Project 1996 Disco 300tdi

[tops]

Hi guys,

The tyres on the stock 96 disco are just about done so its time to start thinking about the build. I'm on a very tight budget too but should be able to do most of the work myself. Here's what I'm thinking:

1. tyres/suspension
Upgrade to 235/85/16 with the factory rims. I need a tyre that is ok for road and still aggressive enough for mixing it with the big boys (thinking km2s or kumho's)
Cut the guards away around the wheels rather than lift (as per 1bad4x's build) - does anyone have a thread or pics/details of how best to do this?
Put a 2 inch lift if needed? Here's where some advice would be useful - what have others found?

2. Front bar/winch install - I really like 1bad4x's modification of the standard front bar to keep it discreet. Does anyone know where I might find a link to the build for this that has more detail than his disco build thread? I've pm'd him but notice he hasn't been online for awhile.

3. Rear bar custom - I want to tidy up the rear bar and thought the cheapest way would be to modify the existing unit and do away with the standard tow bar (anchor) and try and fabricate a removable one (hayman reece style) as I have seen a cool mod using a high tensile pin and a recovery hook to create a removable recovery point (often called a scorpion).

4. I am also interested in slowly adding some of the following if anyone knows someone selling them or wrecking a disco that might have some:
- roof rack (mine has nothing)
- rear toolbox/storage inserts
- diff locks
- air compressor and tank to run air tools
- bigger intercooler

5. Can anyone give me advice on a build like this as this is my first disco and I'm also new to diesels.

Thanks all. Would love to meet some crew also (newly moved from across the ditch) around Auckland area for trips and stuff so let me know if ya heading out. So far I've mostly done Woodhill with a couple of friends but keen to explore more.

Cheers,
Tops

[tops]

Update:

Bought some 235/85/16 Nankang Mudstars today from Church St Motor and Tyres for $190 a tyre fitted and balanced! Sweet.

They rub a little and had to remove the lower plastic half of the front bumper. Will be getting the grinder out this weekend to make room for them.

Happy to report very little road noise and almost no different in steering and perf of vehicle. Will see how they go off road but according to other ORE members, they go pretty well for a cheapie.

Does anyone have pics of doing a camel cut on a disco? Would like to see what I'm about to do rather than just chopping wildly (although that does sound like fun!)

[phil_elvey]

'On ya mate. Can't offer any advice on the camel cutting, but post up some pics when you're done. Also would be interested to have a look at the tread on the Nakang(...) tyres

[lilpigzuk]

start chopping

[ant-neil]

i didnt cut mine ,
i just tapped it round with a hammah and cut a little nic in the bottom and bent it behind , took around twenty minutes, and ya can barely tell unless you look in guard and see paint missing, if this helps

[tops]

Thanks guys. Been running her without the chop a couple weeks now and noticed a little bit of rubbing but not too much. Will attempt the cut this weekend and post some pics of it being done. Also need to adjust the lower steering arms as they rub on full lock.

Haven't had the chance to get it orf road yet but will report in once this happens!

Ran her out to Turoa from Auckland and up and down the mountain and theres very little road noise from the tyres and a slight amount of wandering on the hwy but nothing to be concerned about. So far the nankang's are going ok! They look pretty sweet too...

[Snafu]

BFG 235/85 16's. I also have a set of 33" Silverstone MT-117's on modified Disco Rims. Reversed centres with 30mm offset.

2" OME Lift, Camel cut albiet fairly rough plus a bit cut from the rear of the front guard as well. The best investment to stop rubbing was Extended bump stops.

I also have 30mm lathed alloy blocks under the springs on top of the mounting plates.

Also now OME shocks switched to +2" Terrafirma Heavy Duty after breaking a couple of the OME shocks. With these i ahve had the break hoses all extended 2"

Switching the BFG's soon for 285/75R16 which will also go on similar modified rims as above.

I also have custom front bar and rear, plus custom rock sliders, rear bar and sliders made by a guy in Auckland Land Rover club.

Self made rear storage which is adequate for now with a shelf and space for 2 drawers and a Waeco fridge freezer, 2nd battery feeding the Waeco and several rear power outlets.

Twin ARB Lockers, ARB Compressor (Although not good enough for air tools) and 9500 Come Up Winch all fitted a couple of yrs ago.