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Thread: Advice Wanted on D2 Accessories

  1. #1
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    Advice Wanted on D2 Accessories

    The time has come to ready SWMBO's D2 for this years epic journey North. Currently it's a stock TD5 with 160K Km on the clock, a new set of Cooper ST's 255/65's on factory 8" rims and polyairs on the back. Now have the P38 for daily use so can afford to make the Disco more off road friendly.

    Bullbar - I'm a bit paranoid about weight so thought an alloy bar would be the go. ARB don't make one and TJM no longer make one. ECB's is gussetted on the wings and comes in at 38 Kg. TJM's steel at 60 Kg and ARB won't tell. They all seem to stick out a ways unlike older bars I've had. I'm leaning to the ECB.

    Roofrack - Again, weight concious. ARB's is steel, only 1100mm long and nearly $1000. I like the look af the Tradesman alloy Medium length rack, 1500mm long about $1300 weighing 21 Kg. Loaded will be under 60 Kg.

    Suspension - This is the most confusing and has the most cost variation. Currently D2 sits at 485mm in each corner. Thought a sub 50mm lift would be nice. Doesn't matter who you ring they've all got their own brand which is better than everyone elses, although half the springs look like King's. ARB wins for most expensive at around $1400, about twice the price of every one else. Is OME really this good , and pedders at $1200.
    What about coil spacers, are they a viable alternative with no shocker upgrade for a small lift of say 20-30mm ? Spring retailers say no but is this because they have a vested interet in lightening your wallet?

    All views and contributions gratefully accepted.

    Deano

  2. #2
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    Watch out the ECB bar doesnt restrict use of the stock recovery point.If you want alloy,you will probably have to go ECB.Had one on my first D2 & didnt like the look of it......just my personal thoughts..

    I have been looking at springs & shocks,spoke to MR auto today & they swear by King springs & bilstein shocks,do quite a few sets every week.These guys are Landy specialists .Bilstein shocks are supposed to be the best,but you pay for it.I will probably go for this setup,as i would prefer to pay a bit more & not have a failure.

    Suspension stuff seem to think Lovells shocks & dobinsons coils are the go.A few guys on this site run these.

    I got the same as you they all think whatever they have got are the go.

    Dont use a rack so dunno,my brother has an alloy one on his D1 he is happy with.You can often pick them up 2nd hand.His may be a TJM,i think.

    Now the kids have grown up,i take all the rear seats out,leave the cargo barrier in,& seem to have heaps of room

    Good luck

  3. #3
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    Hi deano
    I was in the same position as you are a while ago.
    As far as the bullbar go, there is no real reason to be paranoid about weight, as I had a steel TJM winch bar with standard suspension on my D2 for ages, and it didn't sag. As far as suspensions goes, give shane from suspension stuff a call, he sells top gear for much less that everything else. I have heard too many instances of OME's sagging quickly, so they are not worth the money really.
    Can't really comment on a roof rack, as I am still looking for one.

    Hope some of that helps
    Cheers
    Hendrik

  4. #4
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    Thanks Scarry

    I've just put Bilsteins on the P38 and they are a great improvement over the 15 year old OEM's. The only criticism I have had from other suspension retailers, who sell double tube shockers, is that the Bilsteins (single tube shocks) are more prone to stone damage to the tube which will cause them to fail. Again I dont know if this is another "ours is better than everyone elses" story or if its true.

    Deano

  5. #5
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    Can be a problem,my brother wraps conveyer belt rubber around his & uses cable ties to hold it on ,on the rear shocks.He did live in Weipa for many years...

    The D2's with SLS have that rubber thingy ,but i think it is to protect the rear air bags.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by DeanoH View Post
    Bullbar - I'm a bit paranoid about weight.TJM's steel at 60 Kg.
    hi deano

    I put a steel bar on my D2 and it does not weigh 60kg! I can't remember exactly but i was thinking about 38kg. It was easy to pick up, more awkward than heavy.
    BTW the stock bumper weighs 18kg

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by DeanoH View Post
    Thanks Scarry

    I've just put Bilsteins on the P38 and they are a great improvement over the 15 year old OEM's. The only criticism I have had from other suspension retailers, who sell double tube shockers, is that the Bilsteins (single tube shocks) are more prone to stone damage to the tube which will cause them to fail. Again I dont know if this is another "ours is better than everyone elses" story or if its true.

    Deano
    Bilsteins come with a stone guard for the rear, or at least used to a few years ago when i got mine. None the less they are a very good shock and even though my shocks have many little stone chips in the paint they have held up exceptionally well over the years and do not have any dents in them even from some occasional heavy use and high speed work. Definately worth the extra pennies.

    Cheers

    george.

  8. #8
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    Hi Deano.
    If youi are after looks then go the alloy if you are after protection go the steel. I have had both and due to living in the bush and being a firey that attends alot of collisions the steel bullbar gives alot better protection.m As far as suspension i have only used OME and have found it to be excellent and did come with stone guards for the rear of my D2 - did get it at the right price though. I cant comment on anything else as I haven't used it. That said I am yet to read anything but good things about bilsteins. As far as roof racks goes I am currently playing around with rhino racks and the custom platforms you can make up but I have also been looking at the roofracks on the dolium website - awesome full length one for discos on there with tonnes of attachments. I have rhino racks due to roof top tent, fox wing awning and versatility.
    good luck
    JP

  9. #9
    MickS Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by scarry View Post
    Watch out the ECB bar doesnt restrict use of the stock recovery point.
    Scarry, you don't mean the tie down point at the front do you? There is no stock recovery point on the front of the D2's...you have to go aftermarket.

    Go the steel bull bar....definitely. I've been told the spacers do nothing more than lessen your adjustable ride height.

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by MickS View Post
    Scarry, you don't mean the tie down point at the front do you? There is no stock recovery point on the front of the D2's...you have to go aftermarket.

    Go the steel bull bar....definitely.
    Here we go again.....there are many posts about this...

    The D2 has 4 tie down points,two at the front & two at the rear,and that is what they are for,tie down only.
    On the left front of the vehicle is a recovery point,as per D2 maual,for on road use only.
    I have used it also for off road recovery & never had a problem,BUT,if i was doing hard off road recoveries regularly i would definitely go aftermarket.

    The ECB bar has a lower front skirt ,from memory than the ARB or TJM,so if you went aftermarket for recovery points,you may have to hunt around for ones that would fit correctly.

    And i agree,go the steel bar.My front did sag after 5yrs with the TJM steel bar.Fitted a set of king springs standard hts & billy shocks & it has come up a lot,this was done today.Havent measured the heights as it was dark when i got it back.

    Springs are cheap,its the shocks that can get expensive,depending what type you get

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