PandaSpeedShop

Hi guys, been a long time with no update. Once the war broke out I was kind of deflated and wanted to just abandon the project as there was no end goal. Since the war is still going on Ladoga is off the cards for a very long time. However I have managed to finish the truck to some extent and am now looking for other events that it may be able to be used in here in the UK and around Europe. Being a full body truck built around 33” tyres the events are limited. So far only Rally Breslau is coming up. Perhaps anyone else would be interested in going this year, would be good to get more than one team out there. Or would it be complete madness to compete in something like that with a full body disco 2……? Anyway here are some pictures of some of the build process.

Unfortunately I am double booked for those dates. Got an event on at the mountain circuit in Andorra.

Maybe we can get a few people from here that are interested and have a go next year?

Good Morning guys, As you are aware I was unable to go to Ladoga this year due to the war/political situation. As a result of this the build has ground to a halt with lots of expensive parts sitting in my garage/living room and the truck looking very sad for itself. With the way the Russian media is portraying NATO/rest of Europe I do not think it will be possible or wise to attempt to go next year or even several years after. There is a lot of hate and British number plates will only get you more trouble. Are there any events which I could do with my truck in Europe next year? It seems like there is nothing suitable in the UK other than pay and play mud pits or winch challenge events which my disco is not suitable for. I am interested in trophy raids, punch hunts and other events of that sort of style. Basically is there a Ladoga style event somewhere that isn't a war zone or political nightmare? Thanks.

I am going to continue, too much invested already to stop. Really hope it all works out very soon and the shooting stops. Hopefully fingers crossed for next year.

So the latest developments are very worrying....... I am going to continue building in a hope that it is all resolved quickly, but the current situation really puts a spanner in the works. I really thought that COVID would be the main issue, how very wrong I was.....

Those look amazing! Can’t wait to get my hands on them haha

Oh yeah, it’s nowhere near finished. Just a progress shot from tonight. Bottom tubes, towing eyes, plate infills and strengthening parts to go on still. Yes this is ERW. The roll cage is going to be CDS.

Some more bumper spam.

Thanks. 3.2mm

Made some progress on the winch bumper. The JD squared model 32 is a hell of a tool once you work out how to use it. Bent up 2” 3.2mm tube with relative ease and very good accuracy. I only have a small single garage so excuse the mess and the dark outdoor shots. All the work happens on the driveway. (My neighbours love me 😂)

Thanks for the info guys. 6 mounting points? I can only see 4 on the front chassis legs. I will put extra on the crossmember just to be sure. It’s so annoying that the TDS with the BOW motor is just 30mm too wide. But that stall info looks promising. @Daan the 300M rear shafts came from @Hybrid_From_Hell recommendation. I have 0 experience with any uprated landrover components. So if I can get away with the 4340 that would be great as they are available and a lot cheaper. Cage components ordered yesterday. Looking forward to trying out the bender.

I do. But I am currently getting Winchester gears to build an updated transfer box with an Ashcroft ATB centre diff

Got them ordered, thanks for the link. I need to hold out for the 300M rear tough. Worst case I will have 2WD

I guess if you were to go 300m anywhere it would be the rear. I’ll get them 4340 for the front, only option over the weak standard shaft and cv. With my time constraints I need to get everything around me and put it all together ASAP

This is for the 4340 shafts I believe, it may come to that as I will need better than stock.

So, a bit of an update. Work has started on the winch bumper to mount the Goodwinch which is much bigger than my current Chinese special. Progress pics will be coming up when I have something meaningful to show. T-Max split charge system has been delivered, ARB air supply kit ha also turned up (excuse the loud carpet) all the parts to make the air box and snorkel have been ordered. So work on that will start next week hopefully, at least it’s not weather dependant. I can sit in the garage and weld aluminium all day, regardless of the storm outside. Took all the measurements for the external “roll cage” off to source parts on Monday. Need to get the big fabrication projects out of the way while I wait for the mechanical parts to turn up. Got a slight issue, Ashcroft have not got any 300M rear shafts and their front 300M shaft + CV kit is also out of stock. Anyone have another supplier that maybe has these parts on the shelf or is able to fab up 300m components? @Hybrid_From_Hell any news on the diffs?

Is this avoiding a split charge system altogether? Sorry if I am asking stupid questions.

Has anyone has any experience with the T-Max 12v split charge system? I think I might go with one of those and another normal starter battery unless someone has better ideas. Having a battery status on show would be a good thing I recon especially if you are winching non stop. Plus the 250A relay sounds better than the other systems out there.

Sounds good, I wonder what they are bolting it to on the b and c pillars? I guess tear into the truck and find out.

I want to run dual batteries with a split charge system, if anyone has any suggestions on the kit to use that would be really helpful. Do I need a second normal battery or do I need to get a leisure battery? I have been looking at the external cages, but they seem so big and heavy. I guess if you had something you can run along the trees on the roofline and A-pillar that would be a good start. @Daan do you recon its worth the extra weight? I am thinking something like the image blow except with another bar protecting the very corner of the roof and rear skylights. (shamelessly stolen off google)

In other news my winch kit from Goodwinch has arrived and looks great. Went for a TDS-12c with a BOW2 motor and air free-spool upgrade. Can’t wait to mount it and try it out, going to need to invest in some rope extensions for Ladoga and potentially a ground anchor. Also got my new tube bender set up and ready to make another front bumper as the one I have is far too low for Ladoga. What are your thoughts on including a tube to protect the front wing and linking it to the rock slider? (Like the defender above has.)

Maybe that corridor is not for me. If a defender struggles a disco will get stuck forever haha.

I was talking about the ridge with steep drops either side and very close trees on the top section. Looks like it’s a squeeze on a defender 90 never mind a disco.