Thread: Just bought a new D5 and I'm looking for some advice

I had no idea about the air intake going through the bonnet and like Numb Thumbs I’m wondering about Bull dust when I head west next year (COVID). I think I’ll take a spare air filter with me. Does anyone know if you can get after market reusable air filters for the D5 or will using one void my warranty I wonder?

On another issue, as soon as I picked up my new D5 I had my auto electrician add a Redarc Pro electric break unit as well as an Andersen plug near the towbar for power to the van. Even though the D5 came with a 12 pin plug as standard my auto electrician changed it because it was a sealed unit and he couldn’t wire it to suit my van. The manual says my D5 should recognize when the caravan is connected and a message should come up to that effect but I get nothing so I don’t know if the car is recognizing the van is connected or not. I’m wondering if there might have been a sensor in the original plug that enabled the car to recognize when the caravan is connected.

I have also tried to follow the prompts to set up the trailer reverse function but that doesn’t work either. Sometimes I get a little icon with a jack knifed trailer with an X on it on the reverse camera screen. Perhaps you don’t get this function on the SE version.

D5Bob

To sense the trailer, it needs a certain minimal resistance on the turn indicators - equivalent to a standard - in by gone times... - 21 Watt globe. Many modern LED tail lights do not have enough resistance to be detected. I have used a dongle from Ford, designed for the Ranger utes which have the same issue. Cost me around $55 and worked well, if a little clunky. I have now installed a pair of Narva ballast resistors and a switch in the turn indicator wiring to the trailer plug and that works well. I just close the switch - a dual pole/single throw one - and the car thinks there is a trailer attached - the green trailer icon in the dash flashes in time with the turn indicators. I wrote up how I did it on here:

Wiring up a pair of ballast resistors for towing a trailer with LED lights


Graeme

I just went out to the garage and hosed out the bonnet - I blasted water into the two openings at the front of the underside of the bonnet - I have an SD6 so two air boxes. Clear water came out, even after 700 kms of dirt on the last trip. I am careful not to follow other vehicles within their dust cloud and I am wary of oncoming vehicles making huge dust clouds - I pull off the road and turn the engine off if necessary.

Cheers
Numb Thumbs

Thanks Numb Thumbs,

That was really helpful, I’ll give it a go.

Cheers Bob

PM me if you need more information.

Cheers
Numb Thumbs

Originally Posted by Numb Thumbs

Thanks, Hugh Jarse. I had visions of my bonnet becoming so heavy I wouldn't be able to lift it after a run down the Birdsville Track...

I just hope they tested the system in Australian bulldust.

Cheers
Numb Thumbs

It even works on aeroplanes. I remember just getting airborne at Coffs Harbour, when this Bin Chicken (Ibis) decided to introduce itself to the left engine of the plane I was flying. Apart from the 'bang' and a little torque fluctuation, it kept running swimmingly.
We did a quick return to land. Inspection showed lots of blood over the air intake, but most of the bird went through the inertial separator and bypass door, then out the back.
One of the passengers seated next to the engine said that all but a wing went down the intake.
An engineer with a wicked sense of humour flew up and boroscoped the engine. He said "you've got a tiny bit of Kentucky Fried Ibis in there, but the old girl's good to go"

Testament to the value of inertial separators. Just don't hit an ibis in the D5. They make a mess

Ah! Kentucky Fried Bin Chicken!!

Cheers
Numb Thumbs

On my Freelander2 I run Pirelli Scorpion Zero tyres (they're 18")
I don't know if they make a 19".

Tricks and traps: Look up Pirelli Scorpion Zero and you can wind up with three different things - one is a road tyre; one is another SUV road tyre also known as Verde, and there's 'the right one' with a somewhat blocky tread.
RRP for 'my tyres' is over $400; each; I've been able to get them on-line for as little as $215 each. Fitting is usually $25 on top. Wheel alignment(s) as always, recommended.

There was a back-to-back test in one of the 4WD mags a few years back and they commented that they were inexplicably good in wet clay. That has been my experience (sideways slide became an undramatic drive-back-up-the-hill). They are also good on the tar, and (when new) good in the wet. Downside is lousy wear, but I like the improved emergency grip/braking distance. For 19" rims wear would possibly be worse...

They are very quiet when new, but 10-15,000km on nothing but tar develops a noise issue - easy fixed, rotate front><back.

Originally Posted by D5Bob

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I've just bought a new D5 SE SD6 which has 19 inch wheels. When I bought the car I never thought that I would not be able to get A/T tyres to fit a 19 inch rim (go figure ). I'm looking to put a set of Tuff Ant 18" rims on with BFG TA All-Terrains and I'm hoping someone has already done this and can tell me if the BFG's are noisy or not on a D5? I have had BFG's on my previous 200 series cruisers and they were nice and quiet but when I put a set of them on my Touareg they were very noisy. If I get it wrong again i'll be in big trouble with my wife. Any advice would be appreciated

I am also having difficulty finding any aftermarket accessories like snorkel's or which brackets for the D5, again if someone could point me in the right direction it would be appreciated.

Hi D5 Bod,

I have a D5 with Tuff Ants 18 inch Steel rims fitted with Coopers Tyres See my Previous Post

As we all know the 19 inch and above Rims and Tyres are the Achilles Heel of the all Disco 4s and 5s - replacing Rims with Steel to 18 inch resolves all of these issues as you can purchase decent rubber with a sidewall that works gives better ride and doesnt get cut through. I had a good run in My D4 with the Coopers 19s though previous to this i had the General Grabbers they were rubbish in my opinion too soft for the Gammons. In one Gammon Trip I ruined 3 brand new Grabber tyres in one very rough track in the space of 1 Kilometer it was Shale country but my colleague in a 200 series with 18 inch BFGs never had an issue!

I just got back from the Flinders and Gammon ranges and had no issues at all I completed the WOWEE track at Merna Morna Solo and couldnt be happier with the performance of the car and tyres. I thought my D4 was a pretty good climber the D5 is even better! Coming down the track at a 40 degree angle with wheel ruts 600mm deep where lesser 4wds has stuck and span as they hung up . The D5 went through it all without the slightest wheel spin- the tyres of course help greatly but what a competent car. Same going up almost 45 degree super chopped up track, absolutely brilliant I was just looking at sky and had to rely on the front camera to see where the track was going at the summit This is a very difficult track and the D5 never bottomed out, never span, it was just crazy good.
I have been using 4wds all of my life Toyotas 45 47 Prado Pajeros Suzukis Subaru D4 but this one is the most impressive in its ability to traverse rough country!