D1 v D2 (No CDL) in Deep sand

[ozscott]

Hi all. I have used my 02 Disco many times in deep sand at Straddie including towing a 2 ton dual axle van into Flinders with it. I once got pretty bogged in a bad section of Main Beach and with no CDL, just traction control made it hard to rock and start off again - but then again I had the standard michellin 235/70/16s. Since then I have upgraded tyres to the Pirelli Scorp' AT 265/70/16 which gives a stack more sidewall height. When these babies are aired down im expecting a long footprint compared to the stockers - 31 inch compared to 29.5 approx. I reckon on the soft sand we will do very well at Fraser soon. The other option is to take my 95 D1 with open diffs but CDL. It only runs 245/70/165. I am reluctant to take her because despite being really well maintained she runs LPG and only a small fuel tank.

The 02 is a manual, and the 95 is an auto (which is naturally better on sand) - which one do you reckon would be the best on soft sand...on high crown tracks the 02 would be better because its quite a bit higher than the 95 - both stock suspensions and both V8s.

Cheers

[westonben]

I've got a 1999 Series 1 (Gulf spec) which is probably just like your 95 and my friend has an 03 Series 2. Both are autos. Both have standard tyres and both do really well when we take them to the dunes here in Qatar.

We drop the tyre pressures to about 16psi. When I got stuck, however, I was pretty happy to have the diff lock!

[Urban Panzer]

The D2's traction control system is very very good, the fact you have the new AT tyres will probably make the difference compared to before.

You "could" always add a CDL to your D2, but because yours is an 02 plate, its more likely to need the bits in the transfer case as well as the linkage so it becomes more expensive.

But a D2 with a CDL and TC is a formiddable machine

[ozscott]

Thanks fellas. Yeah it has always surprised me on sand even with standard tyres. The big difference I reckon with CDL is not getting so much of a side to side up on deep sand at speed. CDL equiped landy with me last trip was not side to siding as much - i notice on fast dirt that my 95 D1 with CDL locked is a much better proposition than unlocked. The 02's chattering on deep sand helps to prevent burrowing down to almost stationery and with plenty of right foot to help it work (ie to help it transfer drive) it does go very well. The off idle torque and directness of the manual helps too I reckon. My gut tells me the much bigger tyres will make it much better again.

Cheers

[tassiedisco]

The 2 Ts, mate! "Tyres" and "Technique"!

[Pedro_The_Swift]

How can you go wrong on the beach?
V8.
Auto.
TC.



CDL is just the icing

[ozscott]

Thanks mate. Yep technique is a big deal on the sand. I love sand driving...particularly going past modern Jeep Cherokees stuck.

My D2 is a manual with traction control and no CDL, but the 31 inch tyres...I reckon the tyres will tip the balance in favour of the D2 in this one. The D1 has better articulation but thats not an issue in the sand.

Cheers

[John W]

The good thing about sand is that all wheels get pretty much the same traction with the small exception of a very steep climb so CDL is not so important. I recently put in a cable to activate the CDL of my auto diesel D2 and it means a lot less work for my traction control but I do not think that I am getting much further in sand now with it. Go the D2 , Have fun!

[Zute]

Ive just done a East West crossing of the Simpson Locking the CDL made things so much easyer. But so did dropping the tyres to 20psi.
I'd take the D1 though just for the auto.

[ozscott]

Cheers mate...given my recent post about the HDC not working in the D2 and with it the tractions control being on the High Range setting (ie next to useless) I am concerned about electrical gremlins wrecking the fraser trip. I may go for the D1, but the only problem is the lack of LPG on the island. I get about 330ks in peak hour driving from the LPG, but soft sand in parts and otherwise hard sand (picking the low tide to travel) will see about the same (ie on the hard at 60-80ks is very good economy compared to peak hour). But then its down to the 40litre subtank on fuel. My air flow meter has always been buggered and im not going to replace it given that its an LPG vehicle (huge cost for the hot wire air mass sensor!!) so on fuel is pretty rich...good go though. I would have to take a couple of jerry cans and thats a pain - no roof rack (yet...good excuse) and small load area compared to the D2....decisions decisions..

Cheers