What cost for basic mods/upgrades

[simonl8353]

Some advice please guys.

Went to Sheepyard Flat again last weekend and the D2 decided to throw everything at me.

On this trip ...

I've finally hit the low front moulding/bumper on the ES D2 too many times to ignor a bullbar mod (you know, with the low fog lights, see below pic pinched from a brochure). This time I cracked it, lost the cover that hides the tow bracket and then a cow knocked off one of the headlight washers. Moo! :eek: .. wonder why they call them bullbars duh !!!

Also this trip, the SLS seems to be evenly leaking and it drops its bum about an 1/2 inch overnight. I think thats just dust in the exhaust valve, the soapy test reveals no leak on the bags or airlines.

Also had the amigos return just 100M from home an hour before setting out (brakes squeeled loudly then the 3 lights came on) I'm having the fault codes checked on Friday.

So without any TC, ABS, HDC, at Sheepyard I locked the CDL from underneath with a spanner (damn lucky I practiced this two weeks ago) and the family had a great day out visiting Upper Jamieson Hut, Bluff Hut and Tobbaco Flat. Gotta say the CDL engaged is far far superior than the TC alone and now is definately my first mod as it drove off road better even with the amigos along for company. :o

All said, we had a great trip and now I know the D2's capability with CDL engaged am more keen that ever to keep with it.

So onto mods...

1. I'll put in a home made CDL link shortly for abouut $20 to avoid repeating the 1st deg burns I now have on my right forearm. I cant justify the $500 ish for an authentic kit. I'll make up something similar to the Rover Shoppe method posted earlier.

But what cost should I budget for:
2. Bullbar (does not need to be winch compatible, but if the budget can stretch, it would help). I'd also like to re-use the electrics and dash button to allow use for some higher mounted front fog lights.

3. Decent front recovery points x 2 (without the plastic bumper/fog light thing this will get much easier to install)

4. A 2" lift kit for D2 with SLS & ACE (despite the issues, I will keep the SLS, its just too damn useful).

Could $2k buy all this?

any advice welcome.

ps good to see a few of last years Angus led "newbie" Toolangi trip up there. No idea what your names are, but I hope you had a good day out. :D.

Cheers

[McDisco]

Simon

You would be lucky to get all that for under $2K. You might eb able to find a second hand arb bar on ebay but they are few and far between for the D2's. They will run around $1300-1500 new if I recall. If you want to keep the fog lights I think you will have to get a sahara bar, but this is only available for the D2a.

As for front recovery points, I highly recommend the ones from 4x4intelligence.com.au These are the ones I have and they are very strong and are compatible with the ARB bar. They also do the lift kits for the SLS. You could get the front suspension from someone else and get the blocks for the rear airbags and the sensor thingies from 4x4intell.

Good to see people you recognise up at Sheepyard. There are some nice tracks out that way. As for my newbies trip, I am thinking of running another one...dont know where though...

Cheers

Angus

[Grover-98]

Yeap 2K will do it.

Firstly for your suspension go to www.suspensionstuff.com.au and talk to Shane he is a great help and you will be able to get a kit for $720 and you could fit it yourself of pay around $200 ti get it fitted.

And you could get a winch compatible bar or not depending on preference second hand for $300-$500 or a new bar from ARB for around $1500 fitted, i know what i would do! and for two strong recovery points for the front you will be looking at around $200 from memory ;)

Hope this helps!

James.

[JayBee75]

Some advice please guys.

Went to Sheepyard Flat again last weekend and the D2 decided to throw everything at me.

On this trip ...

I've finally hit the low front moulding/bumper on the ES D2 too many times to ignor a bullbar mod (you know, with the low fog lights, see below pic pinched from a brochure). This time I cracked it, lost the cover that hides the tow bracket and then a cow knocked off one of the headlight washers. Moo! :eek: .. wonder why they call them bullbars duh !!!

Also this trip, the SLS seems to be evenly leaking and it drops its bum about an 1/2 inch overnight. I think thats just dust in the exhaust valve, the soapy test reveals no leak on the bags or airlines.

Also had the amigos return just 100M from home an hour before setting out (brakes squeeled loudly then the 3 lights came on) I'm having the fault codes checked on Friday.

So without any TC, ABS, HDC, at Sheepyard I locked the CDL from underneath with a spanner (damn lucky I practiced this two weeks ago) and the family had a great day out visiting Upper Jamieson Hut, Bluff Hut and Tobbaco Flat. Gotta say the CDL engaged is far far superior than the TC alone and now is definately my first mod as it drove off road better even with the amigos along for company. :o

All said, we had a great trip and now I know the D2's capability with CDL engaged am more keen that ever to keep with it.

So onto mods...

1. I'll put in a home made CDL link shortly for abouut $20 to avoid repeating the 1st deg burns I now have on my right forearm. I cant justify the $500 ish for an authentic kit. I'll make up something similar to the Rover Shoppe method posted earlier.

But what cost should I budget for:
2. Bullbar (does not need to be winch compatible, but if the budget can stretch, it would help). I'd also like to re-use the electrics and dash button to allow use for some higher mounted front fog lights.

3. Decent front recovery points x 2 (without the plastic bumper/fog light thing this will get much easier to install)

4. A 2" lift kit for D2 with SLS & ACE (despite the issues, I will keep the SLS, its just too damn useful).

Could $2k buy all this?

any advice welcome.

ps good to see a few of last years Angus led "newbie" Toolangi trip up there. No idea what your names are, but I hope you had a good day out. :D.

Cheers


Hey Simon,

Reading your post was very similar to myself last weekend. I do frequent sheepyard flat camping ground (Dirkbike riding) but since getting my disco have started to venture into 4WDing. My disco is identicle to yours but was luck enough on the weeknd not to catch the front (only a matter of time) but as my first 4WDing trip with the boys was blown away by the cars ability, whilst on road tyres! I think it earned the disco some cred, and about time too after the boloking I have had over it!
I have also had many issues with the 3 amigos' and was already nervous about the cars reliability on the trip.

First small hill, there we have it the 3 amigos on, my heart sunk. The terrain from there only got more difficult and after truning the car off to clear the fault and I never saw them again all day. Now left wondering whether the vibrations and terrain have fixed the shuttle valvle switch, maybe it was only sticking, one can only hope. I did a fair few sharp hill desecents, about 120k of 4WD tracks in the bush and the thing did not miss a beat, It has restored my faith.

Anyway let me know how you go with your changes, as indiacted my D2 is identcle to yours and am now looking at the same low key mods, as well as ATR Tyres!

Cheers
Jb.

[Psimpson7]

Hi Simon,

Remember if you want to keep the SLS you will need a spacer kit, with the relevant brackets and so on to allow the height sensors to work properly, so you will need to budget for that too. (on top of the 4 shocks and front springs)

As has already been said the D2 bars are fairly rare on the secondhand market, and when they do come up are fairly expensive

Rgds
Pete

[Shaker]

I think there is a D2 bullbar here on the Aulro markets.

[Bytemrk]

Might be awkward to get , but this is a very cheap ARB winchbar:

ARB LANDROVER BULLBAR - eBay Bumper Bars, Exterior, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 01-Feb-09 16:31:20 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ARB-LANDROVER-BULLBAR_W0QQitemZ180323435703QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33 640QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Looks a little rough.. but damn cheap

Cheers, Mark

[Shaker]

Might be awkward to get , but this is a very cheap ARB winchbar:

ARB LANDROVER BULLBAR - eBay Bumper Bars, Exterior, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 01-Feb-09 16:31:20 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ARB-LANDROVER-BULLBAR_W0QQitemZ180323435703QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33 640QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Looks a little rough.. but damn cheap

Cheers, Mark


I got one couriered from Adelaide to Melbourne for $100.00 through Vicfast.

[Redback]

That's a D1 bar, won't fit the series 2 Disco.

Baz.

[simonl8353]

That's a D1 bar, won't fit the series 2 Disco.

Baz.
Thanks guys,
The seller states its off a series II but the year he bought the car was '98. The series II only arrived in '99 (or late '98 in the UK). Enough people have asked the question and the response is still that its a series II. But since I have doubt, I'll let this one slip. I'll install a CDL link at the weekend then probably look at a 2" lift. I need to do more research on a bullbar that can, if possible accomodate the fog lights (abeit higher than currently located).

[grover7488]

hi simon

i dont think that anyone makes a replacement bar that would incorperate the ES fog lights. The option might be to use a D2a bar (03 on) and source a pair of the factory round lights (i think they are pricey from the stealers but there are some non genuine ones that seem reasonable). Only problem is that this is not a straight bolt up as the grill and headlights are different. but it has been done before. I have seen posts somewhere on it. Like everyone says 2nd hand bars are hard to come by and normally not cheap. :( too bad we cant use a Toyeta or Pootrol bar as they are as common as a%&^&*&s.

[McDisco]

hi simon

i dont think that anyone makes a replacement bar that would incorperate the ES fog lights. The option might be to use a D2a bar (03 on) and source a pair of the factory round lights (i think they are pricey from the stealers but there are some non genuine ones that seem reasonable). Only problem is that this is not a straight bolt up as the grill and headlights are different. but it has been done before. I have seen posts somewhere on it. Like everyone says 2nd hand bars are hard to come by and normally not cheap. :( too bad we cant use a Toyeta or Pootrol bar as they are as common as a%&^&*&s.

Yeah Peter Sniegy (Sniegy) who works for MLR did this to his D2 before he sold it. The d2a sahara bar bolts up fine, but you need to do some trimming of the grill. Looked really good though!!

I would give up on keeping the fog lights Simon and just yourself a set of Roolites or similar.

Angus

[JayBee75]

Thanks guys,
I'll install a CDL link at the weekend then probably look at a 2" lift. I need to do more research on a bullbar that can, if possible accomodate the fog lights (abeit higher than currently located).


CDL Link?

[Redback]

hi simon

i dont think that anyone makes a replacement bar that would incorperate the ES fog lights. The option might be to use a D2a bar (03 on) and source a pair of the factory round lights (i think they are pricey from the stealers but there are some non genuine ones that seem reasonable). Only problem is that this is not a straight bolt up as the grill and headlights are different. but it has been done before. I have seen posts somewhere on it. Like everyone says 2nd hand bars are hard to come by and normally not cheap. :( too bad we cant use a Toyeta or Pootrol bar as they are as common as a%&^&*&s.

The ARB Sahaha bar will and was available for the early D2, whether they are still available is another story, the thing is, that would be your budget gone, just on the bar alone:p

Baz.

[simonl8353]

CDL Link?
I bought the steel and bolts today to fabricate one of these over the weekend. http://www.aulro.com/afvb/897623-post4.html

Cost so far ..$5

Having crawled under the car and realised that it is not that quick and easy to lock it in with an open 10mm spanner, this will do me fine for now and I'll use the $500 I'll save on a lift kit. (SWMBO will need convincing first)

Buy the way, had the fault codes cleared today (no charge, but I didnt say that!) and the readout showed 4 low voltage signals from each of the 4 wheel sensors. Rather that than the shuttle valve. Anyway I drove about 100km today and so far the amigos havnt returned, I'm sure its just a matter of time though!

[Bytemrk]

Thanks guys,
The seller states its off a series II but the year he bought the car was '98. The series II only arrived in '99 (or late '98 in the UK). Enough people have asked the question and the response is still that its a series II. But since I have doubt, I'll let this one slip. I'll install a CDL link at the weekend then probably look at a 2" lift. I need to do more research on a bullbar that can, if possible accomodate the fog lights (abeit higher than currently located).


Yeah sorry Simon,

When I saw it, there was 1 question where he started it was a series II disco.. but the more people ask the less it looks like he is right @@.

Cheers, Mark

[Hendrik]

I bought the steel and bolts today to fabricate one of these over the weekend. http://www.aulro.com/afvb/897623-post4.html

Cost so far ..$5

Having crawled under the car and realised that it is not that quick and easy to lock it in with an open 10mm spanner, this will do me fine for now and I'll use the $500 I'll save on a lift kit. (SWMBO will need convincing first)

Buy the way, had the fault codes cleared today (no charge, but I didnt say that!) and the readout showed 4 low voltage signals from each of the 4 wheel sensors. Rather that than the shuttle valve. Anyway I drove about 100km today and so far the amigos havnt returned, I'm sure its just a matter of time though!

Thats a good solution to the cdl actuation problem, i made one for mine two weeks ago and havent looked back since. Took me about half an hour to make and gave it a finish with some cold gal, looks schmick and you no one will even know its there. Once you have it installed, you'll ask yourself why you took so long to do it. Thats what i did anyway, I used to shy away from doing the harder hills just because i couldnt be bothered getting in under the car and sustaining 1st degree burns.

[DI5CO]

Hi Simon,
I have the same problem now with mine with the susp going down overnight. Only goes 1/2 way but 2 days left alone, on the bump stops evenly. This only just started to happen on the camping trip a few weeks ago with roof top tent on & camping gear in the back. (See camping forum if anyones interested!) Does anyone have any idea how to fix the exhaust valve if this is the problem?

[Grumndriva]

I've just put a near new ARB non-winch bar for a Series II Disco in the market section if you are looking for one.

[JayBee75]

I bought the steel and bolts today to fabricate one of these over the weekend. http://www.aulro.com/afvb/897623-post4.html

Cost so far ..$5

Having crawled under the car and realised that it is not that quick and easy to lock it in with an open 10mm spanner, this will do me fine for now and I'll use the $500 I'll save on a lift kit. (SWMBO will need convincing first)

Buy the way, had the fault codes cleared today (no charge, but I didnt say that!) and the readout showed 4 low voltage signals from each of the 4 wheel sensors. Rather that than the shuttle valve. Anyway I drove about 100km today and so far the amigos havnt returned, I'm sure its just a matter of time though!

Thanks Simon,

Would you mind posting up some photos when finished?

Cheers
JB.

[simonl8353]

Firstly, I apologies for the long post.

1. CDL actuator: The CDL actuator that took me 4 hrs on a 42deg day to make was crap! :mad: . the 10mm connector fits but the arm has to pass too many cables on top the chassis and then, the ACE pipes and sensors get in the way, another hour of adjustment and while it worked didnt provide that positive "clunk" I wanted. I removed it shortly after and drank a LOT of beer. :D while pondering how far could throw it!
I'll bolt on the 10mm connector for now which will make it much easier to engage anyway and get the proper Land Rover geniune kit when budget allows. This mod is a must, if only to get you out of the poo when the amigos arrive or a prop breaks.

2. ABS/TC/HDC: "3 Amigos" fault codes cleared, no issues and all ok, fault verified as low voltage on each wheel sensor. I expect they'll return some time giving item 1 above my main priority.

3. Sahara bull bar from ARB to suit the D2a is $1898 fitted but fitting would cost more as I'll need to mod the grill to make it fit my D2. But this would allow me to keep the fog lights. Otherwise the Deluxe Bull Bar (winch compatible) is $1685 fitted for the basic D2 version and I loose the fog lights.:o

4. 2" Suspension lift kit (complete) for my SLS D2 from 4x4intelligence is about $1100 and includes Bilstein shocks all sensor adaptors, springs and SLS extenders. Definately keep my eye on that, cheaper than the bull bar;). Just need to assess the look without changing wheels and tyres aswell and all roof rack options so I can still clear 2.1M carparks.

5. The SLS sagging: This has been the biggest issue as it effects the cars drivability right now. Background, 10 months ago I bought and replaced by original old arbags with the Arnott ones from the US. Not convinced it was the problem I also bought a new compressor so poorly advertised as "Disco Air susp compressor" that no one else bid, now these are $940 from Landrover here!!!!:p I got it for US$200 ;) when we were 98c/US$.

I was guessing that the new compressor had a grubby exhaust valve from a fair bit of dusty corrugated driving recently, I dismantled my "old" one to see how it ticks, and refitted it to the D2. Same issue with the sagging, so put the new one back on. Then I took the Arnott bags off and refitted them, still the same.

I did the soapy water test again everywhere (or at least I thought) without a trace of a leak. Seeking some further advice I contacted Arnott who mentioned testing with soapy water at the top of the bag by the large retaining ring and hey presto! there were bubbles.

I sent Arnott some photos and to get me by I put my old land Rover airbags back on, which surprisingly seem to be ok now! (confirming it never was them at fault 10 months ago). On Friday two new Arnott bags arrived on my doorstep (these have a lifetime warranty) so good on Arnott for the quick service, they did mention the retaining ring may have been too tight causing the rubber to be stressed and fail early (its funny they new where I should look for leaks!). I have been working all weekend and am buggered now, but these will go on in the next few days.

I know some of you looking at new Airbags and are considering the Arnott brand and may ask will this keep happening, to be honest I dont know, they did tell me the new ones should be ok. But remember, they have a lifetime warranty and the service and response from Arnott was faultless.

Still on this, I know some others who bought Arnott bags around this time last year have mentioned on the forum some sagging, and some even the same leaking issue confirmed in the same location. To those pulling their hair out, look at the photo below and do the check.

6. Finally: For now and my only cost is the Headlight Washer the cow knocked off, $55 from Landrover and the status quo is maintained. :D

Simon

[loanrangie]

How much do ARB charge for fitting ? If you buy one, get them to put it in the back of the disco and head over my way and i'll help you fit it along with the grille mods.

[simonl8353]

Fitting was less than $200.
Thats a very nice offer, it may be some time until I get to the Bull bar, its down on the list for now, but I'll definately bring the beer. :D

[loanrangie]

Fitting was less than $200.
Thats a very nice offer, it may be some time until I get to the Bull bar, its down on the list for now, but I'll definately bring the beer. :D

Well thats about $200 better off in your pocket i reckon, i just swapped bars off my disco and put the new one on by myself so 2 will make it easy .

[Tombie]

Might be awkward to get , but this is a very cheap ARB winchbar:

ARB LANDROVER BULLBAR - eBay Bumper Bars, Exterior, Car Parts, Accessories, Cars, Bikes, Boats. (end time 01-Feb-09 16:31:20 AEDST) (http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ARB-LANDROVER-BULLBAR_W0QQitemZ180323435703QQihZ008QQcategoryZ33 640QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Looks a little rough.. but damn cheap

Cheers, Mark

Thats a D1 - Commercial Winch Bar... Seller thinks his facelifted D1 (post 95) is a Series II...

Its not SRS compatible - And the Wings will be wrong....