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Thread: Disco4 ability in sand

  1. #1
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    Disco4 ability in sand

    H guys,

    First post here. New member from Perth considering a D4 purchase.

    I'm looking to upgrade my 2007 NS Pajero DiD to either a D4 SDV6/TDV6 or a 200 series Landcruiser.

    The main drivers for my upgrade from the Pajero are:
    1. Intrusive cabin noise in the Paj from engine, tyres and road doing my wife's head in,
    2. Lack of 3rd row seat space in my Pajero as the kids are getting bigger (family of 6),
    3. Lack of aircon in the 2nd and 3rd rows of my Pajero and
    4. Lack of towing power to pull my Jayco Swan Outback.

    The D4 ticks all of those boxes and more.
    However, I'm very concerned with the potentially poor sand ability of the D4 due to the low profile tyres in both 19" and 20" varieties. I normally bag out my 17"s on my Pajero to 15lb or even 10lb and it's pretty unstoppable in the sand. The 200 series has 17" and 650Nm torque so would be awesome in the sand despite its weight.

    I love sand driving in the Paj and would be reluctant to upgrade to a Disco4 if I'm going to be compromising on sand driving ability.

    I'm also a bit concerned about the small fuel capacity of the D4 of 82L for outback travelling. I've got a longer ranger in my Paj so 150L or so. I note a couple of D4's on the market who have relocated the spare tyre to the rear and installed a long range tank underneath.

    I'd appreciate any feedback on the sand performance aspect to inform me otherwise.

    Thanks
    BeeGee

  2. #2
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    Be careful,as OEM 17's don't fit all LC's,some have larger brakes,but 18's will fit.

    I have 18's on mine and no issues at all in sand,you have done a fair bit of driving in sand so would know about tyre pressures,etc.

    Small fuel tank is an LR issue,and a PITA.
    Long range tanks are available,but as you said the spare tyre has to go somewhere else.
    Tank and rear carrier,is pretty expensive.

    I have just put up with the small tank and carry jerries when needed,in fact most of the time when touring.
    Another thing is,even though the tank is supposedly 82 litres usable,the most i have ever got into mine is 76.
    Paul

    D2,D2,D2a,D4,'09 Defender 110(sons), all moved on.

    '56 S1,been in the family since...'56
    Comes out of hibernation every few months for a run

  3. #3
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    We have a 16 model SDV6 and I run 265's on both the factory 20" and the TuffAnts in an 18". The TuffAnts get fitted when we do extraordinary or more than a day away off road work.

    My experience driving on beach sand is pretty limited, where most of my off-road/touring experience is desert and outback tracks. But what I have done on the beach at Robe and up around the top end I have had varying success and are learning along the way.

    I managed a fair chunk of Little Dip (Robe) while on the 20" down to about 20PSi. I was limited by the people who I was with, whom I was teaching a few things I knew at the same time they were becoming 4WD'ers for the first time. We were sticking to the tracks and could only go as far as they were willing to.

    With the DSC off and in Sand mode the car did pretty well, only really bogging down where extra soft. I'm sure that had I dropped another 5 or even 10PSi it would have been even easier.

    But up North, I have been on the beach at Dundee a few times in various different ways. The beach is very different up there to down south and in most instances it would comfortably and easily plod along at full highway pressures (DSC off and Sand mode).

    One day I decided to knock the pressures down to 20PSi (on the 20" wheels) and it drove very easily, only hoping into the existing wheel tracks when they were there rather than a bit of fighting. The next time we were there I had the 18" wheels on and decided to drop to 20PSi and it felt better and easier again.

    With my limited beach driving, I don't feel like it does too bad.

    Last year we did the Canning in it and the tyres were set 25PSi front and 32PSi rear. There were only three dunes tops that we didn't get over on the first attempt and they were super soft and chewed out.

    Regarding the fuel capacity, because of our trips I ended up fitting the long ranger tank to push it out to 184Lt. I have put the tyre on the roof rack which on big trips also hold an additional 2 Jerry's. I have been considering a tyre carrier, but torn between the frontrunner and rijidij one, for when it eventually happens.

    Hope this info can help your decision, you won't regret the D4, it is everything you need to fix the three issues you have.

    Good luck.
    '15 Discovery 4 HSE- The family bus and the kids like it!
    '89 RRC- My favorite of the bunch!
    Ex '03 Commodore 'S' ute- 450hp of uncracked 5.7lt and 6 speed manual uteness - Still crying that its gone
    Ex '06 GLXR Triton- *Gone and forgotten*

  4. #4
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    great replies, thankyou.

    It certainly confirms the ability of the D4 in the sand, especially with 18"s and more rubber on.

  5. #5
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    a guy i work with has a D4 and go on the beach all the time with stock tyres.

  6. #6
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    A bit late to the party, now the OP has bought one and all, but ...

    My stock 19" rims with worn Pirelli ATR's was fine in the sand. Air down 16psi, off-road height, Sand mode, low range for greater articulation (= flex!) if you need it, DSC off, (DSC off, DSC off!!!).
    Unstoppable.
    If at first you don't succeed, that's one data point. - xkcd
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    2011 Discovery 4 SDV6 HSE

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by Redtail View Post
    A bit late to the party, now the OP has bought one and all, but ...

    My stock 19" rims with worn Pirelli ATR's was fine in the sand. Air down 16psi, off-road height, Sand mode, low range for greater articulation (= flex!) if you need it, DSC off, (DSC off, DSC off!!!).
    Unstoppable.
    And those Pirellis certainly continue to punch above their weight. I'm hanging out for the new ATplus when my current ones get a bit lower.
    MY16 D4 TDV6 - with a little Cambo magic for towing "The Brick"
    MY95 RRC LSE Vogue Softdash "Bessie" (turning circle comparable to QE II) with MY99 TD5 and 4HP24 transplants. Back home Nov 22 after a magic overhaul by Chivalry
    SADLY SOLD MY04 D2a TD5 auto Classic and MY10 D4 2.7 both with lots of goodies

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by Redtail View Post
    A bit late to the party, now the OP has bought one and all, but ...

    My stock 19" rims with worn Pirelli ATR's was fine in the sand. Air down 16psi, off-road height, Sand mode, low range for greater articulation (= flex!) if you need it, DSC off, (DSC off, DSC off!!!).
    Unstoppable.
    Never too late! Thanks for the report and great to hear. Looking forward to getting mine down and dirty asap.

  9. #9
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    I don't have to do anything "Fancy" in my D2a on soft sand,
    Drop the tyres down to 18psi, select low range/lock center diff and just drive
    You only get one shot at life, Aim well

    2004 D2 "S" V8 auto, with a few Mods gone
    2007 79 Series Landcruiser V8 Ute, With a few Mods.
    4.6m Quintrex boat
    20' Jayco Expanda caravan gone

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by trout1105 View Post
    I don't have to do anything "Fancy" in my D2a on soft sand,
    Drop the tyres down to 18psi, select low range/lock center diff and just drive
    Almost exactly what I do in my D4.. I just press one extra button - DSC off.

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