Me new plan - What to buy for the bush?

[rb30gtr]

So here is the scenario,

I had listed the D3 for sale, as I was going to move it on and get into a D4. However due to the higher authority, and a pretty good suggestion she had I am going down another track,

We love the D3, so that is staying, it is worth a heap more to us than selling for under 30 grand.

So instead of going to a D4 and scratching it up in the bush, and to save the D3 getting trashed I am going to spend up to about 10 grand on a bush beast.

I see a few of you lot have a town car, D3/4 or RRS and a D1 or 2 or even an old Series for taking bush.

So with 10 grand, what do I go for? Can I get a unimog for 10 grand..haha
I am handy on the tools, and come from a family of mechanics so working/building something is also fine. I have built tons of performance cars in the past, including lots of rotary implants into other cars.

End result I want is about 3-5 inch lift, 33+ tyres, and Lockers even if it is mechanical. Of course I am happy to start with a standard truck and build it up.

Lifted Poo Troll with big tyres and high mileage, or a Toymota with the same or is getting an old V8i D1 worth it for the bush?
I have the option of my brothers little Zuke, but I find I get a fair bit of roll over fear when driving it so I may stay away, even though it smashes the big trucks for ability.

I am thinking something like this:
1997 Land Rover Discovery V8i (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-1997/SSE-AD-2539079/?Cr=54&sdmvc=1)

Or this even, not sure if it will be worth it though as she is pretty banged up:
Land Rover Discovery | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/191040935985'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

Any advice or help would be appreciated,

Cheers,
Ben

[Chucaro]

IMO nothing beat a County, only a LR dual cab with an Isuzu engine come close.

[rb30gtr]

Or this!
1997 Land Rover Discovery TDi (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-1997/SSE-AD-2412759/?Cr=97&sdmvc=1)

Anyone know this car/owner?

[rb30gtr]

IMO nothing beat a County, only a LR dual cab with an Isuzu engine come close.

I was considering an ex army 110, there are some on Grey's Online for as low as 4 grand in good condition with the Isuzu diesel.
One of those would be great for the bush, but I can't live without my a/c and ability to do highway speeds!

[Ean Austral]

So here is the scenario,

I had listed the D3 for sale, as I was going to move it on and get into a D4. However due to the higher authority, and a pretty good suggestion she had I am going down another track,

We love the D3, so that is staying, it is worth a heap more to us than selling for under 30 grand.

So instead of going to a D4 and scratching it up in the bush, and to save the D3 getting trashed I am going to spend up to about 10 grand on a bush beast.

I see a few of you lot have a town car, D3/4 or RRS and a D1 or 2 or even an old Series for taking bush.

So with 10 grand, what do I go for? Can I get a unimog for 10 grand..haha
I am handy on the tools, and come from a family of mechanics so working/building something is also fine. I have built tons of performance cars in the past, including lots of rotary implants into other cars.

End result I want is about 3-5 inch lift, 33+ tyres, and Lockers even if it is mechanical. Of course I am happy to start with a standard truck and build it up.

Lifted Poo Troll with big tyres and high mileage, or a Toymota with the same or is getting an old V8i D1 worth it for the bush?
I have the option of my brothers little Zuke, but I find I get a fair bit of roll over fear when driving it so I may stay away, even though it smashes the big trucks for ability.

I am thinking something like this:
1997 Land Rover Discovery V8i (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Discovery-1997/SSE-AD-2539079/?Cr=54&sdmvc=1)

Or this even, not sure if it will be worth it though as she is pretty banged up:
Land Rover Discovery | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/191040935985'ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

Any advice or help would be appreciated,

Cheers,
Ben


Im doing the exact same, but it will be either a county or a defender .


Got some trips am planning to do in the next few years, Cape, canning again, and kimberleys, plus a couple of stock routes closer to home so will go the defender/county option for me.


The D3 will be the touring car.


Cheers Ean

[Ean Austral]

I was considering an ex army 110, there are some on Grey's Online for as low as 4 grand in good condition with the Isuzu diesel.
One of those would be great for the bush, but I can't live without my a/c and ability to do highway speeds!


A TD5 D2 is also a good option if you want the air con etc.


Cheers Ean

[Chucaro]

I was considering an ex army 110, there are some on Grey's Online for as low as 4 grand in good condition with the Isuzu diesel.
One of those would be great for the bush, but I can't live without my a/c and ability to do highway speeds!

Have chat with JustinC, he have a County and I think that he have done some research of different option about AC.

[rb30gtr]

A project!
Anyone know this car? Very well priced, but is it just a money pit.
I can get the head gasket replaced for the price of the gasket, but how do I know that is the only issue. What is another 3.9 v8 like to buy?

1995 Land Rover Discovery Wagon | Cars, Vans & Utes | Gumtree Australia Greater Dandenong - Dandenong North | 1037367537 (http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/dandenong-north/cars-vans-utes/1995-land-rover-discovery-wagon/1037367537)

[loanrangie]

Less than a K for a replacement engine or just fix the one thats in it, the locker alone is nearly worth the asking price.

[rb30gtr]

Less than a K for a replacement engine or just fix the one thats in it, the locker alone is nearly worth the asking price.

If it works.

Can they be registered in Vic with 35's and a 4 inch lift, as in over the pits from scratch? I know in NSW they will put you in jail for 50 years for even suggesting such a thing.

[Landover]

It would be pretty hard to have it registered from scratch in Vic. You would need it engineered and would require some big money to make it comply.

I went for a D2 TD5 as my bush car. They are becoming good value and often come with all the fruit like the one I picked up.

[Homestar]

If the head gaskets are stuffed, it may have been cooked, so probably slipped liners - the engine would be junk without spending big dollars. As Landover said. No way that would get rego in Vic with that lift and those tyres without an engineering certificate.

You may be better off with something stock that is a good runner and build up from there.

[frantic]

If height is not an issue, get an ex-army 110 hardtop and put on a roof mounted air con unit. One of the posters here had a few pics of one a while back.
Being an Isuzu you could turbo it and put on bigger rubber as well as offset wheels. There was a great looking 2door hardtop ex-army at the LR show in castle hill in august with 35's and a decked out rear. There is also a few power steering conversion options being talked about.


Here it is , Red dot was the name.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/139456-aircon-old-chestnut.html

[goanna_shire]

Hi,
I have an ex army 110 hard top. For the reliability, great fuel consumption, easy power steering modification and an earthmover type air conditioning unit between the front seats it makes a very robust bush machine which takes far more abuse than any of its competitors on the trails and shrugs it off while you wear the grin. They are an incredible machine that with a little patience and soundproofing can be comfortable as a highway machine to get to the bush and back again without a worry. Their hose out nature is a bit strange untill you get used to it. Sure makes for quick clean out after a trip. The power steering modification is as simple as finding yourself a reservior, some hose, a 3 or 4 bolt range rover/discovery steering box to replace the armstrong unit and the pump that bolts up right next to the injector pump. No Belts!:D Red dot do a bunch of different air con systems which work a charm and cater for as far as your wallet is deep:D. I have seen the truck units on landy roofs. Your hair would get realy cold I reckon. The sky is the limit but I realy reckon that they are the ducks nuts mate. Check out the link R6100 Red Dot Rooftop Truck Airconditioner | Red Dot Automotive Airconditioning (http://www.lyonsaircon.com.au/products2.asp?pid=819) .

Cheers,
Brian

[rb30gtr]

It would be pretty hard to have it registered from scratch in Vic. You would need it engineered and would require some big money to make it comply.

I went for a D2 TD5 as my bush car. They are becoming good value and often come with all the fruit like the one I picked up.

A D2 does sound interesting, and I'd love to have two Disco's in the driveway.

There is a really shmick one in the for sale section, but a few too many dollars, and I would feel terrible scratching it up in the bush


If height is not an issue, get an ex-army 110 hardtop and put on a roof mounted air con unit. One of the posters here had a few pics of one a while back.
Being an Isuzu you could turbo it and put on bigger rubber as well as offset wheels. There was a great looking 2door hardtop ex-army at the LR show in castle hill in august with 35's and a decked out rear. There is also a few power steering conversion options being talked about.


Here it is , Red dot was the name.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/90-110-130-defender-county/139456-aircon-old-chestnut.html

Wouldn't happen to have any pics of that ex army 110? I do love the thought of hitting the bush in one!


Hi,
I have an ex army 110 hard top. For the reliability, great fuel consumption, easy power steering modification and an earthmover type air conditioning unit between the front seats it makes a very robust bush machine which takes far more abuse than any of its competitors on the trails and shrugs it off while you wear the grin. They are an incredible machine that with a little patience and soundproofing can be comfortable as a highway machine to get to the bush and back again without a worry. Their hose out nature is a bit strange untill you get used to it. Sure makes for quick clean out after a trip. The power steering modification is as simple as finding yourself a reservior, some hose, a 3 or 4 bolt range rover/discovery steering box to replace the armstrong unit and the pump that bolts up right next to the injector pump. No Belts!:D Red dot do a bunch of different air con systems which work a charm and cater for as far as your wallet is deep:D. I have seen the truck units on landy roofs. Your hair would get realy cold I reckon. The sky is the limit but I realy reckon that they are the ducks nuts mate. Check out the link R6100 Red Dot Rooftop Truck Airconditioner | Red Dot Automotive Airconditioning (http://www.lyonsaircon.com.au/products2.asp?pid=819) .

Cheers,
Brian


Thanks Brian,

I will have a better look into this, I really like the whole idea!
One thing that I don't think would bother me at first is the lack of power steer, until the tyres get bigger!

Thanks for all the ideas guys.

I'll update when I make a decision.

Cheers,
Ben

[Disco Muppet]

A D2 does sound interesting, and I'd love to have two Disco's in the driveway.

There is a really shmick one in the for sale section, but a few too many dollars, and I would feel terrible scratching it up in the bush


That's why there are heaps of good ones on the market, in stock condition.
Lots of people think they're too nice to get down and dirty, us D2 owners know better :twisted:
Talk to slunnie about scratches, lockers, and big lifts.
:cool:

[rb30gtr]

Oh guys, check this out!

What a rig!!!!

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=2076737#post2076737

[PeterM]

Geez, I'm almost tempted to have a look at that one in Gumtree. Its not far from me and would be worth it for the breaking value of parts, plus what I may be able to scab off it for my own use.

The largest tyres you can get engineered are 33s and from what I have read, with a changing of the modification rules only 100mm over height increase over stock.

You can fit larger tyres under a 110/Defender than a Rangie/Disco before you have to chop guards, do lifts etc.

[rb30gtr]

That's why there are heaps of good ones on the market, in stock condition.
Lots of people think they're too nice to get down and dirty, us D2 owners know better :twisted:
Talk to slunnie about scratches, lockers, and big lifts.
:cool:

Well said Muppet,

I could be known to have a similar opinion with my D3. That and the soon to be wife doesn't want it scratched up.. haha

[Redback]

I'd go a Defender

This looks alright

1997 Land Rover Defender 110 (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Defender-1997/SSE-AD-2563409/?Cr=77&sdmvc=1)

This

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/vehicles-sale/173859-1988-isuzu-county-110-9-seater.html

This

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/vehicles-sale/190310-land-rover-county.html

or this

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/vehicles-sale/189645-1993-200tdi-defender-110-a.html

[Psimpson7]

Oh guys, check this out!

What a rig!!!!

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=2076737#post2076737

I think Sam has sold that 90

[Redback]

There is this, make him an offer:D

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/vehicles-sale/189712-2002-discovery-2-ultimate-d2-f-r-lockers-cdl-ace-sls-plus-much-more.html

Baz.

[Vern]

Buy JC's county

[rb30gtr]

Geez, I'm almost tempted to have a look at that one in Gumtree. Its not far from me and would be worth it for the breaking value of parts, plus what I may be able to scab off it for my own use.

The largest tyres you can get engineered are 33s and from what I have read, with a changing of the modification rules only 100mm over height increase over stock.

You can fit larger tyres under a 110/Defender than a Rangie/Disco before you have to chop guards, do lifts etc.

If you are looking for parts, there are a few to choose from on Gumtree.

I did not know that with tyre sizes. Bobbed D1's with what lift will fit 35+?


I'd go a Defender

This looks alright

1997 Land Rover Defender 110 (http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/Land-Rover-Defender-1997/SSE-AD-2563409/?Cr=77&sdmvc=1)

This

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/vehicles-sale/173859-1988-isuzu-county-110-9-seater.html

This

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/vehicles-sale/190310-land-rover-county.html

or this

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/vehicles-sale/189645-1993-200tdi-defender-110-a.html

Alright my afternoon is organised, thanks for the links!

[rb30gtr]

There is this, make him an offer:D

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/vehicles-sale/189712-2002-discovery-2-ultimate-d2-f-r-lockers-cdl-ace-sls-plus-much-more.html

Baz.

That is as neat as my D3! Nice rig, good mods. But a bit exy

[rb30gtr]

Buy JC's county

It's for sale?

[PeterM]

If you are looking for parts, there are a few to choose from on Gumtree.

I did not know that with tyre sizes. Bobbed D1's with what lift will fit 35+?


To get anything more than a true 32 under a D1 you have to start doing body lifts or put in blocks to limit your upward suspension travel. You simply don't have the clearance under the guards.

Going larger than 235/85R16 you also start to look at new wheels due to the offset changes to keep steering lock and also for clearance on articulation.

For 35s you are looking at a 2" body lift, the suspension lift really is immaterial as you want greater range of movement to get your best articulation. A lift just moves your starting point in most cases.

Bear in mind that in high range, anything bigger than 32s are a bit of an effort with the stock gearing. Hence why you get people doing diff ratios if they run those tyre sizes all the time.

It adds up quite quickly so you really need to have a firm plan of what you want right from the very start.

[rb30gtr]

To get anything more than a true 32 under a D1 you have to start doing body lifts or put in blocks to limit your upward suspension travel. You simply don't have the clearance under the guards.

Going larger than 235/85R16 you also start to look at new wheels due to the offset changes to keep steering lock and also for clearance on articulation.

For 35s you are looking at a 2" body lift, the suspension lift really is immaterial as you want greater range of movement to get your best articulation. A lift just moves your starting point in most cases.

Bear in mind that in high range, anything bigger than 32s are a bit of an effort with the stock gearing. Hence why you get people doing diff ratios if they run those tyre sizes all the time.

It adds up quite quickly so you really need to have a firm plan of what you want right from the very start.


Great info, thanks Peter.
Looking toward the end result, it will be lockers, axles, reduction gearing to 4:71 and fluffy dice.

Decision is made, although I'd love a Deefer, the price for what you get is out of my range. If I was going high end I would get a later model 110.

I'll be looking for an early D1 with at least 3 inch lift and 33's, and preferably a manual V8i, pretty much just for the noise haha. Something rough just for bush use only, and maybe to drive to the station occasionally.

What sort of things should one look for when buying an older D1 that has spent some serious hours offroad?

[VladTepes]

Have you ever drive a Classic Range Rover?

IMHO they are MUCH MUCH MUCH nicer than a D1. (owned both). Can easily jack them up etc (check out the "shows us ya classic rangies" thread in the Classic RR forum) and as only a weekend plaything (as opposed to a daily driver) petrol prices aren't as big an issue, so put in the biggest V8 it will cope with and GO GO GO !!!!!

[rb30gtr]

Have you ever drive a Classic Range Rover?

IMHO they are MUCH MUCH MUCH nicer than a D1. (owned both). Can easily jack them up etc (check out the "shows us ya classic rangies" thread in the Classic RR forum) and as only a weekend plaything (as opposed to a daily driver) petrol prices aren't as big an issue, so put in the biggest V8 it will cope with and GO GO GO !!!!!

Actually no I haven't! I'd love to, they look awesome.

What about availability of parts?

[Disco Muppet]

^^ Wot Mr Impaler said, it's what I'm doing for my up-coming shooting truck :D

[VladTepes]

No different to a D1 in that respect really. At least for the later 4 doors. The early 2 doors are getting a bit hard to find some bits for. Get a proper one though without the viscous coupling of the last few years of the Classic. RR fans wil be able to enlighten you more.

Seriously go pretend to a car yard or private seller that you are in the market and drive one. I bet you'll love it.

:D

[rb30gtr]

^^ Wot Mr Impaler said, it's what I'm doing for my up-coming shooting truck :D

Wait a cotton picking second... Are you going to run a 'build' thread?? Pics or it didn't happen.


No different to a D1 in that respect really. At least for the later 4 doors. The early 2 doors are getting a bit hard to find some bits for. Get a proper one though without the viscous coupling of the last few years of the Classic. RR fans wil be able to enlighten you more.

Seriously go pretend to a car yard or private seller that you are in the market and drive one. I bet you'll love it.

:D

haha on it! Ill squeeze a couple of 'test' drives in this Saturday.


This is what I'm looking for, I'd prefer the V8. But that is not based on experience with either engine,

What is better V8 or 300tdi or 200tdi?

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/showthread.php?p=2079617#post2079617

Cheers,
Ben

[Disco Muppet]

Wait a cotton picking second... Are you going to run a 'build' thread?? Pics or it didn't happen.


I said 'upcoming' meaning it hasn't happened yet :p
But yes, there will be a thread.