Paul Leinichen
Active Member
So, the ongoing project of getting my Disco from "school-run" to "workhorse" vehicle is coming along. It started life as a standard 2004 Discovery 2 TD5 Landmark manual. Mileage is currently 137k and it's only had a couple of plates on the chassis (so far!!) so it's generally doing pretty well considering it's spent it's life near the sea (always been a Somerset / Devon based vehicle).
I'm using it for my vehicle transport business - towing a vehicle trailer (or anything else - caravan, boat trailer, bike trailer, horsebox, box trailer, whatever needs to be towed really!) and as a volunteer for Wessex 4x4 Response - so it's going to be worked hard and a good number of hours each day spend in the driver's seat. So rest assured, it'll get some proper off-road use (not just bumping over the occasional kerb when it gets busy doing the school run or in Tesco carpark!).
So far it's had:
2" lift on Terrafirma shocks all round, springs up front and air bags and riser blocks at the back - had the air suspension re-calibrated too just to make sure it was riding right (well worth it in the end)
General Grabber AT3's all round (including the spare)
2 diff guards fitted
Added the side steps (will probably change to tree sliders at some point but wanted something cheap and quick)
Roof rack (had to remove factory roof rails to make it fit)
Light bar - centre 2 are spots, outer 4 are floods (all have 6 CREE leds so are super-bright!)
Winch bumper with numberplate holder and A bar with 2 further spots (again 6 CREE leds) - still got to fit the washer jets and bottle guard
2 rear work lights (4 CREE leds each)
Rear ladder
Fully serviced including all gearbox and diff oils by Land Rover specialist (DBL Land Rovers in Nailsea)
CB
Locking fuel cap from a Defender
LED strobe beacons front and rear
Raptor pod fitted with CB and will have tachograph in the space DIN slot (need this for work) and on top of that a MUD pod with the switches for the additional lights
US style cup holders added to centre consule
Mantec Load Lugger rear upper shelf
Interior lights changed to LED bulbs
Centre rear brake light, front side lights, rear fogs, reversing lamps, brakes & rear lamps changes to LED
Dip beam and main beam changed to +150% brighter bulbs (couldn't find a sensible LED alternative)
(tried LED indicator bulbs - they don't work properly so went back to standard.
Radio upgraded to unit with USB and Bluetooth streaming & hands-free phone
LED Maglight torch mounted on the back of the armrest (above rear ashtray)
Dog guard fitted (went for an aftermarket one from eBay and, in my opinion, it's much better than the genuine one and it's certainly much easier to fit as well as being quick and easy to take out if I need to put the seats down - handy for those tip runs!)
Front and rear light guards
Snorkel and full breather kit fitted and properly sealed
Alive Tuning remap (mild stage 2)
Decat, EGR deleted and centre box removed
30mm wheel spacers
Bonnet bra
and obviously my company decals
still to do:
winch (still deciding which make / model to buy, so far the most likely is the Warrior Samurai 12000 based on price & quality - I use the 8000 model on my trailer and it's excellent - but i'm open to suggestions too)
steel rear bumper
steering guard
tank guard
change towbar (want to swap for an a height adjustable one so I can quickly swap between Alko ball and Nato (pin) type hitch to give greater versatility for work
considering an allow radiator and Allisport intercooler
undoubtedly there's going to be a list of other things come up as / when I see them (or when something breaks!)
I'm using it for my vehicle transport business - towing a vehicle trailer (or anything else - caravan, boat trailer, bike trailer, horsebox, box trailer, whatever needs to be towed really!) and as a volunteer for Wessex 4x4 Response - so it's going to be worked hard and a good number of hours each day spend in the driver's seat. So rest assured, it'll get some proper off-road use (not just bumping over the occasional kerb when it gets busy doing the school run or in Tesco carpark!).
So far it's had:
2" lift on Terrafirma shocks all round, springs up front and air bags and riser blocks at the back - had the air suspension re-calibrated too just to make sure it was riding right (well worth it in the end)
General Grabber AT3's all round (including the spare)
2 diff guards fitted
Added the side steps (will probably change to tree sliders at some point but wanted something cheap and quick)
Roof rack (had to remove factory roof rails to make it fit)
Light bar - centre 2 are spots, outer 4 are floods (all have 6 CREE leds so are super-bright!)
Winch bumper with numberplate holder and A bar with 2 further spots (again 6 CREE leds) - still got to fit the washer jets and bottle guard
2 rear work lights (4 CREE leds each)
Rear ladder
Fully serviced including all gearbox and diff oils by Land Rover specialist (DBL Land Rovers in Nailsea)
CB
Locking fuel cap from a Defender
LED strobe beacons front and rear
Raptor pod fitted with CB and will have tachograph in the space DIN slot (need this for work) and on top of that a MUD pod with the switches for the additional lights
US style cup holders added to centre consule
Mantec Load Lugger rear upper shelf
Interior lights changed to LED bulbs
Centre rear brake light, front side lights, rear fogs, reversing lamps, brakes & rear lamps changes to LED
Dip beam and main beam changed to +150% brighter bulbs (couldn't find a sensible LED alternative)
(tried LED indicator bulbs - they don't work properly so went back to standard.
Radio upgraded to unit with USB and Bluetooth streaming & hands-free phone
LED Maglight torch mounted on the back of the armrest (above rear ashtray)
Dog guard fitted (went for an aftermarket one from eBay and, in my opinion, it's much better than the genuine one and it's certainly much easier to fit as well as being quick and easy to take out if I need to put the seats down - handy for those tip runs!)
Front and rear light guards
Snorkel and full breather kit fitted and properly sealed
Alive Tuning remap (mild stage 2)
Decat, EGR deleted and centre box removed
30mm wheel spacers
Bonnet bra
and obviously my company decals
still to do:
winch (still deciding which make / model to buy, so far the most likely is the Warrior Samurai 12000 based on price & quality - I use the 8000 model on my trailer and it's excellent - but i'm open to suggestions too)
steel rear bumper
steering guard
tank guard
change towbar (want to swap for an a height adjustable one so I can quickly swap between Alko ball and Nato (pin) type hitch to give greater versatility for work
considering an allow radiator and Allisport intercooler
undoubtedly there's going to be a list of other things come up as / when I see them (or when something breaks!)