Thread: What mods would you recommend

Originally Posted by wbowner

Hi,
I am thinking of buying a D4 to be used for touring towing a van.
The van is an offroad van and is not very big - under 2000kg but may upgrade at some time to a larger van.

I would like to be able to take it offroad but not to extreme places, just places like in the Oonatdatta and similar. .

To do this what mods would you recommend as a minimum?
eg
suspension and/or airbags ?
tow bar need this one
larger fuel tank ?
????

Rich

It comes with airbags and the best suspension you can buy. I believe the D4 tow hitch is better than the D3 one, but the Mitch hitch gives a more secure and better height hitch than Land Rover. A bull bar for country touring is a good investment in my view, there are an awful lot of Roos, emus, pigs and various other stock and wildlife on the roads out there.

Depending on your routes and your engine choice you may want to consider a long range tank which gives you much more touring flexibility, but with careful planning and a Jerry or two you can get away without one.

If you plan to do any significant sand driving I recommend Llams or GOE rods which override the height control speed restrictions imposed by Land Rover. And a UHF radio.

The D4 19" + wheels also significantly limit tyre choices so you may want to consider a set of 18" wheels.

OK, here's my take on it.

Andrew has come up with a pretty good list there, but as a minimum I would say the only thing that is necessary for what you want to do is a decent set of tyres. Everything else is nice to have, but not essential.

Cheers,
Jon

Thanks guys.

After doing lots of mods to my current car I wanted to do as few as possible to get going.

Agree on hitch - mandatory

Additional fuel tank (best and worst one I did in current car). On the wish list though as also need some where for the spare so an expensive option.

Richard

Originally Posted by wbowner

Additional fuel tank (best and worst one I did in current car). On the wish list though as also need some where for the spare so an expensive option.

Richard

It is, tank plus rear wheel carrier is @ $3k fitted. The upside is that you elimate the ridiculous, garuanteed to fail, have to unload the whole load space to get to, spare wheel winch.

Originally Posted by jon3950

OK, here's my take on it.

Andrew has come up with a pretty good list there, but as a minimum I would say the only thing that is necessary for what you want to do is a decent set of tyres. Everything else is nice to have, but not essential.

Cheers,
Jon

I wouldn't disagree with that. Everything I mentioned is nice to have but not must have.

If using the standard D4 hitch then use the recovery loop as the safety chain anchor point rather than the 2 tabs because they're not particularly strong.

Originally Posted by AnD3rew

I wouldn't disagree with that. Everything I mentioned is nice to have but not must have.

I think the trouble with many of us is we tend to get carried away with modifications, when in reality most of them aren't necessary and a standard D3/4 will do pretty much everything we'd ask of it.

I have had my D4 for nearly 6 months now and its still virtually standard (except for the Zeons, dual battery, cargo barrier, uhf, rear draws, water bladder, roof rack, rear ladder & RAI) and I intend to keep it that way. The only things I plan to fit to it are 18's, a bar, winch, driving lights and an awning.

Hmmm...

Cheers,
Jon

Originally Posted by jon3950

I think the trouble with many of us is we tend to get carried away with modifications, when in reality most of them aren't necessary and a standard D3/4 will do pretty much everything we'd ask of it.

I have had my D4 for nearly 6 months now and its still virtually standard (except for the Zeons, dual battery, cargo barrier, uhf, rear draws, water bladder, roof rack, rear ladder & RAI) and I intend to keep it that way. The only things I plan to fit to it are 18's, a bar, winch, driving lights and an awning.

Hmmm...

Cheers,
Jon