so I just bought a Disco, what's next?

[benzini]

Hi all,
I only just picked up my rig yesterday and am already keen to add some bits to it! As of now it has a 2.5inch suspension lift, nudge bar, roof rack, lights and trail cutter tyres (not sure what size). Initially I have about 4k to spend, which I know isn't much in 4wd part terms but it's a start for me :)

I don't know much about these cars nor where to even start when adding bits.
Intially I thought about some lockers but now I'm not sure. What would be the first things you would spend money on working with a 4k budget?

p.s: added a pic of the truck!

[disconut]

Hi all,
I only just picked up my rig yesterday and am already keen to add some bits to it! As of now it has a 2.5inch suspension lift, nudge bar, roof rack, lights and trail cutter tyres (not sure what size). Initially I have about 4k to spend, which I know isn't much in 4wd part terms but it's a start for me :)

I don't know much about these cars nor where to even start when adding bits.
Intially I thought about some lockers but now I'm not sure. What would be the first things you would spend money on working with a 4k budget?

p.s: added a pic of the truck!

A $4000,00 dollar holiday!:rolleyes:

Trev.

[dobbo]

4k, nearly a tanks worth of juice nowadays:D:D:D


Seriously just enjoy it, get use to the car before you get to keen to part with the cash. Find out what your limits are first, then when things get boring and you've conquered your local area, then consider moding.

[rangieman]

i would add a rear locker at least if you are going to play moderate to hard discos and rangies are known for weak diffs and axles arb locker with mcnamarra axles aint a bad start and a cheap option

[spudboy]

I wouldn't be spending much until you work out what you do and don't like about the car.

When you do start spending it'll depend on how you want to use it (for tough tracks, for touring, for towing etc). You might think a fridge is more useful touring through the Simpson than locking diffs.

Either way - nice looking car. Is it a diesel or petrol?

[benzini]

thanks for all the replies guys!
as for the usage, I won't be touring in it ie: Simpson desert type scenario but will be using it to run some moderate/hard trails on a weekend type basis. And using it as a daily in between. I don't really want to go too over-the-top but things like lockers, general protection stuff like rock slides, bash plates, diff plates etc are ok with me.

A holiday would be awesome but not with my work unfortunately :(

I've got some more specific queries:

- where can I find a steering stabilizer relocator kit?
- I read about injector pump tweaking/upping the boost, do these things have an adverse effect on economy?

p.s: yep it's a diesel spudboy!

[Ace]

Hi, dont worry about the locker just yet, get a second set of tyres and rims for weekend play so you can run highway tyres during the week to save your fuel bill and then get some muddies on some steel rims for the weekends.

Go out straight away and buy an uprated track rod (the bar that links between the two front wheels behind the front diff with the steering damper attached to it) they bend easy as **** when you have big tyres on and you are trying to manuvre around in the bush, and rocks etc bend them quite easily, the 32mm solid steel ones with a steering damper relocation kit is money well spend, graeme cooper in sydney does both the rod and the damper relocation kit. rock sliders are handy but not essential, if you plan to play in water a snorkel is handy, and a cargo barrier is handy to keep gear in the back from coming forward in a shunt or an accident off road, and it offers support for the roof in the event of a roll over should one happen.

thats the basics, if you arent going to go hardcore to far from the nest keep the standard axles etc until something lets go then spend the dollars upgrading, get your moneys worth out of what you have first. Matt

[seqfisho]

Being a diesel I'd be looking a snorkel very early up, then some decent front recovery points, the tyres look ok from the pic

A cargo barrier and good recovery gear will certainly build a good base to work from.

Maybe a decent front bar but thats a personal thing, but easier if you want to mount a winch.

If you are going to do some harder style trips then a diff guard or two wouldn't go astray if not already fitted.

BTW that's a very neat looking truck, you bought well. Tell us some more about it.

[spudboy]

I've got some more specific queries:

- where can I find a steering stabilizer relocator kit?
- I read about injector pump tweaking/upping the boost, do these things have an adverse effect on economy?

p.s: yep it's a diesel spudboy!

More power=More diesel, although on TD5s you can (supposedly) get more power AND more economy by enhancing the ECU.

[benzini]

thanks for all the comments and suggestions everyone, really helpful! :)
it seems to be a pretty clean truck Glen, runs well, clean interior and the exterior isn't too bad either. Couple of initial things that i'll be doing is taking off the roofrack as I have no need for it, and trying to figure out this noise that the clutch makes. I'm not sure if it's a normal disco thing or not but theres a sort of loud tappin/clunking sound when depressing the clutch to change gears. Anyone heard of that before?

I'm not sure if the current tyres are good for road use or not, I'll have to do some more investigation into that one.

thats some good info there Matt but if I read correctly on the Graeme Cooper site, after buying the heavy duty track rod if I want to then be able to move the stabiliser using the Auxiliary Steering Damper Bracket, I have to buy the Heavy duty drag link as well?... ! is that right?

spudboy, so more power = more juice... sounds familiar.. :)

with the buying of a weekend fun set of tyres, what's a good size to buy without going over the top and putting too much stress on the various driveline components?

[Quiggers]

Nice looking Disco you found Benzi. Well done.
If you want to get rid of that rack, I'm interested.
Cheers, GQ

[Ace]

thanks for all the comments and suggestions everyone, really helpful! :)
it seems to be a pretty clean truck Glen, runs well, clean interior and the exterior isn't too bad either. Couple of initial things that i'll be doing is taking off the roofrack as I have no need for it, and trying to figure out this noise that the clutch makes. I'm not sure if it's a normal disco thing or not but theres a sort of loud tappin/clunking sound when depressing the clutch to change gears. Anyone heard of that before?

I'm not sure if the current tyres are good for road use or not, I'll have to do some more investigation into that one.

thats some good info there Matt but if I read correctly on the Graeme Cooper site, after buying the heavy duty track rod if I want to then be able to move the stabiliser using the Auxiliary Steering Damper Bracket, I have to buy the Heavy duty drag link as well?... ! is that right?

spudboy, so more power = more juice... sounds familiar.. :)

with the buying of a weekend fun set of tyres, what's a good size to buy without going over the top and putting too much stress on the various driveline components?

I just checked the graeme cooper site again and it appears you are right, you need to buy the drag link as well i missed this the first time, the reason for this is that the new track rod doesnt have a bracket to remount the damper so it needs to be relocated but moving it up higher infront of the diff saves you dollars anyway as they are easy to damage where they are. I bought a kit off Discowhite who had one left over when he made some up at the time he made one for his using phils kit meant i didnt need a heavy duty drag link. I havent got the rod yet but the one on mine is the second i have been through and the second one i have bent so its next on the list. Matt

[benzini]

no worries Matt, just thought I'd ask as I don't know much about these things! :)

cheers GQ!

[JohnM]

G'day Congrats on your purchase/investment....well done. Like other have said take some time to see what you do like to do in your new toy and go from there....I guess one of the first things I would do is give it a good going over, change all the fluids, oils etc. Timing belt maybe as well...(Obviously depends on what was done by the previous owner and what records they kept.) But regardless at least do the engine oil and filter, then progress to rest. This way you will also begin to know the truck and become more familiar with it. But don't forget to have fun and just enjoy it, and get out and about in our great backyard.

Cheers

[Ace]

no worries Matt, just thought I'd ask as I don't know much about these things! :)

cheers GQ!

Send Discowhite a PM he might have a kit left, his were only $50 and made use of the current drag link, the drag link isnt the problem so i would only assume Graeme cooper is saying you need one so you have to buy one, using DW's kit you will only need that and the new track rod. Matt

[benzini]

Thanks (again) Matt! I'll send him a pm now..
Thanks also John, fluids etc is something I'm planning on doing over the coming days.. incidentally, what oil do you use?

[cookiesa]

A Landrover Specialist And Part Suppliers

[benzini]

well I had my box pulled apart to try and locate the suspect noise and we found that the Thrust bearing carrier was stuffed! Apparently it wasn't lubed from when the previous owner changed the clutch. So now it has an extreme HD clutch, new slave cylinder, machined flywheel and a new TB carrier. Changes gears easier now but I'd still like to replace the clutch damper and put new oil in the box too.
Changing the engine oil, filter and purging the Fuel Filter tomorrow wish me luck! If I'm brave enough I might check to see what sort of condition the timing belt is in. Any ideas on what else I can do myself?

btw, does anyone know the correct boss kit part no for a 93' disco Tdi?

regards,
Ben

[igould]

with the buying of a weekend fun set of tyres, what's a good size to buy without going over the top and putting too much stress on the various driveline components?

31's won't go on without cutting your guards. I've got a set for mine, but they scrape/cut on the rear guards at near full articulation (no lift on mine :cry: )

But I agree with Ace, get yourself a set of tyres for play, and a set for the road. It allows you get a smooth, quiet, safe tyre for your daily driving, and an aggressive tyre for play.
Keep your eyes open and you'll get some good bargains. I got 5 usable AT's on Rangie alloys for $200 out of the Trading Post, then when they wore out I picked up 5 70% BFG 31" Muddies for $350, fitted and balanced.

The "Markets" on here, Outer Limits: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modules/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=38&sid=6ff814e286226281ab91283431309f8c and ebay are worth watching. Be patient and you'll get some good stuff at great prices.

Just spotted these on Outer Limits: http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/PHP_Modules/phpBB2/viewtopic.php't=78010. Could be worth a nice drive to Canberra.

By the way, welcome to the obsession.

Ian

[Jukebox]

Hey buddy
Replace those plastic plugs on your radiator and air bleeder,
They are crap,one split on my easter trip.
Lucky I sore the temp gauge and stopped.
NRMA it pays to belong.

Jukebox :)

[Ace]

well I had my box pulled apart to try and locate the suspect noise and we found that the Thrust bearing carrier was stuffed! Apparently it wasn't lubed from when the previous owner changed the clutch. So now it has an extreme HD clutch, new slave cylinder, machined flywheel and a new TB carrier. Changes gears easier now but I'd still like to replace the clutch damper and put new oil in the box too.
Changing the engine oil, filter and purging the Fuel Filter tomorrow wish me luck! If I'm brave enough I might check to see what sort of condition the timing belt is in. Any ideas on what else I can do myself?

btw, does anyone know the correct boss kit part no for a 93' disco Tdi?

regards,
Ben

Hi Ben glad to hear you got the Gearbox problem sorted. Doing gear box oil is easy, but you will near a Torx spanner/key set as the filler plug isnt like the ones on the diffs and transfer case, i bought a set only cost me 20 bucks and works with a half inch drive socket set, for oil i use MTF 94 manual transmission oil made especially for Land Rover by caltex, if you dont know where your nearest distributor is ring them and they will tell you. Do the diffs and transfercase oil whilst you are at it but you 80W/90 gear oil, i use caltex for that aswell but and good brand will do provided its the same weight.

How many Km has the car done, its done more than 80000km and you arent sure if the timing belt has been replaced just do it as a precaution, a basic kit from British 4wd in melbourne will set you back a bit over $300 this includes the belt and pulleys etc.

Whilst you are doing the fuel filter check the fuel line that runs from the lift pump to the top of the fuel filter casing, if its a hard plastic line that doesnt appear to have any give in it pull it off, cut the line of the brass fittings and go to pirtek or something similar and get some fuel line that is 5-10cm longer and some hose clamps to suit, fit the line to the brass fittings and secure with the clamps and refit. The reason for this is because that line is to short and places stress on the fitting attached to the lift pump, over time is stresses the metal and will eventually leak. Matt

[benzini]

thanks for all the advice again guys. I successfully change the oil & filter today, although not without me spilling oil absolutely everywhere all over the drive! :o

I've got my eyes on some road going tyres atm, it's already got 31' muddies on there now as it has 2.5" spring lift.

I'm aware of the radiator plug but what's an air bleeder and where do I locate that? Is the radiator plug a simple 'take out and replace job'?

The original noise that I was worried about is still there Ace and I'm wondering if it's just me being pedantic and the noise is supposed to be there?? I am having the usual 1st, 2nd & R notchiness so we'll see what happens after I change the trans oil and the damper. Thanks for the tips, I'll get onto that as well. How hard is the clutch damper to replace? Reckon I could do it myself? If that still doesn't fix it I'll look at the clutch fork but I'd be surprised if it was that as the fourbie place I took it to didn't pick up on it.
Is the timing belt an easy DIY job too? I'm a little concerned about that too now as the car has done over 200k!

Finally, what is normal operating temp for these beasts.. Mine never goes above just below half... good?

Thanks for help guys, you're really helping out a LandRover noob!

Cheers,
Ben

[one_iota]

What is next?

Don't forget the mechanicals but above all...

Get out...drive it...enjoy it and learn

Suppress the theory and gather experience.

They are a vehicle that will challenge the driver in stock form so find the limits.

I will add that I bought my Disco before this place was conceived so it has been a case of the Disco and the driver coming to terms...a comfortable relationship with a support group when things get tough.

Drive it as it was meant to be driven.

:D

[RobHay]

I would also invest in a 5" lift to the house so you can get the beast under cover:D