D1 First Build - Melbourne

Well, the day has finally come. I said I’d get it done this year and at 11am on the 31st of December 2020, VicRoads handed me my plates.

i want to thank everyone who has encouraged and given advice throughout this slog of a project and to those who feel inclined to document their own projects and share their expertise so freely, this website has been the single most important resource throughout my build. Wouldn’t be on the road without AULRO that’s for sure.

it runs and drives beautifully and I’ve just taken delivery of the engine saver alarm which will go in this week, then on to making it a proper weekend tourer.

I’ve just moved to Ballarat so if there are any members in the area who would like to show me around the local tracks I’d jump at the chance!

Thanks again lads, happy new year!

I've been adding on some of the more fun mods since it's been on the road and have taken every opportunity to get her feet wet. I've only been going out on my own so haven't been able to tackle any super hard stuff.

January saw the engine saver alarm installed, I swapped the bar it came with for a winch bar with an Ironman winch, and I got a 2" lift installed over the weekend. I still need to get a dual battery set up put in before the winch is operational.

This current lift is a set of Terrafirma 4-way adjustable shocks with HD Dobinsons springs, the front's much better now that the winch is weighing it down but until I get the rear fully loaded it's probably not quite right yet ride-wise. Ive also got another set of HD OME +40mm which was my first choice, but the bushings need replacing in the rear shocks so for the sake of having suspension rated for the new front end I went with this set for now.

Been around Creswick, Lake Burrumbeet, Lal Lal and other Ballarat surrounds and we've been enjoying every minute of it. Also found a handy use for the winch that wasn't in the instruction manual.

Attachment 168069 Attachment 168070 Attachment 168075 Attachment 168071 Attachment 168073 Attachment 168072 Attachment 168074

I've got a set of steel wheels on order with some new boots, of course with everything going on with Covid it's all delayed, but that should be wrapped up in the next fortnight they reckon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Cinqmars2

.... Also found a handy use for the winch that wasn't in the instruction manual ......

---

LOL! you got Eskimo heritage or something? .. great way to save on fuel!! [bigrolf]

Back in the day, we used to let our dog out of the car and then drive off .. and she'd chase us till .. well, forever. She was unbelievable. Once back in the car tho, some water and she'd be knocked out.
Never thought to tie her up to the front .. mush! .. mush!

BTW, in your suspension pic, my rear looks like the same height as the top pic, and my front looks the same height as the bottom pic .. a previous owner must have had a thing for hod rods or something.
I'm hoping to get my suspension sorted very soon myself too .. most likely a similar set up to yours.

thats quite a lift - is it topping out much off road? How is the steering on the hwy?
Great job overall.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by edddo

thats quite a lift - is it topping out much off road? How is the steering on the hwy?
Great job overall.

---

It's quite a stretch yes, and I'm unsure as to how much height I've actually gained. The suspension was picked up through Gumtree a couple of years ago and it was advertised as a 3" lift, but I can't find any Terrafirma or Dobinsons kits for the D1 that are 3", they're all either 40mm, 50mm or 5" lifts. I'm hoping it will sit a bit lower once it's got a roof top tent onboard, recovery kit, fridge, power etc.

I'm going to get extended brake lines before I take it back out on the tracks, don't want to be left without anchors in the middle of nowhere if it flexes too far. It's mostly fine on the highway, but I haven't had to swerve a roo yet so we'll see, ha!

The new wheels have 0 offset and much wider boots so that should help it feel more planted, the current tyres are super thin, from memory I think 215/70r16 so they do look a bit ridiculous right now, like it's on stilts.

Well done, you will be well placed to come to Winter Wombat this year in August.

My rims came in after waiting a month and I took them straight down the shop to get the boots on, it's amazing how that lift seems to disappear with bigger wheels under it. Looks far better proportion-wise now, but until I can get some extended brake lines I won't be leaving the blacktop. In the meantime I'll give it a camel cut and consider putting flares on.

These are 265/75r16 Toyo Open Country M/Ts, can't wait to see how they do in the slop. It was only after I placed the order that I found that 245's are the sweet spot for the Disco 1, should have done a bit more homework. Every single post made by people vouching for 265's came from the UK and the US where wheel spacers are legal, unfortunately I only realised they're not legal here after I bought them so I'm stuck with these for the time being. I'm sure they'll still do the job, I'll just have to trim a little bit more than usual and forfeit the excellent turning circle these cars are famous for.

Attachment 168358 Attachment 168359 Attachment 168360

I had a 3" lift on my D1 and didn't touch the brake lines.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by loanrangie

I had a 3" lift on my D1 and didn't touch the brake lines.

---

Interesting to note, but on the flip side, very likely that the brake lines are original, and could be prudent to change them for the possibility of (even slightly) better braking performance.
And if doing so for this reason, then wouldn't hurt to have the extended option too.

This is my thinking/reasoning when I get around to it.

Did a camel cut this weekend to save the rear quarters. Only took a half hour or so. Measure 2" back from the guard then run a straight edge up to the natural curve of the guard for the cut line. I left a tab at the bottom to fold over just for neatness' sake then a quick going over with a file and it was done. I will be going with the flares down the line but of course that's a bigger job and these tyres just sit flush with the flares so I should be ok from a legal standpoint.

Attachment 168482 Attachment 168483 Attachment 168485 Attachment 168486 Attachment 168487 Attachment 168488 Attachment 168489 Attachment 168492