AuthorTopic: Modifying & Towing.. Do they go together ?  (Read 781 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline The Beserker

  • Posts: 3
  • Attack: 100
    Defense: 100
    Attack Member
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Referrals: 0
Modifying & Towing.. Do they go together ?
« on: November 30, 2005, 12:38:37 »
Hi -

You'll have to all forgive me but I'm new to all this MudBusiness and am pretty much totally ignorant about it all..

I have had my Disco (a 200Tdi - J-Reg) for about 18months.. it's main "job" as well as being my car is to tow TheNag about..  Now it does this very well but since seeing all the modifications you can do for offroading I'd like to try some of the less extreme ones (to start with!) on TheGreenMachine.. I've had a little go at some greenlaning in Leicestershire and am intending to join my local OffRoad club as I loved it.

BUT.. I'm concerned as I'm a bit precious about TheNag.. so what sort of things can I /should I think about doing and will/won't they affect the ride for the trailer..

I should say that TheGM is factory spec - nothing fancy apart from an anti-roll kit (No idea what that is or even if it's fancy - the previous owner put it on) and I had new shocks about 5months ago - gas ones (does that sound right ?).. It would also be nice if I could start with some stuff that doesn't cost the earth..  :)

Hope this isn't too basic a question..

Thanks

Clueless Of Chelmsford..

ETA - it also has some very bright spots - but they just look good!
Walking the fine line between bravery & stupidity....

Offline Henry Webster

  • Posts: 912
  • Attack: 100
    Defense: 100
    Attack Member
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Referrals: 0
Modifying & Towing.. Do they go together ?
« Reply #1 on: November 30, 2005, 12:54:09 »
No, no such thing as too basic a question.  You'll get lots of different opinions on this forum - most of them 100% valid.

My one bit of advice is that you should take your time and learn about what you want to be able to do.  A standard Discovery is very capable as it stands and with a few very easy mods can be improved.

I started a thread a while ago about the top 5 'first' mods - that might be worth a look.  I'll try and dig out a link.

I would say that the most likely first stop for modding would be at the tyre shop for some All Terrain tyres (if you don't already have them!) and then probably some decent recovery points.  Then you are ready to learn a whole load more! :D

Offline The Beserker

  • Posts: 3
  • Attack: 100
    Defense: 100
    Attack Member
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Referrals: 0
Modifying & Towing.. Do they go together ?
« Reply #2 on: November 30, 2005, 13:01:50 »
Quote from: "Henry Webster"
.

I started a thread a while ago about the top 5 'first' mods - that might be worth a look.  I'll try and dig out a link.


Thanks.. that'd be great..

I wasn't sure if I could just take it as it was.. so it wouldn't damage it too much just as is ? (not that I intend to stack it!)

TheB
Walking the fine line between bravery & stupidity....

gords

  • Guest
Modifying & Towing.. Do they go together ?
« Reply #3 on: November 30, 2005, 13:14:45 »
Quote from: "The Beserker"
I wasn't sure if I could just take it as it was.. so it wouldn't damage it too much just as is ? (not that I intend to stack it!)

Well, I did my first laning trip in a bog standard Discovery on very worn road tyres :)

I'd agree - switch to (at least) AT tyres should be the first thing. Closely followed by some proper front recovery points. You have a towbar, so that will be fine for rear recoveries.

For the front, you can either fit a steering guard with integral recovery points, fit jate rings or you can get recovery points that mount to the chassis and poke out of the valence.

Offline Range Rover Blues

  • Moderator
  • ***
  • Posts: 15221
  • Attack: 100
    Defense: 100
    Attack Member
  • Karma: +3/-0
    • South Yorkshire
  • Referrals: 0
Modifying & Towing.. Do they go together ?
« Reply #4 on: November 30, 2005, 13:33:02 »
On the plus side, our car is fairly heavily modified and still tows very well.  The important thing for your trailer is that you keep the towing hitch at the right height, about 18 inches, and I'd imagine for the nag (horse?) that the ride isn't too harsh.  If cash permits fit a Dixon Bates shocklink to your towbar.  If it doesn't don't worry too much, if you have gas dampers already the ride won't get a lot harder.


If you lift the car you will probably use stiffer springs so I'd suggest avoiding that for now, as we often say it's damned expensive to lift a Disco properly and the springs are just the first step, budget on around £700 to do the job right!

The anti roll kit is probably anti roll bars and possibly stiffer bushes in the front radius arms.  These bushes are distorted when the body rolls so stiffer ones resist it.  Leave this alone for now, you won't like the car if you remove it.

Henry was right on the nail when he started that other thread, you'll see that most of us who have spent loads of cash advise the same first few things, then keep your money in your pocket until you know why you need to spend it.

The basics are:

Recovery points and recovery gear (ropes and shackles)
Protect what you've got, Diff guards, steering guard
Tyres
DON'T GO OUT ALONE!

If you stick with a group of mates you will always come home, see what gear they have and ask why etc etc
Blue,  1988  Range Rover 3.5 EFi with plenty of toys bolted on
Chuggaboom, 1995 Range Rover Classic
1995 Range Rover Classic Vogue LSE with 5 big sticks of Blackpool rock under the bonnet.

Offline Henry Webster

  • Posts: 912
  • Attack: 100
    Defense: 100
    Attack Member
  • Karma: +0/-0
  • Referrals: 0
Modifying & Towing.. Do they go together ?
« Reply #5 on: November 30, 2005, 15:01:13 »
FYI - some good advice on here!

http://forums.mud-club.com/viewtopic.php?t=14214

Cheers

H

 






SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal