you can self-install, wanted it to run the engel and provide some redundancy in case of a flat battery - anyone got any experience with these?

Chip - Have read that a diesel chip can increase power for towing and reduce or eliminate diesel turbo lag, been recommended 'chip it' in Balcatta, anyone done this and have any feedback good or bad

Rubber mats - Anyone know where to get a LR set front and rear without mortgaging the house? Or even a no name set that will fit snuggly.

Mud flaps - Seem to be readily available on the internet and appear easy to install...anyone done it?

High lift jack - Do I need one? Also been told that an exhaust jack is a good way to go...

Second spare - wasn't planning on taking one. If the consensus is that I should, anyone know where I can get a single D3 18" rim?

CB - Yet to put one in but planning to, was thinking a 5W GME - any tips on model and type of antenna?

Already got an ARB Bullbar on the front, a safari snorkel and a mitch hitch.

Any and all advice gratefully accepted.

Cheers,
Chris

[BobD]

Chris, I have sent you a PM re a rim.

Bob

[weeds]

sounds like you have it all sorted........

re: chip, are re-map available for the D3?

re: high lift, have a think about where you are going to store it and what lifting points do you have available....I doubt you will use it on the trip, one come with my car and I dragged it around for years and never used it. a second jack would be handy as i'm not sure the OEM jack is the best choice

[tonyci]

Chris
I think you are on the right track with your gear suggestions.
I agree with Weeds re the high lift jack, weight is always an issue on long trips, I do not think you will need it.
Check the posts re ARB bull bars, some one had trouble with tyres rubbing, not sure if it was a D4 or 3.
As to who you should use to fit gear, check around your local area for suggestions as quality of work varies considerably.
Have a good trip.
Cheers
Tony

[oldsalt]

Get yourself a Mercedes Sprinter bottle jack (approx $150) to replace the dangerous Landrover piece of s**t.
The Dolium long range fuel tank works well. Had mine fitted by an Opposite Lock dealer.
I got my rubber floor mats off flea-bay... MUCH cheaper then the LR dealers.
Traxide dual battery set-up is a must.....easy to fit yourself.
ICOM make very reliable radios... I mounted my aerial up on my roofrack.
Dueler 697's are great... shop around for price - they vary quite a bit.
cheers

[oldsalt]

I just did a quick check on the tyres... Bridgestone Dueler 697 - 265/60R/18LT for $400 each if I buy 5... this was from Costco in Ringwood... I've got my preferred "fitter" so this price is just for the purchase of the tyres... apparently Bridgestone are doing a deal at the moment which also gives you a discount on the fitting cost if you buy 4 and have them fitted by their dealer worth checking around :)
cheers

[oldsalt]

Sorry - forgot to add the "fitting" discount deal runs out on the 2nd of Feb....
cheers

[BobD]

I got Chinese mudflaps off ebay to replace my shredded LR mudflaps, which didn't like the flying rocks on the Great Central Road, Plenty Hwy and Cape York.

Dead easy to fit and no problems after 1 year and a trip to Darwin via all the gravel tracks we could find, including the GNH through Marble Bar, Great Central Rd, Binns track, Litchfield, Kakadu and MacDonald Ranges, not in that order.

Bob

[tonyci]

Hi Oldsalt
Re the sprinter jack, have you been able to track one down if where, also is it a straight out replacement or do you have to modify it in any way.
Cheers
Tony

[oldsalt]

Found them here... Contact First Auto Parts, 40 Brunel Road Seaford, VIC 3198 (http://www.firstautoparts.com.au/WebPage/WebPage.asp?Ref=9323)
and here's the bit you need for the jack to work... DISCO3.CO.UK - Shop - Sprinter Jack Washer Kit (http://www.disco3.co.uk/shop/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=53)
although I'm sure you could get these parts very easily in your local bolt shop...
cheers

[oldsalt]

And here's an alternative Italian version of Llams... just for interest...
ANITAS SUSPENSION UNIT | MUDTECH 4×4 (http://www.mudtech4x4.com/modulo-aggiuntivo-sospensioni-anitas/?lang=en#more-2883)
being Italian it may make your D3 go faster...:D
cheers

[~Rich~]

And here's an alternative Italian version of Llams... just for interest...
ANITAS SUSPENSION UNIT | MUDTECH 4×4 (http://www.mudtech4x4.com/modulo-aggiuntivo-sospensioni-anitas/?lang=en#more-2883)
being Italian it may make your D3 go faster...:D
cheers

They stole Graeme's invention, DO NOT Support the Italian pirated version of an Australian invention.
Buy Australian!

[Graeme]

I made the mistake during Llams' development of revealing too much information on this and the disco3 forums, thinking I was giving interested people reasons to have confidence in what I was developing rather than call it a magic box. Couple that with a circuit board that could have its tracks traced and components identified, I left myself open to a deliberate attempt to copy it. I have a copy of text and a damning picture of the people boasting that they had succeeded but haven't yet been moved to lodge a complaint with the Italian IP authorities for suspected breach of their IP laws by having analysed the physical components and workings of my product in order to make a similar product. However DFAT have provided some useful information should I decide to lodge a complaint with the Italian authorities.

[oldsalt]

Graeme - I didn't know that ... sorry if I have stepped on your toes (so to speak) - good luck with your legal battles if they ensue.
cheers

[Graeme]

Not a problem! I'm moving onwards with a Jeep and Dodge ram version which I'm expecting to have available before June. I haven't published any technical details about that one though, having learnt my lesson.

[TDV6]

Carry or fit an air compressor.

If it hasn't been done already and you are over 70,000k, fit a steel pan to the transmission and get it flushed and a new filter installed. Kits are available for $170 on fleabay

Go the remap of the motor either BAS or Davis or Autologic, BAS can be supplied via email after you have the hardware and you install it yourself, See Tombie, he's an agent for BAS remaps.

Carry a spare coolant outlet (prone to splitting and coolant loss) approx $30.

Forget the high-lift its heavy with storage problems and limited use on our vehicles, an exhaust jack can be used in sand or mud etc, the plug for the other exhaust pipe is called a test plug. The Sprinter jack sounds good.

Go the Bridgestone's D697LT, I had Coopers and Goodyear on my 18" rims but have Bridg's on my 17" rims.

GME or Uniden are much the same but get one with all the controls on the hand-piece so you have more options on where to mount it. Get a ground plane independent antenna, I've used "RFI" antenna's and had no problems, I think the military also use RFI.

Consider an electronic fault code reset device, there are now a few on the market, I bought an MSV2 when there was nothing else available but its quite expensive.

Plan to be flexible on your trip, stay longer at what you like and move on from what isn't to your taste.

Have Fun,

Ryall

[pohm66]

If you are looking for mud flaps, especially for the rear, I use LR Series ones. They are real large, easy to trim to shape and used Tex screw to mount. They are nice a wide so give good protection for what's being towed.

If you are looking to take the caravan on the beach, suggest 2 pairs of maxtrax or mats, one set for car and other for van. This will really assist in minimizing the rolling resistance to get going.

When we did the lap definitely needed the second spare and carried an extra 40 litre of fuel in jerry cans. Twice had small towns whose servos where down due to pump failures. Enabled us to get to next town.

Also up around Port Headland had really strong cross wind and fuel consumption got up to 19l per 100ks towing 2t van.

As for the caravan carried a set of wheel bearings pre packed with grease in the tool box just to make a possible roadside fix easier and quicker. Also carry extra suspension nuts and bolts for the van and the corrugations can shake them loose. Check every day, glad we did....

Enjoy the trip, its a cracker... If interested here's our blog PJAT Journeys (http://pjatjourneys.blogspot.com.au/)

[Leecewah]

Thanks for all the tips, will digest and comeback to you with any questions. Cheers, Chris

[DiscoWeb]

Leecewah,

All good suggestions below, I have a couple of other thoughts and comments.

3rd Row Seats : One good suggestion that sticks in my mind from a previous thread, but has not been mentioned is to remove the third row seats (assuming you will not be using them). This saves a lot of weight, something like 150kg from memory and allows you to use the space created by removing them for say a water storage, spares or other such items.

Tyres : I am running the Bridgestone D697 LT and have been very happy with them, done some Vic High Country travel and various off road driving and there is little to no signs of cutting or wear so would happily recommend them.

Suspension : Whilst Llams (rather than the Italian rip off) is a great product and used by many on this forum there are also suspension rods from GOE (another forum member) which provide for additional lift and changes in the suspension heights when required. Most people doing desert travel complain about only being able to do 50khm in off road height before the car lowers, these bits of kit allow you to travel at higher speeds at off road height amongst other things. Do a search as there is a lot of discussion on the pros and cons of both, personally I use the GOE rods.

Mud Flaps : I purchased 2 sets of 4wd mud flaps form SupaCheap auto and shaped and fitted them myself for the grand cost of about $45. These are dead easy to do and will take about 1 hr of your time. One of the forum members, Disco4se (Craig from WA) kindly put up a detailed post about these sometime ago if you do a search you should find it.

Hope this helps and enjoy the lap.

[oldsalt]

Ditto what DiscoWeb said about the third row seats - I took mine out and built a false floor - store all sorts of "little-used" stuff under there which I can access via a little trap door I built into the floor, I sold my seats to another member on this forum and got the car "checked & certified" by Vicroads as a full time 5 seater...don't forget to tell your insurance Co. as well...
cheers

[Marmoset]

I bought a set of these floor mats several weeks ago, the texture is a bit rougher than shown in the pictures but they're a good thick heavy set.

Land Rover Discovery 3 05 09 Black Rubber CAR Interior Floor Mats Quality RHD | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Land-Rover-Discovery-3-05-09-BLACK-Rubber-Car-Interior-Floor-Mats-Quality-RHD-/251151933975?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a79d26217)

[Leecewah]

Thanks. How are finding the fit of the car mats? I was keen to get a set where the rear one goes all the way across to save the carpet on the middle hump but haven't seen any of those.
Cheers,
Chris

[Leecewah]

Thanks Discoweb, i llike the idea of gaining space and weight with the rear seats out, did you remove them yourself and can I re fit them later? Was leaning towards the BFGs, but you are the second member on the forum to recommend the 697s, will have to go back to the drawing board. Thanks for the tip on mud flaps, will search for the thread on how to cut and fit. Going to a GOE seminar in Feb, will ask about the off road height rods.
Cheers, Chris

[DiscoWeb]

Thanks Discoweb, i llike the idea of gaining space and weight with the rear seats out, did you remove them yourself and can I re fit them later? Was leaning towards the BFGs, but you are the second member on the forum to recommend the 697s, will have to go back to the drawing board. Thanks for the tip on mud flaps, will search for the thread on how to cut and fit. Going to a GOE seminar in Feb, will ask about the off road height rods.
Cheers, Chris

Chris,

Not actually done this myself but from what I recall it is relatively simple, carefully remove the plastic covers that hide the various anchor bolts and undo them. I believe the whole lots comes out as a single unit and, again I think they can be simply replaced by refitting the anchor bolts.

Regards tyres. For me 697 LT's so far (about 10,000 km) have been good. Mine spend 99% of their time on road and as they have a reasonably "non aggressive" tread pattern are pretty quite and have perform well. Off road I have also been impressed and to date I like the fact that with the off road use they have had show little signs of cutting, chipping or wear. Throw in the fact they are an LT construction and I think for the trip you are planning they would be a solid choice.

Not sure how they would go in mud as they would probably clog up quickly but pretty much anything other than a mud tyre would do that anyway. There are many many threads on tyre choice with lots of opinions offered.

Good luck in your deliberations.

George.

[~Rich~]

Yes I've removed my rear seats.
Simply undo the tie down points and the side panels to get access to the Torx bolts on the sides, also remove the plastic covers around the centre of the seats to reveal the centre bolts.
You can see the six centre bolts in the photo below.
Yes it comes out as one unit.
It is heavy, flexible and floppy in the middle so best to have someone give you a hand out with them.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/01/392.jpg (http://s193.photobucket.com/user/VSK5/media/IMG_3297.jpg.html)

[Marmoset]

Thanks. How are finding the fit of the car mats? I was keen to get a set where the rear one goes all the way across to save the carpet on the middle hump but haven't seen any of those.
Cheers,
Chris


They fit very well and stay in place no problem. I wanted a full width one in the back as well but had no luck finding any. Lukcily my son sits at the side, rather than the middle, so all spillages etc are nicely contained.

[BobD]

It might not be clear in Rich's post but the carpeted side floor panels have to come off to access the bolts. As he said, this is done by removing the tie down points. Once the seat is removed the panels are put back in as shown in the photo.

I weighed the seats and I think they are around 75kg, but they may be a bit lighter than that. Certainly not 150kg but they are heavy to remove and tricky to get through the tail gate due to their width, the floppiness and weight.

The bolts all attach the seat frames to the floor. You do not undo any bolts that bolt the seats to the frames. The front bolts are combined with the bolts that hold the centre row seats in place. When I did my Cape York trip with a roof top tent, I also removed one side and the middle seat in the middle row and just left one seat for my daughter. They are simple to remove and saved some more weight and provided a lot more room, so that I could fit my daughter's swag in the car.

Bob

Bob

[jimc]

Some things not mentioned yet...

Rear camera...helps with the big blind spot behind the car

Fill an old phone..mp3 player etc with audio books or your favourite tunes and connect it up to the head unit. Helps entertain the passengers and driver alike.

I have fond memories from the last trip...listening to mr whiskers on repeat for hours and hours and hours!!!! But it kept my 3 year old happy!