D3 Fitting out for road trip.

[CaptAwsm]

Hi everyone.

So I'm finally pulling my finger out and sorting stuff in my '06 TDV6. First thing to do was a Steel Pan conversion. Given the fact that my car had done over 200k kms before I purchased it, it was showing signs that this was necessary. And it was. Turns out I have the record for the blackest oil to come out of a Disco3 auto box :/

Next thing ordered is a Pioneer Platform roof rack. I've seen this and a friends 200 series has one which I loaded stuff on. These look quite useful for loading swags and lighter stuff on. Got a good deal from the local AutoPro here.85402

That's it for the disco so far. There'll be a two way installed as soon as I can make up my mind where to mount it. It's GME with the remote hand piece. Last Discovery I had (D2 Td5) I mounted it on the right side of the centre console facing outwards so the speaker was facing me.

So this is my Discovery 3 before everything gets done. 85403Hope to come back with changes on it.

Ben.

[LandyAndy]

Onya Ben.
Like the rack.Interested in similar or 3 Rola style bars.
Ive got a heap of gear waiting to go into my D4,Im part way thru building a fridge frame to hold my 80lt Engel.
Andrew

[shanegtr]

Nice disco, same colour as mine by the look of it

[CaptAwsm]

Yeah Andy, I was undecided with the rack as to whether to have the full size or the 3/4. Picked the 3/4 for price and it doesn't overhang the dip on the front.

Cheers Shane. I keep being told that these blue ones are the best colour.

[LandyAndy]

Ben.
There is a get together trip in the WA AULROians area coming up if you havent seen it.
Andrew

[shorty]

Hi Ben,

I am in WA with a similar age Disco and looking for a good place to buy a pioneer rack. I'm not that familiar with how the forums work and haven't yet worked out how to PM but would be interested to know which Autopro you got it from and approx price. The quotes I have had all seem to be 'full' price with no deals.

Cheers,

Matt

[LandyAndy]

Matt.
Left click on his username,it will give you the PM option;);););)
You are welcome to join our WA AULROian get together too if you wish:cool::cool::cool::cool:
Andrew

[CaptAwsm]

I'd come Andy, except I'll be away in Exmouth by then.

Ben.

[jimc]

Preping for a roadtrip is good fun, though can be expensive.

some things I deemed must haves..

dual battery plus anderson at rear of car (charges camper batteries while on the move)
linear LED in car module
bullbar
UHF
mitchell bros hitch
upgrade of head unit with rear camera and ipod filled with music/podcasts etc
a fully serviced vehicle
smallish fridge in the car and plates and cups ready for lunch on the go
epirb or sat phone if you are heading off the highways

handy to have

rear wheel carrier
long range tank
fuel water seperator
lumbar support for the driver
heaps of activies for any kids
cig lighter to USB 2.5amp charger for tablets/gps and the like

I guess it depends on where you are going and when. A mate did the **** box rally in a bog stock vt commodore. The rally went through the GRR and this and many other city cars made the trip without any serious preperation, only a few side wall punctures!

[CaptAwsm]

Preping for a roadtrip is good fun, though can be expensive.

some things I deemed must haves..

dual battery plus anderson at rear of car (charges camper batteries while on the move)
linear LED in car module
bullbar
UHF
mitchell bros hitch
upgrade of head unit with rear camera and ipod filled with music/podcasts etc
a fully serviced vehicle
smallish fridge in the car and plates and cups ready for lunch on the go
epirb or sat phone if you are heading off the highways

handy to have

rear wheel carrier
long range tank
fuel water seperator
lumbar support for the driver
heaps of activies for any kids
cig lighter to USB 2.5amp charger for tablets/gps and the like

I guess it depends on where you are going and when. A mate did the **** box rally in a bog stock vt commodore. The rally went through the GRR and this and many other city cars made the trip without any serious preperation, only a few side wall punctures!

Cheers for the input Jim. You're pretty much on par with what I'm thinking. Yeah, it is exciting but not cheap. I just look at it as an investment. Do it now and properly and I've got a trip ready vehicle.

I was fortunate enough to buy the vehicle with an ARB bullbar, so that's already off the list. Pretty much my priorities are UHF, roof rack and tyres/wheel align. Got prices for General Grabber AT 255/60R18 for $315ea. When I got the Steel Pan down they saw the tyres and its wearing down the right side tyres on the insides. I don't want to be tempting fate between Carnarvon and Exmouth!

I know what you mean about "that" rally. Me and some mates have often driven $200 bombs about 300kms to a mates farm for our own rally's and general vehicle thrashing.

Ben.

[ADMIRAL]

I have mentioned this previously. Just watch your weight. it is frightening how fast the weight adds up.

Add a bullbar, sidesteps, an aux tank, a spare wheel carrier, a roofrack, a fridge, a dual battery and a passenger ( no room for the kids, sorry ) , and bingo you are on the GVM without even loading the vehicle up. What totally screws the exercise, is then adding 200 odd kilos of ball weight from a caravan. Have a good think before committing to each item. If you don't intend to add ballweight, you will be ok, if you are sensible.

[TerryO]

I agree with Admiral, being overweight can be a real worry. It's a good idea to put your vehicle across a weigh bridge before you start adding extra's as nearly every Disco has a different build TARE weight depending on how they came from the factory. Don't rely upon what are accepted norms or is in the Red Book.

When I weighed the D4 after first getting it, from memory, I found it was something like 120 kg more than LR said its build weight was for that model.

[CaptAwsm]

Cheers guys. Yeah won't be going to far overboard on the weight side this time. Just the basics for now, will add dual battery/fridge/wheel carrier/etc in future time based on how often im going to need it. No point buying accessories that I won't use. (My car spends 90% of its time on road. More highway work than anything atm)

Ben.

[BSM]

I have a blue D3 looks just like yours,2005 model. I'm preparing it for a big trip next year. I've got a bar, rack and other protection, but other than a Traxide dual battery, all of the mods that I'm going to do are on the mechanicals, such as struts, compressor, diff, lower control arms. All the bling means nothing if the car breaks down. That has has to be number one priority.

[CaptAwsm]

Yeah mate, that's my intention too. Get it there, get it back. Hence why it's already had the transmission serviced and hopefully tyres and wheel align soon too. Turns out it's had the ball joints replaced so there's a win.

Ben.

[QPN]

Hi everyone.

So I'm finally pulling my finger out and sorting stuff in my '06 TDV6.

Ben.


Replaced the front and rear timing belts ? Maybe the previous owner did ?

[CaptAwsm]

Previous owner, full service history so I was told. Beginning to become not so fond of dealerships though. Mainly trust issues I guess.

[CaptAwsm]

So finally paid off the roof rack. $990 for the 3/4 length if you were wondering. Gonna mount the two way under the ashtray and ciggie lighter. Hopefully getting some General Grabber ATs to replace the current tyres. Chewed out the right hand tyres like mental.

Ben.

[CaptAwsm]

So, just a bit of an update.

Fitted up the Pioneer platform, looks really nice. No extra wind noise from what I've noticed.

[LandyAndy]

Roofrack looks good.
Will be looking at them on saturday at the 4x4 show.
Andrew