Towing a Disco

[johnclv]

Hi all

Asking a question on behalf of a friend of mine.

He is towing his 2001 TD5 disco behind a bus, having the rear wheels running on the ground and whilst the front wheels are held of the ground ( I have not seen it myself )

Anyway he was told that when he tows he needs to remove the rear tailshaft for safety, but that seems very odd to me ( auto gear box )

I told him that he should just be able to leave his transfer case in neutral and his gearbox also and that should be more then sufficient. Tell me I am not being nuts??

As for my disco. Its gone. I never had a more unreliable car. Cost me a fortune to buy, fortune to keep running and hard to sell.

What did I replace it with? A car that most mechanics know about, parts are easily available, has great grunt and reliability. A 100 series turbo diesel Land Cruiser.


Cheers


Sorry folks I have to say

[Tombie]

Hi all

Asking a question on behalf of a friend of mine.

He is towing his 2001 TD5 disco behind a bus, having the rear wheels running on the ground and whilst the front wheels are held of the ground ( I have not seen it myself )

Anyway he was told that when he tows he needs to remove the rear tailshaft for safety, but that seems very odd to me ( auto gear box )

I told him that he should just be able to leave his transfer case in neutral and his gearbox also and that should be more then sufficient. Tell me I am not being nuts??

As for my disco. Its gone. I never had a more unreliable car. Cost me a fortune to buy, fortune to keep running and hard to sell.

What did I replace it with? A car that most mechanics know about, parts are easily available, has great grunt and reliability. A 100 series turbo diesel Land Cruiser.


Cheers


Sorry folks I have to say

LMAO...

100 Series requires ECU access to control... Most mechs dont have the systems...:tease:

Great grunt... :whistling:

Parts, besides filters are NOT easily available, just wait till you need a driveline component and have a 6-8 week ex-Japan delay... (Common)

But hey, just adopt that Toyota mentality and on your way.... :angel:

BTW, Your mate should flat tow on a trailer, cheaper, and less wear on any components of the vehicle.

[wovenrovings]

He should diconnect the rear driveshaft or the centre diff will be running constantly in a manner it is not designed to do.

[101RRS]

Being constant 4wd with a centre diff - a D2 should not be towed and great distance with just the rear wheels on the ground.

The rear wheels will be trying to drive the front wheels and because they cannot the centre diff will be working overtime and is likely to fail. Having the gearbox and transfer case in neutral will have not impact on this aspect.

My understanding this is a definitely a no, no on constant 4wd vehicles.

Garry

[trobbo]

I told him that he should just be able to leave his transfer case in neutral and his gearbox also and that should be more then sufficient. Tell me I am not being nuts??

Hmmm perhaps this is part of the reason why your disco proved unreliable.


In answer to your question definately No.
Not sure if it would be possible to use the small wheel trolleys that tow truck operators sometimes use when towing. Otherwise it should be put on a trailer or as your friend was advised remove the rear tail shaft

[Psimpson7]

Yep, you definetley shouldn't do that (tow with 2 wheels off the ground with everything connected). He will need some gearbox work if hes not careful

[Utemad]

To remove the rear drive shaft it is only 3 bolts on the diff end. Then tie the drive shaft up out of the way.
Just remember it is there otherwise there will be damage.

I have never needed to do something like this and would prefer a trailer if it was me. However the cost of the rear tyres, diff, bearings, suspension etc on the Disco are probably a lot cheaper than buying a quality trailer and then doing tyres and bearings etc on that.

My Discovery was cheap to buy and is cheap to run while being reliable. Sorry to hear you had a bad run.

[johnclv]

Thanks all

I just thought that with the transfer in Neutral that it is just the same as having it physically disconnected.

My Disco, I never towed it that way. It was towed many times on a flat bed though when to broke down. Fuel pump, gearbox (2X ) etc etc.

I did take very good care of it. The only reliable thing about the car was that it would break down regularly and cost me $$$$

Cheers

[Tank]

Hi all

Asking a question on behalf of a friend of mine.

He is towing his 2001 TD5 disco behind a bus, having the rear wheels running on the ground and whilst the front wheels are held of the ground ( I have not seen it myself )

Anyway he was told that when he tows he needs to remove the rear tailshaft for safety, but that seems very odd to me ( auto gear box )

I told him that he should just be able to leave his transfer case in neutral and his gearbox also and that should be more then sufficient. Tell me I am not being nuts??

As for my disco. Its gone. I never had a more unreliable car. Cost me a fortune to buy, fortune to keep running and hard to sell.

What did I replace it with? A car that most mechanics know about, parts are easily available, has great grunt and reliability. A 100 series turbo diesel Land Cruiser.


Cheers


Sorry folks I have to say
Remove axles and replace drive flanges is my method or remove T/shaft from rear diff.
You are in for a rude shock, you have been conned that Toyotas are ultra reliable and that spares are cheap and AVAILABLE, sorta like that myth that Holdens are Australian. I had a 2 week old Toyota Land Cruiser drop a tailshaft and the pinion shaft dropped back into the diff, destroying it, causing the backend to lock up and the car spin 360's in Sydney traffic, lucky no one was killed. Toyota said it would be 6 weeks before a new diff could be shipped from Japan. Bull**** I said and kicked up so much stink that they stripped the **** end out of a showroom car, Just Imagine if it had happened out the back of Bourke, Toyota parts are way past extremely expensive, for example a PCV for a Corolla $35, Ford/Holden $5, aftermarket $2.50, Toyota's are crap, Regards Frank.

[johnclv]

Thanks all for your replies

As far as the Toyota thing goes, I have been traveling around OZ for 2 years. I started in my Disco but had so much trouble with it I swapped over to a Cruiser which I have had for a while now and I can tell you which has been not only more reliable but also tows a lot better.

I bought my disco for $36K, spent about $16K on parts and maintenance and could only get $12K when selling it.

You don't have to look far in the country to see that it is Toyota and Nissan country out here and that would not be the case if if they were more unreliable then other makes.

If I pull into a country town and wanted to find parts for a Toyota or a Disco I would know which I am more likely to find.

Its easy to work on. I don't have a oil filter up under the exhaust manifold and I have space under the bonnet.

Yes the disco was nice to drive etc, but if I add up the pro's and con's its my cruiser any day

[Tank]

Thanks all for your replies

As far as the Toyota thing goes, I have been traveling around OZ for 2 years. I started in my Disco but had so much trouble with it I swapped over to a Cruiser which I have had for a while now and I can tell you which has been not only more reliable but also tows a lot better.

I bought my disco for $36K, spent about $16K on parts and maintenance and could only get $12K when selling it.

You don't have to look far in the country to see that it is Toyota and Nissan country out here and that would not be the case if if they were more unreliable then other makes.

If I pull into a country town and wanted to find parts for a Toyota or a Disco I would know which I am more likely to find.

Its easy to work on. I don't have a oil filter up under the exhaust manifold and I have space under the bonnet.

Yes the disco was nice to drive etc, but if I add up the pro's and con's its my cruiser any day
You're dreaming, Regards frank.

[lokka]

Thanks all for your replies

As far as the Toyota thing goes, I have been traveling around OZ for 2 years. I started in my Disco but had so much trouble with it I swapped over to a Cruiser which I have had for a while now and I can tell you which has been not only more reliable but also tows a lot better.

I bought my disco for $36K, spent about $16K on parts and maintenance and could only get $12K when selling it.

You don't have to look far in the country to see that it is Toyota and Nissan country out here and that would not be the case if if they were more unreliable then other makes.

If I pull into a country town and wanted to find parts for a Toyota or a Disco I would know which I am more likely to find.

Its easy to work on. I don't have a oil filter up under the exhaust manifold and I have space under the bonnet.

Yes the disco was nice to drive etc, but if I add up the pro's and con's its my cruiser any day

LOL sounds like you must run a fruit n veg shop cause ya shure know how to buy lemons :D:D:D:D

Tell ya mate to get him self a fat ass hungy like yours and fit free wheelin hubs to the rear diff so he can free wheel it when towing and he can then join the toyota tuff gang like you :D:D:D:D

Tho if ya mate is smart the only advice he will take from you is to log on here him self to get his own advice from like minded people

[johnclv]

I can tell you are all jealous :D :D :D

I have just done a round trip from Karratha via Karajini to Tom price. How many Land Rovers did I see?

I saw one Disco 3 and one Defender on a flat tray getting towed into Karratha which by the way no longer has a LR dealer. ( Nearest one is Perth. )

How many LR did I see the mining companies buy/use?? None of course

Look, if you are happy with yours, good on you. I am happy for you.

I talked to many LR drivers in my two year trip around OZ an a lot were unhappy.

In the time I had mine when traveling around OZ ( I have been on the road for 2 years now ), just in 9 months alone, I had the following issues

1. Double Cardon joint ( however you spell it )
2. Exhaust man studs
3. XYZ sensor on gear box
4. Auto gear box failure
5. Roof lining falling down
6. Rear door not opening due to dust ingress
7. Gear box mounts broken
8. Side doors not opening due to dust.

In my opinion, not a car that could handle a lot of dust, heat and corrugations.

How many issues have i had with my cruiser that only had 50K less on the clock, absolutely nothing and its had a hard life. Gibb river, Tanami desert to name a few.

So to me it speaks for its self.


Good luck with yours, you will need it :D:D:D:D

[Tombie]

Seriously John

Take your Toyota, have a great time, and nick off :mad:

Every fault you basically quoted (bar xyz) has been the same issues experienced by my mates cruiser...

And the other day I watched 3 flatbeds go through Pt Augusta...

2 Cruisers (100 and 200 series) and a GU 3.0L

So get off your high horse. :banban:

:2up:

[Lotz-A-Landies]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2013/01/1292.jpg if we have to listen to stuff about the LC 100 turbo whatever.

Regarding the disco being towed behind a bus with the front wheels off the ground.

As others have said not the thing to do with a constant 4WD system even on a Japanese make. Should only be considered on a vehicle with a selectable 2WD system.

If your friend is going to use one of those "dolly" trailers to connect the Disco to the bus, then he should be investigating the regulations in each of the states he wishes to traverse. NSW has weight and speed limits on their use, I am sure the Disco is above the permissible weight and the speed limit from memory is 80KPH max when in use, even for dolly trailers registered in other states.

[johnclv]

Tho if ya mate is smart the only advice he will take from you is to log on here him self to get his own advice from like minded people

I can't get hold of my mate in Karratha, because he is one his way down to the Southerns LR ( approx 3000 KM round trip ) in Perth to get his immobilizer fixed, the doors are locking on him when he is inside the car and he can't get out

[dobbo]

Ever notice how these Toyo drivers are always saying how reliable there cars are yet you never see anyone driving them on anywhere but motorways, soccer games and the local supermarket carparks?

John if it is so indestructable come out on a trip, I bet you I can break it and have it flatbeded home. That way you can tell Roothie about it and pat his bum in the special top bloke fashion.

[johnclv]

I should say, thanks to all over the last few years for all the advice.

I only really jumped back onto this forum to ask a question for my mate, not really to rubbish LR's

I do think I had a real lemon when it comes to LR's but I am enjoying no longer stressing out about my car anymore.

If my LR had not been such a lemon then I would still have it.



So good luck to you all

[Lotz-A-Landies]

We all have our preferences and our prejudices. It's good to see that someone gets out and enjoys their 4WD whatever make it is.

[B92 8NW]

If you're happy with your Toyota, that's all good, but we're Land Rover owners, and this is a Land Rover forum. There is no need to continue extolling the virtues of your Toyota here.

[dobbo]

I can't get hold of my mate in Karratha, because he is one his way down to the Southerns LR ( approx 3000 KM round trip ) in Perth to get his immobilizer fixed, the doors are locking on him when he is inside the car and he can't get out


Bull****, mine has had this issue since March and I'm still driving it, tell him to pull the door handle, failing that use the keycode. I have never been flatbedded home in any of my Land Rovers. I cannot say the same for the Toyotas I have owned, would you like to see the tow truck receipts? Anyway get use to these issues, if history is anything to go by (and it usually is) the 2010 Toyo will copy all the electric mods cons from the 1999 D2, they have in the past and will into the future.

[johnclv]

If you're happy with your Toyota, that's all good, but we're Land Rover owners, and this is a Land Rover forum. There is no need to continue extolling the virtues of your Toyota here.

Agreed. Dead right!!!

No BS about my mate. He is on his way to Perth to sort it out. If they copy the electonics, they will first fix alll the bugs :)


I'll exit this forum for good now. Its brought back bad memories :(

CU all later

[Tombie]

I'll exit this forum for good now. Its brought back bad memories :(

CU all later

Dont let the door smack you on the ar... on the way out.....

[Lotz-A-Landies]

I can't believe the lot of you.

The question was about flat towing a Disco but everyone had to get all their feathers ruffled because he decided to move to another marque. That's his choice and maybe he was rude but you lot were no better. :mad:

Diana

[Tombie]

I am a Grumpy Old Man after-all...



Sorry Diana....

:angel:

[awabbit6]

I can't believe the lot of you.

The question was about flat towing a Disco but everyone had to get all their feathers ruffled because he decided to move to another marque. That's his choice and maybe he was rude but you lot were no better. :mad:

Diana

Well said Diana.

Reading the last 3 pages was like reading some of the rubbish that gets posted on other forums.

It's not what I have come to expect from the members of this forum.

[B92 8NW]

I can't believe the lot of you.

The question was about flat towing a Disco but everyone had to get all their feathers ruffled because he decided to move to another marque. That's his choice and maybe he was rude but you lot were no better. :mad:

Diana

A lot of people here have moved to another marque, or at least own other makes of 4wds/cars. It only needs to be said once. The persistence in explaining why Toyotas are better than LRs over and over again on a LR forum makes all of us look like morons for owning them. I bought LRs for the community, identity, capability...., not to be made to look like a clueless idiot.

[weeds]

yep agree with dianna

contribute to the thread or move on........

[101RRS]

I am a Grumpy Old Man after-all...
Sorry Diana....

:angel:

Agree :D

[mcrover]

Both of them made the same mistake......they bought a D2 :wasntme::p

By the way, the last good Landcruiser they made was the 80 series, pretty much the same as a 1977 Rangerover with a bigger body and a 6 not an 8cyl engine.

If your going to come on this forum to bag Landrovers you should expect to get flamed.

Pretty much covers it I think.

Good luck on your trip mate and I hope the outerlimits forum or 4x4 monthy forum folks are nice to you :D

Cheers Damo

[pawl]

I can't believe the lot of you.

The question was about flat towing a Disco but everyone had to get all their feathers ruffled because he decided to move to another marque. That's his choice and maybe he was rude but you lot were no better. :mad:

Diana

You know, somehow I think it had nothing to do with moving to another marque, it was that smart remark at the end of his first post. If he had only asked the question and kept it at that, he would've got helpful responses.
But..... he had to throw that last line in, on a LR Forum and he expects not to get the responses he got!! come on, go and try that on a Toyo or Nissan Forum and see how popular you become.:p

[Rosscoe68]

each to there own is all i can say.

i just came back from a trip to the tip of cape york with a mate of mine, he owns a 2 y.o. $50k troopy camper. on the trip he replaced 1 side window that randomly cracked and gearbox died twice. first at hughenden cost $2500 for some rear housing that was cracked. second time was on way back into townsville and the whole geabox implded and that cost over $5500.
Meanwhile D2 had a ose clamp let go which i replaced for $2.00 and some coolant dropped. i think i win :)

[justinc]

each to there own is all i can say.

i just came back from a trip to the tip of cape york with a mate of mine, he owns a 2 y.o. $50k troopy camper. on the trip he replaced 1 side window that randomly cracked and gearbox died twice. first at hughenden cost $2500 for some rear housing that was cracked. second time was on way back into townsville and the whole geabox implded and that cost over $5500.
Meanwhile D2 had a ose clamp let go which i replaced for $2.00 and some coolant dropped. i think i win :)

Cruiser gearboxes...:mad:

We just had one that spat reverse gear. At 60K. The cost of repairs etc due to the damage to the housing and all meant it was cheaper to buy a new trans.:eek:
The most amazing thing about this is that there were 126 of these gearboxes in STOCK, ON THE SHELF!!! Apparently the mines go through hundreds of them.
They are a V6 Forerunner box in the later 79 series, and just can't handle the diesel torque.

:D:D:D:D:D:D (I'm allowing myself a few 'gloating' smilies here!)

JC

[slug_burner]

some of you blokes bite pretty hard.

[rovercare]

Cruiser gearboxes...:mad:

We just had one that spat reverse gear. At 60K. The cost of repairs etc due to the damage to the housing and all meant it was cheaper to buy a new trans.:eek:
The most amazing thing about this is that there were 126 of these gearboxes in STOCK, ON THE SHELF!!! Apparently the mines go through hundreds of them.
They are a V6 Forerunner box in the later 79 series, and just can't handle the diesel torque.

:D:D:D:D:D:D (I'm allowing myself a few 'gloating' smilies here!)

JC

Only on the N/A models (1HZ), that's why you buy the Turbo (1HD-FTE) it has the same gearbag as the 100 series and is much stronger

My old boy sold his 78 troopy and bought a 79RV for this concern

Toyota reliability? well its done over 100,00kms, simpson, cape york, kimberelys, canning, alot of it towing a Kimberely Kamper

Troubles?................the clutch slips on hard 1st high range launching with the trailer on in sand, that's it




Back to the original question, without one eyed opinionated BS from both sides

No, you can;t tow it like that, it has a centre diff and all will be destroyed rapidly;)

[Blknight.aus]

the last good Landcruiser they made



They made a good Landcruiser?
:angel:

[JohnE]

I can't believe the lot of you.

The question was about flat towing a Disco but everyone had to get all their feathers ruffled because he decided to move to another marque. That's his choice and maybe he was rude but you lot were no better. :mad:

Diana


Been away for a few days, you beat me to this,
another example of how some people are treated on this site, no wonder he said he had bad memories of it.
People buy and drive cars and 4wds that suit their needs!
A question was asked and in the replies that followed , he was publically shamed in a manner that has become all too frequent on this site.
Being grumpy or gruff is no excuse for not being civil and polite.


john

[johnclv]

You know, somehow I think it had nothing to do with moving to another marque, it was that smart remark at the end of his first post. If he had only asked the question and kept it at that, he would've got helpful responses.
But..... he had to throw that last line in, on a LR Forum and he expects not to get the responses he got!! come on, go and try that on a Toyo or Nissan Forum and see how popular you become.:p

I could not leave the site the way I did, so

Firstly, if I offended anyone, I am sorry. I do apologize.

Secondly, the "smart remark" is called banter/humour. Something Aussie that is being lost more and more from our culture as we change more and more from a selfless to a selfish country/people.

My Disco was a piece of SH.T and even more so when I compare to how my Cruiser goes, not only in reliability and also grunt. I never said to anyone here that their own Disco was a piece of ****. The closest I may have come to that was to say that with all the Toyota's and Nissan out here in the bush and on the mines it is obvious that they have a good name compared to LR.

Anyway, that's all I want to say.

CU all later

[101RRS]

And it starts again??? I hope not - can we all leave it at that - pleeaasseeee