How to bullet-proof my Disco

I purchased my D1V8 (man) with similar K's and now have about 195,000 on it.
I am running standard size rims & ATR tyres with standard ride height.
I have done considerable off road in the Flinders Ranges and a reasonable amount of Sand Work on beaches.
Things I have had to attend to are:
Replace electrical "spider" (behind radio) that links all sorts of "electrickity" things that had me totally bamboozled when it failed on me.
Replace electrical wiring loom from chassis to fuel pump. (found that one by myself AFTER buying a new pump :( ) The factory wiring is just too small for the constant drain and looked like burnt toast when removed.
Replacing/cleaning and using "star" washers at all engine earth points.
(I am still finding a few earth issues still)
Cleaning excess carbon buildup from stepper motor.

I am starting to notice a bit more "clunk" in the drive-train but everything is still holding up OK. Had to get it "rocking" with hard forward/reverse motion to get out of a sand bog (no one around to snatch). Was sure I was going to break something but all was well.

Everything else replaced is just usual maintenance replacement stuff:
belts, hoses, discs/pads, clutch, shocks etc etc.

Things I intend on rebuiling in the near future because I am unsure:
CV's (one is leaking significantly)
Unis/replace rear donut?
R380 (sometimes I think I should have gone auto?)
Tx/Centre Diff (at least to pull out and have a good look, I had it STUCK in diff lock for about 70k's on the bitumen)
I am happy with my diffs & axles (or am I just lucky)
I am quite paranoid about breaking down in remote locations but mine has not let me down in the bush yet!

Thommo
D1V8ESman

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Originally Posted by justinc

Hey Matt, The artist formally known as 'shorty' is now '2_door'

:D:D:p:p

Also currently referred to as 'Benefits boy':p

I'll let HIM explain THAT one:):D:p

JC

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who me :eek:

yeah, those autos can go without any warning. mine had an easy life on the black top, regulary serviced by JC and only 150k on the clock and no prior indication that it was bit dodgy until you give it a bit of stick to climb a little sand hill and all **** breaks loose :angel: one little plastic gizmo stops the whole show, its usually the $2 part that breaks :mad:

anyway, gear boxes are probably something that gets over looked alot during 'back yard' services and maintenance, so I would say get that looked at and serviced properly by someone who knows LR's.

see ya, got more cheques to sign :p

Thanks for the replies so far guys.
Phil - I have done the MAF. Any suggestions for what to replace the diff centres and axles with?
Justin - I have had the auto trans serviced. Do you have any suggestions for beefing up the CVs and diffs?
Thommo - Like you mate, I am paranoid about breaking down in the bush (with the family) and this definitely takes the edge off my enjoyment of the car. I read the posts from guys like Slunnie, JC, Discowhite and others and my head spins in a full circle. It may as well be in japanese for all the sense it makes to me. But I'm learning and I'll feel more comfortable when Im a lot more self sufficient.

Thanks Craig

Diff centres- ARB air lockers or a detroit locker, or detroit tru track LSD;)
Axles- Maxi drives axles(now made by high tough engineering i think);)

TIM.

I'm a qualified motor mechanic, but I still have NRMA Silver membership incase my McGyver tool set won't get me out of trouble and I need a tow home.

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Originally Posted by Boxer

I'm a qualified motor mechanic, but I still have NRMA Silver membership incase my McGyver tool set won't get me out of trouble and I need a tow home.

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My mates and partners all say, "we don;t need RACV roadside assist, we got you":eek:

You want to bullet proof it....

What will you be using it for????

if its just a tourer and you dont drive like a muppet, then the Standard driveline will be fine....

Drive hard, find mud and big rock ledges and you will break it....

i have had std driveline in many land rovers and never broken any cv or diff center.....
ive screwed tail shafts and bent steering rods. but that is it....

my 10c................. not enough to make that call to RACV

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Originally Posted by sclarke

You want to bullet proof it....

What will you be using it for????

if its just a tourer and you dont drive like a muppet, then the Standard driveline will be fine....

Drive hard, find mud and big rock ledges and you will break it....

i have had std driveline in many land rovers and never broken any cv or diff center.....
ive screwed tail shafts and bent steering rods. but that is it....

my 10c................. not enough to make that call to RACV

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I have to agree. If you are only doing moderate beach driving and easy tracks you will only need a 2 inch coil lift and fitted with nothing bigger than 31 inch tyres. I wouldnt expect that you should break anything with that kit unless it is already faulty and it would break under daily driving duties anyway.

i guess you just need to know where the 'normal' weak points are in the vehicle and make sure they are well serviced and in good nick. Theres no need to go fitting maxi stuff or ARB diff locks unless you are doing some hard work with it, it wont really make it any more bullet proof for what you want to do with it.

So, I reckon you should just be looking at 'normal' stuff like wheel bearings, stub axles, uni's, oil levels and quality, air filter, fuel filter, grease anything with a nipple :eek:, belts and keep it tuned and you should aleviate any niggling problems that would leave you stranded.

BTW, the RACT/V/Q etc wont come 30 kays in the bush to tow you home, thats if you have any phone reception to call them ;)

Thanks Clarkie and Mark.
Your right Mark - all Im after is the normal weak points. I have done a 2 inch coil lift and a set of BFG AT 245/70/16s.
We don't do anything extreme like rock ledges or big mud etc. But, I don't want anything letting go whilst climbing big hills such as Vic High Country or Deua NP for example, either.
Thats all I mean by bullet proofing the girl. If something does let go bigtime, I wouldn't be able to ID it - let alone sort it....till i get my mechanical experience up.
Thanks to all for your comments.

Craig

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Originally Posted by rovercare

Damn name changers:mad:

He's still Shorty in my eyes:wub::D

He's informed me already:)

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Yeah, he wanted to change hes name after hes shameful episode when he bought a pootrol. Hes off hes meds now and bought a Rangie (or should that be hes back on hes meds??) :P

JC - does mine have that plastic thinggamibob that failed in 2_doors trans?