Thread: Using the disco a an off roader

The centre "diff lock" only removes the differential action from the Transfer Box and transmits equal power to front and rear axles, it does not lock up front or rear axles.
When you leave the tarmac behind you move the short lever to the left and either back for High range or forward for Low range. If you are driving off road in High or Low range and you have a wheel (tyre) slip at one end the other axle will keep you moving till a wheel on that axle slips. All other 4WD vehicles are the same, whether they are full-time 4WD's or Part-Time 4WD's.
Now if you have a front or rear "diff lock" installed in your axles then unless all of the wheels are off the ground you will be able to move off.
Traction involves having the driven wheels being ON the ground, Land Rovers (all of them) have excellent articulation straight from the factory, esp. the solid axle models, they do better than most other 4WD's (straight from the factory, i.e. no mods), as Land Rovers have a very flexible suspension system they excell off road, you need to get some instruction on how to get the best from your Land Rover and I'm sure there are some AULRO members in your vicinity that will be able to help, good luck, Regards Frank.

Mostly it comes down to driving ability.

If you get that bit right... Throttle control. Wheel placement etc. you'll be amazed where you can drive.

First of all,

You are unlikely to ever recover the money you spend on upgrades when you go to resell it on a pure $ basis

I spent easy the value of my car again on fixing stuff I've broken and up specing tyres, suspension and diffs and would do it all again because of the fun value it gives every time I get to take it out.

Value for money the D1 is right up there in terms of capability I took mine nearly standard everywhere mates patrols and toyotas were going without fuss sometimes it was easier as its a fair bit smaller on tight tracks.

I would price up a decent set of AT/MT tyres in the 245/75R16 range and a set of longer springs and shocks. These are improvements to the car that will get used all the time not occasionally like a locker. Then look at lockers/big ticket items down the track once you've decided it's the 4x4 for you.


Cheers

I bought my '95 300TDI Disco specifically for 4x4'ing. I don't really drive around the city or during the week. It's a weekend getaway vehicle. It is definitely a capable off road vehicle. I do agree that a 2" lift would be ideal though. If you want a 1990's Land Rover with high clearance you buy a Defender. OR add 2" on a Disco - LOTS of people do it. Still, I've been up and down tracks in VIC that have signs stating (or a map rating) it's a "difficult/hard" track and I only have factory suspension. Then it comes down to driving ability - the vehicle can do it.

Enjoy!

I have a disco 200tdi which I have a 2" lift on with 235,85 r 16 which are the standard defender size. But look good on a disco and give it a decent set of boots which can be picked up cheap on eBay as a lot of people don't want that size. I have this as a weekend bush basher.


But I also have two defenders.

And I would say that the disco has a better wheel base than the 110 for off roading , but both defenders and discos have shared the same engines gearboxes , axles, prop shafts, radius arms and lots of bits underneath. ( 110 rear different but my 90 has the same front and rear as the disco.)
The big difference between the defender and the disco (as well as the RRC )is the body over hangs a lot So if you don't care about the body then this is no real problem. The defender seems to more have a wheel in each corner and not so large on the body side of things. But them the disco is more comfortable to drive.

Why you might ask do I off road a disco when I have two defenders in the garage. Well the disco was $1900 and I don't care if I rub it down a tree but I would be really really ****ed if I did it to the 110 or 90. My defenders are my touring overlander trucks and not red must off roaders. :-)

if i go ahead and put a 2 inch lift on the disco, will i need to any mods to the vehicle so it drivable?

also i have found that dobinsons sell a 3 inch lift kit of the disco, does any one else have this lift? and is it a legal lift and are there any mods required?

i feel that the disco is a great 4x4 and it will be better as my skills increase.

Originally Posted by les14

if i go ahead and put a 2 inch lift on the disco, will i need to any mods to the vehicle so it drivable?

also i have found that dobinsons sell a 3 inch lift kit of the disco, does any one else have this lift? and is it a legal lift and are there any mods required?

i feel that the disco is a great 4x4 and it will be better as my skills increase.

My disco has 2" lift dobinsons.

Longer travel shocks are a must if you are off roading.

And if you want to go hardcore than extra long front braided brake lines.

Some say caster correction bushes but I have never fitted then to any of the 22 land rovers I have put 2" lift on and never had a problem. My 110 and 90 don't have them.

if you do your upgrades as part of maintenance replacements you can make a surprisingly effective vehicle.

the rest of it is driver ability and you'll pick that up in spades.

suspension stuff do a mates rates 2 inch lift kit.

2 inch lift is about the limit you can goto without needing extra work and its enough for most user add decent rubber and then once youve done an axle or diff some kind of torque controlling diff and I'd be fairly happy to put money on the ability of the vehicle will exceed the average drivers pucker factor.