info needed on how to use a discovery off road

sorry needs to say discovery in the title !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


hello im hopeing you can help a mate of myn he is gonna come with me in the next few weeks off roading at coney green farm ....but beeing as i drive a series 2 (1962) i and he have no idea how to drive a discovery off road ..

it is a 53 plate 2.5tdi with a auto box ..it also has the hill desent stuff fitted ......could some one shed some light on the best possible settings to use it correctly off road .... i know low box but how is the gearbox to be used ? same as a manual ?...cheers benny .............

should go most places in 2nd gear low range with diff lock on, i dont know if its the same in a disco 2

Where are you, where is your mate? Just the town, not an address

Whatever anyone says there's notalot to be learned from reading, though it will give you an idea. I'd say just get out on some green lanes and try it! Preferably you'll be near someone off Landyzone who can take you out, show you what to do, then get in and watch you (or your mate) do it ...

Have a look at David Bowyers site, he trains people and there's a cd out somewhere with him actually driving offroad.

Superwinch Parts, Electric Winches and Winch Bumpers, UK – Goodwinch.com

Low box 2nd gear auto in manual mode, doubt the 03 plate will have a diff lock, you'll be working the Traction control tho

Urban Panzer said:

Low box 2nd gear auto in manual mode, doubt the 03 plate will have a diff lock, you'll be working the Traction control tho

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cheers panzer ........ how about hill decent .... 1st gear and let the computer gizmo sort it out ? ...or 2nd and let the computer have its fun ? ........this is why i like the older cars so much easyer to drive with out all the **** bolted on ....

bennybenny said:

cheers panzer ........ how about hill decent .... 1st gear and let the computer gizmo sort it out ? ...or 2nd and let the computer have its fun ? ........this is why i like the older cars so much easyer to drive with out all the **** bolted on ....

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you cud always swap it fer mine

Low Range, Diff lock if you have it (Probably not) Gear box into manual, Hill descent on, and drive it as you would your Ser II, selecting the gear you want.
Even with HDC on in low 1st it will go down steep hills faster than your Ser II.
Before tackling a steep descent you must ensure you are in 1st gear. If you just pull the selector back, but are gong too fast (3 or 4 mph) it may not select 1st gear, so safest to stop at the top to ensure 1st is engaged.

Oh, and if you have air suspension think about raising it, but don't do it automatically, it will reduce you approach angle, already poor with the spoiler on pre facelift Discovery 2s

bennybenny said:

cheers panzer ........ how about hill decent .... 1st gear and let the computer gizmo sort it out ? ...or 2nd and let the computer have its fun ? ........this is why i like the older cars so much easyer to drive with out all the **** bolted on ....

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I do use hill descent coz its there and to give it a workout, but 1st gear in manual mode is usually enough on most of them, if its really steep using the Hill descent can be a little "scary" for novice users (no offence meant by that btw) as the vehicle runs away to start with until the ABS catches up (if that makes sense) and its difficult to not hit the brake at first (not used to it), and you have to be wary of that as that cuts out the HDC immediately

I would suggest you use HDC on a lesser hill to start with to get the "feel" for it, and the approach angle for the D2 is its worst enemy, but the ass end is to, if im "offroad" my rear air is lifted all the time.

Urban Panzer said:

I would suggest you use HDC on a lesser hill to start with to get the "feel" for it, and the approach angle for the D2 is its worst enemy, but the ass end is to, if im "offroad" my rear air is lifted all the time.

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I'd agree - the rear end on my (coil spring) version is worse - it'll go up steps but fouls them coming down! There's a fair bit of info on off-road driving in the vehicle handbook. Make sure you know how to put it into manual mode.

And enjoy.

V8_Disco said:

should go most places in 2nd gear low range with diff lock on, i dont know if its the same in a disco 2

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When other than steep slopes and the odd rock crawling section would you use 1st low??

I lOvE mY lAnDy said:

When other than steep slopes and the odd rock crawling section would you use 1st low??

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none really ....2nd pulling away is best and driveing round ... ive got 2 series landys and on longer runs and greenlanes that are muddy / rutted ive found i can change up to 3rd and 4th and cruise at low speed easy .... anyway back to the original question ...the disco in question didnt last long it couldnt do it on road tyres.... now ive got me a td5 disco with out a diff lock so im looking farward to useing the traction and see how i get on with it ...im used to old series that u have to drive not all this modern **** ...lol....time will tell if i like it ......

Disco 1 is still better

All locks and none of those fancy electrics to **** up

The beauty of the D2 auto with 'Manual' button pressed is that you can drive it exactly like a clutchless manual gearbox. Ie select your gear - 1 to 4 - for the terrain and it will stay in that gear.