Customize My Land Rover Disco

I have a 99 Disco 1 and at the moment it is completely stock, just the
same as when it was new. I would like to make a few changes to it.

Eventually I would like to have a full length roof rack with a tent on
top. I would like to have some Hella lights put on the front. I am
thinking about a Bull Bar front bumper with a winch. And lastly, I
want new tires and I probably need new suspension.

It has 100,000 miles and runs fine!

I would like to start with the tires and suspension. I have looked
around and from what I can come up with Old Man Emu suspension is the
best? What is everyone's thoughts on that?

Next the tires. I think the rims I have right now are fine but I would
like a tire that is a bit taller and meaner than what I have currently.
I have looked around at some of the stores in my area but am not
really finding anything that pops out at me. The rim and tire size are
original just like what a Disco 1 would have on it from the factory.
What are some suggestions for brands and sizes of tires that would give
me not only a better look but better performance when I am out in the
woods?

Thanks!

In message <[email protected]>
"[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote:

> I have a 99 Disco 1 and at the moment it is completely stock, just the
> same as when it was new. I would like to make a few changes to it.
>
> Eventually I would like to have a full length roof rack with a tent on
> top. I would like to have some Hella lights put on the front. I am
> thinking about a Bull Bar front bumper with a winch. And lastly, I
> want new tires and I probably need new suspension.
>
> It has 100,000 miles and runs fine!
>
> I would like to start with the tires and suspension. I have looked
> around and from what I can come up with Old Man Emu suspension is the
> best? What is everyone's thoughts on that?
>

Britpart's "Yellow" range of springs have exactly the same specs
as OME (indeed some of the 110 rears *are* OME). Bearmach "Blue"
are probably very similar.

> Next the tires. I think the rims I have right now are fine but I would
> like a tire that is a bit taller and meaner than what I have currently.
> I have looked around at some of the stores in my area but am not
> really finding anything that pops out at me. The rim and tire size are
> original just like what a Disco 1 would have on it from the factory.
> What are some suggestions for brands and sizes of tires that would give
> me not only a better look but better performance when I am out in the
> woods?

Larger tyres can cause all sorts of problems with regard to the
body work, truning circle etc. You need to ask yourself some
questions before deciding which one are right for you, e.g.
what is the avarage sort of ground in the woods? Is it very
wet and soft, or dry and sandy. or some of each? Personaly
I'd go for an all-round slightly over standard size (the lifted
suspension should prevent to much damage to the body work), not
too wide, and see how you get on. With that experience you can
decide where to go next. Massive macho tyres might look the part,
but are not always the best choice.

Just my 2p.

Richard

--
www.beamends-lrspares.co.uk [email protected]
www.radioparadise.com - Good Music, No Vine
Lib Dems - Townies keeping comedy alive

Where are you based?

Another thing you will have to consider is the actual use of the car. Not
so much what you would like it to look like but more how you will be using
it.
Unless of course you wish to modify/customize the car for looks and not for
functionality.

There are several options for coils and shock absorbers so do not limit
yourself on the OME ones.

A roofrack and lights on it will GREATLY increase your fuel consumption,
alter the roadholding and stability of your Disco when you offroad
(decreasing considerably the amount of sideways lean you can negotiate
without the danger of rolling sideways) and will increase road and wind
noise.

Same kind of problems are created with a heavy winch bumper and winch
assembly at the front.

If you do not intend to use your Disco extensively off the road and on very
tricky condition a HD bumper and winch is something that I would propose you
reconsider.

If on the other hand you plan on using your Disco for serious offroading I
would suggest you start from protecting your Discos mechanical bits
(transmission and bodywork) and then start spending money on winches and
roofracks.

But as already quoted above if you just like the looks of a modified Disco
with roofrack, lights and big chunky tyres go ahead and do it. After all
cars are just like women. If you like her like she is then she is the best
one in the world and noone can change your mind (and is NOT entitled to do
so)

If you do it knowingly then you will enjoy your car for its looks and you
will accept its shortcomings from these modifications.
Just think, decide what you really want to do with it and what you like
doing and then proceed. I am sure everybody on this group will be happy to
provide his/her input so that you will be able to achieve the best results
according to your preferences.

Take care
Pantelis Giamarellos
LAND ROVER CLUB OF GREECe




<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I have a 99 Disco 1 and at the moment it is completely stock, just the
> same as when it was new. I would like to make a few changes to it.
>
> Eventually I would like to have a full length roof rack with a tent on
> top. I would like to have some Hella lights put on the front. I am
> thinking about a Bull Bar front bumper with a winch. And lastly, I
> want new tires and I probably need new suspension.
>
> It has 100,000 miles and runs fine!
>
> I would like to start with the tires and suspension. I have looked
> around and from what I can come up with Old Man Emu suspension is the
> best? What is everyone's thoughts on that?
>
> Next the tires. I think the rims I have right now are fine but I would
> like a tire that is a bit taller and meaner than what I have currently.
> I have looked around at some of the stores in my area but am not
> really finding anything that pops out at me. The rim and tire size are
> original just like what a Disco 1 would have on it from the factory.
> What are some suggestions for brands and sizes of tires that would give
> me not only a better look but better performance when I am out in the
> woods?
>
> Thanks!
>

> Britpart's "Yellow" range of springs have exactly the same specs
> as OME (indeed some of the 110 rears *are* OME). Bearmach "Blue"
> are probably very similar.

Thanks, I will check out the suspension that you mentioned above. I
appreciate it!

How much of a job is it to change out the suspension myself? How long
(hours) would it take me? (Yes, I have the tools to do it)


> Larger tyres can cause all sorts of problems with regard to the
> body work, truning circle etc. You need to ask yourself some
> questions before deciding which one are right for you, e.g.
> what is the avarage sort of ground in the woods? Is it very
> wet and soft, or dry and sandy. or some of each? Personaly
> I'd go for an all-round slightly over standard size (the lifted
> suspension should prevent to much damage to the body work), not
> too wide, and see how you get on. With that experience you can
> decide where to go next. Massive macho tyres might look the part,
> but are not always the best choice.

I tend to like the more practical side of things and I am not looking
to turn my Disco into a "Monster Truck". I live in Wasington state
which is the western side of the USA. It is alot of mountains here
with snow in the upper elevations but mostly it is rainy. Lots of rain
and lots of wet, soft ground. I use my land rover as a family vehicle
as well as for hunting and occasional off road adventures. So, I am
looking for a recomendation of a tire that fits on my existing rim and
is a bit taller. Any suggestions as to what brand and specific tire I
could check out?

Thanks,

Jason

> Where are you based?

I am in Wasington state on the West Coast of the USA.

> Another thing you will have to consider is the actual use of the car. Not
> so much what you would like it to look like but more how you will be using
> it.
> Unless of course you wish to modify/customize the car for looks and not for
> functionality.

I use my Disco as a family vehicle and I also use it for hunting and
driving in the mountains. I definitely am looking at being practical
and not just for looks.


>
> There are several options for coils and shock absorbers so do not limit
> yourself on the OME ones.

What other brands of coils and shock absorbers should I look at? I
need something that will last, is priced well and can handle some
offroad but not extreme. Also, I would like the roof rack because with
five people in my family it helps to be able to store some things on
the roof. That of course adds weight so that is another consideration
for the suspension.

> Same kind of problems are created with a heavy winch bumper and winch
> assembly at the front.

I have a Land Rover Cattle Guard and I really like it. In fact I
wouldn't mind keeping that one at all. So, instead of a big heavy
front bumper and winch, what about a winch that I could install along
with my existing cattle guard?

I checked out the HD bumper that you recommended:
http://www.warn.com/truck/mounting-systems/mount_systems.shtml

Is that the right place? Can I somehow get one of those winches to
easily work with my current configuration?

> If on the other hand you plan on using your Disco for serious offroading I
> would suggest you start from protecting your Discos mechanical bits
> (transmission and bodywork) and then start spending money on winches and
> roofracks.

Great advice! You are right. I am not at the stage yet where I can do
some serious offroading but as I get more experience maybe I will move
in that direction.

> If you do it knowingly then you will enjoy your car for its looks and you
> will accept its shortcomings from these modifications.

In regards to tires and shortcomings. What are the disadvantages to
having taller tires? What am I giving up when I go in that direction?

Thanks!

Jason

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
Any suggestions as to what brand and specific tire I
> could check out?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jason

Have a look at Coopers tires. I have 245/75 ATRs on identical rims, tiny bit
wider, a bit taller, no clearance issues at all on my P38a. These are an AT
tire, their ST is a more agressive pattern, but the ATRs are an excellent
compromise- a big improvement on the standard Michelins IMHO. Better on road
and off.

In message <[email protected]>,
"[email protected]" <[email protected]> writes
>I have a 99 Disco 1 and at the moment it is completely stock, just the
>same as when it was new. I would like to make a few changes to it.
>
>Eventually I would like to have a full length roof rack with a tent on
>top. I would like to have some Hella lights put on the front. I am
>thinking about a Bull Bar front bumper with a winch. And lastly, I
>want new tires and I probably need new suspension.
>
A winch can be most useful in the wilds, I'd recommend using Dynema
rather than wire - much more user friendly - and can be coiled and
thrown, great when you're up to the wings in bog ;-)

The rack and tent will put a lot more weight up top - take particular
care on side slopes.

>It has 100,000 miles and runs fine!
>
>I would like to start with the tires and suspension. I have looked
>around and from what I can come up with Old Man Emu suspension is the
>best? What is everyone's thoughts on that?
>
Can't help here.

>Next the tires. I think the rims I have right now are fine but I would
>like a tire that is a bit taller and meaner than what I have currently.
> I have looked around at some of the stores in my area but am not
>really finding anything that pops out at me. The rim and tire size are
>original just like what a Disco 1 would have on it from the factory.
>What are some suggestions for brands and sizes of tires that would give
>me not only a better look but better performance when I am out in the
>woods?
>
>Thanks!
>
I'd go for a second set of rims & tyres for off road. It's not much of a
hassle to change them before a trip. Probably a mud pattern, given where
you are, something like BF Goodrich MT or General Grabber MT should work
well. I use 235/85 16s on my Defender and wouldn't want to go any wider
than that for muddy conditions. Then you can have ATs for every day use
and a more aggressive set of tyres for more serious use.
The off-road set should be steel and not too pricey - you don't want to
wreck expensive wheels on a rock.

HTH

Will
--
lancre dot net - The personal domain of Will and Cath Wilkinson.
Send e-mail to news dot will at lancre dot net
'98 300Tdi Defender 110 CSW, 1/12th NB Sometimes
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Public key can be obtained from ldap://certserver.pgp.com

[email protected] wrote:
> > Britpart's "Yellow" range of springs have exactly the same specs
> > as OME (indeed some of the 110 rears *are* OME). Bearmach "Blue"
> > are probably very similar.
>
> Thanks, I will check out the suspension that you mentioned above. I
> appreciate it!
>
> How much of a job is it to change out the suspension myself? How long
> (hours) would it take me? (Yes, I have the tools to do it)

Easy with a bit of common sense. If you've not done it before, I'd
allow a full day for all four corners, to allow for stuck fasteners
etc.

> > Larger tyres can cause all sorts of problems with regard to the
> > body work, truning circle etc. You need to ask yourself some
> > questions before deciding which one are right for you, e.g.
> > what is the avarage sort of ground in the woods? Is it very
> > wet and soft, or dry and sandy. or some of each? Personaly
> > I'd go for an all-round slightly over standard size (the lifted
> > suspension should prevent to much damage to the body work), not
> > too wide, and see how you get on. With that experience you can
> > decide where to go next. Massive macho tyres might look the part,
> > but are not always the best choice.
>
> I tend to like the more practical side of things and I am not looking
> to turn my Disco into a "Monster Truck". I live in Wasington state
> which is the western side of the USA. It is alot of mountains here
> with snow in the upper elevations but mostly it is rainy. Lots of rain
> and lots of wet, soft ground. I use my land rover as a family vehicle
> as well as for hunting and occasional off road adventures. So, I am
> looking for a recomendation of a tire that fits on my existing rim and
> is a bit taller. Any suggestions as to what brand and specific tire I
> could check out?

For your usage, I would go for BFG ATs every time - great wear, good on
the road and pretty handy off-road. On your Disco, standard size would
be 235/70 or 245/70, so going for 235/75 or 245/75 will give you a
slightly bigger tyre which should cause no clearance problems if you
lift the suspension. I know that wise looks funky, but don't forget
there are some surfaces where narrow tyres are actually better.

Have a look at http://members.shaw.ca/jbarge/tires.html and google for
others - there's a lot of advice out there.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jason