BeeGee's MY15 Disco 4 XXV build thread

[gavinwibrow]

From memory that tow hitch is way too long. Look in the owners manual and there is a section indicating the maximum dimensions for hitch length.

Interestingly, my LR tow hitch (the one that drops about 4 inches but is still 3.5T and 350 ball weight), has 7 inches between the centrelines of the towball and the locking pin, whereas the documentation says a max of A = 6 inches. For the drop there is an additional pair of gussets supporting the right angle.
D4 Hitch dimensions.jpg

[Tombie]

Interestingly, my LR tow hitch (the one that drops about 4 inches but is still 3.5T and 350 ball weight), has 7 inches between the centrelines of the towball and the locking pin, whereas the documentation says a max of A = 6 inches. For the drop there is an additional pair of gussets supporting the right angle.
D4 Hitch dimensions.jpg

Sounds like someone has given you a D2 unit.

[gavinwibrow]

Sounds like someone has given you a D2 unit.

Correct again, and the towball weight is 250 kgm, not 350 as I first read - that 350 is on the Mitch Hitch

[BeeGee]

Hi guys,

I haven't updated this thread for quite a while, but just spent the past few weekends finally installing a number of upgrades to my Disco.
Here’s a list of what I completed recently:

1. Interim 7500km service using evacuation method (first time I’ve used this method and now converted).
2. Traxide D4-5S installation with rear Anderson plug.
3. Fitted a new SSB Super Start cranking battery and a new SSB auxiliary battery.
4. Llams installation.
5. Changed out my 20” rims for Tuff Ant 18” rims with BFG K02 265/60/18 for the trip.
6. Fitted Max Trax to my Rhino Pioneer Platform
7. Fitted shovel to Pioneer Platform.
8. Fitted Ironman awning to Pioneer Platform.
9. Fitted sand flag to the Pioneer Platform.
10. Purchased GAP Diagnostic Tool.
11. Fitted OEM Landrover tow hitch to better suit my Tregg Hitch setup
12. Rewired my Jayco Outback Swan’s trailer plug from flat 12 pin to flat 7 pin to suit a new adaptor to the Landrover round plug.
13. UHF install.
14. New 120 Ah battery in van.

I’ve just returned from a 2.5 week trip over the school holidays Perth-Coral Bay/Ningaloo Coast-Karijini National Park-Perth some 4500km of driving all up. What a fantastic trip. The Disco didn’t miss a beat and was awesome.

Prior to purchasing my Disco, I originally had a few concerns regarding the Disco’s ability in the sand. These concerns were all put to bed. Dropping my 18” BFG’s to 17psi, and putting it in sand mode and turning off traction control, the Disco was a beast in the sand. There were some fantastic sand adventures around Coral Bay and surrounds. My favourite was a short trip out to Oyster Bridge and back along the beach to Coral Bay. Great fun.

The Disco also performed well over the many 100s of kilometres of corrugations. The worst was the 32km Ningaloo Road into Janes Bay/Ningaloo. Followed by the 4WD tack from Coral Bay along the Coast up to Exmouth and the dirt tracks around Karijini. But dropping the tyre pressures down to 25psi and taking it easy, the air suspension was another great strength of the Disco.
All in all a fantastic family holiday with many fond memories.

Here are a few photos:

















And now to clean all of the red dirt off!!

[veebs]

I’m intrigued - why not fit a large round trailer plug, and do away with the adapter completely?

Nice setup though :-)

[Tombie]

I’m intrigued - why not fit a large round trailer plug, and do away with the adapter completely?

Nice setup though :-)

Even easier - make a 12N + 12S to 12 pin flat

[BeeGee]

I’m intrigued - why not fit a large round trailer plug, and do away with the adapter completely?

Nice setup though :-)

I just like making things difficult for myself! The length with the adapter is perfect. If I changed it over to a round plug would probably need to extend by 30cm or so.

[BeeGee]

Some further thoughts on reflection of our first real trip with the Disco.

The biggest shortfall of the car is the fuel capacity. Spent most of the trip considering the 450-500km towing range and thinking about the best fuel stop strategy. I ended up buying a 20L diesel jerry can just in case (even though I had several jerry cans sitting at home). My previous tug (Pajero) had a LR tank which gave me 140L capacity, a fair bit more than the Disco's 80L. I'm not interested in relocating the spare to the back due to the inconvenience of tail gate entry for 99% of it's usual life so will probably just go with a 2x20L jerry can setup on the roof rack for serious trips.

After all of the corrugations the front end has a knock over bumps. I suspect the LCA bushes are shot from reading similar symptoms on other threads. Will get these done in my next service in a few months.

I'm going to invest in rubber floor mats and seat covers for the next trip. Seeing all the sand from Coral Bay and then red dust from Karijini through the carpets and leather wasn't great. I ordered the factory rubber floor mats yesterday and will look into the neoprene seat covers.

The last things on my improvement list are probably APT protection plates (compressor and front plates) and possibly sliders. Oh, and a rear ladder.

[rocket rod]

You could put the spare tyre on the roof and get a long range fuel tank like I have. I get about 1400km out of a tank full. I take the roof rack off when home and run around without a spare, just a plug kit.

[DieselLSE]

I'm not interested in relocating the spare to the back due to the inconvenience of tail gate entry for 99% of it's usual life...

If you get the Rijidij rear wheel carrier, it can be quite easily removed when not needed. You're just left with a 6" vertical stub which looks a bit like an aerial mount base in the corner of the rear bumper. Also, the Rijidij unit does not interfere with the sight lines of the rear lamps, so there's no faffing about with wiring.