Disco 1 airbags. Years?

[Utemad]

Hi all,

I have been looking for my perfect D1 for a little while now. I thought I was looking for a 94-98 model. However as I want a base model with no airbags or ABS do I need to cut it back to a 94-96?

Any 97-98 models I have seen all seem to have at least a drivers airbag if not a passenger one as well. Some even have ABS.

I found a vehicle that was exactly what I wanted but has a drivers airbag. It is a 1997 model.

Thanks.

[stevo]

don't forget that they have to be replaced every so often I think it was 10 years but it may now be more

[Utemad]

Which is one of the reasons I want one without airbags.

[disconut]

Originally posted by Utemad
Which is one of the reasons I want one without airbags.

Does an RWC require an "in date" air bag?
If not you don't have a problem. Just unplug it so it can,t go off. Having said that, it is a safety device so why not have it.
Of course the Defenders do not have them. May be you should buy a Defender?

Trev.

[stevo]

ooops should have read that one twice utemad,and I think for the road worthy that they must be connected and not past the expirey date

[DeeJay]

I know all about airbags- I married one.
Seriously though ( hang on I was serious)..
We have a '96 model Disco and the expert opinion - in Vic anyway is that there is no expiry date requirement as far as rego or re- rego is concerned.
One workshop I use - OK Fred Smith in Bayswater, says he just cannot get a committment out of the Vicroads people.
Therefore insurance companies are also non- committal.
There are heaps of SAABS etc from the 70's & 80's with airbags that fly through the RWC, re-rego process.
The 10 year thing is only a servicing requirement according to what I've heard..
If I was looking for another Disco, I would get the best bang for buck regardless of the year. No harn looking into it in your state though.
My pennyworth... https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Utemad]

The 10 year thing is not really the main thing. I want to hold onto this 4wd for a while (have had my Rodeo for 5.5 years) and I am probably going to never sell the Disco (due to being worth nothing https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ ) so I want to be able to do mods galore if I so choose. Therefore something without airbags or ABS would be best.
I suppose I could disconnect the airbags and be no worse off safety wise than if I never had them but I wouldn't think that was too legal.
You are not supposed to body lift an airbag equipped vehicle.
Plus being a Landrover the less electrics the better :wink:

Is disconnecting the airbags just a case of pulling a fuse?

[DeeJay]

Yes, they have thier own circuit, put a blown fuse in though, a removed one is a bit obvious. I wonder how many modded vehicles would actually pass a RWC though, one of my outlaws certifies trucks for a living, and just listening to him go on about 4wd's makes me wonder...
I at least got an "off the shelf" aftermarket suspension kit and put it on my insurance as an accessory, just in case she rolls off a mountain one day. 8O
Good luck with it all

[Utemad]

I have an interesting update.

I just got off the phone from the Queensland Transport inspection place. They told me that they will pass a body lift on an airbag equipped vehicle so long as the manufacturer says it won't affect the airbag. However they said it is up to me to find out from the manufacturer if it is ok and that they don't double check.
They also said that it is ok to disable the airbag so long as it was optional. So I assume that if I buy a 97 model which is identical to the 96 model which had a base model that didn't have airbags then I am ok. Although he said 'remove' so maybe if you want to disable it you have to pull it out entirely and not just pull the fuse.
He also said to be careful that the airbag wasn't intertwined with the ABS if it has that also.
However if you can bodylift an airbag equipped model then I don't need to disable it.
I have always read on 4x4 forums that bodylift and airbags didn't mix. Although I learnt long ago that you should 'trust no one'.

Anyway that is good news. So I have a white, base model, V8 auto Disco (with driver's airbag) to look at https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[Utemad]

Originally posted by DeeJay
I wonder how many modded vehicles would actually pass a RWC though

I'd say not many. Especially in Qld where a 15mm diameter tyre increase is max allowed.

When I make modifications I like to keep it as legal as I can. The only illegal modification on my Rodeo is the 31in tyres.

I won't make any illegal modification that is difficult or very time consuming to change back. So I have my standard tyres and rims in the garage just in case. Although I think I will run two sets of tyres on the Disco. Standard and bigger off road ones. This will keep me legal and keep the fuel economy in check.

[matbor]

Originally posted by Utemad
Any 97-98 models I have seen all seem to have at least a drivers airbag if not a passenger one as well. Some even have ABS.


My 97 Disco has no ABS or airbags !

[Pavo]

My 1997 build Disco has a drivers airbag and no ABS. I think in 96 there were some with airbags and ABS and alloys and all that (called 96.5), but in 1997, they revised the line up.

From memory, it was:
Discovery S (steel wheels, 205 tyres. No ABS, no airbags). This was 40K new I think and aimed the no frills buyer.
Discovery SE (like mine, 235 tyres, alloys (but steel spare), driver's airbag and no ABS).
Discovery SE7 (7 seater, dual airbags, 235 tyres - more stylish alloys, and ABS).

This was from 1997 until Disco II came out I think. I am really not 100% sure though.

[Utemad]

Well most of the base model 94-96 models I've looked at have not had alloys, ABS or airbags. Although some have had alloys and most had cruise control. One even had alloys, cruise control and sunroof!
All of the 97-98 base models have had alloys and at least a driver's airbag.

I would prefer a 97-98 model as the interior seems slightly upgraded over the 94-96 model. Plus it is slightly newer but at this age it is more to do with how it was looked after than its age.

[DeeJay]

Utemad,
If you ever do remove the airbag, be bloody careful, as they can trigger and possibly injur you. I got a lecture from a sparky about airbags and mucking around with electrics. My wifes 1996 Disco has ABS and airbag ( I claim to have an airbag fitted County --- when she is passenger anyway https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ )
Her Disco is an ES 7 seater. Those features were why we got rid of the '89 Rangie and bought the disco. I would remove the fuse/disconnect battery before doing any work on it. Touchwood it has been a beauty for the nearly 3 years we have had it now, only the air compressor bearings have given trouble so far.
Cheers

[Pavo]

I just found that you can see the specs etc at http://www.carsales.com.au

Apparantly top of the range in 1997 was called the Rossignol.

If the 1997-1998 models you have seen had airbags and alloys, then I would say they're not the base model. The base model from 1997 definitly had no ABS, no alloys and the 205 width tyres.

But try that web site and click 'Research Cars'.

[JohnM]

Mines a 97 TDI S no airbags etc, which was why I bought it new over the SE in 1998.

The SE was a better buy, and back then I looked into having the drivers airbag removed from factory, but I was advised against it due to insurance issues both with comprehensive and third party(Greenslip etc). Basically if you were unfortunately involved in an accident, and you had been insured for a TDI SE model and had removed the airbag, then there was a very high possibility the insurance company wouldn't pay damages etc. resulting from the accident, and then you would be up for the lot. Not just the physical damage but also personal injury etc. Not a good path to go down.

Anyway we still have it and have been very happy with its performance more now after a suspension upgrade.

[DiscoDan]

Utemad,

A mate of mine sold his 98 Disco, it had steel wheels and no air bag.

As you know with mine I have had nil probs with the bags but the ABS is a bit to quick to cut in for my liking.

I personally would not put a body lift in to a car with air bags, however i did see on 4wd tv a kit made for Land Rovers and i would use this over the standard kit that i fitted to my Rangie. When I asked main roads they said that i could run body lift on the Disco

I'll see you round the traps soon enough


Danny

[dragonwagon]

My Disco - built 7/95

Driver & passenger airbags but no ABS

I think Land Roverlacked a bit of direction there for a while :wink:

Greg

[Utemad]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I have based my assumptions on whether or not they are base models on the presence of roof bars. So maybe that is not a good indicator in the 97-98 model range? DiscoDan suggested this so lynch him if it is incorrect https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

It has also occurred to me that I don't even know why a body lift affects the airbags? Anyone know for sure?

DiscoDan I also saw that kit on 4wdTV. It certainly looks the goods but it also looks like it costs more than $100 https://www.aulro.com/afvb/
On another note DiscoDan. I tried to get in contact with the owner of that V8 that Jessie_xa bought!!! He never answered his phone when I rang and I turn up at the meeting to find Jessie bought it :cry: So long as it found a good home. Not what I am really looking for anyway but I may have bought it anyway being a series 2.

I worked in car audio in 97-98 and their was someone (no one I personally knew) who literally had his head taken off by a Discovery airbag when he was working on it. I had forgotten about that until now.

In all my looking I have never seen a 97-98 model without an airbag or with steel wheels. Yet they are extremely common in the 94-96 model.

I've got one to look at this weekend. Not the white one though. I'll leave that til later. It has only been advertised one day so I don't want to give him a heart attack with my low offer right away. This is another one that has been advertised longer. Long enough for him to have dropped to a realistic price :wink:
Same spec as white one but its dark grey.