300 disco...can u help turn it into an offroad monster?

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Sharpend

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Hello,
I have just got myself a tidy 300tdi, m reg with 128000 miles on the clock. I am a mechanical engineer and have some spare (about £1000) cash in the bank! However, i need some help turning this puppy into an off-road beast. These are the ideas...

  • I have some cooper 235/85/16 ready for the blasted and painted standard 5 spoke disco wheels
  • I have no idea about the lift springs i need, what package to get or what individual parts i need to make the complete system. I know that new brake hoses, springs, shocks are needed but which ones? The budget is £400, and lift will be 2". Also DO we need turret mounts, dislocation cones, radius arms, trailing arms, poly bushes, bump stops etc...I JUST DONT KNOW. So any advice here would be great.
  • We will need some rock sliders...but which ones?
  • And some Bumpers...possibly utilise the original ones for the time being
  • We will need steering and diff protection
  • Dont need a winch quite yet
  • A snorkel definately
  • i will do all the work myself wih chums (am also building a series 2A from scratch as we speak)
  • It will be resprayed to make it look good when done (possibly G4 colours)
Thankyou for your time, i hope to make this a landyzone project so all or even any ideas will be great. I will do what you say!;) (If its good)

Take it easy,

Nick

PS this will be completed in a month so i will be able to show you all what monster we have created.
 
http://www.landyzone.co.uk/lz/f38/what-tires-can-i-put-my-disco-43706.html This will give you enough info on what you need to do to a standard disco to fit bigger wheels.

for a 2" lift you can get away with just extended brake lines. A relocation cone might be usefull if your looking to do extreme pay & play sites. Apart from that you don't really need anything else. For the sliders see Guardian on Mud-Club off road chat, discussion and technical advice for Land Rover, Jeep, Pajero, Suzuki, Toyota, Off Roaders and Greenlaners He makes lots of bits for disco's
 
redhand,

You seem to post the most replies on this site..well done. And thanks for the advice, but if i could quizz you some more that would be great. Let me have a look at the site you suggested and i will drop you another line if i have any queries if thats OK

Yours Aye

Nick
 
You do not need a 2" lift to fit 235/85 r16 's (I have done it). Read the tyre fitting guide. Spend your money on a winch and a hi-lift jack :D
 
I agree re the winch. What's the point having all the other stuff if you're stuck and have to get pulled out by someone. I wouldn't waste my money on lifted suspension just bung some bigger diameter tyres on, Most of the "offroadf" stuff on sale is cosmetic and pretty unnescessary. As is fancy paintwork if you're actualy going to use it offroad. It'll be covered in ****e most of the time and after a few jetwashes therell be bugger all paint left.:D
 
hughesy said:
I agree re the winch. What's the point having all the other stuff if you're stuck and have to get pulled out by someone. I wouldn't waste my money on lifted suspension just bung some bigger diameter tyres on, Most of the "offroadf" stuff on sale is cosmetic and pretty unnescessary. As is fancy paintwork if you're actualy going to use it offroad. It'll be covered in ****e most of the time and after a few jetwashes therell be bugger all paint left.:D
Click to expand...

Guess he could invest it some long travel dampers, and move the mounts up a bit :D
 
well, had a look at the site and there are still a couple of questions.
1. Do i need to cut the arches and restrict steering with a HD 2" lift kit
2. What is the difference between dislocation cones and turret mounts?
Thanks
Nick
 
You still have to restrict the steering because the tyre rub on the radius arms. not sure about cutting the arches.

dislocation cones helps the spring seat correctly after it has become unseated. Need long travel dampers for this to happen.

For turret mounts that is what holds the front damper in place.
 
Alter the axle stops, there is what looks like a bolt sticking out of the swivel the more it sticks out the less steering angle you have. You need to adjust it so your tyre is 15-20mm away from the radius arm on full lock. The clearence is for tyre delfection.
 
Hi i have just read your post about changing your disco into an off roader. I have done this with my own disco that i use everyday as my run around and my weekend toy, so as you can see i really need to protect it as best i can so i still have a disco come monday.

The tyres dont go past 245/70/16 unless you want to cut out your arches like i had to when i went to 265/75/16. The 2" lift kit is worth while putting on but dont forget to extend your brake pipes as on full stretch they look like they are about to pop on standard ones.

Diff guard are a must if you intend playing in quarrys as its not much fun when you smash one on rocks, also rock sliders as my first try in a quarry resulted in a boulder smashing my sills and stopping my door from opening.

The main thing as ian said will be the winch (also a good battery) you could have all the toys in the world on your discovery but if you are stuck you dont half look a fool if you can not get out.(believe me it happened to me)
 
Shayne,

Thanks for that. I have just got the steering guard and new winch bumper (currently without winch but it will come soon). On order is the 2" lift kit (with extendable brake hoses and i have managed to find a friendly garage who will let me have the use of their equpt and their welder for free so it should be up and running in no time.
I cant find rock sliders tho......need some help here if anyone would be so kind.

I will post pix when its done.

All i need now is a cool paint scheme,.........and ideas??

Nick

PS How about the safari snorkel.............is it the done thing?
 
For Your Winch Try A Company Called Champion, They Do A 15000lb Line Pull For £438. They Also Do Smaller Ones And Are Normally Found At All The Landrover Shows. They Advertise In Lro All The Time. These Where The Most Competative In Price.

Looking Forward To Seeing The Pictures When Its Done.

Yellow And Black Work Well Together If You Want To Be Noticed,but You Will Have To Be Brave To Do It In That Colour.


Shane:)
 
Sharpend said:
Shayne,

Thanks for that. I have just got the steering guard and new winch bumper (currently without winch but it will come soon). On order is the 2" lift kit (with extendable brake hoses and i have managed to find a friendly garage who will let me have the use of their equpt and their welder for free so it should be up and running in no time.
I cant find rock sliders tho......need some help here if anyone would be so kind.

I will post pix when its done.

All i need now is a cool paint scheme,.........and ideas??

Nick

PS How about the safari snorkel.............is it the done thing?
Click to expand...






try paddocks or rebel 4x4
about 185 quid on each last time i looked
 
Sharpend

If I was to do mine again I would and I have only 1k to spend will be the following.

I would get a set of 33" on 255 tyres there are plenty out there around about £600

and lift it 2" with a set of pro comps or if you are brave go with a 3" springs and 2 " shocks and clamp your springs in.

With this combi I owuld say you would have a good compromise of a vehicle where it will be more than capable off road and on road without the handling of a Jelly

To be honest with what most people forget is lifting the ground clearance of your DIFF is the most important rather than lifting the body I.e springs or body lift.
 
island 4x4 for your snorkel sharpend, think 140 quid delivered next day!!! thats safari aswell mate.
did yer get in touch with foundry?
 
Just to let you all know how its going.

Steering guard is in the post. The rover is going in to the welders tomorrow to get a couple of points done on the bulkhead. I have not yet ordered the lift kit but it will probably be from paddock and a 2" lift, britpart springs and pro-comp shocks with brake hoses and turret mounts. I have got the tyres now and they will go on when it has been lifted (and i got my friendly garage to give me a hand) (FOR FREE :D )!!! I will get the snorkel as you say razman £140 can't be bad so i will order it today. As for the spray job well, i am a pilot and my helicopters (AS350BB Squirrel HT.1, ZJ259) at the moment are black and yellow so i can also get hold of the paint for free too so that will be that.
I have also just bought a winch bumper for £40, that i spotted lying in a corner of the garage and the LRO guy who oned it just wanted rid....so i picked it up for a pretty penny.
Finally i have now enlarged my budget to get a winch......as you say champion will probably be the best so i have incorporated it into the final costings analysis. Here is the breakdown....tell me what you think:

Bumper (second hand) : £40
Winch (Champion): £470
Tyres (Second hand) : £50
2" lift kit (prob. from Paddock but which one i am not sure) : £ 200 - 400.
Steering Guard (Craig [RAZ8550TDI]): £ 79 <- Good bloke to know;)
Diff Guard (Frogs Island) : £ 47
Safari Snorkel : £140
Rock Sliders (Online) : £150
Paint Job (By myself): FREE :)

TOTAL : £1340 inc. VAT.......NOT BAD.....only £340 over my budget.

Its going to be great!! :cool:

Total:
 
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