Thread: Discos any good in sand??

Originally Posted by shanegtr

I've only had my disco on sand once, I felt my old 80 series cruiser floated over the soft stuff better. But then again the 80 is a bit lighter and had slightly larger diameter tyres so that would have helped, but the discos extra power and auto more than make up for its short commings (my old 80 was manual and a 1HZ engine)

80 series with Winch Bar, Draws and 100l of fuel is close to 2800kg...

Mine is fitted with 19" rims and does struggle in soft sand even at 12psi. Just need to use the power and momentum as there is not a lot of flotation with the 19" tyres. It is still very capable and with 18" rims I think it would be awesome in the sand. At 10 - 12 psi there is almost no sidewall so tyres and rims are exposed to damage.

My 80 series and D3 weigh about the same in the form that I run them, the 80 on 275/16's and the D3 on 265/17,s.
There is no comparison in tricky soft sand, as has been said the 80 seems to float over it and the D3 always digs.
We have a couple of miles of soft sandy river bed we use, complete with bends and steep sand banks, the D3 has a lot more power but is not in the race - irrespective of tyre pressure.
And I doubt that weight has much to do with it, my petrol 80 looses most Hilux's on the same track, and speed does not come into it either.

DD

One of my brothers had a 4 door 3.5l RR classic.
Now that thing floated over the sand,not much could keep up with it in it's day.
It was basically stock,apart from a set of wider rims.

As for my D4,the jury is still out.

With the D2,never had to dig it out ever,diff lock in,high or low,no worries.

With the D4,to many things to remember,DSC off,height ok?,sand mode,high or low?And these settings reset which at times can be a PITA.

And yes i have it very badly bogged,but it does then raise up a little higher so the long handled shovel gets under easy.

Hi There,
One good thing he can walk straight into the vehicle, doesn't have to step up at all.
I found mine wallowed a bit with 17's at 15 psi, DSC off, LR tank, drawers (full of stuff I'll never need), fridge, dual wheel carrier, two wheels and a hi-lift jack attached.

Call for MAXTRAX..................

Just recently back from Fraser, with RRS. On 20"s with Cooper zeon LTZ 275/45. Went with mate with 79 CJ jeep, on 35"s/lockers/304 V8. Went everywhere he did no issue. Actually on track from Orchid Beach over to Sandy Cape, came across stuck 200 series, and very stuck ST Patrol. After they were snatched out walked straight through where they had been, no issue. 20 Psi in tires. Very impressed as were all onlookers. I reckon with GOE 18"s it would be even more capable. But, as noted, used GOE rods, and every time switched DSC off. Used all terrrain response settings as appropriate. You really do need to know how to use all tricky bits in cars to get best out of them, imo

Pics on Teewah Beach just heading up. Note I run same rims on trailer, this is fitted with 2nd hand front disco 3 hubs plus adaptors.

It's good to see some truth about tyres on here from people who had driven high and low profile set ups. For me the differences get obvious when towing heavy loads in deep powdery sand where you are required at times to come to a stop and move off again...then you really know the benefit of high profile tyres for off road use.

Cheers